Chapter 20

Tracing back in time — after the carriage escorting Ravia had finished its first rest and started moving again.

Ravia was inside the swaying carriage, sitting on a seat and staring intently at her hands resting on her knees. Her hands, which were cuffed.

Since then, that boy hasn't come. The boy who called himself Hikaru.

He said he would rescue her today, but he couldn't destroy the magic prison.

However, by the time there was no contact at all, it seemed like a fleeting hope. It was just Hikaru's empty words.

Of course, only three people were assigned to the escort. It would be easy to break through if surrounded by a large group. But Ravia thought she wasn't worth that much effort, and even if someone wanted her "combat power," would they really risk making the king of this country an enemy? It was impossible, Ravia thought.

Sighs that slipped out became deeper and deeper.

"Haa..."

"In my country, there's a saying that 'sighing makes happiness run away.'"

"But sometimes, you just want to sigh—"

Ravia's body trembled.

What did he just say?

"Oops, don't scream. If you scream, we'll definitely be found."

Sitting on the seat inside the carriage was a black-haired, black-eyed boy.

"A, e, a, au..."

"How did I get here? I'd like to explain, but I don't trust you yet."

"Trust...?"

"I'll tell you everything when you're truly free and I trust you. Is that okay?"

There was no choice.

Ravia had no options.

She was still staring at Hikaru in disbelief.

Yes, at the boy who appeared so casually in this situation.

—This person is my savior.

The one thing she could believe was that Hikaru would definitely save her from here.

Before executing this plan, Hikaru had considered all possible escort patterns.

What he was most concerned about was the "key."

How many locks were there, and how many did he need to break to free Ravia?

The most troublesome case he anticipated was if the Guild Master of the Alchemists accompanied the escort.

Building the magic prison and escorting it to the capital, then unlocking it there—this would mean the only way to let Ravia escape during the escort would be to kill the Guild Master. However, the Guild Master wasn't that idle. After sneaking into the Alchemists' Guild and checking the Guild Master's schedule, he found that the Guild Master had a dinner reservation at a restaurant in Ponde that day.

The next most troublesome case was multiple keys.

Especially if the keys were kept separately in Ponde and the capital, and not carried during the escort, it would be very troublesome.

In that case,

- Ravia would board the carriage and be locked in.

- Someone from the mansion or a knight would store the key in a vault.

- Hikaru would steal the key from the vault.

- He would chase the carriage in a hurry.

- After rescuing Ravia, he would return the key to the vault.

This procedure would be necessary, but the driver ended up carrying the key. It settled into the easiest case he had anticipated.

Another troublesome possibility was if Ravia was chained to the carriage itself, for example, to the pillars or the frame of the canopy.

In that case, a key to unlock Ravia's restraints in addition to the carriage key would be needed. If this involved the "magic prison," it would be the worst-case scenario, but the Guild Master of the Alchemists had put on handcuffs that would come off on their own after some time. No key was needed, and it allowed for some restraint, which was a reasonable judgment. For Hikaru, it was lucky. He just needed to take Ravia away, and the handcuffs would come off on their own after some time.

He also considered other possible patterns, checked the location of the key vault the day before, and confirmed the necessary procedures.

However, reality was easier than expected, and the key Hikaru needed to obtain was just one.

The driver.

The driver was always on the driver's seat. Sneaking up and stealing it was a job suited for "Stealth."

On that day, Hikaru went to the earl's underground dungeon to confirm the handcuffs that would be put on Ravia and saw the Guild Master of the Alchemists put them on.

Next, when he learned that Ravia would be loaded onto the carriage and the key would be kept by the driver, he moved to the outer gate of the city in the direction of the capital. When the carriage was being checked by the guards, he lay on the roof of the carriage.

The carriage was sturdy and didn't budge at all. The horse turned its head, seemingly sensing the weight, but that was all.

He lay on the roof of the carriage until the first rest was over. The carriage was large enough that the adventurers escorting it wouldn't see him even without using the "Stealth" skill.

When the carriage started moving again after the first rest, he sneaked up to the driver, borrowed the key, and opened the carriage door. That's how Hikaru got inside the carriage.

He knew that even if he did all that, the adventurers wouldn't see him, thanks to the "Stealth" skill and his profession, "Stealth God: Wearer of Darkness." To be extra cautious, he executed the plan when the carriage passed by a caravan.

That's how he ended up in front of Ravia.

"Use the sheets and pillows to create a fake sleeping scene inside the carriage. If you need more, stuff some clothes in. And put this on."

