Page 206

The scenery before my eyes immediately changed.

A vast expanse of land overgrown with various vegetable plants made me certain that this journey would approach the first stop.

The movements made by Earl Timoti's soldiers seemed in harmony with the movements made by the stealth slime herd on duty tirelessly.

With the gift of my precious free time to listen to Sirius's apology, it became a great weapon for them to utilize well.

Sirius's big mistake, which made me hate them now, drove hard work that was shown with extraordinary sincerity.

I had never seen them move actively like this in the Soul Tame communication network along with the instructions given by Aiko to Sirius.

Several detailed orders given by Aiko made them share their point of view in the Soul Tame communication channel so that Aiko would not lose her way.

Even with her slime body still trying to regenerate, Aiko did not leave the responsibility of the stealth slime herd on duty to escort me.

Their organized movement made me proud of their rapid development like this.

Even though I had to take harsh measures to punish them, it was worth what they gave me.

When the footsteps of my horse and Earl Timoti's troops approached the city wall that was visible from a distance, I felt the need to cover my face with a scarf.

My hand immediately grabbed the edge of the scarf and covered part of my face with the scarf so that people would have difficulty recognizing me who was already a hot headline news in Earl Timoti's territory.

Uhhh, it seems like I was too bad at doing this and people could see me clearly like this until some of them looked like they were waving their hands at me.

The wave was returned by Earl Timoti by waving his hand as a form of reply wave. Together with his waving hand movement, Earl Timoti formed a tight line to hide my body silhouette that was easily seen by people.

Wearing a tight line formation, we walked towards the city wall that had opened its city gates wide as if wanting to provide a wide path for Earl Timoti's troops.

"Lily-sama, this city might feel cramped with its dense population around the border area. I hope it doesn't make Lily-sama feel uncomfortable because my troops need to replenish some supplies to return to the Main Mansion," said Earl Timoti who was now riding his horse close to me.

Because of this tight formation, we rode our horses on a close path. The saddle I was riding on felt a little hot after there was no free space to move and straighten my stiff spine.

"I understand," with that short reply, I tried to enter this city calmly.

Some of my personal belongings almost touched Mio's personal belongings who was riding her horse not far from me.

Because of the narrow formation of soldiers like this, I had to press my horse's reins tightly so that the movement of his steps could be more controlled.

When the city gate came into view, I was immediately greeted by a merchant's horse carriage that was queuing to enter. Because Earl Timoti's troops had the highest priority to enter the city, it made them form a long line that extended out of the city gate.

The vast city gate looked very majestic with several military equipment that served to guard the city walls from sudden attacks.

"You equipped the border city walls with heavy military equipment, huh?" I asked Earl Timoti and got a smile that seemed to show off his military assets on the city border.

"Of course, this is the outermost wall that will be the first line of defense if there is a sudden attack. Far from this area is only the Valley of Death which is a hunting ground for spies to find information on what is happening on the border. Just like what Lily-sama has experienced before."

That reasonable answer made me smile.

Valley of death, huh?

It is more like a land of death to carry out dangerous actions such as raiding military troops that are patrolling around the border.

Thanks to the swift movement of the stealth slime herd, we managed to paralyze the animal spy that had been controlled by someone.

If Earl Timoti's troop movements could be easily discovered like this. The access connecting Earl Timoti's territory to the former iron mine had been discovered.

"Earl Timoti, it seems like your route access using the iron mine has been discovered. Do you have any other alternative routes after they control animals with Tamer abilities like that?" I asked Earl Timoti with a question that was stuck in my head.

"You don't have to worry like that, Lily-sama. The iron mine is famous as a training ground for Earl Timoti's border troops to hunt in the wild forest. The actions we are taking will look like ordinary training that does not bring any supplies and relies on forest products to survive. That's why we will stop here for a while and fill up on supplies to return to my Main Mansion," said Earl Timoti in a calm tone.

For some reason, I heard his tone of voice like an old man relaxing to his daughter.

Either it's just me or Earl Timoti doesn't want me to worry about this?

"I hope that's true because most of the wild animals around the mines are controlled animals and the people in this city are mostly spies from various territories," I said to give my opinion on this one.

