Having finished breakfast, Rei's party immediately set out toward the next settlement.
As they traveled, Rei rode on Set's back alongside Vihera, just as they had the day before.
He decided to ask Zai, who was running right beside him, about something that had been on his mind before breakfast.
"I see, a cook. Since meals can make a real difference in morale, it would be good to have someone in that role. ...Understood. Once we arrive at the next settlement, I'll ask the chief. But don't get your hopes up too much. If you think about it normally, those who go on this reconnaissance are... to put it bluntly, considered highly likely to die."
"Even with me here?"
"Even with you here. The only ones who know your true strength are me, Vihera, and Set. ...And Dolf, I suppose. Of course, when I sent messengers ahead, I explained thoroughly just how powerful you are. But even so, it seems they honestly can't bring themselves to believe it."
"I see."
Rei nodded at Zai's words, though he figured that one of the reasons for this skepticism was probably the fact that he was bipedal, unlike the Centaurs.
To Rei, the number of legs someone had didn't seem all that important, but to the Centaurs of this world, it clearly was.
As the saying goes—when in Rome, do as the Romans do—so Rei had no intention of pressing the issue.
Of course, if it ended up causing him some kind of disadvantage, that would be a different story.
"In that case, should I just demonstrate my strength when we join up at the next settlement?"
As far as Rei was concerned, showing his strength was no problem at all if it meant things would go smoothly.
If anything, he would be happy to do it.
But Zai shook his head at Rei's words.
The fact that he could do that while running showed a certain dexterity, in a way.
Though for Rei, since he was riding on Set's back, it wasn't particularly difficult for him the way it was for Zai.
"You'd better not. If you do that, many will feel they've been slighted. The settlement we're heading to especially has a chief who is particular about that sort of thing."
"Is that how it is? Well, considering these are the settlements that still remain at this point, I suppose that's only natural. ...Still, if someone like that is the chief, then as you say, it's better not to. Vihera, you heard that?"
Saying so, Rei addressed Vihera, who was sitting behind him.
Unlike yesterday, she seemed to have grown accustomed to riding Set for extended periods alongside Rei and was no longer clinging to him.
She was holding onto Rei's waist, but that was all.
Vihera opened her mouth with a slightly dissatisfied expression at Rei's words.
"So does that mean we can't do anything even if they pick a fight with us?"
"In that case... just handle it normally. Though it would help if you could avoid injuring them as much as possible."
"I'll consider looking into taking a proactive approach to addressing the matter."
"...That's my line, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
At that uncharacteristic response from Vihera, Rei asked whether he had been the one who originally said that phrase, to which Vihera gave a short nod.
Rei wondered if he had ever said something like that to Vihera, but given that she was using phrasing characteristic of Japanese politicians, the only person who could have taught it to her was naturally Rei himself.
"Anyway, please handle it along those lines. Otherwise, I'll need to express my regret as well."
Japan's signature expression of regret.
A phrase that had no actual effect, yet for some reason was used extensively.
To Rei, there was no doubt that this was exactly the kind of situation it was meant for.
"Can you cut it out with the incomprehensible conversation? For now, when we arrive at the next settlement, I'll do the talking. It would help if you two just don't do anything strange."
Zai, who had been listening to Rei and Vihera's conversation, told them this.
He probably couldn't understand what they were actually talking about.
Rei nodded in understanding at Zai's words.
He knew that saying anything more in the current situation would be truly meaningless.
"Just know that while we won't make the first move, if they lay a hand on us, we'll respond in kind."
That much, he made sure to tell Zai.
Based on what Zai had told him, the settlement itself apparently had a rather troublesome nature, even if they stayed quiet during this affair.
Given that, Rei had no intention of meekly complying if the other side got carried away and tried something just because he was staying silent.
It was necessary to make it clear that strong people were strong, regardless of whether they had two legs or four.
...Though it wasn't as if he didn't also think that once they actually learned of his strength, the other side wouldn't do anything stupid—so it would be killing two birds with one stone.
"...I figured as much when it comes to that."
Zai didn't expect Rei to just quietly take it, either.
In the first place, if they found the Dragonias headquarters, the greatest combat power would without question be Rei.
Following Rei would be Vihera.
Zai had no intention of ruining his relationship with the two greatest combat assets they had.
If he were to do something like that, it would be better to simply skip this settlement and head to the next one.
Time passed as they continued, and... just before noon, a single settlement came into view.
It was the settlement Zai had been worried about, and... given that a troublesome person served as its chief, Zai honestly had no desire to visit it.
But in terms of finding the Dragonias headquarters, more people was better.
For that purpose, cooperation was necessary even with those they didn't particularly get along with.
And so, the party approached the settlement...
"Halt!"
A group of about ten Centaurs who had come out from the settlement shouted while leveling their spear tips at them in warning.
Rei had been subjected to similar treatment several times before, so he didn't particularly mind.
But the other Centaurs who had been traveling with Rei were surprised by such an attitude, or felt it was rude.
Dolf and the other leaders from each settlement held back their respective companions who had come with them, and Zai, who was in the position of leading the Reconnaissance Unit, stepped forward.
