[Side Luna] Sensory Connection
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"Ah, Lu-nee, welcome back~. How did it go?"
When I entered the room I had rented from Twilight Moonbow, Carol, who had been inside first, greeted me.
When she asked, I lowered my gaze and shook my head. Carol and Log, who were both in the room, also seemed to grow concerned, their expressions darkening. From their reactions, it seemed that things hadn’t gone well on their end either.
"Geez, where did Sophie go?" Carol muttered, her voice tinged with sadness.
We had planned to explore the Great Labyrinth today, just like usual, and we had gathered here at the appointed time. However, even when the agreed time came, Sophie didn't show up. It was unusual, so we waited for a while, thinking she might be running late, but after an hour with no sign of her, we started to worry.
Sophie is a diligent person, and she had never been late before, so we became concerned that something might have happened to her. We split up and checked the places she might be, but we couldn’t find her anywhere, and now we were back here with no answers.
"Should we consider the possibility that she's gotten caught up in some kind of trouble...?" Log murmured, stroking his chin.
I shared Log's thoughts. Sophie isn’t the type to make enemies, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t be caught in some kind of unforeseen trouble. It's entirely possible that she’s simply become an unfortunate bystander.
If Sophie is in danger right now, we need to go and help her immediately!
When Golden Dawn and the Flockhart Trading Company were destroyed and I lost my place, it was Orun who helped me build a new home. But it wasn’t just me—Sophie, Carol, and Log were all welcomed with open arms, and that made my heart feel lighter. They were the reason I was able to heal.
When Carol had been struggling to reunite with her siblings, I couldn’t do anything to help.
That’s why I made a vow: this time, I will do everything I can for these people who consider me their ally.
It seems that time has come.
"Both of you, I need to focus now. I might not be able to respond to you for a little while, but please don’t worry about it."
After making my decision, I spoke to them.
"Huh? Lu-nee, what are you going to do?"
"I’m going to find Sophie."
"Eh!? You can do that!?"
"No, I can’t say for sure that it will work. In fact, the chances of it not working are probably higher. But I want to try everything I can."
When I said that, both of them nodded seriously.
"I don’t know what you’re planning, Lu-nee, but if it’s you, I believe you can do it! Do your best!"
"Lu-nee, is there anything we can do to help?"
"Thank you both. You don’t have to do anything right now. Just knowing that you’re supporting me is already giving me strength."
"If it’s support, leave it to me! I’m really good at that!"
"I’ll be praying for your success!"
Receiving encouragement from the two of them, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, focusing my mind.
I could now more clearly sense the magical energy and spirits around me, and I directed my attention toward a particularly strong presence within that energy. Then, I called out within my mind.
<Pixie, can you hear my voice?>
Pixie was a fairy, one of the few free-spirited ones who, for some reason, always stayed by my side.
<Huh...? Wh-what’s going on...? You’re being so formal…>
<There’s something I need to ask of you. Will you listen to my request?>
<A request...? If it’s something that will help you, Luna, then I’ll cooperate…>
<Yes. What I’m about to ask is something very important to me. >
<I see... I understand. So, what is it...?>
<I need you to find Sophie for me.>
<...Huh? Sophie? Is that a human name...? Who...?>
It seemed that Pixie didn’t know Sophie after all.
Well, it would be more accurate to say that she didn't recognize the name.
Pixie had likely encountered the presence of Sophie, but the name didn’t match the being in her mind.
Pixie had always protected me from those who harbored ill intentions toward me, reflecting back the same degree of malice in return.
Since I was the one being protected, it wouldn’t be right for me to complain, but the "returning malice in equal measure" part could be quite troublesome.
For example, last year, after Golden Dawn was defeated by the black dragon and we were forcibly sent back to the Explorer’s Guild, I had made a mistake by provoking someone—Deirick. At one point, he swung his sword with such hatred that it seemed like he intended to kill me.
Whether he truly intended to kill me, I can’t say for certain.
At that time, I had asked Pixie not to kill Deirick.
If I hadn’t asked, Deirick would likely have been killed by Pixie.
I had thought Deirick's actions were utterly foolish, but looking back now, it occurred to me that his behavior might have been influenced by Philly-san’s abilities.
