Oni tribe

With our destination decided, we wasted no time departing the capital, Teraria-Wan.

I couldn't keep calling her "robe girl" forever, so it was about time for proper introductions. She seemed to have her reasons, so I'd held off on asking until now.

"My apologies for the delay. My name is Youki."

"… Ooh! A black-haired beauty!"

When she took off her robe and showed us her face, there stood a girl with bob-cut black hair and matching dark eyes. Age-wise, maybe high school? Two small horns poked out from her forehead.

"I see, so you're from the oni tribe."

"This is my first time seeing one too. I've heard about them in songs before."

"Huh, there are songs about them? Neat."

Apparently, because they have monster blood in them, they tend to face persecution. That said, in the beast kingdom, they can just barely pass as deer beastkin.

"So, the hidden village is in this direction, right?"

"Yes. It's about half a month away by carriage."

"Hm? That would take us out of Terarialbee entirely."

The Beast Kingdom Terarialbee is a compact nation with limited territory. Half a month by carriage would probably carry you clear across it.

"Yes. Location-wise, it's within Gidlarga Empire territory. We won't be going through any border fortresses, but… by the way, where's the carriage?"

"Wow, so we'd be sneaking across the border. Then no need to hold back."

I dug through my backpack and fished out a box. Palm-sized.

"… Attendant, what is that?"

"Call me Karina-chan! This is our ride instead of a carriage."

I tossed it, and a container appeared. Of course, I'd just swapped it using Spatial Magic, but this container, once you open the door and step inside, is a full container house.

Naturally, the room itself was made with Spatial Magic, but the furniture was all Five Elders' workshop craftsmanship. Comfort guaranteed.

"This is… a vehicle? How does it move?"

"Arthur."

"Yo!"

Arthur landed on top of the container with a flap of his wings and grew to full size. There was a bar attached to the top for gripping with his feet… It looked exactly like a giant takeout delivery box.

"And that's how Arthur carries it. Dragon airlift."

"Dragon airlift…!?"

"A comfortable flight through the skies. Even if this box falls, I've prepared countermeasures so there's nothing to worry about. Plus, it has optical camouflage, so nobody will spot us."

With that, I pushed Youki-chan into the container. Dea-kun and Aishia got in too. Don't worry, it's safe even if it falls!

"So, Anego. In reality, we'll be there in a flash with your magic, right? Man, that's nice and easy!"

"Oh, by the way. Arthur, you'll be carrying the box and flying for real, okay? I'll make it light, but good luck."

"Whaaaat!? No waaay!?"

"I put windows on the bottom of the box, see. I figured we'd watch the ground below while you actually fly the route. I want to know how long a real airlift takes."

Well, do your best? I gave him a thumbs up and got into the container myself.