Stein Rays's Move (5): The Ruins

Hmm... This is awkward.

The Roa Squad had entered Reflea territory as planned and was now making steady progress along a deserted path that wound through the mountains, more like an animal trail than a road.

Actually, it was too well-made to call an animal trail. It was wide enough for four horses to ride abreast with room to spare. It just hadn't been maintained at all. Since it was still too early in the season for the grass and flowers to grow thick, I could recognize it as a path, but in summer it would probably be nothing but overgrown grass.

Apparently, this route had been chosen by gathering together the people from Reflea serving in the Tenth Knight Order. One of the soldiers who had helped choose the route was leading the Roa Squad, too.

This path certainly let us travel without being seen by the people of Reflea or provoking them. According to our guide, Pep-san, the only people who used it were local shepherds moving along the foothills in search of food for their sheep. Otherwise, hardly anyone came this way.

There weren't any towns or villages along the road, either, so there was no reason for people to come near it.

To my left were the mountain foothills. To my right, the forest stretched on without end.

As I rode along the monotonous road, Wickhart was on my right, with Franklurt riding beside him. Dick was in front of me, followed by the twins.

It was normal for Wickhart to be beside me. When Dick was around, the two of them usually rode on either side of me.

This time, though, Wickhart had said he would keep an eye on Franklurt, and Franklurt had actually welcomed the scrutiny...