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We all could only be taken aback by the sudden unexpected situation. Digging through the corpses, trying to find some traces of anything, but nothing of significance was discovered.

In the end, we turned our steps back to the camp where we had stayed overnight. With it being daytime, there was no need to light a fire; we simply sat around the charred remains of the campfire.

It was a gathering to exchange opinions and assess the situation to decide what to do next, but everyone was lost in deep thought, and no one spoke, leaving an eerie silence enveloping us.

Despite being a dense forest, the area was contaminated by Glen’s mucus, causing even the passing birds to steer clear, and not a single chirp could be heard.

However, no matter how much we pondered, we had no concrete information, so no conclusions were forthcoming. After a brief ten minutes to gather our thoughts, I was the first to speak up.

“Um… this is quite an unexpected situation.”

“Even though the information sources couldn’t carelessly roam this place, according to what we heard from the Information Guild before setting out, there were no particular anomalies…”

Especially Lindy, as the de facto head of the Information Guild, seemed more flustered than the others by the completely unexpected situation. Instead, she looked worried that the erroneous information she provided might have caused this problem.

But Lindy had simply done her best given the situation. Due to geographic limitations, no matter how recent the information, there would inevitably be a time gap of at least a week.

“It would be nice if we could at least know when they left, but the corpses that remain are nothing but shells, barely even decomposed and utterly useless.”

I exchanged a few more words with my friends sitting around, but in the end, it was nothing but fruitless lamentations and worries. However, we couldn’t just sit still here. A decision had to be made.

To move forward or to turn back.

But it wouldn’t be wise to press ahead either. We might head straight towards the Demonic Race’s territory and find the Demon King’s Castle, but who knows when we might get ambushed from behind? It’s not like we’re hunting the Demon King directly; we’re taking out the Four Heavenly Kings scattered about instead.

“Shall we return for now?”

Thus, I opted for the choice to turn back. It’s uncertain what rumors the noble lords peddling “heroic invocations” will spread when they see us coming back empty-handed, but I can’t gamble with my friends’ lives on a dangerous endeavor.

Courage and recklessness are just a hair’s breadth apart. We must not act rashly and end up regretting our choices.

“If anyone has a different opinion, please share.”

I glanced around at my friends in hopes of hearing another perspective, but no one seemed to have any objections or alternative suggestions.

In truth, they were just as lost as I was, so it was only natural.

Our next plan is simply to return to the village and prepare. Gather more information.

That way, we might also piece together some of Glen’s movements. Although Glen seems to be following a different path than in my previous life, I now have far more reliable comrades than before.

“Then let’s hurry before the fog sets in. We were lucky to have received help from a dragon on the way here, but there’s no guarantee we’ll get assistance on the return journey.”

Fortunately, the towering mountain range visible among the thick trees had only a few wisps of clouds, and that peculiar dense fog was nowhere in sight.

By the way, from this distance, it really is enormous. It’s no surprise that dragons claim this mountain range as their territory; it’s big enough to hide oneself in.

“…Thinking about crossing that mountain range again for another week is already dreadful.”

The problem lies in the fact that we must cross the mountain range once more. It took us about a week of hardships just to cross it, and now we have to repeat that ordeal.

Surely, since it’s a path we’ve already traversed, the way back should be easier than before, but the reality that we’ll still face hardship doesn’t change.

During the daytime, we must tread carefully on the slopes, worried about slipping and tumbling down. However, when night falls, it’s a different story altogether.

Being in a high-altitude area means that even during the day, the temperature is low, and when the sun sets, a biting cold envelops us. The only warmth we can rely on is the heat from the campfire we tend to, and the body heat we cling tightly to each other for warmth.

“Let’s get moving as Celly suggested. We need to hurry to reach the camping point before night falls.”

As I stood up first, my friends followed suit. Since we hadn’t really unpacked anything, they merely shouldered their backpacks they had left on the ground.

“Hmm…?”

Just as I was about to lift the bag I had placed on the ground, I suddenly spotted a sparkling light inside it. A familiar glimmer.

