Chapter 56

In the center of the vast plain, there was a straight road that extended northward. Though it was called a road, it was merely a path that had been naturally formed by countless footsteps, trampling the weeds into a bald path. In this world, carriages did not have shock absorbers, so if one were to ride a carriage on such a road, one would have to soothe one's sore bottom upon arrival at the destination.

However, on this untrimmed road, there was a shadow speeding at an impossible speed. Its black body had only two wheels, easily charging through the bumpy road, with three figures on it.

Aichi, Gatsu, and Shia. They were now racing down this road at a speed even faster than when they were in the Laizan Grand Canyon. They were probably going about 80 kilometers per hour. Without any magical interference, the magic-powered motorcycle could fully demonstrate its original performance. The seating arrangement was the same as usual: Gatsu between Aichi's arms, and Shia behind him. Shia's rabbit ears flapped in the wind, tapping against her head.

The weather was clear, and warm sunlight poured down. Gatsu's magic adjusted the wind pressure, making it a perfect day for a drive. In fact, both Gatsu and Shia were enjoying the warm sun and the gentle breeze with their whole bodies.

"Ah~ It's so comfortable~ Miss Gatsu, can we switch places?"

"…No. This is my spot."

"Ah~, don't say that, just for a little while~ The back is also comfortable~"

Shia insisted with a lazy voice, trying to get Gatsu to switch places.

"That's not possible, you know? You'd be in the way. Especially those rabbit ears, they might hurt your eyes in the wind."

"Ah~, that's true~"

"…No, I'm almost asleep."

It seemed that the comfort had made Shia half-asleep. She rested her head on Aichi's shoulder and leaned her entire weight on him. Her conversation with Gatsu was half-dream, half-reality.

"Well, at this speed, we should arrive today. We'll go straight there without stopping, and take a break if we need to."

As Aichi said, the area where Will and his group were to conduct the investigation was in the northern mountains, and they should reach the nearest town today. If they continued without rest, they might arrive by sunset. Aichi planned to stay overnight and start exploring the next morning. The reason for the urgency was obvious: the longer it took, the lower the chances of Will and his group surviving. However, Gatsu looked at Aichi, who was unusually proactive, with a questioning gaze.

Aichi looked at the cute Gatsu, who was tilting her head and looking up at him, and could only respond with a bitter smile.

"…Proactive?"

"Yes, it would be great if they're still alive. If so, it would be a great favor. The more allies, the better. I don't want to face the kingdom or the church one by one; they're quite troublesome."

"I see."

In reality, it was uncertain how much support Iruva could provide, and the possibility that he would be of little use was higher. Therefore, the more insurance, the better. Moreover, if a bit more effort could gain such support, it wouldn't be a waste.

"Also, I heard that the town we're going to is a lakeside town with abundant water sources. Because of the abundant water, the surrounding area is the continent's top rice-growing region."

"…Rice-growing?"

"Yes, rice. The staple food in my hometown, Japan. I haven't had it since coming here. I don't know if the rice here is the same, but I want to try it soon."

"…Yeah, I want to try it too… What's the name of the town?"

Thinking of rice, Aichi looked into the distance. Gatsu smiled at Aichi and, realizing she hadn't heard the name of the town, asked him. Aichi snapped back to reality, noticing Gatsu's gaze, and answered in a slightly louder voice, as if to cover his embarrassment.

"The lakeside town of Uru."

---

"Ah… No clues again today… Where has Shimizu-kun gone…"

Slumping her shoulders, limping down the main street of Uru, was one of the summoning group, teacher Hatakeyama Aiko. Her usual cheerful demeanor was gone, and she was now tormented by worry and anxiety, exuding a gloomy atmosphere. Perhaps it was a psychological effect, but even the street lamps lining the main street seemed dimmer than usual.

"Aiko, don't be too discouraged. We still don't know anything, so there's a good chance he's fine. What would you do if you didn't believe that?"

"That's right, Aiko-sensei. Shimizu-kun's room wasn't broken into, so there's a high possibility he went somewhere on his own. Don't always think the worst."

Speaking to the dejected Aiko were the captain of her personal guard, David, and a student, Sonobe Yuka. Other familiar knights and students were also present. They all spoke in unison, expressing their concern for Aiko.

It had been almost two weeks since Shimizu Koji, a classmate, went missing. Aiko and her group had used every means to search for Shimizu, but his whereabouts remained unknown. There were no sightings in the town, and searches in neighboring towns and villages had also come up empty.

Initially, they thought Shimizu might have been involved in an incident, but there was no disturbance, his room was intact, and Shimizu himself had the innate ability of a "Dark Artisan," excelling in dark magic and having a high affinity for other magic systems. They didn't think he would be taken by ordinary thugs in the area, so the belief that he had gone missing on his own was growing.

