Chapter 28
Two people were running through the forest.
However, their speeds were something that didn't really reflected in the eyes of ordinary people.
Or perhaps, it felt like the wind pa.s.sed by if they looked at them.
While running at such speed, Soma exchanged words without any difficulties.
"By the way, I don't mind running at full power, but I wonder if there is a basis to go toward this direction?" (Camilla)
"Of course, there is. To be honest, I didn't think that there was something really useful, but… I should check on it regardless." (Soma)
"What?" (Camilla)
Soma was aiming toward a landmark etched on the ground and stretched out to the sky.
But, this was somehow special because it was only visible to Soma.
The reason was simple. It was made from magic and the requirement to see was that it only available to Soma
He immediately noticed at the base point of the landmark.
When Soma headed to the usual place later than the regular time, Aina wasn't there and there was only this replacement.
It was engraved on the ground and it became a landmark. Soma could slightly feel Aina's mana.
And then, he suddenly remembered when he had a nonsense talk that suggested a sign– It was a magic for informing if she got kidnapped.
No, if it needed to be said in various ways, it wasn't only the sign of being kidnapped, but it also possible to chase after her.
"…What are you doing here?" (Camilla)
"This is actually very useful." (Soma)
However, Soma wasn't sure what kind of situation was this, but it was important because Aina properly used it.
Without this, it would be very difficult to search no matter how good Soma was.
"By the way, this magic is still activating, so that girl, Aina, is still alive and conscious…" (Camilla)
"No, there is no mistake that she is alive, but I'm not sure whether she is conscious or not." (Soma)
"Haa…? When it is about magic in general, the invocation of magic will be canceled when the consciousness is gone, and isn't the same with its effect?" (Camilla)
"I have heard about it, but it is difficult to cancel this magic. When a person being kidnapped, there is a high possibility of losing consciousness. Therefore, the magic is pointless if it lose its effectiveness when she loses consciousness. So, it will still be there unless she arbitrarily cancels it." (Soma)
"You mean that girl?" (Camilla)
"Although the main idea came from me, it was Aina who made it possible." (Soma)
"She could do something that she never heard before, but why did you give her such an idea?" (Camilla)
"No matter what I said, it was the only thing that I could think of…" (Soma)
"…Goodness, you haven't change at all…" (Camilla)
Camilla let out a sigh as she said that, but Soma, who didn't understand the reason, tilted his head.
For example, even if he didn't leave his name in the world, he was considered innovative.
In the first place, Soma's goal was to be able to use magic, and his reaction was probably as usual even if he knew it.
Anyhow…
"Well, it is possible to pursue because the magic is here, and you understand about the matter being kidnapped. But, did you also notice that Lina was kidnapped?" (Camilla)
"No, it was a coincidence that I learned of it. Or perhaps I should say that I only know when I returned to the mansion." (Soma)
Soma understood that Aina was kidnapped since the beginning, but he didn't immediately give a chase because he was aware that it was possible to track her and he knew that it was impossible to do it right away.
As Soma proposed in various ways, the magic used by Aina was designed to be able to respond to a wide range of situations.
One of them was in the case of dealing with spatial transfer.
In that case, this magic was designed to become a landmark with certain intervals that tied the s.p.a.ce connected from the base point to her current position.
Well, basically, it was based on the place and time of using the magic. After a certain period of time had elapsed, the magic was supposed to mark the current location.
The shape was like a pillar
In addition, the magic specification was set to a height of ten meters or more, and there was no way to miss it no matter where she was.
Since it was triggered because of elapsed time, the intervals at which the markers line up were usually disjointed.
It was inevitably happen since it was difficult to move straight especially in the forest.
However, the visible landmarks were all aligned in a straight line and at regular intervals.
And she didn't move in a straight line with a constant speed.
It was because one of them was buried in a tree.
Someone, who definitely deprived Lina and AIna, was probably moving according to the spatial transfer.
"Spatial transfer, huh? If it is done by magic, it would be no less than High Grade skill. If it is done by magic tools, that person is not an ordinary person for having that kind of tool." (Camilla)
"Well, I was judged that it was impossible to chase after her at once, and that was why I came back." (Soma)
The kidnapper expressively used spatial transfer.
Soma didn't think that the kidnapper would move at nearby place. He also judged there was a high possibility that this would take much time to search.
