Had I truly been able to live each day as calmly as written in my letters to my family back home, how wonderful might that have been?
“Geez, already! Didn’t you know that’d be way too optimistic?!”
I hammered my heels into Castor’s flanks, urging him on, galloping along the edge of the road as the light of day began to fade.
“Hmm, I tried my best, you know…”
Lady Agrippina, seated sideways on the practical saddle accommodating two riders — it’s difficult to maintain a proper seated position given her robes — complained as she nonchalantly puffed on her pipe. Do you really grasp the situation you’re in, where your very life is in danger?
“HOW CAN YOU EVEN CONSIDER BOOKING A HIGH-CLASS LODGING WHEN WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR MOVE AS LOW-KEY AS POSSIBLE?!”
“But we are in disguise, so I thought it would be fine!”
“If we just wipe out the duo where one’s an adventuresome soul and the other a magic wielder, it’ll be game over for you, won’t it?!”
The noble sound of horse hooves kicking up dirt from the unpaved road was drowned out by the snorts of powerful horses and the thunderous rumbling of speeding wheels coming from our rear.
Simultaneously, the ominous twang of bowstrings rang out as countless arrows and bolts were fired in our direction.
Through the activation of <Lightning Reflexes>, my perception of time was heightened several folds while <Keen Insight> expanded my peripheral vision.
Eight arrows were on direct hit trajectories, three would naturally miss… Impressive precision, aren’t they?
By layering <Invisible Hand> with <Giant’s Palm> and other add-ons and activating it as a makeshift barrier, I was able to withstand the barrage. The weaker arrows were stopped by the single “hand,” yet the bolts known ominously as “Knight Slayers” had the potential to pierce through at least two “hands,” posing quite the problem.
Man, if you think you won’t die at this level, don’t go crazy right from the start!
Somehow managing to deflect all fatal arrows, I glanced over my shoulder at the ridge, where silhouettes of our pursuers emerged against the backdrop of the setting sun.
“Three carriages! Eight mounted knights!”
Chasing after us was a procession consisting of box-like four-horse carriages and mounted knights. They bore no visible marks of allegiance, yet their well-equipped state was far from that of ordinary bandits. Horses, after all, are voracious eaters, so it’s a wonder how wandering bandits without steady supplies manage to sustain such a considerable number of horses.
“Additionally, I detect three magical signatures.”
Thank you for the helpful information, truly appreciated!
Alright then, let’s get down to why we’ve come to this point. The reason is remarkably straightforward: my lord suddenly decided to conduct a sudden inspection of his territory.
In itself, this isn’t strange at all. A lord’s duty is to govern their land efficiently while encouraging sustainable development. Unannounced inspections are common among nobility to observe whether the deputies are performing their duties properly. After all, one cannot solely rely on paperwork to ensure the sound administration of a territory.
Besides, it’s spring—a perfect time to tour around, reinvigorating the deputies.
However, this is only appropriate if one’s power base is stable.
Why attempt such a hazardous journey by horse when your life is in danger and it’s entirely unnecessary?
With a mix of frustration and urgency, I leaned forward. Lady Agrippina, who had been gripping the belt, muttered “Uh-oh” and adjusted her hold on the saddle, but I ignored it. With the aid of magic to counterbalance the inertia, there was no need for concern over stability when sitting sideways astride a rapidly galloping horse.
“I’m leaving the defense to you!”
“Got it!”
I pulled out a shortbow and a quiver from the saddlebag using <Invisible Hand>. It was a beloved compound bow I had been using since training under Margit at the picturesque Königsstuhl Manor.
Though I possess the <Shortbow Mastery> and <Riding> skills, unfortunately, I lack the <Horse Archery> or similar expertise.
Nevertheless, I nocked an arrow and drew it in one fluid motion—timing the release at the moment Castor’s great stride leveled my body in mid-air. Employing <Lightning Reflexes>, <Keen Insight>, and <Dexterity>, I layered it with <Elegance> to apply an extraordinary accuracy boost.
Amidst the clamor, no cries of pain were audible, but one rider was struck squarely in the center of his helmet, tumbling down in a dramatic arc. For a moment, I panicked, thinking I might have killed him, but upon seeing him writhing on the ground in pain, I deemed him safe enough and marveled at the effectiveness of the shot despite the near-horizontal trajectory.
“That’s safe enough. A defensive ward worked, and from the unusual movements, a miracle has probably kicked in. They won’t die unless throats are slashed.”
“How comforting, thank you!”
Receiving that somewhat awkward reassurance, I loaded another arrow, acutely aware that our foes were certainly no ordinary bandits.
Before I could unleash another verbal tirade, the enemy launched a synchronized barrage of arrows aimed at neutralizing my next shot.
