Chapter 231: Those Who Start Running

“I-I-I-I thought I was going to die…”

We had escaped the mysterious massive explosion that occurred right after the start, but Tracy-san was teary-eyed from the sudden trouble.

“It seems this was the cause. It looks like a magic item buried in the ground exploded.”

I picked up a fragment of the magic item rolling on the devastated ground.

From the looks of it, a disposable offensive magic item, maybe?

“Why would such a thing be buried hereee! Or rather, how am I even alive after getting caught in such a massive explosion!? Ah, could it be I’m actually already dead!? Have I become a ghost!?”

Since the panicked Tracy-san started doubting if she was actually dead, I explained to her that everything was fine.

“You’re fine, Tracy-san. With an explosion of this level, an incantationless Area Defense Magic is enough to manage it.”

Right, the moment the explosion occurred, I reflexively activated Area Defense Magic to protect everyone.

“I-Is that… so? I don’t know much about the magic used by mages, so…”

“Yes. That’s how it is.”

Fortunately, the magic item seemed to have deteriorated, so it wasn’t that powerful, which was a blessing.

” ” ” ” “No, that’s definitely not it.” ” ” ” “

Just as I thought that, everyone suddenly started denying it.

“Eh? Eh? Which is it?”

See, even Tracy-san is confused because she was suddenly told that.

“Rek—Rakushi-san’s magic is not normal, it’s definitely not normal.”

“Yeah, yeah, Br—Big Sis’s magic is amazing. You’re lucky.”

“Well, setting aside Rek—Rakushi‘s magic being abnormal, it’s true she’s lucky. Getting caught in an explosion like this right off the bat, after all.”

Hey, hey, everyone, doesn’t that make it sound like I’m abnormal?

“No, no, my magic is normal. If anything, the power of the exploded magic item was just low.”

” ” ” ” ” “Normal defensive magic doesn’t easily withstand a massive explosion that turns the surroundings into a wasteland!” ” ” ” ” “

I don’t think that’s the case, though.

In my previous life, there were even people who could use incantationless defensive magic to block spells powerful enough to wipe out an entire country.

“Setting that aside, I think we should get moving soon.”

While we were talking about such things, Meguri-san urged us to move.

“Everyone’s already gone.”

“Eh?”

Looking around, there were certainly no figures of other participants besides us, only the organizing staff…

” ” ” ” ” “Ahhh!?” ” ” ” ” “

Oh crap! We got distracted by the explosion and forgot about the pilgrimage!

“Anyway, we’ll talk later. For now, let’s hurry and start!”

“R-Right!”

“Everyone, hurry!”

” ” ” ” ” “Oooohhh!!” ” ” ” ” ” “

And so, we ended up having to start quite late.

While running, I took out a single necklace from my magic bag and offered it to Tracy-san.

“Tracy-san, please wear this.”

“This is?”

Tracy-san, having received the necklace, stared intently at the necklace in her hands.

“It’s a magic item I’ve imbued with various defensive magics and such. In an emergency, this will protect your body, Tracy-san.”

“A magic item!? Is it okay for me to borrow such an expensive item!?”

“Yes, the pilgrimage seems to be quite dangerous, so you can never have too many ways to protect yourself.”

Though, this was originally a magic item I had prepared for the self-defense of the temple people.

The inside of the temple is safe because an intruder-repelling barrier is erected, but once you go outside, the barrier won’t protect you.

But to think an unexploded magic item was dropped in a place like that was completely unexpected.

If I had known the Holy Capital was such a dangerous place, I should have handed them out as soon as they were finished, before gathering enough for everyone.

“Wait, you just said ‘and such’, but what other functions does…”

“Tracy-sis is so luckkyyy. I want a magic item from Br—Big Sis tooo.”

Then, suddenly Jairo-kun started saying he wanted a magic item too.

What’s up with him all of a sudden? Could it be he was jealous of Tracy-san?

But honestly, they don’t need this.

“No, no, I already made equipment for everyone, right? Unlike Tracy-san’s general-purpose model, your equipment are custom-made items tuned to draw out your power to the maximum, you know?”

“I-I see. Custom-made, huh. Well, if that’s how it is, guess it can’t be helped!”

“That’s right.”

Exactly, what I gave Tracy-san was a general-purpose model whose effect doesn’t change regardless of who uses it; compared to Jairo-kun and the others’ equipment tuned for personal use, there’s a world of difference in the power they can draw out.

“I-I see. Custom-made, huh. Well, if that’s how it is, guess it can’t be helped!”

Good, it looks like he’s convinced.

By the way, I felt like Mina-san was about to say something just now, was it my imagination?

“Thank you very much, Rakushi-san.”

“No, no, don’t worry about it. Now then, since Tracy-san is ready, shall we start running for real?”

After confirming that Tracy-san had equipped the magic item, I proposed to everyone that we start moving in earnest.

“F-For real? But I’m not really a fast runner…”

“Ah, it’s fine. I will carry you in my arms, Tracy-san, so please rest assured.”

“Eh? Carry?”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I scooped up Tracy-san, who had no confidence in her running speed, and activated Body Enhancement Magic.

Looking around, everyone else had also activated Body Enhancement Magic and was fully prepared.

“Then let’s go, everyone!”

” ” ” ” “Yeah!” ” ” ” ” “

In order to catch up to the participants who had gone ahead, we dashed off at full speed.

“U-Ukyaaaaaaahhh!? What!? So fast!? The scenery is flying backwards at an incredible speed!?”

Tracy-san let out a scream at the increased speed.

“Ah, it’s fine. The defensive magic built into the necklace from earlier will protect you from wind pressure and the heavy G-forces of acceleration, and it also provides breathing assistance.”

“What is that!? Why do I need to be protected from such things just from running!?”

“Eh? Because if we run at full speed, we’ll surpass the speed of sound, so wind pressure defense, gravitational acceleration defense, and breathing assistance are essential, you know?”

“That’s definitely not normal at aaaaaallll!! We’re gonna die! We’re definitely gonna die!”

“Please rest assured. Normally, if you fell in this situation you’d turn into mincemeat, but since the necklace’s defensive magic is active, you won’t get a single scratch.”

“I can’t feel assured at aaaaaallllll!!”

Well, if we run at speeds exceeding sound, the ground gets completely torn up, so we don’t usually go that fast, though.