"Aaah... the potions... but that means the Forest of Illusion will be...."
The girl continues to cry into my chest with two of those living armours standing guard. Meanwhile, the people responsible for this mess our being taken into custody. Some of the guards came to me and apologised, but it wasn't their fault. Those that weren't busy helped clean up the mess with Satou. They removed the log filled carts and helped collect any undamaged potions.
"Ahhh, I'm sorry, Seb, it must have hurt!"
She cries when she sees the damaged living armour. Unfortunately, this one, along with another on the other side of the carriage, was crushed by the log carts. Both of the living armours are no longer moving. The girl walks over to one and softly strokes it. I wonder if they are like Nana. Moving over to the other living armour, I lay my hand on it. They are similar.
I pour some magic into the creature, and it comes to life after messing around with some stuff inside. Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I just tested out some things until my magic could flow unimpeded through the creature. It stands up and takes a step. It is limping but alive... I think. Anyway, the girl smiles and thanks me despite her flowing tears. As I bend down and bring the other one back to life.
"Thank you!" The girl hugs me again. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it," I reply with a smile. "Please don't cry. It isn't over yet. My name is Kura. What's yours?"
"Inenimaana," The girl replies shyly. "I'm the apprentice of the Witch of the Forest of Illusion."
"Inenimaana, that's a pretty name," I tell her. "I met the Witch that taught you before. She won't get mad at you over this. You were courageous and did your best to protect the potions today."
"But... but they are...."
"Don't worry about it. First, let us have a look and see how many have been destroyed and how many we have left,"
"Okay," The girl nods.
It was a real mess, but at least not everything was destroyed. Out of three hundred potions, only a hundred and twenty of them survived. But there could be more if we find vials as I see Satou sucking up some of the spilt potions into his storage. The carriage was also in good condition and able to move by itself.
"I'm sorry...." She sobs. "Thank you for trying to help... but I need to go... go and report what had happened...."
"I'll go with you," I tell her. "I have some questions for the man in charge anyway."
I accompanied her to the city hall, and several guards provided an escort. It wasn't necessary, but I appreciated the guard's concern, and it made Inenimaana feel better. Satou and Arisa came with us too while we gave some tasks to everyone else.
"You are becoming a real hero," Arisa comments as we walk. "Jumping into fights and helping those in need without a moment's hesitation. It won't be long before that wired hero hears about you."
Weird hero? I didn't get a chance to ask Arisa what she meant about that before we arrived at the city hall. The only other hero I know of is Satou, but Henry told me the Saga Empire had someone a hero from Japan. Could she be talking about that person?
----
"I see, so the potions were destroyed. It is unfortunate, but a pact is still a pact. You still have to deliver three hundred potions by sunset today,"
As soon as we entered the city hall, we were brought to see the viceroy's aide right away. It happened so fast that I suspect he was waiting for us to turn up. The viceroy's aide is a young man with long silver hair and light green eyes. His skin is pale, and he looks at us as if we were nothing but dirt to him. Next to the viceroy's aide is that fallen noble who has kept showing up whenever there is trouble. At least he has the sense this time to keep his mouth shut.