Palinkron's location and the direction in which the Sith flew away are in line with each other. If we also head straight for it, we should be able to catch up with the Sith's back at some point.
　Thinking about how to move as fast as possible to catch up with the Sith, we expand Dimension. Along the way, I sense that the cork soldiers are gathering around the mansion.

''Before I know it, we're surrounded ....... No, I've fought twice with a flourish, so it's no surprise ......

　I'm rather surprised they haven't raided it yet.
　Maria reacts to my soliloquy.

'A battle with the guardians (guardians) had already brought soldiers to the mansion to check on them. They didn't do anything, so I left them alone. ......
They don't know what's going on, and they're just waiting for reinforcements. The way this yard is changing, anyone would be alarmed.

　The ground has been gouged out, but the plants and trees are overgrown. If it had changed so rapidly in just one night, anyone would be puzzled.
　Besides, the residue of magical power left in the garden was thick. It's no wonder the soldiers didn't bypass it and are just waiting to see what happens.
　One by one, the forces of the cork are gathering around the mansion.

''But it's just as well.''

　But I didn't see that gathering of strength as an obstacle. Rather, I consider myself lucky.
　I find the fastest way to move.

"Maria, can you ride a horse like that one?

　Many of the soldiers were mounted on horse-like creatures.
　Perhaps because the battlefield was surrounded by plains, mounted soldiers seemed to be in abundance.

''Horses?　Are you talking about the military "Al-Auna"?　I can ride it, but I'm .......

　Al-awna?
　I've heard that word before.
　Perhaps it refers to the horses of this world. From now on, when I hear the word "Al-Awna", I'll think of horses.
　I've decided to ride that warhorse and chase it for now.

　I don't have any riding experience, but I'm sure I can copy the skills. I'm not saying that I'll be a top-notch rider in no time. But I'm confident that I can reach a level where I won't be shaken off. Rastiara also said that she can ride, so I have enough places to copy the skills.

''Alright, thank God. Now we'll have 'legs' to chase Dia.
...... Um, you're going to rob the cork soldiers?

　I suppressed my guilt and nodded back to Maria.

　If it was just simple speed, me and Rustyala would be faster if we ran on our own legs. However, if you think about moving over long distances, relying on another 'leg' would be the most efficient. In that respect, a vehicle like that horse would be ideal.

''We don't have time to explain the situation to the soldiers, so we'll take it away. We're going to force our way through anyway, so we'll take it while we're at it.
Good call. Mr. Kanami.

　I had expected Maria to disagree, but I was rather impressed with her bold choice. It was a far cry from me, whose conscience was aching.

'There are twenty-seven men in the army. Let's attack a few of the soldiers in the ...... north. This way.

　He finds a short-handed spot in Dimension and hurries to the north of the mansion.

　He then jumped over the garden fence and swooped down on the soldiers who were waiting for him.
　There were six soldiers who were on the north side of the house.
　First, as soon as they land, Rustyala takes one soldier's back and strangles him, knocking him out.
　I thought about strangling his carotid artery and knocking him out too, but I decided against it since I had no experience in martial arts. As usual, I use my signature swordsmanship to lightly slash his leg.

''What, where did you appear from--!

　If a soldier calls out to you, you make him drive his fist into the ground with his fist. I make it difficult for them to breathe and prevent them from calling out to their comrades for help.

　The swift surprise attack by Rastiara and I knocked half the men unconscious and the other half down.
　The fallen soldier would soon recover from his breathing difficulties and call for help.
　Before that, we secure the warhorses.

　When all three of us are on our warhorses, I glance at the grunting soldiers, my heart aches.

　My heart aches.
　No matter how one looks at it, what we are doing is a robbery. No, before that, we'll be charged with obstruction of justice.
　For a moment I want to at least leave some money for the warhorse, but I shake my head that there's no point in such complacency. Even if I left enough money on the table, it wouldn't make up for what I stole.

　Dismissing it as being for my fellow Dia, I remove the soldiers from my sight.

　I can see that the morals that were nurtured in the original world are slowly being chipped away. At best, I can say that we are adapting. But I knew that this was not a good phenomenon of adaptation.
　It's because of the trials in the other world and - most of all - the dreams.
　I feel like I'm being rapidly adapted (・・・・・・・) to another world because of the memories of my dreams. Even though I haven't even spent a month in another world yet, I feel like I've been living in another world for years because of that dream.

　Shaking off that uncomfortable feeling, I control the reins.
　The warhorse roughed me up a bit, but I managed to get the warhorse to have a taste for it, just by following my example. It doesn't take much effort to finish the job.
　Is it because of the presence of Rastiara and Maria, two role models nearby? Or is it because of the skill copy, status, or--or is it because of the dream? It's hard to tell.

