The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"'Spatial Transfer'"

As instructed by Cardel, I returned to the mansion in Bargia.

This marked the beginning of the Princess Maple rescue quest.

"A-amazing... Ruruk, you're really amazing..."

"Teleportation! Luna is super impressed!"

Of course, Gavin and Luna were accompanying me.

Both of them were looking around the courtyard, muttering with deep emotion.

Noticing our appearance, the head maid immediately opened the glass door and entered the courtyard.

"Welcome back, Ruruk-sama. Who are these people?"

"I'm back, Jacqueline-san. This is Luna , an adventurer, and Gavin, a knight from the Kingdom of Mataisa. We have urgent business here for an emergency quest, so I brought them along. They might stay overnight depending on the situation."

"Understood. I'll prepare guest rooms right away."

"Thank you. Also, someone from Luney Trading Company should be visiting soon—"

As I was about to say this, another maid dragon called out.

"Excuse me. Ruruk-sama, Heptan-sama from Luney Trading Company has arrived. We've shown her to the reception room. What would you like to do?"

"I'll head there immediately."

Their work is too fast. As expected of Luney Trading Company.

I walk to the reception room, bringing along Gavin and Luna who are looking around curiously.

As we walk down the hallway,

"Amazing~ So spacious~ All the maids look strong~"

"Don't fight them."

"Okay! I'll endure~"

"H-hey Ruruk. Where is this place?"

"I told you earlier. It's my house."

"No way, that's a lie. Isn't it bigger than the Muuteru house?"

"Well, yeah. It's about three times the size."

"Who on earth are you..."

"If you have complaints, tell them to the Dragon King."

While talking like this, we arrived at the reception room.

Heptan was waiting in the room. Of course, he came for the briefing on the princess rescue quest, so we're about to have a strategy meeting with the four of us.

"Ruruk-sama, pardon the intrusion."

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Not at all, I was enjoying some delicious tea. The room is clean and the decorations are lovely, it's a very nice atmosphere. I could relax here for hours."

Oh, she complimented the room. From her demeanor and way of greeting, I wonder if Heptan was actually a noble.

I sincerely thank her.

"Thank you. Though the furnishings are actually to my companions' tastes."

"Is that so? Your companions must be highly cultured."

"You're too kind."

We exchange greetings and sit down. She even gave me a souvenir.

Luna sits next to me without hesitation, while Gavin stands behind. He's wearing armor, so he understandably didn't try to sit on the sofa.

Heptan takes out some documents and says,

"Then, let's begin the briefing."

"Yes. I've heard from Cardel-san, but is it correct that we'll intercept the kidnappers near the Stoania border in three days?"

"No, that's a fake operation."

Heptan stated clearly.

I tilt my head.

"What do you mean?"

"Actually, for this quest, Empress Monon received direct instructions from His Majesty the King of Mataisa. The operation that Cardel-sama knows about is one of several decoys. Cardel-sama is not aware of this."

"I see... So it's an information warfare strategy."

"That's right. As expected of Ruruk-sama."

"Hey Ruruk, what's going on?"

Gavin frowns. It seems he's still not good at mental work.

Heptan explains.

"Regarding this attack, it's certain that there were multiple informants within the royal palace, and it's unclear how far the enemy has infiltrated. If the details of the rescue operation leak, the enemy will change their escape route. So we've been spreading completely different information about the time and place."

"...So you're deceiving the enemy?"

"Of course, that's not all. By spreading multiple pieces of false information, we can also smoke out where the informants are based on which information leaks to the enemy. Or depending on the type of information, we can deduce the conditions necessary for the enemy to obtain information."

"...Huh?"

"In short, they're using false information as bait to explore the enemy's forces and information gathering capabilities."

To put it simply, it's information warfare.

I thought it was strange that we needed to wait three whole days when I have a transfer skill.

But to think they've incorporated even that into their strategy.

"As expected of Luney Trading Company."

"This time, it was His Majesty the King of Mataisa's idea. I hear that His Majesty is a strategist skilled at seeing the big picture."

"I see."

He's quite calm despite his children being kidnapped. So this is the wise king of a great nation.

I wish the Dragon King would learn from this.

"Yeah, His Majesty is super smart. So, what are we gonna do? I want to help Princess Maple as soon as possible."

