Chapter 24: Shilan Plains
"So, to summarize what you're saying."
Elisha’s distinct monotone voice pierced the library. Papers covered in magical
formulas were scattered on the table where she sat.
"Monsters have appeared in the Shilan Plains, is that correct?"
"That's right......"
Dante nodded weakly, running a hand through his hair. He had been bombarded with
orders from the moment he received the report until he reached here, and it was
enough to make him feel nauseous.
"The attack must have happened within Cardion's borders, so if this goes wrong,
we might be accused of orchestrating the attack and then blaming it on
monsters."
With the incident occurring right before the allied nations conference, if they
couldn't clear themselves of suspicion, they might turn all their allies into
enemies. If Eric's authority were absolute, it would have been a different
story, but as a newly crowned Emperor, he had to avoid such a thing at all
costs. To make matters worse, the host country for the conference had been
changed to Cardion to celebrate his coronation, putting them in an even more
disadvantageous position.
"So, to avoid suspicion, we must conduct a quick search."
"......"
"I’d rather work overtime......"
No matter how much he thought about it, that seemed a hundred times better.
Dante collapsed onto the sofa and lamented. Elisha shot a sharp look toward him.
"We made a promise last time, Renard."
"......"
"That you would ask for my help if anything happened in the Imperial Palace."
And it seems that time is now. Elisha then began to tidy up the messy table as
she spoke. Dante stood up with a small sigh.
"That's why I'm here now......"
It had been so difficult to make up an excuse about needing to stop by my manor
when I was ordered to leave immediately.
"Of course, I can't take you with me right away. I came here first because I
thought I should explain the situation and ask for your help."
"......"
"I told them I'd just be out while the knight division is being formed and that
I'd return to the Imperial Palace, so let's decide on a plan quickly. It would
be a disaster if we went recklessly and you were discovered."
Dante fanned his hair again and frowned. Elisha watched him silently for a
moment before finally speaking.
"The top priorities for this mission are identifying and rescuing any survivors,
so I will conduct my search separately, avoiding the knight division."
"That's a given, but yes, good."
"And if I find the Hyde in the meantime, I'll send a messenger to you. Just show
up and pretend you caught it yourself. We'll need proof that we weren't the ones
who attacked, won't we?"
Elisha said calmly, as if she were planning the easiest thing in the world.
Dante nodded, but internally, he was stunned. Is she planning on summoning a
thunderbolt like last time? That's very conspicuous magic.
"Well, as long as the case is solved, I don't care."
In the end, last time they made it look like he did it. There was a chance
Elisha's mana might be detected in the process, but since she was practically
the only one who could detect a momentary burst of mana, there was no need to
worry. Besides, hadn't Elisha's mana already changed once before? As long as
Eric’s mana-measuring magic didn't work on her, it was safe to assume she
wouldn't be caught.
"As long as Elisha doesn't go on a rampage, that is."
"When does the knight division leave?"
While Dante was deep in thought, Elisha tilted her head and asked. Dante
answered immediately.
"As soon as I arrive. There's a limit to teleportation distance, so it'll take a
few minutes."
"Then I should be able to leave thirty minutes after you."
"You can go first......"
It’s better to arrive first and be on standby rather than arriving late and
complicating things. Elisha gave a small nod at Dante's words, one eyebrow still
knitted. Of all places, the Shilan Plains.
"Eli... sha."
"You were someone who shouldn't have been in the Imperial Palace in the first
place."
Suddenly, the two voices flashed in Elisha's mind. She closed her eyes tightly,
then took a deep breath. This was not a time to drown in pointless emotions. The
Imperial Palace, Cardion, Eric—they were in trouble. That was all that mattered
now.
"First, let's take care of the Covenant," Dante spoke quickly.
"Dante Renard temporarily allows Elisha to go out."
Surely you won't wander off somewhere else. Of course not, not when Cardion's
safety is on the line.
"I really have to go. See you in a bit, and make sure you wear the cloak!"
Though it would be night soon anyway. After saying his piece, Dante summoned a
teleportation magic circle under his feet. Elisha nodded slightly, clutching the
Imperial Magic Knight Order cloak Dante had brought.
