Book 8: Chapter 3: Monica Turns Into A Bad Girl (1/2)
Mary Harvey, the [Star Oracle Witch], suggested Monica for staying over, but considering tomorrow was the day before the school festival, she declined politely. In fact, no classes would be held on that day. However, student council members and students who were going to perform need to show up in order to prepare for the festival. For that reason, Monica also had to show up once before noon.
After walking away from Mary's mansion for a while, a little yellow bird flew down from the sky. It spun around above her spot, then immediately transformed into a beautiful woman in a maid's uniform. It was Lynn, Louis' contracted spirit.
”Have you enjoyed your drink feast?”
Louis's brow wrinkled deeply at Lynn's remark.
”…Don't speak those words when in front of my wife.”
He felt guilty when remembering his wife was pregnant at home but he had indulged in a drinking spree. To which, Lynn affirmed in response.
”Understood, I will tell Madam that Sir Louis was having a drinking spree accompanied by handsome boys.”
”… looks like your mouth needs to be disciplined. But before that, I have a task for you. Take Miss [Silent Witch] back to Serendia Academy.”
Louis can travel fast with his flight spell, but Monica can barely use it yet, except for leaping.
It would take a horse-drawn carriage half a day to get from Mary's mansion to Serendia Academy, but with the use of flight spell, it can be done in no time at all.
I guess I really should practice my flight spell…
While Monica was pondering these thoughts, Louis continued as he re-buttoned his coat.
”I also have a slight concern when the [Star Oracle Witch] told us the second prince's fate can't be predicted.”
”Right…”
”As for the intruder at the chess tournament, I have instructed my men to send him to the capital shortly. That way, I can use all my hands to make him reveal the mastermind. I also have some doubt about that intruder identity.”
Louis creaked his gloved fingers afterward.
Monica knew, his hands which were finely shaped and refined like those of nobles had splendid calluses for punching. She secretly felt sorry for the intruder who was about to be interrogated by him.
”My colleague, please keep your vigilant during the school festival. Just in case, I'll lend you this useless maid. Use her as you fit.”
”Miss [Silent Witch], you can leave the task of assisting to this excellent maid, Lindbergfield.”
In response to Louis's sarcasm, Lynn introduced herself like that of the head maid without changing her color. Her thick face was something Monica would like to learn.
Louis glanced at his brazen contract spirit and gave a small cough.
”Also, I will be there on the day of the festival. While I do have another task to do… I'll try my best to help you with the escort.”
Having Lynn, who can oversee a wide area, and Louis, who was skilled in the barriers, could not be more reassuring than this.
Monica bowed to Louis and said, ”I'll be glad if you can help me” but Lynn blurted out.
”…Shouldn't it have been Sir Louis who need to bow to ask for help?”
With his smile remaining on his face, Louis wordlessly kicked Lynn in the leg.
＊ ＊ ＊
Lynn's flight spell was a little different from that used by human magicians.
Unlike ordinary flight magic, where the magician wrapped a thin membrane-like barrier on his body to fly, in Lynn's case, she created a hemispherical barrier around herself to bring everyone within it. It may sound easy, but it's impossible for a human's mana to maintain a hemispherical barrier while traveling at high speed for a long period of time. That's probably why Louis, despite swearing a lot, valued Lynn's abilities.
It had been 30 minutes since they had been flying in the sky. After scanning the ground below, Lynn then spoke.
”We will be arriving at Serendia Academy shortly.”
”Oh… incredible, that was fast…”
”I do provide some landing methods you can choose. To be more specific, I have the ”Tornado Kick Landing Method”, the ”Head Spin Landing Method”, and the ”Grand Wheeled Method”. The main point is, I've made some modifications in the shape of the barrier to make it easier to spin.”
Was the method Lynn and Louis previously used when landing the old garden included among them? All of them were nothing but worrisome, so Monica quickly said.
”U-Use the safest landing method, please!”
”As you wish. Proceeding to decrease our speed… hmm?”
Lynn, who had been looking at the ground, tilted her head ninety degrees to the side with a snap. Her creepy reaction, like a doll with a broken head, was a sign that she was expressing her puzzling behavior in her own way.
”… I have detected a suspicious carriage parked near the Serendia Academy boys' dormitory.”
”Eh?”
”Shall we land in a spot nearby, so we can scout out the carriage?”
Lynn's flight magic worked by moving hemispherical barrier, so it's not suitable for scouting through wooded areas, since it would collide with the trees and make a loud noise. As such, she needed some open space for her to have a quiet landing.
Monica pondered for a moment before giving Lynn some instruction.
”…I'm planning to use ”Farsight”, so can you maintain your barrier in a fixed position?”
”Certainly.”
The ”Farsight” spell works the same way as using a telescope. So when using it while moving or something obstructed her view, that would make it harder for her to see the object.
After having Lynn fixed her flight spell in still, Monica activated ”Farsight” without chanting.
The carriage, which parked secretly near the boys' dormitory, was a small carriage with two-wheeled and few ornaments, a plain one. But Monica soon realized that it was protected by high-level magic tools.
The whole carriage has a simple protective barrier and a soundproof barrier… it's likely using some kind of engineering in the wheel to suppress vibration… perhaps it's for a noble traveling in secret?
She can't see the coachman's face clearly since his head was covered in a hat with his face hidden by a scarf. Is there someone inside the carriage?
After carefully looking at the carriage, Monica noticed someone sneaking out of the boys' dormitory and approaching the carriage. It was a rather tall man wearing a hooded cloak with black hair peeking out from between the hoods.
Realized, Monica exclaimed in surprise.
Even he changed his hair color, she could still see the golden ratio of his body! It was impossible for her to mistake him for someone else.
”H-His… His Highness!?”
Without a doubt, it was Felix who had slipped out of the boys' dormitory. After which he got into the carriage then closed the door before letting the carriage travel quietly.