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Chapter 89: A Common Occurrence (1)
At the outskirts of the empire.
A carriage sped along a countryside road littered with shrubs and stones.
Vroooom.
Though it looked like an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage, it wasn't.
Its official name was a Magic Carriage, a vehicle powered by magic stones instead of horse power, developed by the Republic's technology.
Initially, it was so expensive that only the empire's nobles, high-ranking priests of the Holy Kingdom, or wealthy individuals from the Republic could afford it.
But with mass production of magic stones, it had now become one of the most popular means of transportation, along with warp gates.
Of course, to those not even considered part of "the public," Magic Carriages were like foreign artifacts.
"Haah, driving on these country roads isn't easy."
Sitting in the driver's seat, Professor Elisha flicked her cigarette ash out the window and squinted.
In the capital and major cities of the empire, neatly paved roads made driving smooth.
But on roads like this, every second delivered a jolt to the entire body.
"If it's too much, I could drive?"
"Hmm? Do you have a license for a Magic Carriage?"
"...Ah."
Come to think of it, I didn’t have a license back when I was a cadet.
I could barely afford a cafeteria bread back then, so how could I get a Magic Carriage license?
I didn’t even get one until long after graduation.
'It was because the mercenary leader forced me to play chauffeur back then.'
Anyway, at this moment, I didn’t have a license, nor even a learner’s permit.
"I don't have a license, but I know how to drive."
"That’s certainly a reassuring statement."
"I'm serious, I can drive."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. We're not far from the village now."
I shrugged at Professor Elisha’s response.
"Well, at this speed, we should be there in about 2 or 3 hours."
"Right, we’ll arrive in… hmm?"
Professor Elisha tilted her head and looked at me curiously.
"Aren’t you from the Republic, Cadet Dale?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then how do you know how long it will take to drive through this remote area of the empire?"
"......"
I shut my mouth at Professor Elisha’s sharp observation.
'A cadet from the Republic knowing how long it takes to drive through the empire's backcountry?'
I’ve wandered across the entire continent for millennia, searching for the Primordial Flame.
There wasn't a place I didn't know, whether it was the outskirts of the empire or the sanctuaries of the Holy Kingdom.
But of course, I couldn't tell Professor Elisha that.
"I studied hard during the first-year geography lessons."
"For someone who studied hard, your grades were… ahem. Well, it's not important."
Seemingly uninterested in probing further, Professor Elisha turned her gaze out the window.
The wind rustled through the grass, and the sound of a small stream echoed along the ordinary countryside road.
"......"
Looking at the unremarkable scenery, Professor Elisha seemed lost in nostalgia, a soft look filling her eyes.
"Come to think of it, you mentioned you're from a small village, right, Professor?"
"Yes, that's right."
Professor Elisha nodded.
"I grew up in one of those small villages on the outskirts of the empire, just like any other."
Perhaps she was reminiscing about her childhood.
Professor Elisha slowed down the Magic Carriage and continued speaking softly.
"There were fewer than a hundred people in the village, and we lived off farming and hunting… it was that kind of place."
"Isn't the village we're heading to pretty similar?"
"Yes."
Slowing the vehicle even more, Professor Elisha pulled over to the side of the road.
"Let’s stop here for a simple meal."
"Hmm? Won’t we be at the village soon anyway?"
We were only 2 to 3 hours away, so eating on the roadside was unnecessary.
"True, but…"
Professor Elisha smiled wryly as she continued.
"People in small villages tend to harbor both fear and reverence towards outsiders. And when they’re in a position to receive help, they'll likely overextend themselves with hospitality."
Overextend themselves with hospitality, huh.
"You don't want to empty out their already scarce food stores, I take it."
"We're not exactly starving ourselves, are we?"
"Haha, well, true enough."
Despite her cold, unapproachable exterior, she was surprisingly considerate.
'I remember hearing she even runs her own foundation.'
Thinking back on what Vincent, the teaching assistant, had mentioned, I got out of the carriage.
"What kind of food did you bring?"
"Nothing at all."
"...You didn't bring anything?"
I looked at Professor Elisha in disbelief.
'Seriously, she should’ve at least asked me to bring something if that was the case.'
Since she told me just to bring myself, I hadn’t packed any food either.
"Why bother when we're surrounded by food everywhere?"
Professor Elisha smirked and headed down to the small stream beside the road.
Snap.
With a flick of her hand, thin silver threads shot into the stream.
Swoosh! Ssss!
The silver threads swirled through the water violently, quickly tangling into a small net.
"Heave-ho."
Flop, flop!
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When she pulled the net out, two fish, about the size of an arm, flailed in it.
"See? Just like I said."
Professor Elisha lifted the two wriggling fish out of the net and shrugged.
I stifled a laugh.
"These days, even spiders go fishing, huh?"
"Evolution is the greatest strength of any species."
Skewering the fish on a sharp stick, Professor Elisha turned to me.
"Could you light a fire?"
"Sure."
I gathered some nearby sticks and lit a small campfire.
