The Water Magician

Two days later.

Ryo and his purchasing party stood on a small hill overlooking the Forest of Nyran, where the headquarters of the assassination cult was located.

On this side of the hill, the Republic Army was lined up in formation.

"With this level of military strength, I feel like there's no need for us to get involved."

"Fifty golems and soldiers... There's over three thousand of them, right?"

"It's highly likely they’ll finish it before we even get deployed."

Eto said with a wry smile, while Nils shrugged his shoulders, and Amon looked a bit disappointed.

"Well, at the very least, as a kingdom, we’ve shown our cooperation by actually moving the Bracelet and coming to the site."

Ryo said in a somehow pompous manner while crossing his arms.

His gaze was directed not at the Republic Army, but toward the forest beyond the hill.

"It's a very deep forest. I can't see an end on the other side."

"Yes, I think deep forests tend to be inhabited by monsters... But what about here?"

"Who knows? They were probably hunted down when the assassination cult made this their base."

Eto tilted his head in response to Ryo's simple question.

In reality, it was a question that could only be resolved by diving into the forest.

"I want to confirm something with the three of you..."

Ryo lowered his voice slightly.

The three from Room 10 turned their attention to him.

"We’ve decided to cooperate with the Republic government and charge into the forest, but is that really okay?"

"What do you mean, 'is that okay'?"

"You made a promise to get the Mitril Ore at a lower price, right?"

"I feel like there’s a lot we could learn from a battle with the assassination cult in the forest."

Ryo confirmed, Nils nodded, Eto reasoned, and Amon became a battle maniac.

Recently, Ryo felt like Amon was too focused on the path of the sword.

He didn’t think it was a bad thing.

He was just contemplating whether he should get an autograph while he had the chance.

"Well, let's make sure we don't get hurt unnecessarily."

"Is that really okay?"

"Ah... maybe if I get hurt a little, it’ll make it seem like we cooperated. So, Nils, please get hurt a little."

"Hey..."

Ryo presented a strategy, and Nils retorted.

Of course, both of them knew it was a joke.

After a little while, a command was issued.

Fifty Republic golems, called "Civilians," were the first to descend the hill and charge into the Forest of Nyran.

Naturally, the Republic Army's hiding behind the hill was something the assassination cult was likely aware of.

Intense fighting began in the forest.

Confirming that, more troops from the Republic Army were deployed.

The command post was established on the hill where they could overlook the forest, meaning it was very close to Ryo and the others.

"If we push the front line back a bit, we can move the front line command post into the forest."

Bonifacio, the director in charge of this forest incursion operation, said to Ryo.

"When will we be deployed?"

"After we’ve cleared a pathway with the Civilians and the military, we’ll deploy the Special Agency’s units. I would like your cooperation there as well."

"Understood."

Ryo nodded.

Even though it was called a forest, there were some open spaces, and various things could be seen from the hill.

"The Civilians are three-meter class golems... It seems difficult to fight in the forest."

"Yeah, that's true."

"They're not able to utilize their size."

"Even so, if one of their arms hits, it must be incredible."

Ryo reported his observations, Eto agreed, Nils added more, and Amon praised their strength.

In fact, there were golem squads pushing through the trees while engaging the enemies.

"The area the golems have cleared... That will likely be the path for us and the Special Agency's forces."

Nils said.

In response, Eto, Amon, and Ryo nodded in silence.

However, they didn’t know the exact location of the "villa" they were aiming for.

In reality, the Republic government had the documents but had not confirmed the actual location.

After all, reconnaissance teams had been unable to enter this forest...