Volume 19 Chapter 9 After The Attack
"Magic Bag?"
Prince Theodore and Viscount Vincent looked at each other with surprise.
Of course, they should know what it is because it is a famous magic tool.
Actually, Al did not notice that the magician he defeated with the 'Piercing Spear' spell had a button-shaped magic bag like the ones previous goblin mages and other mages had.
At that time, it was hidden under the collar of the mage's clothes.
He realized this when Gustave told him to help carry the body.
He finally noticed it when he put the bloody body on the 'Carrier' spell disc.
But, he couldn't take the button from the magician because there were people watching.
He hoped that if the body was buried, he might be able to do something then.
"Vincent, you said your 'Magic Sense' had no response from the body, right? What does that mean?"
"I don't know."
So, they were on guard with the 'Magic Sense' spell.
But, if there was no response from the 'Detect Magic' spell, it might mean that the magician from the royal knight group of Sylvester Kingdom is not stronger than the magic corps of Margrave Rain.
But this is the reaction in the magic bag.
"I think it's going to be hard to get it after all," Al thought to himself
"Can I touch it? This is it"
Al turned up the collar of the robe worn by the corpse with a large hole in its stomach and pointed to the button around its neck.
Viscount Vincent is calling the knights of the Second Order who are guarding Prince Theodore to confirm.
But the knight shook his head, saying there was still no response.
"Actually, I'm investigating the rumor that a magician was giving food to the barbarians near Channing Village, where my father rules. Could you please take a look at the recording I made at that time?"
Seeing Prince Theodore and Viscount Vincent nod, Al cast the 'Record & Play' spell. He showed an image of a mage from the Marquis Prentis family taking barrels filled with food from thin air to give to the Barbarians called Lamia.
At that moment, the mage had a button like the dead mage in front of him on his neck. He tapped it twice and moved 3 fingers on the edge, which showed the barrels appearing.
Seeing that, Al felt relieved inside.
Though he barely remembered, he could claim he learned how to take things out now, and it wouldn't be strange at all.
"Actually, I can faintly see a reaction from this button with the 'Magic Sense' spell. I thought there might be a way to cover things with metal so that the 'Magic Sense' spell wouldn't find them easily. And if that's done, depending on the skill of the 'Magic Sense' spell, it might sometimes show and sometimes not."
Although these do not tell the whole truth, it isn't a lie either, as there are ways to avoid the 'Magic Sense' spell that don't involve the 'Stealth' spell, like layering materials.
For now, with this explanation, he managed to keep the story believable without raising too many questions.
"I see, so you are sure this is a magic bag. Go ahead and try it."
Viscount Vincent obediently asked Al if he could take something out of the button.
Al nodded and gently touched it.
The response came immediately.
Only a wooden box remains in the warehouse linked to the button, and there is no carriage inside.
Clothes and leather bags appear to be left inside the wooden box.
"There is something that looks like a wooden box inside. Let me take it out."
Al said, and took out the whole wooden box.
Everyone is surprised by the wooden box that suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Oh, this is definitely a magic bag. What's inside the box?"
Prince Theodore asked Al with an excited voice.
Al then opened the lid of the wooden box.
Inside, just as Al hoped, there was a suit that knights wear for official ceremonies.
There was also a small leather bag.
It felt like it might have gold coins inside.
Al smiled happily.
"This is all that was inside. I don't know the full size of the bag, but it is definitely a magic bag. If we check the clothes, we might learn about the magician's identity who attacked us. For now, I will present the magic bag and what's inside."
Prince Theodore and Viscount Vincent looked at each other.
They probably didn't know what to do.
When adventurers defeat a wanted thief, they often get to keep the things that belong to the thief, except for items that can be identified.
But Al felt that a magic bag was just too valuable.
"Did His Highness Prince Theodore not have the magician that was defeated?"
Al asked that question.
The two looked at each other again.
If they had it, could they not receive one?