　Soon we are riding our warhorses and setting off from the outskirts of the city of Cork to the north.
　Rustyala, who is following behind me, looks at the direction I'm moving and asks me questions out loud.

'Kanami, are we going to break the northern barrier at this point!
'Yes, I will!　After we leave the cork, we'll continue northwest!
Okay!　Then let's take down the soldiers at the barrier with magic!

　We continue on the street.
　It's the outskirts of town, so there aren't many people, but there are still people walking down the street. We rode our warhorses wildly, with people yelling at us as we passed.

　After a few minutes, we reach the cork barrier.
　It's a high wall, even from the inside.
　The only way to get over it is to go through the door of the barrier. The location of the barrier is known ahead of time in "Dimension". And, of course, the status of the barrier.

　The northern barrier has a few guards and one huge wooden door.
　It's too thin a barrier to stop us.
　We don't even need to stop.

"Maria, make a hole in the door!

　He gives instructions to Maria, who is running alongside him. Without any hesitation, Maria nods and begins to build her magic.
　I then take out a throwing knife from my 'belongings'. Rustyala's one understood his role without needing to be told. He finishes constructing some magic for long distance.

　When the distance between us and the barrier is close enough to reach our voices, the soldiers on guard notice something strange.
　They try to shout to stop the three enemy shadows that are coming towards us at a terrifying speed.

''Wha, what!　Wait, guys!　Don't go any further!
The Flamesphere!

　Instead of a reply, Maria's spherical flames fly.
　At the same time, I throw my knife and Rustyala flies a low-killing wind magic.
　I took charge of the left half of the troops, and Rustiala took charge of the right half. The purpose of the attack is to stop them, but it's also to encourage them to move so they don't get caught up in Maria's magic.

　Maria's flame bombs land on the door.
　Then, with an explosive sound as if gunpowder had been popped, the great door was blown off.

　Not just the windhole, but the door itself was gone.
　Most of the soldiers were on their hips on the ground from the impact.

　Without hesitation, we ran through the scorched remains of the dusty flame.
　After passing through the gate, ignoring the shouts from behind us, the plain spreads out in our field of vision.

　Now we're out of the city of Cork.
　The only thing left to do is to push on through this great plain.
　However, it is difficult to travel across the plain, which stretches unchanged to the horizon. Maria, who knows this, confirms again.

'Kanami-san, are you sure you're right about this direction?'

　The direction is measured accurately in Dimension, and I take the map out of my 'possessions' and check it against it.

It's correct. I'm going to ignore the town on the way and head in a straight line to the fort where Palinkron is.

　From a quick glance, it looked like we could get there if we spent the night going northwest. There were three or so cities in between, but he could tell that they were going straight ahead without turning aside.
　Perhaps the flying Sith would be heading straight ahead as well.

　However, a calm voice breaks in.

''No, Kanami-san. Even if it's a bit of a detour, you should still stop by the city. If you change your feet often, you'll get there faster in the end.
...... sure you're right. Then let's make one stop in town.

　I adopt Maria's opinion, since we didn't have to go far off the beaten path if we only made one stop.
　Leaning slightly in the direction of travel, I choose a path that allows me to make a stop in the city.
　Even though there are dimensions and maps, there is still the possibility of getting lost. The closer we are to the city streets, the easier it is to get directions, so it's not a bad route.

　Thus, we push through the Great Plains without hesitation.

　We took the best possible move and left the mansion as fast as we could think of.
　But the discomfort remains, as if it sticks.

　I still feel like I'm doing something wrong.
　All the mistakes I've made to date make me uneasy about the best move I've taken.

　Still, I had no choice but to run my warhorse.
　I thought about everything I could think of in "Parallel Thinking" and followed the instructions of "Sensory". If this is still impossible, then it means that it's no longer within Aikawa Uzumi's tolerance range.

　-- and there is a real sense that it has already been exceeded.

　But such a situation, I'm used to it.
　I'm not going to stop just because I'm over the limit.
　I'm not going to stop just because I'm over the limit.

　I'm going to keep going forward.


◆◆◆◆◆


　From Cork, we continue northwest and reach a new city as the sun goes down.

　The city's name is Coral.
　Unlike the trade-centric port city, it is small in size. It doesn't have the high defensive walls of Cork, just a frame of stone walls. Of course, like a city in the middle of a war, there are many soldiers on guard.
　However, for those of us who have the "Dimension", monkeys were only natural.

　Paying attention only to the "magic stone line", we invaded the coral.

