NABC Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Side Story: Schlie Letziano 2
An emergency meeting had been called regarding Meg. A shocking truth had come to light after comparing Gil’s information with mine.
It was still speculation, but it was highly likely. I had to share this crucial information with the other guild leaders, so I told Saura, and she decided to hold a meeting tonight.
『So, how is Meg? 』
Gil’s voice echoed from the shadow, which had taken the shape of a black eagle. This was Gil’s magic; the shadow wasn’t a living being, but an extension of his magic power, imbued with the ability to transmit sound. He could also use it to deliver objects, as long as they weren’t living things. There were limitations in terms of distance, quantity, and other factors, but it was a ridiculously convenient and powerful ability. So, only the members present and the Don knew about it.
“She was doing great! She wasn’t even scared of me!”
『...I see.』
Gil’s reply to Nika’s lighthearted report was laced with a hint of satisfaction. Is that all you’re concerned about? Gil rarely showed interest in anything, but when it came to Meg, he was a different person. To be so easily satisfied by trivial information... he’d fallen hard for her.
Well, I understood how he felt. I felt the same. Or rather, everyone in the guild who’d interacted with Meg felt the same way, I was sure of it. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be holding a meeting with so many important people.
“Alright, let’s begin! Let’s get this over with... I’m sleepy!”
“You really love sleeping, don’t you, Sauradite? The rest of us can easily go for five days without it.”
“That’s like saying you don’t need to eat but you still eat. It’s a form of entertainment!”
Saura replied reasonably to Kei’s question. Eating, drinking, sleeping, even sexual desire... we demi-humans didn’t need them as much as humans. We still needed them, but not to the same extent. However, many demi-humans preferred to stay active, finding sleep to be a waste of time. At this guild, though, the rule was to try to sleep at least once every three days. It was one of the Don’s strange quirks.
“Gil, you first! Spit it out!”
『Understood. The results of my investigation over the past two days...』
Thus began the meeting.
To summarize Gil’s report: When he returned to that dungeon, as expected, there was barely any information left. However, he was able to track down the approximate location where Meg was most likely enchanted, based on the faint traces of magic power left behind. There was no need to explain how much time and concentration that must have taken.
『I was able to track it to near the Hawkley border, but I figured out which direction Meg and her guardian came from.』
Hawkley was a country north of Centrei, where the dungeon was located. It was quite a distance from Lilthorley, where Ortus was based. It must have been a long journey, but this man showed no signs of fatigue. As expected.
“If you know that much, why can’t you track them any further?”
『It could even be... a war with the High Elves.』
A war with the High Elves. We had an overwhelming advantage in terms of numbers. However, their knowledge and nature magic were on par with natural disasters. And each one of them possessed that power. Even if we managed to achieve a narrow victory, it would come at a great cost, with half the world potentially destroyed.
This was no longer a matter we could handle on our own, it could potentially involve the entire world. No one wanted to think about that adorable little girl being the cause. Perhaps her fate had been decided the moment she was born.
“We need to inform the Don immediately. This is beyond our control.”
“...You’re right. We might even need to ask the Demon King for help.”
No one objected to Saura and Ludo’s suggestions. To rely on the Don and the Demon King. It was a last resort. And yet, it seemed the time had come.
The atmosphere turned heavy. It couldn’t be helped.
『But... I still want Meg to live a peaceful life.』
Everyone agreed with Gil’s quiet words. Even though we’d practically confirmed her true identity, for some reason, we couldn’t bring ourselves to view her as an enemy or abandon her.
“Speaking of which, the spirit Meg is trying to choose as her first spirit is a very weak one. With her potential, she could choose a far more powerful spirit.”
Even knowing that, Meg would probably choose that spirit. Thinking about her personality brought a smile to my face. She didn’t have any of the typical High Elf characteristics. A gentle warmth filled the room. Meg, you really are a mysterious child. In many ways, a true miracle child.
“!”
Ludo suddenly stood up, his expression turning serious. The air instantly turned tense again.
“What’s wrong, Ludo?”
“...It seems there’s been a change in Meg’s condition. Reki contacted me.”
His words made everyone’s expression change. We could feel Gil’s unease from the shadow.
“I was just about to tell you all. Perfect timing. Everyone, come to the infirmary with me. However, don’t do anything unless I tell you to. And no talking.”
Everyone silently nodded to Ludo’s doctorly order. No one disobeyed. We all knew the dangers of disobeying Ludo in this state.
We stood up and headed for the infirmary with brisk paces.