“Wait, what?” Shizuku had heard that trouble was brewing in the two countries south of Tarys, Anneli and Rozsark, back in Wanope. Apparently, those growing tensions had come to a head. She felt embarrassed for delaying her departure. Undoubtedly, this would cause trouble for Erik. Shizuku’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. Then she realized what Tarkis meant by his earlier offer. “If nobody can use the transit ring, then does that mean you’re traveling on the road?” “No, I’m waiting for a friend who can open a transit gate for me. That’s why I suggested that you join me.” “A transit gate…” Erik had told Shizuku that only a handful of mages could use them. If Tarkis was telling the truth, then this was a very generous offer. However, it almost seemed a little too good to be true. Shizuku scrutinized Tarkis’s expression, mindful not to stare too intently for fear of being rude. “I don’t understand why you’d invite me. This is the first time we’ve met.” “Huh? I’m just trying to show some kindness to a little kid.” “I’m not that little,” Shizuku argued. Tarkis’s reasoning made Shizuku feel defeated and reassured at the same time. After noticing her relax, the red-haired man laughed. “Oh yeah, one other thing…” He took hold of Shizuku’s chin. His green eyes scanned her closely, with undisguised intent. “You’re no ordinary girl, are you?” “…What?” The comment caught Shizuku by surprise, something Tarkis recognized instantly. When Shizuku saw the grin on his face, she got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. As she began to turn pale, Tarkis let go of her. “Just so you know, I didn’t hear all of your conversation,” he explained. “But your hair and eyes are unusual, and the same goes for the stuff you carry around. My gut tells me that if someone like you is on the way to Farsas, then you’ve gotta have a special reason for it. I get the feeling if I come along, I could stumble on a pretty big case.” “A case?” Shizuku repeated. “I’m not a criminal, you know.” In reality, she was going to be involved in a criminal act. However, it likely wasn’t the sort Tarkis imagined. Tarkis had sensed that there was something different about Shizuku. She didn’t know what that meant for her, but she understood it was best to be careful. Shizuku took a step back and raised her hands in the air. “I appreciate your kind offer, but I’m going to have to decline. I’m already traveling with someone else.” “Don’t be like that. The road from here to Farsas won’t be an easy one. What country are you from? You’re definitely not from Tarys; I know that much.” “That’s personal. I can’t tell you.” “Come on. Eventually, you’ll be glad to have a mercenary around who can make things happen for you. We can be real lifesavers.” Tarkis tapped the sheath of his longsword lightly. Shizuku frowned at the obvious implication. For his part, the man was probably motivated by curiosity and goodwill, but the way he flaunted his weapon felt entirely too coercive. Shizuku took yet another step back. “…If I do find myself in a difficult situation, I’ll just come up with my own solution.” “Even if it means sacrificing something?” “That’s not necessarily going to happen,” Shizuku argued. “This conversation isn’t going to lead anywhere, you know.” “Fine,” Tarkis conceded, laughing. Apparently, he found this amusing, but Shizuku didn’t see the humor in it. She was grateful that he’d helped her out, but this was something else altogether. Shizuku watched him closely, cautious of what he would do next. She couldn’t allow herself to take her eyes off him. She readied herself to make a quick escape should he draw his sword. Tarkis, having detected her distrust, threw his hands in the air. “I understand. Until we meet again, then. Perhaps you’ll have changed your mind the next time we see each other.” With that, he gently beat his fist against her left shoulder and turned to leave. Shizuku watched him calmly stroll away. Once she felt safe, she glanced at where he’d touched her. There was nothing there, yet the spot tingled. “I—I didn’t even move an inch…” Shizuku had prepared herself to run if he’d tried to do anything, but she hadn’t reacted at all when he’d knocked his hand against her shoulder. Was this what mercenaries were like? For Shizuku, who’d been the very opposite of sporty for her entire life, the whole experience had been frightening. Finally able to relax, Shizuku put her hands on her knees. “I managed it, at least… That’s a relief…,” she whispered. Although it had come with more danger than expected, she’d still managed to help the kids escape. Shizuku made her way back to the inn, paying close attention to her surroundings. When she returned, Erik was already waiting for her inside. “I was surprised when I realized you weren’t in either of the rooms. I was just about to go out and look for you.” “I’m really sorry…” It was only natural for Erik to react as he did. Shizuku bowed her head deeply. It