Just like that, everyone started preparing for the prisoner transport quest. Various knights and adventurers ran about the prison carriage. They were constantly transporting supplies over and packing them into the carriages, or they were transporting luggage or checking over the horses and carriages themselves. All in all, they were all acting with the upmost care and attention to detail.
As the unquestioned leader of the group, Balon supervised the progress with a stern gaze from the side.
This particular quest touches on a great many things, and to Balon, it's a rare opportunity that must be grasped. Thus, he himself would of course put all his effort into making sure that nothing went wrong.
Thus, not only did Balon strictly supervise the work progress, he would even personally make some of the checks and orders. Thus, the stiff atmosphere begun spreading out.
Due to that, Alrith's party's preparation work had also turned more serious. Vivian and group silently went about their own preparations. Even Leon's party, under Leon's own supervision and repeated orders, had begun acting more professionally. Only Markray alone still constantly glanced over toward Vivian's party at Melika who was busying herself with her head lowered, as if he really wanted to go over.
However, Even Markray didn't want to make any kind of commotion under this circumstance. The leader this time was Balon, who was the higher up of his own father and the lord whom Markray himself will one day need to serve. Markray's own proud lineage was completely pointless before Balon, so Markray didn't dare to act up here.
Thanks to that, although Markray wanted to act, he still managed to hold himself back in the end and did not go over. Thus, Melika who had been surreptitiously watching finally let out a huge sigh of relief.
Of course, what Melika didn't realize was that the reason that Markray managed to hold himself back was also in a great portion due to Diere.
After all, every single time Markray would glance over, he would also be able to see Diere's own cold gaze at him. Thanks to that, every time he would shudder in fear, unable to take so much as a single step.
It couldn't be helped. After all, the one that Markray feared the most wasn't Balon, but Diere.
That was because, in the past, it was Diere who discovered his impure intentions toward Melika. Then, she broke all four of Markray's limbs without an ounce of mercy. Afterwards, if it wasn't for Markray's father asking a high priest of the temple to cast recovery magic for him, Markray would probably have been crippled for life, and there would be no way for him to still be standing here.
Thus, Markray both hated and feared Diere. He didn't dare to act rashly.
After all, Markay's lineage was similarly useless before Diere too.
First of all, the fault lied with Markray in the first place. Diere was also one of the top prodigies of the Kingdom, and had always been the recipient of a great deal of royal attention. Plus, she also had Leili backing her up, so as long as it wasn't a murder, even if a noble were to fall to her, they'd have no real choice but to just admit their loss.
Under such circumstances, Markray could only look at Diere with fear and caution. After hesitating and rethinking things over and over, he finally gave up on coming over.
Thus, all the preparations continued unabated, and the situation maintained a delicate balance.
Rather, it was Vivian who, after looking around, who muttered in a strange tone.
"Where's Shien? Where did he disappear to?"
Vivian discovered that, at some unknown point in time, Shien was no longer at the scene anymore.
"Did he go back?"
Vivian suspected so.
After she handed Shien the choice, Vivian didn't ask for his decision right there. Rather, she felt like she should give Shien some time to think it over, and she took everyone else to start their preparations.
Now that Shien had disappeared, Vivian could only conclude that he had decided to abandon this quest in the end.
"That's fine too."
Vivian didn't feel any regret. Rather, she was relieved.
If Shien continued to stay here, then given the issues between Vivian's and Leon's parties, there would be no guarantee that he wouldn't end up entangled with someone like Markray. Given that, it wasn't a bad thing for Shien to have abandoned this quest.
As for the matter of meeting that personage…
"Let's leave that for another chance later on."
As she thought of that person, Vivian also showed a resigned grin.
Although that personage was quite busy, and their position is special, making them hard to get a meeting with. However, with Leili's help, it shouldn't be as if there were no chances at all.
As Vivian thought that, she laid down her worries and concentrated on continuing with her preparations.
This ended up taking quite a bit of time.
When all the preparations were finally complete, Balon who was supervising everything finally gave out the order.
"Bring over the prisoner!"
Instantly, the entire field turned completely silent.
Everyone stiffened up and stood at the ready.
Vivian and group also turned serious and looked forward.
Not long after, that figure appeared.
Under the heavy guard of numerous knights, a feminine looking man slowly walked over.
That was indeed Jillian.
That that moment, Jillian was bound by a number of sealing items.
Practically all of those sealing items were the highest level magic items withing Lamdrion. Some had the effect of preventing the flow of magic. Some had enormous strength and toughness. Some were unbelievably heavy, thus suppressing the prisoner's ability to move. Thus, the level 77 demon criminal Jillian could only stay there obediently, unable to escape.
However, Jillian even so still showed no emotions whatsoever. His gaze did not waver, giving everyone an impression of an extremely volatile stillness.
At the very least, a number of knights and adventurers were all intimidated.
"That is…"
"How terrifying…"
Quiet whispers like those rose up intermittently. Balon became serious. Leon and Eudrice showed signs of a cold sweat. Even Markray nearly shook in response. It showed just how powerful the pressure that Jillian had brought.
Vivian and group were also extremely serious.
"That person. Very strong."
Diere tightened her hands on her blades as she kept her eyes on Jillian.
"That… That's one of the Old Demon Faction's main leaders behind the mass assassination plot ten years ago huh?"
"I-It's indeed very scary…"
Lumia and Melika also became timid and nervous.
Even Vivian took a sharp breath in her mind.
"Someone like that. Just how did Shien manage to subjugate him without taking even a scratch?"
Now that she had seen Jillian in person, Vivian couldn't even imagine just what kind of powerful magic item could possibly allow a level 10 new adventurer to accomplish such a deed.
"No wonder all those people from the knights constantly tried to get more information about that magic item."
Vivian ended up laughing without anyone knowing.
However, Vivian also knew that Shien definitely didn't use some kind of magic item.
"With so many secrets. Never mind Leili, even I'm getting curious."
Vivian thus started muttering under her breath.
Jillian was thus, under everyone supervision, imprisoned within the cage like carriage.
All preparations were thus complete.
"Alright!"
Balon gave a forceful nod and got ready to give out the order to set out.
Then, at that moment, a knight ran over in a panic.
"Sir Balon!"
