The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

There's a technique called summoning magic.

As the name suggests, it's a formula to summon the target object to hand.

Summoning magic doesn't interfere with normal time or space, but rewrites the world as if the object was originally at hand. This causes some other things to move or shift slightly due to the discrepancy in events at that time.

Roze called this dimensional restoration.

In fact, the elves' unique spirit summoning techniques "Shun", "Megumi", and "Juu" use this property.

When using spirit summoning, it's common to create quasi-spirits by giving clear roles to spiritual elements. If a quasi-spirit gains self-awareness, it becomes a spirit, but that makes it less useful in combat. Therefore, it's a rule to stop at the quasi-spirit state for use.

"Shun" is acceleration.

"Megumi" is precision increase.

"Juu" is weight increase.

I wasn't good at summoning magic, so I couldn't understand how to do it through self-study at all.

But in the past six months, I had learned it from Karmarike.

Actually, this technique causes dimensional restoration by intentionally assigning reverse roles to the quasi-spirits and interfering with the target. The interference power generated in the world at that time is used to cause acceleration or precision increase.

For example, "Shun" uses a deceleration command for the spirit.

Even if you imbue a sword with a spirit that has the property of deceleration, the sword itself isn't affected by the effect bestowal because it's not the target of the summoning magic. However, at this time, as the quasi-spirit tries to regain its original speed, it affects the area around the quasi-spirit—that is, the sword. In other words, the dimensional restoration that occurs in the quasi-spirit accelerates the sword.

Well, even if I explain it this concisely, it's still quite a difficult theory, so apparently hardly anyone other than elves can use it.

I've managed to master it, which has made my serious fights with the Dragon King much easier. For mystical arts, which only have three techniques, this is the only buff formula. I'm grateful to Karmarike.

Anyway, I can use elf-style spirit summoning.

I thoroughly understand the theory too, so I can do things like this.

"Spirit Summoning—'Dull'"

I deploy the spirit formula on the drone-like holy relic approaching at about 100 kilometers per hour.

At that moment, the drone visibly slows down. It's as if it's under a slow status effect. Needless to say, I used the opposite formula to "Shun".

By the way, when I showed this arranged technique to Karmarike, she was incredibly surprised and proposed to me.

"It's slowed down! This is our chance! Uoooooh!"

Gavin charges towards the kidnapper while letting out a war cry.

The floating holy relic has a fully visible cockpit, so I could see the man inside opening the door with a panicked expression. Behind him, the tied-up child—Princess Maple—had tears in her eyes.

"Breaking down at a time like this!"

The man leaned his upper body out and reached behind his waist, clicking his tongue. He's dressed all in black, so it's a bit hard to see in the night.

By the way, his level is 84, as high as an S-rank adventurer. He might be even stronger than that Whatshisname-kun... I think it was Biscuit-kun, who attacked Mamared during the day.

Naturally, he's not an opponent Gavin can handle.

"Come at me! I'll be your oppon—"

"Gavin, you're in the way."

"Bwuh!"

I kicked him from the side, and he fell face-first into the ground.

Right after that, a poisoned needle passed through where Gavin's head had been. I see, he's an assassin.

"Tch, lucky bastard! But I'll run you over!"

While operating the steering wheel with his foot, he charges at us with the whole vehicle.

I'd probably be unharmed even if we collided, but it's still quite fast even after slowing down. The impact would seriously injure Maple in the back seat.

Can't be helped.

"Hup!"

I jump backwards while catching the drone's body with my hands.

I forcibly hold it down with my arm strength. After jumping back about three steps, I brought it to a complete stop.

"W-what the!?"

"Ruruk is amazing~!"

"This is nothing compared to a certain someone's punches."

"Tch!"

I hear him click his tongue, and poisoned needles and knives come flying at close range.

It's not much of a threat, but I avoided them just in case. However, as if he had read that, the kidnapper had somehow gotten behind me. His job is probably an assassin. His footwork is unique.

He thrust out a poison-coated short sword, so I kicked the assassin's body faster than that.

He let out a groan and flew about ten meters, rolling on the ground.

"Gu, zo..."

As expected of a high-level person, he seems to have good endurance. Even while coughing up blood, he was trying to get up immediately.

Still, he probably can't move right away.

"Princess Maple, are you alright?"

"Mm~!"

I immediately help her down from the floating vehicle body.

Maple was gagged and tied up with rope. When I tried to remove it right away, she was clearly scared.

"Don't worry. Gavin is here too!"

"!"

"Hey Gavin, why are you sleeping there? Do your job."

"Y-you bastard, remember this..."

Gavin glared at me while his nose was bleeding.

But as soon as he saw the tied-up Maple, he rushed over.

"Princess! Are you hurt?"

"Pwah! G-Gavin~!"

"There, there. You're safe now, Princess. I'm so glad you're unharmed."

