As a Reincarnated NPC, I Want to Live a Peaceful Life - Chapter 38

Well, how to put it? I originally thought the whole noon and even this place would be unbearably hot.

But looking at it now, it’s actually quite cool here, especially on the second floor.

I showed Kamila and the others that map, hoping they could take it down. But they said it was “private property” and couldn’t be taken so easily. I want to ask, the reason you’re wanted now, is it because you stole someone else’s things? Why are you suddenly being so principled at this moment? You’re named and wanted vampires, for goodness’ sake.

Well, they’ve probably more or less sensed my purpose. My original hope was that after they took the map down, I could use it myself later. But it doesn’t make much difference.

Those troublesome NPCs who demanded water didn’t come to cause trouble again, fortunately. Maybe they went to find someone for help. Come to think of it, judging by their slight knowledge of magic, they might know a few mages.

Going on like this, it seems I’ll have to face difficulties alongside the vampires.

I paused writing for a moment and looked back at the three leisurely individuals behind me—

Kamila and Alan were fine, looking at the map and planning their next moves; Yarge had fallen asleep again. Just looking at her surface appearance, it’s hard to imagine she’s the strongest in the team.

All three are a threat to me, especially Alan. He has some kind of hammer-like weapon that could actually paralyze me in Normal Mode. Kamila seems to possess skills like [Charm], plus some offensive magic for support. Yarge seems more proficient in elemental spells. Well, I’ll find out soon enough.

By the way, what do vampires eat—blood. But it seems they don’t need to feed too frequently.

My [Fireball] spell, after showing its power at noon, caught Kamila’s attention. Alan has also become wary of my physical strength.

——-

Skill Changes:

[Fireball] LV.1 → LV.MAX
[Fireball] — Mutation —> [Multi-Fireball] LV.2
Additionally Learned: [Scorching Sun Hammer] LV.1

——-

Now they should realize that I’m actually not someone to be trifled with.

Serious Mode unleashes abilities even greater than Normal Mode. Keeping it active all the time would probably draw attention due to the energy radiating outward, so Normal Mode is more suitable.

Casual Mode no longer suits the current situation. I might not use it again in the future.

Resting my chin on my hand, I began to sort through everything that happened today—only to hear some strange commotion downstairs. So I pricked up my ears and listened quietly…

“Ah, sir guardsmen, what are you all doing?”
“Innkeeper, have you seen the girl in this picture? Also, have you seen these three vampires?”
“This girl… Oh, she’s in room * upstairs. As for—! Th-These three vampires?!”

Great, looks like the innkeeper is bound to talk. At the same time, I heard footsteps coming from the stairs—they’re searching upstairs already? Because they assume the vampires must be with me, right!

Indeed, I closed the book and looked back, wanting to see how Kamila and Alan would react. The guards were approaching step by step. The situation was indeed critical, but it didn’t concern me.

Going to the window, I peeked outside slightly—the carriage from noon was now downstairs. Though it looked a bit different, I was sure it was the same one.

Kamila decided to buy time, and Alan would assist her. As for Yarge, when I came to my senses, I found she had already vanished without a trace.

“Tokishi-chan, you leave first. Alan and I will handle things here.”
Alright then, I won’t stand on ceremony.

I climbed over the windowsill and dropped down, landing right on the carriage roof. There were no passersby on the road, nor any guards lying in ambush. Looking up again, the second-floor room had fallen silent.

Two possible outcomes—Kamila and Alan were captured, or, the guards found nothing. Of course, for me, I wouldn’t lose anything either way.

Entering the carriage, I was surprised to find Yarge already sitting at the front, ready to drive. And the completely unfluctuating expression on her face made me momentarily doubt if they were really companions.

Having confidence in your partners is one thing, but you’re being too calm about this.

“You’re here.” Her voice was also icy cold.

“… What about Kamila and the others? Are we just going to leave like this?”
“Yes. Kamila said we should just drive away directly. Compared to chasing a slightly suspicious carriage, capturing live vampires right in front of them is more important. They will find a way to break free and catch up with us later.”

As expected of the smartest among the three, no wonder they could cross the desert like it was nothing, evade the guards, and make it here.

——18:12

It was already sunset, the dusk slowly spreading in the sun’s dying struggle. The setting sun at the mountain’s edge was sinking bit by bit.

We had already left the town of [Palte] and arrived at the barren plain woods. The trees here were a bit pitiful; to keep the main trunk alive, the leaves, unable to get enough water, turned yellow and slowly fell.

How wonderful. Paired with these trees, the sunset was the finest scenery—

Too bad there’s no time to enjoy the scenery now.

