Volume 9 Chapter 14 Al Becomes A Bird
"Is it okay to think we have some time since the other side is still moving? I want to check our hideout and allies. Lady Patricia is coming here on the day, right?"
Al said to the three. The others agreed with him. Guildmaster Levy replied,
"That's true. I didn't expect such a hidden agenda. The Tempest Kingdom might act. I was focused on Sir Naresh's support and didn't think about that. We need to prepare for something, whether the Viscount is really switching sides or not."
"Should we tell Lady Patricia and Lady Joanna about this?"
Ruella asked with a thoughtful look. Guildmaster Levy and Barbara both shook their heads.
"We should decide what to do first. We still have a week. The other side might not take much action during this week. If their forces are weak and we can gather evidence of their crimes, we could raid the hideout with the guard team we trust. However, since we don’t know who might switch sides to the Tempest Kingdom, it’s better for as few people as possible to know about this. Just the 4 of us and maybe Reginald."
"What should we do about Sir Naresh and Desmond over there?"
Barbara asked Guildmaster Levy. When she said "over there," she meant the border city Parker. If they send a fast horse, they could get a message there in about 3 days.
"That depends on their strength. Right now, Sir Naresh is at a crucial point where the refugee settlement is finally taking shape. He is also gaining the trust of the lord of the border city, Viscount Parker. So, I’d prefer not to disturb him if possible. Plus, sending a half-hearted message would only worry him. Of course, we need to keep an eye on the movements of the Tempest Kingdom. Let’s wait until the situation is a bit clearer before we send a report."
If they send a message now, Desmond and the others might return, but there are concerns about Patricia, Serena, Guildmaster Levy, or Ruella being attacked. Although returning could improve things, the situation is tense. Al decided to focus on other matters for now, as Naresh and the others must manage with their current strength.
"For now, I'll be going."
Leaving the discussion to the 3 of them, Al decided to head out for the investigation.
* * *
'Animal Transformation'──Robin
Al walked back to the Red-Faced Sheep inn and asked Iris to tell Orson he couldn't meet tomorrow due to other plans. After returning to his room, he locked the door and cast enhancement spells on himself, including 'Sensory Boost,' 'Magic Sense,' and 'Physical Boost.' He then transformed into a robin using 'Animal Transformation.'
Al had practiced this spell by transforming into various small animals and birds. He learned that insects were often attacked by predators, and when he tried transforming outside the city, he faced danger and had to revert quickly. Transforming into fierce animals attracted too much human attention, so he had to be cautious.
However, in the town, small dogs, cats, and birds were generally safe. But, he needed to avoid areas like the lord's mansion or knight's barracks, where magic detection was possible, and slums with hungry people. Al decided to use the 'Animal Transformation' spell to move quietly as a small bird.
To avoid danger, Al chose to use the 'Animal Transformation' spell to become a small bird. This spell is similar to the 'Conceal' spell, which makes him move slowly. While transformed, he couldn't cast new spells, but his previous spells remained active. Transforming boosted his magic abilities, making it an important choice for him.
Al (the Robin) touched Glee's assistant device with its foot. When it transformed, the clothes it was wearing and the pendant it had on fell to the floor.
'Be careful on your way there'
"Hinka LaraLara."
Al (the Robin) chirped back. The Robin's hearing is better than a human's, and it can tell different human voices apart. However, it can't make human sounds. Al flew out through the small window it had opened earlier and headed towards the alley near the lord's mansion where the guards were.
From the Red-Faced Sheep tavern to the lord's mansion, it usually takes about 15 minutes to walk quickly. But as a Robin, it could prioritize safety and fly along the eaves and street trees, taking less than 5 minutes. In the alley near the back entrance of the lord's mansion, there was a young man, looking bored, hiding and keeping watch at the back door. He didn't seem to be staring intently at the door; he just sat there looking idle. Al thought that if it hadn't remembered the face of the man who was called Big Bro An at that time, it might not have noticed him. He seemed to be quite a skilled scout.
Unfortunately, the figure of An is not visible. There is still quite a bit of time until the shift change. Al observed the young man in the form of a robin for a while, but there was no particular movement. He hesitated about whether to wait until evening or to pull back. Then he remembered that Big Bro An said he would talk to the kids near the main gate. It would be good to check on that situation.
The lord's mansion probably had strict magic vigilance, so Al decided to take a long detour to the main gate. As he approached, he saw many guards stationed there. At first glance, everything seemed normal.
However, while flying around, he spotted three poorly dressed boys in a back alley. They were about twelve or thirteen years old, around the same height as Al.
The boys looked serious for their age, silently staring at the main gate with vacant expressions. Normally, groups of kids would be chatting and having fun, but this felt different. Al sensed something unusual in the air.
Al (the robin) had no choice but to continue monitoring the situation, occasionally moving back and forth between the two sides where there was no conversation or movement.
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