It was a march with more people than usual, but... without any particular incidents occurring, they headed toward the depths of the plains.
They encountered several monsters along the way, but dealt with them without issue.
For enemies in the distance, Isis picked them off with magic. For those nearby, Yuri handled them with her legs, and Lubeth with her sword.
"Leave this one to me! Power Slash!"
If there was any problem, it was that Argil—the knight who normally never took the front line—was trying far too hard to stand out, firing off pointless finishing moves and the like.
"That was a tough enemy, but... no match for my blade!"
He struck poses like that while repeatedly glancing back at Andrew.
It seemed he was trying to impress the royalty.
As a result, the usual formation had fallen apart, and it felt more like a bad impression than a good one... but only he was spinning his wheels.
(Well, even if he's being a nuisance, I'm not going to get taken out in a place like this...)
They had already hunted most of the troublesome Corrosion Beasts.
It would be a shame to lose access to that ridiculously delicious meat, but there was no danger in the central plains.
Without even having to trouble the guards Andrew had brought along, they were able to arrive at their destination.
"So this is the center of the plains... Hard to believe this was once the demon realm."
Andrew rose from his seat in the carriage and let out a voice of surprise.
It had once been overgrown with weeds taller than a person, blocking every direction—but now, most of it had been paved with stone slabs, transforming it into an artificial space.
If there had been walls and a roof, it would have looked like a hall or a stadium.
"I paved it all with magic. It might get in the way when constructing buildings, though..."
"What a waste it would be not to put this wide, open land paved with stone to good use. I'd love to build a town here that takes advantage of it."
Andrew stroked his chin, deep in thought.
His expression was that of a statesman, and it clearly showed the extent of the royal education he had received as a member of royalty.
"Count Clover, I cannot allow the land you've so diligently paved to go to waste."
"I appreciate your concern."
"Now then... Mentor Maitis. Would you mind assisting?"
"Sure, sure, this old bag will get to work... there we go."
Maitis climbed down from the carriage, leaning on her staff as she surveyed the area.
"The source of the mana is... over there. Hey, you lot! Hurry up and carry the old hag over there!"
"Ugh..."
Maitis, having brought over some luggage, saw Lucas sitting there drenched in sweat and smacked him with her staff.
"Uwah... I'm exhausted from carrying all this luggage... please, let me rest a little..."
"Talking big with a body like a turnip! Lose some weight, will you!"
"Ugh... ugh... ugh... s-so demanding..."
Once again, the staff struck him, making Lucas grimace.
Still, there was the difference in status to consider... with a resigned air, he hauled Maitis onto his back to serve as her legs.
"Over there, look. Hurry up and go."
"Uuugh..."
"You've gone too far, you idiot. There, more to the right! Too far, you blockhead!"
"Guh..."
Lucas staggered along, carrying Maitis, and eventually reached a certain point.
"Right here. There's no doubt... the center of the dragon's lair is in this spot."
The area had already been paved over, covered in a layer of flagstone.
Maitis climbed down from Lucas's back and struck the ground with her staff.
"Whoa...!?"
Instantly, the flagstone that Rest had created shattered into pieces and went flying.
She had definitely used magic, but he had absolutely no idea what she had done or how.
"I can't see the formula... Could this also be some kind of barrier technique...?"
Rest's greatest talent was his infinite mana, but he also possessed a quietly useful ability to replicate any magic he had seen before.
That power was brought about by reading the formulas embedded in an opponent's magic... but he couldn't see even a trace of any formula in the magic Maitis used.
"I don't dislike kids with good instincts. Old bags like me are always using barriers."
Even though she hadn't raised her voice particularly loud, Maitis had apparently heard him anyway.
"You use a perception spell to detect presences all the time too, don't you? It's more or less the same thing."
"............"
That had been seen through as well, apparently.
She really was an extremely high-level magician.
(In terms of combat ability, I don't think I'd lose to her... but the precision of her magic is on another level. She surpasses anyone I've ever met...)
If anyone could rival her, it would be someone like Verroid Hahn, the academy headmaster.
She was on par with a magician spoken of as both Sage and Sage, so she was undoubtedly among the nation's very finest.
"Come on, you hurry up and come along too. Since we're here, you might as well learn something."
"Yes, I'll humbly study."
"You get those tools ready and stop dawdling! Don't keep the old lady waiting!"
"Geez…"
"Come on, move it! Run, run!"
Lucas was swatted on the rear with a staff and went staggering off toward the pile of luggage.