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"Ah, Big Sis Ruu, welcome back. How was it?"
When I stepped into the room we were renting at Twilight Moonbow, Carol, who was already inside, called out to me.
I looked down and shook my head in response to her question. Log, who was also there, saw my reaction and his expression darkened. Judging by their faces, their search must have ended in failure as well.
"Good grief, where could Sophie have gone?" Carol lamented, her voice tinged with sadness.
We had been scheduled to explore the Great Labyrinth today and were supposed to gather here at the usual time. However, even when the appointed hour arrived, Sophie never showed up. Though we thought it unusual, we waited for a while, but even after an hour had passed, she still hadn't appeared.
Sophie was a diligent girl and had never once been late before. Worried that something might have happened, we split up to check the places she frequent, but we had been unable to find her up to this point.
"Do you think she's been caught up in some kind of trouble after all...?" Log muttered, his hand on his chin.
I was of the same opinion. Sophie wasn't the type of girl to invite resentment from others, but the cause of the trouble didn't necessarily have to be her. It was entirely possible she had simply been an accidental bystander.
If Sophie was feeling scared right now, we had to go save her immediately!
Orun-san was the one who gave me a place to belong after I lost my position at Golden Dawn and the Flockhart Trading Company. However, there's no doubt that the warmth Sophie, Carol, and Log showed in welcoming me also played a part in healing my heart.
When Carol was having a painful time after reuniting with her siblings, I couldn't do anything for her. That was why I had decided that the next time my friends needed me, I would do whatever I could for those who called me their comrade.
That moment was now.
"I am going to concentrate now. For a short while, I might not be able to respond to your voices, but please don't let it bother you."
Having made my decision, I spoke to the two of them.
"Hmm? Big Sis Ruu, what are you going to do?"
"I am going to find Sophie."
"Wait, really?! You can do something like that?"
"No, I cannot say for certain. In fact, there is a high probability that I won't be able to find her even with this method. However, I want to try everything I can."
The two of them nodded with serious expressions.
"I don't really get what you're doing, Big Sis Ruu, but if it's you, I know you can do it! Good luck!"
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Thank you, both of you. You are fine as you are. Just knowing you are cheering for me gives me strength."
"Leave the cheering to me! I'm an expert at that kind of thing!"
"I'll be praying for your success."
Receiving their encouragement, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to heighten my concentration. I could feel the mana and Seirei drifting around me with increasing clarity. I focused my consciousness on a particularly strong presence among them and spoke within my mind.
Pixie, can you hear my voice?
Pixie was a fairy. Among her free-spirited kind, she was a rare existence who, for some reason, was always by my side.
Eh...? Wh-what's wrong? You're being so formal...
There is one thing I would like to ask of you. Would you please listen to my request?
A request? If it's for your sake, Luna, I'll help, but...
Yes. What I am about to ask is something extremely important to me.
I-I see... I understand. So, what is it?
I want you to find Sophie.
...Sophie? Is that a human name? Who is that?
As I expected, Pixie didn't know Sophie—or rather, the name didn't register. She likely recognized Sophie's presence, but she hadn't bothered to link it to a name.
Pixie acted to protect me from the malice of others, returning that malice in kind. Since I was the one being protected, it felt improper to complain, but this "returning an equivalent amount of malice" trait was quite troublesome.
For example, last year after Golden Dawn was defeated by the Black Dragon and requested a Forced Evacuation from the Explorer Guild, Derrick-san had tried to swing his sword with enough malice to kill me—though I had been the one to start that quarrel. At the time, I had explicitly asked Pixie not to kill him. If I hadn't, Derrick-san would likely have been dead.
I thought his actions at the time were the height of folly, but thinking back on it now, they might have involved Philly-san's ability. It was possible Pixie had been protecting me from Philly-san's ability all along; since the ability couldn't rewrite my perception, perhaps she had tried to have me physically eliminated instead.
—But I was straying from the topic. At any rate, Pixie was sensitive to those who directed malice toward me, but she was utterly indifferent to anyone else.
Sophie is the girl with scarlet hair tied in twin tails who has been diving into the Great Labyrinth with me lately.
Scarlet hair... twin tails... Hmm... I-Is that human a Special Ability User? Even after my description, Pixie still seemed unsure.
Yes, she has an ability called Psychokinesis.
Psychokinesis? Ah, the human with primordial magic... She left an impression because she was near you. Yeah, if it's her, I can find her right away.
Is that true?! Then—
B-But...
Is there a problem?
It's not a problem, exactly... but if I go look for her, I'll have to leave your side for a bit.
Pixie was normally obsessed with staying by my side. I personally felt a sense of security being watched over by a fairy, so I hadn't viewed it as an issue, but since she was my only lead to Sophie, I had to secure her cooperation.
Please, Pixie. If you can find Sophie, I will grant any one wish of yours within my power!
...Anything? Really?
Yes! If it is within my power. So please, lend me your strength!
......I understand.
A long silence followed my plea, and for a moment I thought she would refuse, but Pixie finally gave her consent.
Thank you, Pixie!
I hate being away from you even for a moment... but considering what's to come, I want to have the right to give you one command. Keep your promise, okay?
Pixie's insistence was a bit frightening, but she had helped me many times before. There was no doubt she was my ally, so I doubted the command would be something to my disadvantage.
Of course. I will absolutely keep this promise.
Yeah, I believe you... Well then, I'm off. I already have a general idea of where she is. When I find her, I'll let you know.
