Everyone looked grim.

「Allen: Noirdant?」

I said with a puzzled face, looking at the trio. I had never heard of it, so I had no point of reference.

I got my explanation, Noirdant is–or was?–a kingdom’s capital on the eastern side, located on a chokepoint between mountains. Until now the war had been fought at the northern border, no one had expected the demons to cross the sea on the split between western and eastern landmasses. Once there, they had bred an army out of goblins and verklings.

Without Noirdant acting as a funnel, fending the attacks from both northern and eastern flanks would pose a greater burden on the kingdom's armies.

Retaking the city would be very difficult since it was heavily fortified and on higher ground. The demons would have all the time to breed their armies and rush us with overwhelming numbers.

「Allen: I see. That doesn’t sound good, does it?」

「Ellin: No…」

Ellin said, her brows creasing.

「Allen: So, where’s Yusdrolir staying?」

I asked, changing the topic. I thought he would book a room at our same inn, but I was mistaken.

「Namrick: He’s staying at a dwarven inn he’s familiar with. He’s probably heading to the Guild by now, we should join him.」

Namrick said, standing up, quickly followed by Grastel.

「Grastel: Yes, they probably have more detailed information about the war. Are you mages coming too?」

Grastel asked, looking between me and Ellin.

「Ellin: Sure. My lesson starts in a couple of Reposes, I have time.」

The trio looked at me, waiting for my answer. I shook my head.

「Allen: Sorry, my schedule is packed full. I’ll join you at the Guild once I’m done. Ah… give me your rings before I forget.」

I collected my friends’ enchanted rings and we went our separate ways.

「Grohm: Fool!」

Grohm yelled, swinging his stupid switch against me.

「Allen: Stop it!」

I parried the blows with my arms the best I could until Grohm finally gave up.

「Grohm: I told you I would help, yes? But no, you went and got suckered into working for the military. Ha!」

Grohm looked pretty energetic today, projecting his scowl against me.

「Allen: Well, what can I say? I got what I wanted. Besides, won’t we be working together?」

「Grohm: No! Valarest doesn’t own me. Hmm. I’ll only cooperate if my country begs me to. I dislike working on magical weapons. No.」

He said, narrowing his eyes.

「Allen: Ah.」

Grohm sighed and sat down at his desk and I joined him.

「Grohm: Fine, the damage is done. I hope you’re content, yes?」

I shrugged.

「Allen: I can’t complain. In fact, I wanted to show you something for which I could use your help.」

He leaned forward, a speck of curiosity flashing behind his eyes.

「Grohm: Hmm?」

I took out the silver cube.

「Allen: Yesterday I used 【Proxy Magic】 on my silver cube in order to build another processor in this adamantium ring.」

I wiggled the finger with the ring.

「Allen: It took me four Reposes, I wanted to show you the process and hear your thoughts on how it could be done faster and better. I also brought three rings I had enchanted for my friends for which I wanted to add a processor.」

「Grohm: Well, then. Show me.」

With Grohm’s help, I managed to get the deed done in just two hours and a half, albeit I used a simpler design than the one from my ring. I had many experimental circuits that were still unfinished attempts at replicating functionality I knew existed but wasn’t sure of the implementation. I was just a developer, after all. I had studied the theory but designing processors was not exactly my expertise.

In the end, I replaced the magic constructs by using smaller specialized constructs linked to the processors. Doing so I freed up some space. Less in Grastel’s case, because his ring was of an alloy of mithril and silver, while the other two were full mithril.

I equipped them with a text editor and a calculator, I also added the lucid dreaming app to Ellin’s ring. That’s all I had time to do within the time constraints.

I wanted to equip all of them with a radar and more cool stuff, but that required time. Besides, I wanted their feedback first. Now the rings should be able to read Intent much better than before.

I had to thank Violet for that, by actively recognizing and pushing Intent on words I had gotten a better grasp. Even Ellin was surprised when my lucid dreaming lesson was suddenly easier to follow. I would have figured it on my own eventually, but sometimes just knowing that something exists can help a lot.

「Grohm: I see, so that’s how it all comes together. Hmmm.」

Grohm nodded appreciatively turning the last ring between his fingers.

「Grohm: What’s with this spellwork coiled in a cylinder?」

He said furrowing his brows. He meant my mana radio communication attempt. I didn’t want it to be known yet.

「Allen: Oh, that’s an experiment but it’s not complete yet.」

Which was true, because I had still to work out the kinks to reduce the noise interferences.

「Grohm: Hmmm, I see.」

Does he? I hoped not. My secret communication devices were better to remain secret.

At least until I could encrypt the signal while spying on others. Hehe. I wanted to spread my knowledge but I also wanted to stay remain several steps ahead. I think it’s just common sense.

With the magic lessons attended and the private session with Grohm over, I concluded my duties at the Academy, so I left for the Adventurer’s Guild.

But when I got there my friends were nowhere to be seen.

Did they leave already? I thought. Had they left to go shopping or something?

The hall was also emptier than usual, at this time of the day there were usually a lot of people boasting about their adventures and exploits. I didn’t believe a third of the crap I heard and I didn’t like crowds, but the Guild was the go-to place for hearing news.

I really missed the internet. Hmmm, maybe I could build my own internet.

Quest added (Build the internet)

The ring showed a premature notification, it was too soon to think about that. I would need infrastructure, routers, bridges to relay the signal and more.

Someone approached me. It was the dude that had never introduced himself to me. I obviously refused to cave in and ask him his name.