felt like she’d never stopped bowing since coming to this world, but showing gratitude and remorse was key to staying on good terms with people. Erik glanced at his unpacked luggage. “You came back on your own, so that’s what matters. The truth is, I’ve run into a bit of a problem.” “Is the transit ring sealed off?” Shizuku asked, remembering what Tarkis had mentioned. Erik looked surprised. It was rare for him to display any sort of expression, so this wide-eyed look brought a faint, awkward smile to Shizuku’s face. “I heard about it while I was out. I’m sorry for making us wait so long before leaving Wanope.” “It’s not really your fault. I didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly.” Erik seemed like he was telling the truth. Tarkis had mentioned that he’d suddenly found himself out of a job. This development must have come unexpected, even for those who’d been keeping an eye on the situation. “How long will it be until they open the transit ring again?” Shizuku inquired. “That depends on how things play out. Word has it that the prince of Anneli has fled his castle, which is not good news. Rozsark is trying to capture him, and other countries are also very concerned about the prince’s whereabouts. They know that this could trigger a huge conflict. Soldiers from Tarys’s army have blocked off the transit ring.” “This sounds serious…” Evidently, the transit ring was under tight guard. Erik sighed and scratched his head. “Since this has to do with a neighboring nation, false rumors are rife. Some people claim that a princess imprisoned in Anneli has been taken away by Rozsark, while others claim that Rozsark wants to kill the prince who escaped. There’s even speculation that the prince has already taken refuge in another country and is looking for an opportunity to reestablish himself. It might take some time for this to settle down. A month, if we’re lucky, but it could well last for several.” “That’s such a long time…” “Still, if they keep the transit ring sealed off for too long, there will be distributional delays. I can imagine them easing the rules for merchants who can verify their identities.” “Could we sneak in with them?” Shizuku suggested. “That’s a very daring suggestion.” Although taken aback, Erik still gave her a smile. Shizuku deduced from the look that he’d probably been thinking the same thing. “I wouldn’t rule out that possibility entirely. But if they do decide to lift the restrictions, the identity checks will be stricter than usual. No new merchants will be granted access right away, so we’ll need to win over some well-established ones and have them accompany us.” “Right. We’ll need some money and acquaintances who can pull some strings for us, then…” Suddenly, Shizuku’s conversation with Tarkis came flooding back, leaving her feeling a little uneasy. She’d declined his offer based on a feeling, nothing more. Shizuku decided to ask Erik for his thoughts. “If someone were to tell you that they knew a mage who could transport us directly to Farsas, what would you do?” “I’d be suspicious, of course. You’d have to be quite the mage to open a gate leading from here to Farsas. Finding someone like that in a provincial city like this one would be bizarre. I’d sooner assume the person was lying to me.” “You really think it’d be an outright lie?” “It’s unlikely that such a claim would be true.” To Shizuku, it sounded like there was still a chance. She crossed her arms, stupefied by Erik’s certainty. “Why are you asking me this?” the pretty young man questioned. “Did somebody in the town invite you to go with them or something?” “Well, sort of…” Shizuku told Erik about Tarkis’s invitation. Erik listened intently, looking serious all the while. As soon as she finished telling the story, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “A mercenary, huh…? Those sorts tend to have many useful contacts, but we don’t want to risk exposing you. If it gets out that you came here from another world, you could be sold to royalty or the nobility.” “D-don’t be silly. I wouldn’t let them violate my human rights.” “Your human rights hold no weight against the whims of the aristocracy.” His voice was so lacking in expression that it was hard to tell whether he was joking. Shizuku hung her head, crestfallen. “I’m sorry for letting that weird person talk to me…” “No, I’m partially to blame here, too. I wasn’t cautious enough.” Erik gave Shizuku a small nod and picked up his luggage. “Let’s hurry. I’m sorry to force this on you, but we need to move.” “Are we going to a different inn?” “No. We’re leaving town.” “Huh?!” “We can set out once we’ve bought the things we need. Even if that mercenary didn’t take that much of an interest, when his mage friend hears about you, he might feel differently.” “…Okay.” Tarkis had been easygoing, but that didn’t mean everyone would be. They needed to move quickly, before Tarkis’s mage friend arrived in town. Shizuku picked up her