Instead of punishing Ketsy, I was offered a deal to prove its innocence.
Seeing one of them successfully infiltrate the field, another companion arrived. They tore off Magic Herbs and put them into a bag they Took Out. Ah, so that’s how they steal.
The bag was full in no time. Carrying it, they started to Return.
“Alright, Sharin, Nina, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Ah, leave it to us.”
It’s not like only you are good at stealth operations. It’s even more difficult to move while carrying luggage, so I left the Front to the two of them, and we followed from Behind.
“Ah, then use this, use this powder,”
In the bag that Lassie offered, there was shining powder. I see, I can use this to mark the way. Immediately, we chased the two who had Run away into the Forest.
As soon as I stepped in, I was surprised. It was dark, incredibly dark. Is it because it’s night? Perhaps the village’s streetlights and lamps, which emitted a strange Light, merely made it look bright. Even so, a darkness spread as if it had been painted over with ink.
“It’s too dark, Nina and Sharin won’t be able to keep up.”
Sharin can see relatively well even in darkness, but Nina is different, just like me. If we get lost like this…
“Veronica, can you follow them? Here, use the powder.”
Veronica took the powder and disappeared into the darkness.
“Now, let’s go too. The rest of you, please wait in the village.”
Leaving the other Members in a safe Place, I followed the powder with Philiana. The shining powder showed us the way, seeming to float up in the darkness. Well, that’s appreciated, but I, the one who’s supposed to be navigating, can’t see my Feet because it’s too dark.
“Let’s try not to get separated.”
“Yes, let’s hold hands. Ah, no, this is necessary, or rather, for safety…”
I took Philiana’s hand, who was fidgeting. I pulled her hand, which was at a high level, and moved forward. There should be three paths made by the powder. Sharin and Veronica are going straight, and Nina’s is winding and twisting.
Sharin went straight, and Nina headed in a different direction midway. Did they decide to split up? Is Veronica going straight like Sharin?
“Which one should we follow?”
“Hmm, I think Veronica has the highest chance of reaching the destination.”
So, we went straight. The lines of Sharin and Veronica diverged midway and then split again into two. One of them ended at the base of a tree.
“Could they have climbed the tree?”
“No, they flew. Veronica decided to search from the sky.”
We can’t fly, so we decided to follow Sharin’s path. Her line continued forward while winding left and right. But after a while, the line was cut off.
“It ends here. Could the powder have run out?”
This is troubling. Now we have no signpost for the way ahead. Should I proceed relying on my instincts? No, it’s too Dangerous. I should return and ask Lassie for Help.
“Hmm, are we going back?”
“Yes, it’s okay, we haven’t walked that far. Plus, the light powder doesn’t disappear.”
“But they might be asking for help. It’s okay, let’s go, it’s definitely straight ahead.”
Philiana pulled my hand with a tug. It’s true, but I feel a vague sense of unease. It feels as if it simply stopped here and disappeared. If the sand was running out, wouldn’t it gradually disappear? I crouched down and looked. At the broken tip, there was a pile of powder.
Did they drop all the sand they were holding at once? I’m having a Bad premonition. They might have been attacked by someone.
“Philiana, let’s hurry back. Sharin might be in danger.”
I pulled her hand hard, but for some reason, she didn’t move. What is it, what’s wrong? I can’t see Philiana’s expression because it’s too dark.
“Philiana, what are you doing?… Who are you? Let go!”
It’s not her, it’s not Philiana. Her way of speaking earlier was also strange. My hand was held with immense force, and I couldn’t break free.
“Hmm, you finally noticed. Too bad, it was almost there.”
The voice is hers, but it’s someone else. Where is the real Philiana? Could she be possessing her?
“Did you think we wouldn’t notice you entering this forest? You have no chance against us without being able to use magic.”
If that’s the case, I have no choice but to cut the opponent’s hand and escape. I’m sorry, Philiana, forgive me!
I thrust the Enchanted Sword towards the hand I was holding. It’s okay, I only cut it slightly at the tip. Electricity flowed through me with a *bzzzt*, and my hand came free. I hurried back the way I came.
So, all our actions were foreseen. Or, it means Ketsy can move freely within this Forest. Would I have noticed if I had the power to sense Magic Power? In that case, I should have brought Elana and Cecilia. Good thing I left them in a safe Place.
Looking back, the Sight that met my eyes was a plain of shining sand. Wh-what, why, the path is gone. The entire ground is covered in shining sand. I can’t go back like this!
“Nyahahaha, surprised? I sprinkled a lot since you’re here.”
Even I, who can’t sense Magic Power, can tell. A creepy Smile appears around me. I was the one who fell into the trap.