Upon opening the bag, as expected, the magical crystal resting at the top shone brightly enough to be seen even beyond the backpack, flickering away.

“What’s going on?”

The flickering of the magical crystal indicates a request for communication. However, the only person who would contact me using this crystal is Rizeria, and her alone.

Yet, she would never reach out during broad daylight. Our conversations always occur in the morning before our daily activities begin. During the day, she’s busy with her schedule, while I am tied up with battles and other matters, so we don’t contact each other unnecessarily.

How strange, I thought, and as I gently channeled my mana into the crystal, it soon ceased flickering and emitted a soft glow. That meant I’d successfully connected with the corresponding crystal on the other end.

“This is the first time I’m receiving contact at such an hour. What’s going on, Rizeria?”

I tried to speak to Rizeria on the other end of the crystal, but no response came back.

Just as I began to worry that maybe it was truly broken, I finally heard her voice.

-…Elysia?

“Yes, Rizeria. I’m here.”

Rizeria’s voice calling my name sounded softer than usual. Of course, her voice wasn’t particularly boisterous, but it usually has an air of haughtiness; this time, however, it felt particularly calm.

Could it be the cause of my racing heart that I could hear even from my ears?

-How is everything going over there?

“There’s a bit of a struggle, but I’m not in any trouble. Did you reach out just because you were worried about me?”

-Who’s worried!

“If that’s not it… then you just wanted to hear my voice?”

-T-That’s not the case!

The clearly flustered tone conveyed that she was not at all unaffected by my words. However, since I’ve built a rapport with her, I can tell: her flusterment signifies that I hit a nerve.

You must deceive the deceiver. While others may not catch on, there’s no way someone as perceptive as me would be fooled.

“Hehe… I wanted to hear Rizeria’s voice, but it seems she didn’t feel the same way?”

But that’s part of her charm, so I didn’t push the matter further. Instead, I simply poked fun at her a little.

But perhaps it was too mischievous of me? Once again, just like before, silence reigned on the line.

No, it wasn’t completely silent. Upon closer listening, faint sounds of commotion could be heard. Shouts from someone, and possibly the sound of something heavy falling…

A wave of unease washed over me as it did when I first set foot in this forest, when I found the corpses of the demonic race strewn about. The anxiety I had been trying to bury deep was now bubbling back to the surface.

Anxiety that felt as if it were choking me.

Why am I feeling this way all of a sudden?

“Ely?”

Meanwhile, my friends, who were slowly packing their bags, had gathered around me one by one. But even as they called out to me, my thoughts were fully committed to Rizeria on the other end of the crystal.

Before I could voice my concern and seek understanding, Rizeria’s voice came through again.

-Ah, I’m sorry. What did you say? I got distracted for a moment there.

“I asked if you didn’t want to hear my voice, but I wanted to hear yours.”

-Oh, heh…

Fortunately, this time she responded promptly. But alongside her laughter came the commotion that seemed noticeably louder than before.

The suffocating sensation of unease closed in around me.

No, it’s probably just my overthinking. She’s in the Empire’s capital, after all. The sounds I hear aren’t anything extraordinary. Someone might have just dropped a valuable object while moving it.

So just keep on hiding your embarrassment with dishonest little white lies, Rizeria; show me that flustered side of you like always.

-That could be true.

No. That answer won’t do. If this were the Rizeria I know, she’d find a way to cover her blush with a blatant lie that was too easy to see through. Why… why did you suddenly change?

-Still, hearing Elysia’s voice gives me strength. I feel like I can tackle the remaining tasks vigorously.

Her voice was lively, yet a slight tremor told me she was trying hard to maintain a cheerful demeanor.

-Well then, I’ll be cutting off the call now.

Without revealing the sudden reason for her contacting me, Rizeria whimsically left me feeling uneasy, abruptly stating her farewell.

-Please have a peaceful rest of the day…

But even that farewell from Rizeria never came to a conclusion.

-Bam!

A ruthless, violent sound that had nothing to do with her delicate voice completely drowned out her words.