Chapter 251 – To Mount Tephra

“Could you tell me where Benedict is staying?”

“One moment, please. I’ll have someone bring a map.”

The Marquis gave some instructions to his servants, and they prepared a map for us.

“According to the contact, Benedict is staying at this inn.”

I compared my memory of the town’s layout from above with the positions marked on the map. The location Marquis Zilbolt pointed to—I see. So he’s taken up residence at an inn near the harbor. It would be best to send Caduceus nearby and keep watch from here as well. This way we can grasp the situation faster than waiting for messengers and respond immediately if there’s any movement.

Caduceus, having received my instructions, liquefied and slipped out through a window crack. As for Benedict… we’ll observe the situation as it is for now.

“As for Mt. Tephra… let’s depart early tomorrow morning while checking the weather. Moving by Dragon Palanquin will be conspicuous, but we can disguise it with Light Magic and Illusion Magic so it can’t be seen from town.”

“Understood.”

Marquis Zilbolt is also contractually involved in managing the Gate connecting the Termwilz Ritual Site and Mt. Tephra. Therefore, the Marquis himself needs to accompany us. That means our escort targets need to move together as a group.

“I hope the fog clears.”

“What about using my eyes?”

“In that case, Seraphina and I too, perhaps?”

Sheila and Irmhild responded to Princess Stephania’s words.

Indeed… even with poor visibility, the two’s detection abilities and Seraphina’s capabilities should handle most situations, but…

“…Right. We have time, and I’d prefer to take it easy if possible.”

“Yeah! I’ll do my best too!”

Seraphina clenched her fists and darted around left and right.

Hmm. Since Benedict arrived early, we can’t afford to be that leisurely anymore. To some extent, it can’t be helped.

“Alright. Then… let’s go while also incorporating detection training.”

Everyone nodded at my words.

The next day. In the slightly chilly early morning air, we prepared to head for Mt. Tephra. We readied cold-weather gear and preserved food just in case. Our destination was the summit—near the crater.

The distance from the Marquis’s castle town could be said to be right under our noses—but since it’s quite a high mountain with proportionally wide foothills, it’s somewhat far to the summit.

“Shall we go then?”

“What about Wind Protection Magic?”

Rosemary inquired.

“Can you use it?”

“Yes. I learned it before thinking it might be useful in case something happens.”

In case something happens, huh. It feels more like a card prepared solely for emergency escape measures…

“Then, please handle it.”

The Wind Protection Magic when riding the Dragon Palanquin is for atmospheric pressure countermeasures.

Normally, we don’t fly the Dragon Palanquin that high, but it might be necessary when heading for the summit. We’ve learned from operating Dragon Palanquins that suddenly gaining too much altitude can cause problems.

“We used to transfer casually anywhere in the labyrinth… but since the altitudes differ between Mt. Tephra and the ritual site, should we be careful?”

“You should be able to transfer to locations corresponding to the ritual site’s position. Though the contract itself requires going to the crater.”

Claudia answered for us.

“I see. As long as it’s away from populated areas… we just need to transfer to lower elevations then.”

It seems we don’t need to be too careful. Let’s go then.

“Alright, let’s go, Marlene.”

Marlene gave a small nod.

Instead of riding the Dragon Palanquin, I flew beside Lindwurm. Marlene’s Lantern covered us from behind with the sky’s color, and I further refracted the scenery with Light Magic for camouflage. This should make us nearly invisible from below. Once we’re farther away, we’ll use Water Magic to cover our rear with fog, making us undetectable from a distance.

Leaving the Marquis’s castle town, a tranquil hilly area covered in green spread out before us. This area already constitutes Mt. Tephra’s foothills. Purple and yellow flowers bloomed here and there across the green carpet, swaying in the morning sunlight.

“What a lovely view.”

Grace peeked her face out from the Dragon Palanquin’s window, her expression softening.

“If we weren’t in a hurry, it would have been nice to explore around here.”

“Indeed. That wouldn’t be bad either.”

“In the river flowing from the mountain lake, there are places where hot water springs forth.”

Romina explained happily.

“Natural open-air baths? Tempting, but… after we resolve everything.”

Once we can establish the Gate, we’ll be able to visit casually.

We advanced while enjoying the scenery for a while until the slope gradually became steeper. It was about time to use Water Magic to create fog covering our rear and release the Light Magic camouflage.

“Okay. Marlene, thank you.”

At my words, Marlene gave a small nod and showed an unclouded smile before returning to the Dragon Palanquin.

“Then, I’m coming out.”

In exchange, Sheila and Irmhild emerged from the Dragon Palanquin. Seraphina and Lavigne also came out.