bag. “Fine. Let’s leave before the witch hunt catches me.” “If you know the phrase witch hunt, does that mean that people tried to hunt witches in your world, too? How many died?” “I doubt our definition of witch is the same, but there were a lot of deaths,” Shizuku said as the pair strode out of their room in the inn. By the time they were outside again, the sun had already begun to set. It felt like a waste to have paid for two rooms they wouldn’t use, but there was nothing for it now. Erik confidently marched down the narrow alleyway while Shizuku followed him from behind, drawing a map in her head as she went. “Have you been to this town before, Erik?” she asked him. “You seem to know it pretty well.” “I have, yes. I came through on the way to Farsas a long time ago now.” “You’ve been to Farsas before?!” “I wouldn’t be much guide otherwise, would I? It’s a huge country.” Erik made it sound like he was stating the obvious, but his response left Shizuku wide-eyed, nonetheless. Previously, he’d insisted that there was no other country he’d rather avoid, yet he’d actually been to the kingdom of magic before. “What was it like? Were there people flying in the sky and dragons roaming around?” “…Is that your image of Farsas? It sounds dreadful.” Erik didn’t even try to conceal his horror. Despite his reaction, Shizuku still couldn’t really envision what this kingdom of magic was like. She refused to back down, even as they walked. “Come on, please tell me what it’s like,” she pleaded. “It’s only natural that I’d be curious.” “Farsas or not, there aren’t very many mages who can fly, and none of them make a habit of it. And dragons don’t live among humans. I’ve never seen one in the flesh.” “Really? I have.” “You have?! Where?!” The appalled look that had been on Erik’s face moments earlier melted away. He instantly stopped in his tracks and turned around. Now he looked as he had when Shizuku taught him writing systems from her world—almost boyish. Shizuku couldn’t help but smile. “I spotted it in the desert when I first arrived in this world. It was flying through the sky… I only saw it from a distance, but judging from its size, I can’t think of what else it could have been.” “In the Souit Desert, huh…? That’s amazing. I’ve heard that there are still dragons in the mountain range to the south, but it’s rare to find them in the desert. I wish I’d seen it, too.” Erik’s voice grew increasingly impassioned as he spoke, but when he noticed Shizuku’s gaze, it brought him back to himself. Looking a little embarrassed, he returned to his usual way as he walked. “Farsas is…a lively place, I guess. It’s on a different level than other nations, culturally speaking. Its citizens are wealthy, and magic is well integrated into their society.” “Does that mean that people use magic in their everyday lives?” “Yeah. For example, if you were working at a bakery there, magic would automatically regulate the oven’s temperature for you. In the castle city, there are numerous fixed transit rings in place to help people get around, and people employ magic implements as day-to-day household essentials.” “Whoa. Sounds fascinating.” It was like something from a movie. Shizuku’s face lit up, but the look on Erik’s face was strikingly different. Sensing his bitterness, Shizuku felt herself growing anxious. “Does Farsas have a bad side?” she questioned. “Hmm… I’m not sure whether or not I should say this, but…I find Farsas to be a frightening nation.” “How so?” Shizuku struggled to understand what he meant. Why would a mage refer to a magical kingdom as scary? Shizuku believed her confusion was warranted, yet Erik turned his deep-blue eyes away and laughed. “Out of the Four Great Nations of our continent, Farsas is by far the most powerful, and that’s not because it’s a powerhouse when it comes to magic. Farsas was originally known for its military force. It’s only in the past century or so that it’s established itself as the heart of magic.” “I see…” For Shizuku, who was born after Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, that sounded like more than enough time for a country to change. She gave Erik a meek expression, to which he responded with a smile that looked a little too caustic to be genuine. “These days, no other countries come close to matching Farsas in military strength or magical prowess. None have bested it for hundreds of years, not even in small skirmishes. However, that’s not the only thing that scares me. Despite the country’s size and might, it is the king—only the king—who wields complete authority. He’s no ordinary ruler, though. Generation after generation, the position has been passed to someone who specializes in killing mages. Were he to lose his mind, those around him would be powerless to do anything. That actually happened once, around sixty years ago. It led to the destruction of one country, and a battle broke out between members of the royal family. That’s why Farsas is