I stripped off all of Yusuka’s armor and then conducted a body search.

My guess was that if Nefmeiza had set up such an organization, she would have given them some kind of device to track the Knights’ whereabouts. My guess was spot on. I found a Magic Stone that looked like a transmitter in his pants pocket.

“For now, I’ll just throw it away somewhere while we’re moving.”

Having made my decision, I picked up Yusuka. With Body Enhancement, it was nothing.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Romilda nodded. She wasn’t particularly surprised about me carrying a man… though she might just be too confused to process it.

According to my Familiar’s search, there are no Knights in the vicinity. I want to move in a way that avoids them and leave the Town.

“Come with me.”

At my words, Romilda nodded again… and began to walk.

However, problems are piling up. If we are to escape, we either pass through the gate or climb over the City Walls, but this time Presence Concealment Magic cannot be used. That only works for one person; for example, it cannot erase everyone within a certain range all at once.

If Romilda were my only companion, I might be able to deceive them even if we tried to leave through the Castle Gate, but I am carrying Yusuka. It would probably be impossible to pass through with soldiers present.

“So, there’s only one way… it’s still going to be a brute force approach, isn’t it?”

As I muttered softly, we reached Main Street. However, it was late at night, so there were no people. I could hear voices chatting in some Tavern, but that was about it. Watchful Soldiers seemed to be patrolling, but I used Familiars to move so as to avoid encountering them.

Romilda followed behind me without saying anything. It seems she trusts me, which is a relief.

While this was happening, we approached the Castle Gate. However, this was only the second gate, and we still had to pass through the third gate to leave the Town.

“…I guess I should contact them around here.”

I instructed Romilda and then stepped into the shadows. Then I summoned a bird-shaped Familiar nearby. It’s the one that flies around me, and it has a Familiar of the same type at Exon’s Mansion. In other words—

“Richard, can you hear me?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps because she heard a voice from the bird, Romilda looked a little surprised. I ignored her and continued the conversation.

“What about the Monster?”

“It’s progressing rapidly, but it’ll still take some time to send it to you… Wait, don’t tell me—”

“Exactly.”

“I didn’t expect results so quickly. What do you want to do?”

“Keep lines of communication open. I’m going to escape the Town as is.”

“We’ll hurry, but… can you do it?”

“I’ll manage somehow.”

After finishing the communication, I looked at Romilda.

“We’ll have to walk for a while after we get outside, are you okay with that?”

Romilda nodded. Well, it is what it is.

I started moving again. Anyway, I needed to leave the Capital City as quickly as possible.

We reached near the Castle Gate. As expected, there were watchful Soldiers, but… here, I performed an Incantation.

“—Evil ones, sleep.”

Simultaneously with the words, the bodies of the Soldiers standing at the Castle Gate tilted. I didn’t make it strong enough for them to collapse completely. There were two Soldiers in total, and both of them, while supporting themselves with the spears they held, lost their strength and slumped to the ground.

Checking the surroundings with a Familiar, there were no other Knights or anyone else. There were no people in the nearby Guardhouse either.

“Let’s go.”

I told Romilda and proceeded. We passed by the sleeping Soldiers, breaking through the first barrier. After a short while, the Soldiers would wake up. I adjusted the Magic so they would only sleep for a moment, as staying asleep for too long would surely arouse suspicion.

“I hope we can get through the other Castle Gate just as easily…”

I continued walking, wondering if it would really be that easy. When I glanced at Romilda, I saw her following me. No anxious expression could be seen on her silent, obedient face.

In this regard, she trusts me… or does she? I was a little concerned, but I’ll think about it later. For now, I’ll be relieved by the fact that she’s following me.

Eventually, we approached the gate leading outside. I had already confirmed with a Familiar that it was open. It seems they don’t close all the gates.

“Now, let’s see if this works.”

I began an Incantation under my breath. And then—

“Evil ones, sleep.”

With the words, the Magic activated. I watched… as the Soldier’s body tilted.

It seems to have worked for now. I gave Romilda a meaningful look and then started walking. I felt a slight thrill as I looked at the downward-facing Soldier’s face—

We stepped outside. It was anticlimactic—I felt a slight sense of unease, but for now, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Success.”

However, the Soldiers will wake up soon. I veer slightly off the Highway to avoid being seen by them and start walking.

I want to travel as much as possible during the night, but…

I observe Romilda’s expression. Illuminated by the moonlight, her face shows no sign of sleepiness.

For now, it seems fine to keep walking, but–

If anything happens, tell me.

Romilda nods at my words–and we begin to move through the Darkness of the night.

Once we are a little distance from the Imperial Capital, I think. Honestly, our movement speed is slow because Romilda is with me. The option of carrying her and running, similar to Yusuka, crosses my mind… and I wonder if I should do it.

Um…

Just then, she speaks up.

I’m… slow, aren’t I?

She says it as if probing my thoughts. It feels like she’s reading my mind.

Well, to be honest…

Um… are you, big brother, alright?

She asks hesitantly, seeing me carrying Yusuka.

I’m strengthening my body with Magic Power.

For now, I reply with a smile.

He’s been put to sleep from his unconscious state, so he shouldn’t struggle on the way. I’d like him to accompany us to Exon’s Mansion like this, but–

I, um…

Romilda shows a slightly hesitant expression, and then says,

I can put power into my legs… and run fast.

Run?

Yes, that’s how I got out of the Castle too.

Did someone teach you?

After a slight pause at my question, Romilda says,

When I thought I had to escape… it just… naturally happened…

–Does that mean her power is awakening? In the game, she couldn’t use Magic or skills when she became a companion. Considering that, she shouldn’t be able to draw out Magic Power in reality, but… anyway, I should check.

Understood. However, if anything happens, tell me immediately.

Then, she nods repeatedly.

Then… are you ready?

Yes.

She answers simply and gathers Magic Power in her feet… yes, Magic Power clearly manifests at her feet.

Her control is good too. With this, we should be able to proceed at a sufficient speed.

Garuku’s observation. I inwardly agree and say to Romilda,

Then, let’s go.

As I say the words, I start running. Romilda follows–or rather, she overtakes me for a moment.

Thinking I might have underestimated her a bit, I increase my speed. However, partway through, she stumbles slightly, unable to get a good grip on the ground. I give her advice as we continue forward.

Eventually, I spot a Town ahead. But I change course to veer around it, bypassing the Town as we rush past.

Aren’t we going into the Town?

No. We’ll head straight for our destination as long as our stamina holds out.

I declare this and check the situation in the Imperial Capital with my Familiar.

They haven’t noticed about Yusuka yet… no, perhaps they’ve realized his late return at the Castle, as several Knights have started moving. The Knights I knocked unconscious won’t wake up because I used Magic on them, and I threw the tracking device somewhere random for now, but… it’s probably only a matter of time before they realize something is amiss.

They’ll probably figure out the situation by dawn… I probably only have a few hours. I want to be as far away from the Imperial Capital as possible by then.

The rest depends on how fast Richard can complete the monster.

Once it’s complete and the迎え comes, we’ll be able to reach Exon’s Mansion in no time. Once we’re there, even if the Emperor’s side notices something is wrong, we’ll be able to escape.

I shifted my gaze to Romilda. She seemed to still have plenty of energy as she galloped through the night, just like me. As I thought about how cool she looked in the moonlight… we kept moving.