How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 265

296. Too Many Villains (3)

It would have been chaos if it had been over the city.

“It doesn’t seem like we were… attacked?”

For something like that, there are no enemies or murderous intent.

-Don’t worry. It is not that. And I probably wasn’t detected either.

Ballant, still struggling, barely moved his head, groaning, sounding unlike himself.

-It was a blind spot. I should have noticed when I first felt the discomfort…

“What do you mean?”

-Someone is tampering with the flow of mana in the ley lines [invisible pathways of magical energy].

I tilted my head, not knowing what that meant.

-It seems someone has been tampering with the ground beneath this land. It is deviating from the natural flow.

“Is that why my movement was hindered?”

According to Ballant’s explanation, the flow of a large amount of mana flowing beneath the ground, the ley lines… was strangely misaligned, which seemed to have impacted him as he was moving within that flow.

He barely avoided a major impact, but it seems that he was thrown into the air because of it.

…That could have been a disaster.

-I am sure of this much. It is definitely not a natural flow. Probably… what you call magic.

“…Magic.”

Crusoe, also a mage, rolls his eyes as if he doesn’t understand.

However, no sharp answer seems to come out.

“Anyway, can you move?”

-Difficult. The impact is significant. Even this body will need to rest for a while.

Ballant drooped his head and tail and pretended to have no energy left.

-I am sorry.

“It can’t be helped. More than that, can you go back?”

-That much is not difficult if I take a little breather. The ley lines are forming a strange flow only at the destination you mentioned, Aileen. There are no problems elsewhere.

It seems that it doesn’t matter if it’s a short distance or moving away from it, as long as it’s not heading to the capital.

“Ugh…”

If so, it’s a headache.

Moreover, after hearing Ballant’s explanation earlier, I have a hunch.

Perhaps this is evidence that the villains gathered in the center of the Empire… the capital, are gradually moving to achieve their goals.

-What are you going to do?

“…It can’t be helped. From here on, we’ll have to manage on our own.”

We can’t run away now.

From here, we’ll have to go on our own two feet.

* * *

The good thing is that we have fortunately entered the borders of the Empire.

Yoon Han doesn’t seem to know the exact location here, but he agreed that it is probably within the Empire’s territory.

Teleportation, of course, does not activate.

Fortunately, the subspace for storing items opens, so it seems that the overall spatial ability is not completely out of order.

It takes more mana than usual to barely open it, but it’s a hundred times better than not being able to use it.

Should I take out the minimum equipment just in case? First, I took out my magic sword Killmuris and hung it on my waist.

‘What should I do now?’

First, we need to decide on a destination.

“First, let’s head to the nearest city from here!”

“It seems like we have no choice…”

There is no other option.

Above all, there is another reason.

“If we go to the city, we can somehow get cooperation. Right, Mr. Yoon Han?”

“Indeed… are you requesting cooperation from the lord of that city?”

“You catch on quick!”

Even though he looks like that, that friend is a proud knight of the Empire, so if we do well, we might be able to get some minor support.

After all, he is one of the Imperial Princess’s escort knights.

His position will be better than that of an ordinary knight.

He also confidently puffed out his chest as if telling me to trust him.

“Leave it to me. If we do well, we might be able to get not only a map but also a carriage.”

“Oh! I have high expectations.”

“…”

Meanwhile, Crusoe was staring blankly at one place, not even looking at us who were having this conversation.

“Hey… Mr. Crusoe?”

“Ah… Aileen? What’s wrong?”

“Did you even listen to our story properly? You were spacing out.”

“Ah… so… what was it? Did you say we ran out of food and have to hunt orcs?”

“…Are you hungry?”

No, nothing matches.

“I’m sorry. I was a little concerned about something. I couldn’t concentrate on other things because of it.”

Crusoe readily apologized.

“That’s unusual. To be distracted… Before that, what were you concerned about?”

“I felt an unpleasant sensation… and then it disappeared?”

A strange sensation?

I also concentrated, but I couldn’t feel it well.

I had no choice but to use my abilities to concentrate in order to capture all the flow and properties of mana.

‘…Hmm?’

“Aileen? Do you feel it too?”

“No. I don’t know.”

I covered up what I saw for now and pretended not to know.

In fact, it’s not that I didn’t see anything at all.

But it was somehow ambiguous to say that I saw it.

Following Crusoe’s gaze until just now, something dark and faint residue seemed to linger in the sky and then disappeared.

It’s like some kind of trace.

And it’s a trace of power from the mana system.

It’s a residue of evil power like black magic or demonic energy.

‘…What is it?’

It’s best not to get involved if you don’t know.

“Anyway, let’s head straight to the city and meet the lord there.”

* * *

Fortunately, it was not difficult to find a nearby city.

We found a road where a large number of carriages usually travel, and as we followed it, we saw a city.

As soon as we arrived, we were able to get some information from the soldier guarding this place at the gate.

It seemed to be called Carlton Territory.

“Carlton Territory… so it was that place.”

“Where is it located?”

“It is one of the most remote border areas. …Unfortunately, it is a territory located near the border.”

“Ugh… it’s a long way to go.”

As expected, we had fallen near the Imperial border.

Well, considering that we almost couldn’t even enter, this is better.

“Well, if we know the location, the rest is easy. First, let’s meet the lord of this place as planned.”