"It doesn't seem… you want to inform that you'll be away for long time." (Camilla)
"Well, I didn't consider about that too, but it was primarily for a financial reason." (Soma)
Soma didn't have any kind of financial saving.
Naturally, it wasn't necessary to have it, but there would be problems if it took days to find her.
He didn't mind to sleep anywhere, but it was impossible not to eat any meals.
Soma thought that Camilla would lend him money, so he returned the mansion at once. However, he heard the story about Lina's disappearance.
Soma wasn't dull enough not to guess the situation.
"Hmm… for both of them to be coincidentally tied up, wouldn't that be impossible?" (Camilla)
"Between the possibility that two kidnapping cases coincidentally happened at different places and almost the same time and the possibility of the being kidnapped together, if you ask me which is more likely, I will answer the latter." (Soma)
"Me too. Well, I understood many things for the time being. If that's the case, it's all good if you can get to them, right? …Nevertheless, I am a bit surprised if I say so." (Camilla)
"Hmmm? What do you mean?" (Soma)
"I mean you are really calm. I'm not asking you to be impatient, but I was wondering whether you would show anger for a bit…" (Camilla)
"Hmm… I look calmed, huh? If I am seen like that, would that be a problem?" (Soma)
While saying so, Soma shrugged his shoulders.
He was tightly grasping his fist until he gradually felt that his hand became numbed.
"You…" (Camilla)
"Anyway, I am still lack of training." (Soma)
If only he was there…
Because of a trivial matter, he had to delay the time of meeting.
When he thought about it, a self-mockery smile started to appear.
Even if that was a fact, the a.s.sumption which it wouldn't happen had no meaning.
While Soma understood that, he would vent angers on the surrounding trees if he lose the focus, but he thought that he didn't train enough no matter what.
"I think that I would prefer you that way, and it made me feel relieve– uhm." (Camilla)
In this way, rather than confirming the situation, the trees disappeared from their surroundings as if it had been like that since the beginning.
They went to the other side of the forest.
In short, they were already where the Demons lived.
"Hmm… well, of course. It seems that there is no change in particular." (Soma)
What was spreading there was just an open field.
Rather than saying that it was peaceful, it was far from the image of the place heard where the Demons lived.
Well, for now–
"Anyhow, there is no such things like being attacked without question and answer, right?" (Soma)
"There is no difference between here and there. So, you should be alright if you are not talking something unnecessary. I am not sure about being attacked by bandits, but since there are monsters also here, it is probably not safe." (Camilla)
"Hmm…" (Sirius)
There was no particular problem to repel if they would be attacked at that time.
Speaking about problem, it was actually more on whether it was possible to gather information or not.
It would be good if they could go directly, but he wanted at least to arrive at a standard conclusion.
Besides, they also need to figure out about food as well.
"First of all, I would like to gather information nearby, is that alright?" (Soma)
"Aah, I don't think that there is a problem, but…" (Camilla)
"…?" (Soma)
Soma was wondering because Camilla had a bitter smile while saying that.
"It's just that I was told that you will lead this search, and you had been doing so until now, but I never thought that you would suggest such a thing. I was thinking whether I should follow you to this place, but… now I feel relieved." (Camilla)
"I am not familiar about this matter, so while I am at it, I am thinking of asking for help, and…" (Soma)
"There will be plenty of help at that time. Dear me, are you a person who is reliable as always, or someone who always give a sign that something is going to happen?" (Camilla)
"Hmmm… am I always like that?" (Soma)
Although Soma didn't think himself as a child, he didn't think until that far.
Aina and Lina were considerably immature, and that was also probably the reason.
Anyhow…
"Well, shall we try to find a town or something? There is probably no one live in this place." (Camilla)
This place was no less than a borderline of a territory, and it was necessary to have personnel to monitor. When considering the time of emergency, a corresponding strength was also needed.
If that was the situation, rather than a village or something similar, it was natural to think that there was a place called a town.
And at such a place, it wouldn't be so difficult to find information from the surroundings.
"Uhmm… shall we go?" (Soma)
There had no time to relax, but it would be counterproductive if they were too impatient.
The two, who understood that, started looking for the place aimed. They weren't impatient even though they did things quickly.
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TLN: