I decided not to return to the dormitory today but to wait for Yu's return while watching over Milia at the dojo. But even after the sun set, and even after it became late at night, Yu didn't return.
Inea-san seemed strong-minded in her behavior, but she appeared to be getting worried gradually. Sitting with her arms crossed, she was tapping her arm with her finger ton-ton restlessly. Before long, Inea-san finally spoke as if she couldn't stand it anymore.
"He's late. No matter what, isn't this strange?"
"That's right. No way, did something happen on the way..."
Milia has been done in like this. Perhaps, Yu was also attacked and kidnapped somewhere... A bad imagination crosses my mind, and I shudder. But Inea-san shook her head and denied that theory.
"No. It seems he transformed into a man on the way. I became able to sense that child's Qi. The reaction is still at the location of the Tor Guief Magic Laboratory. And for some reason, deep underground."
"Is that so!? But why did he transform? Even though he hated being exposed to the world so much. Moreover, underground..."
"That's why I'm saying it's strange."
I also thought it was very strange. I don't think that Yu would transform nonchalantly in front of people, and I've never heard that there is a basement in Guief Lab. Don't tell me—.
"Was he involved in a situation where he had no choice but to transform?"
"That might be so. I'm getting worried."
Inea-san uncrossed her arms and stood up briskly.
"I must confirm his safety. I'm heading to Yu now."
"Yes! Ah, but please wait a moment."
"What is it?"
I cast Recognition Inhibition Light Magic—[Arlmerin] on her, who had turned into stone. What I learned from Milia, I use for Milia. So that she won't be found by some enemy and taken away or smashed.
"Sorry, Milia. Just wait alone for a bit."
To her appearance that remains too still, looking like she would start moving at any moment, I felt an illusion as if a reply "Yes" came back as usual. It's okay. I'll definitely turn you back.
Turning to Inea-san who was watching over us, I said with full spirit.
"Now, let's go!"
"Ah."
Just then, the door of the dojo opened vigorously. What appeared was a man with burning red hair. It was Argus Ozbein.
But his appearance is strange. It's not the face full of confidence as usual. He had a grave expression, severe enough to know at a glance that he was hiding strong anger. Recognizing our figures, he walked up briskly.
"Only two people are here now? No, one more—Milia, has turned into stone. Was she done in by the masked group?"
"Yeah. Yesterday morning, she was done in by the Masked Woman. We're trying to figure out how to turn her back now."
Then he said something unbelievable.
"Dammit! That Karla, she finally laid her hands on a junior too!"
Eh—!?
Because, Karla-san is—. To me, who couldn't voice my surprise, he told us in a clear tone.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"There is something I want to convey to you. About the true identity of the masked group."
We were informed of the shocking facts.
-
That the identity of the Masked Woman is that Karla-san.
-
That Master Megil was Guief-sensei of Magic History.
-
And that Clam-san, whom I asked for help before, is the number one swordsman of the masked group.
While being appalled by the truths revealed one after another, it seemed that the sticking points were solved smoothly. That expression Milia sometimes wore when looking at Karla-san, and the fact that our movements were often grasped until now. Everything.
If so, Yu is!
I couldn't sit still anymore.
"What a thing! Doesn't that mean Yu is in enemy territory all alone!"
"What!? Yu is!?"
"Kuh! So that was it!"
I and Inea-san tried to rush out of the dojo immediately, but Argus raised his voice and stopped us.
"Wait! If the enemy is purposely keeping Yu alive, we should think there is a trap! Going there nonchalantly is equal to suicide!"
"I know such a thing! But Yu is my precious disciple! That disciple is in crisis! No matter what happens, going to help is what a master does!"
"I won't let them do as they like with my best friend anymore! No matter what trap awaits, I will definitely save Yu!"
Hearing our unshakable determination, he shrugged his shoulders as if amazed.
"Tch. Everyone is a terrible softy—Fine. I'll go along. I also want to save Yu."
"Thank you."
"I owe you."
He relaxed his cheeks for just a moment, but immediately tightened his face and continued with serious eyes.
"Besides, I have business personally too."
Argus gritted his teeth giri giri. And quietly putting anger into his voice, he conveyed a shocking thing.
"My house was done in by that bastard Clam. Everyone except me was killed."
I felt terribly pained. I don't know what to say. Inea-san also darkens her face.
"Such..."
"You can stay calm well."
"I'm not particularly calm. Just, I cooled my head a little."
When he opened his fist, it was bright red with blood marks. Rather, enough to make my blood drain. How much passion has he suppressed?
"I just know that if I get upset, it's just what they want."
Dark determination was hidden in his eyes.
"I will definitely take revenge. I'm going for that. Just... first I'll prioritize rescuing Yu. Because I can take revenge anytime."
He prioritized saving his best friend Yu. You are also plenty of a softy, I thought happily.
While moving to the laboratory, Argus explained the current situation.
"Attacked from the inside by that guy Clam, the Sacris Swordsman Corps is currently in a semi-destroyed state. The Hero-sama suddenly betrayed us, after all. I heard we lost most of the main force."
"It's becoming terrible."
"But the light hasn't gone out. The remaining forces are reuniting under the retired old man—the former captain Dreet Klein. The reason why the action was this fast is because everyone vaguely realized... that something is about to happen in this town."
Something is about to happen in this town. I also had that feeling.
Inea-san made a face as if suddenly feeling nostalgic for the old days.
"Dreet Klein, huh. That man can be trusted."
"Do you know him?"
"Ah. Because he is the direct disciple one before Yu, whom I trained personally in the past."
"There was such a relationship."
One before Yu is an old man. It's a strange feeling, but it's a combination unique to Inea-san.
"Umu. Unlike Yu who whines immediately, he was a child who didn't give up no matter how much I trained him. I raised him to be a master of Qi Sword Arts."
"Seriously? Ah—certainly I've heard. That he uses amazing swordsmanship never seen before. That old man, can't he lift his head against you?"
"Fufu. However, is he already old? Ordinary people's life is short."
"Don't group him with you guys."
"That's also true."
Inea-san laughs fufu with distant eyes. Argus distorted his face painfully for some reason. Then he said to me.
"I missed saying it earlier, so I'll say it now. That petrification magic is probably [Keldestar]."
"You know it!?"
He nods and continues.
"It cannot be broken unless the caster cancels it or dies. So we have to make Karla cancel it somehow, or—we have no choice but to kill her."
"No way..."
Both seemed to be considerably high hurdles. Besides, killing Karla-san just because she is an enemy! Can't we persuade Karla-san somehow?
Argus taught me useful information again.
"Since it might be used again, I'll tell you the countermeasure. It can be completely nullified by Lightning Protection Magic—[Delaura]. You, can you use it?"
"Yes. I can use it."
It can be prevented surprisingly easily. Good. It's my specialty system, so I can go without problems.
"Then put it up while you can. I'll put it up myself so I'm fine, but cast it on Inea just in case."
"Got it."
Protection of Lightning. Wrap my body! [Delaura].
Lightning aura bachi bachi covers the whole body. When I cast it on Inea-san too, I was thanked.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. You're not very good at magic, right?"
"Well, yeah."
With just that, the three fell silent. The aim is the enemy's headquarters. It will be a life-threatening battle.
Will the day come again when we can fight happily from the bottom of our hearts like that? Thinking so, I became sad, but I shook my head and switched my feelings immediately.
Being backward-looking doesn't suit me. First, overcome Karla-san, and listen to the story. We can think about it after that.
This time I absolutely cannot lose. Two lives are at stake. Solidifying my determination, I stared at the gradually approaching laboratory.