Published: July 3, 2025
The following morning.
After having an early breakfast at the inn 'Ruby Pavilion', Gecko's group departed the City of Slanzewi before the sun had fully risen.
"In three days, we will arrive at Halwill, and three days after that, we will reach the Border Town Redpost."
"If all goes well, that is," Rha said while picturing the map in his mind, to which Ryo responded.
"Ryo, don’t say ominous things like that…”
Rha frowned as he spoke.
Last night, Rha was stopped by Sue from sneaking out of the inn, but thanks to that, they were able to act as Gecko's group during the midnight commotion without any issues.
If he hadn't been caught by Sue at that time… it's hard to say what might have happened.
Therefore, the swordsman Rha had decided to express his gratitude by giving the scout Sue some fruit for dessert from his share of breakfast… according to the official records of 'Switchback', at least.
In reality, he had reluctantly handed it over to her.
"The route from Slanzewi to Border Town Redpost is part of the 'Eastern Highway'. This is one of the important highways in the kingdom, so I don't think anything weird will happen… yeah, it definitely won’t happen… it shouldn't happen… I hope it doesn't happen."
Rha's words, laced with his wishes, grew quieter toward the end.
The first day after leaving Slanzewi passed without incident.
Then, on the morning of the second day.
Just as they were nearing the scheduled lunch break, Ryo suddenly took action.
“Rha-san, enemies are approaching from ahead. I’ll inform Max.”
Without confirming Rha's reaction, Ryo dashed to the front of the carriage line.
The lead carriage had Gecko in the driver's seat, accompanied by a young subordinate capable of using water magic, while four others, including Max, walked around the carriage as guards.
“Max, a group with the three people we captured in Slanzewi is coming from ahead.”
“What!?”
“Ryo-san, what’s going on?”
Max was shocked, and Gecko turned to Ryo for clarification.
“Those three had a transmitter… ah, I embedded a water signal in their navels, so now it’s reacting and they’re coming from the front. Their speed is quite slow… about the same as this merchant convoy.”
“Gecko-san, they might be disguising themselves as a merchant convoy, which is a common tactic for bandits.”
“That’s true. Understood. Let’s pretend to take a break at that riverbank. It’ll be easier to handle than if we just pass each other.”
With Gecko’s words, under Max's command, the merchant convoy descended to the riverbank.
Gecko's subordinates and carriage gathered in the center, the guard squad subtly seated around them, pretending to take a break.
“[Ice Wall Layer 10 Package]”
Ryo sat down around Gecko and his subordinates, preemptively surrounding them with an ice wall in case anything happened.
Gecko and his subordinates had grown accustomed to being surrounded by ice walls due to their repeated experiences.
"There are ten people approaching, including those three."
Ryo whispered to Max, who was directing nearby.
“Understood.”
Max moved back and forth to give precise instructions, going as far as the likely front line.
Twenty minutes after Gecko's group descended to the riverbank, a group of ten people, presumably the ones they were warned about, passed by.
Four of them were in the driver's seat of two carriages, and four were in the guard role.
(In other words, there are two inside the carriages…)
Ryo thought this while trying not to lose focus on the ten people… but also not looking directly at them.
They should be passing by soon… or so he thought, when he sensed that the target had descended to the riverbank and lost their momentum… he could read that feeling from the facial expression of the person sitting in the driver's seat of the lead carriage.
Of course, it mostly contained Ryo's imagination.
However, he was sure he heard a small 'tch' click of the tongue.
Then, following that, he distinctly heard the words,
“Guess there's no helping it.”