The scene was spine-chilling but unnecessary to deflect—one by one, the arrows vanished mid-air. Moments later, three crossbowmen on horseback and two archers on a carriage were thrown off, accompanied by an ominous silence as their voices were muted by the din of battle.
Using the faint magical signatures as a guide, it seemed that the projectiles were pulled into a phase shift space briefly opened via <Spatial Transition> and were returned forcefully toward their users from a nearly point-blank range.
Eugh… did that one die already?
Recollecting my composure, I aimed for the axles of the carriage attempting to close in for my second shot. It hit, causing the carriage body to rock fiercely but not derail. By the third shot, the carriage was already tilting heavily—finally, upon hitting a small bump, a wheel burst, and the carriage overturned spectacularly.
“Hmm, clever trick.”
“Compared to bringing down a warship, this barely even qualifies as sleight of hand! They’re still coming though!”
Dammit, they’ve got unnaturally high spirits. Normal mercenaries would have probably already fled after taking this much punishment.
As if to test us further, an audacious enemy rider, having exhausted his ammunition, drew his sword for a charge, spurring his steed while closing in. I met him with the <Flash and Thunder> spell, incapacitating him, then swiftly bundled five <Invisible Hands> together to knock him off his horse, making sure he wouldn’t be able to pursue us further for a while.
However, I’ve expended one magical core, combined with the haste of the preparations leaving only two catalysts. Though I do have three catalysts left for the incendiary thermite spell, it’s not something I’d dare use on humans, making it effectively useless.
The remaining supply of arrows is also dwindling. In a world that doesn’t operate on a system where replenishment after a single purchase is unnecessary, steel-tipped arrows carry an exorbitant price, hence stocking up isn’t viable.
Before I could dwell further on this, a magical signature surged from behind. Glancing back, three opponents aboard the remaining carriage were casting spells.
Their balance was so off it made me want to cry. If this was a tabletop game, these shouldn’t be the kind of foes we’d have to face in the midgame.
But, as the other side seems determined, so too must we respond with an even worse “crap game” move.
Mixed with Lady Agrippina’s elegantly smoking tobacco smoke, a spell activated, dismantling the three incoming attack spells from the carriage in an instant, dispersing them into the world. Properly formed, these would have summoned high-temperature flames with tracking functions and explosive shockwaves, plus a peculiar misty chemical attack, but once their formulas were disrupted, they fell apart completely.
“Their structural integrity is lacking. They’re not mages but street sorcerers, though their proficiency isn’t too bad, it seems.”
Though I could only conjure a barrier to withstand one of such spells, this one casually nullified all three that I’d otherwise need to physically dodge or deflect with decoys. This just goes to show how astonishing Lady Agrippina truly is.
“So, what are your orders? Shall we continue fleeing? Or…”
“Hmm, let’s keep up the offense. More active openings are beneficial.”
And yet again, her orders come so lightly….
“Understood, my lord!!”
Since it can be done, I’ll gladly oblige, though I’m feeling rather reckless about this. I shouted, throwing myself off the saddle recklessly.
A frontline character weak against ranged combat generally has two responses. One is to focus on immobilization, engaging in grapple matches with enemy frontliners, depending on the backliners to take them out. This method is preferable if the support team’s firepower is robust.
The second approach is to rapidly bypass enemy blockers, who aim to shield the backline, and directly launch an assault. This is a “risky but rewarding” build for light infantry or heavy warriors specialized in breakthrough power.
Both strategies have their merits and drawbacks. The former risks becoming merely a decoy or cannon fodder to shield allies, whereas the latter could result in complete isolation within enemy ranks if the charge fails and the character is surrounded with disdainful stares asking “Are you stupid?” as they are pulverized.
Needless to say, I’m the latter type—with the formidable support of the most fearsome backup this world has to offer.
Creating a “hand” in mid-air as a stepping stone, I leapt toward one of the riders who was in the process of reloading his crossbow by bending it halfway—a model unfamiliar to me. That’ll need further investigation after this battle.
The enemy’s response was commendable—he discarded the crossbow without hesitation and reached for his sword at the waist, a reaction that isn’t easily achieved without practical combat experience.
Unfortunately for him, good judgment didn’t save him from slow reflexes.
As I planted my right foot on the rider’s knee where he attempted to draw his sword, I transformed my landing motion into a kick. The synthesized acceleration from a frontal collision was compounded into the blow, sending the rider tumbling away with his right arm bending in an unnatural direction.
The resulting recoil from such a forceful impact was appropriately punishing, but I reduced the strain by bending my knees and leapt back up immediately to neutralize him before he could recover. Had the attempt failed, my leg would have likely gone numb for a brief period. But it seems fortune favors us today as dice rolls remain stable.
Still, it’s just when I think I’ve got a good run going that those loathsome crimson eyes appear and lock onto me.
