The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

 

[“Well, that sure is an interesting question, isn’t it? Hehehe… Now then, if anything comes up, do report to me as soon as possible.”]

 

Leaving off with just that, Polco cut the Telepathic Call.

That last laugh of his seemed to be implying a deeper meaning, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was.

Still, young Ferris, eh… Maybe I should give her a call for a bit?

I hadn’t taught the Telepathic Call to anyone other than Bright, so she might be surprised in the beginning… but that also might be funny.

With that in mind, I invoked the Telepathic Call to Ferris.

 

[“Lady Ferris, this is Poer.
Can you hear me?”]

 

[“Wha-?! Ouch!”]

 

Hmm, it seems that I’ve spooked her.

 

[“Owowowow… Ugh.
So, what is… this?”]

 

[“It’s a magecraft called Telepathic Call, Lady Ferris.
We’re on our way to T’oued now – I’ve been informed by Master Polco that you’ve been concerned about our progress, you see.”]

 

[“Papa told you that? Ugh, he’s such a blabbermouth…”]

 

Oh? I’ve just noticed this, but… Ferris doesn’t seem to refer to Polco with the honorific ‘father’?

Could this be how she usually called him at home? I hadn’t gotten to see them together much, but their relationship as a family seemed to be going good.

 

[“So, how are things over there? Bright is all right, I assume?”]

 

[“But of course.
We’ve had almost no issues on our way up to now.
And by the way, Lady Ferris, are you having any problems with the homework I’ve left you with?”]

 

[“Hmph, there’s no need to worry.
You’ll be in for a surprise when you get back.”]

 

This girl’s got a great rebellious spirit and a strong drive to improve herself, that’s for sure.

Now I’m excited to see what she has in store when I get back there.

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[“Hahaha, I look forward to it.
Now then, I’ll excuse myself-“]

 

[“-W-wait!”]

 

Before I could hang up, Ferris interrupted my parting words.

 

[“What is it?”]

 

[“C-contact me again when you’re able.
That’s an order.”]

 

[“…Yes, ma’am.”]

 

I cut the Telepathic Call; Pochi, seeing me, grinned and said,

 

“What with that look, Master? Did something good happen~~?”

 

“Uh, well, a little bit, I guess.”

 

Pochi nodded and smiled, as if she somehow understood the meaning of my words.

Young Bright and Chappie – who probably didn’t get that – turned to look at each other, confused.
Now that I thought about it, I’ve been seeing Pochi and Ferris often talking together recently, too.

Could they have some common interests, being both girls and all that?

My student and my familiar, growing up in ways I could never understand… huh…

 

“…It looks like we’re clear to go now, doesn’t it?”

 

“Yes, I think so, too.”

 

With Bright and me agreeing that now was a good time, we resumed our journey to T’oued.

Fortunately, the ruts of Chiquiata’s carriage showed us the direction we were heading.

One thing we need to be careful about is that we mustn’t catch up to them, who must still be marching ahead of us.

Relying on Pochi and Chappie’s senses of hearing, we carefully adjusted our pace and kept our tension down.

 

And so, past noon of the third day on our way…

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Bright’s exhaustion was very apparent from the sweat running down his face, and Leon, perhaps getting a second-hand effect from that, started breathing more heavily in his sleep.

Him being a child born to be a Holy Emperor, he sure gives off quite a different impression when he was a baby like this…

Just a ‘quiet child’ wouldn’t be enough as an explanation – It’s like he’s able to get a grasp on the current situation from the expressions of the people around him.

The tension that seems to go on forever is beginning to wear all of us down – and I’m starting to feel tired, and Bright’s breathing is getting worse and worse; by the time I figured we ought to take another short break, I caught a glimmer in the distance – the light that signaled the end of the cave.

Pochi and Chappie looked at each other then proceeded to run, their mouths agape.

Well, Pochi must have decided that it was fine.
There’s probably no danger up ahead.

…But then I heard Pochi and Chappie’s screams.

 

“”GYAHHHHHH!!””

 

What the-?! An ambush?!

But that can’t be – damn it!

I ran in a straight line towards the scream.

Then, as I emerged out of the cave, I caught sight of Pochi and Chappie squeezing their eyes and crouching down.

 

“Hey, are you two all right?!”

 

As I could see, there were no injuries, nor any presence of enemies.

Only the beautiful blue sky and the shining sun.

…Huh? Cave… Sunlight…… Adaptation to the dark?

 

“NWOHHHHHH?! IT’S SO BRIGHT?! WHY?!”

 

“MY EYES HURT LIKE HELL, SIR!!”

 

…Looks like they’re having fun.

Seeing Pochi like this really reminds me of the Pochisley Agency.

I wonder… is everyone doing all right back there?

 

“”MY EYES!! AHHHHHH!!””