STM 81

One of the reasons Solongo respected Lantuya was in the words that Lantuya always repeated out of habit.

‘There is no eternal misfortune.’

After everything passed, it was always proven true. Because of that, Solongo would remember Lantuya’s words and restrain herself no matter how irritated or angry she was.

This misfortune might become a blessing later. Like that whining boy right now.

“Ugh, my stomach still… ah, ugh.”

Haas lay on the bare floor and acted like a troublemaker. He complained so much about dying from motion sickness that they finally stopped traveling and decided to rest for a while in a small city within the Grand Duchy of Borhumi.

However, as if someone had sent orders to watch them, a soldier started following them from the city gate and ended up setting up a post outside their lodging.

Even though they had disguised themselves, Haas and Enya were from Kun’s faction, so Solongo could not help becoming wary.

They have to leave quickly.

Even if they have to sleep outdoors, it would be better to move. But the troublemaker held them back.

“I, I can’t go! I’m not getting on that carriage! I hate the carriage Ms. Bear drives!”

Haas lay on the floor and refused to move. Even Ennuya, who was on the same side, frowned and spoke.

“Just die already.”

“I’d rather die. Whenever I think of that carriage, my stomach… ugh!”

When Haas gagged, Enya flinched and stepped back in alarm. Solongo looked down at the troublemaker with cold eyes, and Black Bear beside her suggested something.

“Knock him out.”

Haas was startled and immediately protested.

“If I faint, I can’t find our Grand Duke. Don’t, don’t touch me, Ms. Bear!”

Even Black Bear, who is usually expressionless, looked annoyance. She looked ready to use her hands, so Solongo stopped her, sat down in front of Haas, and looked at him in the eyes.

“Is there still no news?”

“Haah, everyone thinks tracking magic works with a flick of the finger, but it doesn’t. Do you have any idea how complex the magical mechanisms are?”

Haas grumbled, and his voice grew louder.

“I’ve been doing work that needs full concentration for two days straight. But if I roll around in a carriage like that, how am I supposed to find the Grand Duke’s location? Even when I keep trying, the signal barely responds.”

“So that means you can only confirm the location when Grand Duke Kun sends a signal?”

Solongo understood and summarized. When Haas pursed his lips in discontent, Solongo calmly asked.

“Do you know why I was fine in the carriage?”

“Maybe you were just made for carriages.”

Haas replied curtly but soon froze in shock when Solongo took a small vial out of her pocket.

“I drank medicine that prevents motion sickness beforehand.”

She handed the vial toward Haas, and he quickly reached out, but before he could take it, she lifted it high.

“If you receive the Grand Duke’s signal, can you open the transfer portal immediately?”

Haas’s expression turned rigid at the sudden question.

“N, no.”

“I heard your specialty is transfer magic. You attach an artifact called a tracking bug to a monster, and even if the monster escapes, it keeps following it. If that artifact stays within a certain range, you can open a portal.”

Solongo’s words were precise. Haas became nervous and swallowed nervously, wondering what she would say next.

“Does Grand Duke Kun have such an artifact? And if he does, are we within the range to open a portal?”

Instead of answering, Haas looked at Enya. Enya immediately stepped up like his spokesperson.

“And if it opens? Are you planning to go through with it too?”

“Ah, so we’re within range to open the portal.”

When Solongo confirmed it, Haas gave his companion a reproachful look. Enya panicked, but Solongo spoke quickly.

“So, is there really no signal from the Grand Duke? Or are you using the excuse that it’s hard and not even trying?”

“I did try!”

Haas shouted out of frustration, and Solongo saw through him again.

“So you only tried a few times.”

“N, no, the carriage was shaking so much…”

“Try again now.”

Solongo commanded. Has flinched, but then stood up with an offended look.

“…After I use the bathroom.”

Bang.

He closed the door a little too hard in weak defiance, and Enya spoke as the representative observer.

“Ugh, what a pathetic guy.”

Solongo shook her head too.

“Who would believe someone like that was the youngest person ever to reach high-rank mage?”

“The youngest? Him?”

“…He’s famous, you know.”

“It’s none of my business. Knowing won’t help me work with him anyway.”

He was the typical kind of coworker who spent the most time together but had no interest in anyone’s private life. Solongo admired that proper distance between colleagues. Then, suddenly, a startled cry came from inside the bathroom.

‘What?!!’

Solongo ran first and flung the door open. She saw a portal forming in the air and Haas stepping into it. But the portal was shrinking quickly and starting to close.

“The Grand Duke suddenly used his power for a moment… ah!!! The power of the tracking jewel is disappearing…!”

The portal vanished in an instant, and Haas, who had jumped forward, disappeared with it.

“That bastard!”

Unlike Enya, who stomped and yelled in anger at Haas vanishing alone, Solongo remained calm. She quickly turned to Black Bear beside her and asked.

“Did you see anything inside the portal?”

“I saw Adeye Lu.”

Solongo’s eyes widened.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. The place was Crystal Lake.”

The calm answer made Enya turn her head in shock.

Haas’s portal had been covered in a black whirlwind, so the scene beyond could only be seen in fragments. Yet she had identified both the location and the person inside?

“Who are you?”

Black Bear ignored Enya’s question and spoke to Solongo.

“Let’s leave first.”

“I’ll hurry to locate the portal connected to Borhumi Castle.”

“No need. I’ll take care of it.”

She waved her hand seemingly finding it troublesome and walked out. Solongo bowed to her back.

“I’ll be in your care.”

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“Ugh! Grand, Grand Duke! What happened?! You disappeared from the Baron’s estate without a word, and now suddenly… ah! Adeye Lu!”

The person who appeared suddenly was loud and dramatic. There was no need to ask who he was. It was obvious at a glance that he was a mage under Tairok.

“Grand Duke, why do you look like this? Are you unwell? No, what are these soldiers? And Adeye Lu, why are you here…”

“Haas.”

Haas, who had been chattering like a radio, closed his mouth tight. Tairok’s usefulness rose by one point.

“Open a portal. You can connect to Borhumi Castle, can’t you?”

“What?! Th, that’s…”

He looked at me and lowered his voice.

“I’ve been saving that in case we need to storm Borhumi Castle. Do you know how much money it cost to prepare a location where my magic would work?”

“This is the time.”

“Is this a war?! No, understood. But Grand Duke, you don’t look well. Going into Borhumi Castle without any preparation is dangerous.”

Haas looked at me, worried for his lord.

“If that person from Adeye hadn’t begged the Grand Duke to save you, he wouldn’t have gone into that dangerous Baron’s estate.”

Ah, Doctor Kim must have asked Tairok. I was surprised that Tairok listened, but I felt more gratitude toward Doctor Kim. To think she decided to bow her head to Tairok just to save me.

Later, I must search all of Tubain for chili peppers to repay her. I made that promise and spoke to Haas.

“Open it quickly.”

“Hey! Why should I listen to you…”

“Haas, don’t make me repeat myself.”

When Tairok intervened, Has immediately bowed his head.

“Yes.”

He drew a magic circle toward the distant castle, and the air rippled as a portal appeared.

I wanted to push past Tairok, who sat catching his breath, and jump in first. But I was still someone who knew how to keep order when it mattered. Out of courtesy, I gestured for him to go first.

“Grand Duke, please hurry.”

Haas glared at me with fierce eyes. His mouth looked ready to launch into a long speech starting with ‘How dare you,’ but once again, Tairok’s words stopped him.

“Alright.”

He ignored my urging and forced himself to stand. The time spent at the lake hearing me say ‘quickly, quickly’ had paid off. That was why learning mattered.