Manowa - Chapter 380

◎ Trade City Uumin, In Front of Main Gate

A luxurious white carriage pulled by two crystal horses passed through Uumin City's gate early in the morning. In front of that carriage, a man with two spears was leading the way on a white stone horse.

The crystal horses and white stone horse were beautiful, and while it was small, the carriage had an expensive appearance; it looked entirely as if a princess' carriage from a picture book world had appeared.

「Take care.」

「Don't slack off.」

『Take care.』

「Nyaー」

And seeing off that carriage were the figures of two people and one cat. It was Kazane, Naoki, and Yuuko-nee. Tatsuo was also there on Kazane's head.

Lyle was in the coachman's seat of the departing carriage. Tiara, Louise, Yumika, and Emily were inside, with Jinrai leading the way as their escort.

「They're gone.」

As he watched the carriage's figure disappear, Naoki said that regretfully.

「We can't meet them for two weeks. Well, we can talk with Yumika by email, though.」

『Besides, with Uncle's Artifact, we can instantly go and see them.』

「Ah, well, that's true.」

So saying, Naoki looked at the Operator Magic Sword『EX』hanging from his waist. The Artifact『Return Stake』was attached to the end of its hilt.

The Operator Magic Sword's hilt was connected to the『Return Stake』with the attachment that previously connected it to the Crystal Dragon magic sword's hilt. Kazane had originally planned for the『Return Stake』to be attached to the Crystal Dragon magic sword.

However, in the battle with the devils some time ago, it looked like it was more practical to attach it to Operator Magic Sword『EX』, so it was removed and attached to that instead.

「Well, as long as they have the Crystal Kazane-chan doll, we can rush to them with Transfer at any time.」

『Return Stake』was an Artifact that made one able to use the Transfer spell that could only be used by a limited number of races, such as Devils.

The long-distance Transfer that worked regardless of distance could only be used once a day. There was no usage limit on the short-distance Transfer that worked by line of sight, but each use consumed 10 Magic Power. At the present point, Naoki's Accumulator was full, so he could transfer about 24 times. In practice, his Magic Power was also used for his magic swords, so that number would be reduced in actual battle, but continuous Transfer attacks were difficult to defend against, especially when seen for the first time.

Also, 10 movement points could be specified. For the sake of Transferring to the locations of his magic swords, including the Night King Sword he received from Kazane yesterday, the Transfer designation patterns were engraved on 4 magic swords. One was also engraved on Kazane's arm, and another was on the Crystal Kazane-chan doll that Tiara possessed.

「The pattern on my right hand has Chuuni coolness, doesn't it?」

『It's nice. I want one too.』

To show Tatsuo the back of her right hand, Kazane waved it around. There was certainly some kind of pattern drawn there. It occasionally glowed with magical light, further stimulating Kazane's Chuunibyou heart.

If this was carved on Kazane herself, Naoki could immediately Transfer to Kazane no matter what happened to him, so Kazane requested it be carved on her. While looking at Kazane, Naoki was deeply moved.

(However, although Tatsuo and Yuuko-nee are here, it's just Aneki and I?)

When he thought about that, Naoki felt like he was going to break into a smile. At present, there were still things in Uumin that Kazane and the others had to deal with, but only 12 days remained until Audin's coronation. Compelled to deal with both situations, the White Party split into two groups this time.

In other words, Kazane and Naoki were the staying behind group, and the rest were in a group travelling to Tsuvara with Tiara. Kazane and Naoki planned to restore the Crystallized Hirukos and create walls and dwellings for Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town. As soon as they were done, they planned to use the『Return Stake』to join Yumika and the others with Transfer.

Although there were only 12 days left until the coronation, with the Golem horses' legs, they could arrive with time to spare. Even if it were hopeless, as long as they advanced to a certain extent, they would be able to cover the rest of the distance by using the Thunder Chariot or miniature Dragon Boat to barrel along after they came back together.

Anyhow, for Naoki, he was currently living together with his older sister with almost no hindrances. Therefore, his heart was so excited that his Skill『Poker Face』couldn't do anything to prevent him from breaking into a smile. He was drooling.

Kazane was ignoring Naoki's revolting smile, but she was currently frowning due to something else. Before her eyes was the grassland outside Uumin, where black smoke was rising.

「Well, anyway.」

「Ah」

「Nyaa」

『It smells.』

Frankly speaking, the smell here was severe.

The Odo Eater Leech corpses were currently scattered around the grasslands in front of Uumin City, and the Lindo Kingdom army was in the middle of disposing of them through incineration. They had decided to see them off until just past the main gate, but as yet, it wasn't a place people could stay at for a long time.

「Then, shall we go back?」

The fishy smell and burnt smell were intense. The carriage's figure had disappeared, so Kazane and the others rushed back inside the city.

◎ Lindo Kingdom, Highway Toward Minshiana

「Aah, Kazane and the others' figures can't be seen anymore.」

Tiara said regretfully.

The carriage Tiara and the others were currently riding wasn't being pulled by Hippomaru-kun, but the crystal horses Hippo-kun Crys and Clear. Compared to other carriages, it was not only more elegant, but naturally, faster as well. The ride comfort wasn't bad either.

Inside that carriage, Yumika addressed the dejected Tiara.

