CH 46

“Can you tell me more about it while we head back?”

I climb on top of Hipopo and stretch my arm towards Ahri. She hesitates for a second, but soon grabs it, and I pull her up so she sits behind me.

I lightly tap Hipopo three times on the shoulder, and it runs towards the camp, not quite at full speed. Its eight legs smoothly slide, so it doesn’t even feel like we’re moving quickly on rough ground. It’s quiet and comfortable.

“I guess you could say Rihalzam was my colleague when I was in the alchemist association, but he always seemed to have a problem with me, because he was always starting trouble. He’s probably here because of the magic crystals…”

I say while looking back at Ahri, but she still looks worried.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“I can’t see it very well, the future, but I can clearly feel a fight ahead. Not just a fight, a big conflict keeps appearing and disappearing.”

She says with a pensive and worried expression.

“How is that monocle do…”

“The magic item you gave me is perfect. This is probably the reason why I can see signs of this fight.”

Ahri answers my question before I can finish it.

“Hm…”

The dry wind of this remote region blows through us while we ride Hipopo.

“So are you saying Rihalzam and I will fight?”

“That much is almost certain.”

“But that’s not all?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never felt this. I’m sorry.”

Says Ahri while facing down.

“Don’t apologize. Thank you for telling me.”

Ahri shakes her head and looks up. I look at the magic eye behind the monocle that can see this future, and then, magic elements suddenly flicker in her pupil.

“A turning point of fate, is coming. Master Rust’s choice…”

Ahri opens her eye wide and starts murmuring quickly. It looks like her future sight has just activated.

“Best choice, worst choice. Both have equal value in terms of being a turning point of fate. Yes, fate is fragmenting and running… Wind blowing through a wasteland. Two men. A shaman’s hand…”

The magic elements in Ahri’s left eye flicker quickly, and as if responding to the activation of the magic eye, the monocle also starts shining with magic elements.

I’m an alchemist, so I try to stay calm and carefully follow the behavior of the magic item.

All right, the processing speed is at its limit, but the monocle is responding to the magic eye. But this is incredible. It goes beyond my expectations. Just how far ahead can Ahri see?

The magic elements in her eye suddenly disperse, and her body tilts to the side.

I twist my body and stretch my arm as much as I can and grab her shoulder before she falls.

Hipopo starts slowing down gently.

“Ahri? Ahri!”

I call out to her as Hipopo stops completely.

“Master Rust… Thank you, but I’m all right now.”

I look at Ahri’s face. It was completely blank before, but it’s back to normal, aside from her dark pupil.

I let go of her and face forward while continuing to talk.

“Don’t worry. No matter what fate or whatever brings, I’ll protect everyone. You’re family after all.”

I don’t usually talk like this, so I’m too embarrassed to look back, and clear my throat.

“We have to get there quickly, so hang on.”

I tap Hipopo lightly on the shoulder once, and it takes off running towards the camp at full speed.