Volume 3 Chapter 18 It Seems It Was Only a Careless Oversight
The mountain path wasn't paved, but it had been shaped and worn down by the countless feet of people who visited the lookout point at the summit.
I knew it was easier to walk because of that.
I had once come here on a date with Lene on a day off.
I hadn't found any traces that belonged to 'Teacher' among those footprints, yet I was still certain she was somewhere up ahead.
"I was planning on heading back to work quickly... But if 'Teacher' is here, there's no reason for me not to chase after her."
Saying this to myself, I took one step after another, making my way toward the summit.
It had already been 7 years since we had parted ways with 'Teacher.'
She had left us with the words, "Ryuuji can live on just fine without me."
We, the siblings, hadn't been able to repay 'Teacher' for teaching us how to survive.
In fact, we didn't even know her real name.
If I could see her again, I vowed to ask her for that name this time and repay the kindness she showed us.
There was so much more I wanted to talk about too.
Like how accomplished I and my sisters had become, or that I had a wife now, and just yesterday, we had welcomed a foster daughter into our family.
"That's right! We've become accomplished. We're now confident adults who can hold our heads high in front of 'Teacher'."
In 'Teacher's memories, I was sure we still looked like kids.
She would surely be delighted to see how much we had grown since then.
"......Huh?"
As I walked forward, my heart filled with hope, I suddenly felt a strange discomfort and came to a halt.
The route of the mountain path felt different from what I remembered.
"...What's going on?"
Suppressing the giddy feelings that had been bubbling up until a moment ago, I scanned my surroundings, hit with an inexplicable sense of discomfort.
Sure enough, I had been walking along the path.
This mountain trail was a single, straightforward route, and by now, I should've been approaching the summit, yet I couldn't see a single hint of where the path led ahead.
That alone felt off.
"...The last time I came here, it was early spring. It hasn't been that long since then, so the vegetation should be pretty much the same..."
If I had visited in autumn, the changing colors of the leaves would have altered the scenery enough to feel out of place, but that wasn't the case now.
What I was sensing was something entirely different──a sort of dangerous vibe, as if moving forward was being impeded by some unseen threat.
"........."
I turned to glance back.
The path I had come from was definitely there.
I could go back.
I could, but──
"...But the 'Teacher' is up ahead! So there's no time to hesitate."
With that determination, I turned to face the trail towards the summit once again.
And then, I took a step forward.
Yet, for some reason, my foot didn't land as expected──it seemed to slice through the air.
And then──
"What!?"
The scene before me changed dramatically in an instant.
The stretch of mountain trail I thought was ahead turned out to be a sheer cliff.
The source of my discomfort was the gap between the trail I remembered and the illusion I had just walked upon.
Caught up in my emotions for the 'Teacher,' I had rational thought fly right out the window.
I should have sensed the danger and not moved forward.
But it was too late for regrets.
My foot, which had stepped too far, found no ground to land on and instead pulled my entire body into the sky.
And so, with no way to stop myself, I tumbled down the nearly vertical cliff.
* * *
The time I spent falling felt excruciatingly long, but in reality, it was probably only a matter of seconds.
Even then, it was more than enough time to shatter every bone in my body.
Despite having the〈Magic Stone of Great Absolute〉, it's a magic stone meant for defense, not offense.
And so, when I fell off the cliff, it didn't do me a lick of good, and I ended up taking a massive hit from the fall.
"Guh...!?"
I tried to get up from where I was sprawled on the ground, but a scream of agony escaped my lips as my whole body felt like it was falling apart.
No, my bones were actually breaking apart.
It's a wonder I'm still alive, but there's no doubt about it──I'm in deep trouble.
After all, the guy who set up that illusion must be gunning for me.
If I don't get away now, I'm as good as dead.
"Lene... the... medicine..."
I managed to move my lips, trying to hold onto my fleeting consciousness, and somehow managed to sit down with my back against the cliff.
Then, I reached into my magic bag and pulled out the medicine.
"Too bad, you won't be using that."
"...Huh?"
The Healing Potion meant for the tiger's cub was snatched away by an outstretched hand, accompanied by a woman's voice that had suddenly appeared from the side.
I turned my aching neck to identify the thief.
And when I saw that person, I was so shocked that my thoughts stopped for a moment.
"...Why are you alive...?"
That's right.
This guy should be dead.
She was supposed to have fallen into the saltwater lake from the back of the magic dragon.
There's no way she should still be alive.
Yet, I clearly remember the high-exposure purple attire and fiery red hair right in front of me.
She's stood before us countless times before.
"Greetings~ It's me, enchanter Ryuuji. ────But this time, I'll make sure to cut off your breath for good."
The Dark Mage Adiliana, having flipped the open vial upside down and emptied its contents, grinned at me with an air of unconcern as she spoke.
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