Chapter 55 - Chapter 54: Rescue of the Marquis's Daughter
In the dim forest.
Mika slowly and carefully raised his body.
"Finally, I can get up... ."
It had been about two hours since I defeated the thin man.
I used healing magic to mend the fractures all over my body, tried to get up several times, and each time writhed in excruciating pain.
I individually healed the parts that weren't fully repaired, and finally managed to get up.
It was truly a blessing in disguise that there were no open fractures.
Was it thanks to the increased durability from [Physical Enhancement]?
Perhaps some bones had shifted and stuck together in the wrong place, but I decided not to worry about it.
One shouldn't be greedy. I should be grateful just to be alive and able to move like this.
Carefully, carefully, I stood up while checking everything.
Then, I slowly stretched my whole body.
"Hnn, nnnnnnn... ."
Even stretching my body widely, there was no particularly painful spot.
After that, I twisted and turned my body for a while to check for any abnormalities.
"Haaaaaa... , finally healed."
As I slowly tilted my neck, it cracked loudly.
"Is it just this one thing left?"
Mika picked at his ear.
There was no blood, but even after two hours, the severe tinnitus wouldn't go away.
I tried clapping my hands loudly.
But I couldn't hear it at all.
"...Will this ever heal?"
I tried using healing magic on my ears, but the tinnitus didn't subside.
It seems my eardrums weren't damaged, but I probably pushed myself too hard at the end and damaged the nerves related to hearing.
Maybe if my eardrums had burst, they would have been a valid target for healing magic, and the tinnitus might have healed faster.
"Well, saying that won't help. I'll just switch gears."
Mika activated [Physical Enhancement] from [God's Miracle].
"Absorb" has been running at full capacity for a long time now.
This is truly useful.
I expanded the magic range to ten meters, and now I am fully prepared.
Since my ears are useless, the only clue to knowing what lies outside my vision is this perception based on my magic range.
Not being able to hear is incredibly unsettling.
Mika cautiously approached the thin man.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the thin man's figure was hidden from view by trees from where Mika was lying.
I can imagine roughly what state he is in, but I must confirm with my own eyes that he is dead.
"Ugh... ."
As expected, the thin man was in a terrible state.
Well, his entire body was hacked apart by countless small blades, and pieces were scattered all around.
There is no need to explain the details in detail.
"Hmm."
But this is a problem.
It is very gruesome, but because of that, the abnormality of this corpse is immediately obvious.
What method other than "Thousand Edge" could possibly do such a thing?
For Mika, "Thousand Edge" is a trump card.
I want to keep its existence as secret as possible.
I used "Thousand Edge" during the logging work in Rish Village, but the logging work in the village and this corpse have completely different implications for who might find out and why.
"Alright, let's cover this up. 'Fire Breath'."
I manipulated thermal energy to burn the thin man's corpse with as high firepower as possible.
The back side probably won't burn, but it would be enough if it just looked like a "corpse burned to death" at a glance.
After all, proper autopsies aren't done in this world anyway.
The tree the thin man tried to use as cover was also partially shaved off by "Thousand Edge" on its surface.
I burned the surface a little with "Fire Breath" and immediately extinguished it with "Water Splash".
I roughly burned the corpse and left it burning for now.
I'll come back to extinguish it after checking the others.
Mika went to the campfire and checked the men's corpses.
All of their heads had been blown off.
Corpses with holes in their bodies and severed arms were lying around.
Six in total.
It seems Mika didn't miss any and none got away.
"This one is quite splattered too. It looks like a scene where a man wearing a hockey mask went on a rampage."
The location for that movie was also a campsite in the forest, so maybe the man in the hockey mask did it?
"I saw nothing. Yeah, let's go with that."
Mika extinguished the campfire with "Fireball", put out the fire on the thin man, and headed for the carriage.
Without any light source, it is truly pitch black.
Mika created one "Fireball" and let it float nearby to secure temporary lighting.
When he climbed onto the carriage bed, there were only a few wooden crates and barrels; the girl was nowhere to be found.
Was she locked inside another wooden crate again?
Mika tried to call out to the girl, but... ... ... stopped.
Mika couldn't hear right now, and even if there was a reply, he wouldn't know.
He had no choice but to open them one by one.
Mika sighed and reached for the first wooden crate.
"She's not anywhere?"
Mika struggled and opened all six wooden crates.
But the girl was not there.
He couldn't open the barrel lids, but he pulled the stoppers and checked the contents.
Inside was some kind of liquid.
