Chapter 18: Something That Can Never Be Compromised (1)

Screech, screech— the sound of the hinges twisting pierces the ears.

Looking around, all I can see are rocks and dirt.

This barren land seems to lack any travelers, and there isn’t even a proper road in sight.

The abundance of rocks and lack of proper roads mean that every jolt of the carriage is felt directly.

Even though the carriage was carefully crafted and reinforced with magic, it seems there’s no helping it in this desolate region, unlike the capital.

Looking around, it seems the Hero, Natalia, and Laura share the same sentiment, as their expressions don’t look particularly pleasant.

Well, it’s not surprising. It’s the first time we’ve traveled on such treacherous paths in a carriage during our adventures.

However, none of us could voice our complaints.

The massive procession of carriages, one after another, means that we’re not the only ones enduring discomfort.

In fact, our luxurious carriage makes our situation better than most.

“I’m sorry about this. This isn’t a region people frequent, so… ha-ha,” the soldier driving the carriage scratched his head awkwardly, noticing our discomfort.

“…It’s fine. Please continue,” the Hero replied, trying to suppress his obvious irritation.

Of course, it wasn’t the soldier’s fault.

The treacherous paths couldn’t be helped, and it wasn’t the soldier but the kingdom that had sent us here.

“Then, I’ll continue my explanation. The place we’re heading to is a fortress located in the northern region of the kingdom, in the Kaputa Highlands. This location is of significant military importance, but unfortunately, it was recently occupied by the Red-Tail Tribe.”

The Red-Tail Tribe. Indigenous to the Kaputa Highlands, they are beastfolk distinguished by their wolf-like ears and tails.

As in most fantasy games, the Red-Tail Tribe is known for their immense strength, endurance, and unique combat techniques.

They had seized the fortress while some of the kingdom’s forces were away.

“…A useless piece of land,” Laura muttered after hearing the story. Honestly, I couldn’t disagree.

What’s the point of occupying a region that’s nothing but rocks and barren soil? Even if they captured the fortress, it seems like a loss no matter how you think about it.

“That’s not entirely true. That land originally belonged to the Red-Tail Tribe,” Natalia interjected, clearly holding a different perspective.

“Their land?”

“It’s not a pleasant story, but… soldier, could you explain?”

“Yes, of course. You’re all familiar with the changes brought about by the Demon King 300 years ago.”

Three hundred years ago, the Demon King descended upon this world and waged war across the entire continent, resulting in countless deaths.

Thanks to the Hero summoned from another world, humanity won the war.

However, the aftermath left the continent plagued by residual magic, creating monsters and dungeons to this day.

It’s not hard to imagine how dire the situation must have been back then.

One of the most notable consequences was the collapse of the Hispania Empire before the establishment of the Rozaheim Kingdom.

The Rozaheim Kingdom was formed when the Lognova family, supported by the Knighthart family, brought order to the chaotic lands.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, the Hispania Empire had promised to grant independence to the Red-Tail Tribe in exchange for their cooperation in the war against the Demon King.

But as you can see… the empire fell, and its lands were inherited by the Rozaheim Kingdom.”

“…What a tangled mess,” Natalia muttered.

“Exactly. All those who made the promise are long gone,” the soldier continued.

The royal family of the Hispania Empire had been wiped out.

Even if a descendant survived, it’s clear they’d lack the authority to fulfill such promises.

With the Red-Tail Tribe once again under the rule of another nation, it’s no wonder resentment had built up.

“Can’t we just give up the land? It doesn’t seem like a well-traveled area, and managing a land full of rocks must be a hassle,” Laura asked, her tone nonchalant.

“We’d like to, but unfortunately… this land contains mana sources. Two of them, in fact.”

“…Mana sources? Two?”

Laura, who had been disinterested, suddenly perked up at the mention of mana sources.

What exactly are mana sources to cause such a reaction?

“Places where mana gathers abnormally, referred to as mana sources,” the soldier explained.

“Exactly. The amount of mana provided daily at the fortress is more than what a hundred—no, even a thousand mages could gather together.”

“…It’s unfortunate for the Red-Tail Tribe, but the kingdom cannot abandon this region.

