Chapter 13: To Oz – 14
The following early morning, we set off back to the capital in two horse-drawn carriages.
Of course, Seina and the two bandits were with us. We decided it would be best to inform them of Seina and the national treasure’s safety as soon as possible, so the carriages raced at full speed, just as they had when we arrived.
“This time, it was all thanks to Frei’s efforts. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have noticed that carriage,” I praised.
Frei, who was sitting next to me, smiled happily at the compliment.
“I’m glad my skill could be of help. But it was Soushi-sama who defeated the bandits and retrieved the national treasure. I’m here because of Soushi-sama, so I believe all the credit goes to you.”
“That’s a bit too much of a stretch, don’t you think?”
“Not at all. Even if my abilities end up being useful to others in the future, it will all be thanks to Soushi-sama’s guidance.”
I felt a bit overwhelmed by the almost trance-like gaze Frei was giving me. Seeking help, I glanced at Larni and the others, but they seemed too busy smirking, smiling, or maintaining their poker faces to offer any assistance.
In fact, Seina, who had been quietly observing our exchange, chimed in, “Soushi-sama is truly a wonderful person, isn’t he?”
“Indeed. Soushi-sama is strong, kind, wise, and always acts without neglecting to foresee what lies ahead,” Frei agreed.
“Not only did he help Sister Shizuna, but he also saved the Sacred Spirit Beast and rescued me while retrieving the Spirit Summoning Flute… I believe Frei-san is absolutely right. I must properly convey this to Mother.”
“I think that’s a wonderful mindset. If there’s anything I can assist with, please let me know,” Frei offered.
“Yes, Frei-san. I’ll be counting on you then.”
The two of them were getting a bit out of hand, and it was slightly frightening.
“There’s no need to exaggerate. Just share what actually happened,” I interjected, but even Shizuna added, “But it’s true that you saved Seina and retrieved the Spirit Summoning Flute,” so I decided to give up on that front.
After spending some time in the carriage, the speed suddenly slowed down. Larni stretched her neck out of the window to check what was happening outside.
“Oh, it looks like they’re conducting a checkpoint. They must be searching for Seina, right?”
“Most likely. Let’s inform them of our safe return.”
As the carriage came to a stop, we all disembarked.
Before us stood one of the watchtowers surrounding the capital. About a kilometer down the road, we could see the outskirts of the city.
Around the tower, about thirty soldiers were blocking the road. As we approached, the soldiers stirred upon recognizing Seina and Shizuna.
Shizuna stepped forward and raised her voice.
“Everyone, Priestess Seina has been safely rescued by us. We have also retrieved the national treasure, the Spirit Summoning Flute, and captured the culprits. Hurry and inform the High Priestess of this!”
“Understood, Shizuna-sama!”
A soldier who appeared to be the captain straightened his posture and responded, issuing commands to his subordinates. One of them climbed the watchtower and began operating a magical device. It seemed to emit a powerful light, but since it was blinking regularly, it might be communicating in a manner similar to Morse code.
“By the way, what exactly has happened in the capital?” Shizuna inquired, and the captain filled us in.
According to him, a series of giant Golems had appeared on the outskirts of the capital, and they had been preoccupied with that situation until late at night. During that time, the bandits had sneaked into the Great Spirit Shrine and secretly taken Seina and the Spirit Summoning Flute. They only realized it near dawn, which resulted in a delayed response.
“Is the High Priestess safe?” I asked.
“That is what we have been informed,” he replied.
“Then that’s good. We will proceed to the Great Spirit Shrine, so you all should follow the latest orders. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
The soldiers bowed in unison, mirroring the captain’s gesture.
Watching that exchange, I felt once again that Shizuna had been raised to be a strong leader.
“Now, shall we head to the High Priestess?” Shizuna said as she returned to us, looking slightly embarrassed, perhaps feeling that she had acted in a way that didn’t suit her.
Just as we were about to return to the carriage, Sfenia pointed towards the south of the capital, where distant mountains could be seen.
“Look over there, I see smoke. Could that be a signal fire?”
“A signal fire?”
