Gulp, such a silly sound echoed in the middle of a conversation in the carriage.

　They reflexively look at each other's faces and ask each other questions.

...... Oh, that wasn't me, was it?
"Wow, I don't either ......!
"...... Mylene is also different.

　Noel and his friends immediately deny it and then look at you accusingly, just in case you are mistaken.
　It's as if they're asking you to stop being confusing.

　But Allen shrugs his shoulders as he meets their gaze.

"Neither do I?

　Then there is one person left.
　A look at the person in question, but Curtis chuckles.

I'm sorry ...... it's a confusing sound and I'm sure it could be misunderstood, but it's not a belly noise.
"What, no?　Well, I certainly thought it was awfully big: ......

　After all, it was loud enough to make you stop talking.
　It was louder than they were talking, not to mention clearly audible, which is probably why the women immediately denied it.

But then, what the hell is ......?
"Cue the break, if you will, right?　To be more precise, though, it's a signal to refill the mages.
"Supply ......?
"Yes. As a matter of fact, the carriage itself is a magical tool, and it's one of the reasons I am comfortable riding in it.
"...... I see.

　It's true that there's no vibration for its speed, and you can talk to it without any problems.
　I'm sure it's a very well made carriage, but it's a magic tool.

"But that consumes more magic power. They thought of a way to use passengers, but that would have been problematic if there weren't enough passengers, or if there were children on board, so they ended up using a loading system.

　It has been mentioned before that a mage tool works by consuming magic power, but there are two main methods of using it.
　There are two main types of mages: those that use the user's magic power as it is, and those that are loaded beforehand with something like fuel that builds up magic power and then draw magic power from it.
　The latter is called the loading type.

　Many loaded magic tools cause complex phenomena that are difficult to perform with the user's magic power alone.
　The communication mages that Leeds used to use before were also of this type, which is why they couldn't be used as often as they should have been.

　And of course, once the loaded magic power is exhausted, the tool will stop working.

"It would be fine if it just stopped moving, but this carriage is actually three times heavier than a normal carriage. The weight was reduced due to the magic tool's effectiveness as a magic tool, and with further enhancements, the horse is able to pull the chariot at this speed with no problem: ......
When the effect wears off, it's a lot of work.
Okay, so that's the signal, huh?
Yes. "Yes, because it's easier to hear these sounds. Also, the amount of magic loaded is not constant, and you have to wait until the break to choose the right one.
"......, so is that a signal for a break?
That's what I mean. So, ladies and gentlemen. Why don't we have a little late lunch while we refuel the mages?

　Although there was no rumbling of the stomach, I did not say that I was not hungry.
　Everyone looked at each other knowing that, and most importantly, the noon hour was long past.
　There couldn't be any objection.

　They all nodded in unison at Curtis' suggestion, and he smiled and tapped on the gateside window three times.
　Then, perhaps as if on cue, the carriage slowed down and slowly came to a stop.











　The place where the carriage stopped was right next to a large tree.
　It seems that they chose a spot where they could have lunch.

Then I'll finish refilling the grimoire first. Then I'll eat with my bodyguard afterwards, so don't worry about it and go ahead and eat.

　As soon as he confirmed that Allen and the others were getting out of the carriage, Curtis said that he was half cautious and half caring when he went under guard.

　You will need to be aware of the fact that the person preparing the meal will need to be on the lookout for poison if either party is to prepare the meal.
　On the other hand, if you prepare the food separately and then eat it together, it is as good as saying to the person that you don't trust him/her.
　It is a fact, and you know it's inevitable, but it can't be funny.

　The same is true for both sides, and that's why they created a situation where it's not unnatural to eat apart for a reason.
　That's what I mean by half-warning, half-caring.

　Since everyone understands that, no one speaks to Curtis as he turns away, but proceeds to prepare the meal as he is told.
　However, as for lunch, there is already a ready-made meal, so preparation is only preparation for eating.
　Originally, lunch was going to be eaten on the move, so I had bought it beforehand.

　The reason why I didn't take lunch in town first is partly because I was in a tight time frame, but also because I had already bought it.
　The main reason, though, was that we wanted to leave early.

　Anyway, Allen and the others quickly prepared their meals and began to eat as soon as they could--

"So how was ......?

　The words that Allen said were abrupt, but no one questioned them.
　It's because everyone understands the meaning of it, and while they don't stop eating, they turn their gaze to the void as if to think about something.

I'm sure you'll be ...... and a half, isn't it?

　It was Leeds who first opened his mouth.
　Noel nodded at his words, still without talking about specifics.

Well, I feel like that, too.
"...... can't say anything?

　Then Milene agreed, and Allen chuckled.
　Well, that's what I thought.

　What I was talking about was what I thought of Curtis.
　That's why I left out details so that I could fool you if you asked.

　I'm sure Curtis expects to be told his story, but this is the same as the previous meal example.
　You know, but you won't be amused if you actually hear it.

　Then you shouldn't talk about it in the first place, but that's not going to happen.
　There is only one city that you are going to stop at on your way to the imperial capital.


　It is the only time we can get together by ourselves, so we have no choice but to talk here.

　Well, it's hard to say whether it's worth it at this point.

Well, that's what I'm talking about. I'm with you, at least for now.
"That sounds like you're saying that's a strange thing to say, doesn't it?
"...... certainly

　That said, Allen's smile deepened, but in fact it was also true.
　It's obviously suspicious.

　After being stranded for two days, we're about to leave town when he appears with a story we can't ignore.
　It must seem suspicious to everyone.

　But for now, that's all there is to it.
　It's suspicious, but we don't have any evidence.

　But there is also no evidence that it's not suspicious, and this is a hostile country.
　If you were on your own, you could take it easier, but otherwise you have to be as cautious as you can be.

　And this caution will not be lifted until the very end.
　Only when it is over without incident can you determine that it was really just a combination of good fortune and nothing more.

　If that was the case, I can only apologize to Curtis ...... and wish with all my heart that this was the case.

For now, we'll just keep going, shall we?
"Yes, ......, it's a painful experience, but ......
Well, you can't say that.
...... necessary.

　Reluctantly, so is Allen, and so would everyone else here.
　How much better it would be if we could truly believe, without question.
　But unfortunately, reality is not designed to work that way.

　Glancing briefly in the direction Curtis had gone, muttering to himself that he couldn't make it, Allen tossed the rest of his hand into his mouth.