"Don't think about anything else."
Memories should remain just memories. Whether they were nightmares or sweet
dreams. Now was the time to face reality.
* * *
A bright white light spread over the grass of the plains. Elisha lifted her
lowered lashes and scanned her surroundings. The plains were so quiet and
peaceful that they made the report of an attack here seem like a lie.
"I came to a spot a bit far from the center of the plains, just in case I'm
seen." Elisha then stepped cautiously behind the vanishing magic circle.
"It seems Renard has arrived too. It's a good thing I came to a spot a bit
further away." She took a small breath, clutching the hood of her cloak as it
fluttered in the wind. The most prominent mana she could feel now was, of
course, Dante Renard's. Other than that, there was only the mana of the mages
Dante had brought with him.
"Has it been a long time since the attack?"
Otherwise, the monster’s mana wouldn't be this faint. Elisha quickened her pace
and began to assess the situation. The Dixion delegation was scheduled to arrive
today. The entire delegation couldn't use teleportation magic, so they likely
traveled by carriage.
"The time it takes to travel from the Shilan Plains to the Imperial Capital by
carriage is about one day."
Considering the time it took to reach the Shilan Plains in the first place, the
attack here must have happened at least a day or two ago. They wouldn't have
been able to flee far after the attack, so any humans who barely survived would
have been attacked again shortly after.
"It's very likely there are no survivors," she thought as she walked. In that
moment, a scene filled her vision. Half-destroyed carriages, bloodstains soaking
into the grass, unrecognizable shapes, and.
"Footprints."
Hyde footprints, tens of times larger than human ones, were pressed deep into
the plains. Elisha created a small lump of light around her and began to observe
closely. Hydes primarily attack people using their arms or dark magic, so they
rarely moved from their spot. Therefore, this number of footprints must indicate
the number of individuals.
"But the Hyde."
Wasn't a massive subjugation operation conducted after that day? Elisha's brow
furrowed as she bit her lower lip. If it were just one, she’d have thought it
was an individual she missed, but...
"Something is strange."
Although a Hyde recently appeared in the capital, that was a monster someone had
"summoned."
"Or could it be." Did that person summon them? This many? But for what reason?
"That's not what's important now."
First, now that I’ve found the attack site, I need to send a messenger to Renard
to inform him of the location, and then I need to search for any possible
survivors. After quickly prioritizing, Elisha condensed a small amount of mana
in her palm. It was a tiny ball of light, so small it could be mistaken for a
firefly.
"Dante Renard should be able to recognize it."
She then sent the ball flying toward where she could feel Dante's mana. Now that
the messenger was sent, he would likely arrive here in a few minutes. I made it
sprinkle faint light along its path so he can find his way properly. I'll leave
this place to Dante Renard, and I can search a wider area for traces of the
Hyde. After taking a deep breath, Elisha was about to leave.
Rumble.
Suddenly, a deep vibration was felt from beneath the ground. Elisha’s face
immediately contorted.
"This is it."
How could she ever forget this vibration? It was the same vibration that didn't
stop even when she arrived too late that day.
Rumble!
Once again, an even larger earthquake swept across the ground. Elisha expertly
maintained her balance and scanned her surroundings.
"A vibration of this magnitude means there must be at least ten of them."
But she still couldn't feel any monster mana. If a monster had been nearby from
the start, it would have been impossible to hide its mana, let alone its massive
body. This meant someone was artificially summoning the Hyde at this very
moment.
"If they're targeting me, they'll surely be summoned near me."
In that case, all I have to do is catch all the monsters that appear, then track
the summoner.
"I won't let them quietly disappear like last time."
She then created a magic circle around her and was preparing to attack.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, someone's scream drifted with the wind into Elisha's ears. Elisha
froze for a moment and looked in the direction of the sound. That voice...
"Renard?"
Did the monsters go over there? Just as Elisha frowned and lifted her head.
"Aaaaaargh!"
A desperate scream once again filled the plains.
"Why, of all people, me! Why here! Please, just let me rest!"
— Roooaaar!
"Are you crying! Crying?! I'm the one who wants to cry! You big useless
bastards!"
Elisha seriously debated whether or not she should help him.
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