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Chapter 53: The Tarot Card, The Chariot
Chapter 53: The Tarot Card, The Chariot
Mira held two magic crystals in her hands and a spellbook on her lap. She glanced at the contents of Rod's backpack and sighed, "Rod, the things you've prepared are enough to blow up a small village... We're just going to a festival, you know."
"When I borrowed these things, the Master said the same thing," Rod replied after a moment of thought. "I just feel safer this way. I even asked the Master to help me draw some defensive magic arrays on my body, but he said there was no such thing and kicked me out of the warehouse. Sigh..."
"Ah, I think I can understand the Master's feelings," Mira said. She considered returning everything but decided to keep a small magic crystal in her bag. "Thank you for being so prepared. This is the most secure I've felt on a trip in a long time."
Rod reluctantly put away the crystal ball Mira handed back to him. "It's a necessary evil... Once I get as strong as Natsu and Erza, I won't need these things anymore."
"Wait, you didn't do anything else, did you?"
"Nothing special, just two Swift Crabs," Rod whispered, leaning closer to her ear. "One is scouting ahead, and the other is hiding under the boat. If anything happens, I'll grab you and jump off the boat to make a run for it."
"Th... Thanks?" Mira was a bit worried about what would happen if Rod took on a real escort mission in the future.
If they were attacked... Mira glanced at Rod's backpack. Well, she hoped the attackers would be okay.
"Oh, besides material preparations, I also did a bit of mystical preparation."
"..." Mira maintained her smile and listened quietly.
"Since everyone says Cana's tarot readings are very accurate, I asked her for a reading yesterday," Rod said. He wasn't usually superstitious, except when drawing cards in games.
But this was a world of magic, where predictions and divinations were real. And since it was free, he might as well believe in it a little.
Speaking of Cana's readings, Mira was a bit intrigued. "What was the result?"
"It was 'The Chariot,' the king's chariot that overcomes obstacles and achieves victory," Rod explained. "Cana said The Chariot represents 'never giving up.' It means overcoming difficulties through effort to achieve success. If it's about a journey, the omen is very favorable.
If it's about work, your confidence and rationality will make the client more confident."
"Isn't that great?" Mira asked. "Since the omen is very favorable, why do you need to prepare so many... defensive weapons?"
"Because we need to overcome obstacles, and success requires rationality," Rod pointed to his backpack. "Am I being rational enough?"
"Too rational," Mira sighed softly. "Now, as your 'client,' I have a lot of confidence. You'll definitely succeed in this mission."
"That's good. I'll stay alert just in case." Rod connected with the vision of the two Swift Crabs, and his mind felt like it had split into two screens.
He carefully observed every passing boat and every pedestrian on the shore.
Mira watched Rod's cautious state and remembered the Master's instructions. The purpose of this trip was to help Rod relax a bit, but...
Carrying some consumable magic items for defense was one thing, but who would constantly use magic to scout while traveling?
He even thought to get a tarot reading in advance!
But, in a way, this was good.
If she had been half as cautious as Rod back then, Lisanna might not have...
Compared to her former self, who was powerful but overconfident and reckless, perhaps teaming up with Rod would be safer.
Lisanna's face flashed in her mind, and Mira hugged her own arms, thinking it was all her fault...
"Mira, Mira?"
Mira was snapped out of her thoughts by Rod's voice. "Sorry, I was spacing out. Did you find anything?"
"Nothing suspicious. Is the cabin cold?" Rod noticed Mira hugging her arms and pulled out a jacket from his bag. "Good thing I was prepared for this."
It was Rod's only jacket, but if he wanted, he could have packed all his clothes. He didn't have many, after all.
"Thanks." Mira didn't refuse, draping the jacket over her shoulders. The scent of sunshine warmed her.
Feeling the care of a companion in her sorrow was the best comfort.
"It's not even noon, but the cabin might be a bit damp. Do you want me to start a fire?"
Rod's fingers traced through the air, and each letter of the word "FIRE" formed as large as a person before shrinking to the size of a fist, transforming into a burning flame.
Mira couldn't help but laugh at the contrast. This was the first time Rod had shown her his 3D Spellwriting magic, and he had certainly mastered it.
The boatman, who had been enduring their antics, finally snapped. "No playing with fire in the cabin!"
What was wrong with this guy? Not only did he bring a bag full of explosives, but he was also playing with fire in the cabin. Was he trying to blow them up?
"Sorry, sorry!" Rod waved his hand, and the flame disappeared.
...
The small boat drifted downstream, and the sun climbed higher. Even with the cabin's canopy, the air grew increasingly stifling.
This was why they chose the boat over the river crab.
It would take a bit more time to reach the Flower Capital, so Mira opened her luggage and took out a lunch box. "I made some sandwiches this morning. If you don't mind, we can eat together. They might not be as good as Mr. Cook's, though."
"You can cook..."
It made sense. Rod remembered the last time Mira had gone shopping for Mr. Cook. It wasn't that Mr. Cook had lowered his standards; Mira was genuinely skilled at it.
"Don't let my appearance fool you. I raised Elfman all by myself." Mira handed a sandwich to Rod. "Actually, Elfman is pretty good at cooking too."
Rod took the sandwich. He had brought a few bread rolls, but...
At a time like this, even a fool would know what to choose. He'd save the bread for Worm later.
"Elfman, good at cooking?"
Rod tried to imagine Elfman in an apron... It was impossible.
"Is it that hard to believe?" Mira laughed. "I told you, Elfman is a very gentle boy."
She had said it before, but Rod thought it was just a sister defending her brother.
He chuckled and took a bite of the sandwich. "Huh?"
"What's wrong? Does it taste bad?" Mira checked the lunch box. "The preservation magic shouldn't have failed."
"Let's not talk about the preservation magic. This taste is familiar." Rod savored it. "It's really good, and it's different from what we usually get at the guild."
Mira smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I thought you might not, since you're used to Mr. Cook's cooking."
So that was it!
Those sandwiches from the other day were also made by her.
Rod remembered the day he had woken up, the same taste on his tongue, and the same smile before his eyes.
He took another big bite, chewing quickly, and inwardly rolled his eyes at himself:
What a cliche romance plot!
(End of Chapter)
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