Chapter 28

"Lord Gerald will return in two days."

"Such..."

After hearing from Lord Lloyd, I rushed out of the library and visited the Findlay Marquess family, but he had already left for a magician who could use constraint magic, taking that man with him.

There are very few magicians who can use constraint magic, and it seems they are currently in a place far from the capital, taking two days for a round trip.

Finally, we found an important clue to that place, but the bad timing is frustrating. After leaving the Marquess family, I headed to Neil's place.

He was in his usual hotel room, apparently continuing his research. I was relieved to find him and immediately explained what I had just heard.

"I didn't expect it to be a neighboring country. Still, if we go there alone, we'll just be captured and killed. What should we do?"

"......"

"Even if we appeal, they won't send help to a neighboring country based on just our testimony."

Neil is right. We haven't been believed before. Should we just wait for Gerald to return without doing anything?

Just as I was thinking this, Neil continued, "But, I wonder if freeing that man will really help."

"Huh?"

"Can such a well-prepared enemy not know that he's been captured? I think Gerald has noticed, and so have I. We're both doing our best."

"But..."

"Of course, I want to save Norman too. Still, I feel like he could be killed at any moment."

If that's the case, we should hurry to save Norman.

However, I knew how unrealistic and impossible it would be to gather skilled people and go to a neighboring country right away. It would take several days just to travel there.

Neil said he would ask his parents and have them urgently investigate the place Lord Lloyd mentioned. But the despair and helplessness of what would happen if we didn't make it in time made my vision blur.

‘...When you're really in trouble, I want you to rely on me.’

‘I will definitely help you.’

At that moment, I suddenly thought of him.

◇◇◇

When I told the receptionist at the knight's office that I wanted to see Rufus, they must have sensed my urgency and immediately connected me. Rufus, who had just finished his work, came quickly and looked very surprised to see me, but he immediately led me to a separate room.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

Despite his worried expression, I knew I should apologize for suddenly visiting and explain things in order, but the only word that came out of my mouth was, "Help."

It wouldn't convey anything, and there was no way to respond. Still, he nodded, looking straight at me.

"Yes, I will definitely help. So don't worry."

—Why? Why is Rufus so kind? His straightforward words made me want to cry so badly.

"Take your time, but can you tell me what happened?"

"Okay..."

After that, I told Kevin, who brought us tea, and Rufus about a friend being held captive in a neighboring country, the possibility of him being killed, and the lack of time.

Despite the lack of evidence and the absurdity of the story, Rufus nodded and said, "Understood."

"Kevin."

"Yes. Of course, I will accompany you."

"Thank you. ...Let's go with the three of us."

"Huh?"

"You might think it's a small number, but it's fine. Rufus is worth fifty men."

That's what he said.

"Will you really help...?"

"Yes. Since it's an allied country, there's a gate connecting here to their knight's garrison. We can use it to get there quickly."

"But isn't it bad to use it without permission?"

"It's fine. I have the key."

Rufus said that, but using a gate that connects countries without permission is definitely not allowed. As I thought this, Kevin smiled in a troubled way.

"Well, if it's Rufus, he might lose his head if it's found out."

"Such...! Then, still—"

"A friend's life is at stake, right?"

"......"

Even though I knew I shouldn't rely on him, I couldn't give up the hope of saving Norman.

When I said we should go immediately, they started preparing. I thanked them many times, but they said, "Don't worry about it," which made me even more emotional.

As we walked down the corridor to the gate, I watched Rufus's back, feeling guilty.

"I always receive kindness from Rufus and can't repay it..."

"That's not true. Besides—"

"Besides?"

"I was happy that you relied on me."

Rufus is just too kind. I already felt a lifetime of gratitude towards him.

"If there's anything I can do, I'll do it."

"...It's better not to say you'll do anything for me."

"No, I'll do anything I can. Please tell me."

Of course, I was serious. But there's nothing I can do, or rather, I can't do anything. Still, I intend to do whatever I can for him in the future.

"...If I lost everything—"

"Huh?"

"No, it's not something I should say now. It's cowardly."

Rufus grabbed his hair and muttered. What was he trying to say?

"Ask me again after we save your friend."

"Okay."

When I nodded, he smiled slightly.

◇◇◇

"This is the gate..."

"Yes. Let's activate it now."

We finally reached the gate, and Kevin used the key he had received from Rufus to start operating the machine. A beam of light began to form in the empty space.

"Let's go."

"...Okay, thank you."

I took Rufus's outstretched hand and stepped into the swaying light.