Chapter 133………………………………………………….
Of course, even so, we don’t have any concrete plans yet.
Why?
“Because I was only thinking of lying low and following whoever comes here.”
Since that plan was disrupted, we had to start thinking from scratch.
…Thinking about it this way, somehow our recklessness feels a little grim.
“Um, Per.”
At times like this, it’s best to use the power of collective intelligence.
I looked at Per, who was still half-frozen, and finally spoke.
“But how can we possibly find someone just with our own strength when even Derek’s dad failed at tracking? We don’t know anything.”
Derek’s dad at least had information from Kyle’s dad to track him.
We, on the other hand, truly know nothing—absolutely nothing.
“Should we lie in wait after all?”
If we were only trying to get information about his hideout by ambushing someone…
“Why do you say we don’t know anything?”
At that moment, Per smiled mischievously, as if he had never been frozen.
“There’s someone who’s been wandering outside all this time.”
At the same time, I realized what Per meant and gasped.
“Yeppi…?”
Of course—we had Yeppi!
Always following alongside Derek’s dad, our perfect guide!
“Per, you really are a genius.”
He pointed out something I hadn’t even considered.
The saying about two heads being better than one wasn’t wrong, after all.
I immediately gave Per a thumbs-up.
Per shrugged slightly, as if this were nothing.
Anyway, good.
Then we can ask Yeppi to tell us all the information he gathered while following Derek’s dad…
“Wait a minute.”
At that moment, I realized a painfully obvious fact and opened my mouth in shock.
“But, Per.”
“Hm?”
“Yeppi isn’t with us right now…”
Isn’t that the biggest problem?
Soon, Zion’s dad would return after reporting to the Emperor.
Even if it weren’t Zion’s dad, Mom and Harzen’s dad would also be returning soon.
“This is the only time we have!”
When else could we have a moment alone like this?
Since Zion’s dad is teaching me swordsmanship, he’ll probably stick with me from morning till night.
Then all the plans Per and I made so far would be completely ruined.
Of course, we haven’t really made a proper plan yet anyway.
Anyway!
“I need to think of something—anything.”
Feeling anxious, I stomped my foot and racked my brain.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, yesterday’s memory flashed through my mind.
To be precise, it was what Derek’s dad said last night:
“Under the evening primrose of Arthur Berwell’s tombstone, where there’s a statue of an angel missing one arm.”
And also what Yeppi had told me:
“Yes. On the first day, I put a coin near the grave on the outskirts of the Zodiac. Probably, normally, that’s how someone would meet another person.”
I can’t believe I’m only remembering this now!
Still, kudos to my impeccable memory for remembering the full sentence!
“Per!”
Proudly patting myself on the back, I grabbed Per’s hand and shouted:
“The cemetery on the outskirts of the Zodiac! That’s where we need to go!”
“A cemetery?”
“Yes, that must be the meeting place.”
Derek’s dad didn’t meet Kyle’s dad’s father there.
“But maybe it will be different for me?”
After all, I am the one he wants to meet.
He wouldn’t just let a guest who came in person leave.
“If there’s one problem, it’s what coin Derek’s dad placed…”
If Kyle’s dad gave Derek’s dad a special coin…
“What if it only appears when that special coin is placed?”
I don’t have the skill to steal that coin.
Even if it isn’t a special coin, I don’t know what coin Derek’s dad left.
“I was barely getting close enough, too.”
Maybe I really can’t protect Mom with just my own strength…
“Sssi.”
As I sulked, Per squeezed my hand and called to me.
Looking up, I met Per’s kind smile.
A warm smile he shows only to me, calming my heart.
“At least we know one thing.”
Per spoke calmly, fixing his red eyes on me.
“The place we have to go.”
“Mm-hm.”
“As you said, we don’t have much time…”
At the same time, a brilliant white light began spreading from under our feet.
I widened my eyes as I saw the magical circle’s pattern.
I had seen this same pattern on the day Harzen’s dad and Mom headed to the Zodiac.
So this is—
“A teleportation magic circle.”
Before I could finish thinking, a gust of wind swirled violently around us.
I squinted against the sharp wind, and at that exact moment…
“Whoa!”
The scenery changed instantly before my eyes.
Unlike the well-maintained palace gardens, this space felt eerie.
“…It’s really a cemetery.”
Under the sunset, the black leaves rustled in the wind.
I instinctively pressed myself against Per’s back.
It felt like something might jump out at any moment.
A little scary…
“Per, do you believe in ghosts?”
“I don’t know.”
Per tilted his head at my question and said:
“Even if there are, I’ll make sure they can’t approach you.”
“Mm, thanks.”
Hearing that somehow made me feel reassured.
Finally, I straightened myself and looked properly around.
The tombstones and statues, aligned neatly as if mourning the dead.
But, oddly, many weeds grew waist-high, as if this place hadn’t been maintained for a long time.
The distant iron fence was also patchy.
“Looks like hardly anyone comes here normally.”
Of course, if this is a secret meeting place, that makes sense.
“I didn’t expect we’d come here so quickly…”
I never imagined Per could use teleportation magic.
Though he has disappeared in the blink of an eye before.
“Harzen’s dad said teleportation magic can only be used by extremely skilled wizards.”
Has he really reached that level at such a young age?
I marveled at Per’s magical abilities once again.
“Wait a minute.”
I suddenly realized something and blinked my eyelashes in surprise.
We just arrived here in the blink of an eye.
In other words…
“We didn’t even leave a note for Mom or the dads?”
Not a word like: I’m going somewhere, don’t worry. Come if you can.
We just came straight here.
“…Per.”
The thought hit me, and I swallowed hard, holding Per’s hand.
“We’re as good as dead.”
Perhaps this cemetery could become our future.
