Ever since hearing that we were causing trouble searching for the dragon, Ke'nerria has been unusually enthusiastic, volunteering to lead the way at the front of the team. Well, it's basically just having two close combat fighters at the front and back; we arranged our formation based on gaming strategies we used before, but in reality, we relied on the markers on my mini-map.

Until...

When we entered the misty low valley forest, after a while, I noticed that besides the green dots representing a few people from our group on the mini-map, there were no other markers. I think Mary also noticed this and stopped walking after a while.

"Are we really going to search like this?" Ke'nerria asked. "We might not find anything even after walking for a year in this kind of forest."

"As long as we conduct a systematic search, it should be fine, right?" Hedd replied. "The area of this forest is actually not that large, it just looks big because it borders the forests of the neighboring country and the low valley forest below Triangular Mountain."

"However, if that's the case, I do have a question," Samehi, holding a knight's spear, rarely spoke up. "If the dragon is truly in this forest, wouldn't it be very obvious? It's a dragon after all, even if it's really asleep, it should make a lot of noise, right? But doesn't everyone find this forest eerily quiet?"

Speaking of which, Samehi seemed quite happy to be out this time, which I could understand. After all, before enrolling, this guy was the leader of a mercenary group. It's just that due to certain issues at home, I suggested that she and Dest come to the academy for classes.

Oh, another task comes to mind, better focus on the present one.

Everyone's gazes turned to me and Mary, and I shrugged.

"You shouldn't be asking me about this. I'm just a supervisor for this activity; I can only give suggestions, but I won't tell you what to do. Of course, unless it's an emergency."

The term 'emergency' is actually quite lax. In fact, I should intervene if I judge a situation to exceed the students' capabilities. However, I actually refrain most of the time due to laziness.

Upon hearing my words, Ms. Mary nodded in agreement.

"So, first we need to understand its habits before we can find it, right?" Samehi said. "When our mercenary group went to hunt large monsters before, we would gather information at the guild, then have the more agile occupations observe the target's habits before formulating an attack plan."

Why does this description remind me of a certain hunter game, although back then I think I just watched strategies to slyly defeat opponents.

Unfortunately, there are no guides in this world. Besides, didn't they say the last appearance of a dragon was a long time ago? The data left behind should be scarce and outdated.

"Dragons are classified into two types based on their appearance, flying dragons and terrestrial dragons, according to our system in the western continent. In the eastern continent, there is a dragon that resembles a snake very closely. These are the types of dragons that exist across our entire continent. Based on recent intelligence, the one appearing in this forest should be a flying dragon from our western continent. There have been reports of sightings using water magic, with a dark blue skin color. Hence, it's likely classified as a water-type flying dragon."

Princess Annie, who had been quiet in the back all this while, suddenly blurted out this long paragraph.

"Yesterday, I saw something good on my brother's desk in his office. It could be considered valuable intelligence."

"Mm, it's a Water-type flying dragon."

Samehi pondered for a moment.

"In the past, our guild only defeated a low-rank Earth-type Dracolich. I wonder if that experience could be useful."

"Shouldn't we first think about how to locate it before considering how to defeat it? Initially, we should be discussing where that fellow is right now, right?"

Arylexia said.

"If that dragon isn't wandering around everywhere, then it must be sleeping, right?"

"Is that so?"

"Indeed, well, although the medical school doesn't have books specifically about dragons, there are a few that mention them. These creatures seem to be particularly interested in gems with powerful energies, enjoy sleeping for long periods, and often collect gems in a cave, then lie down next to them to sleep."

You're not looking at a guide on how to steal treasures from dragons, are you?

Why didn't you tell me about such books? I could have studied them well and used them as a reference when visiting the dragons' lair in the future.

"So you're saying the dragon would be inside a cave?"

Canelia asked.

"Then shouldn't we head towards the mountains?"

She pointed in a direction.

"If we go this way, we should be able to climb up."

Damn, what kind of sense of direction do you have? You're just randomly pointing, without a compass on this small map, I have no idea where we're going!

You can just point in any direction and know where to go, that's too scary!

Of course, even though I think this way in my mind, I can't say it out loud, or I'll lose face.

Even though you're a teacher, you can't even tell directions.

No choice, rely on assistance too much, and when there's suddenly none, it really sucks.

I silently walked over to Ms. Mary and asked softly,

"Can you tell the directions?"

"Absolutely not…"

Ms. Mary pointed upwards.

"Even if we look at the sun, we can't tell, this tree is so tall, you can't see which way it is."

"Well, laziness is the main issue."

I looked at my watch.

"There is actually a method to determine directions; since someone knows it, we shouldn't mess around."

"That's true~"

Both of us irresponsible teachers nodded simultaneously, then followed their group.

---------------- Seamless Reading Picture ----------------

Sure enough, this guy has an extraordinary sense of direction. After a few turns, we actually felt the ground starting to slope, and at this point, the trees began to thin out, indicating that we had indeed reached the foot of the mountain.

Well, I have to say that someone who wanders around in the wilderness for a long time really has great survival skills.

Looks like I'll need to get myself a compass in the future...

...

.........

................

Why didn't I think of getting a compass earlier?

I hope it hasn't suddenly stopped working, unless there are magnets hidden under the floor, but where would there be magnets stuffed under the floor?

Oh well, fortunately, for now, we just have to silently show off following them.

And as we slowly made our way up the mountain along a relatively safe route, we saw in the distance several airships slowly landing at the starting point.

I couldn't help but wipe the sweat off my forehead. Isn't this a bit over the top? The grandeur of this setup is quite something, as if they weren't planning for any guests at all.

But then again, it's not fair to say that. After all, some of them might be suspected of cheating.

Even around our team, I occasionally spot green dots flickering. It seems like there are quite a few of the princess's security units around here as well.

Well, at least, it's safer, isn't it?