Probably alcohol.
(Where did the girl go? Did she escape on her own...?)
Mika had spent about two hours recovering, during which he had his eyes off the carriage.
From where Mika was lying, she wasn't visible, so there is a possibility she escaped during that time.
(It's supposed to be "Hell Ears" for moments like this, but I can't use it.)
It's Mika's ears that are useless, but he casually blames "Hell Ears".
He crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand, thinking.
It is certain the girl was put on the carriage.
There is a possibility she escaped on her own, but I can't just assume that.
Unless there are traces showing she "escaped," I shouldn't just give up out of assumption. If I leave the girl behind, I will regret it endlessly.
I should search until I am absolutely sure she isn't there, checking every corner of the carriage.
But what should I do?
"...I see."
Mika began to increase the density of his expanded magic.
Originally, the carriage was already completely wrapped in Mika's magic.
But I hadn't sent magic into the holes in the wood used for the bed or the gaps between the planks.
Mika decided to thoroughly scan this cargo carriage.
So as not to miss even the slightest gap.
By grasping the structure of the carriage, Mika immediately knew where the girl was.
At the very back of the bed.
Combined with the driver's seat, an unnatural space had been created under the floorboards.
Mika raised [Physical Enhancement] to five times, moved the obstructing wooden crates, and then carefully observed the floorboards to see if there was any place to remove them.
The boards were fitted so tightly there were almost no gaps, but the one at the back had a gap at the edge.
He inserted his finger into the gap and removed the board.
Once one was removed, the rest could be taken off easily.
When he removed the second board, he saw the girl's hand.
It seemed she was tied behind her back.
(Well, I'll hide the "Fireball" behind my back just in case.)
Mika moved the "Fireball" so it was hidden by his body and couldn't be seen.
Then he removed more boards and confirmed the girl's condition.
The girl looked at Mika with frightened eyes, twisting her body.
She probably thought Mika was a member of the bandit gang.
Mika helped the girl up and untied the cloth binding her mouth.
Then he untied the ropes binding her hands and feet.
The girl seemed to be desperately trying to talk to him, but unfortunately, Mika's ears were closed for business.
If I could read lips, we could converse, but of course, I don't have such a skill.
Mika looked straight into the eyes of the girl who was speaking desperately and held up his index finger to his own mouth.
The girl looked exhausted, but seeing that she still had the energy to speak like this, it was clear she wasn't in a life-threatening condition.
Just knowing that was enough for Mika to feel relieved.
The girl had been desperately trying to say something for a while, but when Mika put his finger to his mouth and didn't respond, she finally closed her mouth.
Finally, the situation was ready for conversation.
However, we couldn't actually converse.
It was almost entirely Mika talking.
"I'm sorry. Right now, my ears can't hear."
Mika spoke as gently as possible.
Mika used gestures to first convey his current condition.
If she doesn't understand this, future communication will be difficult.
"So, I want you to answer by nodding or shaking your head. Okay?"
The girl made a surprised face, but quickly tightened her expression and nodded slightly.
She is a spirited child.
Even after suffering such a terrible ordeal, she can make such a face so quickly.
She shouldn't be acting like this; she should be escaping reality and crying hysterically.
"You might not believe me, but I came to save you. Are you the daughter of the Marquis Leventein?"
When Mika asked, the girl made a frightened expression.
She must be scared that a stranger like Mika knows about her.
That is natural.
If they aren't members of the bandit gang, it is natural to wonder why Mika knows that.
But depending on the result of this confirmation, future actions might need to change.
It isn't immediately necessary information, but confirming it in advance prepares for unforeseen circumstances.
Mika didn't look away, looking straight into the girl's eyes.
The girl seemed to be struggling with whether to answer honestly.
But after a while, she looked Mika straight in the eye and nodded hesitantly.
(As I thought, she is the Marquis Leventein's daughter....)
I originally intended to save her no matter what, but now failure is not an option.
If I don't safely hand this child over to the Marquis, Mika could be falsely accused of being part of the kidnapper gang.
To put it extremely.
Suppose the kidnappers came right now and killed Mika.
The girl would be kidnapped again.
What would remain would be a suspicious carriage with a child's corpse.
Around them, corpses clearly belonging to bandits would be lying around.
Normally, people would think Mika was just caught up in it.
But it is also possible to process him as an accomplice of the bandits.
If this kidnapping involved political motives, they would twist the facts however they wanted and prioritize their own convenience.
Even if it was just a time-wasting tactic or a blindfold.
