Chapter 50

And then, a week passed. I stayed at Mayor Thomas's mansion.

I explored the garden with Carries and had meals. Meanwhile, Sammie gathered information, investigating the situation in Leoriga City and its surrounding towns and villages.

As a result, it was determined that Mayor Thomas was not involved in any wrongdoing.

While there were several cases of missing children in the areas around Leoriga City, there was no indication that Mayor Thomas was involved.

According to Sammie, Mayor Thomas is not a particularly outstanding figure but runs the city smoothly. He has no grand ambitions and seems content with his position as the mayor of Leoriga City, aiming to retire without causing any trouble. Unlike the mayor of Slanita, Schultem, who aspires to higher positions, Mayor Thomas is not the type to take risks.

The "Bell of Perception" did not ring.

It seems Carries had no enemies. During this week, Carries was safe and had a good time.

Tomorrow, Earl Giral will come to pick up Carries and return to the capital.

He has replaced the carriage that was destroyed in the attack with a new one and increased the number of guards.

Even with the increased number of guards, there is no guarantee that they can defeat a dragon if it attacks again. However, the soldiers mentioned that Carries could escape if necessary. Moreover, the red-haired knight has joined the group, which has boosted everyone's morale. He is very strong and can even fight Living Mail.

"Milady, I have obtained some information."

The night before departure, Sammie began speaking in the room.

"There is a suspicious village nearby."

"Suspicious?"

"Yes. In Leoriga City and its surrounding towns and villages, there are indeed cases of missing children and rumors of children being sold."

"Okay."

"However, there is a village where nothing has happened, and there are no rumors about missing children at all."

That is indeed strange.

Even if the incidents are not openly discussed, as in Slanita and the village where my parents live, children are still going missing in the areas around Leoriga City. The fact that there are no rumors about missing children in this village is...

"Unnatural."

"Yes. It seems the villagers are avoiding the topic. Additionally, there is a building that looks like a church in the village, which may belong to a new religious sect."

Sammie looked at me.

I nodded in agreement.

"Let's go."

I thought it would be fine to go to the capital with Carries, but since we have the opportunity, we might as well visit the village.

- Ensure Carries is well-protected.

- I will eliminate the root cause.

It is important to cut off the source.

Continuously being attacked by unknown entities and fighting them is not as good as preventing the attacks in the first place.

It is questionable whether the sect can control dragons or Living Mail, but it seems unlikely that Carries's attacks are coincidental...

Therefore,

"Be careful."

"Yes! ...I am really disappointed. I had a lot of fun."

"Me too. I had a lot of fun too."

On the morning of departure, Carries left for the capital with Earl Giral and a large number of guards.

There were two carriages. Earl Giral was in the front carriage, and Carries was in the rear carriage, forming a procession.

Earl Giral was already in his carriage, and the guards were in their positions.

Before Carries got into the carriage, I said goodbye to her.

"Call me if you need help."

I nodded to encourage Carries.

"I'll come soon."

"...Yes!"

"Here, take this."

"Eh, eh...?"

"Use it if you need help."

I handed her a bag.

The bag contained items: [Healing Potion (God)], [Doppelganger Doll], [Evasion Talisman (Special)], [Flash Stone], and [Firework Stone]. The bag ended up being larger than I expected.

I chose items that would help Carries escape rather than fight in case of an emergency.

"This will make you feel better. This will act as a substitute for you."

"Le, Leini, wait a moment!"

I was explaining the contents of the bag when Carries's anxious voice interrupted me.

Her face was turning red and blue, looking quite flustered.

"I cannot accept such wonderful things...!"

"No?"

"No, that's not it! I am really happy. However..."

"Maybe it's a bit heavy..."

I tried to choose items that Carries could carry and use easily, but the [Healing Potion] ended up being quite heavy. However, she might need it if she gets injured and can't move.

"This might not be cute either..."

I gave a lot of [Doppelganger Dolls] to my father, who always carried them. But for a young girl, they might seem a bit too folksy.

As I frowned, Carries thought for a moment and then shouted, "No!"

"It's not heavy at all!"

Carries took the bag from me and lifted it firmly.

"It's wonderful!"

She took out the [Doppelganger Doll] and hugged it tightly.

Good. It seems she will take it.

"I'm glad."

I smiled, and Carries also smiled in relief.

"Then, I'll explain again. This one, when buried in the ground, will make enemies disappear."

"Yes, I understand."

The [Evasion Talisman (Special)] was used to conceal my parents' house. If Carries uses it after escaping, she should be able to disappear.

"This yellow stone, when thrown, will shine."

"Shine when thrown?"

"Yes. It will blind the enemies."

"I understand."

The yellow stone is a [Flash Stone]. It can blind enemies, similar to a stun effect in games. It's small, light, and easy to use.

"This red stone, when thrown, will scatter sparks in the sky."

"Yes, it will scatter sparks in the sky."

"Yes. It will show your location."

The last red stone is a [Firework Stone]. When thrown, it will create a fireworks display in the sky, acting as a marker. In games, you could design the pattern of the fireworks. Although it doesn't last long, it will be clearly visible from a distance, and even after the fireworks disappear, the rumor can be traced.

Carries listened to the explanations of the items seriously. She will likely use them well, and then—

"Your Highness."

The red-haired knight, seeing that our conversation was over, called out to Carries.

This time, he was not pulled away for being impolite. Instead—

"I would like to be allowed to kneel before you."

"...Pio! Yes, of course. It's fine!"

The red-haired knight knelt before me, in the same half-kneeling position that Sammie always uses.

Surprised, I felt my right hand being gently taken—

"I was rude to you the other day because I didn't know you well."

He then gently pressed his forehead against my hand.

"I am sorry."

When he released my hand, his red eyes looked at me sincerely.

"Does the shoulder I pressed on hurt?"

Probably referring to the time he stepped between Carries and me. I don't feel any pain.

"I'm fine."

I nodded, and the red-haired knight sighed in relief.

He looked at me again.

"You have brought a smile to your Highness's face and have always tried to protect her. ...Thank you very much."

"Yes."

The red-haired knight clearly cares a lot about Carries.

"Please call me Pio."

"I'm Leini."

We reintroduced ourselves. Then, I took Pio's hand and helped him stand up.

If he knelt for too long, it might hurt.

"Leini, see you again."

"Leini! See you again!"

Carries got into the carriage, and Pio mounted his horse.

"Yes, see you again!"

I waved to them... and then turned to Sammie, who had been waiting.

"Let's go to the village!"

"Yes!"

The village where no rumors about missing children circulate.

Let's go!