Published: July 3, 2025
On the third day since they entered the Naitorei Kingdom, Prince Willy and his group left the town of Basham and headed towards the royal capital along the Second Avenue of the kingdom.
"That dish from last night... was it called hamburger? It was exquisite. It was my first time eating it, but the overflowing meat juices and the exquisite match of the sauce on top... I was truly impressed by the cuisine of a great nation."
"Indeed, indeed."
Inside the box carriage, Prince Willy passionately spoke about the hamburger they had eaten at the inn's dining hall last night.
Ryo nodded happily, as if sharing in Willy's excitement.
"I’m so glad Ryo-san recommended it. If I hadn’t tasted it, I would have surely regretted it for a long time."
"That’s just like you, your highness. Food is a royal indulgence, after all. Delicious things are justice. Please continue to enjoy delicious food in the kingdom."
Encouraged by Willy's enthusiasm, Ryo continued nodding along.
However, this peaceful scene was suddenly shattered.
A response was detected by Ryo's passive sonar.
Ryo opened the carriage window and spoke to the guard riding beside them, Korn.
This time, all the guards and adventurers were mounted.
They did this to increase their speed in case they needed to escape.
However...
"Korn-san, we are being surrounded from all directions."
It was as if they knew everyone was mounted, and the encirclement was beginning to close off their escape routes.
"Damn it. How many are there?"
Korn muttered a curse and inquired.
"There are ten surrounding us. Additionally, five more have advanced from the forest behind. Those reinforcements might be ambush troops or reserves... They aren’t joining the encirclement."
"Fifteen in total... That's quite a lot."
Korn frowned at Ryo’s report, deep in thought.
Ryo was concerned about the five reinforcements.
It was common for a commander to be in a position that appeared to direct overall movements...
"Ryo, I’m sorry, but can you create a bit of distance from the enemy? There’s no need to defeat them. If you can't rejoin us, it's fine to just leave. We’ve crossed the border after all."
"I'll be fine. If we get attacked, I’ll pretend to be the prince and lead them away. That includes the five in the forest... Please give me a signal when the time comes. Once the enemy is reduced, increase speed and escape into the town of Wingston."
Korn thought his own suggestion was rather extreme, but Ryo’s counter-proposal was even more intense.
"No, that’s a bit..."
"I’m fine. Please make it to Wingston without stopping."
"...Understood."
After a moment, a voice called from the left side of the carriage line.
"Enemy attack!"
Ryo pulled up the hood of his usual robe. At first glance, it should be hard to identify him.
Prince Willy and Lord Rodrigo didn’t say anything more.
They understood the situation after the earlier conversation between Ryo and Korn.
Ryo peeked outside the window.
The attackers were...
"An assassination cult?"
Yes, they appeared to be dressed in the same black attire as the infamous assassination cult.
However... it was hard to believe that all attackers were from that cult... there were surely others who made a living out of ambushing.
"Ryo-san..."
Tears welled in Willy’s eyes as he called Ryo’s name.
Perhaps he was reminded of the previous shadow warrior who had been killed.
"Your highness, I'm fine. Please run to Wingston."
Finally, Korn’s voice rang out.
"Your highness, please escape!"
"Then I will go. May fortune be with you!"
With those words, Ryo opened the carriage door and leapt outside.
As he did so, he closed the door behind him to keep the inside hidden from view.
He then dashed off the road and towards the forest.
Using his passive sonar, he checked how many were pursuing him.
(Seven, huh...)
He had managed to separate more than half of the ten attackers.
Prince Willy’s guard consisted of four, and there were six c-rank adventurers.
Against three assassins, they should have a good chance of winning.
Now, it depended on the movement of the five in the forest...