Part 3 - Journey

In Royal Road, caravans had a unique trait in that if a player logs out while inside one, their log in location will still be the inside of the same caravan no matter how far it has travelled. The only major drawback was that caravans needed roads and the bodies of players still remained when they logged out, however, so long as the caravan was left guarded, there were no real problems with this.

Because of this property, caravans were the ideal vehicle to use to transport groups of players to different places quickly. Thus, as such, caravans were the method of transport which Lis had chosen for the raid group to use.

In order to aid villages suffering from the harassment of the monster village, Tellap town had dispatched a small caravan convoy to deliver supplies such as food and tools to alleviate the hardship of the victims.

However, this was just a front.

The real purpose of this convoy was to smuggle the raid team into the settlement without arousing the monster’s suspicions. This, of course, was done under the assumption that the monsters were monitoring the human villages.

Although the convoy’s cargo did include supplies, the vast majority of the things being transported were weapons and ammo. Or to be more precise, crossbows with knockback bonuses which Lis had somehow managed to borrow from the town defence. Godou remembered seeing these weapons in action at the Tellap siege.

After arriving at the settlement, the raid team would wait for a few days keeping a low profile with a certain portion of the raid team being offline at certain times.

The purpose of this time was to perform reconnaissance to ensure that the situation had not changed and also to give off the image that the convoy did indeed only carry merchants and aid workers and not soldiers ready for action.

Additionally, this time was a buffer to allow the raid force from Naidiriv to get into position in another nearby human settlement and to coordinate with the Tellap force.

If there was suspicious movement from the monster village after one of the two teams arrived then it would be up to the leaders to decide whether or not they would rush the attack immediately or call off the raid entirely.

When everything was ready, the two forces would launch a pincer attack on the monster village and wipe it out. In this raid, the priority was placed on the monster village itself and not the boss monster Uor.

While the actual battle plan was more complicated than that, this was the general gist of things. While performing such carefully planned actions while taking such caution seemed like overkill to Godou, it seemed that this was the proper way to conduct a raid in Kallamore.

Everything was so properly arranged that Godou realised how seriously the raid team was taking this mission compared to other campaigns he had been in. Compared to how lax it had been when Kallamore had the advantage, Godou could only marvel at the forethought placed into the battle plans when the Kallamore side drew the short end of the stick.

Despite this, Godou could not help but feel a slight twinge of concern develop at this plan. It was too cautious for his liking. While such care would help keep losses to a minimum in the long run, perhaps an all or nothing gamble would be able to end the conflict sooner?

However, the ones organising this raid were all players who had thrived in Kallamore for much longer than him. Thus, Godou decided to simply put his faith into them and hope the raid succeeds.

That matter aside, Godou had boarded one of the caravans. A several hour long trip was what awaited him…

***

Inside a certain horse drawn caravan, there was a peculiar sight to be seen.

“Ah~ Misa-tan hold still~ ~Let Onee-chan replenish her Imoutonium~”

“…No.”

Two women were wrestling each other to gain supremacy over the other. One was trying to bring them together while the other was trying to push them apart.

“Ah~ Don’t be like that~ It will only be a little bit~ Onee-chan will be gentle~”

“…No!”

Although there was quite a level gap between the two women, the two were equally matched. This phenomenon could be attributed to the fact that the high level one was a mage and thus did not have a high strength stat while the other one was a rouge.

The older one, the mage, was Lis and the younger one was Misaki. They were in the same caravan as Godou.

Although he had been surprised to find out that Lis was actually Misaki’s sister, it was more of an “Oh right, I forgot she had that trait” sort of moment for Godou.

He had always known that Lis had the siscon personality trait. It’s just that for some reason Lis’s weary and excessively blunt image had never connected with Misaki’s descriptions of her foolish and obsessive older sister.

“…”

Unable think of anything to say in this particular situation, Godou decided it was best to turn a blind eye to it and pretend it didn’t exist.

Turning his gaze away from the two sisters struggling on the floor of the moving caravan, Godou observed the other occupants of the caravan.

The caravan had the capacity to hold at most 8 people. However including the cargo placed in the caravan, there really wasn’t that much space to do anything but sit down idly.

Two people sat at the front driving the caravan leaving room for 6 inside as well as cargo space. Thus, not counting the 2 drivers there were 5 other people in the caravan with Godou.

Two of them had logged out. Their bodies were propped against the side of the caravan lifelessly unmoving.

Two of them were Lis and Misaki wresting on the floor opposite to Godou.

That left one more person. This person was currently sitting next to Godou messing around with something which was probably another magic tool.

In the case of this person’s identity, it would be apt to say something like “by a stroke of luck” or “by an unfortunate destiny”.

In any case, it was Satoshi.

Given how much they had encountered each other already, Godou wondered that perhaps it was simply his fate to be stuck with Satoshi for the duration of the raid.

Seeing Godou turn his way, Satoshi restarted their conversation.

“Isn’t that armour exclusive to the church of Freya, how did you manage to get it?”

Sparked by Satoshi interest in his clothes, Godou re-evaluated his attire. Matching white shirt and pants with golden markings. Golden sandals and a black coat. Evidently these were not the type of gear you would expect someone at Godou’s level to be able to equip.

