The instinct for flight greatly enhanced Gauss’s efficiency in using the Flying Skill.
If before, using the Flying Skill required him to focus part of his attention to control it, now using this spell is as simple as a bodily instinct.
It seemed as though he wasn’t using magic, but rather had a pair of invisible wings growing from his back.
Before long.
Gauss had flown to the vicinity of the explosion.
He slightly reduced his altitude from the clouds.
A pair of eyes locked onto the crowd below.
Yes, a crowd.
On what was supposed to be a wild, deserted plain, with only monsters, gales, and weeds, a convoy of over a hundred people, with pack animals and vehicles, was camped on an artificially cleared open space.
This was not an ordinary caravan.
He squinted slightly, and with his movement, the Eagle Eye monocular quickly adjusted its zoom like a telescope, rapidly enlarging the scene hundreds of meters away in Gauss’s eyes.
The first thing that caught his attention was the composition of the personnel.
Though there were many people, they were clearly divided.
Some were dressed in relatively uniform studded leather armor or steel armor, carrying standard weapons, and moved with a strong air of military bearing.
Meanwhile, the other part comprised logistics personnel responsible for building the camp and preparing logistics.
"Is this... an army?"
Gauss caught sight of the banner planted in the camp.
Although he didn’t have much knowledge in heraldry, he could somewhat make out that the emblem on the banner was likely a noble family’s crest.
On a black background, a golden eagle was emblazoned in gold thread, surrounded by a circle of silver-white olive leaves.
"A well-trained regular army, possibly loyal to a certain noble."
As for the noise of the explosion...
Gauss’s gaze shifted to another part of the crowd.
Black smoke was drifting from the ruins, with pieces of Jackal-Wolf People corpses scattered here and there on the ground.
And those cavalry and Marching Mages on their mounts were surrounding the monster campsite, continually shooting arrows and spells into it, killing the survivors who had escaped the explosion.
This group performed their actions mechanically, like cold executioners.
Not long after, a Jackal-Wolf People camp was successfully eradicated.
"Who sent them here to clear out the monsters?"
It was Gauss’s first time encountering a military operation against monsters in the wild.
In the past, he mostly encountered other Adventurers, yet they typically had the tacit understanding not to disturb each other.
Just as Gauss finished observing and prepared to leave.
He suddenly felt a wave of energy sweep over his body, then realized he had been discovered.
Sure enough, the old Marching Mage who had been holding a small transparent ball suddenly raised his head, looking in Gauss’s direction.
His gaze locked precisely on the black dot in the sky.
After saying a few words to the people beside him, the others also raised their heads, cautiously looking towards Gauss.
"A stranger adventurer."
An ancient yet remarkably clear voice seemed to echo in Gauss’s ear.
"I see you’ve been observing from the clouds for a while, since you’re curious, why not come down for a chat? We are the army under the Eastrek Clan, not malicious criminals."
Gauss was silent for a moment.
He looked towards the crowd below, then glanced at Raven Aik, who had followed him unnoticed.
He scribbled some content on a note, then handed it to Aik to take back to Aaliyah and the others, while he slowly began to descend from the clouds.
He chose to lower his altitude partly because this group’s way of acting indeed didn’t seem malevolent, and partly because he noticed they were doing some sort of work on the Jackal-Wolf people’s altar, evidently coming for this purpose specifically, an opportunity he could use to gather information.
When Gauss’s feet touched the ground.
The old mage who had communicated with him from afar rode over to him, inviting him to rest in a tent in the camp.
As for the other soldiers, they continued with their tasks, only occasionally casting glances at Gauss as they moved.
"I am Samuel Lehman, an advisor mage for the Eastrek family. What should I call you, young guest?"
"Gauss," Gauss replied.
"Gauss..."
Upon hearing his name, the old mage’s face showed a thoughtful expression, as if he had heard the name somewhere before.
After a second or two, his expression changed, with his already whitening eyebrows arching unconsciously.
"Mage Lehman, have you heard of me?" Gauss noticed his change in demeanor and asked curiously.
"Somewhat familiar..." Lehman nodded amicably.
This made Gauss even more puzzled.
He hadn’t heard of the Eastrek family, but since they could employ an obviously Master Level professional mage as an advisor, this noble family’s strength was clearly not to be underestimated.
And the fact that he hadn’t heard of them suggested this family’s sphere of influence likely wasn’t nearby.
Otherwise, he should have some impression.
What occasion had led them to hear of him?
Goblin Slayer? Or one favored by the Lake God?
Neither seemed very likely, as the former should be insignificant to most nobles, and while the latter might have some influence for some people, it hadn’t been long since he drew out the Lake God, so the news wouldn’t have spread so quickly.
Seeing Lehman didn’t intend to offer further explanation, he asked.
"Mage Lehman, I’m really curious, would you mind explaining?"
Lehman gently shook his head.
"I heard your name by chance; you know, mages like us always enjoy finding interesting topics to talk about when we gather together..."