Ch.254Sudden Acceleration NPC. (3)

[“If I know you as well as I think I do, I was certain you’d contact me within five days.”]

Jace Goodwin, the lord. I don’t know what kind of positive assessment the former chancellor of Ponia has about me, but despite the fact that he probably can’t even see my status window, he had made quite an accurate judgment.

[“So, I made contact in advance. I contacted the person in charge of Neti’s diplomatic channel, who is under my subordinate… no, now under my successor’s subordinate, and told them to approach your sister and her companions and hand over the crystal ball.”]

That was truly welcome news. I wanted to see Ira’s face as soon as possible, and hear her healthy voice right away.

[“But I ended up in a truly embarrassing situation. The diplomatic officer said that not long after the Chancellor of Neti stopped appearing at official events, a blue-haired woman, Ragni Bluemoon o-… one of your companions disappeared without a trace. And after that, all the other members also vanished from Neti.”]

“I wasn’t informed, but His Majesty the King and my successor already knew. I apologize for the delayed information.” The lord explained that while I had briefly returned to Ponia, he had speculated through information exchange with the King of Ponia that my companions might have entered somewhere in Ponia as well.

[“Since I had met you, I thought it unlikely. But I had no other way to track them. Only…”]

They were moving to contact my companions. The Chancellor of Neti, Neti Naika. She suddenly appeared in the Empire a month ago and seized one of the Empire’s territories. I had heard that story just two evenings ago.

[“Do you have any idea what might be happening?”]

“…I don’t know. Anyway, I can’t contact Ira right now, correct?”

[“…If I speak to His Majesty and obtain the magical frequency of the crystal ball connected to the Chancellor, we might be able to establish a connection with them.”]

However, since it was a highly confidential diplomatic channel, permission wouldn’t come quickly. After saying that much, the lord apologized sincerely, and I ended the communication by thanking him for his efforts.

“…What on earth are you all doing in the Empire?”

And I had already confirmed through my [Overprotection] skill—which I activated for the first time when he mentioned Ragni’s disappearance—that all my companions were in the Empire.

*

“I-Ira is in the Empire? D-did everyone go together?”

“…It seems so. According to my skill, at least everyone except Ragni is in the same territory.”

“Heh, Jack, you even have that kind of skill? But didn’t you say your sister attends an Academy? Maybe they’re on a field trip or something…”

“Chikuyo. You probably don’t know what an Academy is, but Neti Academy is nothing like the small study room in Siltra. It’s larger than castles built by humans, and spans an area wider than two villages of beastkin and elves combined. Students from such a place couldn’t just go on a trip that takes several months.”

As Green Stone gently corrected Chikuyo’s naive question—after all, why would anyone go sightseeing in an enemy country five months after a declaration of war?—I couldn’t help but let out a heavy sigh.

“Ah. Ah… I. I know you don’t want to hear this, but don’t worry too much. They’re your companions, after all. Rey is even a genius who learned the elven ‘Wind Riding.’ And that golem’s strength is…”

It was almost comical how Green Stone, who until moments ago was ready to rush out because of the demon he and Rizelotte had to face, was now trying to calm me down as if he’d touched a sore spot. I nodded to the flustered Green Stone to indicate I was staying calm, and closed my eyes to think.

Right, a declaration of war. It means war could break out. Moreover, the Empire’s actions have been completely insane since Ragni left, and my companions happen to be there at such a time. The Empire was even attacked by Naika, yet they sent troops to Ponia. I can’t understand or predict what’s happening. And putting all that aside…

‘I just want to run there right now.’

How long would it take me to reach the Empire at full speed? Two months? One month? It would certainly be incomparable to the six-month carriage journey. However…

-Grip.

-Rustle.

My thoughts were interrupted as the two sisters grabbed my hands. Huh? Why suddenly…

“Jack.”

“Unclench your fist, you’re bleeding.”

“…Ah.”

I slowly relaxed my grip as I looked into their worried golden and crimson eyes, realizing I had unconsciously clenched my fist so tightly that my nails had dug into my palm, drawing blood. Haah, damn it.

“…I understand you want to rush there immediately. So, what will you do now? Are you going straight to the Empire? Running like when you came to Aigram?”

“That would probably be the fastest way.”

“”……””

Hearing my answer, Chikuyo and Miho looked at me and then at each other, seeming to understand why I hadn’t already started running.

Yes, if I ran at full speed alone, I might get there in about a month. But taking you all with me in a carriage would mean a journey of six months—no, from here it would be almost a year. It’s incomparable to when I ran from Neti to Aigram.

“…I see.”

“We physically can’t keep up.”

Seeing the beastkin sisters bite their lips and droop their ears, I gritted my teeth. I don’t want to leave them behind either. Moreover, if asked whether Ponia is safe, it isn’t. Perhaps it would be better to tell them both to return to Siltra, and after I reunite with Ira and the others, bring everyone back to meet up again…

“Nom nom, gulp. Excuse me? I don’t understand what everyone’s talking about at all. Could someone please explain properly?”