Hikaru gave instructions.

By creating a fake scene, even if someone peeked inside the carriage after the "escape," it wouldn't be immediately obvious that an escape had occurred.

He took out a plain brown cloak from his backpack to hide the handcuffs.

(Now, this is the important part.)

There was a concern when it came to rescuing Ravia.

It was that Ravia didn't have the "Stealth" skill.

Well, it was more of a guess that she probably didn't.

"Ravia, while you're working, I have one thing to confirm."

"?"

"Can we do anything to escape from here?"

"...Yes."

Without even asking what the "anything" was, Ravia nodded.

Hikaru also nodded.

This way, he could use her "points" without any reservations.

【Soul Board】Ravia

Age 14, Rank 6

0

【Magic Power】

【Magic Power Amount】11

【Principle of Magic】2

【Spirit Affinity】

【Fire】5

(Whoa...)

He almost let out a sound.

Her Soul Board was incredibly imbalanced. Hikaru couldn't really talk, though.

Only points were allocated to the "Magic Power" section. The numbers "11" and "5" were something not even the most skilled adventurers had. Only someone like Unken.

(This is why the king wants her as a combat force...)

High magic power and skilled fire magic. Plus, the mysterious skill "Principle of Magic." It was frustrating not being able to check the details of someone else's Soul Board.

(Since her remaining points are 0, she can't get "Stealth"... This is within my expectations, though...)

He noticed the "Name" field.

It should have been "Ravia di Morgstadt," but it was just "Ravia."

She must have completely severed ties with her family.

(Then, this plan is the only way.)

Hikaru opened his own Soul Board.

【Soul Board】Hikaru

Age 15, Rank 16

10

【Vitality】

【Magic Power】

【Strength】

【Strength Amount】1

【Agility】

【Burst】1

【Stealth】

【Life Conceal】1

【Magic Conceal】1

【Perception Conceal】5 (MAX)

【Assassination】3 (MAX)

【Intuition】

【Detection】

【Life Detection】1

【Magic Detection】1

He had 10 remaining points.

He allocated 1 point each to "Life Conceal" and "Magic Conceal."

(Well, "Group Conceal" finally appeared.)

【Group Conceal】... Can grant "Life Conceal," "Magic Conceal," and "Perception Conceal" to anyone you touch. Maximum of 5. The maximum grantable value is up to the skill's limit.

(That means, even if I max out "Group Conceal," it won't do much good unless "Life Conceal" and "Magic Conceal" are maxed out.)

Currently, "Life Conceal" and "Magic Conceal" were at 2. Even if he set "Group Conceal" to 3, he would only get the effects up to 2.

(This is within my expectations.)

He had 8 remaining points, and Hikaru allocated 1 point each to "Life Conceal" and "Magic Conceal," and 3 points to "Group Conceal."

This would allow him to grant the "Stealth" 3 skill to Ravia.

However, Ravia wouldn't benefit from the guild card's "profession," so there was some uncertainty. But he had to believe he could hide her.

Nogsa's "Life Detection" was only 1, and even the "Hero of the Nation," Unken, had "Conceal" 2 and "Group Conceal" 1, so Hikaru felt he had a considerable safety margin.

Furthermore, he had another plan in place for this.

(He could pour the remaining 3 points, but I'll save them for now. The rest—)

He checked his guild card.

He hoped for a new profession like "Group Conceal God," but it wasn't there. Maybe because they weren't maxed out?

He didn't get the profession he wanted, but "Common City Night Thief: Town Thief" appeared.

(Maybe because I've been sneaking around everywhere... This profession is getting harder to explain...)

By the time he finished thinking, Ravia's preparations for the fake scene were complete.

"It's almost time. Get mentally prepared to escape from the carriage."

"Can you tell me what happens next? I think it would be easier to move if I know."

"Sure. The lock will just look like it's still locked, so I'll unlock it and open the door. We'll go out together, relock it, jump off the carriage, and crouch in the shade of a tree or in the bushes by the road."

"Will that really work...?"

"I forgot one thing."

Hikaru, though embarrassed, had to say it.

"...Hold my hand throughout the action."

He extended his left hand.

Ravia wondered what it meant, but seeing Hikaru's slightly red cheeks, her own cheeks also turned red.

"...Okay."

She gently took his hand.

It was a small, delicate hand.

"Hey, Nogsa! Up ahead!!"

"! What is it... a vagrant?"

"S, sorry, can you share some water? I got lost in the forest and just managed to get out..."

An irregular event occurred outside the carriage.

