Volume 9, Chapter 34 – The Beginning of Underestimation

The outskirts south of the Ducal Capital of Chloe were a range of mountains covered in dense forest. If one were to spread out a map of the continent, it would be easy to see that the north and south were dominated by plains, while the central Ymir Territory and the numerous small countries wedged between the two major human nations were situated entirely within the mountains.

Precisely because of this, both the Hels Kingdom and the Norta Empire needed careful consideration before annexing the surrounding small countries. Firstly, they would need to prepare an army and supplies several times larger than the enemy’s. Secondly, what benefits could annexing a barren country, unable to cultivate large amounts of food, possibly bring? The answer was almost none. Coupled with the small countries’ inability to develop the monster-infested forests, the mountainous and wooded areas outside the cities remained virtually untouched by human destruction.

Now, a group of young women was advancing through the mountain forest.

“Lin, while I understand you don’t want anyone seeing your fighting process, there’s no need to choose such a remote place! We’ve already encountered several waves of monsters along the way.”

Purple, lagging at the rear of the group and constantly swatting away mosquitoes, complained. Although it was already autumn, places like forests still harbored swarms of insects. If she weren’t worried that starting a fire would burn down the entire forest, Purple would have long since started using [Fireball] and [Crimson Lotus Wings] against the buzzing insects following her.

“Ultimately, couldn’t we just fight in the shaft? Why did we have to come outside the city?”

“Purple, you talk too much. The guests haven’t even complained, yet you’ve been chattering non-stop the whole way.”

“That’s because you’re thick-skinned, Red, and these mosquitoes don’t bite you! Otherwise, you wouldn’t be making such flippant remarks now! Damn it, there are more of them.”

“Ahaha…”

Red’s comment about “the guests haven’t complained” made Yisi give a wry smile. The reason the insects weren’t bothering her group was simply because she had secretly applied a defensive magic layer to her companions’ skin, which the mosquitoes couldn’t penetrate. As for why they were in the forest, it was, as Purple had said, to prevent others from spying on their battle process. Although Yisi felt it didn’t matter if they were seen, after Lin heard Yisi was testing trigger-activated magic items, she insisted on coming to this deserted forest. Her reasoning was that trigger-activated items were extremely valuable; if ill-intentioned individuals learned about them, they might devise countermeasures.

“I feel like this forest is very strange…”

Like a kitten entering a pre-battle state, Mary tensed her whole body, ready to face danger at any moment.

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Could Mary have sensed the dragon living in this forest?

Yisi tilted her head slightly. The dragon was a full five kilometers away from their group. Even if Mary, as a half-elf, had senses much sharper than humans, she shouldn’t be able to perceive things at such a distance.

Tiffany frowned and nodded in agreement.

“Yes. Quiet.”

“Although we encountered a few monsters along the way, they were all too weak. We are now deep in the forest. Theoretically, the monsters we encounter should be stronger. My Lord, I suggest we stop here. There might be an unimaginably powerful monster living in this forest.”

“No need to worry. We’re almost at our destination. As long as we don’t approach its territory, it won’t bother us.”

“It?”

Lin answered Edith’s question seriously.

“A dragon.”

“A dragon?” Her eyebrows instantly knitted together. Edith looked displeased and stopped walking. “I assume you are aware of the danger dragons pose. Knowing a dragon is nearby and still advancing? This is leading us to our deaths.”

“That dragon is a friend of our Divine Religion. We regularly offer cattle and sheep as tribute. In return, as long as we don’t enter its territory, it won’t make a move. We are far from it here.” Cutting down a blocking branch with her one-handed sword, Lin reached the foot of the mountain and let out a soft breath. “We’re here.”

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Before them lay a valley containing a small lake, a mix of low shrubs and tall trees. Although the presence of the lake meant there wasn’t much canopy blocking the light overhead, if one were to walk a few steps away from the lake into the shrubbery, it would quickly become a sunless, perilous place.

