Chapter 197

The stench of fish mixed with a nauseating rotten smell was spreading around, creating an awful aroma.

While enduring that smell and getting hit by droplets falling from the pitch-black sea in the sky, I ran for quite a while and finally crossed the shoreline.

Victoria had already crossed it and continued moving eastward.

However, since she doesn’t know the exact location and is following the address written in a letter, she ends up going to a place far from the actual spot.

Following the street numbers makes you take a long detour. But if you guess and enter somewhere midway, you might end up at a completely different address, making it even more troublesome.

The roads are all messed up, so the numbering is too.

Considering Victoria might get lost, we’ll probably reach this address earlier.

That’s when it happened.

“Over there! It’s the fugitive!”

While running holding Polaris’ hand, someone shouted from afar after spotting us. Polaris’ gaze reached there faster than mine.

There were two soldiers in uniform and one humanoid mechanical device.

Compared to the winding mechanism on the airship that killed people, this one looks much stronger. However, the previous one was unmanned, whereas this one has a person inside.

Then it suddenly rushed toward us, emitting light. The light goes upward, while the propulsion comes from its back—kind of strange.

Since I’m used to rockets, it feels off that the thrust isn’t coming from the opposite direction of the light.

Polaris clicked her tongue lightly, grabbed me, and jumped.

We landed near a two-story house in one leap.

Wait, isn’t that defying gravity a bit too much?

Before I could say anything, a ring of light flew toward us. Polaris slapped the wall blocking our escape route with her palm.

KA-BOOM!

Superhuman strength?

No, even with superhuman strength, there shouldn’t be no impact on Polaris’ arm. This is clearly the result of using magic power.

In this world, living creatures use magic power as fuel for their physical abilities, which is why many people move in ways that seem almost magical.

According to some memories, creatures that rely too heavily on magic power for movement adapt to the magical environment of their habitat, becoming extremely powerful there but unable to survive elsewhere due to incompatible magic.

And if their habitat undergoes drastic changes, they disappear entirely. So, it seems there are pros and cons.

The most successful creatures are those that don’t use magic at all and reproduce endlessly through mating, like rabbits.

Creatures that can survive in any environment tend to thrive and spread widely, meaning most ecosystems are dominated by organisms fueled by food like meat or plants rather than magic.

So, it’s not that there are people who can’t use magic—it’s that there are wizards who can.

Anyway…

Those born with immense natural strength combined with magic power can unleash truly overwhelming force.

“Gah!”

But that was before advanced magic existed.

The surrounding air solidified, hindering movement. And as if missing its target, the mechanical device shot toward us.

“Type 1 unit!”

“It’s the Violet Twilight Association! Assuming it’s not Type 2, restrain and interrogate them!”

One of the soldiers shouted from behind.

Ah, yes.

Two young girls.

Most of the harvesting systems remaining in Bern City belong to the Violet Twilight Association. A “Type 1 unit” probably refers to a harvester with purple skin or unusually pale complexion. Based on the tone, Type 2 likely uses psychic abilities.

So, seeing purple hair would naturally suggest the Violet Twilight Association. Plus, Polaris and I came from the west.

It’d actually be strange if they didn’t notice us.

“Polaris.”

“What?”

As Polaris moved through the sticky gel-like air, I suggested another plan.

“Leave me behind.”

“What?”

She turned to look at me, surprised. I leaned close to her ear and whispered softly.

“This is No. 39. If you follow this alleyway, the numbers will increase. Remember the numbers?”

She nodded slightly, apparently recalling the number 91 I mentioned earlier.

“I’ll be fine. Go ahead without worrying about me.”

“Nope.”

Oh, she’s firm about it.

Given her behavior so far, it’s not surprising, but right now, it’s inconvenient.

Since they mentioned “restraint and interrogation,” I won’t disintegrate into dust immediately. That means this area is easier for me to navigate.

Polaris tightened her grip on me.

She sees me as someone she must protect, hence her actions. So, let’s reverse that dynamic.

“Polaris, if you stay like this, you’ll become the hostage.”

