Chapter 107……………………………………
“I didn’t think of that!”
Lin muttered as she looked regretfully at the Suin continent currency she had packed so carefully.
“The Eastern Continent uses different money than ours…”
“That figures.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do.”
Even so, when Kaligo remarked that gold coins would still be useful, Lin only took back a small emergency fund, making her bag noticeably lighter.
With her luggage now fairly light, Lin looked back at Kaidan.
“We meet again by that big tree outside the castle walls, right? The one with the handkerchief tied on it!”
“Exactly. I’ll go ahead and wait there. You come slowly after me.”
They went over their routes once more, double-checking tonight’s plan.
Kaidan, who had relatively free access, would go ahead of time to gather the prepared luggage and horses outside the castle and head to the meeting spot. Lin, who could fly, would follow later under the cover of night.
“See you soon!”
“Mm.”
Kaidan nodded, his expression unusually serious as he took a good look at Lin’s face before leaving.
After Kaidan departed, Lin peeked into her bag one last time, tightened the knots, and glanced at the clock.
The journey to the Eastern Continent was about to begin.
“I won’t even be able to see my room for a while.”
Lin took one last look at her bedroom, then seemed to remember something and went to her desk.
Click.
She opened the secret compartment in her drawer and saw a neatly prepared letter inside.
“I need to make sure this is seen clearly.”
[What’s that? A letter?]
“Yes. If I leave without saying anything, Uncle Theo will be worried! So I wrote everything down here to reassure him.”
[Do you really think that’ll stop me from worrying…? Well, since I’m here, there isn’t anything to truly worry about.]
Of course, someone would be fretting over their precious niece running away for the first time, but the big bear that was Kaligo didn’t concern himself with that.
Leaving Kaligo rolling on the cushions as usual, Lin carefully placed the crinkling letter on the desk so it would be easy to see.
“Uncle Theo might be a bit surprised in the morning when I’m not here… but I wrote this letter so you don’t have to worry!”
Yes. Uncle Theo would understand after reading it.
The six-year-old Lin, unaware of the worries of her guardian, thought cheerfully.
“Uncle Theo, I’ll definitely come back with Grandpa!”
Imagining the happy faces of her reunited family, Lin clenched her small fist and made a vow.
The last hours before the trip flew by like arrows.
Soon, Lin checked the time she had agreed upon with Kaidan and stood by the window with her packed bag.
“Kali… really, you don’t have to go in the bag, right?”
[Yeah. If you’re in there, I can’t see you.]
“You don’t have to watch me so carefully, you know.”
[Remember when I listened to you during the hunting festival, and you ended up falling sick?]
“I wasn’t sick… I just overslept a bit…”
Lin muttered softly, but Kaligo, in full scolding mode, didn’t hear a thing.
“It’s time to go.”
Ignoring Kaligo’s familiar scolding, Lin looked out the window at the night sky.
The moon, not yet full, shone brightly, illuminating the surroundings.
Bang!
Transforming into a beast form, Lin slung her bag over her neck and placed her forelegs on the window sill.
“Kyuuu…”
Peeking cautiously, she let out a troubled whimper.
“Is it okay to go like this? It’s brighter than I thought…”
She hadn’t noticed before because she rarely stayed up so late, but Pegasus Castle wasn’t that dark at night.
Perhaps for the guards patrolling, torches were scattered around to illuminate the surroundings.
Lin tilted her head, uncertain, when Kaligo emerged with a proud smile.
[Worried about being seen? I’ll cover you with clouds.]
Wow.
Lin admired the black clouds that enveloped her like a protective wing.
“Kyuung! Kyung!”
Great! Let’s go!
Filled with confidence, Lin stomped her hooves energetically.
The cloud wings lifted her tiny unicorn body smoothly into the air, letting her move freely above Pegasus Castle.
The cold but refreshing night breeze brushed her cheeks as she looked down.
“Wow… people look so small.”
Few people were about at this late hour; mostly guards, with an occasional servant passing by.
Lin chuckled at the miniature, toy-like figures below.
“No one can see me in the cloud. I’m like a stealth aircraft!”
Kyuuu kyung kyung.
Laughing softly so as not to be heard below, she bounced and soared, with the black clouds following protectively around her.
“Lin!”
“Kyuuung!”
Calling out Kaidan’s name happily, Lin landed lightly under the big tree with the yellow handkerchief tied to it.
Bang!
She lightly stomped her hooves, celebrating her safe rendezvous with Kaidan, then returned to human form.
“Alright. I’ve met Kaidan!”
“Let’s depart immediately.”
Excited for the start of the adventure, Lin was calmly guided by Kaidan.
Holding the reins tightly to ensure their safety, Lin and Kaidan left Pegasus Castle behind.
The journey to the “passage” leading to the Eastern Continent, which Kaidan had located, went smoothly.
It was Lin’s first time seemingly traveling with only a friend and no adults, so she was thrilled.
“Hey kids, here, have some snacks. Look how sweet they are.”
Market vendors, starting their morning business at dawn, cheerfully offered the children treats.
“My parents told me not to let my little sister eat snacks before breakfast.”
“Eh… parents are so strict.”
The Pegasus territory was safe, and Kaidan skillfully pretended to be a responsible guardian.
Soon Kaidan’s knight, Murok, also joined, acting as an adult representative, ensuring no trouble on the way to the “passage.”
Of course, Pegasus Castle was in an uproar after Lin left.
“Can I try that?”
“Street snacks aren’t that hygienic—”
“Really, I can’t?”
“….”
Unaware of the chaos back home, the children enjoyed the short journey just before their grand adventure to the Eastern Continent.
Pegasus Castle
Returning after a quick inspection, Theodore, who had received urgent news from the castle, glared down with a fearsome expression.
*”To my beloved Uncle Theo,
Uncle Theo! It’s Lin.
When you read this, I won’t be in my room. But don’t worry!
I’m writing this letter so you don’t have to worry.
I’m going out for a bit. This trip might be a little long… but I’ll bring back a gift that will make you super happy! Look forward to it!”*
There were more lines reassuring him, but that wasn’t the point.
The important thing was that Theodore was looking down at a letter clearly written in his niece Lin’s handwriting.
“What is this?”
The terrifying intensity in his low voice froze those present. Only his aide, Miak, gulped and spoke.
“This is a letter left in Miss Lin’s room. We checked for any signs of abduction or anything else, but it seems she left on her own.”
“….”
A six-year-old niece disappeared overnight. No traces of anyone taking her—just a single letter left behind.
The only thing Theodore Pegasus could do in this situation was one thing.
“Summon all knights immediately.”
“Yes! I’ll deliver the order at once!”
As the servant dashed off, Theodore fixed his piercing gaze on Miak.
“Prepare an official notice to distribute across the territory.”
“Official notice?”
“We must find Lin.”
Watching his aide hastily prepare the form, Theodore continued.
“Describe Lin’s appearance and features. Anyone who sees her or provides information on her location will receive a reward.”
Scribble, scribble.
The pen moved quickly as Theodore’s calm but deadly gaze followed every word.
“The last line must be in red.”
“Yes. What should I write?”
“A warning.”
Though his voice seemed calm, the words were harsh, making his aide flinch.
“Anyone who harms a single hair of the child will face consequences.”
No one would dare think of doing so. The deadly intent in Theodore’s calm eyes seemed ready to erupt at any moment.
