Chapter 11

After arriving back at Syla, we returned to our dorms. Some students that saw me bombarded me with questions, especially since they expected me to be off for three whole months.

“Haha, there are some issues out there, it's safer here,” I answered. I repeat that same answer every time I run into someone I know until I arrive back in my room. It was exhausting in its own right.

I threw myself into the bed, letting out a deep sigh. My mind wandered off, eventually arriving on Emori’s face.

She's deeply disappointed, isn't she?

I understand that she's worried sick about Nayala, but really, what could I do?

Even if we do our thing, not like I can bring Emori and Solicea with us.

They're nobles, people with actual standing in this country.

Ah, right, Solicea shouldn't be involved, either.

I was too focused on Emori to remember. This meant that, if we want to play it safe, our team would consist of only me and Maya. Way too small considering our enemies. We were at a disadvantage as well. The fact that I would be fighting against humans meant that I couldn’t go all out, neither could Maya.

“What should I do…” I murmur to no one in particular. As I rested on my bed, I noticed some knocking coming from the window. I turned to it, finding Asytelar standing there. I opened the window, letting her come in.

“What happened, Fortisbel?” She asked as she hopped onto my bed. “I thought you were supposed to be away for three months?”

“I’m surprised you know about our return… Oh, Emori’s Ring of Protection…”

“Yes. Did something happen?”

I explained everything that happened, about how Nayala disappeared all of the sudden and how we were hunted by the army.

“Quite the predicament, indeed. Still… if what you say about Emori is true…”

“About what I say?” I tilted my head.

“Emori has been speaking her mind more clearly recently, so maybe this should be expected…”

“... Do you know just how close those two are?”

“Like two sisters, I would say.”

“Huh… Even if I went to the rescue, can someone like me do anything?”

“You are more capable than you give yourself credit for, so are the people around you.”

She had a point. I did underestimate Emori’s skills before.

“So you think I should just wing it?”

“It’s best if you discuss it with Emori. Ultimately, Emori is the one that wanted to go on the rescue. But… considering what you told me, maybe it’s best that you let her rest tonight. A lot of things had happened. It would be best if the two of you clear your heads. You didn’t want something like last time happening again.”

“Alright.” I nodded.

“I shall head back. Have a good night's rest.” Asytelar turned around and flew away. I shut the window and lay back on the bed.

Even if you say that… What am I supposed to do?

•••

“Not today either, huh?” I had been trying to Connect with Emori. Unlike the last time, it did go through. This time, though, it was clear she wasn’t interested in talking, so our Connect ended up with both of us being silent most of the time until one side needed to cut things off.

Argh… I’m a mess…

… Maybe I could talk with them instead?

I used Connect to call Maya.

“Fortis? What is it?”

“Want to go to Nanawak?”

“Meet me in my room.”

“Okay.”

The Connect got cut off.

…

Don’t go inviting boys into your room, Maya!

I sighed and then made my way to her room.

•••

“You're here.” Maya opened the door, letting me come in. She was wearing her pajamas. I wonder if she just woke up. Unlike last time, Solicea wasn’t here with her.

“Where is Solicea?” I asked.

“I thought you’re looking for me. I’m disappointed,” she said, dejected.

“I am looking for you. Just curious.”

The toilet door opened, Solicea appearing from inside. “You’re not looking for me?”

“Ah, I thought it’s weird that you’re not with Emori.”

“I’m not her sidekick,” Solicea said in exasperation.

“Come, Solicea, we shall rescue the day.”

“Who exactly are you rescuing?”

“Ah, about that. I’m thinking of going back to Nanawak.”

Both of them looked at me with varying degree of surprise.

“So we’ll kick some ass?”

“Please keep yourself out of trouble, Maya.”

“You know how Emori want to rescue Nayala, right? I’m going to do that but without involving her.”

Solicea folded her hands. “You have zero respect for nobility, do you? But still, how are you going to do it?”

“I didn’t have a plan yet.” I shrugged. “But I thought of inviting Maya back there.”

Maya lifted her eyebrow. “Just me?”

“Solicea’s a noble too, don’t you remember? It’ll be risky to bring her along.”

“Not like I’m able to do a lot anyway. But, are you sure, Fortis?”

I nodded resolutely. “If it’s something Emori wishes, I should at least try.”

“Heh.”

“Heh.”

The two of them stared at me.

“Fine. Make sure you keep contact with me. Tell me if anything happens, oh, and keep Maya on a leash, will you?”

“I’m not a pet.”

Maya reached out and held my hand. “To Nanawak we go!”

“Maya!” Solicea ran to Maya’s wardrobe. “Get change first!”

“Eh…”

I let go of Maya’s hand and turned around. “Just do it, please.”

“Alright, no peeking, Fortis.”

“Like I care!”

It took a bit. Maya tapped on my shoulders. I turned around, founding Maya in her desert configuration.

“Let’s go.” Maya held my hand.

“Stay safe you two.”

“See you.”

I imagined a certain place in Nanawak, then used Teleport. The next moment, I found myself standing inside an empty office.

That’s good.

“Keep quiet, okay?”

Maya nodded. We sneaked out, checking the corners before we moved. Interesting enough, there weren’t as many wolves in the complex as before, suggesting that some of them had moved on. We sneaked around, looking for Regus or Amira. Very few people occupy the place. The cafeteria was empty except for a few chefs while the training field was occupied by a small group of five.