With those final words, Pixie's presence vanished into the distance.
"Phew..."
"Big Sis Ruu, did you find her?"
As I exhaled and relaxed my tension, Carol was quick to notice the change and asked a question. She really was sharp when it came to reading people.
"No, not yet. However, a fairy has agreed to help search for her, so I've won the gamble. ...Though I did end up having to make a strange promise in exchange."
"By fairy, do you mean Pixie is looking for her?"
"Yes. Apparently, fairies can find the general location of Special Ability Users almost instantly, so I think she will find Sophie soon."
"Ohh! Securing the cooperation of a fairy—Big Sis Ruu, you really are amazing!" Carol praised me enthusiastically. Since her voice was clearly devoid of any hidden motives, I could accept her words at face value. It felt good to be relied upon.
Luna, I found her...
A short while later, Pixie's voice echoed in my mind. I immediately checked my surroundings, but I couldn't see her. Assuming this was a form of telepathy similar to Selma-san's ability, I replied in my heart.
Is that true?! Thank you! So, where is Sophie now?
She's inside a wooden box being pulled by four-legged creatures...
It was a rather vague description, but she likely meant a carriage. Does that mean Sophie was kidnapped and is being taken somewhere?
What is it like inside the box? Is her life in any immediate danger?!
Hmm, I don't think she'll die immediately. The Sophie girl is just sitting there inside the box. There's also another person, a man, sitting across from her.
Pixie described the scene, but I felt a wave of frustration because I couldn't visualize the specific details. I suppose it was cruel to ask for more from a fairy who originally had no interest in human culture.
It's tedious, but I have no choice but to ask specific questions bit by bit to grasp the situation. It would be faster if I could just see what she sees... —Wait, could I?
Feeling a frustration similar to seeing a destination but being unable to reach it, a realization struck me. I had heard that Selma-san's telepathy worked by connecting an invisible path to communicate. Right now, Pixie and I were in a similar state.
In other words, we were currently connected by something. Could I use this connection more effectively? If our voices could reach each other, perhaps our visions could as well.
Seirei and fairies were different existences, but they were essentially of the same essence. As someone with the Seirei Command ability, I had a feeling—though no evidence—that I could share senses with her. It was a sensation very similar to the moment I first manifested my ability.
There was no harm in trying; it was well worth a shot.
Pixie, there is something I want to try.
Something you want to try?
Yes. I want to see if I can use my ability to see what you're seeing right now.
You want to connect our senses? The Queen said that would put a massive burden on a human's mind...
The Queen—Titania—had said such a thing? That meant my theory was correct. If I could find out Sophie's location and the state she was in, there was no reason to hesitate.
It doesn't matter. I'm doing it!
...I understand. Then, focus strongly on your connection with me. I'll handle the fine details.
Understood.
Following her instructions, I focused intently on the link between us. Even though she was far away, I felt a sensation as if Pixie was standing right beside me.
Here I go, Luna...
Yes, please!
Sensory Connection!
"Guh...! ...gh... ugh..."
Suddenly, a torrent of information surged into my mind. The sheer volume was enough to make my head scream in pain. I had prepared myself for the burden, but this was beyond anything I’d imagined. I couldn't remain standing and slumped to the floor.
Still, I didn't stop my thoughts. I scrutinized the information Pixie was sending, and eventually, her vision began to overlap with mine.
"Big Sis Ruu! What happened?! Are you okay?!" Carol and Log cried out in alarm, rushing to my side.
"I... am... fine," I managed to squeeze out.
I continued to process Pixie's vision. After a few moments, I had what I needed.
Pixie, thank you. I've seen enough. You can cut the connection now.
Okay... Luna, are you really alright?
I'm fine. This was my choice, so please don't worry about it.
As soon as I told her that, the torrent of information subsided, and I finally took a proper breath. However, the exhaustion was immense.
"Hah... hah... hah..." I panted, my lungs burning.
"Big Sis Ruu... are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes... I'm fine. I'm sorry for worrying you. But the risk was worth it. I know where Sophie is now."
"Really?!"
"Where is she?!"
"Sophie is currently in a carriage bearing the crest of the Count Claudel House, heading east."
The scene I had witnessed through Pixie was indeed a carriage marked with the Claudel family crest. Sophie was inside. She didn't appear to be physically harmed, but her complexion was terrible. Having heard fragments of her past from Orun-san, I understood why she looked so devastated.
"East? Does that mean she's heading toward Daluane?" Log guessed the destination immediately.
"Yes. In all probability, they are taking her back to her birthplace."
If Sophie had decided to return to Daluane of her own free will, there was no way she would have left without telling us. It was far more natural to assume the Claudel House had taken her by force. I didn't know if she had failed to resist because of her past trauma or for some other reason, but that was something we could ask her ourselves once we caught up.
"I intend to head for Daluane as soon as I'm ready. What about you two?"
"Big Sis Ruu, that's a silly question. I'm going too! Carol, you're with us, right?"
"Of course! There's no way Sophie went there because she wanted to! If she was taken away against her will, we have to bring her back! I don't care if they're nobles or her parents—I won't forgive anyone who steals the smile from Sophie's face!"
Log and Carol answered without a second's hesitation. They seemed genuinely furious, a rarity for them, so I would have to make sure they didn't act recklessly. Then again, I had no intention of forgiving the Claudel House either if they were ignoring Sophie's wishes.
"Fufu, you're right. That was a silly question. Then, let's go get her—all three of us!"