Chapter 68: Crossing the river at night

The canal flows from west to east then gradually goes north. It goes through the upper part of the Northern part of the Kingdom then heads towards the sea that spreads to the far Northeast.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

The last time the enemy disembarked was on the western and eastern sides of the fortress. Utilizing the large amount of water in the canal, Zirconia hid their warship by creating an illusion in some way then they crossed the river.

As for Arlaune, her influence range can be expanded by putting and spreading her pollen through the wind. It is more natural for water spirits to expand their range along the water flow, and to counter such flow, additional magical power is required.

In order to hide the warships that cross the canal from the west and east, it is necessary to create a wide range of illusions. According to Dite-san, the phenomenon of the appearance of fog in the canal was confirmed several times, and until now they thought that it was due to climate change.

“If that’s the case, it means that the magician is likely in the upper stream of the canal.”

As we had equipped our equipments, we gathered in the courtyard on the first floor, we then talk about whether to cross the canal from the west or the east.

Her Highness closes her eyes and puts her hands on her chest to pray ―then, the tree growing in the courtyard, its entire body shines, grains of light were sucked into Her Highness’ body.

Through the tree, which is a familiar of the sacred tree, it responded to Her Highness call. Was the Royal shrine maiden receiving the “oracle” like this long ago…?

Eventually, Her Highness opened her eyes and looked at us. The oracle seems to have helped her determine where to cross the river.

“The plants along the canal perceived the magical effect. It seemed that the fog was flowing along the stream from west to east, blocking that view.”

“That means… the enemy’s base was in the west, and the army attacking from the east were also descending the river from the west, right? When they withdraw, they retreated from the east side though…”

“To hide both the warships in the west and east, as Her Highness had said, the magician needs to be located in the upstream. In other words, you can think of it as they are returning to the west base.”

Flow of water ―Water magician exerts great power if it can be used, but conversely, it also  means that they are bound by the water flow.

“It means that the possibility that the magician is in the west base is high right? Even if we were wrong on that, it would be nice if we could take the base where the warships are anchored.”

Disabling even one warship will be a huge blow to Zirconia. If we can take it successfully, we will be able to use that warship.

When the strategy was decided, we did the final inspection of our equipments. Her Highness wore an all black leather armor which hides her well at night, except for the sound produced by the metal armor. At first I was surprised at her appearance because she always wears silver armor that gives her a pure impression.

Because Leslie usually hides her identity as “Lendl”, her dressed like a spy, suits her well. For some reason she was used in wearing such equipment and she even taught me how to equip mine –I wonder why she has such knowledge, but now is not the time to ask for such details.This is translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“From the time we’ll cross the river, I will use magic to hide everyone’s presence. However, if we use a boat to cross the river, it may take a long time so there’s a probability that well be noticed.”

“That means we need to cross quickly as much as possible, right?”

“We can swim with our equipments removed… No, that’s dangerous. If it’s a small boat, with that river flow, it looks like it will take at least half an hour time to cross…”

“For that, Arlaune will lend us some good wisdom. Let’s move closer to where we’ll start to cross.”

As Arlaune had said, we don’t need a boat. We went out the west side of the fortress through the entrance gate –the armors left behind as a grave marker for the soldiers that the archers had killed before, have all been recovered because it will not decay as it is and metal can affect the soil.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

We pass through the reeds and reached the bank of the canal. At this time of the night, the other side of the river is so far out that you can’t see the opposite bank. ―The water flow in this plain is also moderate, but if we try to cross using a small boat, we will surely be swept further downstream.

“The power of the water spirits to interfere with this vast canal… I can see that it’s absurd. But it can’t go on as it is.”

Raquel-san looks far beyond the shore, staring directly at Zirconia’s side. Dite-san is holding a short bow, which was one size smaller than the compound bow she always use and is paying attention to our surroundings.

“Dite-san, what do you carry on your back…? There is a slight smell of saltpeter.”

“I was able to seize some of the enemy’s artillery, so I got gunpowder. The Zirconia’s side is behind in metalworking technology, but apparently, they are advanced than us for gunpowder weapons. I had also instructed my subordinates to develop this “fire lance” and we used the enemy’s gunpowder. It is hard to defeat the base with only a sword, spear, or bow after all.”