"You will be asked to move once we've set an interception point. However, the time and place may change greatly depending on the enemy's movement speed and how much our information has been seen through. We're dealing with the Maguu Empire. Their information gathering capabilities are not to be underestimated. Right now, we're having our staff in various locations gather information."

"So we'll be on standby for a while?"

"Yes. Interception within the Kingdom of Restamia is difficult due to security issues, so we'll be on standby until they enter Bargia. The quest may extend overnight, so it might be good for you to rest until evening."

I don't like staying up all night, but I guess it can't be helped in an emergency.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"Do you have any information on the vehicle the Maguu Empire kidnappers are using?"

"We're still investigating the details. However, according to Empress Monon, it's likely a holy relic as it's running while floating above the ground."

"A holy relic?"

Come to think of it, Maeve, the higher demon, mentioned something like this too. She said she once saw an anti-gravity device that didn't use magic power in a human city long ago. Maybe it's related to that.

"Empress Monon says it's technology that she can't reproduce yet. She says it might be possible if she had the actual item in hand, but... The Maguu Empire monopolizes many technologies and information, so even we can't easily interfere."

"I see. Oh, but doesn't Luney Trading Company have stores in the Maguu Empire too?"

"Only one store in the imperial capital. However, currently, it involves significant risks to management, so the executives are considering withdrawing."

"Risks?"

"Yes. Almost every day, spies and agents from the Maguu Empire try to infiltrate. Since it's their territory, we can't forcibly remove them and are defending with spatial barriers, but we can't hide the fact that we possess barrier technology. They're pressuring Luney Trading Company in various ways."

"I see. So Luney Trading Company has been engaged in information warfare for a long time."

"Yes, although it's defensive warfare."

The Maguu Empire is quite forceful, isn't it?

Even for an enemy country, this is a method that could easily develop into war. Of course, the empire will deny involvement, but I hear the dukes are making fierce protests through diplomatic channels. I wonder how it will turn out.

"That's all I can share for now. I'll report as soon as information is updated."

"Thank you."

"Also, I have some information I'd like to share with Ruruk-sama privately later."

Heptan glanced at Gavin and the others.

It seems he doesn't want anyone but me to hear it.

"Then I'll guide Gavin and Luna-san to their guest rooms and come back. Would you like another cup of tea in the meantime?"

"Thank you. I'll have some."

I asked the maid dragon serving us for a refill and led Gavin and the others back to the inner part of the mansion.

Our maids are capable, so the preparations should already be complete.

As I was leading the way, Gavin tapped my shoulder from behind.

"Hey Ruruk, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"I knew Luney Trading Company was close to His Majesty, but is there no chance they're enemy informants? Isn't it pretty dangerous that the information about the princes and princesses leaked?"

"Oh, you're hitting a good point."

Gavin's thinking more than usual.

I've also been somewhat wary of Luney Trading Company. But recently, Saaya seems to have found a big reason why Luney Trading Company won't become an enemy to Mataisa—or rather, to us.

"But don't worry. Do you know my companion Saaya?"

"Of course. The genius child who became an S-rank adventurer at 10 years old, right? She's a viscount's daughter, if I remember correctly."

"That Saaya told me. She said we can trust Luney Trading Company, so don't worry."

"...But, isn't that just a child's words?"

"Well, it might seem that way to you, Gavin."

It might seem like flimsy evidence.

But if Saaya says so, there must be a good reason for it. Whatever the reason, I won't doubt her words.

"...Bean sprout, you've changed."

"Gavin hasn't changed at all."

"Shut up."

"Hey Ruruk~ Luna is bored~"

Luna, who had been quiet until now, suddenly said impatiently.

"Luna can't wait until night~"

"Do you want to move?"

"Yeah! Ruruk, play with me!"

Luna's eyes sparkle.

Well, it's impossible for a battle maniac to stay still for half a day. I knew it.

"Alright, after I finish talking with Heptan-san, let's have a little sparring match."

"Really!?"

"Well, we're at home. And I've been lacking exercise lately too."

"Hey, can I join in too?"

"Gavin? Won't you die? Are you okay even though we might have to stay up all night?"

"Don't underestimate me! If I don't move my body, I'll just keep thinking about unpleasant things..."

Gavin showed a slight hint of anxiety.

Come to think of it, the master he swore loyalty to has been kidnapped. And she's still a young child. If he stays still, he might get crushed by anxiety.

"Alright. I'll come call you later, so wait in your room."

"Got it."

"Yay! Hurry up, okay!"

Just then, Jacqueline was walking towards us from the front, so I had her guide the two to their guest rooms.

I returned to the reception room once again to hear additional information from Heptan.

That night.

Ruruk, Gavin, and Luna were in the hilly area of southern Bargia.

According to Luney Trading Company, the enemy who kidnapped Maple had changed their route twice.

Apparently, they changed course when we teleported to the dragon capital, and again when we deliberately teleported to the canyon on the border with Stoania in the evening.

It seems the enemy can know information in real-time, just like Luney Trading Company. Even if the information gatherer isn't the kidnapper themselves, since Luney Trading Company provided communication stones to the Maguu Empire long ago, there's a high possibility that the Maguu Empire has replicated the same technology.

But this is a chance. It's troublesome that our movements are being responded to, but conversely, it means we can control the enemy's movements to some extent.

When we pretended to be waiting at the border with Stoania, they immediately started heading west. It seems they're heading towards the road to the Nogana Republic, not in the direction of Stoania.

To go from the Kingdom of Restamia to the Nogana Republic, you have to pass through the hilly area in southern Bargia. That was Luney Trading Company's aim.

To lure them to a place where they can no longer change their route, and intercept them there.

"Well then, I wish you good luck."

After receiving the signal to start the operation from Heptan, we three teleported to a town in southern Bargia.

The enemy is apparently running on a highway several dozen kilometers from here.

"Now, hold onto Luna!"

As Ruruk and Gavin grabbed Luna's arms, her figure glowed.

She pointed to the sky, and light flew in that direction.

"Here we go~ 'Line Pulser'!"

"Whoa!"

Our bodies melted into light.

The next moment, we were high up in the sky. It's an incredibly fast movement magic.

Like when I do relative teleportation, it's a method of moving to the sky once and then descending to the destination.

Luna pointed to the ground again and shot light, activating Line Pulser once more, and this time we were standing on top of an unfamiliar hill.

It seems she can only move to places where she's shot light, but it's overwhelmingly faster than Cardel's high-speed movement.

"Hah... hah... hah..."

Gavin crouched down, clutching his chest.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh? Was it that painful~?"

"I-it was excruciating... Why are you guys fine..."

An extraordinary amount of sweat is beading on Gavin's forehead.

I didn't feel anything though.

"Gavin is weak~!"

"N-no... It was as painful as having my heart stabbed with a stake..."

"Eh? Is there such pain?"

"Line Pulser converts your soul into light particles, so it hurts for people who feel pain!"

"...I see."

But I was fine.

"Domain Arbitration" didn't activate either, so there probably wasn't any pain to begin with.

"Ruruk is amazing! Just like Darling!"

"This 'Darling' of yours was fine too?"

"Darling has super good compatibility with light attributes! He said it only hurt a little bit!"

"...Maybe Line Pulser is more of an application of attribute imparting formulas rather than a pure movement technique?"

"That's right! You know a lot~"

I see, that makes sense.

Gavin probably had a rejection reaction when changing to light attribute because he has no aptitude for light magic but has aptitude for other magic.

I originally have no magic aptitude, so there's probably no rejection reaction even when my body's attribute changes.

"Indeed, it's not a movement formula suited for humans with multiple aptitudes."

But wait a minute.

I'm sure Seori was a light attribute dragon. She has no other aptitudes, so if there's a chance, maybe I should ask Luna to teach her.

Well, it's royal magic, so her proficiency might not be enough in the first place.

"Ah, found them! Isn't that it~?"

Luna points her finger, gazing into the distance from the top of the hill.

What was approaching us at high speed on the ground was an object like a drone.

It was a diamond-shaped metal vehicle with what looked like levitation stones embedded in four directions. Perhaps to reduce air resistance, it had smooth windows surrounding the driver's seat like an airplane, allowing the inside to be visible.

Inside the narrow vehicle, there was one man and a young girl tied up behind him.

"Princess Maple!"

Gavin shouted and ran down the hill.

Gavin, bravely wielding his weapon, ran to stop the holy relic that was charging at tremendous speed.

"Uooooohhh!"

There was an idiot trying to charge at an object moving at over 100 kilometers per hour while letting out a war cry.

If we forcibly stop it, even the princess inside might get injured. There don't seem to be any seatbelts, so depending on how it's done, she could die instantly.

Now, how should we stop this?