It seemed that Pixie had been protecting me from Philly-san’s powers. Since Philly’s couldn’t rewrite my perception, she might have been trying to eliminate me physically instead.
—Ah, sorry, I got off track there.
Anyway, Pixie is very sensitive to humans who direct malice toward me, but she is completely indifferent to others.
<Sophie is the girl with crimson hair tied in two pigtails who’s been exploring the Great Labyrinth with me recently.>
<Crimson hair... two pigtails... Hmm... Is she an ability user?>
Even after I described Sophie, Pixie seemed a bit puzzled and asked a question.
<Yes, she has a special ability called Telekinesis.>
<Telekinesis...? Ah, a human with primordial magic... I remember her because she was close to Luna... Yeah, if it’s that human, I can find her right away.>
<Really!? Then—>
<But…>
<Is there some problem?>
<Well, it’s not exactly a problem, but... If I go to look for her, I’ll have to leave Luna’s side…>
Pixie is very particular about staying by my side. For me, having a fairy watching over me brings a sense of security, so it hasn’t been an issue. But now, the only way to find Sophie is through Pixie, so I need to make sure she agrees to help.
<Please, Pixie. If you can find Sophie, I’ll grant one of your requests, anything within my ability!>
<...Anything...?>
<Yes! As long as it’s something I can do. So, please lend me your power now!>
<...Alright…>
There was a long silence after I begged her, and I started to think that maybe she wouldn’t agree, but Pixie finally gave her consent.
<Thank you, Pixie!>
<I don’t want to leave Luna’s side, even temporarily... But considering what’s to come... I want to keep the right to give Luna an order at least once... Promise me you’ll keep it?>
I’m a little scared of what kind of order Pixie might give, but she has always helped me before. I have no doubt that she’s on my side, so I don’t think the order will be something that harms me.
<Of course. I will keep this promise, no matter what.>
<Yeah, I trust you, Luna... Alright, I’m going. I already know about where she is, so I’ll let you know once I find her…>
With those final words, Pixie’s presence drifted away into the distance.
“Phew...”
“Lu-nee, did you find Sophie?”
As I exhaled, easing my tension, Carol, noticing the change, asked me a question.
Carol really is sharp when it comes to noticing changes in people.
"No, not yet. However, the fairy agreed to help search for Sophie, so I’ve won the bet... Although, I did end up making a strange promise."
"When you say 'fairy,' you mean Pixie, the one who’s always by your side, right? She’s helping look for Sophie?"
"Yes, that’s right. It seems that fairies can easily find the general location of ability users, so I think she’ll be able to find Sophie soon."
"Whoa! To have the cooperation of a supernatural being like a fairy—Lu-nee, you really are amazing!"
Carol, having learned that Pixie was helping, praised me with an enthusiastic "amazing, amazing!" Her tone was so genuine that I could accept it without any doubt or hidden meaning.
It really does feel nice to receive praise like this.
<Luna, I found her…>
After a while, Pixie's voice echoed in my mind.
I quickly checked my surroundings, but I couldn’t sense Pixie’s presence. I realized this must be some kind of telepathic communication, similar to Selma’s ability, so I responded in my mind.
<Really!? Thank you! So, where is Sophie now?>
<She’s inside a wooden box being dragged by a four-legged creature…>
It’s a rather unclear description, but what Pixie is likely referring to is a carriage. So, that means Sophie has been kidnapped by someone and is being taken somewhere...?
<What’s the situation inside the box!? Is she in immediate danger!?>
<Hmm, I don’t think she’s in danger of dying right away... The girl is sitting inside the box... Also, there’s one man sitting there with her.>
Pixie tells me about the situation inside, but her vague descriptions leave me feeling frustrated, as I can’t really imagine what’s happening. Well, considering Pixie has no interest in humans or their cultures, it would be unreasonable to expect more detailed information.
(This is frustrating, but I’ll have to ask more specific questions little by little to grasp the situation. It would be much easier if I could see what Pixie is seeing... Wait, hold on...)
As I felt the frustrating sensation of being able to see the destination but not being able to reach it, I noticed something strange in my thoughts.
