CH 101

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Riley Spotts, class leader of class C

Gideon Harvard, 2nd son of the Marquess of Wagner

“My father was also very worried about you. I hope you have a good rest today and come to our house tomorrow.’

That’s right. I only asked people to leave a message, flew to Vanderwall and then it all went pear-shaped. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about this royal capital.

“No, I’m really sorry. Please tell His Excellency the Duke that I have caused you great worry.”

“Miss Aurora, I am also responsible for what happened. I am sorry.”

Percival bows his head. With my recklessness, I made Percival bow his head. I should have at least met Aurora in person before leaving. Since the transfer was momentary, there should have been enough time. That would be a great place to reflect. I’m a magician who can reflect. I will be more careful next time.

As expected, I have to come up with a magic that will allow us to contact distant places as soon as possible. The principle is probably the same as transference. The challenge is that you’re dealing with people, so you’re not always in the same place.

“No, Percival-sama. Sapphiras-sama is quick to act at the spur of the moment, I am aware of that. Besides, a crisis in Vanderwall is also a crisis in this country. But the fact that the two of you have returned safely like this means that the situation is under control and the shield and sword of this kingdom are alive and well, is that not so?”

Aurora said so and smiled elegantly, but Liliana told me secretly that she had been praying to the Kobold doll every day since Percival and I had gone to Vanderwall.

What a surprise, that Kobold doll has a saint’s prayer on it. Perhaps the creepy doll has become a valuable magical tool.

“Welcome back, Sapphiras. Here you go.”

I head to the classroom for the first time in a while, and Riley hands me a stack of notebooks.

“Eh, what?”

“It’s a notebook that summarises the lessons in each subject while Sapphiras was away. We all split up and wrote them down. You’ve got attainment tests coming up soon, I think this will fill in the gaps for the two weeks.”

“……Could it be, you went to all that trouble for me?”

“Yeah, we’re supposed to help each other out, right? We’re classmates.”

I accept the book, overcome with emotion. As expected, what you should have is a friend. I am so grateful.

“Thank you, everyone……”

“In return, I’d appreciate it if you could help me with the magic stuff.”

Riley said a little apologetically, but that’s only natural. I will properly repay the kindness I received with what I can do. Generally speaking, I have nothing but magic.

“Yes, of course! It’s only natural that we help each other.”

……To be honest, I had inadvertently forgotten about the attainment test. Thanks to that, I’ve been neglecting the arts. I guess I’ll have to get down to business soon, but there’s something else that’s really bothering me. I’ve got to find out what it is, otherwise I can’t even think about art.

“Hey, Percival, why don’t we go for a long ride in the forest of the royal capital?”

Of course, the real purpose is not the excursion. I could have gone alone, but if I go on my own again, I will cause Percival and Aurora unnecessary worry. At least, Percival has Aurora’s trust, so if I work with him, I won’t have to worry them unnecessarily.

“Right now, entry into the royal capital’s forest is prohibited. Ah, can I share a table with you?”

The redhead takes the liberty of joining us at our table before we can reply, even though he asked if it was okay.

“……For better or worse, you’re already sitting down.”

“My bad, my bad.”

You say your bad, but your face doesn’t look bad at all. Percival is completely unfazed by the surprising brazenness of the redhead. As expected, a man from Vanderwall has got a big heart.

“So. Although it’s a forest in the royal capital, it’s dangerous for the time being due to the outbreak of the magical beasts, so it’s prohibited for the public to enter.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I’m sure that’s your brother’s information. He must have eavesdropped on him again. This time it’s public information, so there shouldn’t be any problems. Someday he might catch an eavesdropper and get scolded, but that’s not my business.

But the forests of the royal capital are off-limits? I wanted to go looking for the abyss a bit. I glance down at the ring shining on the middle finger of my left hand. No matter how much I want to, the ring won’t work on the Royal Knights.