　The sunshine in the sky was lost and the city was beginning to darken and quiet.
　The only thing lit by the pale orange light was a large mansion or inn.

''-- Hey, Kanami. The sun has completely set, are we going to stay in this town today?
No. I'll be there for you.

　I will answer Rastiara's question immediately.
　If possible, I would like to reach Palinclone before the Guardian (Guardian) Aide and the Apostle Sith. I really don't want to waste a single second since I'm late to the party.

''Are you going to proceed without a break ......?''

　Maria's reaction to the suggestion was uneasy.

'Don't worry about it, Maria. I don't have much of a problem with me, even if I don't sleep for a day or so. I mean, I had a much worse experience during the 'dance competition' ......, and I've learned that I'd rather not sleep for a day or so, so I can concentrate better .......

　He says it lightly, as if it were a joke.
　There is no lie in those words. In fact, the battle against the "Celestial Knights" in the second round of the "Dancing Tournament" ended in a crushing victory.
　However, the two men's expressions are not good. They seem to be against the sleepless, forced march.

　I knew that would happen.
　So I said the words I had prepared in advance.

'Of course, I'll be the only one to go on without rest. You two go back to the ship and take a rest. Also, I want you to explain the situation to the three guys on the ship.

　And then deploy the magic "Connection" in the corners of the city.
　This is the most reasonable method.
　However, seeing that purple door, Rustyala's face turns grim.

'It's true that Kanami is sometimes stronger when she's weak ....... --maybe you're not going to fight the Palinkron alone?

　I shake my head.

'No, it's the other way around. I always call all six of you before you make contact with a Palinkron. And I want all six of them in good shape to take down the Palinkron and the Sith Apostle. That's why I want to keep fatigue to a minimum for me alone.

　We are not going to be stubborn here and try to fight alone.
　Then it will be a repeat of the night of the Nativity. This time we'll fight together like we did with Rowen, and we'll all return to the Confederation safely.

　Rastiara is looking at me.
　I know I'm not lying. But he can't seem to nod his head quickly enough because there's still a little bit of uncertainty in his voice.

　Then, after troubling for a sufficient amount of time, Maria speaks up before Rustyala can answer.

'Lastiara-san, we should go back.

　It was unusual for her to give advice but rarely make decisions.
　Maria calmly informed Rustyala of the current situation.

''You need to rest. To be clear, even if Rustyala-san goes with you now, she will only be a drag. Come back with me and get in shape. --please.
...... Wow, okay. If Maria says so, I will.

　Rustyala looked away for a moment, troubled, but quickly agreed with Maria's argument.
　She seems to feel her own discomfort.

''Well then, Kanami-san. Let me take care of Rastiara-san.''
Bye, Kanami: ......

　Maria took me by the hand, and Rustyala passed through The Connection quietly.

　Thus, I am alone in the back streets of the city on a dark night.
　I feel lonely, but I also feel my heart grow easier.

　Aiming for Palinkulon means that the road ahead will take us through a war zone. Honestly, if I'm going to infiltrate into enemy territory, it's something that's easier for me to do on my own.
　If I had to describe it game-wise, it would be me and the Reapers as the only ones who have the makings of a scout. Everyone else is too specialized in combat.

　I'll use "Dimension" to flush out the areas where warhorses are likely to be available. Then, I'll put my money where my mouth is and replace the 'legs'.
　Although I strongly discouraged the shopkeeper, he won't keep me quiet forever. The longer I stay, the easier it becomes to expose the fact that I am a foreigner mixed in with the city.

　With my 'Dimension' spread thinly, I gallop out on my warhorse. I climb over the stone walls and leave the Coral city at night.

　Outside the city, a plain of indigo-tinted, almost black, awaited us.
　I take out water and food from my 'belongings' as I run. I spare myself time to eat and review the map as I sip on my water bottle.

　There are two routes from Coral to the Palinkron fort.
　Either we can proceed through the forest to save time, or we can detour and continue on through the plains.
　If you're going to proceed without taking into account accidents, then proceeding through the forest would be the quickest way to go.
　My mastery of the ability to control a warhorse has progressed, and as I have the 'Dimension', it's possible for me to proceed without slowing down. Even if there are trees in the direction of travel, I can extend my sword and cut them down ahead of time.

　However, there's just one big problem.
　From earlier, I can feel people coming in here and there within the thinly spread 'Dimension'. They are all armed, high-level people.
　After carefully observing the equipment they wear, I was able to divide them into two types. I found what looks like the main camp in the distance, so they must be the soldiers in wartime.

　It seems that they have finally entered the area of the engagement completely.
　There were many soldiers in the forest, and every time the soldiers clashed with each other, they started killing each other. I frown at the sight of that killing beyond good and evil. And then I quickly dismiss it (・・・・・・・).