Once her restraints were removed, Maple jumped into Gavin's arms and started crying.

Even though she's a princess, she's still just a young child.

"Luna didn't get to do anything~"

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

"Hmm~ If you play with me again later, it's fine."

"Alright, I got it."

"Yay! I like Ruruk because he's strong~!"

Luna , who had been dissatisfied, seemed to be content with the promise of sparring later.

Well, we still can't let our guard down.

"Gavin, watch Maple. I'm going to interrogate that guy."

"Luna will do it too! Torture♪ Torture♪"

I bring the high-spirited Luna and come right in front of the man who was wobbling to his feet.

I could make him confess immediately using "Word Soul", but Luna next to me is all fired up. I'll let her handle the intimidation.

"Now then, Mr. Kidnapper. We're going to have you tell us about your employer, are you ready?"

"Shut up, brat! 'Dark—'"

"Ei! Ah, that was 'Light Saber' just now!"

"Guwaaaaah!"

Luna cut off the man's arm with a sword of light as he was trying to use magic. It must have been quite hot, as the cross-section was burned and not even bleeding. Also, you don't need to explain the technique.

The man, clutching his arm and kneeling, looks up at us with a glare that could kill.

Well, I'm also taken aback by the sudden arm amputation... it must be unbearable for the one it's done to.

"Y-you bastards..."

"I'll ask one more time, Mr. Kidnapper. Who in the Maguu Empire hired you to do such a grand thing? Who are your collaborators?"

"...Do you think I'll answer?"

"I see. Luna."

"Ei!"

"Nguu!"

Next was the left leg.

The man closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he saw his own leg fall off, but this time he didn't scream. It seems he has no intention of talking, quite the nerve.

"Look, if you don't talk, you'll lose all your hands and feet."

I say coldly.

Honestly, I'm not very keen on this method, but thanks to "Calm and Collected", my heart doesn't get greatly disturbed. Luna's technique cauterizes the wound as it cuts, so in the worst case, he won't die from blood loss.

Besides, if torture awaits him even if we take him back, it's the same thing, and I had heard about Luna's personality from Cardel. I have permission to interrogate in this way, as Luna is appropriate for such times.

But the opponent was a professional. While enduring the pain, he kept his gaze down.

"He's not talking~ Should we do the left hand or right foot next?"

"Don't corner him too quickly. It'll be troublesome if he commits suicide—"

Just as I was about to say that.

The man released magical power towards something under his clothes. I had a terribly bad feeling and used my x-ray vision on reflex, and there was.

"Dynamite!?"

Something that shouldn't exist in this world was planted there.

I turned around reflexively and shouted.

"Gavin, get down!"

"Princess!"

At that moment, a huge explosion occurred.

-------------------

> "Domain Arbitration" has been activated.

-------------------

The skill protected me from the impact.

But everything around was blown away. The man who detonated the dynamite had disappeared without a trace, the ground was cratered, and dust was billowing up.

"Ugh... ouch."

Right beside me, Luna got up groggily.

As expected of a level-capped individual, although she was bleeding in places, she didn't seem to have any major injuries. However, her skin was red from burns, so I immediately gave her a high potion.

"Thanks! Oh, Ruruk is unharmed~ As expected~"

Luna drank the potion while looking impressed. Her wounds healed completely right away.

Luna and I are fine. But Gavin—

"Gavin! Gavin!"

From beyond the dust cloud, I could hear Maple's voice crying out.

When Luna and I rushed over, we found Gavin with his armor's back completely shattered and his whole body covered in blood, and Maple clutching Gavin's limp hand.

"Don't die! Please, Gavin!"

As the dust settled and moonlight poured down on the road, the young princess's cries echoed.

 ■　■　■　■　■ 

"Gavin, get down!"

The moment Ruruk shouted, Gavin instinctively embraced Maple's body.

He had always disliked Ruruk.

Since childhood, he had been annoyed by his precocious younger brother who didn't act like a child.

Honestly, there was jealousy too. During the Lilith kidnapping incident, he realized that his brother, whom he thought was weaker, had gone far beyond him.

Of course, Ruruk being liked by Lilith was also a reason he disliked him. But Gavin could somewhat understand.

Ruruk doesn't panic. Ruruk doesn't get desperate. He always had a composed, mature air about him, and remained calm even when dealing with Verugana. Gavin had thought it was because of his skills, but it was actually because Ruruk's basic intelligence was different. Gavin had realized this.

He still feels jealous and confrontational.

That's why, when such a Ruruk hurriedly shouted, Gavin embraced Maple without hesitation.

At that moment, an impact unlike anything he had ever experienced hit him.

Gavin was blown away several meters while holding Maple. Determined not to let his master in his arms get hurt at any cost, he maintained his posture out of sheer willpower as he bounced on the ground and collapsed.

