Black Cat Chapter 40: Border Fortress

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　The next morning, it was still dark when I left home with the letter.

　When I reached the outskirts of the village, I created the off-road motorcycle with void magic and straddled it.

　I’ve done a lot of test riding since then and have gotten used to operating it, and I’ve made further improvements.

　The output of the wind magic tools was increased by 50%, and five of them were used as the base.

　The output is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of magic tools, so it is like having a mind-controlled gas pedal.

　When I get used to it, I plan to increase the number of magic tools.

　When decelerating, I decided to turn off the magical tools, turn them around, and set them up to reverse the acceleration.

　Now I can do rapid deceleration.

　The maximum speed is about 75 kilometers per hour, a meager performance compared to the motorcycles that were on the market in Japan in my previous life, but in this world, it is a remarkable speed.

　A horse could probably reach the same speed if it ran as fast as it could, but the distance it could run would be limited.

　*Screech*, *rumble*… *Screech*, *rumble*…… *Screeeech!!!*

　The bike will decelerate by applying reverse thrust before a corner, accelerate while leaning and turning, decelerate sharply before a series of corners, and accelerate at once with five magic tools after clearing a narrow curve.

　The high-pitched sound of the wind magic tools lifted my spirits.

　The road from the village to the north is winding and uphill, so it is not possible to drive at full speed, but the pleasure of leaning over the motorcycle and driving through the corners is addicting.

　It would take about half a day’s walk, but by the time the sun rose, I was able to climb up to where I could see the border fort.

　Fort Bisreus, which looks like a dam blocking the valley, is the northernmost point of the Kingdom of Schrendl.

　Beyond the fort, across the rocky valley, is neighboring Estore.

　Although Estore and Schrendl are now on friendly terms, there was a time of fierce warfare, and the fortress is still packed with soldiers of the Viscount Lagart and the Royal Knights.

　Horacio, who was recruited by the Royal Knights at the nesting ceremony, may be triumphantly promoted in the future.

　The soldiers at the fort are basically in charge of guarding the border, but when a ferocious monster appears near the village of Atsuka, as it did this time, they rush to the scene to provide support.

　When I got off my motorcycle and ran up to a person at a place far from the fort, a dogkin guard with a spear called out to me.

“Where did you come from so early in the morning? Show us your ID!” (Guard)

“I come from the village of Atsuka. A Bronze Wolf has appeared in the mountains near our village, and I have a letter from the village chief requesting assistance.” (Nyango)

“Bronze Wolf! Alright, come with me!” (Guard)

　The guard, who turned pale at the mention of the Bronze Wolf, invited me into the fort without even checking my guild card.

　I ran through the service gate, past the side of the guardroom, and into the knight’s building.

“Captain! Atsuka Village has requested support. A Bronze Wolf has appeared.” (Guard)

“What, where is the messenger… Are you the messenger?” (Captain)

“Yes, is it okay if I hand over the letter from the village chief?” (Nyango)

“Oh, I’m Warren, captain of the 7th Division of Lagart Knights. Show me the letter.” (Captain => Warren)

“Yes, here it is.” (Nyango)

　Warren is a lionkin in his early thirties, a gorilla macho with wild-looking reddish tousled hair.

　He is nearly two meters tall and could snap my neck with one hand.

“This letter says that you, the messenger, and the witness…” (Warren)

“Yes, I was tracking the goblins to check on the location of their nests in preparation for our annual autumn subjugation on the village…” (Nyango)

　Warren nodded repeatedly as I briefly described how the three goblins had been preyed upon in a matter of seconds.

“I’m pretty sure it is a Bronze Wolf. You are lucky to find it while it was far from the village. Squad Seven, prepare to mobilize! The expedition is scheduled to last twenty days, and Squad 8 should be ready as well. You, show me where you encountered Bronze Wolf on this map over here.” (Warren)

　The map Warren had brought out confirmed the location of the encounter with the Bronze Wolf to be around the halfway point between the village of Kidai and the mountainous area.

　Depending on the direction of the wind, the direction from which the prey was fleeing, and the mood of the Bronze Wolf, it could have been headed for the village of Kidai.

“It looks like it would be better to prepare for Kidai Village as well.” (Warren)

　Bronze Wolves have a wide range of activities, and it is not unusual for them to go over a single mountain.

　Warren told them to wait here and went to the squad leader to advise him to dispatch support to the village of Kidai.

　The Order of the Knights is a place full of such burly machos that you would think it was a land of giants, and it feels even more remote than the Adventurers’ Guild in Ibouro.

