The origins of the ranger corps are said to have begun alongside the Threefold Empire.
It was the Founder-Emperor Richard who stressed that the key to determining the course of battle lay in how accurately one could ascertain the enemy’s movements, thus leading to the organization of previously casual scouts and messengers into a more structured system.
Furthermore, it was believed by this Emperor that there was none better than hunters and trappers to remain hidden, move silently, and always return with intelligence. This led to the recruitment of individuals working as hunters or trappers into roles as scouts. Consequently, in the Threefold Empire, excellent scouts came to be known as rangers, who would later even be employed as frontline troops capable of implementing advanced skirmish tactics and unconventional warfare.
However, one might think, isn’t this just a story about hunters and trappers? This is also allegedly because “Richard, in his desperation to scrape together forces back in his era, promised amnesty to a ‘thief guild’ on the condition of their enlistment and officially incorporated them into the empire by treating them as a group of hunters and trappers.”
Yet, this too is a tale from five hundred years ago. By now, rangers had become an honorable military corps reserved solely for the most skilled scouts and explorers.
Well, even such an honorable corps can’t retain its dignity when dumped into a sewer.
“Damn, this humidity is killing my nose…”
“This stench is unbearable. Doesn’t the Human Race feel anything?”
The smallest operational unit for rangers is a pair of two. A werewolf and a dog demon pair, dispatched on some mysterious mission to track down a single vampire, found themselves knocking on the underside of their sensitive noses in the sewers, sighing faintly.
Both werewolves and dog demons are among the most suitable races for reconnaissance among humans. They possess robust physiques, can consume raw meat to extend their operational endurance outdoors, and have skeletal structures different from humans that allow them to move swiftly in a lower stance while blending naturally into the environment.
Moreover, the densely packed olfactory cells in their elongated nasal cavities grant them senses far beyond those of the Human Race. In terms of tracking, they are truly comparable to mages; in fact, one could say that a third of all rangers belong to their kind, which speaks volumes about their skills.
However, even their celebrated noses are rendered useless when the sewers are nearby and waterlogged.
“Shit, isn’t this exploration task a bit too harsh on us? This is definitely not a path for noble youths.”
“Idiot, didn’t they hammer it into us during selection training that there are no absolutes in this line of work?”
“Well, what’re we doing here for some improbable possibility? It’s been three days since the disappearance—hasn’t the target already fled the Imperial Capital by now?”
While whining about the stench, the dog demon of the canine lineage and the werewolf, who reprimanded him while looking equally grim, continued to wander the sewers, searching faintly for the scent of humans.
Given that there was no discovery above ground, they considered the possibility that the target might have gone underground. Though it seemed futile, the higher-ups had no choice but to send personnel out, and this unfortunate pair was caught in the process. Harassed by the stench of sewage and water, they crawled around the sewers but achieved no results.
Occasionally, sensing the faintest hints of human presence, only to find it was the same group of adventurers looking for the missing person—or occasionally students from the Magic Academy sneaking in under the guise of day laborers hired for maintenance—the duo continued their search.
There were no particularly suspicious traces or signs that someone had been hiding there for several days.
To be honest, this wasn’t an environment where humans could survive.
Aside from the oppressive humidity that could even weigh down fur known for its resilience to foul odors and dampness, the magical creatures bred by the Magic Academy were notoriously ruthless. These creatures occasionally patrol the sewers, eating surface dirt and thus maintaining waterway cleanliness.
Encountering smaller ones might merely redden the skin, but if accidentally swallowed by a larger one, the result would be catastrophic—an end resulting in disfigurement and permanent placement in a veterans’ sanatorium.
With a harsh environment intolerable to the olfactory-sensitive species, no results, and the looming presence of creatures one would rather not meet, even the strongest and most loyal soldiers couldn’t help but let out complaints.
Suddenly, both pairs of ears twitched. The large and thick ears of canine-derived creatures, picking up sounds imperceptible to human ears, confirmed it.
Two pairs of footsteps echoing off the waterways. From the sound’s volume, both sources were lightweight; deducing their height based on stride length and weight, it was clear the figures were of young and immature human stature. A faint metallic sound suggested the use of some armament, and the even footwork hinted at training as warriors.
One set of footprints was erratic, showing a lack of skill in stealth, and from the landing pattern and rhythm, one could infer the figure was likely female.
Without hesitation or hesitation, the reconnaissance pair glanced at each other and sprang forward.
Despite the humid discomfort flattening their once proud fur and the urge to complain, they were members of the elite Imperial Rangers. If there was even a hint of a possibility, they would act without pause or error.
Like arrows unleashed, they advanced with utmost haste until the pursuit was complete.
Rushing down paths, leaping up and down slopes, they swiftly crossed waterways by “digging claws into the walls” to cut time. Moving with a speed that the average person couldn’t even visually track, these two showed their prowess while wearing expressions that implied it was all routine.
After all, such movements go without saying for those who bear the ranger title beyond mere reconnaissance.
Even with the mingled severe odors, the scent of humans was easy to pick up. Not only did these two excel at reducing their own presence, but they were also blissfully unaware of their own scents. Indeed, the culture of deliberately masking distinct scents was a concept entirely foreign to them.
However, as the scent intensified, they tilted their heads in thought. Both approaching figures smelled distinctly like Human males.
Still harboring doubts, the duo turned into the indicated passage and found two human silhouettes.
One figure was that of a young boy whose neatly braided long blond hair gave off the appearance of an amateur adventurer. Although he wasn’t armed—perhaps due to regulations within the Imperial Capital—his gait and posture revealed him to be a swordsman.
