Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 302

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 302 – Night and Marco

“Oh, I like this too-nya.”

Katima said with a smug grin.

They were currently in the bustling central station of Strohm, crowded with people. In stark contrast to Katima’s lighthearted attitude, Chris was overwhelmed by feelings of exhaustion and exasperation.

This was the platform where the noble-class water train stopped.

Even though it was a place that nobles frequented, the platform benches were not fit for a princess to sit on.

But Katima said cheerfully,

“Oh—really? Actually, I have a few theories—”

“Hoho! Tell me about it-nya!”

“Yes! Well, it’s that—”

Chris listened halfheartedly. Not out of disrespect, but because she couldn’t follow the conversation.

She barely caught the beginning and only grasped Roland’s wish: “I want to build a castle floating in the sky.”

“Katima-sama…? If you were here to greet them, you didn’t have to rush out of the mansion like that, did you?”

“Don’t be silly-nya! I have work to do after this—investigating the stalls-nya!”

Coming to greet them was a noble deed. But with the excuse of investigating the stalls, it was unclear what the real purpose was.

“…I see.”

Chris gave up on seeking an answer.

After observing Katima, who was, as always, far too innocent and carefree, Chris changed her focus to wondering what Ain was doing.

“So, how much power do you think this will require-nya?”

“Assuming it’s constantly floating in the sky, the amount of magic stones needed for stabilization is enormous. However, once stabilized, the wind- and sunlight-powered furnace will keep supplying energy. Then, with the amplifier we’re designing, we can gradually increase it…”

“I see-nya.”

Katima, who had somehow prepared it beforehand, held Roland’s thesis as she listened.

“Still a lot of pipe dreams, though. But even in this state, something like an ‘airship’ might be feasible-nya.”

“Yes, so we plan to start with that first and then apply the technology and theories gained from it.”

“The budget will be ridiculously high. We need to earn credit with the new ship and squeeze as much funding as possible from Father-nya.”

“…I’ll do my best!”

Though Roland said he’d be nervous around the princess, he conversed with Katima as if she were just another researcher. He spoke more eloquently than Ain and the others had ever seen.

They arrived at the station and met on the platform about half an hour later.

After a lengthy exchange about their respective research philosophies, Kyle, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.

“Your Highness, the First Princess. I’m afraid if we don’t head into town soon, the shops will start closing.”

“Hmm, that won’t do-nya!? Chris!”

“…Yes.”

“What are you spacing out for-nya? Hurry up-nya!”

As Katima stormed off, Roland and Kyle, who had just arrived in Strohm, watched her go in silence.

She strode off triumphantly, her back slightly hunched, leading Chris along.

“I think I might just manage this after all!”

“…That’s the best news of all.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

It happened when everyone was fast asleep.

Ain was awake, as were a few knights, merchants, and workers who were still on duty.

Shadows stirred near the August Trading Company’s warehouse by the harbor.

“There.”

“No problem. We’ve already verified the intel.”

“Roger. Let’s move fast.”

Three men spoke, followed by about a dozen others cloaked in robes.

They disembarked from the moored ship and traversed the shadows of wooden boxes and sheds along the wide dock.

“Something’s off. There are no guards at all.”

One of them said upon reaching the warehouse.

It was only natural for their vigilance to heighten. They stopped, puzzled. Slowly drawing their swords and knives, they strained their eyes and adopted a defensive stance as they scanned the area with unsteady steps.

But there was nothing.

The only sounds were ripples and birds calling in the night. It was so quiet that even the rustle of the wind might be audible.

The trio exchanged glances, but leaving this spot was still unthinkable.

“Guess we have no choice…”

“Ah, yeah, you’re right. We’ve come this far.”

“How much do you think we’ve suffered? There’s no way we can quit now!”

Hearing the trio’s voices, the robed figures nodded in agreement.

They proceeded even more cautiously.

“Hmmm.”