Naturally, the Centaurs guarding the settlement pointed their spear tips at Zai... but Zai, with those tips directed at him, showed no signs of tension.
(With that level of skill?)
Even from Rei's perspective, it was obvious that the Centaurs leveling their spears at Zai were not particularly skilled.
Zai knew this too, which was surely why he remained unshaken even with spear tips pointed at him—understanding that with his own skill, he could handle opponents of that caliber.
Furthermore, Zai had been receiving training from Vihera for a few days now.
Mock battles with a strong fighter held great significance for Zai.
While not a dramatic improvement compared to before, his skill had without a doubt increased.
That was why Zai stood before the wary Centaurs with full confidence.
"Please calm down. We've come to scout the Dragonias headquarters. Information about that should have reached this settlement as well, no?"
"...I see. But what about those people?"
At Zai's words, the man who appeared to be the leader gestured toward Rei and Vihera, as was only natural.
Set was also there, but it seemed he had been overlooked as a four-legged creature, even if he was an unfamiliar monster.
Thinking so it's come to this after all, Zai spoke up.
"This settlement should have received a message from ours as well, no? Those two-legged ones... Rei and Vihera are both guests at my settlement. They each possess enough strength to take on multiple Dragonias alone."
At Zai's words, the Centaurs turned skeptical glances—more precisely, suspicious looks—toward Rei.
As common sense among Centaurs living on this grassland, Dragonias were not opponents that could be defeated so easily.
Let alone being told that the two bipeds before their eyes had slain Dragonias, expecting them not to question that would be unreasonable.
...Moreover, those talking with Zai were crude in skill.
It was the same at Dolf's settlement—for that reason, they couldn't intuitively grasp their opponent's strength.
Normally, Rei or Vihera would offer to test things out at this point, but... since he had heard from Zai that this settlement's chief was troublesome, Rei didn't do anything like speaking up on his own.
Of course, as he had told Vihera, if the other side attacked, he was fully prepared to strike back.
But while those talking with Zai couldn't measure their opponent's strength, they also didn't do anything like provoking Rei.
In the end, they did eye Rei and Vihera with suspicion, but nothing problematic occurred beyond that, and they led Zai into the settlement.
It wasn't that Rei didn't think why only Zai? but from the settlement's perspective, letting outsiders in—let alone the two-legged Rei and Vihera—was out of the question.
That was why they only allowed Zai, who led the Reconnaissance Unit, inside the settlement.
(I think even if we're not allowed, they could at least let the others in together. ...Well, it's better than things getting complicated.)
Figuring that saying anything unnecessary here would only cause trouble, Rei waited outside the settlement with the other Centaurs, being watched by the settlement's Centaurs to ensure he didn't make any suspicious moves.
He had a feeling that acting together with those joining from this settlement would be a hassle.
(Ah, also, what about the tents and supplies? Are Zai and the others bringing them? If so, that's fine.)
Tents, food, spare weapons, and more.
With various other items as well, the supplies naturally amounted to quite a lot.
Since they were searching for the enemy's headquarters, it was still unclear exactly how long the operation would last.
Moreover, due to the Dragonias, the number of animals and monsters on the grassland had decreased, making it difficult to procure food locally.
In reality, Rei's Misty Ring contained a large quantity of prepared dishes, as well as a vast amount of uncooked ingredients.
Thinking of that, there wasn't much need to prepare food... but Rei had no intention of providing all the food himself from the start.
Especially when the very people who looked down on him for being two-legged and couldn't even discern the difference in strength were right before his eyes—it made him feel that way all the more.
"Honestly, being unable to see through Rei's strength... it's pathetic, even though I have no room to talk."
Dolf came up to Rei's side and muttered as if finding it deplorable.
His saying he had no room to talk was probably because something similar had happened at Dolf's own settlement.
...However, the people at Dolf's settlement had been arrogant toward Rei and Vihera.
As a result, those who couldn't read their opponent's strength ended up learning a painful lesson, albeit a mild one.
While they were talking, an hour passed... then two, and finally Zai returned.
Rei had been about to say that took a while, but seeing Zai approach, visibly mentally exhausted at a glance, he couldn't bring himself to complain.
(Yeah, definitely better that I didn't go in. Probably some kind of assembly-style negotiation that went on pointlessly long.)
He got a vague sense of what Zai had meant by a troublesome person.
And behind Zai were Centaurs carrying tents and various other supplies.
Judging from the fact that they were carrying tents and supplies and their numbers, Rei determined that those Centaurs were likely the ones joining the Reconnaissance Unit from this settlement. He immediately received the items and stored them into his Misty Ring.
Those seeing the Misty Ring for the first time were naturally surprised, but Rei stored everything without paying it any mind.
"This reaction is entertaining no matter how many times I see it."
Asdena, who was beside Rei, muttered with amusement as he watched the surprised Centaurs.
Asdena had also been surprised when he first saw the Misty Ring, so seeing others react with surprise was probably satisfying to him.
"Rei, are you done? It took longer than expected, so we'll need to hurry a bit to the next settlement."
Rei nodded at Zai's words... and after this, they would spend several days visiting settlements, and ultimately, the Reconnaissance Unit's numbers would grow to about a hundred.