“Hey, aren’t you two Regus’ friends?” One of the chefs saw us walking around and called out.

“Ah, yes. Have you seen Mister Regus and Miss Amira?”

“Regus and Amira… I think they went on a mission.”

“Do you know where they went?”

The chef hadn’t answered when Maya grabbed my hand. I turned around, finding a familiar figure standing behind me.

“I do not appreciate outsiders sneaking around my base, but considering that you’re Her Highness’ allies, I shall make exceptions.”

“Mister Vorak…”

“I assume you have something to discuss with me?”

I stepped forward and nodded. “It’s about your Boss.”

“Had I not told you? We will take care of her.”

“My princess is worried, thus I will do what I can to help her.”

“You tell him, Fortis.” Maya did little claps. Mister Vorak stared at us, his gaze piercing into my very soul.

“... Fine. Please note that the Wolves won’t be responsible for your fates.”

“I could take care of myself, thank you very much.”

“Now then, please follow me.” I turned back to Maya. She gave me a thumbs up and we followed Mister Vorak back to his office.

“Please, take a seat.”

We did as told, taking our seats on the sofa across from him. This was the same room that we teleported into. Thinking about it, relying on a room was a relatively risky move, since if there are any major changes, then Teleport wouldn’t work. Well, I could Teleport to Kokunachen instead, but the trip here would take a while.

“Here are some infiltration plans, drawn up by your prince.”

“... Pri- I mean His Highness Prilus?” I asked in surprise. He gave us a calm nod.

“His Highness had predicted that Her Highness Emori wouldn’t let this slide, and believed that at least you two would be sent back here. It seemed Nayala used Connect with him right before she was kidnapped, thus he had access to information we didn’t have.”

“He was the first one she Connect with?”

“Not quite. They were already in a Connect when the attack happened. He blushed when I asked what they were discussing.”

Those two love birds!

But at least it helped in this case.

“So, what did you find out?”

“The city she's currently held at is Akarakura, the same one you suspected?”

“How do you know?” I asked.

“She was on Connect the entire journey. Apparently, the drug didn’t work, thus she was able to keep her consciousness the entire trip. Since she was held in a bag, they must have not noticed her keeping Connect alive until they entered an anti-magic barrier.”

An anti-magic barrier messed up the flow of mana and the utilization of magic spells. A mage could feel it when an anti-magic barrier was set up. An anti-magic barrier couldn’t discern between friends or foe, though, so the only one that could use magic inside a barrier is its caster. However, due to the complexity of the spell, not many could deploy a second spell alongside the barrier.

In other words, once they entered, the likelihood of someone using Teleport to get out from the barrier without disabling it would be pretty low.

“After confirming this, we had sent units to investigate.”

“Is Regus and Amira among them?”

Mister Vorak nodded. “They are currently investigating things in Akarakura as we speak.”

“Have they made any progress?” Maya asked.

“We have a suspicion on the building Her Highness is being held in.”

“I see…” It wouldn't be long before the rescue operation began.

“His Highness stated that only the two of you are allowed to participate. Her Highness Emori must not know about the operation, or so he says.”

If Emori knows, she’ll want to take part.

“But Her Highness is Emori’s friend. I think it's understandable that she wants to take part in the rescue.”

“You are aware of the risks, correct?”

“I am. As the party leader, I'll take responsibility for anything that happens to my group.”

“You need to take responsibility for other things as well…” Maya muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“Huh… you're dense as a rock.”

I honestly had no idea what Maya was hinting at.

Okay, maybe I have a slight hint, all things consider, but I'm probably wrong. Regardless, that isn't important. What is important is getting Emori’s big sister back.

“If you are serious about that, then here.” Mister Vorak gave me a piece of paper. It was a contract. Maya came closer, and we both read the terms. In general, it stated that the Eastern Wolves wouldn't be responsible for anything that happened to us during our time in Nanawak.

“I repeat once more, His Highness stated that you shall not involve Emori under any circumstances. Thanks to this contract, I do not care who you bring or not bring, but the His Highness stated so.”

They must be struggling.

If they weren’t, even if the contract didn’t state it, they wouldn’t allow me bringing Emori or Solicea along. Heck, if this was the same organization that I worked with in the game, they wouldn’t need my help in the first place. It wouldn’t take them more than two days to rescue Nayala.

“Are you going to sign it, Fortis?” Maya asked.

“It’s alright if you don’t want to come with us.”

Maya held my shoulder. “I’m with you, even to the ends of the world.”

She didn’t seem to be joking, as it does sound romantic. If only she wasn’t a dragon.

If she isn’t, then would she fall for me? Nah, I don’t think anyone will.

“Alright then.” I took one more careful read of the contract, making sure Mister Vorak didn’t give us any hidden or vague terms. After mulling it over, I took a pen and signed my name on it. Mister Vorak gave me a second, identical one. I signed it as well, and returned the pen and one copy to him.

“I’ll be holding onto this one.”

“I am admittedly surprised you know how to sign a contract.”

“Fortis here has many things that the common person didn’t know.”

I shrugged the comments off. I did sign a contract or two in my previous life, and things weren’t that different.

“I will notify you of any further progress, and I shall keep this place open for you.”

“Alright, thank you.” I took my copy of the contract and folded it, inserting it into my pants.

“We have some more things to discuss. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Sure.”

We stayed there until quite late, discussing various matters, before returning to Syla.