「We can meet them again soon. If you request it, I can also email them for you.」

Even if the person herself couldn't use email, if someone wrote for her as a proxy, it was possible to send one, like how Kazane and Naga communicated through Ao. Yumika also frequently communicated with Kazane and Yuuko-nee by email.

「That's true.」

Hearing those words, Tiara also seemed to pull herself together. A Crystal Kazane-chan doll was well-manneredly sitting on Tiara's lap.

Naoki had engraved a pattern on it, making it a designated Transfer point, but as a matter of fact, it was also a strangely high-performance crystal doll due to having a fragment of the Baby Core Kazane destroyed in the past, which made it capable of autonomous actions. It mostly sat politely, like it was currently doing on Tiara's lap, or idled around on the floor, but it occasionally danced, so a healing effect could be expected.

「At any rate, in its own way, this carriage's comfort doesn't lose to the Thunder Chariot, don't you think?」

Louise said as she patted the seat.

「That's right. The Thunder Chariot's temperate adjustment magic adds some extra comfort, but I'd say this one's raw materials win completely?」

Yumika said. The carriage Louise and the others were riding was a small four-seater carriage that Naoki brought out of Coral Temple.

With a white basic theme, it had an elegant outward appearance, but since it was from the Indestructible series, it had the advantage that no matter what was done to it, it wouldn't break, so for escorting Tiara this time, there was nothing to criticize. On top of that, the interior was also comfortable, and as was characteristic of items from the Indestructible series, it had an effect that kept it mysteriously clean at all times.

『I'm grateful that its defensive power is high. I've been in a carriage struck by explosive magic before.』

「At that time, I wondered if I would die.」

Tiara sighed after Mefirus' words. Apparently, when they were in Tsuvara together, they had been attacked. By the way, since this story was from when Mefirus was in good health, he'd had the divine protection of the Ruby Griffon, so there had been no particular damage.

「Well, this time, there's talk of an assassination group approching us, but what are the chances we'll actually run into them?」

Yumika subsequently said. Through Mefirus, Audin had reported to Yumika and the others that nobles from Shelkin's faction might have hired assassins.

Therefore, Jinrai was patrolling the surroundings as a guard, and Yumika was also being vigilant by activating the Skill『Dog's Sense of Smell』with her Skill『Metamorphosis Divine Protection』.

「It's difficult. There are all types of assassins. The ones who attacked Queen Yuuko in the past seemed to be child's play, but they would originally be the ones carrying out the surprise attack. Since that was their area of expertise, for a person actually targeted by them, they would be dangerous opponents.」

Though Louise judged that Yuuko-nee would have been able to manage them alone to begin with, which was actually the case.

「In addition, no ordinary means of transportation would be able to keep up with the speed of this carriage. So I'm guessing they must be on the lookout around some city.」

Thinking normally, that was also an absurd story. In the first place, things like assassination involved carefully examining the target's schedule and polishing a plan to deal with them. Reliably killing someone when you didn't know where or when they were coming was an impossible story from the beginning.

「The greatest possibilities are places with connections to us. I think the most likely options are the Torda Hotel I manage or the Kazane Cottage in Rock Hold, but we haven't told anyone our movement plans, so there's no way for our enemies to know. That makes it difficult, right?」

『Well, the greatest probability is the area near Tsuvara's royal capital. For those guys, the match is up until Audin is acknowledged by Tiara.』

Mefirus said they couldn't be negligent, but they should be most vigilant when they were near the royal capital, or perhaps just after they entered.

「Rather than that, we should be worried about them, don't you think?」

Louise's gaze was turned toward the place they had just left, Uumin.

「Ah, well, I think they'll be fine?」

Yumika understood what she meant and said that with a frown.

「A young man and woman together, just the two of them. It's not impossible that a young libido might explode.」

Yumika frowned after Louise's words.

「Mmm, as you'd expect, I don't think Naoki will do that. Besides, Tatsuo and Yuuko-nee are there, and Kazane now has『Monkey's Strong Arm』, so assaulting a chimp would be easier. I think it's physically impossible in the first place.」

After Yumika's words, Louise replied「Well, I suppose?」

「Assault? What are you talking about?」

Emily inferred they were talking about Naoki because his name briefly appeared, so she cut into the conversation.

「Mmm.」

Yumika groaned as she looked at her. The girl named Emily in front of Yumika still harbored the illusion that Naoki was cool, like a child who still believed in Santa Claus.

Yumika wondered whether or not she should break that illusion. Louise muttered「Kazane and Naoki aren't here, so it's a good opportunity, isn't it?」to Yumika. Then Lyle, who was in the coachman's seat, knocked on the window and said「Perform the last rites.」It seemed that as her brother, seeing Emily these days was unbearable.

As Emily tilted her head at that situation, Yumika sighed and turned to Emily.

「Well, that may be so. For now, would it be best to say it?」

As Emily's head filled with question marks due to being unable to read the situation, Yumika said a few words.

「Umm, you see. Naoki has a girl he loves. It's Kazane.」

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator, Guardian

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 39

Health: 155+20

Magic Power: 363+520

Strength: 78+45

Agility: 80+39

Endurance: 44+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 53

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Kick Decapitation Wave』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv2』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』『Magic Power Absorption』

Naoki: 「Since Yumika isn't here, let's do this with the two of us this time, Aneki.」

Kazane: 「Ehーーー, gross.」

Naoki: 「.........」