Exploration Battle (3)
“There’s something called a scale, but it’s not marked on this map we have now. It seems like it was done on purpose.”
During their short break, Karla placed the map on her knees and held it down with her functional hand as she spoke.
While reading maps isn’t an easy task—there’s even a specific technique called “unique map reading”—Karla, as a noble, had received considerable education in this area. This included understanding the concept of scale, which allows one to estimate the approximate distance to their destination based solely on the map.
However, the maps issued to the students did not have this scale marked. As a result, it was impossible to know the exact ratio at which the map had been reduced.
“Still, it’s not like there’s no way to figure it out.”
“Why don’t we just go straight, Karla? We can just keep walking in that direction…”
Karla frowned as she looked at Ivan standing in front of her.
Yes, they could just roughly follow the direction and probably eventually reach their destination, but would they operate like that after graduating from this Academy and entering military service? As someone who aspired to be a commander, surely she should have learned how to read a map properly…
‘…without arms, what’s the point anyway.’
If things continued like this, she’d graduate as nothing more than a high-ranking noble, Karla della Cascata, incapable of much else.
At the thought, Karla felt her mood sinking into a dark pit of despair.
“Well, somehow things will work out.”
Karla handed the map to Ivan and stood up.
It was much better to keep moving than to dwell in despondency.
“It looks like it might rain, Ivan. The storm clouds are getting closer. We should hurry.”
“Yeah, let’s go then.”
“Is your mana sufficient?”
Considering how long he’d carried her while running, her concern was valid. Even though she wasn’t sure about the state of Ivan’s mana, she had to ask out of precaution. Ivan grinned at her.
“Are you worried about the salt in the sea water drying up, Karla?”
Recognizing the quote from her own words being turned back on her, Karla couldn’t help but burst into laugh.
“I’ve heard that somewhere before. Well, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
As if waiting for this moment, Ivan lifted Karla into his arms.
Had it really been so long that being held by him had become so familiar? For Karla, it was no longer awkward or uncomfortable; it now felt oddly natural, leaving her feeling strangely moved.
“By the way, if there are any alchemical mage constructs there, what are you going to do about them?”
Finding the construct won’t give Karla anything she can immediately use. Detaching an arm from the construct and attaching it to Karla would be very challenging, and ultimately, even if they find the construct, it won’t instantly solve anything.
“We need to take one of them.”
“One of the constructs?”
“Yes.”
Karla intended to somehow secure one for further analysis. After that, she planned to bring the book she’d left at the mansion, examine it thoroughly…
“Or maybe I can threaten that alchemical mage until he dies.”
“Eh?”
Ivan’s words snapped Karla out of her thoughts. She blinked and tilted her head up.
That sounded like a rather peculiar suggestion.
“That alchemical mage. He wasn’t very strong, was he? If I find him and threaten to kill him unless he attaches an arm to you immediately, wouldn’t that work?”
“But there’s no way to find him!”
“Well…”
Carrying Karla while running, Ivan remained as calm as if he were strolling on flat ground. Running at an incredible speed due to his martial arts prowess, sustaining this pace required not just mana but tremendous physical stamina too.
“Karla…well, maybe not you, but I’ve got some deep-rooted enmity, don’t I? So, wouldn’t it be likely that he’ll come after me?”
Ivan’s logic made sense.
That woman called Venere…
Most likely, that woman was the alchemical mage.
Karla harbors deep resentment toward her.
And that woman harbors deep resentment toward Ivan.
“Moreover, once she learns someone stole her construct, she might go wild and rush here to find the thief.”
Karla glanced up at Ivan, her face cradled in his arms.
Hmm…
“You’re smarter than you look?”
“Than I look? That’s kind of hurtful you know.”
It wasn’t entirely baseless. The woman Karla confronted had a strong sense of pride, and she had easily fallen for Karla’s provocations. If she’d fared so poorly against Ivan, she would undoubtedly harbor a grudge.
“We need to find the construct. Once we find it, there will be some options. That’s the starting point.”
“Yeah, I’ll help you. We’ll definitely find it.”
Ivan smiled down at Karla while still running.
Oddly enough, despite usually disliking being looked down upon, Karla didn’t feel particularly irritated now.
Still…
Carried in Ivan’s arms, Karla let out a heavy sigh.
As Ivan took care of everything, she felt troubled by the fact that she could do nothing but rely on him.
‘Will everything go so smoothly? Will it work out so easily? What will happen to me…’
Clutching Ivan in her arms and gazing up at the overcast sky, Karla asked herself silently.
But she still did not have the answer.