Shimizu was originally a quiet, indoor type with poor social skills. He had no particularly close classmates or friends, and his joining Aiko's guard team had surprised everyone. As a result, the other students were now more worried about Aiko's declining state than Shimizu's safety. The same went for the guard knights.

Incidentally, the matter had been reported to the kingdom and the church, and a search team was on its way to provide support. Given Shimizu's exceptional magical talent and status as a summoned individual, the higher-ups were quite pessimistic, just as they were when Aichi was summoned. The search team was expected to arrive in two to three days.

These words of concern made Aiko inwardly reproach herself. Whether Shimizu was involved in an incident or had gone missing on his own, her worry remained the same. However, her current state of worry was affecting those around her, making the students feel uneasy and concerned for her. After all, she was their teacher! With this in mind, Aiko took a deep breath, patted her cheeks, and tried to regain her composure.

"Everyone, I'm sorry for worrying you. You're right. Worrying won't solve anything. Shimizu-kun is an excellent mage. He'll be fine. I believe he's safe. No matter what, let's have a good dinner tonight and prepare for tomorrow!"

Though it was forced, the students still responded with enthusiastic voices, "Okay~" The knights also smiled and watched over them.

Clank, clank.

Such a sound was heard. Aiko and her group opened the door to their inn. This was the highest-class inn in Uru, called the "Water Sprite Inn." According to legend, a pair of sprites once stayed at this inn by the shores of Lake Uru, and the name was derived from this. Lake Uru, located near Uru, was four times the size of Lake Biwa in Japan and was the largest lake on the continent, known for its beauty.

The first floor of the "Water Sprite Inn" was a restaurant, offering a wide variety of rice dishes, which were a specialty of Uru. The interior was elegant and harmonious, with subtle but meticulous decorations. The heavy tables and bar were carefully crafted, and the unassuming chandeliers on the ceiling added to the tranquil atmosphere. The term "old establishment" came to mind, evoking a sense of history.

Initially, Aiko and her group thought a high-class inn would not be conducive to their peace of mind, so they hoped to stay at a different inn. However, since Aiko and her students were now known as the "Messengers of the Gods" or the "Goddess of Harvest," they could no longer stay at ordinary inns that did not match their reputation. After being persuaded by the knights, they finally settled on staying at the inn during their stay in Uru.

They had already experienced staying in the palace, and both Aiko and the students had gradually gotten used to it. Now, this inn had become a place where they could completely relax. After a day of improving farmland and searching for Shimizu-kun, Aiko and her group were exhausted, and the rice dishes provided by the inn were something they looked forward to every day.

The entire group took their seats in the VIP area at the back, licking their lips in anticipation of the evening meal.

"Ah, still delicious~ I didn't expect to find curry in another world."

"Well, it looks like a stew… No, is it white curry?"

"No, the tempura rice bowl is better, right? The sauce is excellent, isn't it? It's as good as in Japan, right?"

"That's because Tamai-kun hasn't had really good tempura rice bowls. This can't compare to those from convenience stores."

"No, I've chosen this fried rice, and I can't live without it."

The students were excited every night about the rice dishes, which were very similar to those on Earth in terms of concept, though there were subtle differences in appearance and taste. The rich ingredients were one of the reasons for the high quality of Uru's cuisine. The rice was naturally excellent, and Lake Uru provided fresh fish, while the mountainous areas offered wild vegetables and spices.

Aiko and her group savored the delicious dishes, enjoying a moment of happiness. At that moment, a handsome man in his sixties with a mustache approached them.

"How was the meal today? If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Ah, Mr. Manager."

The man who spoke to Aiko and her group was the manager of the "Water Sprite Inn," Fos Serow. He had a straight back, calm eyes, and silver hair with a side part, fitting the inn's tranquil atmosphere.

"Yes, today's meal was also delicious, and it always heals us."

Aiko smiled and replied, and Fos smiled happily, saying, "That's a great honor." However, the next moment, Fos's expression darkened apologetically, a look that was out of place for his usually calm demeanor. Everyone stopped eating and looked at Fos.

"Actually, I'm very sorry, but the dishes with spices will only be available until today."

"Eh? So, we won't be able to have this Nuru Xiru (curry) anymore?"

The curry-loving Sonobe Yuka asked, sounding as if she had been struck.

"Yes, I'm truly sorry. We've run out of certain ingredients… Normally, we would have a stock, but rumors of danger in the Northern Mountains have reduced the number of people picking spices. A few days ago, a group of high-level adventurers who went to investigate went missing, and now almost no one is picking spices. We don't know when we'll get the next shipment."

"That's… worrying…"

Aiko frowned, and the others looked downcast. "Let's not talk about such things during dinner," Fos said with an apologetic smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"However, this anomaly might be resolved soon."

"Why is that?"

