Disappointing Teleportation Magic ~ Even Though The Movement Distance Is Only 1 Millimeter, I Will Rise Through Ingenuity ~ - Chapter 9.3

As we entered a side alley, Tariq whispered to me.

“It’s the second prince and his entourage.”

“Is it bad if the prince comes by?”

“Those guys don’t see commoners as people…”

We followed the crowd into a side alley, but soon found ourselves stuck. People behind us kept pushing, forcing everyone who was on the main street into the alley.

“What now, Tariq?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? We can’t move. At least, we’re deep enough inside to be safe.”

“But we can still see the street from here.”

“Just stay quiet.”

The scene was surreal, with people standing in the crowded alleyway in silence, packed as tightly as a rush-hour train.

I also noticed that most of the women around us were hiding their faces with cloth.

Perhaps the second prince is a strict follower of religious rules, which is why people fear him. Even though everyone stood with their backs to the main street, I couldn’t resist the urge to see the prince’s face.

The previously bustling street, where Tariq’s voice had been hard to hear, suddenly fell silent. In that silence, the sluggish footsteps of multiple people approached.

Pretending to have my back turned, I glanced behind me like a pitcher in the set position. Suddenly, a woman’s scream echoed.

“No, boy! Ah… I apologize, please forgive us!”

I couldn’t see what happened due to the crowd, but a child likely separated from his mother and bumped into the prince or his entourage.

“Please, I beg you, forgive us!”

The anguished voice of a woman caused a stir in the side alley.

“Woman, show me your face.”

“Please forgive me, I am in an unsightly state…”

“Show your face.”

“Please, I beg you…”

The voice, which seemed to cling like syrup, probably belonged to the second prince. The woman’s voice sounded terrified.

“Hey, remove the cloth.”

“Yes!”

“Wait! They are my wife and son. Please, I beg for your forgiveness.”

“Remove the cloth quickly.”

“Understood!”

“Please, forgive me…”

“Your Highness, she has no blemishes.”

“Hmph, how cunning. Take her away.”

“Wait! If you take my wife, what will happen to this child…?”

I was peeking from behind the crowd, unable to see what was happening beyond the mass of people. Still, the groaning sounds, dull thuds, and the child’s cries painted a clear picture.

Everyone around clenched their fists, their shoulders trembled, they gritted their teeth, and tears streamed down their faces.

The woman’s screams and multiple footsteps faded away, leaving only the child’s cries behind.

“They’re gone! Quickly, call a healer!”

“We can’t do it here. Get a stretcher and move him!”

“Is the child alright? Someone, take him to the guardhouse!”

As if time had been unfrozen, people started moving hurriedly.

“Tariq, what just happened? What’s going on?”

“Calm down, we can’t talk here…”

Tariq’s whisper carried a note of fear. There was clearly more to the situation, but this wasn’t the place to discuss it.

As the commotion beyond the crowd died down, people began to emerge from the alley onto the main street. Following the flow, we found the main street had regained its usual bustle.

Or rather, everyone there was acting as if nothing had happened. It felt like watching actors in a play, and the city that had seemed so vibrant now appeared faded.