Chapter 53
Epel blinked in surprise. “Your unique magic!?”
Rook nodded. “My unique magic is not capable of hurting or controlling another person. It is quite weak, truth be told. However… As a hunter, it is something I must possess.”
“I’m going to give it a guess and say that it helps you track specific people by marking them, am I right ?” Roxana said.
Rook gave her a look of surprise before he chuckled. “Eh oui ! It’s exactly that, my unique magic allows me to locate anyone I’ve cast it on. It matters not whether they’re across the seven brilliant seas, or even through the mountains… I can see to the ends of the earth!”
“Whoa… Not magic I’d expect outta Rook-san…” Epel said.
“It fits him with all his ‘hunter’ persona.” Roxana said.
“I cast my magic on one of the Ferrymen when they were taking Vil away.” Rook said.
“Wow, I didn’t even notice!”
Rook chuckled. “Fufu, now then… Let us be insolent and take a peek. Come. I invite you to try and run away. “I See You”.”
There was a bit of a silent before Rook spoke again. “… As I expected.”
Epel looked worried. “What’s the matter?”
“I did say that I could see the target wherever they are, but my magic is not omnipotent. If the target enters a vehicle or a facility that blocks off magic, then I will lose sight of them. It seems like Vil, and the others were taken away in an armored vehicle that blocks off magic receptors.” Rook explained.
“Eh…? Does that mean that it would be impossible to trace them even with your unique magic…?” Epel asked.
Rook shook his head. “Not at all. They might be equipped with stealth, but it is impossible to completely close off one’s magical energy. When a stealth aircraft emits magic or signals of its own volition, it turns its stealth off for a limited amount of time. That moment will let me see the targets that I have placed on my prey. Slowly, gently… As if one were following the footprints of a frightened little princess lost in the forest.”
Roxana gave a blank look at the ‘princess’ comment. The references will never stop baffling me.
“I am a hunter. Letting my prey escape is out of the question!” Rook tried again. “I see it! They’re going north. All the way through the Land of Dawning, and past the Kingdom of Heroes. They flew through both the Land of Dawning and the Queendom of Heroes. They’ve stopped right in the middle of the sea.”
Roxana frowned. “In the middle of the sea ?” Then it must be underwater.
“There is a lot of ground to cover to get through the Isle after we’ve crossed the Kingdom of Heroes. Traveling by broom might prove impossible.” Rook explained.
“Then… How do you suggest we travel…?” Epel asked.
“One of my ancestors truly enjoyed tumultuous journeys, you see? They built villas all throughout the world.” Rook smirked. “And all those villas are connected with magical devices that will allow us easy transport. I was thinking we could use that method. Fortune, Dawn, Sunshine, Heroes… There is a villa in each of those nations. Our journey will be made easier if we make use of this transportation method.”
“What…!!?? Villas all over the world!?” Epel was taken aback. “Wouldn’t they have needed express permission from each nation in order to build magical devices…? What sort of business does your family run…!?”
“A– secret-dear~” Rook winked.
“I have another way if you two feel brave enough.” Roxana smiled. “I normally don’t do it, but since this is an emergency, I will have to swim, it will be faster too.”
“Swimming ?” Epel tilted his head.
Roxana gave him a mysterious look. “You’ll see.”
“If you have a way that will get us faster there then we might as well just follow your lead.” Rook said he then jumped with a smile. “Come! Now that we know what to do, let us make haste and leave before they find our whereabouts.”
Epel chuckled.
“Did I say anything strange, Monsieur Pomme ?” Rook asked.
Epel shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh, that’s right. It’s best for you two to get changed to keep warm through the night.” Rook said. “I’d recommend wearing the dorm uniform for night travel. Night Raven College’s dorm uniforms are made with a special magical thread. They can withstand radiation and even extreme temperatures.”
“Hmmm, a Pomefiore Uniform ? Never thought I’ll wear one.” Roxana said.
Rook too out his pen and magically changed their clothes, Roxana now was wearing the same dorm uniform as Vil.
“We are on our way to meet our own beautiful Queen. One must be presentable.” Rook said.
“Ace, Deuce, Epel… Roxana……” Grim called. “I’m not coming back to Ramshackle Dorm, am I……?” He cried.
Roxana’s eyes sharpened. “…I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Reine des Serpents ?” Rook looked at her.
Roxana didn’t respond as she walked up to the water and dived, the two boys waited for a moment, a huge wave raised, and a dragon head emerged from the water followed by a body of a snake.
“Oh mon dieu !” Rook eyes widened.
“HOLY SHAMOLIE WHA IN THA WORLD ???” Epel explained. “SHE’S A FAE ??? She wasn’t joking when she said she was a snake ???”
“Non, pas un serpent.” Rook said.
The serpent … no, Roxana lowered her head to reach them, she was so big the two boys were ants compared to her.
“Ouroboros.” Rook realized.
“Am on tha back of a huge snake, am on tha back of a huge snake !” Epel chanted again and again, the two boys were sitting on Roxana’s draconic head as she swam in the water. “This is scary but awesome !”
“The blue skies, the warm sunlight… What a marvelous way of travel !” Rook said. “Thank you Reine des Serpents for this marvelous experience !”
Roxana response was an amused huff.
Rook looked at Epel. “You look quite worse for wear, dear Epel. Has long-distance traveling taken its toll on you?”
“It has a bit, funny huh… am not even the one doing the moving, Roxana is at work, but am tired.” Epel said a bit ashamed.
“It doesn’t matter who’s doing the moving, it’s mostly the air of the sea that creates that fatigue.” Roxana told him.
“Whoa did you just talk in my head ? That’s so cool.” Epel said.
Roxana chuckled. “Ah children.”
“We should visit Rook’s villas sometimes, I still want to see it.” Epel said while giving a hopeful look to Rook who laughed.
“You can come and visit anytime.” Rook said. “Let us also invite Vil and the former NRC Tribe members to a pajama party. My siblings often frequent the villas, but if I contact them ahead of time, then they will surely accommodate us.”
Epel interest was picked at the ‘siblings’. “You have brothers and sisters? If I may ask, how many siblings do you have?”
“Two elder, three younger, so there are six of us in total.” Rook said.
Epel eyes widened. “Six, huh… SIX!? What a large family!”
Rook smiled. “Though we are many, we rarely see each other. It’s gotten difficult to schedule our days off. Still, we are a lively bunch when we are all together. Hahaha!”
Epel deadpanned. “Well, now… The more I know about you, the more mysterious you become…”
Rook suddenly gasped. “My dears, we are nearing the coordinates.”
Epel looked around. “The Island of Woe is nearby…?!”
“Indeed.” Rook said.
Roxana stopped and glared at the water … or something below it.
“What…? I don’t see any sign of land nearby…” Epel said while still looking around. “Are we really in the right place, Rook-san?”
“I have no doubts. Vil and the others are being held captive here…!”
“It’s under the water.” Roxana said.