“””……”””

While we were all seriously contemplating the current situation, the Demon of Lust, who had apparently finished saying what she needed to say and was now diligently finishing her breakfast, looked at us with her head tilted, not even bothering to wipe the stew broth from the corner of her mouth. Sigh, it’s a waste of time to explain everything to her again. It might be better to send Luxuria back to Siltra too.

“You, and Miho and Chikuyo should return to Siltra. By now, Siltra is probably preparing to send troops to deal with the demons that have appeared in Ponia. There’s no reason for you to come all the way to Ponia and get caught up in a human war. You’ll be safe there with Chikuyo and Miho to vouch for you…”

“W-wait a minute! Jack?!”

“Even if we can’t keep up, there’s no reason for us to go back to Siltra…!!”

“Then should I run to the Empire alone while you three follow slowly? What if war breaks out in the meantime? You’ll all get caught up in it.”

“Ugh…”

“T-that’s…”

When I voiced the inconclusive decision I’d reached internally, both of them realized what I meant and couldn’t argue further. Yes, I’m worried about you too. I don’t want to end up in a crazy situation where I reunite with Ira’s group only to find out something happened to you…

“Hmm, but why me? I can follow Jack, you know?”

“What?”

“Haaah?”

“Are you saying you can run faster than my sister or me?!”

As Luxuria put the jerky she had saved for dessert into her mouth, the beastkin sisters shot her sharp glares in disbelief, causing her to flinch and look back and forth between us with an expression that said, “W-why?”

Right, there’s no reason why Luxuria, who’s only level 333, would be faster than Miho or Chikuyo, who have both surpassed level 400. But how do those two, who don’t even have status windows, sense that Luxuria is weaker than them? Is it some kind of beastkin intuition?

“N-no. I made a contract with Jack, right? So I can go to Jack’s side anytime…”

As long as his magic isn’t gone or interfered with by holy power, she added in a shrinking voice, swallowing the jerky she had put in her mouth without even chewing it, clearly very nervous. Huh, what? Really?

“Is a demon contract that useful?”

“I’m jeal—no, wait. What about Jack? Can he come to where you are too?”

“Th-that’s not possible. Jack’s magic is… well, this is awkward to say, but it’s less than an ant’s. Such things aren’t possible just because he wishes it. Since his magic is so minimal, I can’t summon him either.”

It’s impossible because I have no magic power. Just when I thought something might work out, it seems the only change is Luxuria joining me. Well, then it’s decided…

“But you two should be able to do it. The tiger beastkin has about the same amount of magic as my magi, and the fox beastkin has even more magic than my magi. If you make a contract like ‘I will also come to where I am,’ I could probably reverse-summon you both to where I am.”

“Really?!”

“Do I have that much magic…?”

[-Job Striker- : Level 412 Name: Miho. Age 20.]

[HP : 6,912]

[MP : 473]

[-Job Magic Swordsman- : Level 401 Name: Chikuyo. Age 22.]

[HP : 5,319]

[MP : 818]

Indeed. Both Miho’s MP and Chikuyo’s MP are at levels incomparable to ordinary people. Could it really be possible? This wasn’t in the game, so I truly had no idea. Then…

“Ha, hahaha! I thought you were a useless demon who’d make us throw away our blankets!! But you’re actually useful?!!”

“Fufu. I might forgive you for making everything smell like squid this morning.”

“Huh? W-what are you talking about? Wait… blankets? S-squid?! U-useless…?!!”

When the two said things I couldn’t understand, Luxuria tilted her head, then blushed and teared up, looking back and forth between me and the beastkin sisters. Well, I don’t understand what they’re talking about either. But anyway, with this…

“Then it’s decided? I’ll take responsibility for Miho and Chikuyo here for now. I might need their help occasionally, but I’ll make sure they can come to you anytime.”

“Yes. Please take care of our girls for a bit. Miho, Chikuyo, Luxuria.”

“Okay. Go quickly. You’re worried about Ira, right?”

“Jack, I’ll train here too. Next time, I’ll become strong enough to run alongside you.”

“Ahem, ahem! I-I’ll stay here and talk with Rizelotte for a while, then join you when you call me. I can come whenever you call my name, from anywhere.”

I nodded at the three women’s words and immediately stood up, giving each of them a hug. Somehow, it feels like I keep leaving women behind wherever I go, which makes me sorry, but right now it’s truly urgent.

“Then, I’ll go ahead. See you again in about a month.”

“O-one month? You’re not planning to run without rest, are you…?”

“Eh, didn’t you say it’s almost a 10-month journey by carriage?!”

“Somehow, it feels a bit lonely to part ways right after getting a boyfriend.”

Miho, you saw right through me. I have no intention of resting even when the sun sets. Leaving behind the three women who were surprised by my words, I left the cabin and began running at full speed.

[Overprotection: Allows you to locate those you wish to protect regardless of distance. (Registered: Ira, Rey Sol, Gor, Ragni Bluemoon, Miho, Chikuyo, new! Green Stone, Salt Non, Luxuria.)]

[Target: Ira – Ottoman Empire.]

[View detailed target location: Ottoman Empire, Müller Territory. -Müller Count’s Mansion-]

Heading toward the home of some noble I’ve never heard of, even in the game.