"Please rest assured. I have experience with infiltration missions from the past. I've even slipped into this forest before, though only in the shallower areas."
It was Diebl who made this reassuring declaration as they infiltrated the forest that fell within the territory of the foreign tribes.
Diebl was a former court magician.
According to his own account, his mana wasn't very strong, so he could barely use any high-level magic.
Instead, his skill with magic techniques was superb. Even Chief Court Mage Albert Rosemary acknowledged this.
"[Concealment][Soundproofing][Odorless][Presence Concealment]"
A quadruple cast of magic.
It hid their forms, erased sound and scent, and further layered on a spell to conceal their mana so it couldn't be detected by [Presence Detection] magic.
The breathtaking magic enveloped the bodies of the ten infiltration team members, drawing an involuntary sigh.
"There should be no problems now."
"As expected of you, Master Diebl."
"I'm not going to lose to the young ones just yet. However, in this state, I can't even investigate our surroundings, so I'll leave the reconnaissance to you."
"Leave it to me... Presence Detection."
Rest cast a spell for reconnaissance.
The mana for sensing spread out in a circle, announcing the presence of life forms within the area.
Inside the forest, there were signs of countless insects, animals, and monsters. For now, there were no signs of demi-humans.
"Then lead us to the 'Curse Caster's' place."
"… Yeah."
Pushed from behind, the oni tribe youth... Lou stepped forward reluctantly.
Lou walked through the forest, glancing repeatedly at Rest's face.
"..."
Walking right behind Lou was the 'Misogynist Sword Saint'... Wilhelm Lubeth.
Lubeth appeared to walk through the forest leisurely, but he showed not a single sign of carelessness.
It would take him less than a split second to draw the sword at his hip.
"Lubeth, don't overdo it."
"What are you talking about? I don't get it."
Having been warned just in case, Lubeth shrugged with a feigned look of ignorance.
Thanks to Diebl, the possibility of an attack from demi-humans or monsters was low, so the greatest caution to be taken at present was about Lou's escape.
If Lou showed any signs of running, Lubeth would likely slash him mercilessly with his sword.
(He probably wouldn't kill him outright, but he might cut the tendons in his legs. It's not that Lubeth is in the wrong, but... if possible, I'd prefer fewer casualties.)
Even though he is an enemy, I don't want to actively harm a child.
It would be best if we could defeat the Curse Caster peacefully.
"...The Curse Caster has set up camp near our, the oni tribe's, village. He captured my sister and some other girls from the tribe and is holed up in a castle he made with a curse."
Whether or not he knew what Rest was thinking, Lou started speaking as they advanced.
"A castle made from a curse?"
"Yeah. When they chant some crazy spell, the earth rises up and forms a castle. The walls are incredibly hard; even the adult oni couldn't break them."
"They are likely reinforcing an earthen magic dome with another type of magic. It will not be easy to destroy."
Diebl said.
As expected, the Curse Casters appeared to be exceptional magicians.
If they were barricaded in a house created by magic, the difficulty of rescuing the hostages rose another level.
(How should I put this... It feels like I'm dealing with a robber who's taken hostages and barricaded himself inside. I finally understand what the police must go through.)
It isn't just about defeating the enemy. It really was a troublesome affair.
"By the way, how many Curse Casters are there?"
"...At first, there was just one. But two of his friends came later. I don't know if there are more now."
"I see... So we don't even know the numbers. What a pain."
Rest was using Presence Detection, but if the enemy was also using Presence Concealment like Diebl, they wouldn't know how many there were.
Cautious of an enemy who seemed far more formidable than they had imagined, Rest and the others advanced through the forest.