231 - - Art. 231. The Runners

"Shh, shh, shh, I thought I was going to die. ......"

We were spared from the mysterious explosion that occurred right after the start of the race, but Tracy was in tears because of the sudden trouble.

"It looks like this is the cause of the explosion. It seems that the explosion was caused by a magic item buried in the ground.

I pick up a piece of a magic item that was lying on the desolate ground.

It looks like a disposable attack magic item.

"Why is that buried in the ground?　I mean, why am I still alive after being caught in such a huge explosion?　Oh, actually, you're already dead!　Or maybe I've turned into a ghost!

A confused Tracy starts to suspect that I might actually be dead, so I explain to her that I'm fine.

I explain to her that I am fine. An explosion of this magnitude can be managed with an unchanted ranged protection magic.

Yes, at the moment of the explosion, I quickly activated the ranged protection magic to protect everyone.

"Yes, that's right. ......?　I don't know much about the magic used by wizards."

"Yes. Yes.

Fortunately, the magic item seemed to have deteriorated and was not very powerful.

"""""No, that's not true. """""

And then all of a sudden everyone started saying it wasn't true.

"What?　Huh?　Which is it?"

You see, Tracy is a bit confused because you suddenly said such a thing.

"Lex, your magic is unusual, definitely unusual."

"Yes, yes, my brother, my sister's magic is great. You're lucky.

"Well, Lex, even if Raksi's magic is unusual, he's certainly lucky. We were caught in an explosion like this out of the blue."

Hey, hey, hey, guys, that doesn't make me sound normal.

"No, no, my magic is normal. If anything, the magic item that exploded was less powerful.

"""""" because normal defensive magic doesn't withstand a huge explosion that clears the surrounding area with room to spare!

I don't think so.

In a previous life, there were people who used magic without chanting to prevent magic powerful enough to annihilate an entire country.

"That being said, I think it's time to move on.

As we were talking about this, Megli-san urged us to move.

"They're all gone."

"What?"

I looked around and sure enough, there were no other participants except for us, and the only ones who were there were the management people. ......

""""""Ah!?""""""

Oh shit!　I was so distracted by the explosion that I forgot about the pilgrimage!

"We'll talk later. For now, let's hurry up and get started!"

Yes, yes!

Come on, guys, let's go!

""""""Oh!!!""""""

So we had to start very late.

I was so late that we had to start very late...

As I run, I take out a necklace from my magic bag and offer it to Tracy.

"Tracy, please wear this."

"What's this?"

Tracy received the necklace and stared at it intently in her hand.

"It's a magic item with a lot of protective magic and stuff. It will protect you in case of emergency.

"Magic items?　Can I borrow such an expensive item?

"Yes, the pilgrim's journey is quite dangerous, so it's better to have many ways to protect yourself.

This is a magic item that I originally prepared for the temple staff for their own protection.

The inside of the temple is safe because of the warding to repel intruders, but once you go outside, the warding won't protect you.

But I didn't expect to find an unexploded magic item in such a place.

If I had known that the Holy City was such a dangerous place, I should have given them to them as soon as they were ready before we all arrived.

"I mean, now that you mention all that stuff, what other features do you have ......?"

"I just love Tracy's sister. I want my brother's and sister's magic items too!"

Then all of a sudden Mr. Gyro said he wanted a magic item too.

What's going on all of a sudden?　Maybe you were jealous of Tracy?

But honestly, we don't need this for everyone.

"No, no, we've already made equipment for everyone, haven't we?　Unlike Ms. Tracy's general-purpose equipment, that equipment is custom-made and tailored to maximize everyone's strengths, okay?"

Is that so, sister?

"That's right."

That's right, the equipment I gave to Tracy is a general-purpose type that is effective no matter who uses it, and the power it can draw from is far greater than that of your personally-tuned equipment.

"I see. Custom-made. Well, if that's the case, so be it!"

Good, you've convinced me.

By the way, I thought Mina was about to say something, or was it my imagination?

"Thank you, Mr. Raksi."

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Well then, now that Tracy is ready, let's get serious.

After confirming that Tracy has equipped herself with the magic item, I suggest that we all get moving.

"Are you serious?　But I'm not very fast on my feet. ......"

"Oh, I'm fine. I'll hold her in my arms, don't worry.

"What?　I'll hold you."

"Excuse me."

I hold Tracy, who says she is not confident in her legs, in my arms and invoke my body enhancement magic.

I look around and see that everyone else has also activated body enhancement magic and is ready to go.

"Okay, everyone, let's go!

"""""Oh! """""

We ran as fast as we could to catch up with the participants who had gone before us.

What?　Fast!　The scenery is behind us so fast!

Tracy screams as the speed increases.

"Oh, it's okay. The protective magic in the necklace will protect you from wind pressure and acceleration, and it will also help you breathe.

"What is that?　Why should I be protected from that just by running?

"What?　If you run as fast as you can, you will go faster than sound, and wind pressure protection, gravity acceleration protection, and breathing aids are essential."

"This is definitely not normal!　I'm going to die!　I'm definitely going to die!"

"Don't worry. If you fell in this situation, you would normally be minced to pieces, but the necklace's defensive magic is working so you won't get a scratch on you.

"I don't feel safe at all!"

Well, I usually don't go that fast, because the ground would be destroyed if I run faster than the sound.