Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

The captain possessed a distinct air, marked by features that spoke of privilege and refinement. His appearance bore the hallmarks of someone who had rarely experienced the sting of a physical altercation or had been punched in the face. However, the absence of exhaustion in his demeanor was noteworthy.

Unlike the others, he didn't display any visible signs of fatigue or the weight of their shared struggles.

Brown hair, light brown eyes, showing an annoyed glint. The guy was tall, and he probably would have a good physic if he had trained enough, but his armor looked brand new. Maybe the human country lost a bunch of leaders in the war.

"What?" The captain asked while furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance. "You don't have any manners?"

"My name is Rain, and I was sent to reinforce the investigation team that arrived one week ago," Rain said while ignoring the words of that guy. "Where are they?"

"Is that how you talk to your current commanding officer?" The captain asked.

"I only respond to the king's blade," Rain replied. "I have work to do, so I would rather avoid wasting time here."

"... I don't know where they are; you can look for their bodies under the rain if you feel like it," the captain said.

Rain's frustration was palpable, making him feel like he just wanted to let out a big sigh. There were instances when certain individuals seemed to deserve a swift lesson in humility – a solid punch to the mouth that could knock all their teeth out in one go. The entitled behavior of that captain had triggered this kind of response in Rain.

With a resolve not to waste any more precious time, Rain exited the tent and cast his gaze around the camp. The urgency of gathering crucial information compelled him to take charge and gather intel in a way that would encourage people to open up to him.

Using his magical abilities, Rain embarked on a series of changes that significantly impacted the comfort of the soldiers. Transforming the damp ground into a dry surface and providing makeshift roofs for the tents, he aimed to alleviate their discomfort during the rain.

In this process, he struck up conversations with the soldiers, inquiring about Jori and her companions while simultaneously offering his assistance. By intertwining his queries with genuine assistance, Rain sought to create an environment where they felt more inclined to share their experiences and insights.

"That group? They left three days ago to keep an eye on an area where some monsters had been sighted. I can't say if they received the order to do that."

"The captain didn't like them from the beginning, but then again, it doesn't look like he likes anyone here. I don't think that he would do something against Lord Branden, though."

"They asked us a few things about the situation and the recent sight of enemies, and I think that they only talked with the captain two times. Still, he didn't seem worried about their disappearance."

Rain found the wagon and the horses that his friends used in the stable. They left a bunch of things in the wagon, so it didn't look like they left planning to stay outside for long.

"They also knew that I would arrive around today, and they didn't have the need to investigate such an area… apparently," Rain thought.

Rain couldn't help but feel a sense of caution when it came to fully trusting the words of the soldiers he encountered. The complexity of the situation and the potential for misinformation made him wary of taking everything he heard at face value.

As night fell and darkness spread across the camp, Rain found himself contemplating. While nibbling on his rations, he pondered the course of action he should take next. The vastness of the task ahead was underscored by the uncertainty that shrouded the situation he was investigating.

Reflecting on the day's activities, Rain noted that he had expended roughly half of his mana in his work. Fortunately, this expenditure wasn't a significant concern for him. The mastery of his magic had granted him a measure of control and efficiency that enabled him to navigate such a mission without undue strain.

"There are no people around watching the camp…" Rain thought while he was using Mana in his eyes to check for enemies. "Since that crazy bitch is around, people here are being cautious in order not to be captured, but those guys didn't know much about the area since they just arrived."

Rain felt like sighing; he was told not to do anything reckless and to keep a low profile. Now, he was considering looking for enemies and Jori's group as well.

In the end, Rain decided to check the area where Jori and the others should have been investigating… while he couldn't find traces of them at night, anything was better than nothing.

Seizing a moment when no one was particularly focused on him, Rain quietly departed from the camp's vicinity.

Surprisingly, it took him a mere ten minutes to reach the designated area that had been mentioned by others. He relied on his Impulse a few times during his journey. However, the distance he covered – around fifteen kilometers – made it a relatively swift trip.

Upon arrival, Rain observed his surroundings with the aid of his self-appointed technique, which he termed "Magic Eyes." Despite his scrutiny, he failed to discern any signs of individuals nearby. The area appeared devoid of activity, leaving Rain with a sense of intrigue and mystery as he pondered the nature of the situation he had ventured into.

"Maybe I should have asked for the locations of the enemies as well," Rain thought while looking around for signs of camps and battles.

The surroundings of the area were unremarkable, characterized by a stretch of ordinary plain lands. Rain mused this simplicity could work in his favor, as it would make any signs of battles or disturbances more noticeable.

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