The campfire crackled and popped, sparks flying from its flames and shooting into the sky on the rising air currents, vanishing into nothingness. The intense heat that hit me also kept me warm from the cold—

What surprised me was that aside from often sleeping, Yarge was actually unexpectedly very serious when doing things. This blazing campfire was also lit by her—though I was responsible for finding some dry firewood and tinder.

“Wind magic… Miss Yarge seems quite skilled in elemental magic.”
“Hmm, indeed. But only the wind listens to me.”

As Yarge spoke, she slightly raised her hand. Simultaneously, a whirlwind blew up dust and dead leaves, appearing before her.

I see, so it was because she harnessed the wind’s power that she could start the fire so easily?

Wordlessly, I stared at the vigorously burning campfire, feeling a bit bored inside…. Then, hearing the occasional “snap” sound, I nervously glanced around again.

I’m seriously neurotic, but my worries aren’t unfounded. The fire’s location is in a clearing right beside the road, with the carriage nearby. It could easily be spotted. If those guards were smart, they’d think we had already left and were on the way to [Geri]…

Fortunately, they aren’t that smart, otherwise we would have been caught long ago.

Yarge had already eaten, using a not-too-thick blood vial. My stomach wasn’t too hungry yet. Having done nothing much, plus my own metabolic rate is very low, six hours after eating, my satiety bar was still at sixty percent.

There doesn’t seem to be a concept of latitude and longitude here, so even in the north, the temperature isn’t much different from inland—to the point where I can still move normally now.

——19:17

An hour passed, and we did nothing.

It had been quite a while since Yarge and I drove the carriage away from [Palte]. The journey might take some time. But there was still no sign of Kamila and Alan…

Yarge and I had to face the worst possible outcome for the next half hour—they were both captured.

“Miss Yarge, are you… worried?”
“… Worried? Of course I’m worried. But Kamila-san and Alan-san are both very capable. They won’t be captured so easily. I believe that…”

The sound gradually faded away; perhaps Ya’erjie herself was quite confident.

As for me, I might as well say I’ve already given up hope and want to just hit the road and leave.

But… I’ll still wait with her for a while…

…..

…

Finally, after about ten minutes, we saw a familiar figure.

—Alan. But his condition wasn’t good. He was dragging himself along, desperately walking forward in a half-crippled state.

Finding it troublesome, I took advantage of the moment when neither was paying attention and used a relatively weak force to slowly bring Alan over.

“Alan-san, what happened?”
“Both your and Kamila’s ability stats aren’t low. Let me guess, you ran into a high-level guard?”

Alan coughed a few times and quickly shook his head.

“No, no. Kamila and I successfully escaped from [Palte] and shook off the guards. But… we were attacked by a group midway…”

“A group, a group… a group of bandits, with a mage, an archer, a shield bearer. Right?”
“Eh? How do you know so clearly?”

Simple. The wounds on Alan’s body had magical traces, his shoulder was hit by an arrow, and the fact that his hammer named [Orr’s Hammer] wasn’t put to use indicates the presence of a shield bearer.

We’re in the middle of nowhere here. Since he didn’t use “guards,” it could only be bandits.

Definitely high-level bandits, capturing people for ransom. Or directly—

I could already guess the following plot—Yarge, filled with indignation, goes alone to rescue Kamila. Alan, injured, has to stay behind. Upon receiving the news, Yarge gets captured too.

Ugh, it’s all so cliché.

Simple, there’s one perfect way to resolve this matter.

“Miss Yarge, Mr. Alan, please take me there. Even if you disagree, I will go. To avoid long nights and many dreams.”

The answer, of course, is no, so I have no choice.

(Switching to Serious Mode)

I extended my hands, gathered Yarge and Alan, and started walking back step by step.

…

…..
“Huh? She just left like that?”
“Honestly, not even considering the consequences before… well, never mind.”
“In the end, we’re going to meet anyway. Might as well go meet her ahead of time.”

…..
…
“Report to Lord Winter! We have lost the targets. Both vampires separately fled into the woods.”
“Tch, what should we do now? Once in the woods, they’ll be hard to find. That little one, why does she always get into so much trouble? After being scolded by that person for so long, now we’ve hit another dead end… By the way, what is Lord Lyle doing?”
“Lord Lyle. He is currently escorting the long-missing Princess Nats and Princess Nia back to the royal capital and is temporarily unavailable.”
“…. Sigh, well, fine. Guess I’m just unlucky then…. Let’s go, into the woods.”

…
…..
“Lyle, how is Miss Yuetsuki?”
“Please do not trouble yourself. I have already sent people to look for her. After escorting you back to the capital, I will also immediately go to assist in the search. However, your sister… if I may speak bluntly, your sister is a bit… strange.”
“Lyle, I feel that too… but she is my sister.”
“My apologies for being impolite. Then I shall say no more.”