A few days later, we reach the capital, having never been attacked again along the way.
We’re going to Roland via transportation magic circle, so we head to Ruby’s atelier, where we see that it’s been seized.
Apparently Ruby has become a serious criminal, charged with treason, and all her assets were confiscated by the royal family.
I read in that letter that she was being charged with treason, so that’s not surprising, but knowing once again how far she’s fallen makes me feel something I can’t really describe.
She’s a pitiful girl, who had the potential to become the leading alchemist in Merzelia, but a temporary delusion made her lose everything.
That is how the world sees Ruby, the girl who was my girlfriend. When did she go crazy?
If she was unable to perform alchemy because I left, that’s sad. If me being gone was enough for her to not be able to be an alchemist, she should’ve never dreamed to surpass Hecate. People can dream all they want, but if they lack the abilities to pursue those dreams, they’re just hurting themselves.
“Being here too long will just be painful, so let’s get it over with.”
Says Mars, worried for my feelings.
I nod, and show the chivalric order the letter Isolte gave me. It explains why I need to go to the atelier, and asks that I be allowed in.
The captain was good to me before too, so after he reads the letter, he gladly gives us permission.
And so, we’re able to enter the atelier legally.
It’s a mess inside. I heard Ruby went crazy and messed up her own furniture.
Lela can’t help but snicker, and I also don’t know how to react to this. I think this was when she really went mad.
In any case, I have nothing to do with Ruby anymore. There’s no point in dragging that out.
We head to what was my room on the second floor, where the transportation magic circle is.
“S-so this is a transportation magic circle. I’ve never seen one before.”
“Wow.”
“Roland literature says the last one to use them was the demon king, a hundred years ago.”
Eh, really?
Hearing about it in historical terms like that really makes her feel like a demon king. Even I don’t really know what I’m talking about, so ignore it.
I infuse the magic circle with magic energy, and it shines, sucking us into the light.
I feel my consciousness fade for a second, and when I open my eyes, I’m in a vacant house in Roland.
It’s been half a year. This transportation magic really makes things easier.
“Anyway, you stay here. White Rose doesn’t know about this place, so she won’t attack it.”
“All right. I guess you’re the one who will actually go and rescue her.”
“For now. You probably want to come along too, Iris, but the risk of the townspeople recognizing you is too high.”
“No no, I’m happy being allowed to accompany you this far. Please look after Sephilia.”
“Leave it to me.”
I say, and give her a thumbs up.
“Hum, no one knows us, so…”
“We want to go with you, sensei.”
“No.”
““That’s awful!””
“But you’ll definitely get in the way if I have to fight White Rose.”
“No no no. You don’t get it. What if Lela’s magic gives you the chance to turn it around? Ah, this is foreshadowing!”
“Yes yes! You can’t just reach conclusions right from the start!”
Lela and Mars both complain.
I guess they have a point. It doesn’t feel good to say they won’t do anything before they try.
“Okay okay. You can come along, but look after yourselves. There are too many uncertain elements this time, so I don’t know if I can deal with everything.”
“You really are rough with us compared to how you treat Iris.”
“This is our time to show off and raise sensei’s estimation of us.”
“Yes. Let’s make him eat his words.”
They’re raring to go.
“Anyway, let’s gather information in town.”
I tell them, as we step outside.
And three minutes later, we find Sephilia.
“F-friend!? Why are you here!?”
That was way too fast. No one’s more surprised than me.
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