The group, injured from escaping the Naga’s escort, continued onward.
When they opened their eyes again, the surroundings had become bright. Even so, their stomachs were still unsettled. A fever seemed to be lingering.
“A-aren’t we there yet?”
“Just a little further. We saw a signboard a little while ago.”
Were they all walking without sleep? Even though they were more injured than I was.
“Sorry.”
“No, rather than that, please rest so it doesn’t get worse.”
That was all I could do right now. If I closed my eyes, I would have nightmares, yet I would fall asleep as if losing consciousness.
…The surroundings are noisy. Have we arrived at the town? Finally. I can hear everyone discussing something.
“Let’s split up and search. We need to treat Hiro’s condition first.”
“I know, Piyo, look from up there.”
“Okay!”
Are they searching for us? When I looked up, I saw many people bustling about. If I could just get a fever reducer, I might feel better.
“Is there a pharmacy? Buy some medicine.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Right, where did Sylvie go? She left like that and we haven’t caught up. She killed Anakura. No, I shouldn’t think about that now.
“Philly, I found it! This way, this way!”
Piyo’s voice came from above. Philiana started running when she saw it. We weaved through the narrow town, nearly being thrown off multiple times.
“Haa, haa, finally, we finally caught up.”
“You guys…”
Peeking over Philiana’s shoulder, I saw the figure of the white sage we had been chasing. There were also many members of the White Horn cult. Good, they defeated the werewolves. Right, what about Gulf? Is he still alive?
The sage’s eyes widened when he saw us.
“Piyo-chan, gather everyone.”
“You’re alive.”
Justal stopped the sage as he approached us. He whispered something. Our appearances must have changed.
“Hiroaki, I missed you!”
Shimon sprung out from the group of cult members, accompanied by his two attendants.
“Man, I was worried. I can’t believe we were attacked by werewolves, it was crazy! But I can fight too, wait, did something change?”
Shimon, who had been excited, bent down and peered at our faces.
“You look sick, are you okay? You’re injured! You need treatment quickly.”
My companions arrived from behind. Piyo must have gathered them.
“Huh? Everyone’s injured, it looks like you were really beaten up by the werewolves. Well, we were too. It caused quite a delay.”
“That’s far enough, Lord Shimon. Please step back.”
Justal put his hand on Shimon’s shoulder and made him step down. He narrowed his eyes as if looking at something vulgar.
“It doesn’t look like it was just the werewolves. I have no intention of hearing about what kind of adventure you’ve had, so leave.”
“We’re here to have this curse removed.”
Philiana ignored Justal and stepped forward before the sage Clarissa.
“As you can see, we’ve been cursed with magic that changed our gender. Please, can you help us?”
Before the sage could speak, Justal cut in.
“Sorry, but we don’t have time to expend our power on that.”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
“That’s a rather rude way to speak. I don’t want to be delayed any further.”
Nina came from behind and snapped.
“We have to go back to how we were! Besides, Hiroaki is probably turning into a woman. I can somehow tell. If this goes on any longer, he’ll really change.”
What, is this the final stage of turning into a woman? The sage stopped Justal, who was puffing up with intent to drive us away.
“Please wait. Very well, the reason I am staying here is because I was waiting for you all. Sen no Tsurugi came all this way alone and asked me to save them in exchange for himself.”
Justal’s eyes spun, and he crossed his arms. Sylvie came here? She’s safe.
“We don’t have time for detours.”
“Yes, I understand. However, they are in a critical condition. Come this way, and tell us your story.”
We were led to the lobby of the inn where the White Horn cult had been staying. Philiana succinctly explained what had happened so far. Clarissa and Shimon were surprised that such a thing could happen.
“I see, so you were subjected to magic that changes your gender. This is a type of forbidden magic. It is said to be a part of dark magic, along with reinforcement magic that drives people mad. There is also magic that changes age or race.”
As expected, there is magic that should not be meddled with. According to her, our progression was slow, and we might just make it in time. Perhaps it was thanks to Veronica, who stood at the front with her shield raised.
“Let’s try to undo it immediately. However, whether you return to normal after解除 is a mystery.”
“W-what, no way! Incompleteness is the worst!”
As Nina said, that’s the hardest part. But for now, we can only bet on this slim possibility.
