We left the castle of Foranada at the scheduled time with a limited number of people: Us, three siblings, Our caretaker Sion, and ten elite members of Foranada's knights.
The number of escorts was not enough to handle the volume of relief supplies. As for the caretaker, Shion alone would be a heavy burden. Still, considering the speed at which we were moving, we couldn't afford to increase the number of members to accompany us any further.
Well, I don't think there was a problem with the former. As for the latter—at least for me—I would be able to take care of myself. Even though I am an aristocrat, I have knowledge of my previous life, so it wasn't so difficult.
On the road, we proceed almost nonstop. They didn't have to worry about their legs getting crushed because the fatigue of the knights and horses was restored by Caron's magic.
In addition, I strengthened everyone.
Although [Magic Coating] was a magic spell that could be used on inorganic objects, that doesn't mean it cannot be applied to living things. Because of its disadvantages, it has not been used on people or animals. It does not apply to me. Of course, just in case, the degree of strengthening has been made with a margin of safety in mind.
Thanks to the fact that we were strengthened roughly eight times, our march was at explosive speed. The people on board were rolling their eyes around.
No wonder. A horse-drawn carriage, which normally travels at seven or eight kilometers per hour (ten kilometers at most), was as fast as a car driving down the highway. From the point of view of people in this world, this would be a speed of another dimension.
Incidentally, there was no need to worry about the durability of the carriage itself or how bad the roads were. I have strengthened that as well.
Our speed should be more than 80 kilometers per hour, so if all goes well, we would reach our destination in about 19 hours. I realize how great magic was because a month could be reduced to less than a day with a horse-drawn carriage.
We plan to run all night, making full use of Mind and Light Magic, so even if we have to take a few breaks, we would still arrive at noon tomorrow.
It had been two days since we received the news about the civil war, and with such speed, we should be able to get there in time. At the very least, the Byakudai family would be saved.
But I had a bad feeling. Or should I say, I have an indescribable chill? I had a feeling that this civil war wasn't going to be a simple matter…
— — —
The day after we left. We arrived at Baron Byakudai's territory exactly 24 hours later.
"This is…"
"Uuu…."
Caron and Orca, who were standing next to me on both sides, were at a loss for words.
The reason for this was the extremely gruesome scene in front of them.
Baron Byakudai's territory was made up of four villages, and now we've entered the southernmost village, which was submerged in a sea of blood.
Not a single survivor. All of them were dead, with expressions that said they had met a grim end, and the houses were either destroyed or burned.
Frankly speaking, it wasn't a scene one would expect two ordinary seven-year-olds to see.
But I didn't it from them. Both of them must have been prepared for the possibility of this happening, and overprotecting them too much wouldn't lead to their growth. They should properly face the reality.
Well, I could do such reckless things because I have insurance by healing them with Mind Magic.
However, the Caron and Orca I know wouldn't be so weak-minded as to break down at this point.
In fact, I was right.
"Let's move on. I really want to give her a proper burial, but time is of the essence right now."
"Un, There might still be survivors down the road!"
The two of them accepted the truth firmly and grasped what they could do on top of that.
I expected this, but I'm still impressed. In my previous life, when I was about their age, I wasn't this amazing. Although there may be differences with the environment we grew up in, Caron and Orca would undoubtedly be outstanding people in the future.
After that, the knight who was on a reconnaissance mission brought information. There were no survivors in this village, and all valuables and food had been stolen.
Although looting was unavoidable during a war, this was truly heinous.
Since staying here wasn't an option, we decided to hurry onward, as Caron and Orca had said earlier.
Since we were now on a battlefield right now, the knights had positioned themselves around the wagons and were being even more vigilant. I also cast a detection spell over the entire area in case of a surprise attack.
Then, we continued on through the second and third villages, but—
"The enemy's invasion is much faster than expected…"
In front of a heap of corpses, I muttered to myself.
That's right. All the residents were buried except for the last village. Every single person, young and old, male and female, had been slaughtered. It was a massacre.
I knew from my knowledge of the game that all the people were killed. However, the shock of seeing it firsthand was far greater than reading it. Even I, who was accustomed to death by hunting demonic beasts and bandits, found this scene unbearable.
"....."
"Hick…Hick…."
Caron prayed silently to the dead, while Orca was sobbing from frustration.
Perhaps I was too naive in my estimation.
Count France and his faction were serious. They were going to do everything in their power to destroy Count Garbauda's faction. At this rate, the other territories were sure to be destroyed as well.
However, it was certain that only the last village has not yet been slaughtered. After all, the sounds of battle have not ceased. I could feel the signs of war even from here because the distance was so close.
"Zechs-sama, the scout has returned."
Shion whispered into my ear after receiving a report from one of the knights.
I then nodded my head.
"Let the man himself come through. I want to ask him what he thinks of what he saw and heard."
"I understand."
Shion bowed once and quickly walked away.
She tripped as a result, but it's a good thing she didn't fall
Then while watching Shion nervously, I waited for the arrival of the knight who served as a scout.
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