Volume 23 Chapter 8 Fugitive Wagon Chase
As Al and the others continued their 'Fly' spell, after about 5 minutes, they could make out the figure of a carriage galloping through the forest at roughly 15 kilometers per hour, visible between the trees.
Even though the road was somewhat maintained, this speed was quite fast.
They were about 100 meters away.
At this pace, after about 20 minutes, the carriage would exit the forest and reach the town streets.
If that happened, it wouldn't be too bad for Al and the others, but in the current situation, they might be reported to the guard patrol.
* * *
With 'Sensory Boost' granting him telescopic vision, Al observed that no one seemed to be watching the sky above the rear of their carriage, and there were no floating eyes around the carriage, indicative of the 'Floating Eye' spell.
If they got within 50 meters, they risked triggering a reaction from spells like 'Detect Magic'.
Al maintained his pursuit, careful to keep that distance while flying, and informed Reginald and Leda, seated on the 'Carrier' spell chairs, about the carriage's detection status.
"How do we get closer?"
Asked Reginald, Al groaned, pondering deeply.
He regretted slightly not having stored logs or large rocks in the Magic Bag, which could have been placed ahead on the road to simulate a natural disaster and block the carriage's path.
Back when they set up a wide base at the iron mine, they had thrown in a lot of rocks and trees, but searching for fallen trees now was too troublesome.
For now, if he placed one of the many light-emitting Magic Tools ahead, the guard might stop to guard against it, but that would eliminate the element of surprise.
Perhaps it was better to prioritize the current situation, where they hadn't been noticed yet, and make a bold move?
If the carriage's magician was 2 people, and they weren't Mages, then with Leda on their side, this approach might have a higher chance of success.
"Should we charge in as we are, or should we place an 'Illusion' or a Magic Tool ahead to make the opponent stop when they're on guard? Which do you think is better?"
The group considered their options.
They could use the 'Falling Control' spell beforehand, then approach low using 'Fly'.
Even if the enemy used 'Dispel Magic', they could still manage.
If they chose to ambush, stopping the carriage, they might need to erase all their prepared spells to avoid triggering the enemy's 'Detect Magic' spell.
"If the enemy isn't that strong, wouldn't it be better to attack head-on? We'd have the advantage, right?"
The information about the enemy's skill came only from Eric.
Even if Eric was a researcher, that didn't mean he was bad at fighting.
"Their strength is probably less than what Al defeated alone. I think it's better to move ahead of the carriage. Maybe we can surround them with Al and the rest of us?"
Both Reginald and Leda preferred an assault over an ambush.
Was that the better choice?
However, a pincer attack was risky.
If the enemy used a group attack spell on the side without Al, they wouldn't have a way to defend.
"Alright, shall we attack from the front? There aren't many of them, so I think it's better if we all go."
Al's suggestion was met with nods from the others.
They would go around the enemy carriage and move ahead of them.
Reginald's subordinates began to prepare their bows.
They would prepare 'Shield' spells, 'Quick Shield' spells, and instead of a delay spell, they would use 'Spasm' this time.
Leda looked like she wanted to say "Something's wrong..." again, hearing Al's delay spell, but the explanation would have to wait.
'We'll attack soon. Mr. Eric, please keep yourself safe and try not to get hit by stray arrows.'
'Understood. I'll try not to cause any trouble.'
*Sorry for the trouble*, Al thought to himself.
He used 'Fly', staying close to the ground, as they approached the carriage through the forest path.
At 55 meters, Al's 'Detect Magic' spell picked up some reactions.
There were many reactions from magic tools or something inside the carriage, but only one person was targeted by a spell.
Only one person?
The two on the carriage driver's seat notice Al and his group approaching and try to stop the carriage with a startled motion.
No one has yet emerged from the carriage.
Reginald's subordinates loose arrows, hitting one of the men on the driver's seat.
It's only when they're about 20 meters apart that the carriage finally comes to a halt.
One by one, Reginald and his 3 companions leap down from the 'Carrier' spell chair.
"Magic Sparks" – Exclusion Target (Eric)
As the carriage door swings open and several people start to descend, Al fires his spell without hesitation.
It might not reach inside the carriage, but finishing them before they can ready their battle stance is the right move.
The two who just got out, and the one still standing on the driver's seat, scream as Al's spell strikes them down.
There were times before, when fighting Mages, when the carriage roof would open and they'd start firing magic right away, but it seems it won't be like that this time.
Eric had said he felt that the man he was restraining with 'Telepathy,' Cole, seemed like someone who studies spells, but maybe his guards aren't that accustomed to fighting.
"Help me!" "Help!"
Screams, like those of a man and a woman, are heard from the carriage.
It's not Eric's voice.
Al quickly glances at Reginald and Leda's eyes.
Reginald gives a slight nod.
"Put your hands up and slowly get out of the carriage"
Two people, a man and a woman, came down from the carriage in response to Reginald's voice.
The man looked to be around 40 years old.
He was about 170 centimeters tall and very thin.
His brown hair, which was a bit long, had a lot of white in it.
The woman seemed to be in her late 20s.
She was a little taller than the man, and unlike him, she had a very voluptuous body. Her long, golden hair was carefully cared for.
Both of them were wearing robes, which are common for magicians, but the man's robe had a high-class silver trim.
Only the woman reacted to Al's 'Detect Magic' spell.
"I'm Cole. I'm a researcher from the Marquis Prentis family's magic lab. I won't fight. Please, help me"
"I'm Rachel. Sir Cole's bodyguard, but I can't win against you. I won't resist, so please help us"
"I'll remove the spell that's on you, so please don't resist, okay?"
*Dispel Magic*
*Dispel Magic*
After dispelling it twice, the reaction to the 'Detect Magic' spell disappeared from the woman.
Al thought maybe there were 3 spells of the Detect type, but he wasn't sure.
Seeing Al nod, one of Leda and Reginald's subordinates cautiously approached the carriage.
"Mr. Eric!"
Leda's voice could be heard, and it sounded happy.
He must be safe.
Then, Al realized that he didn't have any manacles or gags for magicians.
He hadn't expected to capture the magician alive.
When he looked at Reginald, he seemed to have realized the same thing, and shook his head with a startled expression.
Are manacles and gags tools?
Al initially wondered if he could make them with the 'Create Weapon' spell.
But then he thought he should use the 'Create Armor' spell.
He had tested this spell when he learned it, and it could make not only armor but also clothes.
Restraints might not be considered armor, but this spell could originally create a helmet with a face, so he could probably make shackles, too.
"Create Armor" Muzzle
Cole's eyes went wide as he watched.
Al handed off his creation to one of Reginald's underlings──a different one from the guy who'd gone to check on Eric.
Cole looked back and forth between Al's face and the muzzle in front of him, licking his lips like he was hungry for a secret.
When Reginald's henchman tried to put the muzzle on him, Cole actually smiled──he wanted it.
A chill crawled down Al's back while he watched.
Just then, Eric stumbled out of the carriage, barely upright, with Leda supporting him.
The cuffs and muzzle that had been locked on him were finally gone.
"Mr. Eric, you're safe"
Al smiled, happy, but still kept an eye on Cole and Rachel just in case.
"Al. Thank you. You saved me"
"Al? So that's the blond kid..."
──She mumbled in shock and stared straight at Al.
Al ignored her, busy making another muzzle and 2 pairs of cuffs without stopping.
Reginald's henchmen took the gear and strapped Cole and Rachel up tight.
They even wrapped them in heavy robes so they couldn't move.
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