Entrance II-2

After concluding my meeting with Andrew, I leave the guild.

Today, I'll be using the lodging facility specially prepared by the guild.

Alex stayed behind, saying he wanted to hear more, so he remained alone.

I prepare for my nighttime infiltration.

Lina was always at the topmost floor of the castle.

I'll aim for that spot again this time.

There are guards stationed in the castle.

Approaching normally would only lead to being discovered.

Then, I'll infiltrate from a place that wouldn't normally be possible.

Infiltration from a great height.

No one would normally expect someone to descend from directly above. Even the guards who can see clearly are looking down, never up.

Quickly finish preparations and leave the dormitory at night.

"Then I'm off."

"Yes, I hope it goes well. According to the guildmaster, they've lost track of him entirely, so the chances aren't high."

"Still, we won't know unless we try."

Step outside the city and move away from the town.

Prepare a specially crafted magical artifact here. It's essentially a tube small enough to hold in one's hand.

Upon closer inspection, it takes the shape of a rocket nozzle.

A wind-elemental crystal is embedded at the grip area.

Begin focusing. Lately, I've felt like I've been gathering magical essence from outside my body... Using this method prevents the geometric patterns typical of magical resonance from appearing, but it allows me to wield powerful magic.

Is this what magic truly is...?

Even as unnecessary thoughts flow through my mind, I gather a sufficient amount of magical energy.

First, I use a regular wind crystal to levitate into the air, then accelerate rapidly using a new magical device.

My altitude rises sharply, and the city and castle below grow smaller.

I feel slightly short of breath. I further control the wind magic, gathering air around my mouth. My breathing calms down.

At just the right height, I stop the magic.

After a brief period of inertia, I eventually begin descending under gravity. Using wind magic, I slow my fall and land silently on the rooftop’s peak.

I’m safe. The guards are still staring down at the ground or toward the horizon.

I melt part of the window using the heat from a fire crystal and unlock the door.

Inside, there’s nothing.

More precisely, there’s no sign of daily life. It seems no one has lived here for some time.

There wasn't a single supply in sight. Had they moved rooms?

Though a bit frightening, I decided to go deeper into the castle.

After hesitating, I settled on no other choice.

As I turned toward the door to leave the room, someone was standing there.

"!?"

I hadn’t sensed a thing. They were there… this is bad.

It was too dark to tell at first, but it was the maid who had served Linna and William.

Her name was Anne Bell.

"Long time no see, Lord Taro."

!? This person should have been even more extreme.

As I wondered what was going on, suddenly Anne dropped to her knees.

"Wha—? What are you doing?"

The maid began speaking in a small, trembling voice that didn't quite reach the ears, yet was clearly audible.

"Please... I beg you, please save Lady Linna and Lord William."

"What's suddenly come over you? Please, get up."

"Lady Linna is fleeing toward the Forbidden Forest to escape the royal soldiers. Lord William is at the battlefield, but he is still alive. Rescue the two of them, and then... take them somewhere safe, where nothing can harm them."

"What are you saying? Please, regain your composure."

Grasping his shoulders and lifting his head, the speaker notices deep shadows beneath his eyes.

He hasn't been sleeping.

"Surely you know about the new weapon the kingdom is developing, don't you?"

His face twisted at those words.

"So you do know about it after all."

"It's not a matter of knowing or not knowing—Kingdom forces came to this town from the very beginning, targeting Lady Lina's constitution. That weapon probably utilizes properties similar to hers. If that's the case, no matter how the war turns out, Lady Lina won't be able to survive in this world. Then... if you take Lady Lina away... she surely wouldn't object."

"What makes you think such a thing?"

"What would it take... for you to save Lady Lina? If it's money, I'll give you everything in this castle. If you want a woman, take me—choose me freely."

I was speechless at such a drastic offer. What could possibly drive her to this extreme?

Her sheer willpower overwhelmed me completely.

But if I think about it calmly, I originally came here to warn Lady Lina about the kingdom's new weapons, and possibly to offer help if needed. It's convenient that I now know the location.

Let's head there right away.

"I'm not asking for anything. I came here specifically to meet her....Yes, I suppose I'll be coming back here soon. When I do, please come out to the outskirts of town."

"What? What do you mean?"

Before answering Anne's question, he leapt out through the open window and activated the wind crystal, soaring upward into the sky.

Returning to Alex's group, he recounted what had happened.

"Ah, so it's the Forbidden Forest... They've managed to hide in quite a troublesome place."

"Is that a problem?"

"It's worse than bad. The Forbidden Forest is said to be home to legendary beasts—though I've never seen one myself."

The legendary beast that dwells in this region.

The words instantly bring to mind the snow leopard radiating an overwhelming presence. Alex seems to feel the same.

There might be that legendary beast lurking there.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine, but I can't afford to stop now.

"Everyone, this journey might be extremely difficult. Let's proceed with full caution."

"Wait a moment. Taro. There's something I need to ask before we set off. What exactly is that girl you're going to save to you? Is this just kindness?"

"Does that matter right now?"

"It does. We might be risking our lives. This isn't something ordinary. If you're still determined to save her despite that, isn't that love?"

"...Sorry, that's not necessary. More like I'm trying to atone for my sins. I haven't revealed her condition to anyone, but maybe the information slipped out somewhere? Plus, it's someone I know who's in trouble. If I can help, I want to. I can't just stand by."

"Hmm. That's kind of boring. But maybe a strong feeling like love would be better."

"Why's that?"

"Because it's when you make up your mind."

I couldn't think of a reply and fell silent.

And honestly, I felt that this was exactly where I was still inexperienced.