I’ve heard that Selma’s ability, Telepathy, connects invisible pathways to enable communication without sound. Now, what I have with Pixie seems similar to that.
In other words, Pixie and I are currently connected by something.
Could I use this situation to my advantage?
If I can send my voice, could I also see what the fairy is seeing?
Though spirits and fairies are different beings, at their core, they are essentially the same. Since I possess the ability Spirit Control, I feel like I might be able to share sensations with a fairy, even though I have no real evidence. It feels similar to the sensation when my ability first manifested.
It’s worth trying, even if it doesn’t work.
<Pixie, I’d like to try something.>
<Try something...?>
<Yes. I’d like to see if I can share the vision you’re seeing right now through my ability.>
<You want to connect our senses...? The Queen said that would put a significant strain on the human side…>
The Queen... Titania, said something like that...?
So, my thoughts were correct.
If I can learn Sophie’s whereabouts and situation, there’s no reason not to do this.
<There’s no problem. I’ll do it!>
<Alright... Then, focus on our connection... I’ll handle the details.>
<Understood.>
Following Pixie’s instructions, I focused more intently on the connection between us. Despite being far apart, I began to feel as though Pixie was close by.
<Alright, here we go, Luna…>
<Yes, please!>
<Sense Connect...!>
<Ugh...! ...Ah... ugh…>
Suddenly, a flood of information surged into my mind, and the overwhelming amount caused my head to scream in pain, manifesting as a headache.
I had prepared myself for this, but it was far worse than I expected. I couldn’t stand it and collapsed to the ground.
Even so, I didn’t stop thinking. I sorted through the information Pixie was sending me, and bit by bit, I was able to see what Pixie was seeing.
“Luna! What’s wrong!? Are you okay!?”
Carol and Log, who had been standing nearby, were alarmed when I suddenly collapsed and rushed to check on me.
“I-I’m... fine...”
I managed to speak to them, but I continued to focus on reviewing what Pixie was showing me.
After a while, I managed to stabilize—
<Pixie, thank you. I’ve learned everything I needed to know. Could you disconnect the connection now?>
<Yeah, I understand... Luna, are you really okay...?>
<I’m fine. Don’t worry, Pixie. This is what I wanted, so you don’t need to feel guilty.>
Once I conveyed this to Pixie, the flood of information subsided, and I was able to take a breath.
However, I was completely exhausted.
“Haa... Haa... Haa...”
I was breathing heavily.
“Lu-nee... Are you really okay...?”
“Yes... I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you. But it was worth pushing myself. I found out where Sophie is.”
“Really!?”
“Where is Sophie now?”
“Sophie is currently traveling east in a carriage belonging to the Count of Cloudel. They’re headed east.”
Through Pixie, I saw the Cloudel family crest on the carriage and Sophie inside. She didn’t seem to be treated terribly, but her complexion was far from good.
From what I’ve heard from Orn, I can guess why she looks that way.
“East...? Does that mean they’re headed to Dal Ane?”
From what I conveyed, Log quickly made a guess about the destination of the carriage.
“Yes. The destination of the carriage is most likely Dal Ane, Sophie’s hometown.”
If Sophie had decided on her own to head to Dal Ane, she would have informed us beforehand. I can say with certainty that’s not the case.
Therefore, it’s most logical to assume that someone related to the Cloudel family took Sophie by force. Whether she didn’t resist due to past trauma or some other reason, I can’t be sure, but that’s something I can ask her when we see her.
“I plan to head to Dal Ane as soon as I’m ready. What about you two?”
“Lu-nee, that’s a foolish question. I’m going to Dal Ane too! Carol, you’re coming, right?”
“Of course! I can’t believe Sophie would go to Dal Ane on her own! If she’s being forced, we’ve got to bring her back! Whether it’s the nobility or her parents, anyone who steals Sophie’s smile will never be forgiven!!”
Log and Carol both decided without hesitation to head to Dalaarne.
It seems they’re unusually angry, so I’ll need to be careful not to let them go overboard.
If the Cloudel family is ignoring Sophie’s will and acting against her, I have no intention of forgiving them either.
“Heh, indeed, it was a foolish question. Well then, let’s chase after Sophie, the three of us!”