Using the recoil to twist mid-air, I inverted my position and created another foothold with <Invisible Hand>. I redirected the deceleration in avoidance of arrows—though I wonder why the backline isn’t providing cover from projectiles—and landed elegantly on the lead horse of the four-horse carriage.
Bounding from one horse to the next like a rabbit leaping across the back of a shark, I casually slashed the harness connecting the carriage to the horses with a <Spectral Wolf>, setting them free.
There’s something in my conscience that hurts at causing unnecessary harm to animals in human conflicts.
While contemplating this, I casually turned my neck and evaded a crossbow bolt from the driver, cutting off his bolt mid-air and slicing his wrist clean off before returning the blade—a testament to how brutal I’ve likely become.
But, after enduring so many battles, even losing fingers no longer warrants immediate judgment. It’s rather like how in the climactic scenes of horror films, the survivors no longer flinch at encountering corpses, treating them as objects instead.
Using “hands” to yank the sword from the driver’s writhing body, I then broke the bowstrings of the archers stationed on the carriage roof, inviting them to vacate as well. The force of a bowstring snapping unexpectedly can deliver a significant blow to its wielder when under such tension.
Alright, who’s next? Turning back, I noticed the carriage Lord Agrippina chased had been comically hurled into the air. Figures flew through the air like ragdolls and flipped over mid-air—though that wasn’t a mere gag, as landing properly in such a situation is impossible—sending out a flurry of wooden splinters.
Ugh, what on earth was that?
Deflecting an incoming cry with a barrier to avoid collision, I wiped the sweat from my brow as the carriage, having lost its momentum, slowly decelerated.
Judging it prudent not to overlook the damages inflicted, the surviving knights turned their mounts around and dispersed in separate directions.
Hmm, it’s not fear that made them retreat. There are two types of retreats: a panicked scramble and an orderly withdrawal to regroup. These knights have wisely chosen the latter, likely considering the “single-attack sweep” potential from both me and Lady Agrippina using magic.
After all, with the power to send a carriage with four horses flying with a single spell—presumably combined with her breath and smoke to activate the spell covertly—being a disciplined unit would be the prudent strategy. Packing in tightly could very well lead to group extinction with a single sweeping strike. Terrifying indeed.
“Okay, no need to chase them,” said Lady Agrippina casually, guiding Castor’s reins with <Invisible Hand> as she approached.
Behind her was an attacker caught around the neck, dragged by another “hand,” creating a spectacle that was either gruesome or comical depending on how one looks at it.
As the sun set, the assailants faded into the horizon, while I let out a deep sigh mixed with exhaustion, pondering why such an absurdly taxing journey had to be endured.
Materially speaking, they possessed nothing significant.
Well, of course, it’s highly probable that an organized strike force wouldn’t carry items that might indicate their identity. Something like a sigiled dagger, for instance, would be utterly foolish to bring along.
There was a session in the past where we planted items unrelated to NPCs among mid-boss enemies to create confusion.
Back then, with a group consisting entirely of macho barbarians who allocated all points into <Strength> rather than <Social>, all the conspiracies were physically obliterated by brute force, and nothing particularly exciting unfolded.
With that aside…
“Marvelous, isn’t it?”
Lady Agrippina, puffing on her pipe contentedly, seemed to have uncovered something.
Through her intervention, it’s likely actions considered heinous by anyone else unfold effortlessly.
Perhaps forbidden psychic magic was used to directly probe their minds, something I’ve tried once during training with Lord Raizen, requesting resistance from him—frightening, given the existence of unknown attack methods—and theoretically, it’s resistible.
The magic related to spirits doesn’t solely involve peeking into memories. Even simple actions like inducing sleep or distracting them require mental fortitude to overcome. There’s no necessity for a powerful magical force or the ability to concoct a strong counter-spell.
Simply put, all that’s required is to steel your resolve. Such determination alone suffices.
“Looks like this exhausting trip wasn’t a waste after all. Let’s skip two or three inns and proceed directly to our destination, shall we?”
Mhm, if everything can be settled so smoothly, the art of torture wouldn’t have developed over centuries.
The lord is greatly pleased, seemingly having achieved the mission’s objective.
Initially, I was irritated and couldn’t grasp the logic, but upon reflection, things become clear. Someone skilled in spatial transition wouldn’t opt for a land route without a reason.
Admittedly, there are limitations and higher difficulty when visiting new locations, but it seems that multiple countermeasures are already in place, all secured by Lady Agrippina.
The planning of this farcical incognito journey must have been to seize the perfect opportunity, baiting the “easier-to-harvest” fools, making today’s outcome unsurprising.
At first, only minor pests within the vast pond of the Threefold Empire, and thereafter, the larger fish who use those smaller ones as bait.
