Chapter 52: The Plan (4): Departure and...
That voice, if I'm not wrong, then our guest this time would be...
"Ah, that would be Meredea. Be at ease, Meredea's position is high enough that she also knows about the Hartmann's illusion."
Mom confirmed my guess! It was Meredea!
She then quickly went to the front door to open it and let the expected guest in.
"Meredea!" I exclaimed. It's been a while since I saw her.
"Hi there... though you are disguising yourself, you must be... Lyra!" Meredea crouched down to pat my head—and as she does that, her permy brunette hair lightly grazed my cheeks.
I lightly brushed it aside as to not let it tickle my nose! It wouldn't be funny if I were to sneeze right in front of her face.
"Yes, you got it right!" I responded.
"Ah, excuse me, where are my manners? Sorry for intruding on you all. I've come to pick up Ophelia-sama," Mereda lightly raised the hem of her skirt.
"It's okay, Meredea. Please take care of Cass," Dad said.
"...though your appearance right now is way... too different... I will, Cyan-sama."
"Fufu, well then. Guess it's my time to depart. You guys feel free to take your time."
"Mom, mom! Are you going with just Meredea? I thought there will be some other magicians! Will you two be okay?"
I am worried.
"No problem. We are just going to fix the barrier and discuss things with the magicians of Chinosato city. Only Meredea and I will do."
"Isn't it dangerous? No guard at all?"
"Going with lots of people will just hinder us in case something happens. We are strong enough to defend ourselves, and once we arrived, the other magicians will be there, on our side."
...Mom is the top magician here, so her argument is valid. ...and Meredea seems to be a nerdy magician, but she is also strong, then, based on what Mom said?
"Be careful, Mom!" Alt-nii gave his hug to Mom.
"I'll be off then."
Mom then lightly brushed my head.
"I'll be okay. Take care, too, Lyra."
"...be careful, Mom."
"Be careful, Cass—"
"Cyan, no, not in that form."
Before Dad can even approach Mom in his current chubby form, Mom stopped him from doing so.
"Uuuh..."
"It's okay, we'll be seeing one another again, though we are taking different ways to get there. So, see you."
With that, Mom and Meredea entered their carriage and departed. With our currently transformed forms, we didn't send them off, but we did say our goodbyes properly.
No worries, we will soon meet!
After quite a while, finally, as the carriage has arrived, it's our time to depart.
I'm so excited!
"Let me go out and make sure the situation's safe," Rupert held me back from going outside.
"Oh... okay!"
.
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***
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Rupert stepped outside and calmly observed the surroundings. Only the carriage and the carriage driver could be seen there. The brown horse that the driver is using looks like a normal horse, but one has to admit that its built is quite tall and sturdy, compared to the normal horses portrayed in the picture books.
The air feels refreshing as usual, because there are lots of trees in the premise. The birds are chirpling—it is yet another normal, peaceful day.
However, that doesn't stop Rupert from being alert to his surroundings.
"!!"
He noticed the presence of something that might pose danger, as he could feel that there are eyes observing him. In that instant, he nimbly moved his hand and chanted at the same time.
[Earp scytel!]
A black magical arrow appeared from the hand that he swung, as its sharp blade moved rapidly towards the direction in which he sensed something odd.
"Kwaaaah!!"
The agonizing cry could be faintly heard from where Rupert is standing. Even though the hill where he pointed his magical arrow is way taller than him, he could still see the bush on top of the hill moving, and then the creature exposes its black wings.
At the same time, the same creature with its black wings escaped from the location, leaving its dying friend behind. Its three legs and long black tail can be seen by Rupert, as the tail flutters due to the wind, trying to help its owner to fly. A glimmer of red can be seen on the edge of its tail.
Meanwhile, the dying creature exposed its head out into the daylight, its beak being open, exposing its sharp teeth. The creature's three red eyes are dilating—before it finally collapsed and stopped reflecting the light on its pupils.
"...what, it's just Falsanzuwu...," Rupert sighed out. He worried for nothing.
The presence of the Falsanzuwu is certainly odd in comparison to the normal, peaceful atmosphere outside, but it is no big deal. Falsanzuwu—or the fake yatagarasu is a normal monster that can appear anywhere from time to time, but they normally hide their presence from their potential predators. The two Falsanzuwu that he just saw—they just happened to be there, so Rupert thought.
"Rupert, is something the matter?" Cyan—with his newly modified voice to match his appearance, asked.
"Ah, it's nothing. Just some normal monsters that I mistook for something dangerous. Let's go."
As the remaining four went out of the house and entered the carriage, Rupert couldn't get rid of the uneasiness that he felt—and glanced lightly at the spot where a Falsanzuwu met its demise—before he finally joined the rest of them to the carriage. He tried to erase the unexplainable anxiety he felt, so that the others won't be worried.
Perhaps, it was just his own paranoia. After all, it is the first time they are traveling with the children. Of course, some form of anxiety is going to pop out in his mind. Still, as long as they are careful, everything should be alright.
The Falsanzuwu that has lost its friend--who knows where is it headed this time? Nevertheless, it is currently flying in the air, following a certain route without even faltering. Sometimes, it would stop by to take a rest or to eat--but it is flying with one destination in its mind.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
LynneSuzuran
LynneSuzuran Have this chapter reminded you that this is a fantasy novel (in case you guys have forgotten about it due to the slow-pacing Slice of Life)? XD
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