“Leave it to me. I will definitely get support.”

Yoon Han confidently stepped forward, gestured to the soldier, and took something out of his pocket to show him.

The soldier’s expression hardens.

“…Are you?!”

“I have come to pass through this place due to circumstances. I would like to see the lord of this place, is that okay?”

It’s probably a token showing his status.

The soldier is amazed that it is quite effective.

Even though he looks like that, he is still in charge of guarding the Imperial family.

He also seems used to asserting his authority.

‘It would be nice if we could go comfortably thanks to him.’

However….

Was it the rule of this world that there is always something disappointing when you expect something?

For some reason, the soldier’s attitude was strange.

No, it’s not just him that’s strange.

For some reason, the soldier had not been letting us into the city since a while ago.

Even if we subtly gave him a hint, he would put it off with various excuses.

As if he didn’t want us to come in.

“…Do you wish to see the lord?”

“Yes, but?”

Is he perhaps refusing?

Of course, he can’t directly say the words of refusal.

“Yes… I will report to the lord right away.”

He nodded for now, called another soldier, conveyed a message in a small voice, and sent him away.

Still suspicious.

And after waiting for about three hours, we were finally able to meet the lord of this place.

However, for some reason, instead of calling us to the castle, the lord himself said that he would come directly to the gate.

Still strange.

First, let’s wait quietly, and soon the lord of this place greeted us in person.

The lord’s name is Maxiles Delkelhores, and of course, he has no importance.

“Are you the one who is escorting Her Highness Resilia? Well, it’s rare to have such a guest. Especially at a time like this.”

“…”

I just listened silently for now.

I just thought it was strange.

Fortunately, Yoon Han naturally asked the question instead of me.

“…Why did you ask us to meet you in a place like this?”

“I know it’s rude to the Imperial Knight. I can’t help it even if you complain later.”

He doesn’t mean to treat us poorly?

“To tell you the truth, I cannot let you into the city.”

As expected, not a good sound comes out as expected.

Yoon Han couldn’t say anything with a slightly embarrassed face.

In the end, I carefully stepped forward and spoke.

“Can I take that to mean that you simply do not welcome us?”

“Who are you?”

“I am the one who was heading to the capital after receiving a message from Princess Resilia. My name is Aileen.”

Maxiles looked back and forth between me and Yoon Han with a suspicious look, and then continued the conversation as if he didn’t think there was a need to argue.

“…It’s not that I don’t welcome you.”

“Then…”

“However, circumstances do not allow it. For the safety of the city, I cannot allow you to enter.”

What does that mean, safety?

It sounds like it would be dangerous if we were let in?

“It sounds like you can’t let us in even if you want to.”

“I won’t deny it.”

He can’t welcome us not by his own will but by someone else’s?

“Then I don’t mind if you just provide me with a map and a carriage.”

“…”

Silence. He pretends not to hear and closes his eyes.

Damn it, does that mean that’s not possible either?

What is certain is that he doesn’t seem to be willing to cooperate with us right now.

Even though he claims that it is not his own will but someone else’s.

‘What should I do?’

I considered threatening him with force, but that’s not a good choice.

Suddenly.

While I was contemplating, Maxiles got up first.

“I have said what I have to say. …You guys get out right away.”

“Wait! Please wait!”

I grabbed Yoon Han, who hurriedly got up and tried to grab him, and stopped him.

“Mr. Aileen?!”

“Didn’t he say it was difficult? It would only be difficult for us if we insisted.”

“But…”

“In times like this, you have to take a step back.”

There’s no point in making a fuss.

Crusoe hasn’t said a word since a while ago, as if he doesn’t care what happens.

It means that it’s time to quietly move on.

“…I’m sorry for making a fuss.”

“…Hmm.”

“Let’s step back first. …And one thing.”

“…What?”

“Regarding that reason. If it becomes nothing, can I take it to mean that you can change your mind?”

“Think what you want.”

He only answered that and left.

And we were kicked out without exception.

In the end, I couldn’t even set foot in the city.

“…The position of Imperial Guard Knight is nothing special.”

When Crusoe, who had been silent all along, said a word, Yoon Han sighed while covering his head as if he was embarrassed.

“Something must be wrong. No, I’ll talk to him again. Keuk!”

I forcibly grabbed the nape of Yoon Han, who was trying to run back to the gate, and stopped him.

“I’m telling you, it’s meaningless, so stop it? At least it will be difficult now.”

“Mr. Aileen?”

“Didn’t the lord just say that? We can’t let you in.”

“But if I persuade him…”

“It means you shouldn’t persuade him. The order is wrong.”

I said that and took out a folded parchment from my pocket and unfolded it.

“…That is?”

“When I was kicked out, a soldier secretly fiddled with my sleeve. I wondered what he was doing, but when I looked, this was there.”

“A secret letter?”

Crusoe wondered as if it was nothing special.

“Why did he do such a troublesome thing?”

“Anyway, at least it’s not a love letter.”

“That’s obvious…”

It must be related to the reason why we were kicked out.

“Maybe the reason why he did that a while ago is written there. You can tell just by looking at it. It’s obvious.”

“…Why would he do that?”

“It’s probably because he can’t say it directly or something.”

There’s nothing else to say unless I check it first.

I unfolded the parchment in question and read through its contents.

“Tsk… what a troublesome thing to do.”