The carriage rattles as we ride on the old worn-out carriage.

Well, actually, I've got abducted by the group of English-speaking land-pirate who travel around and hunt for the fallen star!

And right now, I'm with the other two who shared the same fate as me.

But It seems that they're enjoying themselves, talking to each other.

"Hahaha, What do you think? Shelby-chan?"

Elilia chuckles, leaning back on the wall, looking at me.

Earlier, we're talking about the food and different places in the world that somehow got me in the conversation.

"W-Well, I'm not sure..."

I'm not sure whether Madri is a place or a food!

Hmm, when I'm looking at Elilia and Cilla's face clearly, they're quite identical.

Elilia is the blonde elf girl who's polite and, outgoing while Cilly is playful and a little crazy.

Elilia has blue eyes, and Cilly has black, just like Vivi's.

Other than those, they're identical.

Anyway, as we're being transported somewhere, I've constantly listened to their conversation and think, "If only I understand a single thing about it, It'll be really helpful".

And don't mention the goddess that is supposed to be my guide.

She just doesn't help.

I'll complain to heaven about your poor service after all of this!

*Weird angel's crying noise*

"Emu, Emu~! I don't think that Madri is a good place to find healthy food. It's a place filled with adventurers and mercenary that run on meaty and greasy food!"

"Pwar! I'm having nausea thinking about it!"

Cilly stocks her tongue out expressed her disgust toward the food.

"Y-Yeah, But let's not talk about that? Look at Shelby-chan's face. She's not feeling well."

Of course! In a time like this! Shouldn't we be panicking and find a way to escape?!

Then I could feel the light from the outside is dimming.

Look like we're under the canopy or something?

I look at my mini-map, and thanks to the un-rendered map! I could not make anything out of the blue-transparent box other than the road and twenty-one men around us.

"We're here! We're here!"

The men outside shouts in excitement.

I could see Elilia and Cilly nod to each other before they noticed me and give me an innocent smile.

"Haha, Tonight! We've hit the jackpot!"

"Yay!"

"Yeah!"

The carriage stops, but the cheer party goes on.

"Well, tidy up the place before our client's coming!"

Then the familiar face appears, opening the cell from behind, and greet us with a silly smirk.

"Hoho! I like the look on your face, girl!"

"Prepare yourself!"

He turns his back on us, ordering his goon."

"Take them to the cellar, but remember to handle with care, especially with the blue-haired one."

I could hear him whisper, "To be careful with the blue hair."

Then the goons carefully approach us.

With a glare, I scare them, sending down a chill down to their spine.

"C-Captain?!"

"H-Huh?! Are you afraid of a little girl? Okay, okay! Here, take this thing!"

The Aniki guy takes a metal chain thing that seems like a handcuff?

And Why do I see something is radiating from that thing, a red pulse.

As soon as the thing comes close to me, a spark occurs, sending the unfortunate man flying back away.

"W-What is so hard putting a seal o-"

"W-Wow! Shelby-chan got something to surprise me!"

I could hear Elilia gasp in astronomers. Her eyes turn into a star, shining brightly.

Then the Aniki guy approaches through the crowd, looking annoyed.

"L-Let me see, huh? It's broken?"

He grabs the now-broken magic device and looks at it.

Shadow looms over his face as he tightens his fists.

"T-This thing cost me over ten-thousand Dalis! Ten-thousand Dalis!"

"Anyway! It's doesn't matter now! You're worth more than this petty device."

He cry-smile and then grab my hand, but the spark's preventing him from touching me.

"Och! It's hot!"

He holds his hand and groans in pain.

Huh? Is this the doing of the barrier?

*Ding!*

"Ahem! I-Sst mAS voice okay?"

Her chopped voice reminds me of one of my friend who's having a really bad microphone. It's the same thing!

"As I told you before, the barrier is preventing you from harm, and especially magic. It reacts... quite violently toward magic."

Oh! So that was the reason!

I'm thinking to myself as the group of land-pirates discussing the plan.

"Right now, my connection with you is not stable, so expect sooosSosem Tias---"

Vivi's voice glitches and fades away as she disconnected.

Okay, this goddess also has a poor connection.

A good recipe for an unhelpful goddess.

Now back to the situation

Elilia looks at me with a sparkle in her blue eyes.

"H-Hey! Shelby-Chan! You're so cool! You blast the bandit away without moving an inch!"

"I agree, but those stinky man is planning something."

Cilly slides to my side, and leaning down, biting the rope to free my hand.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I could feel that the rope is loosening, but biting? How sharp are her teeth?! And Ew! I don't want to know when was it washed!

"Hmmm, you guy, just take the elves first, then we will find a way to deal with the blue-haired."

"Okay, Shelby-Chan~! Almost there!"

Cilly speaks while biting the rope.

As soon as the rope is off, I jump and punch the nearest guy, sending him down on his back.

"Hya!"

"T-The beast is loose! Help me!"

I'm getting the same vibe, the vibe where I've experienced back when in Lune, the satisfaction of defeating a mob in one hit!

I knock them in one punch, slowly reducing their number, one by one.

