The entire beginning of the day, I spent at home doing nothing, just relaxing my body as much as possible and calming my mind. Brendu also stayed at home by my side. We did nothing but lie down or sit until it was time to leave for the forest.
The rest felt more relaxing than I expected. I was able to clear my head and focus on different situations. It was a true moment of relaxation.
“Let’s go.” Brendu finishes getting ready for what’s coming. She’s wearing a uniform sent by her family specifically for war. It’s very similar to the one I won during the tournament, and I feel more at ease seeing her at least a little better protected.
“Yes, it’s time to leave.” I get up from the floor without rushing. My body and mind are already prepared to adapt to any situation that may arise. All that’s left is to do the best we can.
Brendu, Samo, a scout who will serve as our guide, and I will take a different path. This was also Ritmo’s idea to avoid raising too much suspicion in the forest. The presence of three truly strong people can stand out too much in large groups, so it’s better to separate and move cautiously.
The path was much calmer than expected. Monsters rarely appeared, and when they did, they were only grade 3. Most of the time, the guide didn’t even notice the monsters. I was officially in charge of eliminating them.
Several times, I felt Samo softly nodding his head while I killed a monster, as if giving me a positive score whenever I managed to detect and eliminate them quickly.
I’m quite surprised by this bald old man’s ability. He can pass off his Imra as if he were a newly advanced ruby rank. My sharp senses detect him that way. Many people wouldn’t be able to discover that he’s a diamond rank with decades of experience.
Finally, after crossing several mountains and walking for hours through the forest, I can see the mentioned location. There’s a section of trees with orange leaves in the forest, between two mountains with snow on top, and I can make out several small lakes. We’ll use a space very close to the mountain on the left, near a cave.
The temperature has clearly dropped. The cold is quite noticeable in this area. It isn’t as cold as Lully’s father’s territory, but it is colder than my territory. What’s surprising is that we’re only several hours away on foot. It’s quite close.
By the time we arrive, everything is already set up. Clearly, they took the shorter route while we went around to “deceive” any monsters with sharp senses, so they wouldn’t think we were heading in the same direction.
We all already knew that. The guide kept communicating with the other team throughout the entire trip. They’re using equipment that allows them to speak, but also send messages through sounds, very similar to Morse code from my previous world.
“Welcome.” One of the guards makes a deep bow. “Captain Cokue is waiting for you in the meeting tent. Please follow me.” I nod softly, and the guard turns around to lead the way.
When we arrive, there are only two other people sitting in the chairs beside Cokue. At first, I’m surprised to see them here: Joaki and Murill. Both of them, of course, are already ruby rank and have become much stronger.
It’s been a long time since I saw the leader and vice-leader of the group. Both of them are always very busy traveling, gathering materials from different dungeons throughout the empire. The Owl Group has dedicated itself to that area in our territory, and these two hold positions at the same level as Cokue.
“It’s been a long time, Maki.” Joaki stands up to give me a strong hug.
“Yes, my friend. I’m glad to see you after so long.” I hug him with the same intensity.
When I finish greeting Joaki, it’s Murill’s turn. “You haven’t neglected your training. It’s good to see you strong, healthy, and in love.” The man, who looks like a bear because of how huge he is, gives me a strong hug.
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“I can say the same. I don’t know how long it’s been since you advanced to ruby rank, but I can feel how powerful you’ve become.” I respond to the big man.
I also greet Cokue. The leaders of the Owl Group greet Brendu. They already know her from before, and it seems they also already knew Samo. They even show him deep respect. I’ll ask them later how they know him.
“We had some hope that these days you might have encountered other monster groups in the surroundings, but that wasn’t the case. Unfortunately, no one will be able to accompany you, Maki. I wanted to send Murill with you to help, but that’s no longer possible. I need him to hold the front line.” Cokue lets out a sigh.
