episode_0069

-Thud-

Riding in the carriage, Claire, Rachel, Helena, and I headed towards the Astrea Viscount’s residence in uncomfortable silence.

The reason for this situation goes back a few days.

It was my condition to allow a few others to accompany me besides myself.

There were prior arrangements, and since we had planned to travel together during the vacation, it was only natural for Claire to come along.

Helena, feeling sorry for not being able to visit the Clarke Viscount’s residence, apologized and asked if she could accompany us to the Astrea Viscount’s residence instead. I agreed, understanding her situation.

Rachel, being the one who extended the invitation, naturally took us along.

Since the destination was significant, we decided to bring Victor along as well.

After informing Rachel of the final number of attendees, we set off on our journey.

By the way, just before boarding the carriage, Victor suddenly spotted someone and chuckled, patting me on the back, saying he would go talk with the coachman and his hometown friends, allowing only the four of us to board the carriage.

“Did Victor plan this escape knowing things would turn out like this?”

It’s rational to have such suspicions.

Inside the carriage, the four of us maintained an uncomfortable silence, contrasting with Victor outside engaging in various conversations with the coachman about their hometowns and other topics.

Claire sat to my right, Rachel across from me, and Helena beside her.

Anticipating a lack of conversation until we reached our destination, I broke the heavy silence and turned to Claire first.

“I mentioned that this is my first carriage ride. Are you okay? Is there anything uncomfortable or challenging for you?”

In response, Claire, seemingly uncomfortable with the silence, smiled broadly and replied, “Yes. I had read that carriage rides could be uncomfortable in books, but so far, I haven’t experienced any discomfort. It actually feels quite comfortable.”

Naturally, Rachel joined the conversation, providing insights about the carriage.

“It’s meant to accommodate guests from the Astrea Viscount’s residence. It shouldn’t lack anything. As members of the Department of Magical Engineering, you might know better, but this carriage contains the essence of magical engineering.”

She then casually gestured towards where Helena should have been sitting, but there was no impact.

“As you saw just now, shock-absorbing magic is embedded in the carriage itself, so you won’t feel much impact, making your journey more comfortable.”

“So, that’s why the ride feels so smooth.”

I had initially thought that riding in a carriage for the first time would be uncomfortable, but I was amazed by the stability.

As Rachel explained, the shock-absorbing magic seemed to function like a suspension system.

“In addition, to avoid being affected by external conditions, you can use buttons to adjust the temperature inside the carriage or utilize functions like ventilation. To prevent potential attacks from outside using odors or poisonous substances, there is also a temporary blocking mechanism almost perfectly integrated.”

“Doesn’t this make it akin to a tank?”

Continuing to listen to Rachel’s explanations, I couldn’t help but think that although it was primarily designed for comfortable travel, it increasingly resembled a siege weapon prepared for war or assault.

As the carriage moved outside, drowning out noise and Victor’s conversations with the coachman, Rachel turned a dial-like object, significantly reducing external noise.

“This way, external noise can also be blocked. Perhaps because it seems to be your first carriage ride, we didn’t activate this feature earlier to maintain a certain atmosphere. However, from now on, we can continue like this if you wish.”

By the way, fundamentally, the functions of the carriage are based on magic, so there shouldn’t be any major issues with maintenance.

“Listening further has raised a question for me. In terms of the magical aspects of maintenance, it seems like continuous upkeep is necessary. How is that being handled?”

“Oh, isn’t there someone outside who is in charge of pulling the carriage?”

Huh?

As Rachel manipulated something, the figures of the transparently shimmering groom and Victor came into view behind her.

“The person dressed as a groom you see there is a mage officially employed by Duke Astrea. They have made significant achievements in magical engineering, so they are responsible for managing the carriage. They regularly check for any issues with the magic assigned, so there’s no need to worry.”

‘The person conversing confidently with Victor is a skilled mage employed by the duke.’

Even dressing like an ordinary groom is part of it.

Upon closer inspection, I confirmed that they were carrying magical tools within their possession.

“Furthermore, they have experience in combat, so they are also doubling as our security detail as we head towards the duke’s residence. They also play a role in ensuring the horses don’t stop. I’ve heard they can push themselves to the limits of their stamina, making them collapse upon arrival.”

Claire felt particularly impressed by that statement.

Being able to buff others without any risk.

While a skilled mage casting a buff on a horse is similar, there is still some risk involved.

They likely minimized the rebound effect as much as possible, but my guess is that upon arrival, they will consume more energy in a single moment than they normally would, potentially leading to a severe collapse.

If the distance is far, it could even pose a threat to their lives.

‘I should ask Claire to buff me when we stop once.’

Rachel mentioned that Duke Astrea’s residence was quite a distance away, so it would be regrettable if the horse that carried us were to die.

It would be helpful if the mage who looks like a groom were to cast it before releasing it.

As we returned to the carriage, Helena, who had been quiet until then, looked at me and said,

“You know, Yukal, we had planned to leave quietly together, just the two of us from our family. Why did you suddenly change it to Duke Astrea’s residence?”

Why did she stay silent all this time? Was she waiting for the right moment to steer the conversation in that direction?

Since I hadn’t told Rachel and Claire about the prior engagement, it was only natural that the focus shifted to that side.

Helena threw it out as she had calculated and expected that I hadn’t informed them about the prior engagement.

Both Rachel and Claire were visibly surprised by Helena’s words.

“Is what Helena just said true, Yukal?”

“…Yes. I had promised her that if she asked for something within reason, I would grant it since I owed her a favor from the infirmary before. It’s true that during the final group test, she mentioned it to me and asked me to visit Viscount Clark’s residence first.”

Rachel apologized to Helena for seizing that opportunity from her.

For some reason, Claire tightly held onto my clothes.

“I proceeded this way because I believed it was the right thing to do. Lady Rachel, I don’t think you need to apologize. And please don’t misunderstand our relationship with Helena as if we were lovers. I hope you won’t misconstrue our connection. We’re just fellow students in the Department of Magic.”

Rachel told Claire not to feel guilty, but Claire doesn’t seem relieved.

However, there doesn’t seem to be a big issue in the content, but Rachel seemed uncomfortable and told me with a strange expression.

“You call me by my name so casually.”

“Yes? I didn’t hear you well.”

“Surely you remember that I asked you to address me informally from the beginning, but you haven’t done so. I thought you were being polite because you didn’t want to be rude as a noble, but judging by your attitude towards Lady Helena, it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Helena might be angry because Claire was bothering her, which may have led to this situation unintentionally.

“Rachel is quite persistent too. You don’t speak comfortably to me either.”

Just as I was hesitating about how to respond, I detected an unusual signal.

“Didn’t you say earlier that the mage serves as a guard from the coach seat?”

“Yes, but why are you suddenly saying that?”

“We don’t have time. Please activate the function that allows us to see outside the carriage transparently, like earlier.”

Although she seemed to have doubts about my words, Rachel, sensing my urgency, immediately operated the device.

Soon, we were able to see outside the carriage again, but the mage who should have been in the coach seat and Victor… were nowhere to be seen.

“The two who were talking just a while ago, why…”

Even Rachel, uncharacteristically, seemed quite shaken by the sudden turn of events.

“Buff Claire and have Helena cast the strongest possible barrier on the carriage. Lady Rachel, if you have a means of sending a distress signal, please use it immediately.”

Realizing my intention to quickly grab my sword and leave, Claire tried to stop me, but there’s no time for that now.

“You must not come out under any circumstances. No matter what happens.”

After pushing her hand away and forcibly closing the carriage door, I remained tense, not letting my guard down despite the warnings sent by my heightened senses.