"I spy with my little eye something green"
"Grass"
"Tree"
[Moss]
"It was moss you both lose!" [Good job, Yuki!]
[Heehee, of course, Yuki is the best!]
For the umpteenth time, Yuki had won in "I Spy".
As a previous modern day citizen of Earth, "I spy" was extremely common to him, but surprisingly, or maybe not since this was another world. Denizens of this world were completely oblivious to "I Spy" and even found it quite novel and exciting.
It was something Arthur brought up after noticing the silence within the carriage. Most importantly, he was bored and a bit tired. He never liked long car drives because for some reason he could never sleep while sitting. So he couldn't even pass the time by sleeping through the journey. The first three hours were okay because Yuki had been teaching him magic spells but after a while, he started to get bored. Even "I Spy" got boring after playing it with Scarlet, Ezekiel, and Yuki who had been playing in secret and winning all the time.
With nothing better to do and because he felt a bit apologetic to the patrolling soldiers he decided to get out of the carriage for a while.
He could also use this time to do a bit of reconnaissance.
Despite Scarlet's trust in her father's personal army, Arthur knew whether they were royalty, nobility, or even common folk, they had spies within their enemies' household or nation.
The fact that Sir Thomas's carriage was repeatedly attacked and ambushed by bandits made Arthur suspicious. If that alone was not enough proof of a spy within his convoy, then the fact that the bandits could repeatedly locate the caravan despite Sir Thomas taking numerous detours should warrant his suspicions of a potential spy.
Even Scarlet's father probably had spies within the Dragon Empire.
Probably not within the Royal family since they have an amicable relationship but at least within some households, right?
Although it might be him just being paranoid, he felt it was better to make sure just in case harm truly befell someone.
Even so, he wanted to get Scarlet's permission first because he felt bad being suspicious of her father's personal army.
[Scarlet]
Scarlet, who had been talking about random stuff with Yuki via voice transmission, became startled by Arthur's serious sounding voice.
Tentatively replying [Arthur, is something wrong? Do you feel unwell?]
Hearing the concern not only in her words but within her voice, Arthur felt warm.
[Scarlet, don't worry, I feel well. I was just wondering about Sir Thomas' story. Does it not feel like the bandits' ambushes were too easily done?]
[Hmm… now that you mention it, if I remember correctly Uncle Thomas had first taken the route that he always takes toward the Holy Light Theocracy; however, after repeated bandit ambushes he changed routes. Even taking long detours… Arthur, do you mean to say that there is a spy among the soldiers?]
[I-I might just be parano-] Feeling bad Arthur was about to apologize but…
[Humph… Yuki is right, you are an idiot!] Scarlet said with puffed cheeks before turning her head away.
[Sis, didn't I tell you?] Yuki said practically beaming with excitement from within Scarlet's embrace.
Arthur started regretting if he should have told Scarlet.
As for Scarlet, she realized from Arthur's facial expression he still did not realize why she acted that way.
With a sigh at Arthur's obliviousness sometimes she said "Arthur, I was not mad at you for being suspicious towards my father's soldiers. Spies are quite common in every household, especially bigger ones like mine. The bigger the house, the more likely for spies to infiltrate in. My father has removed many spies through the years, but with personnel like maids, butlers, and soldiers becoming older a change in roles would need to occur. In spite of my father and those he closely trusts doing countless background checks, spies could still infiltrate or be bribed into becoming ones. The issue you brought up with a spy among the current soldiers is likely possible]
[Then, earlier-]
[That was because you thought I was mad at you and was going to apologize. Humph…]
[S-sorry]
[Idiot, promise me there will be no more apologizing or thank yous between us]
Not knowing what to say, Arthur could only nod in acknowledgement.
Once again realizing that Yuki was right, he didn't understand a maiden's heart at all…
Standing up Arthur could only wryly smile at Butler Albert and Sir Thomas.
With his conversation with Scarlet being done via voice transmission, it must have been truly a sight, seeing our facial expressions.
"I'll be going out for a bit to get some fresh air."
With that being said, despite the caravan still moving, Arthur opened the door and stepped out.
With the caravan moving at walking speed, it was no trouble jumping out, especially with his god given body constitution which was much tougher than before.