dangerous… It all depends on the whims of one individual.” “…” Shizuku couldn’t find the words to reply immediately. She wasn’t very familiar with a monarchy, but she understood what Erik was trying to say. In Farsas, the king decided on his own how to wield his tremendous power. Ruler or not, he was still human, so he couldn’t be perfect. If the king made a wrong turn, the whole country would know the consequences. Erik’s smile turned a sliver apologetic while Shizuku swallowed nervously over the idea. “Still, I don’t think there’s any reason for you to be scared. Farsas is famous for being a relatively open-minded nation nowadays. I’m just sharing my own personal opinion. I’m sorry for planting thoughts in your head.” “No, it’s fine. Thank you.” Shizuku wished she’d never asked. There had to be some truth to what Erik had told her. Countries, like people, were complex and multifaceted. They looked totally different depending on the angle or distance you viewed them from. Shizuku still had no idea how Farsas would appear to her. Noticing that she’d been clenching her fists, she relaxed them. “It’s fine. Where I’m from, there’s a saying that goes, ‘If we could talk, you would understand,’ so I’m more than happy to consider your view on things.” “You’d have to have a lot of faith in people to tell them that. Still, it’s not a bad sentiment.” “It’s actually the phrase that a famous politician said to his killer just before he was assassinated. His killer wouldn’t listen to him, though, so he died anyway.” “I can’t believe you’d bring up a phrase uttered before a murder at a time like this.” “Everything is subject to interpretation.” As the pair chatted away, Erik came to a stop outside a shop. “This is a magic-implement shop. They don’t sell anything particularly powerful, but try not to touch stuff.” “Magic implements… You mean they sell enchanted items?! That sounds exciting.” “Trust me, it’s really not.” Shizuku was growing accustomed to Erik’s sardonic comebacks by this point. He was never rude enough to ruin her fun completely, though. Not discouraged in the slightest, Shizuku stepped inside and looked all around the dimly lit shop. There were so many different things scattered about that it almost reminded her of the stores back in Japan that sold snacks and souvenirs from across the country. Shizuku’s eyes were drawn to the many accessories and weapons that filled the shelves. Meanwhile, Erik, who seemed to have his own agenda, closely examined a pebble. Once she’d taken a look at various artifacts, Shizuku’s eyes settled on one of the rings displayed on the center table—an intricately wrought silver band with a small blue gemstone in the center. She drew closer so that she could study it more intently. A few moments later, she turned around to face Erik. “Can I touch this one?” she asked. “Which one?” he replied. “Oh, the protection ring. Sure, but I think you’ll find this more useful.” He offered something to her. When Shizuku saw what it was, she gasped. It was a dagger in a scabbard attached to a leather belt. Judging by the visible handle, she assumed the blade was about thirty centimeters long. It was too large to be used for any kind of handiwork. Shizuku suddenly realized she was holding her breath. “What’s that?” “I’m going to buy it for you, so feel free to hold it. You’ll need it.” “…I will?” The implication in Erik’s words was obvious. They couldn’t know what type of trouble they’d meet in the future. Shizuku, on the other hand, couldn’t help but think of the two men she’d found herself at odds with earlier in the day: the drunkard who’d bullied children and the mercenary who’d flaunted his strength as a means of negotiation. Shizuku had found both of them frightening. Her instincts had told her to avoid them. That was why her anxiety surged when she was presented with the weapon. Carrying a weapon might bring about a similar change in her. The very idea was scary. She couldn’t imagine herself becoming quite like those men, but when push came to shove, would she be able to resist using force to manipulate people? Would she grow numb to the power she wielded? Some people might have been able to dismiss the use of a weapon and write it off as a mere swing of a dagger. For Shizuku, however, it represented a line that was difficult for her to cross. She couldn’t justify carrying a weapon when trying her best to communicate was a perfectly feasible alternative. Accepting the dagger was more than she could bear. Shizuku tried to explain herself, choosing her words carefully. “I’m sorry, but I don’t feel comfortable carrying one of those…” “You don’t feel comfortable? Why not?” “I don’t have the confidence to carry a weapon,” she said. “…I’m sorry.” Shizuku’s apprehension must have stemmed from a lack of confidence. Unable to disregard this unease, she lowered her head. Erik’s eyebrows rose slightly. He looked at her like one would an ignorant child. Rather than yell at