Imperial VI-1

It's been a while since I last traveled by carriage.

Feels strangely nostalgic.

The peaceful road stretches all the way to the Empire.

Though there are occasional rugged stretches here and there, the chance of encountering monsters is low, the roads are well-maintained, and bandits are rare.

Peace and stability had been steadily maintained.

Amidst all this, I've been training relentlessly.

Recalling the events from just recently.

My first serious battle against another person.

That experience has stayed with me ever since. The words spoken still echo in my mind.

Why did I make weapons...?

At first, it was just to protect myself. But lately, it's because I can help others...

Yet I never expected this would lead to fighting people...

I've fought bandits before. But I've never killed anyone.

I always incapacitated them using lightning magic.

This kind of battle—where people could actually die.

Just imagining it makes me shiver. Honestly, it's terrifying. I couldn't do it. But such situations might happen again in the future.

Then, I should win without killing—by overwhelming my opponent with sheer power.

A technique I accidentally acquired during a sudden battle with a monster.

Absorbing magical particles floating in the air and using them within my body for magic.

This allows nearly unlimited spellcasting.

For example, unleashing a lightning strike powerful enough to knock out people over a wide area...

Many possibilities come to mind, but to make them a reality, I'll need to be able to control and output magic at any time, without fail.

There's no substitute for practice.

This is a safe area, but there's no guarantee that no beasts will appear.

To use a scouting spell, I place my usual staff cross-legged in front of me.

Close your eyes and imagine magical energy flowing into the staff. Without holding the staff, the scouting spell activates.

The range of detection expands.

Eventually, a definite response returns.

A sub-beast? If so, it's far away. Probably no action will be needed.

I'd like to practice a bit more. Just as I was about to activate the next magical device—

“What’s with you, just standing there dazed?”

Noel leaned over from in front, gently shaking my shoulder.

I was about to activate the lightning magic, so a faint static charge was emanating from the tip of my staff.

The uncontrolled static electricity was flowing into me.

"Ugh!"

I couldn't help but gasp.

"Oh, sorry—I didn’t realize you were casting a spell."

"It’s fine, I didn’t react in time either... S-so, is something wrong?"

As always, I can't help but notice how loose Noel's chest area is. My gaze wanders there involuntarily.

Noel sits beside me.

I thought you might have plans, but you didn’t bring anything up in particular.

I throw out a casual topic.

“Entering the Empire soon. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been a year for me too.”

“It’s nostalgic. I wonder how everyone’s doing?”

It really is nostalgic. Faces of various people come to mind—Emma, Daniel, and the guild members too… I hope they’re all well.

As I reminisce about those familiar faces, I feel a gaze from beside me.

"Taro, what were you thinking about?"

"Oh, just remembering some familiar faces back in the empire. It's been a while since I'll see them again."

"...Is that a woman?"

"Huh? Both men and women are there. Why do you ask?"

"Hmph, nothing much. Anyway, wasn't the one with you, Rilka? She was talking to that Alex guy quite boldly. Seems fine, though."

"Should be okay. Rilka needs to talk to more people and learn different things, after all."

"Something about you, Taro... you kind of look like my dad."

"O-oh, dad... I'm not that old yet... I suppose I do have an aged look, and people often mistake me for being older than I am..."

Taro felt downhearted, having his slight insecurity pointed out.

"Oh, I can see it now. The Empire."

Following Noel's words, Taro turned his gaze and caught sight of a large cityscape and walls. The massive castle at the center was also visible.

Gradually, the number of people passing by began to increase.

We're a very large group, so we naturally stand out.

A battered magic tricycle cart, a carriage, numerous guards, a massive amount of luggage, and a handful of adventurers—quite the unusual sight from the outside.

We arrived at the entrance of the empire that same day, drawing attention from passersby.

This must already be spreading various rumors throughout the empire.

As planned, I hide among the cargo.

Coil and the others are proceeding as planned. The soldiers are checking the cargo and personnel one by one.

Thanks to the merchant group's help, I've been hidden beneath various items. It'll take moving a large amount of cargo before anyone even reaches me.

As expected, this empire sees heavy foot traffic. They don't bother inspecting every single item—inspectors just glance briefly at the top layers of the cargo and move on without examining everything thoroughly.

Thanks to the trade delegation, I slipped into the empire without any trouble.

Once inside the empire, I decided to rent a carriage and head straight for my home. So far, I haven't encountered any interference.

Since I can't know who might be watching where, I'll leave Rilka and Coil in Alek's care and rent a lodging facility owned by the guild.

For safety's sake, being slightly paranoid might actually be just the right amount.

The Empire probably knows I roughly forced my way out of Japan.

If anything's happened, they should come looking right away.

Lost in thought like this, I arrive at the house where I'm staying. It feels familiar.

My home looks a bit neglected, with fallen leaves and a dirty appearance, but it doesn't seem to be broken.

Inside is fine too.

I tidy up my belongings and the broken magic tricycle.

It's been a long time since I've been back home.

I had been tense, but that feeling gradually faded. Soon, worn out from a long journey, I felt drowsiness creeping in as I sat in the chair.

Knock, knock.

A harsh knocking echoed from the front door.

I snapped awake and glanced at the clock—only a short time had passed.

"Adventurer Taro. Is Adventurer Taro there? It's a guard. Open the door quickly."

So they've come after all. But why are the guards here? Why would the Empress's personal guards come all the way to a place like this... My doubts deepen.

If I were to be arrested as an illegal immigrant, the guard wouldn't be here.

Holding my usual staff, I stay alert and open the door.

Outside, there were more soldiers than expected. At the center stood a noticeably strong-looking middle-aged knight, a researcher I'd met at the evening gathering, and there were Coil and Rilka, both captured, along with Alex.