There’s an odd atmosphere around the entrance to the central section.
It’s a double gate, but the right door has been destroyed, and the destroyed part is propped up on its side like it was placed there. And it’s also being used as a barricade of sorts that’s blocking the entrance. I can’t even see the other side.
“If I had better visibility, I could just use Transfer.”
I get a good look at the people gathered around the gate. There are demons right in front of the gate and on top of the wall, with beast people facing them. And behind the beast people, but still far, are people whose uniforms lead me to believe are guards of the castle.
This composition makes it look like the demons are guarding the castle, but apparently it’s to stop more people from getting in.
Are the beast people facing forward towards the demons so the guards don’t attack the demons? The demons look pretty relaxed, but the effects of the barrier must make them want to avoid unnecessary fights.
Also, there are fewer demons here than I was told, and I don’t see Ghido around either.
“What are we going to do, Sora?”
Asks Chris, and everyone’s eyes focus on me.
“Let’s go to a high place where we can have a better look. Using Transfer to get inside right away would be best, but…”
If we move in from the front, we’ll have to fight demons.
That would probably cause confusion, and break this stalemate. I want to avoid that.
But looking around, I don’t see any good spots.
If only that door was lying on the ground instead of being propped up horizontally like that… How did it even fall that way?
“Master, hand me the Transfer magic item.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Sneak inside. It’s easy if it’s just me.”
Declares Hikari, brimming with confidence, so I give her the item.
She’s the one who knows the most about the castle, so I think I can leave it to her. But let’s cast a shield on her just in case.
“Master, once I give the signal, go.”
She says, before disappearing without a sound.
I can see on Map that she’s avoiding the main street. But that leads me to notice something. The center of the capital, the area inside those walls, is blank. Is it like different levels of a dungeon?
Maybe I wouldn’t be able to use Transfer even if I could see it. Wait, maybe I can’t even do it by using a magic item. I’ve never tried it, so I wonder.
“Is she going to be all right by herself?”
I’ve talked to Naoto and the others about Hikari. Kaede even cried when she first heard it. And Hikari looked kind of bothered when she hugged her tightly.
But still, Naoto is worried based on her appearance alone. In our world, Hikari would be in grade school, so even though they got a good taste of how strong she is during those mock battles…
But more importantly, I should focus on the fact that Transfer might not work, and she’ll be over there alone.
Should I go after her? The moment I start thinking that, I see her stop, and disappear to the other side of the wall.
I should check if Transfer works.
When I activate it, it gives me two options. I’m getting a response from the magic item Hikari is holding, but it’s not stable. I don’t know if it’s because she’s moving, or if the barrier is having an effect.
But wait, if she’s moving, could it be that she’s being chased? Or is she looking for a good place to use Transfer?
“We’ll go right away once we get a signal, so be ready. We also might end up facing enemies, so get ready to fight.”
Hikari could be facing enemies.
Everyone takes out their weapons, and we hear the sound of an explosion, and see a streak of light.
Hikari… Stopped!
“Let’s go!”
I activate Transfer, but it’s still not stable.
And yet I know I can still use it. It’s strange, but it’s like the skill is telling me.
The scenery around me changes, telling me Transfer worked. Hikari is standing right in front of me, but she’s also holding her mithril dagger.
And where she’s looking… Actually, all around us, are beast people.
They’re surprised because we popped up here all of a sudden, but their stances quickly change. Their postures are low, like they’re going to move at any moment.
I also try to get into position, but my knees give out. It’s the feeling I get when a lot of magic energy leaves my body all at once.
Rurika and the others are surprised, and quickly move in front of me.
I take deep breaths and get up. I can’t really put much strength into my knees yet, but I don’t want them to think I’m a weak link.
Although my resolve is instantly rendered pointless by what they do next.
It’s not just me, everyone’s surprised and baffled when the beast people in front of us suddenly kneel.
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Thanks for the treat.