They weren’t joking when they said they’d make Arata carry the horses across the water. Arata had been trained to do so. He learned that his ability didn’t just deal with mana and qi, but with energy in general. He learned to distribute his weight and gravity to such a degree that he could walk across regardless of weight.

  “I’m doing the biggest horse first. . Leon, bring Fast Dancer over here.” Arata looked at the large white stallion, Arata focused the surrounding mana into his core, hoisting the horse over his shoulders and across his back.

  Fishing manual came in handy, from hunting and carrying back all those sea beasts I’ve gotten used to using this power in this way. Though I guess that’s to my detriment here… since that got them to ask. Arata shivers at how bad the horse smelt as he was carried across the river.

  Arata’s feet stepped into the water, Arata saw his time to shine with the new techniques he had learned in that one month. Demiurge Foundry would latch onto the surrounding water’s mana, absorbing it and converting it to force for Arata to push back against the water.

  Arata was quite proud of this one, even though there was further application; something felt special when he could impress another with his talents. What would they have done had I not been here… does this make me part of the team now?

  Leon shouts, “Oh, impressive Arata! Can you carry me too? That would be very nice.”

  Arata quickly retorts, “Horses only. You guys were trained for this.”

  The rest of the squad’s horses get across the water as well as their respective knights. Arata, being the only one who remained dry in any capacity upon crossing, looks as his fellow knights try to get the water out of their clothes, except Morgan who is beyond saving by wearing full plate armor.

  “Water seeped into the cracks, Sir Morgan? Why don’t you take all that heavy armor off for now? We are nowhere near the frontlines… how many more days until we reach the frontlines?” Arata questions Morgan.

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  Morgan clears their throat, diverting the conversation by explaining, “We arrive in two days. The hero’s party, due to passing through the mountains, should already have arrived; we will not slow our pace.”

  Arata nods before wondering to himself. Whether drinking, eating or when water seeps into their clothes… it always seems like they’ve got something to hide. Arata glances over towards Gavian, who looks the oldest here.

  Later, as they finish day 2 of the journey Arata’s legs were exhausted. A new camp was made as each of the squad’s members went off, left to their own devices. Arata spots Gavian, who is resting his weary eyes in the grass.

  Arata decides to approach Gavian to ask him a question. “Sir, something’s been on my mind… who is Morgan?”

  Gavian let out a sigh, “I thought I’d get some early shuteye… fine, I’ll tell ya. Morgan’s the enigma knight.”

  “Enigma? Further context please?” Arata scratches his head a little. I assume that means the other knights don’t really know much either.

  Gavian pauses, having trouble explaining Morgan’s past. “The captain just kinda showed up one day, I was already a knight in the force at the time and caught news of a rookie climbing up the ranks. The strangest part was how people seemed unsure about the captain’s magic. I’ve never seen Sir Morgan cast a spell myself. In terms of enhancement, precognition, maybe?”

  Arata ponders for a second, “That doesn’t add up. How could someone achieve such an esteemed position without a background? Such information should be somewhere… It’s hard to believe someone so anonymous could get so far?”

  “To address your confusion: no, there’s nothing, she got the position from the lord before the Baker. The Baker’s father took any information on Captain Morgan to the grave, not even the Baker has that kind of information.” Gavian responds with a sigh.

  “Some say Captain Morgan is secretly the demon lord hiding their true identity in armor. They will kill anyone who gets too close to figuring out their true form…” Morgan looms over Arata, who jumps at the sight of the captain.

  “S- sorry boss! Won’t let it happen again, I promise.” Arata’s breathing is a little heavy. Damn, they scared me.

  Arata, to distract Morgan, asks, “Did you get your armor dried out?”

  Morgan is somehow so expressive with no visible face, you can tell their disappointment, “It’s fine to be curious, I won’t stop you from asking around but you could’ve just asked me yourself. I’ll tell you more when it becomes relevant if you perform well.”

  With that, the squad goes to sleep that night. Tomorrow, they reach the battlefield.