He had lost sensation below his waist. His internal organs felt burning hot.

As his consciousness faded hazily, the last thing Gavin remembers is seeing Maple peering at his face with tears in her eyes, and he smiled faintly.

Ah, good.

It seems he had protected her properly.

He remembers losing consciousness after feeling that relief.

"Gavin! Gavin!"

When Gavin woke up to being shaken, he realized that the pain had disappeared from his entire body.

But his vision was blurry. It was hard to breathe.

He had heard that when you lose too much blood, that is, right before death, you lose both pain and sensation.

...Ah, I see.

Am I going to die?

At that moment, Gavin realized he was going to die.

"Gavin, why... why did you do this! Why did you protect me to this extent!"

Maple was holding his hand, crying profusely.

Gavin placed his hand on her cheek, his voice hoarse.

"I am... your knight... I'm glad... you're safe..."

"That's not what I mean! I'm not talking about that!"

"It is... My loyalty exists for your life, Your Highness..."

"I don't want that! If Gavin dies for my sake, I don't need such a thing!"

"Haha... Princess Maple, you're selfish, aren't you..."

"I am selfish! This selfish me cares more about your life!"

It was getting cold.

He had heard that when you lose too much blood, you feel like you're freezing.

Gavin squeezed out words with all his might.

"Princess Maple... listen, from now on, stop being selfish and listen properly to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen..."

"I will! But, but, Gavin has to be with me!"

"Haha... that's... another difficult thing..."

"I won't allow it! This is a royal order! Gavin must always be with me from now on!"

"...I see."

Gavin imagined.

Days of being dragged around by Maple from now on.

Every day peaceful, but never boring, the same happy days as always.

Ah, I see.

I was happy, wasn't I?

"It's a promise! We'll always be together from now on! Stay by my side until death...!"

"...Please don't cry. Yes, it's a promise. I will continue to protect you from now on... always, always..."

"Really? It's not a lie...?"

"...Yes. I will always be by your side, only yours, from now on..."

Even if I die, I'll continue to watch over her.

This way, Maple can see me off with peace of mind.

So please stop making such a tearful face.

I am a personal knight who has sworn loyalty.

The best sight to see at the end is the smiling face of my master.

Yes, that kind of beaming smile.

Beaming... huh? Beaming smile?

"I did it! Finally! Gavin promised to marry me!"

"Congratulations, Princess Maple."

"Congratulations~!"

Ruruk and Luna were applauding.

Huh?

Isn't this supposed to be a tearful farewell scene?

"H-hey, what are you guys..."

"By the way, Gavin, how long are you going to sleep? Your wounds should be healed by now."

"Huh?"

It was clearly a fatal level of impact.

Indeed, I can't feel the weight of my armor, and it's getting cold—

"Wait, why am I in just my underwear!?"

Gavin looked at his own body in shock.

His body, which should have been in tatters, was uninjured, and he was wearing only pants and a shirt.

Ruruk shook an empty bottle and said,

"That's because we poured a high potion on you to heal your wounds. We took off your armor and clothes because they were in the way."

"You had a high potion on hand?!"

"Of course, we're adventurers after all."

Come to think of it, that's true.

The knight order doesn't carry around expensive items like high potions. Or rather, they don't have the funds to keep such things on hand. The habits of high-ranking adventurers who engage in high-risk, high-return activities had completely slipped his mind until now.

...Which means.

"I'm... not dead...?"

"What are you saying now? You're already unharmed."

"Huh?"

Which means, that will-like thing just now was...

When he turned around, Maple hugged him.

"Kyaa! Gavin is going to marry me!"

"Wait a moment, please! That was an accident! An accident!"

After all, Gavin is a knight. Even if he's the son of a duke family, marriage to a princess is impossible without an order equivalent to a royal decree from His Majesty. It's not something Gavin or Maple can decide on their own.

Maple should understand this too, but she's clinging to Gavin and won't let go.

"Ufufu! Gavin, I want about five children! I want to build a big house and keep a dog too!"

"W-wait, Princess Maple! Please calm down! What I said earlier was—"

"Hmph! Is Gavin lying? Is a knight lying to his master!?"

"N-no, that's..."

Gavin's face tensed up.

"H-hey Ruruk, can't you say something—"

"Princess Maple. Indeed, Gavin has accepted your marriage proposal. I, as an S-rank adventurer, will be a witness to this!"

"Luna too! I don't really understand, but it seems fun, so I'll be a witness too!"

"Really? You are such good people!"

Maple and the others were getting excited.

The blood drained from Gavin's face. What should he do? What should he do about this...

As he was starting to panic, Ruruk turned around and grinned.

"Heh."

"You did this on purpose, didn't you! You damn bean sprout!"

Gavin's scream echoed through the night road.

No matter how strong or great he becomes, he thought, he'll always hate this guy.