Chapter 68 - 58: Wanted (1/2)
”Umuu...”
I am observing the situation behind a bush.
Its been several hours since we picked up the second princess. Since there is a village nearby we must be cautious.
Nearby is the village that was plagued by the dragon corpse a while ago.
It seems what the knight said was true.
”Devil of the shield Iwatani Naofumi slaughtered imperial guard knights and kidnapped the second princess while escaping. Wanted dead or alive. The prize-”
On the notice board within the village, there piece of paper that has quite a large amount of price money declared on it by the soldiers of the castle.
Is this seriously only a few hours after? They seemed too prepared for this.
I knew this was a set up since the beginning.
For some reason they also ȧssumed I killed off those knights that I caught.
I heard it.
If you strap a bomb on yourself and charge you will go to heaven.
These guys are putting similar insane thoughts to practice.
”The Imperial guardsmen knights have memorized an image of the criminal! The Imperial guardsmen knight who brought the crystal ball to the castle also died after duty was completed.”
Furthermore. It seems that a hologram of me is being projected by the crystal ball.
My face was twisted with wickedness and,I am strangling the second princess by her neck, which also appears to be bleeding.
Should I make a habit of avoiding crystal balls at all costs in the future?
Though she looks pretty healthy despite being on the verge of death...
When I look closely at the second princess's face, despite the fact that she is being strangled, her expression is more shocked than painful.
By the way, the country of Silt Welt is located south east of Shirudo Furiden which is north east of our current location.
It seems that it's for us necessary to cross two countries.
That is considerably further than before.
We will somehow have to advance without being found.
”If you see the devil that has a strange bird pulling his carriage. Contact the Country immediately.”
The crystal ball then shows Firo's image, and her expression is that of a bird of prey spitting poison from the mouth.
That's good. I can use poison since they put that in the forgery.
This is going to be a problem though, since Firo is our main means of transportation.
We might have to leave Firo somewhere.
”So, Firo you understand right?”
”Noo~!”
As I finished scouting the village, I went to Firo and to let her know.
If we continue letting Firo pull the carriage to refuge she will attract a lot of attention.
If it comes down to it Firo could just abandon the carriage and run off with her superior speed.
They would have a hard time catching her but we would lose everything.
So, I have to explain the situation.
”We can't help it. Because you stand out.”
In the sense that she's an unusual demon.
She is the reason I am known as the saint of the holy bird after all.
”Can't Firo just change into a different form before anything happens? Firo will work hard!”
”How are you-”
Firo's body shines and starts transforming.
She will probably pull the carriage in her human form anyway.
Her neck and feet started extending.
”Gueeee!”
Firo has transformed into a normal Philo Rial that resembles an ostrich.
”Can you maintain this figure?”
”Gueee!”
She nods.
”Can you only chirp in that form?”
”Guee!”
”I see.”
I guess we will be fine if she can keep this appearance.
”Firo-chan is amazing!”
The second princess's eyes sparkles as she begins playing with Firo.
”Gueeee”
This high pitched screeching is better than her toxic mouth anyway.
”When you're in that form be quiet.”
”Guee!”
My head was gripped by her foot.
Naturally since Raphtalia and Firo rarely attack me they forget that it violates the slave mark.
The demon crest appears on her ċhėst and she rolls over in pain.
”Gueee!?”
”Firo-chan!?”
”Seriously, what is it you don't like?”
”Don't use violence on Firo-chan!”
”I didn't. The demon crest only activated because she attacked me.”
Though she is still sort of cute in this form, although her communication is lacking.
But like this I don't know what Firo is saying.
It seems that this could be from my inner thoughts of ”it would be nice if I had a pet that will unconditionally listen to me and not be noisy.”
Firo returns to her human forms and starts whining like a child.
”It's painful!”
”You asked for it. Even you understand. Demons can't attack their masters.”
”Ueh...”
The second princess is strangely worried about Firo.
Is it because they are friends?
”For the time being, I'm ȧssuming you are fine with disguising ourselves.”
Up until now we were fine staying hidden as a saint, so it should work out somehow.
”Raphtalia... can you make yourself look a little shabby, and wear a hat?”
So like this, the princess and I hid ourselves within the carriage while the transformed Firo and disguised Raphtalia took care of passing the village.
”Ah...”
Raphtalia meets the villager's eyes.
”...”
”...”
We pass silently.
”...”
”...”
The metal carriage passes the village as the soldiers watch.
”Wait.”
We were halted.
I begin preparing for being found out, we should be able to deal with the people in this village.
”O-okay. What's wrong?”
”The other side of your carriage has a wing mark. It resembles the one on that devil bird...”
”N-no. I'm just a merchant.
”Hou...May I confirm what is inside?”
This is dangerous.
The soldier puts hand on the door of the carriage.
What to do. I may be fine since I am wearing common clothing and my shield is in the form of a book, but the princess will be recognized immediately.
”Ah!”