But I’ve been to the forest once, so there’s no problem if I sneak in by transfer. Can I go there at night when it’s not visible to the public and look for it?

Then, since I’m not going in the proper way, I’d better move on my own.

“……Sapphiras, don’t even think about going alone.”

“Eh? No, no, I’m not thinking about it!”

Percival, who was eating in silence, immediately stabbed me with a nail. It seems that Percival has completely read my thoughts, and it seems difficult for me to act secretly.

I regret burning the abyss in the Vanderwall Forest.

However, I’m sure there was something that caused the magical beasts to spawn and run wild. Otherwise, I don’t think such a thing should happen.

“Hey, redhead.”

“What is it? Ask me anything!”

I don’t know why, but redhead replies in a biting tone. The loudness of his voice made me frown. He really doesn’t seem like the kind of guy you can have a secret conversation with. If you have a rumour or topic you want to spread, talk to this guy first, and it will spread very quickly.

“……Have you heard anything about the outbreak of magical beasts outside of the royal capital and Vanderwall?”

“No, I haven’t heard anything about that.”

“Not even in the Sea of Trees in Mount Paluum?”

“Ahh, I haven’t heard.”

“I see……”

When the demonic energy of Insania Metus caused an outbreak of magical beasts, an outbreak of magical beasts also occurred in the Sea of Trees at the foot of Mount Paluum. In other words, there are several abysses in that area. But this time there is nothing unusual there.

Or maybe there is a cycle of outbreaks and outbursts of magical beasts, regardless of the magical energy. But as far as I know, the only time such a thing happened was when Insania Metus appeared.

Yesterday, I reported to His Excellency the Duke about what happened at Vanderwall. I told him what I knew and asked him if there had been any other similar incidents at that time. He said he hadn’t heard of anything like that, but that he would look into it.

“Is there something on your mind?”

Percival stopped eating.

“As far as……I know, the only time there’s been a big outbreak of magical beasts is when Insania Metus appeared. It was an anomaly that was happening in quite a few parts of the continent. I wonder if the phenomenon is similar.”

“Co-could it be, the Black Flame Dragon of Calamity fukka……muugun!”

As usual, the redhead’s mouth, which was trying to yell something inauspicious in a loud voice, was silenced with bread shoved into his mouth.

“Never mind that, redhead, just shut up……Anyway, I think it’s fine to suspect that something similar is happening in the royal capital and Vanderwall. That’s why I want to check the abyss in the royal capital. Afterall, I accidentally burned the Vanderwall Abyss……”

“……In that case, isn’t ok to ask my big brother1he refers to his brother as 兄上 (ani-ue) which is very formal?”

Redhead opened his mouth as if he had already swallowed the noodles.

“Eh? Can that be done?”

“I don’t know if it’s possible, but I’ll tell my brother exactly what Sapphiras just said.”

“……It’s the right way to go, but I don’t know if Sapphiras will get to participate.”

“No, I think he can? Big brother values Sapphiras quite a lot. For now, let’s ask him.”

“……Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

Why, even red hair is sometimes reliable. I think I can see him in a more positive light.

There was a time, a few days ago, when I was thinking.

“Sapphiras! Sapphiras!”

……I really want you to stop being so big and loud in the morning. Why can’t you come quietly? Perhaps it would kill you if you didn’t shout louder?

In the morning, Percival and I were eating breakfast on the café terrace while having a friendly conversation, when a red-haired man came charging at us with a loud voice. I could even feel myself getting blue streaks on my temples. Percival had a blank expression on his face. It might have been a mistake to make the red-haired man a friend after all.

“Big brother has given permission!”

“Eh? Really!”

When I unintentionally raised my voice and vigorously stood up from my seat, the gazes of the surroundings gathered all at once.

……Oops, I can’t say anything about redhead either. With one cough, I quietly sit back in my chair.

In front of our noisy group, only Percival was calmly sipping his water. The Vanderwall man has a different kind of composure after all. I wish I could be like him.