∗ ∗ ∗
“Mya-meow.”
As we were conversing, Cath’s head suddenly lifted up and her ears prickled. She stared in a certain direction, on high alert. I knew full well what that meant.
“Hey, looks like he’s here. What’s the strategy?”
I could hear the thudding footsteps of a person approaching. They were relatively calm footsteps, which seemed to be in no hurry. That told me that they were probably the person we were after.
Katarina and Greg quickly changed attitudes. Katarina said, “Let’s observe first. While he has come here, he could still claim to just be investigating the area.”
I’d been worried that she might say “Let’s seize him immediately,” but Katarina was much more composed than I’d expected.
Greg, satisfied with her response, voiced his assent. “That works best. We must catch him in the act, or else coming all this way would be for naught.”
I was also in agreement, and started to lay the groundwork. “All right. Then I’ll keep the barrier up as it is. Guess I’ll use a concealment skill for good measure...and put out the campfire too.”
After I promptly did each of these things, Katarina turned to me with a look of amazement.
“You really can do anything all by yourself, Noah.”
“Not exactly. There are tons of people out there in the world who I can’t hold a candle to.”
Especially at the Church. As I currently was, I couldn’t compete with Aht in anything. Comparing myself to a Holy Maiden was unfair, but even if they weren’t quite on Aht’s level, the Church probably had lots of people who were very close to her in strength. Besides, there must have been plenty of adventurers who were stronger than me, including in Midrogue.
But Katarina gave me a dubious look. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Really, there are. Midrogue’s just a small town, but I’m sure there are people stronger than me even there.”
Katarina probably just didn’t see them around much because many of the knights her father had granted her as an escort were actually squires. In addition, it was tough for strong adventurers to settle down in Midrogue. The place didn’t offer much excitement for them. They’d just drop by for a look, and most of the adventurers there were mid-level at most. Fresco was probably adequately strong, but that was about it.
While it was a mystery whether she understood what I was thinking or not, Katarina tentatively responded, “I suppose, but...”
There was nothing else that could be added, and the person was coming closer. So I cut the conversation short. “Come on, he’s getting closer. Keep quiet. The barrier should stop sound and light from leaking out, but he’s a mage. It’s entirely possible that he’ll notice the presence of magic. We should be fine as long as he doesn’t get too close, but I wouldn’t gamble on it.”
“Ah, y-you have a point... As I thought, it’s Glydel Baud.”
“That’s definitely the mage’s guild leader, then?”
“Yes. He wears a robe and carries a staff as mages customarily do, but I couldn’t possibly mistake that glowering face and the distasteful jewelry all over him.”
It was a prejudiced description, but it certainly fit the person who was approaching. However, I had a slightly different assessment than Katarina.
“Maybe it looks distasteful, but those are all magic tools. Unfortunately for us, he seems like a pretty cautious guy.”
“Huh? Is that so? But I don’t sense anything from them.”
“There are plenty of methods to conceal a magic tool. I mean, he hasn’t caught onto our presence yet. The same can be done for magic tools, as long as you know how.” And honestly, anyone who didn’t know how was an amateur. This showed that he was at least competent.
“So we must be cautious, then,” Katarina concluded.
I nodded, then turned my attention back to the mage’s guild leader, Glydel. “Of course. Oh, looks like he’s doing something.”
✦ ✦ ✦
∗ ∗ ∗
“The skeletons were all defeated, as I feared. Indeed, it was quite detrimental that they were discovered before they matured,” Glydel said as he surveyed the surroundings.
Observing the uncanny scene, Katarina said, “He’s muttering something. Is he talking to himself?”
I could see how she thought that, but I gently corrected her. “No, he’s probably using a magic tool for long-distance communication. They’re a rare find in labyrinths, and most of them have a limited number of uses, but he’s using one unsparingly. Is the person he’s talking to that important?”
The content of his conversation supported my theory. “No, that won’t be an issue. I already have it figured out. Fortunately, due to the battle that took place here, there’s enough hatred to go around. If used efficiently, it should take little effort. You won’t be inconvenienced. On the contrary, I may be able to bring you good news.”
“Just what is he talking about... Urk! Oh shoot!” I sensed something was off in the middle of the conversation. But as soon as the last sentence was out of his mouth, I realized that Glydel’s eyes were looking this way. And by then, it was too late. He’d noticed us.
“Now then, shall we begin the hunt?” He then began to recite, “Heed my name and make good on our contract. Evil spirit, manifest—come forth, skeleton king!”
Mana began to concentrate, compelled by his incantation.
We fell for it, I thought. But now that things have turned out this way, we’ve just gotta make the most of it. That was all we could do.