Chapter 68
Finn glanced around the inside of the carriage and said,
“This carriage has good security. So, I trust you’ll keep it a secret that you met me here and heard what I’m about to say.”
“…….”
After a brief silence, as if pondering how to speak, he finally opened his mouth in a calm voice.
“First, as you probably guessed, something did happen outside. To be precise, the temple requested help because they thought a beast might attack. Until now, they mostly asked the mage tower for assistance, and we don’t know whether your Grace’s father received a request as well.”
‘I see.’
That explains why Finn said he didn’t know when Elizia asked if it was related to her father. Since this seemed to be an important gathering, it looks like people were secretly summoned.
‘……But still, this is quite strange.’
Because this event definitely didn’t exist in the original story.
Elizia had checked several times with the viewers in advance. Prilien’s first banquet proceeds peacefully. The Semperion Duke’s household and the male lead all attend. There’s no mention of any incidents outside the palace.
‘Yet something like this happened…’
Elizia smirked wryly. She had sensed something odd from the moment she left the mansion. Even though she didn’t push the Duke for answers, she had no intention of just letting it slide.
…So whether Howell worried or not, she had quickly jumped onto this magical carriage.
Having made up her mind, Elizia spoke.
“So, where is the beast’s territory?”
“Pardon?”
“Just the general direction is fine. I roughly know the terrain where beasts appear…”
As Elizia spoke, a troubled smile spread across Finn’s face.
“Um, Your Grace… you don’t mean you’re going there yourself, do you?”
“We’ll see after I hear the details.”
“You really mean it?”
“Of course. I said I would.”
Finn looked at her with a doubtful expression, and slowly added as if concerned.
“Your Grace, I must remind you that you haven’t fully recovered yet…”
“Ugh! Everyone’s so unfair! You didn’t tell me!”
“Perhaps it’s out of concern for you…”
“Lies. If you care about me, you should be honest. I’m starting to feel betrayed!”
Elizia pressed Finn teasingly, her tone far from the serious questions she asked when they first boarded the carriage. Finn was speechless under her relentless gaze. Elizia grinned.
“But actually, I know where it is. It’s the Triti Forest, right?”
“……!”
“You look like you agree.”
Elizia casually waved her hand.
‘This is easy.’
In fact, she had been secretly tracking the Duke’s carriage since it departed.
Elizia didn’t have tracking magic. She only had illusion magic, Illuzernis, but she had pushed it to the extreme.
What if she placed the illusion on the Duke’s carriage?
Even a minor illusion, subtle enough not to be noticed, would consume more mana the further it was from her. By measuring mana consumption and adjusting her position, she could estimate the direction. Other magical cues also offered instinctive guidance to the caster.
‘From here, if I go southwest this far… the most likely forest for beast appearances is Triti.’
Elizia struggled a bit while calculating the distance on the carriage, but she got a good estimate. Judging by Finn’s expression, she was almost certain.
‘It’s a hundred percent.’
Just as Elizia was about to take action, a notification appeared in front of her with a static buzz.
Today is a special, speeeci—al day!
A daily quest has been assigned!
The notification seemed to glitch but displayed a quest.
Ding!
Quest
〈Today’s Daily Quest!〉
A special banquet to which the Saintess invited you! Refusing is not an option!
This could be your chance to play the villain properly next to Prilien!
Quest Conditions: Stay by the Saintess for at least one hour today.
Success: Prilien’s favor, one skill view ticket
Failure: Reputation drops, temple members’ disfavor, risk of player elimination, Prilien’s disappointment (ㅠㅠ)
‘……Huh?’
Seeing the urgent notification, Elizia frowned.
‘Do they really have to show this quest now?’
A daily quest demanding her presence next to the Saintess. Likely triggered because she might deviate from the banquet route, and even included the “risk of player elimination” warning.
Elizia crossed her arms. Receiving this quest made her even less inclined to comply. She looked directly at Finn.
“Wizard, but you did lend me this carriage for today, right?”
“…For now, yes.”
Finn nodded immediately. Confirming this, Elizia reached out.
“Perfect. Thank you!”
Flash!
As Elizia’s hand touched the rune on the floor, the entire carriage began to glow. Absorbing her mana, the carriage quickly changed direction.
Whooosh!
The carriage began racing along an empty road.
“……You know how to control this?!”
Elizia murmured calmly at the wide-eyed Finn.
“It’s actually my first time driving it, but I know all the manuals.”
Though she never owned a carriage, she knew how to operate it from her experience in-game. Even unused items’ usage had to be understood.
Manipulating the driving magic circle on the floor, Elizia expertly guided the carriage.
“This is a good carriage. Can it switch to flight mode?”
“It can, but it consumes a lot of mana…”
“Great! Let’s fly!”
The carriage couldn’t handle mountain paths. While not full flight, advanced carriages had partial levitation to reduce wheel friction and avoid obstacles. The higher it flew, the more mana consumed, so it wasn’t used often.
“Flight, stealth, vision enhancement, obstacle avoidance—activated!”
Elizia flipped all the switches with a mischievous smile. Finn didn’t interfere. Perhaps out of respect, or because he couldn’t—after all, she was just an illusion.
Whooosh!
With friction gone, the carriage accelerated even faster. Just as she thought they’d reach the destination, a dull sound echoed from the ceiling.
Warning: Unexpected intrusion detected.
The carriage’s magic circle alarm rang. Elizia looked up.
Since obstacle avoidance was active, it wasn’t an accident. Likely an intentional external intrusion.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Warning: Attack attempts ongoing.
Warning: Carriage defense magic damaged 12%…12.5%…14.5%
It’s recommended not to proceed recklessly.
Emergency. Searching for escape route.
Sending distress signal…
“No! Don’t send a distress signal!”
Elizia shouted urgently. Sending one could reveal her situation to the enemy. Another alarm sounded.
Attempting emergency landing.
Whooosh.
Thanks to not flying very high, the landing was smooth. The carriage’s protective shield suffered minimal damage—clearly a high-grade magical carriage.
However, Elizia sensed danger and looked outside. Vision enhancement allowed her to see widely. Stealth and other protective spells likely concealed the interior. She muttered in displeasure.
“……We’re surrounded.”
Despite the object hitting the carriage roof, numerous monsters’ eyes appeared between the trees.
Monsters resembling monkeys clinging to branches, flying beasts, wild boar-like creatures charging along the ground—Elizia muttered irritably.
“Why are there so many? Wasn’t this a peaceful forest?”
“…Indeed.”
Finn’s heavy voice answered. Elizia grasped the hem of her dress—a luxurious fabric, soft and delicate. She felt a pang of guilt for taking such fine clothes, gifts from Finn.
“Oh, Wizard, did I tell you?”
“What story?”
“I really, really like this dress.”
For a moment, she smiled sincerely at Finn, adorned with the beautiful headpiece and mysterious dress chosen by her attendants. Though surrounded by monsters, her smile was calm, almost ignoring the situation. Finn’s gaze lingered briefly.
Elizia continued, apologetically:
“So, I really… truly apologize! I hate this, too!”
Flash!
She grabbed a large magic gem at her dress’s hem. The gem absorbed her mana and glowed brightly.
“Here I go! Magic gem bomb!”
Shouting briefly, Elizia opened the window and threw the gem into the forest.
Swoosh!
As the gem disappeared at incredible speed,
Boom.
The sky blazed brightly, and the ground trembled.
