NOVEL NEXT Volume 1 Chapter 61
Some beastkin races have racial talents that allow them to remember the scent of a particular individual through a powerful sense of smell, enabling them to accurately track them within a short time and distance.
The strength and upper limit of this skill vary depending on the race.
Carlo parted ways with us temporarily, lightening the load by one person, which significantly increased the range of the Spatial Transfer. After all, the limitations of Spatial Transfer are not simply additive.
“Come this way.”
I took Heddrifa and Lily’s hands and led them to a room next to the living room.
Uncle François returned faster than I expected, but he still couldn’t keep up with my decision-making.
“I already said this is my private… What?! This is the Duke’s…”
Outside the door, it seemed like Uncle François presented some proof that could suppress Baron Trafalgar.
But all of that is irrelevant now.
“[Spatial Transfer]!”
Coordinates set, maximum distance.
In a blink, the view before us changed from a beautifully decorated room to a lush forest.
“Spatial Transfer is top-tier magic. Are you really just… a maid?”
Heddrifa looked astonished. I leaned against a nearby tree and nodded with a wry smile.
I apologize for just being a maid. Because I might be able to help my master with Spatial Transfer.
It took me some time to regulate my breathing back to normal.
“Are you okay?”
“The consumption of Spatial Transfer is huge… carrying people multiplies it. It’s fine, I can adjust and use it again.”
“Don’t push yourself. What’s going on? Why the rush to leave?”
Our current location is farther away from the forest outside Rothschild, the furthest distance I could teleport with two people. It’s unprofessional of me; I’m usually an experienced driver when it comes to Spatial Transfer.
“Heddrifa.”
To keep Lily from hearing that name, I leaned in closer to Heddrifa’s ear.
“I know who’s hurting Lily now.”
“Who?”
“I don’t have concrete evidence, but it’s likely…”
In the distance, a golden magical energy shot up into the azure sky.
It wasn’t part of any elemental magic but similar to the [Shield Emblem] that only nobles could use. It was an emergency signal magic that could only be used by the captain of the guards in a certain area.
“Over there… in the direction of Rothschild?”
“Uncle François is quick to make decisions.”
It looks like evading this will be difficult.
The emergency signal magic is similar to ancient communication methods, where dry wood was placed at high points and lit to send signals through smoke. There were even foolish kings who used it to trick their vassals.
The emergency signal magic works similarly. In the Kingdom of Mikael, the king standardized the red and green signals to indicate enemy attack and request for support, respectively. I don’t know what Duke Bogia has designated the golden signal for.
Perhaps it’s a signal indicating Lily’s location. Uncle François probably used the emergency signal magic to inform Duke Bogia as soon as he noticed Lily was missing.
From the moment the golden signal was sent from Rothschild, other places, like the Barony of Hest, responded with golden signals as well.
If someone was in the sky, they might see the spectacular sight of the golden signals spreading like wildfire across the Duke’s territory.
“Emergency signal magic, Heddrifa. Uncle François has informed the lord of this territory.”
“You mean…”
“The person hurting Lily is Duke Bogia, the hero of the Kingdom of Mikael.”
“The hero of the Kingdom of Mikael—Duke Bogia. I’ve heard he’s highly respected, but also quite old and rumored to be considering retirement.”
“All we can do now is take Lily and run away. I’ve mostly recovered.”
“How many times can you use Spatial Transfer?”
Calculating for three people, I think…
“Three more times at most. But after the third time, I’ll probably be so exhausted that I’ll pass out, not even having the strength to undress.”
I tried to lighten the mood with some casual words, but Heddrifa responded very seriously.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you undress then.”
“…What?”
“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. What I meant is, even if I have to carry you, I won’t leave you behind.”
Why carry and not simply ‘back’? Isn’t the cool line supposed to involve ‘backing’ someone?
“If I’m that exhausted, it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth, so I’ll use it two more times. After that, we’ll have to travel on foot. Lily, come…”
We don’t have time to wait for Carlo. Beastkin are fast runners; she should be able to catch up.
However, I underestimated Duke Bogia.
In an instant, the sky turned blood-red for less than a second before returning to its clear state.
This brief change was not an illusion. Something had triggered it.
—[Barrier].
The strongest defensive array deployed when the nation is invaded. Even Spatial Transfer can’t break through the interference of a [Barrier].
To capture Lily… did he really activate the Barrier unilaterally? The hero of the Kingdom of Mikael…!
At the same time, a majestic voice, as if from the heavens, reached my ears. It was not directed at anyone in particular but was a decree sent out to everyone within the range of the Barrier.
“—Declaration.”