There are a dozen of them, all dressed in black, and they are heading straight for me. It looks like Modo was wrong about the evil side not being able to get in here. Either that or they found a way in specifically because they heard about me.

Just to see what they will do I change direction, but they also change to match. They are definitely targeting me, which normally wouldn't be a problem, but I don't want exp. If my soul level goes up it will make it harder to set Bones free, at least that is my theory.

The enemies are covering ground quickly, they are running like they are in a martial arts movie. It makes me wish I could go down to their world and learn for a while. However, even if I could find a way, I don't have that kind of time.

Since I can't do what I want, which would be to fight them, I turn and fly towards the gate. The enemies pursue me, but they are not fast enough to catch up to me. However, they do manage to keep me within sight, but only because I am not going all out.

This is mainly because I am somewhat curious as to if they have any other tricks planned. Like having an ambush set up at the gate, or something that could bring me down out of the air. So, while I am keeping track of them, my main focus is on the area ahead of me.

However, while I don't spot anything suspicious, I do hear something. It is the sound of a battle and it isn't too far out of the way I am currently traveling. In the hopes of finding some allies I turn and head towards the sound of combat.

After flying over a couple of hills I am able to see the source of the sounds. It is another training battle, and what is more surprising is that I recognize the observer. It is Rial, the first observer that I talked to after coming into this world.

"Rial! There are some unsavory looking people chasing me!"

Rial first shows surprise when I yell at him, but he quickly focuses and looks past me. As soon as he spots the enemy chasing me, without saying anything out loud, the fighting stops. The two armies freeze instantly, as if someone pushed the pause button.

The two armies look like they have been fighting for a while, there are less than two hundred warriors left. However, they all turn in unison and charge towards the dozen enemies. As soon as the two sides meet up it is obvious that the enemies who were after me are much stronger.

They are tearing through Rial's warriors as if they were made from paper. However, the warriors are able to stall the enemies, which gives Rial time to act. To my surprise, Rial is actually much stronger than the enemies and is able to defeat them.

With the warriors holding down the enemies, Rial is able to go around and defeat them one by one. Rial is able to defeat each enemy in two or three moves, it is very impressive to watch. Watching him again makes me wish I could go down to his world and learn.

Although, since I am no longer humanoid, martial arts wouldn't be as useful to me. It still would probably be fun to learn, maybe if I can figure out how to create an avatar. If I could make a human avatar and send it to their world, that would work.

Maybe after I increase my knowledge of magic I can come up with a way to make an avatar. It is something for me to keep in mind for later, probably much later. While I am thinking these random thoughts, Rial has killed all of the enemies.

Rial says "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, they couldn't catch up to me. Thanks for taking care of them."

Rial says "No problem. I recognized them, they are enemies of my sect. More importantly, the fact that they knew to come after you means that we have a leak."

"Are you surprised that your enemy has spies within your sect?"

Rial says "No, not really. The problem is that knowledge of you was kept restricted. That means there is a high level spy within the sect. This is a major problem!"

"Yeah, you have a point. Well, I wish you luck hunting down the spy. By the way, is there any news about Modo?"

Rial says "Only that he has entered secluded training, something he hasn't done in ages. In fact, I am very interested in what you talked with him about!"

"Sure, I don't mind telling you."

Rial instantly gets excited, he then declares training ended and sends the warriors home. As soon as it is just the two of us I start telling him the same information I gave Modo. It is just a bunch of stuff made up for manga anyway so I don't see any harm in it.

If Rail, or his sect, get some benefit from it then I will just consider it payback for all the loot. Even as I am telling Rial everything, I am looting this new battleground. Considering the dozen enemies that were defeated I am hoping for some good loot.

Gained 8,118 Soul Coins.

Gained 5 Healing Crystals.

Gained 2 Soul Armor Pieces - Bracers (+2 Defense), Pauldrons (+2 Defense).

Well, two more pieces of armor definitely counts as good loot, too bad there weren't more enemies. Unfortunately, by the time I am done telling Rial everything enough time has passed for the sun to be up. So, I cut my loot hunting short, say goodbye to Rial, and head back to the gate.

As expected, when I return to my body it is morning, so I have breakfast with Nala and Albion. Then I check our course and position, before picking a cove to the north of the next city. We will park the ship there and then I can do my scouting during the night.

We will take a day to plan and prepare, then hit the city tomorrow night. The faster we act the less chance that the city will be warned before we attack. Once that is decided I head back to my cabin and spend the day continuing my reading.

While I am reading I occasionally stop to try something with my mana. Mainly I am testing theories that I am not sure about to see if the humans got it right or not. Most of the time it turns out that there is a problem with the theory.

However, that doesn't stop me from experimenting, I am just careful about it. After all the effort I put into the ship, there is no way I am going to blow it up. In fact, I even add a few extra enchantments to my cabin, just to be on the safe side.