The canal flows from west to east, gradually heading north. It passes through the upper reaches of the northern part of the kingdom to the sea, which stretches to the far northeast.

　The last time the enemy landed, it was on the west and east sides of the fortress. Using the canal, a massive amount of water, to create an illusion in some way, Zirconia came across the river to hide the warships.

　In the case of Alraune, they could expand their sphere of influence by sending pollen flying on the wind. The water spirits were also more natural at extending their range along the current, and it would take extra magic power to go against the current.

　In order to hide the warships crossing the canal from the west and east, they would need to generate an illusion over a wide area. According to Deethe's story, the phenomenon of fog over the canal had been observed several times, and until now he had thought it was due to climate change.

'So that's what you mean when you say the mages are most likely to be on the upper side of the canal.

　We gather in the courtyard on the ground floor, geared up and gathered in the first floor courtyard, exchanging ideas about whether we should cross the canal from the west or the east.

　His Highness closes his eyes, puts his hand on his chest and prays - and as he does so, the entirety of the trees growing in the courtyard shine and grains of light are absorbed into His Highness' body.

(The divine tree is answering His Highness's call through that tree, to which it is a subordinate. The Royal Priestesses received the 'oracle' like this in the distant past. ......)

　Eventually, His Highness opened his eyes and looked at us. The oracle seemed to help us determine where we should cross the river from.

'The vegetation along the canal was detecting the effects of magic. It seems that the mist was flowing along the river's course from west to east, and that it was blocking our view of the river.
You'll find that ...... the enemy's stronghold is in the west, and the troops that attacked from the east were coming down the river from the west?　When they retreated, though, they retreated from the east side: ......
'In order to hide both the western and eastern warships, as Your Highness says, the mages would need to be located upstream. In other words, we can assume that they are back in their western stronghold.

　The flow of water - if you can use it, the water mages will show great power, but on the other hand, you are also bound by the flow?

'Does that mean that the chances of the mages being in the western stronghold are quite high? Even if it's an outlier, it would be nice to be able to drop the bases where the warships are docked.

　If we neutralize even one warship, it would be a huge blow to Zirconia. Because if we can successfully take them, we will be able to use our warships.

　Once we have a policy in place, we will make a final inspection of our equipment. All of your lordships are wearing black leather armor that is easy to hide in at night, rather than metal armor that makes a sound. They always wear silver armor, which always looks clean and clean, so the difference was surprising at first.

　Perhaps because Leslie usually hides his identity as 'Rendle', he looked good in his covert-like clothing. For some reason, he was also adept at wearing his equipment and taught me how to equip it - I was curious how he knew so much, but I didn't have time to ask him for details right now.

'From the time we cross the river, I will use my magic to hide everyone's presence. However, if we use a boat to cross, it will take too long and they may notice us.
We need to get across as quickly as possible, I suppose.
'You could take your gear off and swim ...... No, that's not safe, and that's not safe. With a small boat, it's going to take at least half a second to cross the river because of the current. ......
'Alraune has some good wisdom to share about that,' he said. Let's move closer to the point where we start the crossing.

　If Alraune was right, there was no need to prepare a boat. We went out through the sender's gate to the west side of the fortress - all the armor left as grave markers of the soldiers the archers had defeated before has now been recovered, as it is decaying intact and the metallic quality affects the land.

　After passing through the reedbed, we reach the banks of the canal. It's so far away at this time of night that you can't see all the way to the other side of the river - the water is also slowed down here on the level ground, but if you try to cross it in a small boat, you'll be swept farther downstream.

The power of the water spirit to interfere with this entire vast canal ...... becomes so tremendous. But we can't just let them get away with it.

　Raquel-san looked at the farther shore, the Zirconia side of the river. Deete-san held up a short bow, one size smaller than the compound bow she usually used, and looked around her.

''Deete-san, what is that thing you're carrying on your back ......?　I can smell a little bit of gunpowder.
'We were able to seize the enemy's artillery, and now we have the gunpowder. The Zirconian side is behind in metalworking technology, but when it comes to gunpowder weapons, they have a day's head start on us. I had ordered my men to develop this "fire spear", and we were able to use the enemy's gunpowder for it. After all, swords, spears and bows are not enough to hit a stronghold.
'So it's like a developmental system of fire arrows. Certainly, there may be times when you need it.

　Raquel, Presha-san specializes in martial arts, but Deethe-san seems to be well versed in weapons development as well.

　And if you have a gunpowder weapon, you still want to avoid getting wet. The weather is well clear, but if Noin moves and uses fog magic, it could ruin it.

　--that's when the bulb I carried in my pocket begins to shine. As I placed it on the ground and chanted, Alraune was summoned in the form of a child.

''Sorry to keep you waiting, but she's going to help us. ''That child'' needs a lot of magical power to materialize, so I need the princess to help me.''
The person called 'That Girl' said she would help us cross the river ...... then use any amount of help you can get. Glass, may I?
'Yes, please help me, Your Highness. Lune, the chant to call that spirit is ...... so that's what you're going to do.

　At that moment, I was able to know what Lune had seen in the spirit world and the new chanting phrases that he had seen in the spirit world - Lune released his materialization and dwelt in me as a spirit body.

　The plant has an ecology that no plant in this world could ever have - I can only marvel, as I always do when I know a new plant, at the sight that has flashed through my mind.

'So let's get started: ...... Leslie, when you're done summoning, ask for a distraction spell.

　Leslie nodded persistently. I held my hand over the torrential stream of water and began to chant as everyone watched.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. Show yourself once in this world.'

　Magic power flows into me from your highness. Rather than being supplemented by the magic power used to summon it, it almost overflows from the vessel that is me - every time I borrow her power, I wonder if I've been left with such tremendous power.

　A large circular pale light arises above the dark surface of the water. It is not a single one, but a myriad of strands, extending to the other side of the canal.

'Is this ...... huge, lotus ......?'
'This plant really exists: ......?　In the air, floating in the air: ......!

　The Floating Lotus, an aquatic plant that exists in the Elmir Fountain in the spirit world, has circular leaves large enough for an adult to ride on, and floats in the air to move to a sunny spot.

　It summons countless numbers of its floating demon lotuses to use as a foothold. This would allow them to cross the canal in the shortest possible distance, unaffected by the current of the canal.

　As if there was no time to get lost, it was Presha-san who took the lead first. She leapt and rode on the floating lotus leaves, and then flew to the next foothold - watching the wandering that easily received a single adult and bounced back with elasticity, followed by His Highness.

　Mr. Raquel, Mr. Deethe, Leslie - and finally me. The river is flowing below us, and the sight of the black water that seems to suck us in makes me cringe, but I turn my attention forward and focus on getting across - and.

　We had completed the crossing, which would have taken half a second in a boat, in no amount of time. After being released from the summons, the lotus is repatriated to the spirit world, melting into the darkness of the night.

　That doesn't stop us, we bend down and move through the reed field. The direction is west - we continue to move towards the handy woods, where it is difficult to be seen, while paying attention to whether enemy scouts are patrolling the area.

　We've got to be careful not to get caught in the middle of a battle, as the wolves are howling in the distance. Deethe-san was our escort and accompanied us without leaving us behind.

'They are following us well, both of them. But you won't be able to rest for a while yet.

　I have to marvel at Deethe's ability to talk while running. She's also a soldier and it's a sign that she works out on a regular basis - I should have been building up my physical strength too, but I can't whine about it.

　Eventually, Presha-san, who was ahead of me, slows down. She pointed ahead and saw several lights floating in the darkness of the night.

''Your Highness, look, I see lights.''
We can see the ...... turret and the zirconia soldiers on guard. It looks like that's the same place where they built the enemy's base ...... warships.

　A tributary of the canal flowed toward the enemy's fort, which was surrounded by a high fence. There were signs that the nearby forest had been cut down and large amounts of wood had been extracted.

　How many enemy soldiers are in that place? How are they going to occupy it - and will they encounter Noin? Whatever happens, I will only do what is required of me as a mage, along with Leslie.