Chapitre 72: She Meets Tall, Dark, and Scaly
"Oh? But what about the pot? It's only been ten minutes since you put the lid on." Ponzu asked.
"No worries!" Robin grinned. "This is a dish that I decided upon specifically because it is travel safe." She lifted the pot. One could faintly hear a bubbling noise coming from inside.
"What's in there?" Gerard asked, approaching the pot.
"Don't touch if you don't want to ruin it." Robin admonished as she carried it to the carriage. "It's not finished yet."
"Not even a peek?" Gerard asked.
"If you wish to permanently damage your eyes, then be my guest." Robin answered. At her words, Gerard paused, then decided to wait. If it were Ponzu, he might have disregarded it as an empty threat, but Robin's words as the hero still carried a bit of weight.
They all boarded the carriage and set off for the next town, the carriage heading into a large section of forest. Robin set the pot on the floor, and began practicing barrier magic. Unlike the elemental magic that she had been learning, barrier magic did not seem to be of any element. It was equally comfortable incorporating wind, earth, fire, water, light, and all the rest.
Upon Robin's inquiry, Jasmine could only shake her head. Barrier magic was one of the more common among cantrip spells. Other cantrips, such as 'Float' 'Slow' 'Speed' and 'Telekinesis' were also somewhat of a mystery, even to the most learned of magicians.
"Hmmm?" Robin suddenly had a thought.
"What is it?" Jasmine asked.
"No, it's nothing much...." Robin said.
"I insist. What sort of idea popped into that head of yours?" Jasmine asked.
"Could these cantrip magics possibly be an application of space magic?" Robin asked.
"We already know that space magic exists. But, aside from the magic bags, I haven't really seen any sort of magic similar to it aside from the cantrip spells."
"Well. It's a good idea. But, how is 'slow' an application of space magic?" Jasmine asked.
"Perhaps it condenses space area around the person, making the amount of area he needs to cover to move larger than anyone else." Robin offered.
"And fast?"
"The opposite. It removes space elements in between things around the person, making the amount of ground he needs to cover shorter."
"Blink?"
"A better version of 'fast.'" Robin said. "Or, rather, 'fast' is a degraded version of 'blink'."
"Telekinesis?"
"Manipulating the space elements to the point where it is possible to lift physical objects." Robin said.
Jasmine finally sighed. "You've certainly peaked my interest. But, if that is so, then how come no one has thought of this before?"
"Because everyone keeps calling it 'cantrip magic' And doesn't see how the more powerful version of it can become space magic." Robin said.
"Then, what is the use of space crystals if we can already use space magic? why not make our own magic bags?" Jasmine asked.
"Simply the convenience of a prepackage bento." Robin said.
"What?" Jasmine was confused.
Which would you prefer when you are hungry: an already steaming hot meal, or the ingredients necessary to cook the meal?" Robin asked.
"The already cooked one, of course! Ah!" Jasmine's face lit up as she experienced a eureka moment. She muttered to herself.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of it! What the crystals contain was not space mana. It was a ready-made spell matrix that sets the parameters and size of the bag, using the surrounding space mana upon activation! We already knew that larger crystals make a bigger space, but to think that it was a spell matrix..." Jasmine fell silent as the gears in her head began whirring at hyper speed.
Robin let Jasmine think to herself, and looked out the window.
"Huh? We've stopped?" Robin uttered in surprise. She opened the window to call out front. "Hey, Driver! Why are we stopping!?"
"The horses are spooked! It seems like they sense something dangerous up ahead. I've got my hands full just keeping them from turning about and running all the way back." The carriage driver explained, helplessly. Robin's eyes flashed with a strange light.
"Something dangerous, huh?" She said slowly. "Looks like we need to proceed cautiously." She shut the window and turned to Gerard.
"Hey, wanna come with me and try to determine the kind of monsters are in the area?"
"You mean scouting?" Gerard asked.
"Yup!" Robin nodded.
"Anything's better than being in here with nothing to do!" Gerard agreed immediately. He also had the feeling that if he was left alone with the mystery treat, he might give in to the temptation to peek at it.
"Hey, where are you two going?" Christian asked.
"Something's spooked the horses. While it could be nothing, we're going to go check." Robin replied.
"I'm coming, too!" Christian said. Robin chuckled at Christian. They were going into a potentially dangerous situation, and Christian was acting like they were on a trip to the candy store.