her, he spoke with a calm tone, though. “Going by what I’ve seen from you so far, I take it that the land you come from is a peaceful one. If you really want to get back, carrying this is for the best. Not everyone in this world is so kind. You understand that, right?” “I do. It’s just…I don’t understand myself.” Shizuku wasn’t sure whether she could express her feelings properly. She wasn’t struggling to comprehend the dangers of this world but her own unsettled sense of self. Carrying a weapon felt like balancing a knife on a wobbly table—frightening. Shizuku knew that, having come from a peaceful country, she was naive and unprepared. She had never considered herself a staunch pacifist. Yet after seeing armed individuals up close, she disliked the idea of crossing that line without careful consideration. Erik watched Shizuku closely as she gazed at her feet. Then he glanced at the dagger he held. “I know what you’re scared of…I think. A blade is a type of weapon, but a weapon is also a tool. We have the ability to control and use tools how we wish. That’s what makes us human. Some people might misuse these tools, but I can’t imagine you doing that.” “Erik.” “Still, I’m not going to force you. I’ll carry it on your behalf. Let me know if you ever feel like peeling some fruit with it.” The young man smiled. As Shizuku looked up at him with wide-eyed amazement, he gestured gently with his hands in a reassuring manner. After breaking off the conversation there, Erik went to pay for the dagger and a few other things. Shizuku stood behind him and stared. The feelings welling up inside her felt like too much to handle. After leaving the shop, the pair visited a few others to stock up on necessities. The sun was slowly descending, and there seemed to be fewer citizens strolling about. In their place, soldiers were popping up everywhere, perhaps as a response to the fall of that castle in Anneli. The atmosphere was noticeably more somber than when Shizuku and Erik had arrived. As Erik strode ahead, Shizuku hurried to keep up, determined not to stray too far. At one point, the young man turned around to ask, “Do you know how to ride a horse?” “I’ve never even tried,” Shizuku answered. “Okay. Well, you should be fine with short distances.” “Are we going to travel on horseback?” Shizuku inquired, understandably curious. She knew they couldn’t use the transit ring, but she’d assumed they’d take a stagecoach again. Erik lowered his voice before replying: “That is the usual method. The southern border is rocky, and the north is also mountainous. People tend to take the main road to the west to get out of the country without using the transit ring. However, if we do, it’ll be easy for them to guess where we are. That’s why we’re going to cross the northern mountains instead.” “Oh…” If they headed west, Tarkis and his mage friend would be able to follow easily if they so wished. “I get it. We’re throwing them off our trail. Let’s flee to the north like real criminals.” “Don’t make it sound so serious. Besides, we’ll be subject to vehicle checks if we head west. Moving north lets us dodge those.” No sooner did Erik finish than a stable came into view. Erik got Shizuku to wait outside while he entered. A short time later, he came back out, leading a horse by its reins. The animal was a little smaller than the racing horses Shizuku had seen in photos, but it looked sturdy enough. “How did you get the horse? Did you rent it?” Shizuku asked as she stared into its shiny eyes, entranced. “I bought it. What does ‘rent’ mean?” he replied plainly while fixing their luggage onto the horse’s back. Once Erik mounted the horse, he offered his hand to Shizuku. “Come on, let’s go,” he said. “…What?” “You said you’ve never ridden a horse before, right? I’ll teach you later. For now, you can ride up front.” “Is it really okay for us to ride double?!” “I picked a horse that would be able to handle it. You’re small, so I doubt you’re that heavy.” The remark prompted Shizuku to look down at herself. He was right about her being small. She wasn’t even a hundred sixty centimeters. She’d always been an average weight, but she’d grown a little thinner since coming to this world. Her bag was heavy, but she doubted that was much to worry over. She grabbed hold of Erik’s hand. “Put your foot there and your luggage up here. Okay, I’ll help you up.” Erik managed to pull Shizuku onto the horse with surprisingly little effort. He guided her down in front of him, then gathered the reins. It was the first time Shizuku had sat on a horse saddle, and it felt higher up than she’d expected. She flinched in fear gently. “Try not to fall off. And don’t fall asleep, either.” “I’m not bold enough to nap up here…” The horse began at a trot, carrying its two passengers away from town. As Shizuku sat securely in the saddle, she stole a glance over her shoulder at the city they were leaving behind. Twilight fell over Ilmas.
Chapter 5
22 min read