　I don't know the style of warfare in this world, but it doesn't seem to be just dense armies clashing with each other. Outside of the main battlefield, there seems to be a separate skirmish going on.

　However, even though it was a skirmish, it was very different from my image of war.
　The infantry is spread out and does not try to be cohesive at all.
　I'm not sure if it's because of the existence of magic, or if it's because they're all in one place. Or maybe it's the unique tactics that permeate this world.

　It's an interesting story, but I immediately stop examining the otherworldly wars and try to understand the current situation.
　The only thing that matters now is where and how to proceed the fastest.
　And I decide that I'm going to proceed mindlessly through the forest.

　I restrain my frightened warhorse and charge into the trees.

　This will push me through the middle of the competition.
　However, none of the soldiers are above level 10. Even if they were seen as the enemy, they would be able to handle it.

　In the middle of a path that people could just barely pass through, I would use 'Dimension' and my sword to forcefully secure my safety.

　The branches of the trees graze the body. There are so many obstacles for the horses to overcome that their hands are not resting.
　Their gallop was noticeable in the quiet night forest.
　Soon, the soldiers of the forest sense with their 'dimensions' that they are approaching us. However, I ignore all of them.

　On the way, some of the soldiers I passed asked me what I belonged to, but I passed them by in silence.
　Of course, if you keep doing that, you will soon be judged an enemy. In less than half a second, he would be under attack from the soldiers. However, arrows are dispelled with swords, magic is prevented with 'Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)', and ignorance is penetrated.

　He repeats this endlessly and crosses the war zone in an imposing manner.

　Then, after a few hours of driving my warhorse until dawn, I finally managed to get out of the forest.
　The sun was rising in the east, and the sky was shirking.

　I quickly checked the map against my current location.
　Even though I kept pushing forward through the forest, I didn't seem to be going in the wrong direction. We are now on the plains as planned.

　We can sense that there are many forts being built nearby. All of them were hastily built for the war.
　If the letter from Shea is to be believed, Palinkulon should be in the largest of these forts.　

　He immediately sets off his warhorse head towards it.
　At the same time, the "Dimension" is also spread out.
　This is to get a good look at the fort ahead of us.

　It extends its consciousness. It is similar to subjectively sensing a bird flying through the air. The senses extend to the fort and information about the space comes into your mind.

　Then I find the great fort.
　The fort is about a kilometer square in size. It consisted of tall towers and stone flat roofs that were dense and connected. It was fortified to form a triangle, and its height was almost twice as high as the city of Cork. It's one of the most magnificent barriers of any structure I've seen in this other world.
　Although it's inferior to the Allied Fusoya's Cathedral, this one has a stronger materialistic air of keeping out enemies from the outside world.

　The inside of the fort was buzzing.
　For a moment, I was surprised to see that my work in the forest was being carried through. If they used the "magic stone line", it wouldn't be surprising if they had gotten to the information earlier than me.

　However, I soon found out that I was not the cause of the problem.
　By observing the situation, I could see that there were already intruders. There are stunned soldiers all over the fort, and the entire fort is on the verge of war.

　The place where the abnormality was most noticeable - it was the central yard.

　In the center of the fort, there is an open space several tens of meters in all directions.
　People were gathered there.

　Amidst the traces of what must have been a magical engagement, we find three people of unusual magical power facing each other.
　The Guardian (Guardian) Aide, the Apostle Sith, and - Palinclone Legacy.

'Found ......!

　I can feel my heart beating faster in my chest.
　I have an enemy to hate. And there are friends to help.
　Tension and excitement make my body stiffen.

　From what I saw in Dimension, the two people fighting against a single Palinkron were the Apostle Sith and Guardian Aide. From their expressions and the state of their clothing, you can tell that Palinkron is the only one who doesn't have time to spare.
　If you want to strike a surprise attack, it's now or never.

　It was just as dawn was about to break.
　The distance to the fort was only a few kilometers. If we continue to drive our warhorses, we can reach the fort in a few dozen minutes.
　The time is just right.
　It's time to summon everyone who is waiting on the Living Legend with the Connection. With that in mind, I slow down the warhorse's speed.

　At that moment, the "Dimension" catches a person who is moving strangely.
　A lone person from the fort, also riding a warhorse, is heading straight for us.

　I changed my direction of travel slightly to avoid the encounter.
　However, to go along with it, that warhorse also changed its movement slightly.

　It was completely supplemented. I could see that there was no way to avoid it.

　Just like me, she has the ability to keep the enemy at bay.
　The one who came out of the fort was a white girl - Hailey Weisprope.