kscans

Chapter 102 - Beyond the Tree Sea

Mireille began the final steps of creating the Magic Suppression Cloth. A few drops of slime into the ash of the Moonshadow Wolf fur, followed by a small amount of paralysis poison.

"From here on, it’s dangerous. Just touching the cloth will cause numbness... so please stay back, Leonhard-san."

With that, Mireille tied a cloth over her mouth and put on gloves. The tower didn’t have anything as fancy as protective goggles, so she wore a pair of glasses meant for handling materials instead. They looked strangely good on her.

And so, I was kicked out of the alchemy room.

Direct exposure to this cloth won’t kill you. But for a while, your body won’t move as you wish. Your mana will be suppressed, and your body will be immobile. For the enemy, it’s a cloth from hell. For an ally, it’s a final trump card.

...The problem is what happens if the coup d’état fails.

I’d only been thinking about what comes after success, but the truly frightening thing is the opposite. During the coup, Mireille is scheduled to take refuge in this tower.

...But what if we don’t come back?

Mireille herself has done nothing wrong. Her connection to us is not publicly known. Still, the fact that she was a "person on the run" makes returning to the Royal Capital too dangerous.

If possible, it would be better for her to leave this country.

She is a talented alchemist. If she sought asylum, there would surely be a country willing to take her in. The problem is whether she can get there. And where she would go.

The great nation beyond the Royal Capital is advanced in both magic and science. But it is a completely hostile country. It’s questionable whether they would welcome her.

Then what about the country on the other side of the Tree Sea? Due to using the Tree Sea as a shield, they have few wars, but in turn, their development is lacking. They are not wealthy.

...Honestly, I suspect that Mireille’s and Ariel’s origins lie on that side.

I’ve never heard of a village in this country being wiped out by monsters. But Ariel’s village was destroyed by monsters. Considering that, a country bordering the Tree Sea seems more natural.

And while there is a gap between rich and poor, I’ve never heard of child trafficking in this country.

Moreover, if they were able to buy Ariel and Mireille with this country’s gold coins, it means there is some level of interaction between the nations.

If you bypass the Tree Sea, there are countries connected by roads used by merchants and adventurers. It would be natural to assume they are from around there.

...But is it really a good idea to send her to a country poor enough to sell its own children? Pursuers would likely use the same roads, and I can’t expect it to be safe.

In that case, should she cross one or two more countries? No, that would be too difficult.

The more I think about it, the more my stomach hurts.

In the end, should she return to the Royal Capital...? But even if things cool down, all that foolish king would demand of Mireille is to perform alchemy for the country until she dies. Returning to the capital is out of the question.

Then, she could escape to the country beyond the Tree Sea, and make a living by occasionally venturing into the forest to sell materials. She would have to do it without anyone realizing she is an alchemist. That seems like the best option.

Her safety would have to be ensured by alchemical tools.

...All I can think of are scenarios I don’t want to imagine. I truly wish the future we walk together would be a happier one.

I suppressed my anxiety and brewed a cup of coffee, dropping in a single cube of sugar. I made it with the hope that it would at least soothe her fatigue.