"Hehe! Elilia! Look! She doesn't even spare a single person for us!"

From behind, Elila and Cilly, using magic to themselves and take a magical

sword out from thin air.

Wow! So cool!

*Beep!*

*Beep!*

The beeping sound gets my attention as I sense someone is behind me.

"Don't get cocky, girl!"

The bald and bulky goon swing his hammer down on me.

"No! Don't damage to treasure!"

I could hear the Aniki guy's crying far behind in the cavern.

"Ahhh!"

Cilly launches herself, kicking the bald-bulky man in his head.

"Ka-Tui!"

He spits his blood on the side and gives Cilly a smirk.

"Heh! Is that all you got? It's not bu-"

"Ahhhhh!"

The bald-bulky man screams in the highest possible pitch.

I don't want to hear his jeer any longer, so I kick between his leg, making him cover the spot with both hands, flopping down face first on the cold floor.

"O-Oh, that's gonna hurt- a lot..."

All his pain can't be described in a word, but Cilly's expression explains it all.

"S-Stop right this instant! Or I'll pull the trigger!"

The Aniki guy pulls out his gun and doing something glowy, making the gun glows red for a brief moment.

I look at the approaching pirate captain.

"D-Damn it! My hand just can't stop trembling!"

His scarred face looks at me, holding the gun with his trembling hand.

Then, there are more men coming from behind him and more, coming from our back.

"T-They're blocking both ways!"

"Hah! Let them come! I'll mop them down!"

Cilly and Elilia seem to be exciting, anticipating the upcoming chaos.

These girls are really weird, they can easily escape, but they waited for them to get back to their lair...

OH! They seem like an undercover agent!

"Again! Surrend-"

*Bang!*

The entire area shakes violently.

A-An explosion? An Earthquake?!

"DAMN Sh*t Alright, look like we don't have a time for a negotiation!"

"To think that we caught an undercover knight!"

"Bring them down, but don't even scratch the blue-haired one!"

He orders his minions, bringing their rifles and aim at us.

I look back and forth, panicking.

"Sh! I'm not preparing for this kind of scenario!"

Elilia clicks her tongue.

"I don't think they have a magic calibre!"

"Anyway, I'll buy you some time!"

Cilly whispers.

"Fire!"

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

The sound of the gun's firing echoes in the cavern, deafening my ear.

"The wind repel, deflection!"

Cilly uses her magic and the strong wind surrounds us, blowing upward.

The bullet comes into contact with the wind wall, getting deflecting by the powerful wind.

"Keep firing! She must be exhausted soon!"

"He-Hey! Shelby-Chan! It's not the right time, but could I ask you something?"

Elilia is kneeling on the floor, writing some weird scripture on the cold floor.

"W-What?"

"It's but a short time, but It's nice to meet you!"

"C-Could we meet again in the future?"

Elilia looks at me with teary eyes.

W-What is going on?

This sudden turns in the mood.

H-How can I stand that kind of expression?

"Elilia, we're running out of time! Send her away now!"

With Cilla's order, Elilia smiles at me and finishes the formula, making my body glow in white.

N-No? W-What is this!

I d-Don't want to leave them!

"We'll meet again, Shelby-chan~!"

*Swoosh!*

My eyes sight fill with pure white, blinding me.

"How those two doing?"

My eyes sight are slowly recovered, regaining light.

W-Where am I?

Surround in all directions with stone and brick. It seems that I'm currently in some kind of room or a building.

But, when I'm thinking back about those two girls, I'm feeling sad and worried at the same time.

I've met them and It a short time. Why do I feeling, sorrow?

Huh? There's a stair that's leading upward.

I take a step up the stair light by the candles hanged on the wall, lighting my way.

I could hear people's talking above me.

I made it to the other side and greet with a long narrow way, leading to the brighter end.

I walk, follow the path.

"Haha, tonight the return of her highness!"

"Kyaaa! Her highness is coming back?! I'm going! I'm going!"

I could hear their conversation as the sound of their footstep is closer.

S-Should I call for their help?

But I doubt they will believe me!

In the end, I waited for them to walk past before proceeding.

Upon reaching the other end of an alley, the lively atmosphere of the mysterious place greets me.

I look around me in astronomers like a child who has first entered the theme park.

Woah!

Everywhere I look, there are peoples and even more ahead of me!

I look at my map, seeing a circular footprint of the place filled with countless green dots.

It looks like tonight they're having some kind of celebration!

Her highness? Is it used to address the princess?

From what I heard from the conversation earlier, is it regarding the princess's return?

I wander aimlessly on the street, looking around the place.

I could feel many eyes are on me, looking.

W-What is that smell! It's like a barbeque!

I look around for the source, and there it is!

There a small stall over there!

B-But to get there means to get through the crowd.

*Gwar!*

My stomach then comes to life as it roaring in anger.

I rub my belly and remember not having anything down there since I came here, and It's been over six hours!

Under the control of my instinct, I squeeze my way through the crowd, making my way to the barbeque.

"F-Finally!"

I pause for a moment to catch my breath.