"Lily-sama, you are meticulous about this. The more you know about your enemy, the easier it will be to exploit the gaps in information provided by them. Right now, you look like a military supervisor from the Aurora Kingdom's Capital who is tasked with monitoring the conflict that is happening in the border region. I'm sure they won't act rashly by invading without the approval of the Aurora Kingdom's King and Queen."

"If they dare to do so, doesn't that mean they are certain of their victory? For example, a small neutral territory in the middle of the nobles who are involved in the opposition faction," I said in the middle of Earl Timoti's words.

"Ah, I can't comment too much on that. Isn't that the reason Lily-sama is in my territory like this?"

"Yes," by giving that definite answer, I showed the resistance and preparation of the Marquess Rommel family for one of the possible official wars involving the Marquess Rommel's territory.

My horse's light steps led me further into the city filled with various spies. Even my stealth slime herd detected several individuals who almost saw through their disguise. Luckily, they were able to escape suspicion with their stealth abilities.

"Uuhh..." I let out a heavy sigh along with the report of the stealth slime herd who managed to detect several disguise magics being used by the people around me.

In addition to the city standing on the border between the two opposing noble forces and the nobles who supported the noble family, this was a city filled with heavy spy activities.

I seemed to be getting too much attention, especially with the presence of Momo who made my horse seem to be carrying a very long sword.

A cursed Odachi that attracted the attention of spies.

"You're going to be famous after this, Momo," I whispered to Momo who realized that there were several gazes directed at her.

"I feel like a naked weapon with their lewd gazes like that, my Monarch. Can I just hit them once? I'm sick of the amateur magic cast trying to identify what kind of weapon I am," Momo replied in a cheerful tone to beat up the people who were trying identifying her.

On this journey, at least I've learned that there are various types of magic that occur in the world of spies.

Does the stealth slime herd also experience something like this?

Infiltrating by becoming someone else and using some camouflage to blend in with the surrounding items.

Compared to the efficiency of the stealth slime which doesn't leave any magic core residue in their magic chants, I've at least seen several people who have magic core residue leaking out to the point that my sensitive eyes with magic energy can see their magic core residue.

Right after our journey entered a military barracks, and I saw a woman who had magic core residue leaking out here and there.

When my horse stopped, I immediately looked at Earl Timoti to ask for permission.

"Earl Timoti, may I clean up some rats who have disguised themselves as your people?" I asked with a sweet smile on my face.

"Lily-sama... that the rats that I deliberately raised in the military barracks like this?" replied Earl Timoti who understood what I meant.

"I did raise them on purpose, Lily-sama. Especially with people who deliberately killed my people to take their appearance. Although this is a little unethical, this way is much better to deceive the enemy, Lily-sama," said Earl Timoti while looking to stay calm.

I tried to give an understanding to Earl Timoti's decision with a small nod.

"I understand, did you all hear that?" I said further to the herd of stealth slimes who were trying to silence the spies who were in Earl Timoti's military barracks.

Along with my words, I glanced at Mio who had held her throwing knife to do something.

"Mio, you also shouldn't do anything that makes me and Earl Timoti bother after losing one of his rats," I said in a soft tone towards Mio who almost threw her knife.

"I understand, Lily-sama," Mio replied in a soft tone full of obedience.

Slowly, we entered a military barracks filled with rats that were deliberately kept by Earl Timoti.

Earl Timoti's pet rats behaved politely as if serving their own master.

I don't know what Earl Timoti did, it seems like he has done something with the rats that he deliberately kept.

Seeing a calm situation like this, I have to be careful so that my famous face does not get too much attention from the rats around me.

Earl Timoti gave a hand signal to rest and refill supplies before returning to his Main Mansion.

I followed the instructions and got off my horse's saddle.

With careful steps, I began to feel some gazes directed at me. Because the military uniform I was wearing had a higher rank than cadets like them, it made me safer from soldiers who were curious about my identity.

With my hand holding the cursed Odachi sheath, I gave off a killing aura to keep them from approaching me.

At least that made me feel much safer from the curious questions about me along with Mio who looked like a cold aide.