A few days later.
　The day before the full moon night of the Goddess Festival.
　We were headed for the Sacred Spring northwest of King's Landing.
　We were preparing the carriage in front of the royal castle.

"Zeke.

　Eleanor, the vice leader of the Order, called out to me.
　She is a talented woman who has risen to the position of vice commander of the Order at a young age, and her abilities are considered to be equal to or even greater than Gregor's.
　She is known as the 'Ice Princess' by those around her.

"I heard. I heard you're coming with us. This mission can't fail. I'm glad you're with us.
"I think you're the only one who thinks so.

　I look around.
　Gregor and the rest of the Knights are glaring at me in disapproval. It's clear as day that we're not welcome here.

"They're all prejudiced. They're all prejudiced. They think that the Guards, a subordinate organization of the Order, can't possibly have anyone better than them.

　Eleanor shrugged her shoulders in disgust.

Your abilities are undeniably real. The fifth squad of the Guard is a group of the best and most skilled in King's Landing.
"Really? You really know your stuff, don't you?

　Spinoza smiled happily.

"They seem to be different from the knightly knaves.
They're so entrenched in their selective mentality that they can only see what they want to see. That's something that needs to change.
It's gonna be okay. Not if you're here.

　I said.

"The Order can change, too.


What?" ....... I didn't know you bought me that much ....... I don't know what to do. I can't stop my face from relaxing. ......!

　Eleanor pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks. I can't stop myself from loosening my face.

And this time, I'm traveling with you. And overnight. It's no exaggeration to say that this is a pre-wedding trip in the form of a mission. ......
"No, that's an exaggeration.

　You're too flexible in the way you look at things.
　I think it's nothing more than a trip to protect Sonia, the priestess of light.

Hey. You guys. Come here. I'll explain our journey.

　Gregor called us over. He made no effort to hide his disapproval, pointing to the map in his hand and explaining in a high-handed manner.


"About this trip, we can expect to be attacked by demons along the way. This is a golden opportunity for them. They'll have a lot of power. --Do you understand that there are two ways to the Sacred Spring?
"Well... The first is the way through the Coral Plains, right?　...... Huh?　But is there any other way to get there?

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

I'm not sure. I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

The other would be the way across the Vindictive Valley.


　I interjected.
The Valley of Vengeance, which is said to have been burned down by a demon lord, is an inhospitable environment for living things, but it's not impossible to get through.
"......?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

You've got some knowledge here, I see.
"Yeah. Zeke. You know a lot about it. I didn't know anything about it. I never knew the Valley of Vengeance was passable or where it came from.
I'd heard of it when I was an adventurer. "I heard when I was an adventurer that there was a valley where all living things died, not even demons could live.

　The Demon Lord burned it to the ground and the valley of vengeance is still a scorched earth, and you can still hear the vengeful voices of the dead.

"Yes. The Valley of Vengeance is so scorching hot that even demons can't get to it. If you stay here too long, your body will be burned away.

　Gregor said.

That's why the demons will be waiting for us on the Coral Plains. They'll be waiting for us in the Coral Plains, knowing that we'll pass through there. We've already heard from the people we sent to scout the area that the demons have formed a large army in the Coral Plains.
I see. So what are you going to do about it?

　Do we run into the demon army and try to break through the front?
　Or .......

We're a squad of a dozen. We are a small band of a dozen or so. Even with all our experience, we will be outnumbered by the hundreds of troops on the other side. It is not advisable to confront them head on. That's why we'll send Eleanor's Knights to the Coral Plains to divert them. While that's happening, we'll cut through the Valley of Vengeance and break through.

　Gregor assured me.

"It's a rough road, but the demons won't think we'll go through the Valley of Vengeance. We should be able to avoid the risk of fighting them.



　They're not going to pass through here.
　They're trying to take advantage of the demons' beliefs and outsmart them.
　If we do well, we can reach the Sacred Spring without any fighting. That's if we can get past the Valley of Vengeance.

"Oh?　What the hell is that? You're running away? Of course not. I'm not gonna feel better until I blow those guys away.
...... You know what? I think you're misunderstanding the purpose of this mission.　Our objective is to get the princess home safely.
Yes, sir. I understand how you feel, Spinosa, but our top priority is to get the princess to the sacred spring.

　Seira said to Spinoza as if to rebuke him.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.
".......
What?　You. What are you laughing at?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

It's not a problem on that score. The sacred spring is surrounded by the blessings of the goddess. Demons can't get near it.

　Gregor says as if he doesn't even know that.

"Once you pass through the Valley of Vengeance, you're already in the realm of the Goddess' blessings. If we can reach the sacred spring, our victory is assured. ...... Don't drag us down at all. The fate of mankind hangs in the balance of this mission.