*
“Master, using something given by people of unknown origins…”
Kiara felt as if her lips were drying up.
When, exactly, did Lucas receive these mysterious attachments?
Kiara, whose room was right next to Lucas’, knew everything happening around him.
Not only inside the room, but almost always being by his side in class, she was unaware of any gaps that could have let this happen.
“And be quiet, Kiara. Those people have something they want from me, so they’ve supplied this. I’m merely using them as well. How could someone like you understand the transactions of those in higher positions? Hmm?”
Kiara shut her mouth.
If he spoke like this, there was no argument she could make.
“I’ll have full control over Cascata. There will be no need for me to establish my position in the empire anymore. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with this deal.”
Lucas muttered to himself.
Kiara felt a chill run down her spine at his words.
There was no affection or respect for Karla herself in his words.
He simply viewed her as a tool to achieve his goals.
Kiara, who expressed concern only to be met with a degrading response, clenched her lips instead of arguing further.
“Hmph. Ivan is moving with Karla toward the cave…”
In Lucas’ hand, a map displayed the dot representing Ivan and Karla moving rapidly towards the Abzetti Cave.
“Kiara. The humidity is high, isn’t it? Spread your mana. We need to find these girls first.”
With a glint in his eye, Lucas smirked, a truly spine-chilling smile.
At this, Kiara trembled, biting her lips.
“How… how could someone become so despicable?”
She couldn’t understand.
Lucas had never been a person of good character.
But after Karla revealed her true nature, lost her arm, and became sought after in marriage, his depths of depravity only grew worse, eventually leading him to this point.
“Karla… Now that she has become so powerless, she can be crushed to my will. Though it’s a shame that she’s missing one arm, it could also add some flavor to the game.”
Watching Lucas lick his lips and utter repugnant words caused Kiara to shiver with unease.
Why would someone stoop this low…
‘Miss Cascata…’
Kiara and Karla were not exactly close, nor did they have much connection.
Still, envisioning her fate entangled with Lucas’ repugnant embrace, her predicament struck Kiara as no better than her own and potentially even more pitiable.
Karla della Cascata.
Kiara felt a wellspring of empathy rise within her as a fellow woman.
The tragedies she’d faced, followed by even more tragedies…
This woman was bound to find herself intertwined with the filthy and abhorrent destiny of this man.
Kiara, although unconnected to Karla, couldn’t help but feel sympathy at the thought of what lay ahead for her.
“It’s raining.”
At Lucas’ remark, Kiara shook herself back to reality.
Raindrops were already trickling down her face.
“To let me get wet like this?! What an incompetent girl!”
“I’m… I’m sorry, Master.”
During weather predicting rain, Kiara’s powers would grow stronger, making her exceptionally accurate at anticipating storms.
Even so, distracted by her thoughts, Kiara had missed the signs, leaving Lucas exposed to the rain.
Slap!
“Hmph…”
Being severely kicked in the shin, Kiara bit her lip to suppress her groan of pain.
“Look for shelter from the rain, Kiara. I detest getting wet.”
Kiara silently formed a seal, and soon a transparent barrier enveloped Lucas, keeping the rain away.
“There seems to be a hollow over there, out of reach of the rain.”
“Then let’s head there.”
Lucas walked away, and Kiara followed behind him at a quick pace.
“This weather is perfect. I’m very pleased.”
Despite the heavy storm clouds that made it impossible to distinguish between day and night, the dense shadows cast over the forest grew thicker.
Strong winds swept through the branches, and the oppressive air signaled an impending downpour, making it difficult to breathe.
From sparse drops, the rain quickly turned into a torrential downpour. While Kiara’s protective barrier kept Lucas dry, he gazed up at the sky, nonsensically muttering.
“Today is the day I’ll make that arrogant Miss Cascata mine. The rain to hide her tears is falling, perfect. This time, that impertinent commoner should…”
Gritting his teeth, Lucas murmured.
“I have to definitely kill him.”
In the midst of the downpour, Kiara sighed coldly.
Lucas’ vulgar words echoed in her ears, tormenting her.
‘My life, Miss Cascata’s life… we are both being dragged into the abyss.’
Her eyes looked towards the distant forest.
For reasons unknown, Karla and Ivan were heading toward where Lucas and Kiara were going.
While Kiara wouldn’t object if Lucas simply intended to discipline them appropriately, his current intentions had crossed a line.
She was all too aware she lacked the power to stop him.
The Servertore family continued to rely on Shaiskeil, and she had no choice but to comply.
—
The story concludes on this ominous note, with tensions building as different characters approach their fates.