And if Mika was implicated in the kidnapping, the consequences would extend to his family.
Since I got involved in this 'kidnapping suspected to be highly political', the absolute condition for Mika not to be suspected is to safely deliver this child to the Marquis.
Even then, there is a non-zero possibility of being framed as the culprit.
It is best not to get involved in politics.
This is also the reason Mika briefly considered 'should I abandon her?'.
Since I don't know who plotted this, I must accept that handing her over to anyone other than the Marquis himself carries risk.
Well, as a practical matter, Mika can't meet the Marquis directly, so he has no choice but to take some risk somewhere.
(But still, things probably won't get that bad. It seems like it will be quite troublesome....)
Mika softly exhaled.
It is a quite troublesome situation, but staying here forever is dangerous.
I have to take action quickly.
"I want to get back to Sarbengeal as soon as possible, but it's too far from here. So, I'm thinking of going to Yaunasun. If we run, we should arrive in about an hour. How about that?"
When Mika asked, the girl nodded without hesitation.
The domain where Yaunasun is located is, I think, the Viscountcy of Orcosa?
If she is the Marquis's daughter, she might know the Viscount of Orcosa.
"Alright. Let's go to Yaunasun. Can you stand?"
When Mika stood up, the girl suddenly started to tremble in fear.
(Huh? Why?)
He looked back, but there was nothing there.
Since he had expanded his magic range, he would know immediately if someone came within ten meters.
He didn't understand why the girl was trembling.
The girl was constantly looking around nervously.
(Ah, oops.)
Mika realized he had forgotten to convey an important point.
He went in front of the trembling girl and smiled.
"It's okay. Those guys aren't here right now. But I want to leave here as soon as possible. Okay?"
Perhaps she couldn't believe Mika's words, as the girl shook her head no and covered her ears.
This situation was unexpected.
I had planned to run away myself if she could run, or carry her if she couldn't, but I didn't think she would refuse to leave the carriage.
But considering the treatment the girl received, it might not be unreasonable.
She must be terrified thinking they might find her, and she can't summon the courage.
(No choice.)
Persuasion is impossible for Mika right now.
Then, I have no choice but to force it.
(Am I always like this?)
Maybe I should reconsider my attitude of trying to force things to go my way when they don't.
...From now on.
"Okay, sorry about this."
Mika picked up the girl from the side.
Yes, the so-called "princess carry."
Taking advantage of the girl being surprised and frozen, Mika jumped out of the cargo carriage in one go.
He extinguished the "Fireball" when exiting the bed.
If I floated around with a "Fireball" like this, it would be too conspicuous.
The field of vision instantly darkened, and he could see almost nothing.
Mika confirmed the situation ahead using the faint outline of the trees and perception from his magic range, and hurriedly returned to the side path.
I had left the backpack on the side path so it wouldn't hinder the girl's rescue, and I was able to retrieve it without any trouble from beasts.
It seems the girl calmed down a bit, realizing the bandit gang wasn't around.
But it seemed difficult for her to run to Yaunasun on her own, so I decided to carry her on my back.
Mika also wanted to avoid the princess carry where both hands were completely occupied.
He hung the backpack over his neck, carried the girl on his back, and ran towards the main road.
It was already past midnight.
There were no people or carriages coming or going on the road.
Mika ran straight down the road towards Yaunasun.
The girl held Mika's shoulder tightly and stayed quiet.
Before Mika's expectation, Yaunasun came into view in less than an hour.
Thanks to [Physical Enhancement] being set to five times, I was able to run faster than expected.
However, the gates of Yaunasun were closed, and I couldn't enter.
It wasn't as grand or sturdy as Sarbengeal, but Yaunasun was also surrounded by walls made of stacked stones.
(Well, this is a problem.)
For now, Mika knocked on the gate.
Since I couldn't be heard by the people inside, I knocked on it repeatedly with my palms.
"Excuse me! Please open the gate!"
As I shouted and knocked on the gate repeatedly, the girl tapped Mika's shoulder.
When Mika tried to turn around, the girl pointed upwards.
Looking up, a man who looked like a soldier was looking at us from above the wall next to the gate.
The soldier seemed to be saying something, but I couldn't understand at all.
Mika's ears are currently closed for business.
"Sorry. I can't hear. Can you please open the gate for now?"
I conveyed our request unilaterally.
But the soldier seemed to have no intention of letting us in and made a gesture to drive us away.
(...Are they going to abandon a child outside the city at this hour?)
Is this the common sense of this world?
