Chapter 193: Diana vs Valdrid
The adventurer named Valdrid fits the description of the kidnapper, that's for sure, and something is wrong. There's still some Mirage Mana left from the dungeon, as well as from the Fool's Bone. Could that be the reason he kidnapped Tio? Whatever the reason, I don't care, he kidnapped Tio and I wouldn't forgive him.
"Young Lady Diana!"
"It really is her! Diana, what are you doing here?"
"Is this the child who is always with Randy, Tio, was it? Is she okay?"
"You guys!" [Diana]
"Stay away from her!" [Valdrid]
I am right! There are adventurers from Amleth, here in Gastrium, and I'm glad they recognized me. I recognize the three adventurers as well. I wanted to greet them and ask for their help, but the kidnapper is trying to catch Tio and me.
His movement is good. I'm not one to judge, since I used magic more than my body, but it's fast, not as fast as Kat's, so I'm able to dodge him from running over Tio and me.
The three adventurers from Amleth quickly try to control the situation. They obviously sided with me and Tio, which makes the already irritated kidnapper go berserk. Yes, a berserk, the same as Randy's, but this one isn't normal. It's more like caused by the excess mirage mana clouding his mind and judgment, hence the imperfect imitation.
I don't know if there's a cure, but removing the cause should do the trick. I hope. I tell the three adventurers to watch over Tio for me while I sprint towards the kidnapper and cast Dispel. In his false berserk state, he's able to dodge my spell.
With his two knives, his quick hand movements transmit powerful forces. It's a blind strike, though. He missed the target, but I remember Nar teaching me that this blind swing is sometimes even more dangerous because it can be highly unpredictable, and if I'm not mistaken, he said that this type of person is easier to trip over, so...
"Ice floor!" [Diana].
And there he goes, with the icy road, everything became slippery. He stumbled and fell on his butt. Seeing this, I quickly took out my World Tree staff, enhanced it with my Earth Hammer magic, cast a body strengthening spell on myself, and knocked the kidnapper out with a single blow to his forehead. I also cast the dispel spell on him, so that any excess mirage mana would be dispelled from his head.
"This little noble girl..."
"He defeated Valdrid..."
"Unbelievable..."
"What's going on here?"
"Guild Master!"
"Wait, Guild Master, I can explain"
"And you are?"
Someone from a tribe of boar beasts came out. Everyone called him Guild Master. A tall and muscular person. He has two large tusks with a ring on them. His face also has many scars. That's typical of adventurers who serve as the front line. Judging by his physique, he's someone who used to use a shield and heavy weapons.
While the nice sister of the Amleth explains what happened, the knights who have been informed about the situation also arrive. She repeats what happened to the knights, and when it is my turn to explain, I tell them about my journey from the dungeon to here.
"I see, so he's probably intoxicated by the excessive mirage mana from the newly opened dungeon, that's why he acted like that... I couldn't believe that someone as upright as Valdrid would do such a terrible thing."
"But he did! How do you explain that Tio is here?" [Diana]
"I'm not saying you're wrong, it's just shocking to me too"
"Anyway, young lady, would you kindly follow us to our post, we need to take your official statement as well"
"Scary..." [Diana]
"She doesn't have a guardian here, so may I follow her?"
"Please do."
"Thank you very much!" [Diana]
"May I also kindly ask for your ID?"
"Heh..." [Diana]
"I don't like the sound of that..."
The three adventurers from Amleth, who know me, are already sighing. I guess they already know what I'm going to say.
"YOU TRESPASS THE BARRIER!"
I apologize and the three sisters also apologize for my mistake. I can tell by their looks that they're angry with me. I'm sorry, I really am, but if it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to find Tio so soon.