Episode24(S1-19)：DEPARTURE ＆ SECRET MANEUVER

The sound of the hour announcing midday echoes through The Royal Capital. Grullius leads his troops to line up outside the walls protecting The Royal Capital. The 50 platoon-sized troops under his command are among the strongest in the kingdom, and it is rumored that they can overpower ordinary soldiers by a factor of two.

Grullius mounted his horse with his second-in-command, Hestra, at his side. His forehead is covered in cold sweat, and his eyes are busy looking around. He exhaled heavily, suppressing his stomach, which was about to be overwhelmed by the tension.

“You seem nervous, Sir Zernon.”

“No matter how old I get, there is no better time to be nervous than at the moment of departure. Maybe you could search the world over and no one would be as nervous as I am.”

Grullius' eyes were not smiling as he chuckled, "good grief. It was a sincere cry, and it spoke of his earnestness and sincerity.

As the person in charge of the lives of his many subordinates, he holds the highest level of resolve. This has increased even more since he became known as The Four Knights, and as a result, he has earned the respect and popularity of many of his troops. Knowing his feelings, Hestra responds in a gentle tone.

“But it is because of this tension that we are able to entrust our bodies and minds to you with peace of mind. Please be proud of your resolve, which you despise as petty.”

“...... Yeah, I know.”

His shoulders naturally relaxed. He felt as if an invisible weight that was pressing down on his heart would suddenly melt away. To Hestra, it may have been a casual remark. However, that unadorned word gave him a greater sense of ease.

Well," he said, tapping his cheek lightly. I've put my worries behind me. All he has is the determination not to endanger the lives of his many men under his command. He shouts with all his might, once again keeping in mind the reason why he is called The Four Knights.

“From now on, we will go to Cars Amra Forest to survey the forest and ascertain the number of Hexenbiests in the area. All of you, be on your utmost alert for the attack of the Hexenbiests. I will not allow any of you to drop out.”

Then he takes a deep breath. A cloudless, clear sky shines on them as if to bless their departure. The sizzling sunlight brings unseasonal heat and unlimited thirst.

“All hands, advance!”

Grullius's words are the impetus for the fifty horses in all to gallop off at once. The sound of their hooves, shaking the earth and roaring through the air, crosses the plain to the west. The crowd of people and horses that fills the roadway forms one giant mass, marching as if they were kicking away a dwarf winged insect.

The crowd is so relaxed that one can almost hear the sound of their hearts telling them that everything is going to end without a hitch. A silence envelops the plain, as if the increase in damage from Hexenbiests is really a lie.

“I hope things continue to go well. ......”

“Well, we can't.”

Look," Grullius laughs as he looks out over the horizon. Hestra, following his lead, looks at him and instantly understands what he is trying to say.

He points to a single Hexenbiest walking slowly. Is it living alone, like the original Hexenbiest, or is it a bewildered star that has strayed from the herd? Either way, a sense of tension enveloped the platoon, a complete change from the silence that had prevailed up to that point.

“What do you think?”

“......He hasn't noticed us yet. Besides, there are no towns or villages nearby. Then there is no need to fight. We can't take unnecessary damage by making a bad move.”

Let's get a move on, Grullius said, returning his gaze. Hestra followed suit and they resumed their itinerary to Cars Amurra.

Now, we must move on. ...... What in the world is going on in this country? I hope the fear of the unknown is not controlling the strings of the puppet. ......

With a cold sweat in his heart, he looks beyond the horizon. But it would take more than a day and a night to get to Cars Amra, no matter how fast he hurried. Knowing that it is impossible to resist the passage of time with impatience, he scoffs at his own frustrated mind in vain. Fortunately, the country has not fallen yet. Then there is no need to waste his mind and body in vain.

He exhales heavily as he regains a calm and tranquil mind. They sway on their horses, watched over by the zenith of the sun.

At the same time, a white shadow stands on the blue roof of The Royal Castle. It was the size of The Human, so it could not be seen from the ground. Therefore, no one noticed it.

The shadow, its surface as soft as a pure white cocoon, was being driven by the wind as it looked out over the vast land below. The three pairs of six wings that formed the cocoon shone more beautifully than any jewelry in the world, and were more beautiful than any trinket.

The cocoon looking down on the earth suddenly flaps its wings and reveals its interior. Standing inside is a girl. She has the appearance of a young girl, with eyes as large as a cat's, drooping gently like the Virgin who watches over the earth. Her entire body is covered in pure white, and her appearance resembles that of a neat and tidy young lady. A strong wind blowing in the sky shook the hem of her white skirt.

She smiled as she watched a small group of horses leaving The Royal Capital, sprinkled with affection like a mother watching over her own child.

“Phew. So, they are headed to Cars Amra. At that pace, will they arrive the day after tomorrow?”

Her crimson colored eyes are tinted with gold as she gazes at Cars Amra Forest, which rises just beyond the horizon. It cannot be seen from the ground, but from above it can barely be caught behind a thin haze. This is proof that the star that encompasses this country is curved - in other words, this star is a sphere.

The Dragonute was in that forest. It is not as perfect as I would like it to be, but it must still possess a degree of power that surpasses The Human Child. If she seems to intervene there, it will be even more enjoyable.

Well," the girl stretches her small body. She exhaled heavily to relax her stiffened body, and then smiled a dainty, innocent smile like a young child.

“I wonder if Charuel was able to get the piece of The Piece of Dragon’s Soul? As I recall, he was entrusted with the Scuderia. Taking into account Alpina's character, I'm sure she has it. ......”

But," she rebutted in her mind. Is it because she knows Alpina's character better than anyone else, or is it because she knows her so well that she has fallen into a quagmire?

Is she bluffing if, after 10,000 years or so, she still has not obtained the information or even a clue? But there is still no report that the rest of The Devil had it. If so, where in the world is ......?

Unable to find any clues, she ponders. But at this point, she could not come up with a plausible answer. Still, she shakes off her smoldering mind and sees a glimmer of hope.

Well, that's okay. She herself has returned and seems to be on her way to Scuderia as soon as possible. Let's wait for word from Charuel, shall I?

She turns her golden eyes back to madder-red color and looks ahead with a soft smile.