Indeed, I could see three red plumes of smoke rising straight into the sky several kilometers away.
Shizuna furrowed her brow as she looked in that direction.
“That’s a warning of monster appearances. The fact that there are three means either a particularly powerful one has appeared or a large horde is on the move.”
“Even you, Sfenia, can’t tell what has appeared?”
Sfenia, being an archer, possessed the skill known as Far Sight. She often spotted things that others couldn’t.
She squinted her eyes and, with a serious expression, said, “I can see it. It appears to be the ‘Demon’ we encountered before. There are at least three of those eight-legged creatures.”
Another irregular situation had arisen, but for now, we decided to head to the Great Spirit Shrine.
First, we needed to hand over Seina and the national treasure, the Spirit Summoning Flute, as well as the captured bandits.
Even if we were to go after the ‘Demon,’ we couldn’t do so while still holding onto those matters.
The atmosphere within the capital seemed relatively calm. Despite the emergency following the Flesh Golem’s attack last night, the residents appeared to be trained to head to their homes or shelters, as there were no careless wanderers in sight.
The carriage reached the central Great Spirit Shrine of the capital almost non-stop.
As we disembarked and followed Shizuna and Seina into the shrine, the High Priestess Miona appeared, accompanied by several priests.
“Oh, Seina, you are safe!”
Miona embraced Seina with a motherly expression, tears streaming down her face as she said, “We must thank the Spirit Queen for her guidance…”
She must have been worried since the moment Seina’s abduction was discovered, and I could easily imagine her feelings.
“High Priestess, we have also safely returned the Spirit Summoning Flute,” Shizuna said, respectfully presenting the flute.
Miona released Seina and took the flute from Shizuna. After confirming it was indeed the real one, she let out a deep sigh of relief.
“This is undoubtedly the Spirit Summoning Flute. You have done well to retrieve it along with Seina.”
“And these are the culprits behind the recent turmoil. They both seem to be failed adventurers, so please be cautious.”
“I understand. Call the guards and have them apprehended.”
Miona instructed the priests, and immediately three strong-looking guards appeared. They seemed to have the aura of seasoned adventurers.
“Take them and lock them up. Since they are failed adventurers, make sure they do not escape.”
“Understood, High Priestess.”
The guards led Mazero and the other bandit away. I felt Mazero glare at me as they left, but that was to be expected. It was a case of misplaced resentment, but such matters are rarely logical.
“High Priestess, that man commands Golems. The other one seems to control Undead as well. Please be extremely cautious.”
When I conveyed this, Miona relaxed her expression and nodded.
“Thank you for your advice. We will place them in a cell protected by the power of the Spirits, so they should not be able to summon Golems or any pseudo-living beings. Rest assured.”
“Then I can relax.”
“By the way, regarding this incident, I believe it is indeed thanks to Soushi-dono’s efforts, wouldn’t you agree?”
“It was Frei who noticed the carriage racing through the night, which allowed us to rescue Seina-sama by chance.”
“Indeed, I would like to hear more details, but it seems another monster has appeared just now.”
“We would like to head there as well, so would it be alright to discuss the details afterward?”
“Oh, if you are willing to join us, I would be most grateful. Please, I ask for your assistance.”
Even though she said that, I figured that dealing with the aforementioned ‘Demon’ should be manageable for other high-ranking adventurers alone.
By the time we arrived, it might already be over… I thought as I turned to look at my companions, only to see a male priest rushing in from the entrance.
The priest approached the High Priestess and began speaking in a hushed tone.
He must have tried to keep it from us, but unfortunately, I caught the words.
“High Priestess, it is urgent. A new monster has appeared, separate from the one that emerged earlier. It is an extremely powerful individual, and it is making its way straight toward the Great Spirit Shrine, destroying the city as it goes.”
“What!? Quickly gather the guards and prepare to intercept it!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
It seemed that we would have to deal with this matter ourselves.
In the past, I might have thought to leave it to the higher-ranked adventurers… but now that I was aware of my own A-Rank status, I had no choice but to step up. I had no idea how formidable that ‘Demon’ might be, but I could only pray that it had a physical attribute.