The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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Author Notes:

 [Today's two updates. 1/2

 The second update is planned for around 3 PM]

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I noticed something was off while I was cutting vegetables into rabbit shapes in the guild's kitchen that I had borrowed without permission.

I thought I heard Elenora's voice from the tavern area. It's rare for that little girl to raise her voice, so I thought it was probably just my imagination.

Still, I decided to check the tavern just in case.

"Huh? She's not here."

Elenora was gone.

It's unthinkable that Elenora, who was waiting for food, would go off somewhere on her own, so I became a bit anxious and hurried outside the guild.

There was no one around the guild.

—No, there was.

I caught a glimpse of a tall adult turning the corner of the street.

For a split second, I saw the back of someone running with what looked like a black sack slung over their shoulder.

No way.

With a terrible premonition, I immediately started running.

I was worried about keeping up with an adult's stride, but thanks to Roze's special training, my level had risen to about 15. Among my stats, agility had the biggest increase and the highest value. I had a speed that seemed impossible for a child, so against an adult carrying luggage...

As I thought this and turned the corner, what I saw was the adult I had just seen mounting a horse and starting to gallop away.

With so few residents around due to the evacuation, they could ride freely even within the town.

Damn, there's no way I can outrun a horse.

Just as I clicked my tongue, the mouth of the sack the man had placed on the horse loosened slightly, and I caught a glimpse of what was inside.

What flashed into view was a small hand. On that wrist was fluffy fur.

No doubt about it. It's Elenora.

The fact that she's not trying to escape using magic means she's either unconscious or gagged.

Either way, with Elenora about to be kidnapped, this is no time to stand idly by.

"'Stop'!"

I instinctively used Word Soul, but the horse had already galloped beyond the range of my voice.

Damn, I have no choice but to chase.

The horse is heading towards the west gate. As I was about to chase straight after them, I suddenly realized.

There's no way I can catch up by running straight. Besides, the west, north, and south gates should be sealed off right now.

Then, to leave the town—

"Only the east gate!"

It's a bit far since it's on the opposite side of town, but if I take a shortcut, I might have a chance.

I turn on my heel and head for the east gate.

Still, to think this would happen as soon as she took off her robe.

Even in a country where discrimination against beast-folk is prohibited, and even though sheep-folk are protected by law, there must be many people blinded by greed. The timing was also bad—if there had been more witnesses around, it might have been a different story.

Damn, this is infuriating.

But more than that, I was irritated at myself for leaving Elenora alone.

Anyway, regrets can come later. I can't let her be taken away without a fight.

I arrived at the east gate about 10 minutes later, running at full speed.

When I reached the east gate, out of breath, the gate was slowly starting to close. They must have decided to close this one too due to the A-rank monster to the north.

"Ex-excuse me! Did a man on horseback carrying a sack come through here?"

When I asked the guard at the gate, he nodded.

"Yeah. He just passed through in a hurry. Do you know him?"

"Damn it!"

"Hey, wait! It's dangerous outside!"

I was too late.

I slipped out through the closing gate to the outside of the town.

The road stretches straight out from the east, but there's no one there. Given the good visibility, they must have long since left.

If that's the case, it's either north or south.

The north is out of the question with the monster there and likely many soldiers out for defense. So it must be south.

I start running south along the outer wall.

Honestly, I don't think I can catch up to a horse on foot, but giving up is even less of an option. Fortunately, thanks to Verugana's training, I'm confident in my endurance.

I was running while praying they had stopped somewhere when—

"Hey, aren't you that mystical arts kid? What are you doing, training?"

The one who came riding on a horse from behind was the middle-aged swordsman from the "Demon Warding Book".

I recall they were called out for an emergency quest. I wonder if he was ordered to patrol here.

Anyway, I'm glad it's someone I know. I quickly explain the situation.

"Elenora has been kidnapped by a man."

"What, that little miss? Quick, get on! Which way should we go!?"

The middle-aged swordsman, without even needing to be asked, pointed to the back of his horse as if it were a major incident.

This was a stroke of luck.

I immediately jumped on behind the swordsman and said,

"Please head towards the south gate! If we ask the soldiers there, we should be able to find out which way they went!"

From here, the roads leading out of town either go towards the Kingdom of Mataisa in front of the south gate, or towards the Dragon Duchy of Bargia via the west gate.

Either way, the guards at the south gate should have seen them. If not, it means they've entered the forest, but given that there's no horse in sight nearby, they shouldn't have entered the forest.

"Alright, leave it to me!"

The middle-aged swordsman spurred his horse to hurry.

We quickly reached the south gate and asked without dismounting. I was expecting them to have taken the southern road, but the answer we got was that they had gone west. They had headed towards the road to the Dragon Duchy of Bargia.

Of all places, the west.

Right now, wolf monsters are supposed to have made their den in the valley just before the Dragon Duchy of Bargia, and the road should be closed. That's what I heard at the guild, but perhaps the kidnapper doesn't know this?

Even if it's for the sake of escape, knowingly going that way would be suicide.

Of course, this threat is the same for the pursuers, which makes it all the more troublesome.

"Um..."

"Don't worry! I'll see this through to the end!"

The middle-aged swordsman said without hesitation, then,

"Sorry, gate guard! I'm Zamza of the 'Demon Warding Book'! I'm in the middle of an emergency quest, but sorry, an acquaintance's child has been kidnapped! I'm going to chase the kidnapper towards the valley! Please tell my companions and the guild branch manager! I'll accept any punishment later!"

He whipped the horse and hurried on ahead.

Even knowing it's dangerous, he's willing to help for the sake of a child he barely knows?

"We're going to gallop! Keep your mouth shut and hold on tight!"

"Yes!"

I clung tightly to Zamza's waist, filled with gratitude.