Are we sparring in a place full of obstacles?

Yisi felt a sense of novelty. She had never engaged in person-to-person combat with her companions in a forest before. Even in the dead city with its numerous alleys, the visibility wasn’t as restricted as it was now. If she guessed correctly, her companions should find this environment challenging. Yisi looked back. Indeed, apart from Camilla, the others were either frowning or looking around warily.

“But isn’t it dangerous to establish the Divine Religion’s headquarters right next to a dragon? Even with tribute.”

“No problem. The previous Pope signed a contract with the dragon. For fifty years, the dragon must remain in this mountain forest. Although the previous Pope has passed away, the contract is still valid. The dragon race values its honor; breaking faith is more disgraceful than losing a duel.”

“I see.”

Just like Pepe.

Yisi nodded to herself.

“Then let’s prepare. Since we’re testing trigger-activated magic items, we should try to prolong the fight as much as possible. Hmm… are you participating in the test too, Yisi?”

“No, I won’t participate. I’m not wearing a trigger-activated item.”

If she participated, there would be no suspense. More importantly, she had never fought alongside her companions before. Joining in rashly might disrupt their fighting rhythm.

A smile appeared on Lin’s bewitching, slightly scaled face. She shrugged with a smile.

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“Is that so? Then I won’t join either.”

“Eh? If you don’t join, Lin, we’ll be in for a tough fight.”

“Purple, you lack too much confidence. Although they have an angel, the highest level among the others doesn’t exceed thirty. With our current strength approaching level forty, victory will surely be ours no matter what. Besides, since this is a spar, we can only gain the most from a hard-fought battle. A complete victory would only make us complacent and hinder our preparations against the Empire.”

“Ah~ ah~, I get it, I get it. Let’s just do that.” Sighing resignedly, Purple slumped her shoulders with an exasperated look. “It’s better than fighting Yisi anyway. I still can’t forget how she kicked Red into the ruins back in the Hels Kingdom. I don’t want to take a hit like that.”

No, no, I wouldn’t use that level of violence on Purple either.

She knew Red was a warrior and an ordinary blow wouldn’t knock her out, which was why she kicked her into the ruins.

While thinking this, Yisi mentally compared the strengths of both sides. If her companions weren’t wearing the trigger-activated items, the current grouping might be appropriate, with her side holding only a slight advantage. But after equipping the items, the scales of victory tipped completely in her favor. After a moment’s thought, Yisi, folding one arm across her chest and propping her chin with her right hand, called out to the two groups who were taking their positions.

“Laxy, you come down too.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

This should balance the combat power.

“Hey, hey… Are you serious? Removing the angel? Now there isn’t even a single person over level thirty on the team.”

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“I feel like we’re being underestimated.”

Not only Red and Purple, but even Lin, standing with Yisi, looked puzzled.

“Yisi, I know the trigger-activated items your friend forged are powerful, but taking the angel out too makes the difference in strength too obvious.”

“Don’t worry. Just watch carefully, Lin.”

What Lin should be worrying about was how Red and Purple would break through her companions’ formation. Of course, Camilla and Pepe needed to consider the same. If she wasn’t mistaken, midway through the fight, it would devolve into a stalemate, with neither side able to threaten the other, ultimately ending when Camilla and Pepe ran out of magic power and couldn’t fight anymore.

“We’re being completely underestimated.”

“Damn it! Even if we win a spar like this, it won’t be glorious! If we don’t defeat everyone within fifteen minutes, consider it our loss! Let’s start when you’re ready!”

No, no, you’ll regret this.

Faced with Purple and Red’s impulsive decision, a wry smile tugged at Yisi’s facial muscles. It seemed the outcome wouldn’t be as simple as she had imagined.

Using the small lake as a boundary, after both sides disappeared into the forest, Lin, floating above the trees using flight magic, shouted.

“Battle, begin!”