「Dude: Ah, you’re the Skullcrusher from the Weije Sleiss…」

I opened my mouth to complain about the unfitting nickname I had been shackled with but he continued.

「Dude: I have a message from your friends. They left for the collective quest.」

「Allen: Collective quest?」

I asked lifting my brows just a fraction.

「Dude: Yes, there’s a column of people running away from Noirdant. You must have heard about the attack, haven’t you?」

I nodded.

「Allen: Yes, although I haven’t heard the details yet.」

He crossed his arms and spoke again.

「Dude: Well. Long story short, a messenger came in last night delivering the news. Noirdant was attacked by surprise. The defensive walls on the eastern side had been breached from the inside letting the demon’s army in. Their soldiers fought for two days while coordinating the civilian evacuation before retreating. That was seven days ago. There are carts with injured people approaching our city so the Guild has been asked to escort and aid them to safety.」

「Allen: Why the rush? Can’t we just wait for them to arrive at the city doors?」

He shook his head and made a grim face.

「Dude: Bandits have heard of the news too. The retreating soldiers are spread too thin to take care of all the groups and supplies. I would have joined the quest too, but my equipment is still being repaired.」

He shrugged.

「Allen: How long ago since they left?」

Dude diverted his gaze while his neurons did their job.

「Dude: About a Repose ago, I think. Give or take. The rendezvous was along Edanor’s path.」

Damn, that was about an hour ago! I had to be quick if I wanted to catch up with them.

Quest added (Escort the evacuees: Rendezvous with your party)

「Allen: Thanks for letting me know!」

Dude nodded and rejoined his friends while I turned around and left in a rush. I had to collect my equipment back at the inn.

I rented a horse from the nearest stall. Horses, dreadful creatures. I asked for one that could go fast and hoped I didn’t get ripped off. It’s good that in this world horses have enhanced stamina thanks to mana, but slow horses were still slow horses.

I trotted back to the inn to collect my equipment and don my armor. I was ready to go.

Edanor’s path… I had yet to find exactly which way that was. I wasn’t even sure what Edanor was supposed to be. A city? A country? I fucking hate geography. Maybe someone at the gates could give me directions.

Hopefully, I would not get lost midway. Following directions… my greatest weakness.

I hopped on my mount and headed toward the city gate. As I was about to cross the last hundred meters, my attention was caught by the drumming of hoofbeats closing in from my left.

When I turned my head I saw Violet on a lightly armored black mare. She stopped, giving me a sideways glance.

Violet? What is she doing here?

「Violet: Allen Smith… you’re not trying to escape before your duties begin, are you?」

She said, casting an accusatory gaze toward me.

Do you have so little faith in me? I thought with slight irritation. What did I have to do to gain that woman’s trust?

「Allen: Violet, ma’am. No… I was–」

I cleared my throat and straightened my spine.

「Allen: My adventurer friends have gone on a quest to escort the injured evacuees. I wanted to rendezvous with them and make sure they’re all right.」

Violet raised her chin a little.

「Violet: Where to?」

「Allen: Along Edanor’s path, I was told… although, I’m not sure which way it is.」

I glanced toward the gates, maybe she could tell me.

「Violet: That’s along the way. Follow me, if you can keep up.」

I nodded, thankful not to have to navigate roads alone with my awesome sense of direction. Violet stared at me for a few seconds with her piercing blue eyes, before spurring her mare ahead.

I pointed my own mount at her heels. Thankfully, the horse understood it had to follow and did not stray away right off the bat. Maybe this horse had a brain after all.

「Allen: Ma’am, are you also going to assist with the Noirdant’s retreat?」

I asked Violet, who tilted her head just a fraction in my direction.

「Violet: My main objective is to assess the situation at the border… along with other tasks.」

She didn’t venture any further information and I didn’t dare intrude on archmage businesses, so we rode on in silence, the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats filling the air.

We passed several smaller groups of soldiers patrolling the road, until half an hour later, when we saw a closed carriage painted with bright colors approaching from ahead. It was being escorted by ten soldiers of a foreign outfit.

Upon seeing us they slowed down until they stopped a dozen meters before us. One of the mounted soldiers moved closer and addressed us.

「Soldier: The khainar shines brightly. Who are you?」

「Violet: Your lament was heard. I am Violet Val Mariannet, archmage of Valarest.」

The soldier released his tenseness and turned to nod at the others before facing Violet again.

Hmmm, were those code phrases?

「Soldier: Is the road safe?」

「Violet: It is. Do you need further assistance?」

The soldier shook his head.

「Soldier: No, thanks to our speed we safely split from the main group the moment our scouts reported the arrival of four or more scores of bandits from the rear.」

He turned around, pointing back.

「Soldier: The carts with the injured were right behind us but couldn’t keep up with our pace. Our soldiers were joined by groups of adventurers offering help, but we don’t know what’s the current situation. We’d be grateful if you could lend them your exalted assistance.」

I couldn’t see their expressions under their fancy visored helmets.

「Violet: I see, time is of the essence then. I’ll press on.」

She spurred her mare forward and I followed. I caught Violet nodding to the carriage driver, who nodded back with a grim smile as he spurred his own horses to a trot.

As I passed next to the carriage’s side, I stole a better glance. It was sealed shut and the windows were barred, I wondered who was inside.

From the use of code phrases and the even more suspicious nod to the driver–who probably wasn’t just a driver–I gathered that the passengers must have been important nobles, or perhaps even royals. I bet on the latter.

Knowing Ellin, she was most likely assisting the injured.

Scores of bandits… I hoped all my friends were safe and sound.