The plan was for Ashley and Lavigne to coordinate and grasp terrain information. Furthermore, by having Seraphina—riding on Lavigne’s back—send sounds, Sheila would detect them through sound perception. Irmhilt would sense Lavigne’s temperature.

This way, even with poor visibility due to fog, the Dragon Palanquin could proceed safely without colliding with the mountain.

“I’ll let you know when caution is needed.”

“Understood. Lindwurm, slow down moderately while we proceed.”

Receiving my instructions, Lindwurm made a sound. The Dragon Palanquin reduced speed and carefully advanced through the fog.

Now then. What about the town’s situation? Caduceus was waiting in the shadows of back alleys near Benedict’s inn.

Then… movement. The figure emerging from the inn’s entrance. Instantly recognizable.

A tricorne hat and surcoat outfit. On his face—a mask covering from forehead to nose, like one worn to a masquerade. Well… unlike those for balls, the decorations seem modest.

The left side of his face. Burn scars around the cheek. Slightly protruding from the mask… To hide the burn scars? I see. That story doesn’t seem to be false.

But still… even without seeing his features, he’s quite conspicuous.

That said, being conspicuous probably doesn’t work against Crown Prince Zadias’s interests. After all, since he believes he’s holding Tephra, the Marquis’s wife, and daughter hostage, he must think we can’t make a move even if his people flaunt their presence in the territory.

Rather, Benedict showing himself could be said to have the meaning of warning the people of the Marquis’s territory.

In that case… his role is either to welcome the witch or simply confirm the witch’s return and report.

Benedict’s footsteps were in a Natural Stance. A leisurely pace like taking a stroll… but it’s actually an inconvenient speed for tailing. Showing relaxation while leaving no openings—seems the stories of his competence are true. Elmer and the others must be having some difficulty dealing with him too.

It appears he intends to walk to the harbor. I had Caduceus follow him, sliding from shadow to shadow across surfaces.

Eventually Benedict reached the harbor. Still at his relaxed pace, he looked around the buildings near the wharf and the docked ships. Probably scouting the harbor area?

A sea breeze blew. Benedict held down his tricorne hat with his hand.

Apparently disliking it nearly flying off, he took the hat in his hand and let out a small sigh. White hair—no, silver hair. From the impression of his mouth, he doesn’t seem elderly though…

Having finished checking the harbor, Benedict returned to his inn via the same route he came.

“Hmm…”

“Something wrong?”

“No, Benedict showed himself. He seemed to be scouting the harbor before returning.”

I answered Sheila’s question.

As Mt. Tephra’s elevation increased, the Dragon Palanquin also gained altitude, causing the temperature to drop considerably. Plants became sparse, and rugged rocks became prominent.

There seem to be wild goats too. Perpetual snow is visible in the shade.

“I see it. The crater.”

Tephra said. The summit forms a clear depression. There’s no visible magma or smoke rising… but if this erupted, Marquis Zilbolt’s territory would certainly be in trouble.

“Okay. Lindwurm, circle around and look for a place to land the Dragon Palanquin.”

We slowly circled the crater and carefully landed the Dragon Palanquin on a somewhat flattened rocky area… The balance is a bit unstable?

“I’ll support it from the lower side of the slope.”

“Understood. It’ll just be for a short while.”

“Yes.”

Grace smiled. After releasing the seal, Grace got out of the Dragon Palanquin, went around, and placed her hands on it to secure it from rolling.

“Then, let’s begin.”

Claudia, Tephra, and Marquis Zilbolt descended into the crater. When Claudia held her hand over the ground, a large Magic Circle spread from her feet.

“Tephra, Marquis. Step into the circle.”

“Right.”

“…Is this alright?”

“Yes. Then, I’ll begin.”

The patterns of the Magic Circle spreading from Claudia’s feet began to Spin. The rotation gradually accelerated—until a pillar of faint light rose up.

“Give your consent to my words. First, Tephra.”

“Right.”

“I build a path here. Spirit Tephra. Do you acknowledge the gate’s existence in this land?”

“I acknowledge it.”

The moment she answered, phosphorescent light wrapped around Tephra’s body.

“Marquis Zilbolt. As the lord governing this land, will you bear the responsibility of safeguarding the key?”

“Indeed, I shall take custody with responsibility.”

Similarly, phosphorescent light wrapped around the Marquis. The light shone brightly for just a moment before disappearing like bursting.

Claudia exhaled deeply and opened her eyes.

“…It’s done. I built the path, Tephra acknowledged the gate, and the Marquis safeguards the key.”

Good. Now we’ve safely secured our retreat route too. Once we verify the Gate’s performance, we’ll focus on the Benedict problem.