A voice of great age sounded.

The area fell completely silent.

“If you’re coming, it’s today at this hour, just as Warren said. Wasn’t it?”

Clang. A sound rang out, and footsteps drew nearer.

Clang again. A piercing fear hung in the air.

Then, one final clang, and the sinister form of a suit of armor came into view.

“Run!”

That was trouble. Instinctively sensing danger, the trio turned around.

They scrambled to their feet, their robes flapping, and bolted. They headed out of town—the port area led straight out, with low hills nearby.

They already knew this. The heist had failed, but escape was their only option. They fled like rabbits, not glancing back.

“Damn it… Why is that man here!?”

“It’s fine! He’s not the man who split the heavens. We should be able to escape somehow!”

“Hm?”

Marco’s feet, which had started to run, stopped.

Speaking of the man who split the heavens, there was only one recently: Cain.

The one who demonstrated that was—

“I’ll capture every last one of them. We’ll talk after that.”

Just catch a few.

Changing his plan, Marco tightened his grip on his sword.

But the enemy had scattered and fled.

Furthermore, they had clearly practiced their actions before forcing their way into the warehouse. Marco began to wonder about their true nature.

“Adventurers, or failed adventurers? Or perhaps something else… I suppose I could just ask them.”

Then he thrust his sword into the ground.

Twisting the blade forcefully as if turning a key in a lock, he watched as the surrounding stone pavement began to tremble.

After checking, Marco stepped forward, targeting only the trio of men.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

There was a small hill. The surrounding area was pitch black; not a single light could be seen.

The three of them did not make the mistake of lighting a torch, either.

Huddling close together and hidden by tall grass, they exchanged glances before speaking.

“What do we do now?”

“We have no choice but to return. It’s no good. We can’t break through those defenses.”

“…I never thought it would be easy. But this is tough.”

There were no shadows of pursuers. Thinking they had shaken them off, the men stood up.

“The land route is tough.”

“But there’s no other way. We’ll have to abandon the ship.”

“…Do we have a map?”

“I have one. Don’t worry. If we walk for two weeks, we’ll soon—”

Suddenly, someone stood behind them.

“I’d like to ask where you’re headed. Now, it’s time to accept your fate.”

“Huh—!?”

Simultaneously, the surrounding earth bulged up in multiple places.

What was happening? Glancing past Marco, who stood behind them, they saw some monsters appear and encircle the three of them.

“S-skeletons…?”

“Why are there skeletons here?”

“I possess the power of a familiar, which allows me to command monsters weaker than myself. However, perhaps because this power is quite strong, I couldn’t use it until recently. But never mind that.”

There was no escape. They were as good as captured.

Marco wasn’t careless, either. Before they could act, he punched one of them in the stomach, aiming to knock them unconscious.

At that moment, almost simultaneously, the other two slashed their own throats.

“Ha… Serves you right!”

“Our pride! Don’t… underestimate… us!”

Then, one man plunged a knife straight into his chest.

Immediately, a crimson light began to seep from his coat.

“Worshipping that filthy blood… Fools…”

With those final words, the crimson light spread across the entire area.

It engulfed the numerous skeletons and Marco, becoming a conflagration whose flames shot skyward.

After the flames subsided, twelve seconds passed.

“Were they knights?”

Marco murmured.

“And not just any knights. They were loyal to their lord and possessed their own pride. And that practiced demeanor, that final judgment.”

There was only one possibility:

“Knights equivalent to what you’d call Kingsguard. They’ve seen the captain’s power. I see. Survivors from that time.”

The Heim War. Only survivors from that era would know this.

According to Marco’s guess, the trio from earlier were men who had been Heim’s Kingsguard.

But what remained puzzling was—

“How did they connect with those men in robes? Hmm, seems I must consult Warren as well.”

Sweeping aside the ashes of the three who had taken their own lives as they left, Marco looked up at the sky.

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