This was the final move Hikaru had planned, the finishing touch.

To draw their attention for a moment, he had asked the thief guild's Kerbeck to pretend to be a vagrant. It cost only 20,000 Gil. He wanted to curse the rip-off, but he accepted the terms.

"Let's go."

At that moment, Hikaru unlocked the door and opened it, pulling Ravia out of the carriage.

When he stood her on the step, she widened her eyes. Adventurers were riding horses on both sides.

They were wary of the "vagrant" in front but glanced to the sides of the road.

Yes, the common interference in such situations is to "stop the carriage" and "attack from the sides."

They didn't even imagine that the escorted person would escape from the carriage.

Hikaru immediately climbed onto the roof of the carriage and approached the driver. He returned the key to the driver's waist and returned to Ravia—this was the most dangerous moment. If Ravia was seen here, everything would be over.

The relief when he held her hand again was surprisingly great.

If "Group Conceal" was in effect, they could escape without being noticed.

"Don't let go of my hand."

"Okay!"

As soon as he locked the door, Hikaru kicked off and jumped backward.

The two of them floated in the air.

The carriage was moving away.

Nogsa was approaching the "vagrant."

"This way."

Hikaru checked the surroundings and headed to the bushes on the opposite side of the road from the "vagrant."

The distance was only about 5 meters.

But for Ravia, it was a tense moment that felt like her heart would burst.

Why didn't they notice them?

Who was that "vagrant"?

What was the basis for Hikaru's confidence?

There were so many unknowns.

But they managed to enter the bushes without being noticed.

They had escaped.

"...Don't let your guard down. We're not safe yet."

"!"

Hikaru's words made her tighten her focus.

Yes, they were still on the road. Once the adventurers realized Ravia was missing, they would rush back.

"There's a small village about 2 kilometers back. Caravans often stop there for a rest. We'll sneak onto one of those caravans."

"...It's quite a distance."

"I wish a caravan would pass by here right now."

After leaving the bushes and the road, they reached the road again.

"What's next? Where are we going with the caravan?"

"We'll go into hiding in Ponde."

"...What?"

"You're thinking, 'Why hide in the place most likely to be investigated?'"

"Well, that's... But why Ponde?"

"Who do the pursuers think would help you escape or kidnap you?"

Ravia thought for a moment.

"Powerful nobles, or people from other countries? But I don't think people from other countries know about my abilities."

"That's right. So, it's almost certain that a noble will be suspected. And Ponde is directly under the royal family, so many nobles have mansions there."

"But then, won't Ponde be investigated?"

"No, because it's directly under the royal family, it could be searched with authority. Ponde is not a suitable place to hide. So, it's best to escape to your own territory as soon as possible. Ponde will be thoroughly searched, but if you're not confirmed entering or leaving the city, Ponde can be considered safe."

"..."

"How do you plan to avoid being confirmed entering or leaving the city?"

"Am I that easy to read?"

"Regarding entering or leaving the city, I have a method, but it's a secret. I'll tell you when I trust you—"

Hikaru suddenly stopped talking.

He pulled Ravia's hand and fled from the road.

"What—"

"Shh."

They hid in the shade of a thin tree and crouched down.

Hikaru held his breath and waited.

A tiny figure, like a grain of rice, was running on the road in the distance. It was getting bigger—someone was riding a horse.

(A fast horse? No...!)

Hikaru was surprised. This was an irregularity.

The rider was a knight.

The knight, with a stern face, looked even more severe—East.

The horse carrying East was heading towards them.

(Why? No, it's probably related to Ravia... But it can't be that my plan was exposed. East didn't seem to trust the adventurers, so... Is he joining the escort?)

He wanted to grind his teeth.

If East caught up to the carriage, he might check inside. If Ravia wasn't there, the search would begin before Hikaru and Ravia could return to the city.

Of course, with "Stealth," they could hide, but that was all. They would also have to consider how to eat. And someone like Jil from the Adventurers' Guild might say something. That Hikaru was concerned about the earl's murder case.

The plan was to return to Ponde and act as usual. If Hikaru was around, Jil would probably ask him about Ravia's escape first. Generally, no one would think the person who led the escape would show up at the Adventurers' Guild every day to take on quests.

But if they couldn't return to Ponde—wandering would begin. If "Hikaru" became a person of interest, it might be possible to trace them through the guild card. They would have to flee to another country.

Leaving the country itself wasn't a problem, but neither Hikaru nor Ravia had much experience with long-distance travel and had no knowledge of how to do it. Ravia, in particular,