I met Cedric and Veronica at a sex shop I happened to stop by.
When I woke up the next morning, I found something placed beside my pillow. A shield? It was thinly and lightly constructed, with a beautiful gem I received from Teyr adorning its center. It didn’t seem like it could block a long sword like Philiana’s, but it was probably enough for me, who was unaccustomed to battles.
A letter was also attached. “It was fun~ Let’s go again. From the White Witch.” And finally, a heart mark was written. Did she go out of her way to come and deliver this to me? Giving me something like this as a present, perhaps she really intends to get revenge on the Dark Elves.
“Wow, it’s beautiful! What’s that?”
Piyo immediately asked, looking at it with curiosity. Even if asked, I myself don’t really understand what kind of effect this gem has. I remember it’s a repulsion stone that bounces back magic, but I wonder if it’s true. I’m too scared to try it.
“This… I received it. I helped someone, you see.”
“Oh, cool!”
The decorated surface was beautiful, but wearing it on my arm all the time would be a bother, so I tied it to my bag. Everyone found it strange, but I could only brush it off by saying I received it.
“Oh, that stone, you have a repulsion stone? That’s rare.”
“Y-Yeah, that’s right. Do you know how to use it?”
Just in time, Elana might know something.
“Well, a militant Ki Master…”
“What’s a militant Ki Master?”
I had heard that phrase before. Are there Ki Masters who aren’t militant?
“There are various types of Ki Masters. Some send energy to the body’s acupoints to recover, and others combine martial arts with magic.”
“Like a White Mage…?”
She gave me a look that said, “What are you talking about?” Even if you say that, I don’t know.
We continued walking like that for a while. We were walking slowly, but at this pace, we should arrive by tonight. The road gradually opened up. Looking closely, there was a point where it branched off. Perhaps there was an easier path.
“We should be there soon. The sun is also starting to set, so shall we pick up the pace?”
“Yes, it’s true that the heat makes fatigue accumulate. Oh, someone is coming towards us.”
Philiana pointed it out, and I turned my gaze forward. Several travelers, perhaps, were walking towards us. One man and the rest were all girls. They have a similar composition of members to us. They seem to be of various races. In that case, this must be a university club.
They seemed to be having fun, chattering around an Elf youth. The group coming from the opposite direction stopped when they noticed us. We naturally stopped as well. Then, the youth in the center stepped forward as if representing them.
“Hello. I apologize for intruding suddenly. I’m Cedric, are you perhaps Arisugawa?”
I see, so that’s how it is. They weren’t a university club, but our pursuers. His appearance is that of a Light Elf, which means we’ve officially made enemies of that race as well. But our plan was to head north. Did they come this far after getting information that the witch sent us flying?
“That’s right, but so what?”
“Then it’s good. I have something to tell you. Don’t worry, we’re not here to fight. You’re chasing the Dark Elves, right? Please leave that task to us.”
In other words, they want us to stop our activities. It’s true that we’re not directly involved. But we came to another continent for this purpose, and I don’t want to give up now.
“Unfortunately, we’ll continue our journey. We’ve come this far.”
“I see. I’m sorry, but it’s an order. And please hand over the letter you have.”
The letter I have. It must be the one detailing how to reach Heaven, which I obtained from the Dark Elf. They don’t want to give away hints. I glanced back at everyone’s faces. Then Nina stepped forward.
“There’s no way we’ll hand it over. For one thing, we don’t even know who you are. You could be working for the Dark Elves.”
That’s right. Just as the White Witch could use transformation magic, they might be trying to deceive us. After all, the witch who sent us flying south was acting on a request from the Dark Elves. Hearing Nina’s words, a Dark Harpy girl emerged from the group opposite us.
“Hey, you jerks! How dare you speak to our boss like that?”
“No, please calm down, Lucy. You’re right to be suspicious. I’ll explain properly who we are.”