Certainly, there is a possibility that someone with hostile intent might force the gate open using a child as a decoy.
But if that were the case, they would have invaded during the daytime.
Yaunasun isn't as strictly guarded as Sarbengeal.
I can't think there is any meaning in abandoning a child here.
(...Are these guys worth trusting...?)
If I revealed the girl's identity, there is a possibility the gate would open.
But would they believe our story?
Anyway, would they listen to us properly?
(No good. These guys aren't trustworthy.)
Mika gave up.
Physically and mentally, I was already at my limit.
My last meal was the rations I ate yesterday at noon.
Between fatigue and hunger, I was already starting to feel the limit.
Mika thought the girl had been captured by the bandit gang and suffered terribly in an extreme state, but the same could be said for Mika.
I had been chasing the carriage while wearing down my nerves in a state of extreme tension, thinking endlessly about how I should act.
I challenged a fight against an opponent I thought I couldn't win, carrying not only my own life but also the girl's life.
I had endured alone under the heavy pressure of absolutely saving and protecting the girl.
Due to these effects, Mika's heart was quite rough right now.
He wasn't aware of it himself, but he had become quite short-sighted.
"Sorry. I guess I'm heading for Sarbengeal after all."
Mika spoke to the girl and quickly left the gate.
Mika could tell the girl looked back at Yaunasun several times from behind him.
Ignoring that, Mika started walking towards Sarbengeal.
In reality, the destination was the first rest stop in the direction of Sarbengeal.
Mika himself couldn't last much longer without a break.
There are a few shops at the rest stop between Sarbengeal and Yaunasun.
Probably because it is a trade route, there is a fair amount of traffic.
If I rest at the rest stop until morning and buy something to eat at the shop, I can move again.
I told myself this to encourage myself to squat down.
At that moment, the girl tapped Mika's shoulder.
"What are you d—!"
When Mika was about to reply to the girl, someone intruded into his magic range.
Directly behind Mika.
He instinctively jumped to the side and switched his body's orientation to shield the girl.
He glared at the intruder and thrust out his left hand so he could activate magic at any moment.
The intruder was a soldier.
It seems a different soldier from the one who showed his face from the wall earlier had chased after us.
The soldier looked surprised and froze on the spot.
Mika didn't lower his guard and slowly increased the distance from the soldier.
The soldier approached while talking about something, but Mika retreated the same amount.
"What do you want now! You're coming here because you couldn't enter the city! If you interfere—!"
Mika glared at the soldier as if piercing him and aimed with his left hand.
The soldier raised both hands in a panic and said something.
But it couldn't be heard by Mika.
The girl tapped Mika's shoulder many times and made a gesture to stop the soldier with her hand.
Since Mika didn't lower his guard, the soldier didn't try to advance further.
But then about three more soldiers from Yaunasun arrived, and Mika ended up staring them down.
"Don't bother us! Get back quickly!"
Mika pointed his left hand at the soldiers who were making a move to approach as a warning.
The soldiers couldn't possibly know what Mika intended to do.
The soldiers were just trying to persuade Mika to calm down the excited state.
Unfortunately, even that didn't reach Mika.
This situation where Mika couldn't hear was also a factor driving Mika to a mental breakdown.
(How could I leave this child to you guys!)
Like a wild beast protecting its young, Mika desperately intimidated the soldiers.
At that moment, the soldiers' gaze moved away from Mika.
The soldiers' gaze was directed behind Mika, towards the front of the road.
(Did something come? If it's the soldiers' comrades, it would be bad. Completely surrounded.)
Mika wanted to turn around and check, but he couldn't look away from the soldiers.
While he was worried about what to do, the girl on his back suddenly started struggling.
"Huh?! What are you doing suddenly—!?"
When he put down the squirming girl, the girl ran towards the front of the road.
Coming towards us seemed to be a group of horsemen.
Carrying torches, more than ten people were coming towards us.
When one of them got off the horse, the girl jumped onto that person.
The girl seemed close to a long-haired female knight who had gotten off the horse.
It was visible that she was crying in the female knight's arms.
I don't know the exact situation, but perhaps this group of knights might be a search party from Sarbengeal.
Judging from the girl's condition, shouldn't we judge that entrusting her to these knights is the best option?
(Finally, it's over....)
Mika collapsed with relief and sat down on the spot, exhaling deeply.
Mika thought this was what it meant to be completely exhausted of spirit and strength.
Even so, he lay flat on his back right there, satisfied that he had fulfilled his duty, and closed his eyes.