　The group was the result of further training the best of the best, so there was no way anyone could have a slender physique.

　After Warren gave the order to prepare for mobilization, the atmosphere inside the building suddenly became hectic, and I felt like I would be kicked out of the way if I stood idly.

　When Warren returned about 30 minutes later, he was wearing a combination of chainmail and leather armor instead of full plate armor.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. We should be ready to leave soon. You will ride in the wagon with the soldiers.” (Warren)

“I understand.” (Nyango)

　When I followed Warren out the back door, I found the men lined up in a large stable.

　There were about a hundred men in all, all wearing the same equipment as Warren.

“The seven and eight squads will now head jointly for the village of Atsuka. The expected enemy is the Bronze Wolf. It is not an opponent that can be defeated in a relaxed state, and it is a powerful enemy that can take your life if you are not careful. All of you, focus and get ready for the mission. Zagat, here is the messenger from Atsuka village. Take him to the carriage.” (Warren)

“Yes, sir.” (Zagat)

“Okay, everyone dismissed!” (Warren)

“Yes, sir!” (Knights & Soldiers)

　A bearkin, who I assume is Warren’s adjutant, leads us to a covered wagon with a group of knights.

“I’m a messenger boy from Atsuka village, please let me ride with you.” (Nyango)

“Wait…” (Bearkin)

“Don’t worry, I won’t get in your way.” (Nyango)

　Well, compared to the soldiers, he’s about half as tall, from a simple calculation of the ratio.

　In reality, the difference is likely to be much larger, which means that I am not big enough to be a hindrance.

　As soon as everyone was finished boarding, we left the fort in formation.

　Since it was a group of knights, I thought they would go faster, but the formation went slower than I had imagined.

　One of the knights spoke to me, perhaps to relieve the boredom of the journey.

“Boy, did you come to the fort by yourself?” (Knight)

“Yes, that’s right.” (Nyango)

“Is the village of Atsuka in such dire straits that they let a child like you come here alone?” (Knight)

“No, the Bronze Wolf has not yet approached the village.” (Nyango)

“Then why did a kid like you come alone?” (Knight)

“I’m a fast runner, you know.” (Nyango)

“But it looks like you’ve been through a lot of pain.” (Knight)

“ Yes, this is a scar from a Kobold, but I’m very careful because of that experience.” (Nyango)

“I see. So you are a small adventurer, but an adventurer in your own right.” (Knight)

　On the way to the village of Atsuka, I learned a lot about the Knights.

　The knights of the kingdom are stationed at Fort Bisreus, but the knights and soldiers of Viscount Lagart are basically in charge of the work of supporting the village of Atsuka.

　However, this does not mean that the Royal Knights do nothing. If the knights of Viscount Lagart are dispatched in support, they will increase the number of units in charge of the fort, and if further support is needed, they will themselves be dispatched.

　Despite the differences in their positions, they respect each other as defenders of the same fort and carry out their duties in cooperation with each other.

　Perhaps it was because I was still holding on to the preconceptions from my previous life, but I imagined something like arrogant Royal Knights and the oppressed Knights of the Viscount… But I was laughed at for the idea since they would not be able to protect the country if they were engaged in such a silly fight.

　Incidentally, it is said that the reason for the slow pace of movement is to be prepared for any battle.

　If you run your horse too fast, you won’t be able to handle sudden situations, whether you fight or run away.

　Besides, the fact that the Bronze Wolf hasn’t come down near the village seems to be one of the reasons for the slow progress.

　Since it was mostly downhill from Fort Bisreus, we were able to get back to Atsuka village before noon with only one break along the way.

　As of yesterday, the whole village had been notified of the Bronze Wolf, so the villagers, who were working on their farms, waved their hands to welcome the knights.

　The group entered the village chief’s house.

　The reason why the garden of the chief’s house is so spacious is for such an eventuality.

　It seems that they thought the knights would arrive in the evening at the earliest, even so, the village chief greeted the knights with a big smile even though he was surprised.

　Mr. Zeol, who had appeared to greet them along with the village chief, spotted me and walked up to me.

“Nyango, you back already?” (Zeol)

“Yes, I thought it would be better to hurry.” ((Nyango)

“All right, if it’s all right with you, we’re heading to Ibouro now. We better let Kidai know too.” (Zeol)

“Ah, yes. I’m fine, let’s leave right away.” (Nyango)

　I had just returned, but I was about to head to Ibouro with Mr. Zeol. 

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