Chapter 291: The Whereabouts of Kaede
“…By the way, would it be possible for me to be taken across the sea as well?”
After a long moment of contemplation, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Did she just ask to be taken along? What is this person thinking? If she were a kidnapper, she would certainly be quite brazen… But if she’s merely intrigued by what Kaede told her, I could somewhat understand.
That said…
“That’s not possible. It’s a country with strict immigration laws. I can’t allow anything that would lead to illegal entry.”
It’s true that we are technically in the same boat regarding illegal entry, but we can leave the country on our own and have allies to help us. However, throwing someone who doesn’t understand the language into the mix would undoubtedly lead to trouble.
“I see… So you’re fine, then.”
“Yes. I’m also from Japan.”
“—!?”
Of course, it’s not the same Japan, but who could imagine that there exists another world with a country called Japan? I was surprised myself.
“Just so you know, I can’t disclose the location either.”
I made sure to emphasize that I couldn’t reveal Japan’s location. For now, the only way I know to get there is through our Dimensional Magic.
“I see… If that’s the case…”
After pondering for a while, Riflesia lifted her gaze and continued speaking.
“You know of things that don’t exist here, right?”
“Things that don’t exist here…?”
I repeated her words, unsure of what she meant.
“Exactly. I’ve heard various things from that child, but it’s all rather vague. I managed to create a thermal container from the water bottle she had, but I can’t seem to progress any further.”
Hah… What on earth is she talking about? Did this woman turn into some sort of inventor? As I tilted my head in confusion, I noticed Riflesia’s expression hardening, her teeth gritting in frustration.
“Yet, recently, a new thermal container called a Magic Flask has emerged, and it’s causing my creations to sell poorly.”
Wait? The Magic Flask? Is that the one I taught Fleur how to make before?
As I recalled the past, I saw Riflesia before me slump her shoulders and let out a deep sigh.
“Honestly… I don’t know what happened, but it seems that the Mimina Trading Company has also downsized since then. It’s just one misfortune after another…”
Riflesia grumbled, but it seemed she was also a victim of the Mimina Trading Company. While one could argue that we were indirectly the cause, we were merely acting in self-defense.
“If that’s the case, I might have something I can part with.”
“I see, that would be helpful.”
This mansion, with its few servants, looked poorly maintained. They must be struggling to make ends meet. While immediate cash would be beneficial, I imagine they would also appreciate something that could lead to future income.
“Now, about Kaede… Let’s start with my story.”
Riflesia revealed that she had been a researcher of Summoning in the Arclight Kingdom. It was a project the country had been secretly advancing, and as a mere researcher, she had been engrossed in her work without any suspicion. Five years ago, a summoning experiment was conducted at the research facility, and it was during that time that Kaede had appeared.
“She glared at me with tear-streaked eyes.”
As Riflesia reminisced about those days, I couldn’t believe that this woman had been involved in the research that summoned us…
Wait a minute. Didn’t she say that Kaede arrived five years ago? That means we had already left the Arclight Kingdom by the time we were summoned.
“I never expected a human child to appear. I was surprised, but the other researchers were overjoyed at the fact that a living being could be summoned.”
Riflesia grimaced as she spat those words out, but I held back the urge to point out that she had likely felt the same way.
“However, the other researchers did not treat her as a human.”
“What?”
“The experiment was originally intended to summon quadrupedal animals. So even if a bipedal creature was summoned, they didn’t recognize her as one of us.”
What the hell… It seems that the people of that country are truly despicable.
Unable to bear the thought of Kaede being treated worse than a pet, Riflesia had fled the research lab with her. Fortunately, it seemed that the other researchers had shown no interest in the belongings of a bipedal creature, allowing her to take items like the smartphone and water bottle with her. At least she had some semblance of a conscience.
Initially, Kaede had been frightened, but over time, they had grown closer. By the way, Riflesia mentioned that Kaede’s hair has turned blue now. I didn’t ask why, but Riflesia speculated that she might have dyed it.
“No wonder she’s hard to find…”
“Moreover, that child has left here and is now working at an orphanage.”
“An orphanage?”
“Yes. She’s helping children who, like herself, have no one to rely on.”
“I see… So she’s alive.”
Hearing those words, a sigh of relief escaped my lips. At the very least, it seemed that the worst-case scenario had not come to pass, and I could deliver good news to Mr. Jinpei and the others.
“Haha, that child is strong. She won’t die easily. She claims to have received a Skill from the gods, but in reality, she has no trouble dealing with the local thugs.”
Ah, so that’s how it is.