The other figure had the air of a listener from the Magic Academy. Clutching a bag filled with test tubes of some liquid and a map in hand, the boy seemed like one of the diligent students they had occasionally seen engaged in day labor maintaining the sewers these past few days.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the rangers leaping out from the walls, the young boys relaxed upon recognizing the soldiers’ uniforms.
Even without the badge-adorned greatcoats, the streamlined dark tunics and matching loose leggings were instantly recognizable to any citizen of the Imperial Capital. The black of the uniforms, symbolizing unrelenting loyalty, with a dash of elegance embroidered into their stark design, represented the aspirations of any young boy in the city.
“This, this is the Imperial Guard!? What are they doing here?”
Accustomed to the admiration-filled gaze of children, the guards greeted them with cheerful smiles as they performed their duty of questioning, regardless of the apparent mismatch.
Of course. Even if it was a false alarm, they couldn’t bypass their responsibilities.
Seeing the two figures before them, one clearly resembling a swordsman and the other a young listener, they exchanged glances and, with a sigh, left them with the reminder to call for them if they encountered any other suspicious individuals.
Surely, that was the right course. Two individuals earnestly seeking a young black-haired, red-eyed vampire lady shouldn’t be tasked with detaining a Magic Academy listener and a companion helping with part-time work.
“Did they actually leave?”
“Yes, they aren’t too far yet.”
Indeed, they had made sure to appear so.
Looking at Lady Cecilia by my side, it was unlikely anyone would recognize her for who she truly was. Unless one possessed the rare ability to identify through magical resonance or thought waves, her disguise was convincing.
“Though I was quite uneasy, does this suit me well?”
Spinning around, she appeared every bit the typical young Human apprentice at the Magic Academy.
Truly, an extraordinary effort from her side. Turning ordinary fabric into padding with the “Handicraft” skill to accentuate the shoulders, adding stuffing to alter her figure, and even wrapping herself in wide cloth to flatten the unmistakable female silhouette, she successfully camouflaged herself.
And then picking out a robe from the vast wardrobe provided by Lord Raizenitz—surely a piece chosen with “an apprentice in mind.”—she dressed to emulate a mage.
Taking a detour to the magical district, she extravagantly purchased a magic-based hair dye, dyeing her unmistakably striking hair into a soft brown hue.
Finishing the transformation by lightly holding cotton in her mouth to alter her facial outline, her appearance was now unrecognizable at a glance.
Still, deceiving rangers was no trivial feat—not when they identified individuals by scent alone. The duo we just evaded would’ve posed tough opponents in a face-to-face confrontation.
“Yes, you look exactly like a Human apprentice studying at the academy.”
“Ah, I see. This is fun; I almost wished to attend some lectures.”
Innocently delighted, Lady Cecilia displayed her lack of awareness of the chase, all thanks to my talented younger sister.
She was undeniably the world’s cutest and destined to become a great sorceress of renown.
To avoid detection, disguising her scent was essential, especially after noticing elite Imperial Guards and scouts mingled among regular patrols during her previous outing. Knowing well that many of these species boasted keen noses, and some could discern particles at a molecular level, countermeasures against odors were crucial.
Pondering solutions left and right, Eliza appeared with a pouch of refined scents that imitated Humans. She had crafted it during her self-studying and thought it might help.
How thoughtful of her to tailor something specifically for me!
Apologies, I’m getting carried away. Hopefully, no nosebleeds have developed.
Lately, Eliza’s exhibited an aptitude for magic related to scents, currently studying various spell patterns. One day, during her experiments to create calming odors, she fortuitously retained a failed creation that unexpectedly came in handy after overhearing our conversation.
Thank you, Eliza, for creating something so perfectly useful. My sister’s undoubtedly blessed by fate.
Otherwise, our only option might’ve been dousing her in sewer water—disguising her scent with something stronger. It would’ve made avoiding detection seem like a slip-up during work.
…This certainly beats exposing oneself to taboo materials that even extreme Eastern myths consider a line not to be crossed. Thank you, Eliza, for saving me from that indignity.
“Seems like they’re serious.”
“Yes…encountering them thrice in the sewers is unprecedented.”
Frankly, I underestimated them. Expecting them to lose our scent after three days, I was too confident in our disguises and underestimated their pursuit.
Ironically, the previous duo wasn’t the first encounter either. Pairs of goblins and dwarfs, then an arachnid race resembling female spiders partnered with reptilian house guardians, also identified us. Each time, presenting permits or certificates of recent sewer maintenance work granted by the Magic Academy sufficed to bypass them.
Typically, after three days, one would’ve presumed the primary investigation shifted outside the city.
Thus, it’s time to move. Leveraging the “Invisible Hand” spell, I tore through liquid sealing a normally impassable route to attempt a shortcut to the Manor district.
If I don’t act soon, I might never leave the workshop.
Moreover, lingering here risks escalating circumstances. Should they summon experts like Lord Raizenitz or monks wielding high-tier miracles, even I’d find it hard to escape.
—
[Tip: The Manor District. Adjacent to the area where the nobility’s vacation homes are located in the northern part of the Imperial Capital, this area houses shrines dedicated to all the gods of the Threefold Empire. Despite having several main shrines, most are branch shrines, varying in sizes.
Furthermore, shrines are scattered throughout the city, with those in the Manor District used mainly for meetings between priests and ceremonial purposes, whereas others serve practical, day-to-day functions.]
Though my last exploration of the demonic palace was lengthy, I worry about the pacing of this story.
Even if the plot unfolds quickly, when put into words, the chronic illness of digression kicks in… making it rather delicate.