“No problem. I already had it in mind that I’d fight alone.” I respond to Cokue. I wasn’t planning on receiving help. I look at the big man beside me. Murill would have been helpful. He’s a very good tank.
After finishing adjusting the last details for a few minutes, Cokue leaves us to look for the squad leaders. Samo also goes to take a look around, and only the four of us remain.
“How has the group been? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen all of you gathered.” I ask the two of them.
“Everyone has been well. Most have already advanced to ruby rank. Only two remain in sapphire rank, and they’re expected to advance in the coming months once they finish the treatment that’s currently holding them back.” Murill answers.
“Now we’ll be able to spend more time together. Some grade 3 dungeons have appeared around the territory and are transforming into grade 4. We won’t have to explore around the empire anymore looking for dungeons with extraordinary materials.” Joaki also speaks.
“Yes, that’s exactly what Ritmo told us yesterday, along with the grade 4 dungeon in this place. That’s one of the reasons we need to take this territory as soon as possible.” Brendu is the next to speak.
“The territory feels a little unprotected if eight ruby ranks are constantly traveling around the empire to collect materials. Now you’ll be able to stay closer, like you’ve always wanted.” I smile softly. I feel happy for them.
I know they decided to accept that request from my family to support the territory. There aren’t many ruby ranks we can use for this type of mission.
“I know how the princess has been doing because Yuly sometimes met with her. She always told us that the four girls looked happy and healthy, but we didn’t know much about you after your disappearance in Skyblue City.” Cokue seems a little sad. I can see it in his eyes.
“You had us very worried. We wanted to organize an exploration trip everywhere to find some clue, but your grandmother stopped us. She said her grandson couldn’t die from something so insignificant, that it was only a matter of time before you returned. Lady Rita was right.” Murill speaks.
I briefly tell them, in broad strokes, what happened: finding the kidnapped women and children, how I helped defeat a diamond rank and a grade 5 monster, and a few other details.
“We need to meet up for drinks one of these days. There’s a lot to talk about.” I’m already saying goodbye before leaving on my own.
“Everyone should arrive at the territory tomorrow. We’ll need all the manpower possible to keep this new territory safe and stable.” Joaki winks at me.
“Don’t worry about us. I’ll make sure to protect everyone, and the princess, together with Cokue, will cause as much damage as possible.” Murill gives me a thumbs-up.
“I trust you.” I raise my hand while turning around. They’ll do a great job. I trust them completely, people capable of sacrificing their lives for a greater good, although I hope they don’t have to reach that point.
I move at full speed through the forest, avoiding most of the monsters thanks to my Personal World and copying Samo’s technique to hide my presence a little. It’s quite rough and only works to fool the weaker ones, but I can’t complain about something improvised.
Finally, I reach the top of a mountain. What’s strange about this mountain is that it has no peak. It’s completely flat, as if someone had made a perfect cut and removed all the rubble. It isn’t completely smooth; there are several imperfections on the ground, and it’s obviously something caused by someone or something.
This place is where the grade 5 Escamus spends most of its time. There are several stone pillars everywhere, and in the middle there are many very tall trees with lots of leaves. Among all of that, I can feel the presence of the monster I’m looking for.
“Brat, do you know that invading someone else’s territory is bad manners?” A deep and piercing voice reaches my ears. A monster a little over two meters tall, with dark red scales very different from usual and a much more imposing presence, appears.
“Would you do me the favor of simply going somewhere else? You could conquer other territories.” I ask, hoping to get some positive response. A thick laugh reaches my ears.
“I haven’t heard such a good joke in a long time. How does a ruby-rank brat dare ask me to leave? That will only happen over my corpse.” He releases his Jurisdiction, trying to seize me.
“Couldn’t it have been the easy way?” I whisper softly, more to myself than in response to him. I use the same technique I’ve been using to free myself from his Jurisdiction. I can see his eyes turn more serious, and my entire being prepares to fight. Only one of us will leave this place.