Volume 1 Chapter 28 Even If I Just Regret It, I Can't Save Them
The day after Suzu's letter arrived via the Adventurer's Guild, Minori, Lene, and I wasted no time.
Without a second thought for money, we boarded a shared carriage, heading straight for the town of Bechemar.
Before we left, Lady Cecil handed us a letter bearing the royal seal.
"Come to Raudinger Castle upon your return. I will give you the rest of the reward there."
She and her companion had already departed on horseback, returning to Sartzstadt.
We would've preferred to ride as well, but none of us had connections to lend us horses.
Besides, none of us knew how to ride.
But right now, none of that mattered.
This was about Suzu.
What in the world had happened?
No... I could already guess.
This had to be Guy's fault.
"...My fault."
"........."
Minori's voice was barely above a whisper.
She sat curled up in the carriage, her face buried in her knees.
Guilt weighed on her.
I had told her, over and over, not to blame herself.
But neither Lene nor I could find the words to comfort her now.
The situation was obvious.
Guy—who had feelings for Minori—was probably threatening Suzu to force her to reveal Minori's location.
Minori kept mumbling the same regret:
"If we had just left town together... this wouldn't have happened."
But regret wouldn't save Suzu.
We had to hurry to Bechemar.
"Minori, eat something. You'll need your strength when the time comes."
Lene pulled out some bread she had bought before our departure and held it out.
Minori didn't lift her head.
"...No appetite."
"Eat anyway. If we stop and you collapse, we'll be helpless. Teacher always said—those who rest well and eat well are the ones who get things done."
"........."
Minori finally moved.
Her tear-streaked face lifted just slightly as she took the bread from Lene's hands.
"Thank you."
Relieved, Lene let out a quiet sigh.
"...It's sticking in my throat. Salty."
"You're both crying, aren't you? Drink some water."
I handed her a water bottle, silently thinking:
Of course, she's crying. She's my sister.
* * *
"Whoa! Stop! STOP!"
The shout rang through the carriage.
We were near the border of the Deahr Kingdom, traveling along a mountainous road after changing carriages in the royal capital of Raudinger.
The carriage jolted and came to a sudden halt.
"What's going on—Whoa!"
A male passenger leaned out of the cargo hold to check the driver's seat.
His face went pale.
Leaving Minori in Lene's care, I peered outside as well.
I immediately understood.
"Landslide."
A massive boulder had tumbled down from the west side of the mountain, completely blocking the road.
There was a narrow gap—just enough for a person to slip through—but a carriage? No chance.
The passengers gathered as the driver assessed the situation.
"We have to turn back."
The words ignited outrage.
More than half the passengers surrounded the driver, demanding answers.
"No way! We can't go through!?"
"I have urgent business in Deahr! There has to be a way!"
The driver tried to calm them, but his words only fanned the flames.
"...This is a problem," I muttered. "Should we walk?"
Lene frowned. "Walking from here is risky. Should we try pushing it aside?"
I reached into my magic bag and pulled out a magic stone, handing it to her.
She took one look at it, then at the boulder.
"What? You want me to move this thing!?"
I shook my head.
"No, not even with the <Magic Stone of Powerful Arms>. It's impossible."
Her face twisted in frustration.
That's right. Even with that stone, this rock wasn't going anywhere.
So we'll use another method.
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