Conducting business too efficiently leaves one feeling utterly dissatisfied. Even watching from my position feels burdensome. The only sympathy I have is for those who will endure interrogation in the future and eventually be delivered to the patrol officers. Truly, they chose the wrong adversary, much like myself.
Mixing some misguided sympathy, I sighed again.
“You’re quite obviously enjoying yourself, you know.”
Pointed out, my shoulders involuntarily twitched.
“Good for you, you’ve acquired some decent swords and new toys.”
Hold on a moment, that’s not it.
You see, it’s customary for adventurers, isn’t it? Plus, they’d just be left behind here if we didn’t take them, and that’s not the way swordsmen like me would want to see it. No matter how great the blade, it’s disheartening to see it rust away, isn’t it?
Even this crossbow design is fascinating, and there’s a childhood friend who’d probably be thrilled to receive it as a souvenir…
“Then how do you explain the money pouch tucked into your pocket?”
…Ah, but if circulating currency vanishes from the world, wouldn’t it negatively impact the economy?… …
【Tips】The Eastern-style crossbow. This is a recent advancement brought to the western regions after the Dragon Lord’s Second Eastern Expedition. Equipped with a stock mechanism that stabilizes the bow against the shoulder, this crossbow allows the bowstring to be drawn with relative ease, even when folded and released. It has become popular in various workshops for analysis and imitation due to its adaptability to mounted combat, much to the frustration of the Threefold Empire’s expeditionary forces when facing such tactics.
The gear they carried was nothing substantial.
Of course, it’s only natural. A group organized for an ambush wouldn’t walk around with items that could reveal their identities, like a decorated dagger. That’s asinine.
We once had a session in the past where the enemies in the middle rounds had items that were unrelated to NPCs, creating confusion for a bluff.
However, those were all brawn-bruisers who allocated all their points into Strength with no regard for Social skills, so our plots always got physically wiped out, leading to no particularly exciting developments.
That being said…
“Quite satisfying, indeed.”
Lady Agrippina, puffing happily on her pipe, seemed to have found something.
Whatever her method, it’s something that anyone else would find grotesque but which she executes with remarkable ease.
Perhaps with a forbidden form of spirit magic, a direct probe into their minds may have occurred. I once tried it under Lord Raizen’s tutelage, seeking resistance from him — daunting, given the sheer unpredictability of such techniques — but in theory, resistance is possible.
Magic linked to the spiritual doesn’t necessarily involve advanced methods like memory viewing; even simpler things like inducing sleep or distraction require the willpower to resist. Strong magical power or the capability to craft potent counters isn’t necessary.
Simply resisting with determination is enough. All it takes is grit.
“Ah, a tiresome trip turned fruitful after all. Let’s bypass a couple more inns, then head straight to them, shall we?”
Though it’s simple enough to overcome obstacles, it’s probably why the art of torture developed as it did over centuries.
Our lord is in high spirits, seemingly having accomplished the mission’s purpose.
From the beginning, I was irked and couldn’t grasp the logic, but upon reflection, things became clearer. One skilled at spatial transition wouldn’t choose a land route without reasoning.
Sure, there are limits and challenges when visiting uncharted locales, but it seems that multiple countermeasures are already in place, secured by Lady Agrippina.
The planning of this comical undercover excursion must have been intended to seize the perfect opportunity, baiting the “easily harvestable” fools, making today’s conclusion unsurprising.
Starting with the smaller fry within the vast pond of the Threefold Empire, the aim might be the larger fish who use them as bait.
Doing things too smoothly leaves a lingering dissatisfaction. Even as a spectator, the approach feels burdensome. The only sympathy I can offer is to those who will endure the aftermath and eventually be handed over to patrols. Honestly, they chose the wrong opponent, much like myself.
Tossing in some misplaced sympathy, I sighed once more.
“You’re obviously enjoying yourself, you know.”
Pointed out, my shoulders involuntarily twitched.
“Excellent, seems you’ve acquired some nice swords and new toys.”
No, that’s not entirely the case.
Look, it’s the adventurer’s way, isn’t it? Plus, they’d just be left behind here if not taken, and that’s not how swordsmen like me would want to see it. No matter how fine the blade, it’s disheartening to see it rust away, isn’t it?
Even this crossbow is quite fascinating, and I’m sure it would make a splendid souvenir for a childhood friend…
“So, how do you explain that coin pouch in your pocket?”
…Ah, though circulating money disappearing from the world might cause an economic impact…
【Side Note】 Robberies conducted by bandits are deeply penalized, yet robbing these same outlaws doesn’t generally invite much punishment. The return of clearly identifiable stolen items suffices, and any further rough deeds are often overlooked.
Thus concludes this entry from me amidst various personal matters. Tapping away at the keyboard provided a refreshing break, allowing me to make this update.
Not to worry, we’re not diving deep into an extended political intrigue just yet.
This serves as the continuation leading into the youth chapter.