Right before me is a barbeque shop that a gigantic size barbeque!

There's a man with a sword holstered on his waist, and It's roughly the same size as the barbeque.

I-Imagining shoving the whole thing down my throat... But right now, I'm too hungry to think straight now.

Lucky for me, the queue is not long, so I'm next after the man with the sword.

"Hello, what would you like to eat a pork or beef?"

The girl who's at the stall gives me a wholeheartedly smile as she asks me.

She glances at me up and down and her professionalism.

"Both of them, please!"

She takes the sword-sized barbeques and grills them with magic.

A- Meal cooking with magic!

"Here you go, ten Dalis, please."

Hai-

W-What?!

Dali?

What Dali?!

"If you don't have the money you can't eat it~"

She playfully sings the sentence, reminding me.

Oh...

"I don't have any money..."

I answer the stall keeper.

She smiles and tilts her head a little before gesturing me to get lost...

***

"So, hungry! And worst of all, I don't have any money~!"

Right now, I'm sitting alone on a bench far away from the crowd, observing the ongoing festival.

It's boring~

I look at the sky, seeing the same star as I see on earth.

"If I could listen to Noki's song... Just only that."

Not having a phone is a curse, combining with this inability to do anything is making it a painful boredom.

The silence looms over me, giving me a moment of thought.

I wonder how're those girls doing right now?

Fighting that land-pirate by themselves, It's suicidal.

I hope they can get away safe and fine.

*Beep!*

*Beep!*

The usual beeping surprises me.

I glare at the empty map.

W-What the hell?

I can't see any hostile dot.

I look around and am greeted with nothing.

*Beep!*

*Beep!*

Again! It's getting noisy now!

*Rustle*

I jump from the bench and look behind me and look at the map at the same time.

W-What?! There's nothing display on the map?!

But just now, I really hear the rustling from that bush!

S-Should I approach it or wait for it to jump out?

*Rustle*

There! Again!

"Umumu! H-HMMLEP MLLE!"

T-The bush talked?! It talked?!

How fantastical can this world get to have a talking bush?!

*Rustle*

"HMMMLEP MME!!!!"

Well, somehow, it sounds like that the bush is calling for my help?

What do you think?

I slowly approach the bush until there only an inc left between us.

I part the bush, revealing someone with their head stuck in the ground, twitching their legs.

I sigh In relief.

I thought it was a monster or some kind of mythical creature, but I'm glad it a person nonetheless.

If he's trying something funning, I'll knock him out just like the pirate!

I use my strength and pull the person out from the ground.

"URRGGG AHRH!"

*Pop!*

"Arrg! I thought I'm gonna suffocate to death!"

A boy?

"T-Thank for your help."

He dusts himself.

"I'll make sure to reply your kindness in th-"

He stops when he sees me, gasping.

"Uh?"

Please close your mouth before a fly can enter.

I smile at him, making him shake his head and look away.

"A-Angel?"

I gave him a confused smile.

"W-What does that mean?"

"N-Nothing!"

"Okay, okay!"

"I'm glad that this is Madri and not somewhere else, or you'll end up getting abducted!"

Hahaha... Once, only once.

I look away and laugh nervously.

"Okay, thanks for helping me. My name is Ru."

He introduces himself as Ru.

"O-Oh. M-My name is Shelby. I'm glad to be able to help you."

I don't know how to act, so I decided to act like an old Shelby.

"Well, you may have a lot of questions going in your head, but I can only answer that I'm on an errand right now and accidentally fell down the tree."

"A-And that's why I'm stuck."

He scatch his head, looking away with a dry chuckle.

*Gwar!*

Again, the roaring of my stomach, coming in just at the right moment.

"Haa..."

I feel the blood is rushing to my face right now, and this is super embarrassing!

"Ha...haha..."

T-That's an awkward laugh there, Ru!

"It seems like you're hungry!"

"Let me treat you a meal."

He smiles at me and gives me a thumb up.

***

"Here, before you enter, take this coat and cover your hair."

I look at him confusingly.

"Why?"

I ask.

"You may not notice it, but your hair color is very strange, and it attracts people's attention."

Ru explains the reason.

I guess people in Celle have a variety of hair colors?

"Okay."

I take the coat from him, revealing his brown-long hair that reaches his shoulders.

When I look at his face closer, he's handsome and cute at the same time.

His big brown eyes under the thick lashes, his skin is smooth and pale.

I'm certain that I could mistake this boy for a girl.

"Okay, let's get yourself fill, and we can talk."

I and Ru enter the small restaurant that he recommended for their cheap price and taste that captivate anyone.

"Hello! Oh Isn't that Ru-Sa-"

"Shuush!"

Ru places a finger over his mouth, glaring at the shop owner.

"Usual for two."

"A-Alright, for two then."

***

Shortly after, the foods are served on our table.

A curry?

Cheesy curry?

The dish reminds me of the earth's curry.

Well, the sauce is not the usual yellow, but a blazing red instead.

I look at the dish and can't help but drool.

"Haha, I see."

"Let's dig in."

That's what I wanted to hear! Let's dig in!