"...they even took down an S-rank!
They almost died in the process, but this was an incredible achievement that left their mark in history! In fact, this was one of the qualifications that allowed him to become the Archmage in the first place!", Ren was continuing on for a good couple minutes, singing the praises of the Archmage.
Regal looked over, "She's still going on about me? She does realise how long I've lived right? Her stories could end up going on for a while."
"Haha! If it wasn't for that S-rank monster, we wouldn't be as well known as we are right now. Blame our strength", Kendrick continued to laugh.
Pamel could be seen walking to them from the forest. Kendrick stopped laughing and Regal decided to stand up.
"Well?", Regal asked.
Pamel shook his head.
"Nothing. There isn't a single demonic beast nearby, nothing but a few monsters at C-rank for hundreds of metres", Pamel answered.
"Hmm...", Regal began thinking about what could be going on, but in reality, both him and Kendrick had a solid guess.
'There were reports of activity near the outskirts just the other day... there was even a demonic beast on the day of the hero summoning.
If demonic beasts becoming more active implies that a demon is present, then the sudden absence of demonic beasts implies that they've been gathered by the demon... they've rallied their troops then.', Regal figured.
"How disappointing... if it's become this bad, then I don't think the heroes will get their chance at some experience.", Regal sighed as he rubbed his temples.
Kendrick nodded, "Should we head back then?"
In response Regal stood in thought for a bit. If there were indeed large groups of demonic beasts gathered around a demon- or demons for that matter, then it isn't a problem for Kendrick and Regal to deal with. They have the element of surprise and could wipe out some of their forces before the impending attack.
But then there's the matter of the heroes and the adventurer party. The adventures wouldn't be able to help, but they could at least handle themselves and take down a decent amount of demonic beasts. The heroes simply wouldn't be able to do anything.
Perhaps this was planned, the demons had somehow learned about the appearance of heroes. Maybe they had their own legends and prophecies to predict their appearance. Whatever it may be, they could easily erase the heroes if they attacked now while they were weak.
After another moment or two, Regal made his decision.
"Let's head to the outpost first, we might be able to learn where the demonic beasts have been heading if we ask a few questions.", he said before walking toward the heroes and Ren.
"-while it hasn't been confirmed, it's said that the Archmage slapped him across the face and uttered the words 'don't get cocky' as he fell to the floor, kyaa! He's so cool!"
'Is she still talking!?', Regal seemed surprised at the woman named Ren who was consistently going on about his stories.
Regal cleared his throat, causing Ren to jump a bit before turning around. The heroes also moved their attention to him.
"We are going to the first outpost to ask them a few questions, after that, we are going to head back. You, go ahead and tell your friends that we are ready to start moving again.", he said as he pointed at Ren.
"Y-yes sir!", she then scurried away in response.
'He pointed at me!', she thought while adding a slight jump to her step.
"...", Regal watched the strange woman leave and a moment later ordered the heroes to pick up their things.
***
"Don't you find it a bit weird?", Kendrick started a conversation with Regal with scepticism in his voice.
Regal looked at him without a clue what he was on about and simply asked, "What?"
Kendrick then folded him arms, as if it was some sort of preparation for him to start his explanation.
"You were sent a letter regarding the activity in the forest, but reports of the lack of activity should've quickly made their way to you as well"
Regal didn't seem too surprised by this line of thought.
"The king probably prepared the letter beforehand and only decided to send it as his son was on his way to me. That or I simply didn't read the newer letter, I don't typically read everything that comes to my estate", Regal shrugged.
"You know the royal butlers aren't that incompetent, they would ensure all information is up to date before sending a letter to anyone, regardless of the recipient.
Whether there were new reports or not, they certainly didn't arrive anytime before yesterday.", Kendrick continued.
He was right. The royal butlers were either specially selected or specially trained, being the most suitable possible for their job. Regal received the report yesterday after throwing the prince into his training regime with Anne.
It detailed that there was currently activity within the demon forest. If reports were being received daily, then the newest report was presumably either the day the letter was sent... or the day before. However, if the information was from the day before, then any news the next day should've indeed made it's way to Regal just as Kendrick had said. Perhaps even as late as this morning if needed.
Regal did not read his letters, but Pamel did. More importantly, he ensured that important information was relayed to Regal, if at all relevant.
However, considering that nothing regarding the current situation of the forest made it's way to his ears, it was likely that the forest was indeed very active as early as yesterday.
'Which means that this was recent... very recent. Either that or they haven't been able to send reports recently for some reason...', Regal thought.
There was still indeed the possibility that they were late to send information, but if they were too late then a scouting party would be sent to check up on the outpost. If after all that, there is still no news...
His eyes widened at the realisation of what may be occurring.
'It's a good thing I sent the prince back to the palace before this trip yesterday, if he ended up getting hurt in this situation, it's plenty cause for some of those hateful nobles to use it against me', Regal bit his lip at the mere thought of what those greedy nobles would do.
The nobles who wanted to get rid of Regal were few in number, very few in fact. They were nobles who didn't realise how much influence Regal had and how much it was protecting the kingdom. What most of the nobles really wanted was to use Regal against other countries, to place themselves in an even more favourable position.