Meanwhile, Professor Elisha rummaged through the nearby bushes.
"What are you doing over there?"
"We need dessert if we're having a meal."
When she returned, her hands were full of tiny, colorful fruits, each about the size of a thumbnail.
"These are perfect for a light snack. I used to pick and eat these near my house when I was young."
"...You're much more resourceful than I expected."
The sight of a beautiful woman in a crisp black suit picking fruit from the bushes gave off an odd sense of discord, as if a noblewoman from a prestigious family were plowing the fields.
“Hehe, how is it? Do you feel a different kind of charm?”
Professor Elisha shrugged her shoulders, and I gave a slight nod with a grin.
“I do like this much more than when we first met.”
“This is a bit of a problem.”
“What is?”
“I never thought a fresh-faced cadet’d propose to me.”
“No.”
What the heck is this woman talking about?
“Just kidding.”
Professor Elisha, wearing a mischievous smile that didn’t quite match her cold expression, took a bite of the well-roasted fish.
* * *
After a simple meal, Professor Elisha and I got back into the magical carriage and headed toward the village.
After driving for about two more hours along the bumpy countryside road, the village finally came into view in the distance.
A bent old man stood outside the village, leaning on a cane, seemingly waiting for us after hearing the news of our arrival.
“Are you the heroes who’ve come to slay the demon beast?”
The old man approached as we got out of the car.
“That’s right.”
“Oh! Th-thank you! Thank you, heroes!”
The old man, overwhelmed with emotion, repeatedly bowed his head.
“And who might you be?”
“My apologies for the late introduction. I’m Oliver, the head of this village.”
“I see. May we take a look around the village for a moment?”
“Of course! Oh, have you had a meal yet? If you let us know, we can prepare something right away...”
“No need. We’ve already eaten, so you don’t have to prepare anything.”
“I-is that so? I really wanted to offer something to honor the heroes’ efforts, but it seems that won’t be necessary.”
Contrary to his words of regret, Oliver’s eyes gleamed with relief.
“Please, come inside.”
We followed Oliver into the village.
It was a small place with barely a hundred residents, and the atmosphere was thick with gloom.
Some people peeked out through the cracks of worn-out windows, quickly retreating back inside when they met our eyes.
Others sat on the ground, their faces gaunt and blank.
The village felt more like a graveyard than a living community.
“Haha... I apologize. It wasn’t always like this.”
Oliver glanced around the village with sorrowful eyes.
“Is it because of the demonic beast?”
“...Yes.”
No wonder.
When a beast classified as a “Category Eight” is kidnapping villagers, it’s no surprise the atmosphere has become this grim.
“When did the beast first appear?”
“It’s been about a week now.”
“And how many have been taken so far?”
“Seven people.”
“Seven, huh.”
Professor Elisha frowned as she spoke.
“It’s taking one person each day?”
“...That’s correct.”
Oliver clenched his fists, biting his lip.
“That wicked beast seems to be toying with us, kidnapping one villager every night!”
His eyes trembled with fury, and his wrinkled cheeks quivered.
“...And yet you all remained in the village?”
“Wh-where could simple folk like us possibly flee to in the Empire? If we abandon this village, it’s as good as a death sentence for us...”
For villagers who eked out a living through farming and hunting, leaving their land meant losing everything, almost like a death sentence.
“Hmm.”
Professor Elisha folded her arms and let out a low hum.
“I heard someone witnessed the beast.”
“Ah... yes, that’s right.”
“Where is that person?”
“This way, please.”
With that, Oliver led us into a nearby house.
Inside the old wooden structure sat a man.
He looked to be about forty, with an unusually neat appearance for someone living in such a remote village.
“My name is Harris.”
As we entered, Harris stood up nervously.
“You’re the one who saw the demon beast?”
“Y-yes!”
He nodded vigorously, his expression tense.
“Tell us the situation and describe the beast in as much detail as possible.”
“J-just like I wrote in the report. Around 1 a.m., I heard some commotion outside, so I went to take a look... and there it was, a beast standing on two legs like a crocodile. It had wrapped its long tail around a villager and was dragging them away.”
“It took them away alive?”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“And the direction it went?”
“Towards the mountain behind the village.”
“Were there any other witnesses?”
“A few others saw it too, but they were too scared to leave their homes.”
“I see.”
Professor Elisha nodded.
“Alright. We’ll be leaving now.”
“P-please! Please, I beg you, slay that dreadful beast!”
Harris fell to his knees, bowing his head to the ground.
“We’ll try.”
Professor Elisha gave a short reply and turned her head.
“H-Harris, please calm down.”
As Oliver tried to console the sobbing Harris, Elisha and I stepped out of the house.
“Phew.”
Elisha took out a cigarette from her coat and sighed deeply.
“Is something wrong?”
“That Harris guy.”
Click.
The flame from her lighter lit the tip of her cigarette.
“He’s lying.”
Elisha exhaled a puff of smoke, her purple eye gleaming.
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