In other words, this was his high level battle gear.

In this case, the clothes Satoshi was referring to were the shirt and pants.

Before he had left Tellap, Godou had visited the armoury in the church of Freya. Since his class bonuses gave him no restrictions on equipment, he had simply taken the highest level clothes that he could find.

Rather than out of greed, this action was driven by the feeling of foreboding he had gotten about the raid.

If the raid was going to be a hard battle, then it would be best to ready myself properly.

Making that sort of excuse, Godou had wordlessly taken the gear.

Enchanted High Silk Tunic

Durability: 98/100. Defence: 65

A high quality tunic issued to the higher level members of the church of Freya. Additionally, this tunic was enchanted to provide extra defences.

Requirements:

Member of the church of Freya

Level 300

Strength: 150

Agility: 150

Faith: 200

Effects:

+ Durability falls slowly

+ Does not get stained

+ Damage from blunt and piercing attacks is reduced by 40%

+ Damage from slashing attacks is reduced by 20%

+ 20% power of Holy attributed spells and attacks

+ 5% Magic Resistance

+ 5% All Elemental Resistances

+100 Faith

+ 30 Art

+ 30 Charm

Enchanted High Silk Set Bonus(2/2):

+ 30% damage reduction of critical hits

+ 100 Luck

+ Able to use the following blessings once per day: [Blessing of Conservation], [Blessing of Beauty].

Enchanted High Silk Leggings

Durability: 97/100. Defence: 50

A high quality tunic issued to the higher level members of the church of Freya. Additionally, this tunic was enchanted to provide extra defences.

Requirements:

Member of the church of Freya

Level 300

Strength: 150

Agility: 150

Faith: 200

Effects:

+ Durability falls slowly

+ Does not get stained

+ Damage from blunt and piercing attacks is reduced by 40%

+ Damage from slashing attacks is reduced by 20%

+ 20% chance that Dark spells do no damage

+ 5% Magic Resistance

+ 5% All Elemental Resistances

+100 Faith

+ 30 Art

+ 30 Charm

Enchanted High Silk Set Bonus(2/2):

+ 30% damage reduction of critical hits

+ 100 Luck

+ Able to use the following blessings once per day: [Blessing of Conservation], [Blessing of Beauty].

[Blessing of Conservation]

While this blessing is active, you are unable to cause damage to anything other than your intended attack targets. Additionally, all other forms of collateral damage are nullified.

[Blessing of Beauty]

While this blessing is active, you will gain the Charm stat. All stat points in your other stats will be removed and combined with your Charm stat. Having witnessed your beauty even the most battle hungry adversaries will be pacified by your presence.

Godou had felt really cheated when he had read the information on both these Blessings. In fact, he had been one step short of screaming his frustrations into the sky. It was tragic but fortune and misfortune were things that always came hand in hand.

[Blessing of Conservation] would solve his worries on damaging his surroundings when he fought.

[Blessing of Beauty], while having some unwanted side effects like increasing charm, would enable to him to reach peaceful resolutions without having to go through all these needless life or death struggles.

Sadly, while both Blessings had effects that Godou really would have appreciated, his class attributes made him immune to effects of blessings. In other words, such bonuses were wasted on him because he couldn’t use their effects.

Pulling himself out of dark memories, Godou answered Satoshi’s question.

“Well, I have a more or less good relationship with the order of Freya and they have pretty much given me free reign over their armoury”

“… Doesn’t that mean you potentially make a lot of money?”

“What?”

With those words, a malevolent smirk split across Satoshi’s face.

“Grab everything you can from their armoury, then sell it in the market or force them to buy it back. Voila! You have a source of infinite money~ My god, I’m a genius!”

“What sort of diabolical mind do you have? That’s just abusing the goodwill of others.”

“Well, I guess since it’s you such a method of gaining income is not necessary. From what I’ve heard, you’re getting outrageous amounts of money through gambling.”

“Hold on, that was mostly because I got forced into those matches. I did not in any way shape or form play in those matches out of my free will.”

“But you still played them didn’t you? Heck, you’ve become something like an urban legend at the pubs. Wherever you go there’s always some person proclaiming about the exploits of the Har– cough… Anyway, be it out of jealousy or admiration, everyone knows about your extreme luck. Actually, I’m surprised you haven’t gotten banned yet.”

“…Wait a sec, just what were you about to call me?”

“~I don’t know what you’re talking about~”

As Godou glared at him, Satoshi simply feigned innocence and avoided eye contact.

Whatever Satoshi had stopped himself from saying was that mysterious nickname that Godou had been unknowingly given.

Godou was sure of it.

“Ah! That’s right! Scarlet Blitz!”

From the floor of the caravan, Misaki, suddenly yelled out. From the looks of it, it seemed like she had given up trying to resist Lis’s clutches.

“Ooh that’s right. I did say that we were going to continue that conversation. So what do you want to know now?”

“Ummm… is the red bandana trademark thing true?”

“You guys are doing this on purpose again aren’t you?”