With the possibility of the Demon King’s return, we need as many mana sources as possible,” Natalia said firmly.

“So that’s why there are so many adventurers here,” I muttered, glancing back at the massive procession behind our carriage.

Each group was a verified adventuring party, forming the forces gathered to reclaim the fortress.

Who would have thought the Kaputa Highlands had such a backstory? It’s a region that appeared in the game, but the original plot involved the kingdom’s forces, the Hero’s party, and the Red-Tail Tribe working together to fight off invading demons.

How ironic that reality is so different.

Perhaps there’s a chance the demons might intervene while we battle the Red-Tail Tribe.

In my opinion, the odds of that happening seem higher.

From the Hero’s perspective, this is also the kind of place where you could recruit a beastfolk girl as a heroine.

There are many elements to consider in this region.

“But wouldn’t it be better to just mobilize the kingdom’s army instead of hiring adventurer parties?”

“…I’m sorry. The kingdom’s military is currently in a bit of a… chaotic situation. It’ll take time to mobilize troops from the capital.”

“So, once again, you need us,” the Hero responded.

The Hero’s remark was reasonable, but Natalia, being from the Knighthart family that holds practical control over the military, wasn’t lying.

From what I can deduce, there’s only one reason our Hero party was included among these adventurers: to emphasize that the kingdom is in the right.

After all, these adventurers are mercenaries driven by money, not soldiers.

Taking back land from a tribe that has been living peacefully could naturally cause resistance.

But if the Hero party is involved? The Red-Tail Tribe would instantly become the villains causing unnecessary chaos just before the Demon King’s potential return.

This would make it easier to justify the operation without much moral burden.

“Exactly. All you Heroes need to do is observe the situation from the fortress. The adventurers and our northern kingdom forces will handle the rest.”

As unpleasant as it sounded, no one voiced their thoughts.

Likely because of the soldier before us.

Whatever the circumstances, the Red-Tail Tribe had attacked the fortress while part of the kingdom’s army was away.

Naturally, all the remaining soldiers were killed.

They didn’t even leave prisoners—killing everyone. Not even the bodies had been returned.

With this, it was clear who the enemy was from the soldier’s perspective.

For the soldier and the fallen kingdom troops, the Red-Tail Tribe is evil, and the Rozaheim Kingdom stands for justice.

I don’t want to divide the world into black and white, but sometimes it’s easier that way.

“Soldier, don’t you have more to explain? Even if it was a surprise attack, it’s hard to believe the kingdom’s army would fall so easily.

And why would they move some of the troops away from such a critical region?”

“…The Red-Tail Tribe’s resistance had been quiet until recently, but the main issue was… an illusion.”

Natalia Knighthart—before being a knight of the kingdom, she is the daughter of a noble family holding actual military authority.

Perhaps she could see what we couldn’t. After closing her eyes for a moment in thought, she pressed the soldier further.

The answer was shocking—an illusion.

A highly elaborate illusion spell had caused the army to make the decision to move its forces.

“An illusion?”

“Yes. It was astonishingly intricate and covered a wide area.

We witnessed the Red-Tail warriors leaving the highlands, which led us to dispatch troops elsewhere.”

“Thanks to that, we survived, but the soldiers and knights left at the fortress were massacred.”

“…I see. I apologize for bringing up unpleasant memories.”

An illusion spell so precise and widespread that it deceived the kingdom’s army.

Who could pull off such a feat besides Laura?

The more I heard, the stranger it felt.

It was undeniably different from the story within the game.

What could have twisted the game world so drastically? If I had to guess, the black-haired man I saw in the capital comes to mind.

Perhaps this adventure might turn out to be more dangerous than expected.

“Hero, once we reach the village… let’s focus on securing lodging first.”

“Hmm, an excellent suggestion.”

“…Wouldn’t the kingdom’s army provide accommodations for us?”

The fortress in the Kaputa Highlands is near a small village where only a few people live.

Most of them likely make a living by selling goods to the soldiers.

More importantly, can’t these women keep such discussions out of earshot? Where did the seriousness from just a moment ago disappear to?

Rather than endure their chatter, I’d rather stay in the accommodations provided by the kingdom’s army.

Besides, who knows what the Hero might do while we’re asleep.

To be continued.