"Do what you want." Robin replied. Behind Christian, Keith also followed silently.
Getting down from the carriage, the surroundings looked normal. the trees framed the road in a canopy of leafy greens.
The ground, though moist, was not muddy. There were no large footprints or shredded trees. Gerard checked the tracks.
"Blue squirrel, Horned Rabbit, ooh a Sapphire serpent! Those go for a lot back in the village... Oh no..." Gerard looked up.
"It's direwolves."
"What? But, don't direwolves have a..." Christian pointed to her hand. "Special kind of footprint?"
Keith interjected at this point. "No, they do. But has no one ever told you that they are smart enough to obscure their footprints?" He pointed at some scuff marks on the ground.
"These brush markings over here are from someone dragging a branch full of leaves over the area. There hasn't been any rain recently, so It's not a downed branch. And, over here, they missed a bit, so we can still see the toe. Yup. It's direwolves. And they're in some sort of hurry." Keith's eyes narrowed in thought.
"What makes you think they're in a hurry?" Robin asked.
Gerard piped in. "I know! That's because, normally they would never have forgotten to completely wipe out all traces. Look, here is a fallen clump of fur that was scraped off by a branch. They would rather eat this than leave it behind because it carries their scent in it."
Robin nodded. "Wow, you really are pretty knowledgable!"
Gerard chuckled. "I took advantage of the royal library to read up on the local beasts that I didn't know about."
"Good. At least I can't say you're not diligent." Robin said with a grin, and looked in the direction opposite the one they had fled in, and paused.
"Say, Gerard. You've brushed up on local monsters, right? What kind of monster looks like a large brown lizard, but has razor sharp teeth, and a horn on its nose?"
Gerard paused. "Well that would probably be a wyvern. Nasty creatures that like to sneak attack others. Don't let their eyes fool you, they are generally no more clever than a cat."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how does one generally defeat said wyvern?"
"Cutting off its head. Why'd you ask?"He lifted his head to look up at Robin.
Robin used her eyes to glance into the forest, at a certain spot where the large, ugly mug of a wyvern began to slowly become visible through the trees. Gerard, following her gaze, blinked for a few moments, then his face blanched as he had already realized the answer to his question. Keith and Christian also saw the beast after a few moments.
Before Gerard could scream or yell, Robin grabbed his shoulder. "No sudden movements, or loud sounds." She spoke evenly as if nothing was wrong. "Slowly get up, and go back to the carriage, have the driver blind the horses, and have Jasmine create a barrier."
"But, what about you?" Gerard asked.
"You said it's as intelligent as a cat, right? I've dealt with quite a few in the past. Today will be no different." Robin said in a low voice.
She turned to Christian and Keith. "It's best that you go back as well."
"What are you talking about? We're staying here with you!" Christian smirked. "You're not gonna take all the glory to yourself!"
Robin looked at Keith, an unspoken question in her eyes. Keith nodded.
"...Do as you like, then?" She finally said.
"Why is that even a question?" Christian replied, taking up a stance to Robin's left. Keith stood off to Robin's right.
"One last thing, Gerard." She said, as she drew her sword.
"W-what?" Gerard stuttered.
"Have them hold the carriage still until I draw it away."
Gerard was surprised. He wanted to tell Robin that it was too dangerous, that it would be best to have the soldiers come help, that a wyvern was not something one could face with just three men....
But, he couldn't. His throat seemed to close up. His mouth went dry. His hands shook by his sides. Even if he had a sword, in this condition, he couldn't even hold it properly. He couldn't help even a little bit. Finally, Gerard nodded his head and walked slowly back to the carriage.
"What's the problem? Did you figure out what's spooking the horses?" The wagon driver asked.
Gerard nodded, and croaked. "Wyvern. Blind the horses, and keep the carriage still. I need to speak to Jasmine too to make a large barrier."
Ponzu and thw driver's mouths dropped open. "Wyverns!?"
But Gerard had already entered the carriage to talk to Jasmine, at that point.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
BriarRose
BriarRose Heh heh heh. ^w^ Here's tomorrow's chapter one day early! I am planning a somewhat biggish event for the 12 days of Christmas...But you'll have to wait until then to get any more out of me. My lips are sealed. Feel free to comment below on what you think is going to happen during the event~!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone