Graniph Fort and the Ominous Shadow
The place that Razelia mentions with the hot springs is located near the Sealed Forest, just a short distance away.
It is only a few hours' travel by carriage, not even requiring the use of a dragon cart.
However, before heading to the hot springs, it seems there is a place where they should make a courtesy visit.
And so, they are guided to...
"Ah, Razelia-sama! It is a pleasure to have you visit my Graniph Fortress! I, Mackerin, have been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"
A middle-aged knight with a prominent mustache, looking to be in his late forties or early fifties.
With gray hair and kind green eyes, he speaks to Razelia with a tone full of joy.
"Ah, Mackerin, it's been a while!"
It seems that Razelia also trusts this middle-aged knight named Mackerin. She approaches him warmly and gives his shoulder a hearty pat.
However, Mackerin, clad in his knight's armor, doesn't even flinch, as if used to it.
"Vanitas, this is Mackerin. He is the capable commander assigned to Graniph Fortress, which monitors the Sealed Forest, a training ground exclusively for the royal family."
"Oh, no, no, Lady, I am merely assigned here because I am good at defense. Even though powerful monsters inhabit the Sealed Forest, it is usually quite peaceful, with only a few monsters occasionally straying out. My job here is almost unnecessary."
"Haha, don't joke. In the past, and even now, a skilled knight known as 'The Knight of the Swift Waterfall' would have been required to be entrusted with this place. Father would not have assigned it to anyone less. And I am no princess; just call me by my name."
"Ah, I apologize for my rudeness!"
Mackerin bows respectfully, but it seems this kind of exchange is usual for them.
Their relationship seems to be quite good.
"So, what brings you here this time? Is it to use the secret hot springs reserved for royalty? Or... would you like me to introduce your friends to me?"
Mackerin's seemingly gentle eyes.
However, the eyes that turned toward us were not smiling.
While he trusts Razelia, he seems concerned about us newcomers.
Given that he has a long history with her, it’s understandable.
But Razelia, as if indifferent to such subtle concerns, responds.
"Oh, this is Vanitas. He is my future husband."
"…………?"
Well, that would indeed be confusing.
I couldn’t help but put my hand to my forehead.
It’s typical of Razelia to do something unexpected, like attacking us suddenly at the magic academy.
However...
"……I see. That is indeed very delightful news."
Did he… handle it himself!?
Mackerin, with a distant look in his eyes, nods.
He must have been through a lot with Razelia. Perhaps his defense mechanism kicks in when faced with situations beyond his tolerance.
After a brief self-introduction, the conversation proceeded as if the earlier statement had never been made, and it was quite normal.
Razelia and Mackerin chatted amiably, possibly catching up on old times, when Mackerin suddenly became serious at a certain point.
"So, Razelia-sama… I have a report."
"Hmm? …What is it?"
"Well, it might not be something worth reporting, but I thought I should let you know. …A few days ago, while patrolling the area around the forest, one of our knights discovered the corpse of a monster that had been brutally killed…"
"A monster’s corpse… What happened? Was there something suspicious about it?"
"Yes. First of all, in a fight between monsters, it is rare for the corpse to be left behind. The usual practice is to consume the defeated foe’s blood and flesh. Although there are monsters that kill just for the sake of killing, such creatures are not found in the shallow parts of the Sealed Forest. However, the monster’s corpse was left intact, and the magic stone, which is usually consumed first by the killer, was untouched."
"Then could it be poachers who entered the forest without permission? We’ve had trouble with such small-time villains before."
This forest is vast.
Moreover, it is a treasure trove of rare materials, even Mayurerica would be astonished.
Whether they are poachers or adventurers, it wouldn't be surprising if those tempted by the riches of the forest sneaked in under the knights' watch.
"Yes, it was back then. They were so inept that we captured them immediately…"
"Well, poachers wouldn't just leave a corpse lying around. They would at least strip the magic stone from it. …So, does this mean new monsters that weren’t in the Sealed Forest have appeared?"
"Yes. In any case, the Sealed Forest feels a bit suspicious now. Though, this is just a knight’s intuition."
Even as he calls it intuition, Mackerin murmurs as if he is convinced of something. After years stationed at this fortress, he must be sensitive to even the slightest anomalies.
"Indeed. Or perhaps someone has entered the forest with a specific goal…"
"Yes. With that in mind, could you take some of my knights for escort duty as well? Of course, this is not to belittle your personal guard, but just as a precaution…"
"Hmm, but…"
Razelia hesitates, concerned about the precautionary measure. At this stage, it’s only suspicion without firm evidence.
"By the way, is it true about the rumors of the evil dragon?"
The discussion between the two continued, but I asked about something that had been on my mind.
"The evil dragon, you say…"
"Hmm, actually, Vanitas, I don’t know much about the evil dragon myself. According to the empire’s history, it’s said that an evil dragon is sealed somewhere in this forest, but whether that is true or not, I’m not sure. Mackerin, do you know anything?"
"Unfortunately, I don’t. It is certain that there are powerful monsters deep in the Sealed Forest, but I haven’t explored every corner, so I’m not sure about the evil dragon. Perhaps there might be something written in the palace’s special archives…"
It seems neither of them has detailed information.
An evil dragon. Given its name, it must be a powerful monster, but is it really sealed here?
It's been a week since we arrived in the Sealed Forest, and we haven’t seen any suspicious places.
Hmm, could there be something deeper within the parts of the forest we haven’t entered?
"Well… I understand for now. Mackerin, I’ll accept your proposal. Please assign some knights from Graniph Fortress to the temporary base as well."
"Yes, thank you."
"It’s fine if it’s just me, but with Vanitas and the others here, it would be better to have a liaison at the temporary base to handle any emergencies should they arise."
After parting ways with the middle-aged knight Mackerin, we traveled for another thirty minutes from Graniph Fortress.
We were jostled in the carriage, then switched to walking as we climbed the rugged but well-maintained mountain.
At the halfway point up the mountain, a faint smell reminiscent of rotten eggs drifted through the air.
"Hot springs! Hot springs!"
"…Ugh, this smells bad."
"T-this is the renowned beauty hot spring used by royalty! It’s amazing!!"
We had finally arrived at the long-awaited hot spring destination for the women in our group.
"Oh, Vanitas. This is a place that knights sometimes use as well. Hehe, unfortunately, it’s not a mixed bath."
"I see…"
“Eh! It’s not a mixed bath!?" "What! It’s not a mixed bath!?"
Habermesia and Christina react excessively to Razelia's words.
…What were you two expecting?
——.