Some beastkin possess racial talents that allow them to remember a specific target's scent through their powerful sense of smell, enabling precise tracking within a short time and certain distance.
Depending on the race, the strength and enhancement limits of this skill vary.
With Carol Cat temporarily parting ways with us, having one less person significantly reduced the limitations on spatial transfer. After all, the restrictions on spatial transfer aren't simply additive.
"This way."
I took hold of both Lily and Sigrdrífa's hands and led them to a certain room adjacent to the living room.
Uncle François returned faster than I had expected, but unfortunately, he still couldn't keep up with my Speed Racer pace.
"I told you this is my private... What?! This is the Duke's...!"
Outside the door, Uncle François seemed to have produced some evidence that could overrule Baron Trafalgar.
But none of that concerned us anymore.
"[Spatial Transfer]!"
Coordinate positioning, maximum distance.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery before us changed from the beautifully decorated interior to a verdant dense forest.
"Spatial transfer is the highest level of magic. Are you really... just a maid?"
Sigrdrífa stared in amazement as I leaned against a nearby tree, smiling bitterly while nodding.
Sorry for being just a maid, but I thought spatial transfer might be useful for helping my master.
It took some time before the heaving of my chest returned to a normal rhythm.
"Are you alright?"
"Spatial transfer consumes a lot of energy... carrying people doubles it. It's fine, I just need to adjust and I can continue using it."
"Don't push yourself. What exactly happened? Why did we need to leave in such a hurry?"
Our current location was even further into the forest outside Rothschild—the maximum distance I could reach while carrying two people. How unseemly, when I'm supposed to be an experienced veteran when it comes to spatial transfer.
"Rifa."
To prevent Lily from hearing that name, I moved close to Sigrdrífa's ear.
"I know who's been hurting Lily."
"Who?"
"I don't have concrete evidence yet, but it’s probably..."
In the distance, against the azure sky, a golden magical energy shot straight up into the clouds.
Not belonging to any of the elemental magic categories, similar to the [Coat of Arms] magic that only nobles could use, this was an emergency signal magic that only guard captains granted authority over a certain area could use.
"Over there... in the direction of Rothschild?"
"Uncle François is quite decisive."
It looks like escaping this predicament won't be easy.
I've heard that in ancient times in the real world, some countries would solve the problem of underdeveloped communication and immediate alerts during enemy attacks by placing dry kindling on high points and quickly lighting it when enemies were spotted, using smoke signals to rapidly relay messages. There was supposedly even a foolish king who used this system to trick his vassals.
Emergency signal magic operates on a similar principle. The King of the Kingdom of Michel only standardized red and green signals—the former representing enemy attack, the latter requesting support. Dukes have the authority to set the meanings of other emergency signal magic colors within their duchies, so I have no way of knowing what Duke Borgia designated the golden emergency signal to represent.
I think it might be a signal indicating Lily's location. When Uncle François discovered Lily's disappearance, he immediately used emergency signal magic to notify Duke Borgia.
From the moment the golden signal from Rothschild bloomed in the clear sky, other locations—such as Baron Hurst's territory—also responded by raising golden signals.
If someone were positioned high in the sky looking down, they might witness the spectacular sight of golden signals spreading throughout the duchy like wildfire.
"Emergency signal magic, Rifa. Uncle François has notified this territory's lord."
"You mean..."
"The person who hurt Lily—his true identity is the hero of the Kingdom of Michel, Duke Borgia."
The Hero of the Kingdom of Michel—that's how people refer to Duke Borgia. I've heard a bit about him too. Among the seven great dukes currently serving the Kingdom of Michel, Duke Borgia is the most respected, though I recall he's advanced in years and rumored to be considering retirement.
"What we can do now is escape with Lily. I've mostly recovered as well."
"How many times can you use spatial transfer?"
For three people, let me calculate.
"At most three more times. But after the third use, I estimate I'll collapse from exhaustion—I won't even have the strength to undress."
I tried to use some light-hearted words to ease the atmosphere, but Sigrdrífa responded to me with complete seriousness.
"Don't worry, I'll help you undress when that happens."
"..."
"Ah, I don't mean it that way. What I'm trying to say is, even if I have to carry you, I won't abandon you."
Why carry me... If you're going to say something gallant, shouldn't it be on your back?
"Being exhausted to that degree would actually be more troublesome, so I'll use it two more times. After that, we'll have to travel on foot. Lily, come..."
There's no time to wait for Carol Cat. Beastkin are fast runners—she should be able to catch up to us.
However, I underestimated Duke Borgia.
In an instant, the sky turned blood red, lasting less than a second before returning to clear weather.
This brief change was no illusion—something had pulled the trigger for activation.
—[Barrier].
The strongest defensive array when a nation faces invasion. Even spatial transfer cannot break through the interference of a [Barrier].
To capture Lily... he's acting so independently as to privately deploy a barrier? The Hero of the Kingdom of Michel...!
At the same time, a voice like a divine revelation, seeming to come from above with majestic authority, reached my ears.
Used on the foundation of the [Barrier], this wasn't directed at any specific person—it was an ultimatum issued to everyone within the barrier's coverage area.
"—Proclamation."