“…Oh, that thing… Yeah it is. But you don’t need me to confirm this do you? In every appearance she makes Scarlet always has that somewhere on her body.”

Feeling the brisk and almost fanatical atmosphere, Godou gave up on trying getting an answer.

While it was vexing that his companions were ignoring him, Godou understood that their actions were in more of a teasing undertone than malicious intent. It could be worse after all.

Perhaps it was because he had grown accustomed to the ridiculous personalities of his grandfather and mother, as well as the influence of their friends. Though Godou thought himself to have a very serious character, he found himself possessing rather generous tolerance to meeting frivolous and strange characters.

Even without him trying to learn it, Satoshi would eventually let the name slip… right?

“What is this trademark you two are talking about so enthusiastically? Onee-chan wants in!”

“Some famous players have trademark gear or actions that they always do and ended up popularising. Things like wearing a certain colour, always having a certain piece of equipment, singing a song or doing a certain dance. Eventually it gets to the point where the players can’t properly identify themselves without having their trademark with them.”

“Ah it’s that sort of thing.”

The pro-boxer Muhammad Ali had his trademark footwork called the Ali shuffle which he used to infuriate his opponents. The “king of pop” Michael Jackson had the moonwalk dance move. Godou guessed there was something like that amongst the players as well.

“It’s like how the Grey Phantom has her scarf or how the Scarlet Blitz ties her hair with a red bandana when serious. Or how Ray Bard wears black.”

“And also like how Weed sings a song and Kamikaze wears reflective glasses so you can’t see his face right?!”

“…Yeah. There is also that. I’m pretty sure those glasses are a magic tool though. Are you a Kamikaze fan as well?”

“Not really. It’s just that he used to party with Scarlet a lot so I know about him. Kamikaze is just too…”

“Too what?”

“Heartless? Or maybe reckless would be a better word. Every time someone leaves him in charge both forces take heavily casualties of then for no reason. It makes me wonder why people put a scumbag like him in charge sometimes.”

“Ah…”

“Why do you ask?”

With a sheepish smile, Satoshi avoided eye-contact and looked out the exit of the caravan before answering quietly.

“How should I put it, what Scarlet is to you is like what Kamikaze is to me.”

“…Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I suppose that’s another way of looking at him.”

Just as an awkward silence was created, Lis turned away from Misaki and looked at Satoshi, forcefully changing the topic.

“You know a lot about magic tools don’t you? I’ve been wondering this for a while now but are you a magic researcher as well?”

“… Yes I am.”

“Sorry to interrupt but what’s a magic researcher?”

For the sake of continuing the conversation and sating his curiosity, Godou asked.

“The Magic Researcher title is something available to players with a magic based class at around lv 100 from the Magic guild. By itself the title didn’t really do much other than affect the growth path of the player later on. In other words, it a crossroad. Someone with a Magic Researcher title gets different class advancements from someone who doesn’t. Basically the title determines the split between a combat type magician and a research type one.”

As expected of a mage, Lis knew about the information for her own class growth. After giving her explanation, Lis turned back to Satoshi.

“You came from Haven as well didn’t you? I remember there was quite a stir in that Kingdom when I reached that crossroads period.”

“…The False Magus system right?”

“Yeah that thing! I remember it caused quite a commotion. Magic Researchers from across the continent were flocking over to Haven to find out more about it. But then, the information about it suddenly stopped being broadcasted. All that hype and that was it! Everyone was wondering about what happened ever since.”

“There have been theories though. Most of which are so farfetched that there was no way they could be true.”

Lis and Satoshi started to talk enthusiastically about their classes, the awkward null from before had never happened.

Amidst this fanatical atmosphere, Godou found that he could only remain silent. Misaki was also in a similar situation and so did nothing but listen.

“So what really happened?”

“Why do you expect me to know? I may be an information broker but it’s not like I’m omnipresent. In the end, I’m just one of the theorists.”

“So what’s your theory then?”

Under Lis’s continual pressure, Satoshi seemed to cave in.

“Well, from what the public has been told, the False Magus system is a project that a team of player Magic Researchers was working on as part of their first class advancement. From what I heard they actually completed the project but their concept was taken down shortly after being released so either there was a fatal flaw in the system so they had to take it down to patch it or someone had taken the concept idea and misused it so maliciously that the Magic Guild deemed that it was dangerous and took down the idea.”

“Ooh.”

“Then again that’s just a theory. A game theory! Cough… no copyright intended… cough… Anyway, people have previously told me that I am batshit crazy so how much you want to believe is up to you…”

“Well, in the end you mouth was pretty loose about all this information. Information broker (LOL).”

“Hey, hey, hey just because I’m not charging you now doesn’t mean I can’t put it all in your tab…”

Since their journey was a long one, this conversation would continue for a long time.

The topics changed constantly, from trivial things such as lore, rumours and deities to more serious matters like the monster village, local geography etc

Although he was about to take part in a raid against a monster village that only wanted to survive, although he knew that this was merely part of the calm before a storm of violence and desperation, Godou found himself enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of his uneventful journey with friends.

--------

Well, uni is starting to get pretty chaotic for me right now. I may end up going on hiatus after I post the next part of this chapter.

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