I deliberately phrased it vaguely, implying: “If you stay, I’ll be inconvenienced because you’ll be taken hostage.”

Polaris immediately understood, looking hurt but realizing it’s true. Honestly, it’s hard for a regular schoolgirl to defeat a soldier using magic.

Unless Polaris is exceptionally strong, which doesn’t seem to be the case based on Canna’s memories.

So, she’s just an ordinary student. One-on-one might be manageable, but there are three experts here. Even if evenly matched, a 1:3 ratio is dangerous.

And if there’s a skill gap, it’s a guaranteed loss.

“Are you really… okay?”

I glanced at the approaching mechanical device and nodded. Sensing my intent, I pushed against her hold and broke free.

I deliberately stepped into the steel hand reaching for Polaris.

Geez!

Isn’t that gripping too tight?

To give Polaris time to escape, I provoked them.

“Do you intend to betray the royal family?”

“What?”

“My name is Bell. I’m under royal protection and have come here due to suspicious activities occurring in Bern City. Human, what are you doing here?”

Being under royal protection is true.

Investigating suspicious activities in Bern City is also true.

But combining these facts makes it sound like I’m officially sent by the royal family.

“What? What nonsense is this!”

“I’ve been featured in the media several times alongside a member of the royal family. Are you saying you don’t know me? Whose backing do you have?”

I asked confidently, causing the man operating the mechanical exoskeleton to pause.

“Release your grip.”

I ordered, though he ignored me. I could sense him thinking behind the brass mask.

Meanwhile, Polaris had slipped away.

Judging by her glance at the floating sea above, she plans to meet up with Victoria and search for me later.

Either way works.

Just then, two more soldiers arrived.

“The Marquis Gaston is dead. Please guide us to the next-in-command.”

Honestly, I won’t guide them. Would anyone believe a little girl saying such things? They’ll probably dismiss it as random chatter.

Even if it’s true, if no one knows the truth, it doesn’t matter, does it?

Now, I wonder how I’ll be torn apart.

One of the approaching soldiers suddenly gasped upon seeing me.

“Bell-sama?”

Uh oh.

He recognizes me, but I don’t recognize him. Is he a relative among the harvesters or someone who remembers me from news reports?

“Soldier, do you know who this girl is?”

“Yes! Isn’t she the person who healed all wounds during the Bern City tragedy? She was personally invited by the royal family!”

Ah, that’s how regular folks know me.

I roughly figured out the ranks of the people around me. The slightly older man is the highest rank, followed by the mech operator and the soldier.

Hmm?

This is getting too normal.

“Why is someone like her here?”

I overheard the highest-ranking person muttering. The question wasn’t directed at me.

But since I want to experiment a bit, let’s lose our sanity here.

“It’s because the royal airship was shot down. Inside, a mechanical device was killing people, trying to hijack and crash the airship. Then it attacked me on the ground. I barely escaped and made it to Bern City.”

I witnessed the assassination of Marquis Gaston at the Nantes Port, but I’ll omit that part to confuse anyone investigating later.

Since the airship automatically flew toward the ocean, it’s plausible I miraculously reached the shore after escaping from the sea.

Why am I doing this?

Pure mischief.

“Who’s responsible for this?”

By this, I mean bring the highest-ranking person. If any surviving soldiers informed the army, they should know Marquis Gaston is dead. Otherwise, they’re clueless.

“Commander, what should we do?”

The man who recognized me anxiously asked his superior. As expected, the mech pilot is lower-ranked.

“Hmm…”

The commander sighed deeply.

Alright.

What choice will you make?

“We’ll escort this person back to base. Verify her royal status before keeping a proper watch on her.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

The young soldier and the mech pilot saluted. Though their words were softened, essentially, if I’m lying, they’ll torture me, so keep a close eye on me.

Oh, they’re less aggressive than I expected. I thought they’d go crazy searching for evidence of treason.

My experiment will have to wait until later then.

Thus, I was dragged along under the sky leaking sea instead of rain, heading toward the place the commander called “base.”

By the way, being held by the mech’s hand wasn’t exactly a pleasant ride.

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