There were some who were less ambitious, they wanted to Regal to start an academy for noble children to teach them magic. Or perhaps even private magic lessons would be enough to squeeze out of him.
'That aside... it's highly likely that there's a reason that the first outpost hasn't been able to send any reports...', Regal suddenly shot his head up and walked rather speedily to Tristain.
"Oi, short hair"
Tristain turned his head, "Yes... Sir Archmage?"
Tristain's hair wasn't really 'short', but it was indeed shorter than most people in this world. Getting a haircut wasn't always simple. There were plenty of options in the capital, but they also cost a fair penny, not worth a frequent visit.
"How far until the first outpost?", Regal questioned with a hint of seriousness.
Tristain moved the direction of his eyes to the sky and analysed the sun for a moment while also taking into account his internal clock.
"We've been going for about an hour now... so we should be around a thousand metres away", Tristain estimated.
'That's close enough, it's just a matter of increasing the distance of my detection', Regal figured.
A moment later he stopped walking and sent out a rather powerful pulse of mana. Only Anne was able to feel it as it brushed against her. It was mana without any intent behind it, it didn't have any element to it either. It was just mana.
It needed a moment to travel it's distance, but once it did, Regal discovered what had been occurring.
He pressed his palm against his face.
"Is something wrong Sir Archmage...?", Tristain questioned as he stopped. The rest of the cohort followed suit and waited.
"Hrmm...", Regal grunted with a scowl.
"The first outpost is occupied by demonic beasts", Regal announced.
The adventurers widened their eyes as they listened. Kendrick narrowed his gaze while the heroes nervously stood waiting.
"Is anyone alive?", Kendrick asked.
"I'm not sure... I didn't detect any humans. They either escaped..."
"...Or were devoured", Kendrick finished.
Suddenly a rather furious face appeared on the face of both Regal and Kendrick.
Neither of them were the type of person to care much about people they've never met, but this situation... was familiar to them. The event itself, the mere idea of it left an unpleasant taste in their mouth, who wouldn't feel the same though?
It made the others... uncomfortable.
This was... outside of Tristain's expertise. He was just the leader of an adventurer party who accepted detailed and informed quests about creatures that he could prepare for and hunt with ease. An entire outpost overrun by demonic beasts... was beyond him. Not only did he not know their ranks, but there was no backup, no one to save them if something went wrong. The only realistic option... was to retreat.
He looked at the Archmage and said nothing for a moment, but eventually decided to speak.
"Sir Archmage... I suggest we turn back"
He stood with a nervous look on his face as the Archmage turned to him.
Regal's lip curled upwards before speaking, "Turn back? This is the reason I'm here, no?"
"Yeah, It's not such a big deal, better to deal with it quickly, really", Kendrick added with a shrug.
Under their strangely pleasant guise, they harboured some surprising resentment towards the creatures waiting at the outpost.
Noticing that Tristain- no, that the entire group was rather hesitant, Regal sighed and made his way to the front of them.
"Did you lot forget who I am? This will be a walk in the park, you'd be lucky to even get the chance to fight a demonic beast.", he said with a slightly turned head. He waited a moment to gauge everyone's reaction, and none of them seemed at all eager to follow.
Regal sighed and turned fully to face them, "You can head back if you want, I don't plan on stopping you. But just think about it for a moment"
He successfully grabbed the adventurer's attention as they listened in.
"You could leave now and receive- wait, who am I kidding, you guys aren't getting any reward if you abandon the commission, I'm not that nice.
That aside, you could leave right now and avoid the danger."
The group made a bewildered expression, not sure if he was being humorous with that first remark...
...he probably wasnt.
"But this is an opportunity for you lot, no? You could support the Archmage in a fight against a group of demonic beasts. I'll even let you keep the demonic seeds, maybe even throw a few spoils your way if you do well. Naturally anything you kill yourself is yours for the keeping.
I couldn't care less about whether you stay or not, but to be honest, I have a soft spot for adventurers. I'm making you aware of this opportunity because I like you guys, ok?", Regal said and ended with a smile.
'...I need this guys to be examples for the heroes. Getting me and Kendrick to show off won't do them any good. I would look like someone set loose a mutated magic cannon which could erase anything in it's path, while Kendrick is closer to a steel- no, an orichalcum battering ram.', Regal thought as he sighed inwardly.
Ren was getting pretty excited, she felt that the Archmage was encouraging them to fight.
Turos and Tristain were unsure... the situation seemed like they had to choose between fighting protect the capital from a potential attack, only it looked as though it meant impending doom. Or running away to live another day, perhaps to fight a more favourable battle with a larger group of soldiers and adventurers.
Regal stared at them for a moment.
'They are certainly overestimating this situation...
Sure, a group of demonic beasts took over one of our outposts, perhaps even with the command of a demon. Maybe they even slaughtered every human there, human's who were strong enough to defend themselves in the middle of this demonic forest where frequent attacks from passing monsters and demonic beasts occurred...
Can't be that bad, no? It must be worse having me and Kendrick as the enemy, don't these lot realise that?', Regal shrugged.
He then looked towards the overly excited Ren who was staring with sparkles in her eyes...
"I guess one of them is aware at least..."