"I understand. I will keep the magic bag and anything inside it for now. The reward will be decided after discussing with Lady Serena. Leave for now."
Viscount Vincent said, and Al bowed his head.
A conclusion will not be reached immediately.
He had only said that, leaving the matter to them for now.
* * *
When Al returned to guarding Serena, Bro Gustave and Orville came to him at about the same time to ask how things went.
They must have been worried about each other.
He may have been thinking about the casualties of the second and supply trains.
First, explain it in the same way as he reported it to Prince Theodore.
"That story about giving food was more like a chat with Sir Duran than an investigation."
Gustave smiled weakly but said, "Well, it wasn't a wrong story, right?"
As Al, there are reasons why not everything can be told clearly.
While they were talking, Serena came out of the carriage.
Her face was pale.
It might be from the shock of the attack.
"Gustave, Alfred, you were at the back, right? How was everyone in the second corps? What about the magic corps?"
That seemed to be what she was worried about.
Come to think of it, neither the corps had reported back to Serena.
This likely means she wasn't in charge.
Serena was 16 years old, just like Naresh and Al.
Even though she had some experience in politics and social events as the third daughter of Margrave Rain, she had never led a corps, and command was probably left to Prince Theodore.
"As far as I know, 2 knights died in the second corps. However, everyone who survived was also pretty badly injured. I haven't checked on the supply corps yet. I think the magic corps should be okay."
"I see."
After Al answered, Serena sighed and nodded.
"Gustave, Audrey, the attack has calmed down, right? Is it okay if I go check on them?"
"Princess... it's probably a pretty horrible situation. I don't think it's the kind of place a princess would go to."
Audrey tries to stop her, but Serena stands up as if determined.
But at that moment, 2 women came to Al and his friends.
Nora Tagard (younger sister of Jillian (the one who engaged with Patricia)) and her attendant lady.
"Lady Serena, this attack was a big challenge. As the one who invited you, I apologize."
"No, Lady Nora, thank you for your kindness. We have not yet determined who the assailants were, but we believe they are the Marquis Prentis family. We should blame the cruel people who attacked us without warning."
Nora nods vigorously at Serena's words, as if she has gotten what she wants.
"The magicians from Marquis Prentis's family will do anything and are not afraid to do terrible things. They make us suffer all the time. However, this time, I really admire the Sylvester Kingdom. To defeat 2 magicians is a great achievement."
The Marquis Tagard family has been fighting against the Marquis Prentis family for a long time.
It seems they also had a hard time dealing with the magicians.
"Thank you. Everyone will feel happy to hear that."
"I am not just saying nice things. I mean it. Of course, I was hoping for the Sylvester royal family's Anti-Magic Field spell, but what was even more amazing was your magician. You were with Sir Naresh before, right? With adventurer Al. It felt refreshing to see you fight so bravely against a magician and win."
Saying this, Nora looked at Al and smiled.
Well, the reason Al could finish with the 'Piercing Spear' spell at that moment was thanks to the magic corps stripping away all the effects of the enemy's shield spell.
Still, to deny her words would be too hard because of their different statuses.
Al scratched his head awkwardly.
"That is very good. There are such skilled individuals like this. However, most of our knights and magicians are not used to fighting other humans. Under someone like him, we plan to improve our skills and stand against the Marquis Prentis family."
Serena also glanced at Al before she replied.
What's with this gaze?
What's wrong?
"I see. I'd love to exchange information with our magicians again."
Information exchange between magicians!
Amazing.
"That's definitely interesting... The exchange between magicians from each country is an interesting topic, but I'll get back to you after discussing it with Prince Theodore..."
Just when he was about to answer yes, Serena interrupted.
Was a straight answer not okay?
Or could there be another reason?
After that, the two talked about their struggles, and in the end, Nora smiled at Al and went back.
As Al waved goodbye, Serena called out to say she would go check on the second corps.
While Al was worried about many things, he followed behind her.
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