“It’s justs like the development of Fire Arrow huh. Certainly, there may be occasions when it is necessary.”

Raquel-san and Presha-san specializes in martial arts, but Dite-san seems to be familiar with weapons development. And if one has a gunpowder weapon, he needs to avoid getting it wet after all. The weather is quite sunny, but if Noin moves and uses magic to create fog, there’s a possibility that it can be ruined.

―Then, the bulb I carried around in my pocket began to shine. When I placed it on the ground and chant the spell, Arlaune was summoned in the form of a child.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, he seems to want to cooperate with you. Since “that child” needs a lot of magical power to materialize, I want Princess-sama to lend her powers.”

“If “that child” would help us cross the river… then please use as much power as you want. Grass, are you ready?”

“Yes, please let me borrow Your Highness’ power. Laune, the chant to call the spirit… I see, with this, it will be fine.”

Laune released her materialization and turned into a spiritual body and got inside me –at that moment, I was able to know what Laune had seen in the spirit world and I was able to know a new chant.

That plant has an ecology that the plants of this world cannot possess –looking at that spectacle in my mind, as always, when I learned about a new plant, I can’t help but feel amazed.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“Well then, let’s start… Leslie, when the summoning is over, erasing our presence, I’ll leave that to you.”

Leslie nodded. While everyone paid attention, I put my hand on the swiftly flowing large river and start to chant.

“『Oh water lily that springs out from the Abyss, you who floats from the miraculous spring, show yourself once in this world. 』”

Magical power from Her Highness flows into me. Instead of supplementing the magical power used for summoning, as the vessel, I feel that I’m about to be filled to the brim –I wonder if every time I borrow her power, I was left with such a tremendous power.

A large circular faint light is produced on the dark water surface. It’s not just one, but it’s innumerable and it extends to the other side of the canal.

“This is… a huge lotus…?”

“I-Is there a plant like this…? It’s floating in the air…!”

『Floating prickly water lily』―It is an aquatic plant that exists in “Elmir’s Spring” in the spirit world, it has a large circular leaf that adults can ride on, and it has the ecology of floating in the air and moving to sunny places.

By summoning countless floating prickly water lilies, they can serve as a foothold. This way, we can cross the river in the shortest time without being affected by the flow of the canal.

Knowing that we have no time to loose, Presha-san takes the lead. She jumps on the floating prickly water lilly leaf and immediately jumps to the next one ―watching how it easily catch one adult and bounce back with its elasticity, Her Highness followed after.

Then Raquel-san, Dite-san, Leslie ―and finally, me. The river is flowing below me, looking at the dark water surface that seems to suck me in, I am a bit scared, I then concentrate on crossing forward ―then,

We were done with the river crossing without taking much time, it would have taken us half an hour using the boat though. Like they are fusing with the darkness of the night, the summoned water lilies are sent back to the spirit world.

It doesn’t stop there, we crouched down on the reeds and began to move. We are headed to the west –While paying attention whether the enemy’s scouts are patrolling, we continue moving towards the forest that is hard to see.

We have one hour time –while listening to the howling wolves that can be heard in the distance, me and Leslie who is following Her Highness and the others moving at a tremendous speed fall behind a little. Dite took care of us as our escort and accompanied us without leaving us behind.

“You have followed quite well, both of you. But, we can’t rest for a while.”

I am surprised as Dite-san can talk while running. She is indeed a Knight, and this can the effect of her regular physical training ―I thought that I should have build up my physical fitness too but I can’t whine about that now.

Eventually, Presha-san, who was ahead, slows down. There were some lights emerging in the darkness of the night ahead of her.

“Your Highness, look, I can see some light.”

“Watchtower… and we can see Zirconia soldiers on the lookout. That’s the enemy’s base… It looks like that place was where the warships are built.”

A portion of the canal runs toward the enemy’s fort surrounded by high fences. The surrounding trees in the forest were cut down, it was the evidence that and large amount of timber was collected.

How many enemy soldiers are there? How do we occupy it? ―And, will we encounter Noin? Whatever happens, together with Leslie, we can only fulfil our roles as a magician.

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