"Actually, a new group of guests arrived at sunset today. They are going to the Northern Mountains to search for the missing adventurers. They have a referral letter from the Frein Guild Branch Manager, and they seem to be quite capable. They might be able to uncover the cause of the anomaly."

Aiko and her group didn't react much, but the knights, including David, who were eating with them, let out a "Oh" of admiration and interest. The Frein Guild Branch Manager was a high-ranking official in the entire guild system. Being referred by him meant they were highly capable. As fellow combatants, the knights were curious. They listed the names of famous "Gold" ranked adventurers in their minds.

Aiko and her group, seeing the excited whispers of David and the knights, looked at them with puzzled expressions, about to ask what was going on, when they heard voices coming from the stairs leading to the second floor. A man's voice and two girls' voices. For some reason, one of the girls seemed to be complaining to the man. Fos reacted to this.

"Oh, speaking of whom, they're here. Sir Knight, they'll be leaving tomorrow, so if you want to talk to them, now is the time."

"Is that so? I see. But, they sound so young. Are 'Gold' ranked adventurers really that young?"

David and the knights listed the famous "Gold" ranked adventurers in their minds but found no match for the young voices they heard, looking at each other in slight confusion.

During this time, the three figures, two girls and a boy, approached while talking.

Aiko and her group were seated in the farthest corner, surrounded by three walls, from where they could see the entire restaurant. It was a private room with a curtain. Aiko and her group, already prominent due to Aiko being known as the "Goddess of Harvest," often kept the curtain closed during meals, and it was closed today as well.

Through the curtain, they heard the noisy conversation of the young people.

"Already, how many times do I have to say it? Please don't leave me out, and don't make a two-person world with Miss Gatsu. I feel so lonely. Eh? Are you listening, Mr. Aichi?"

"I'm listening, I'm listening. If you don't want to see, go to another room."

"Ugh! Did you hear that, Miss Gatsu? Mr. Aichi said something cold."

"…Aichi… No!"

"Sure, sure."

The content of the conversation and the name the girl called made Aiko's heart skip a beat. What did they just say? What did they call the boy? The boy's voice sounded very similar to "that boy." Aiko's mind was flooded with questions, and she felt as if she were frozen in place, her gaze piercing through the curtain.

The other students, including Sonobe Yuka, had similar reactions. The image of a boy who had disappeared into the abyss four months ago, the boy who had made them strongly realize the reality of "death in another world," the boy who was deeply buried in their memories, both good and bad, came to their minds.

Seeing Aiko and the students' unusual expressions, Fos and the knights looked at them with surprised eyes and greeted them, but no one responded. As the knights exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what was going on, Aiko softly muttered the name.

"…Nanami-kun?"

The words slipped out unconsciously, and her body, which had been stiff with the impossible situation, regained its freedom. Aiko stood up, knocking over her chair, and ran to the curtain, almost tripping. She pulled the curtain open with a force that seemed to tear it apart.

Swish—!!!!

The sound of the curtain being pulled open was unexpectedly loud, and the three young people stopped in their tracks.

Before they could even confirm, Aiko called out the name of her important student.

"Nanami-kun!"

"Ah? ……………………………………Teacher?"

In front of Aiko was a white-haired boy with a single eye patch, his one eye wide open in shock. He looked very different from the Nanami Aichi she remembered. Not only his appearance but also his aura was completely different. Aichi, as Aiko knew him, was always daydreaming, a gentle and honest boy. In fact, Aiko thought he was the most suitable for a bitter smile, a secret she kept to herself. However, the boy in front of her had sharp, eagle-like eyes and an aura that made him seem unapproachable, a stark contrast to her memories. If they had passed each other on the street, she would never have recognized him as Nanami Aichi.

But upon closer inspection, his face and voice matched her memories. And more importantly, what did he call her? Yes, he called her "Teacher." Aiko was certain that despite the changes in appearance and aura, the boy in front of her was indeed her student, Nanami Aichi!

"Nanami-kun… It really is you, isn't it? You're alive… You're really alive…"

"No, you must be mistaken. Well—"

"Eh?"

A miraculous reunion with a student she thought was dead. Aiko was moved, and her tear ducts relaxed, causing her to tear up. Where have you been? What happened? It's so good to know you're safe. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she couldn't express them in words. Despite this, she tried her best to form sentences, but the response she received from Aichi was completely unexpected.

Aiko let out a foolish sound, her tears drying up, and she stared in shock as Aichi, who had started walking towards the inn's exit, began to move. Suddenly, she came to her senses and hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.

"Please wait! It's you, isn't it, Nanami-kun! You just called me 'Teacher,' didn't you! Why are you saying you're mistaken?"

"No, you must have misheard. That's… Right, it's a dialect for 'shorty.' Yeah."

"What? That's so rude! There's no such dialect! Why are you making excuses? And this outfit… What