69 – Agillem (4)
“How did you…?”
Inadvertently, those words slipped out of my mouth.
To have briefly crossed paths a year ago and now reunite at this moment, where that connection saved my life? It’s too dramatic to dismiss as mere coincidence.
“…Perhaps─”
“I didn’t follow you around. I was indeed chasing the assassin of the prince, but I didn’t know it was you. Seeing you lying there was also a coincidence.”
“….”
As if anticipating what would follow, she struck up the conversation.
Just as she had expected, I had the thought that perhaps she had been following me all this time for a specific purpose.
Thinking logically, the chance of a passing acquaintance turning up just in time to save my life in that particular situation was so slim that it was hard to imagine.
“Isn’t it quite remarkable? I never expected to meet again like this. Makes you wonder if fate truly exists, doesn’t it?”
Fate.
Those words felt just right.
But only when fate truly exists.
From Noble mtl dot com
“…How much time has passed?”
While it was astonishing that that slim chance had materialized, there were things that needed to be confirmed first.
Hence, I decided to set aside my astonishment for the time being.
“It’s been two weeks since you passed out.”
“……”
Two weeks.
Certainly felt long.
But considering my physical condition, it was a reasonable amount of time for recovery.
With such injuries, it was understandable that one would have a rough time.
“Normally, you should have received priestly treatment… But I avoided it just in case. We can’t risk any leaks of information.”
I inwardly nodded at the composed explanation.
I thought it was the right decision.
Given my condition at the time, even priests would have had doubts, and it was likely that questions would arise about me and how I ended up with such injuries.
While I couldn’t be certain, considering Elbrent’s intelligence network, the possibility of information leaking was quite high.
“Officially, you’re missing, and there are rumors circulating that you’re dead. Elbrent hasn’t completely stopped tracking you, and bounty hunters are still lurking around, but all traces have been erased, and it’s been confirmed that there’s no pursuit. …Oh, by the way, we’re in Agillem.”
Listening to her continued words, I was quite surprised.
Agillem.
If that was true, it was definitely a place far from where the battle with the guards had taken place.
Even traveling alone would have taken several days, and if it was true that I had been carried along while being tracked, it would have been quite an ordeal.
If she hadn’t properly erased the traces during that process, I wouldn’t have woken up unharmed like this. If this was truly Agillem, then her words should be considered truthful.
Thinking this way, the woman in front of me was clearly no ordinary person.
From carrying me and evading capture all the way to distant Agillem without being discovered, to her ability to erase traces perfectly, and even her peculiar disguise ability.
It was impossible to think of her as an ordinary person.
Curiosity towards her began to grow.
What kind of person was she, possessing such abilities? However, in my current indebted state, it wasn’t appropriate to boldly ask such questions.
“Instead, why don’t you tell me about that side? How did you end up killing the prince?”
“……”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, I found myself at a loss for words.
“He didn’t seem like the kind to commit such an act on the surface… Well, people are often different from what they appear to be.”
With transparent pupils, she stared straight into my eyes and continued speaking.
“……”
I pondered.
It wasn’t easy to spill all the beans about the dealings in Mi-Ju and Algoju-Algo.
“Was there some reason you had to kill the prince?”
“…That’s the feeling I got.”
In the end, I chose to play it cool.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to speak, but rather, I was worried. As the one who saved my life, I wanted to disclose everything, but revealing the existence of the ‘organization’ might have negative consequences for her.
“Well, whatever the reason may be, you’ll have to be cautious from now on. Lay low until the rumors completely fade, until the world forgets about your existence, like a dead mouse.”
“……”
She was right.
Regardless of what actually happened, there was no way for me to clear my name now. Well, not entirely impossible, but the methods to try were difficult due to various reasons.
“Well, don’t be too gloomy about it. Live quietly and, if needed, change your appearance or use magic to disguise yourself. Just avoid drawing too much attention.”
She was right.
You can change your appearance with magic, and if I don’t keep revealing myself, the rumors will eventually fade away. It’s just that I won’t be able to live under the name Wade Heblon.
If I engage in conspicuous behavior, there’s a risk of exposing my true identity, but if I live quietly as she suggested, I should be able to survive without any danger.
However.
“…That’s not an option.”
It’s not an option.
If I don’t act, the continent will likely fall into the hands of the ‘organization.’ While my comrades are aware of the ‘organization’s existence, they are clueless about the details, and even if they wish to act, dealing with the organization is challenging.
My comrades all possess incredible potential, backgrounds, and power, but they are currently unable to exert significant influence or are constrained in some way.
Rachel, Ayla, Mary, Alexis, Cedric.
They all have exceptional talents.
Even in their current state, they are unmatched by their peers.
However.
On the flip side, they are merely at that level.
Even if they are overwhelmingly exceptional among their peers, in the overall scheme of things, they only reach a remarkable level compared to all the people on the continent.
In a few years, there will be limits to what they can handle with their current abilities.
Estelle has the power to shake the continent immediately, but even she has her constraints.
She holds the title of the next emperor of Rainberg. Therefore, it’s difficult for her to interfere in foreign affairs. Otherwise, it could escalate into a major diplomatic conflict.
Ultimately, at this point, I am the only one who can properly disrupt the organization’s plans.
Therefore, I had no intention of quietly hiding and living.
…Well, even if I lived like that, there’s no guarantee that I could peacefully enjoy my life.
If I don’t do anything, there will likely be wars, and the continent will be devastated. Unless I choose to live isolated far away, I won’t be able to live peacefully.
Hence, I had no desire to live quietly.
“…That seems to be the way.” Outwardly, that’s how I responded.
I couldn’t afford to say something unnecessary and make her worry.
“Oh, but….”
“Why? Do you have more questions?”
“It’s not a question, but I have a favor to ask….”
“What is it?”
Feeling uneasy about asking for a favor in a situation where I had already received a kindness, but being unable to move myself, I forced myself to speak.
“…I would like to get in touch with my companions….”
I had been unconscious for a whole week.
According to the woman, rumors had spread temporarily suggesting my death, so it seemed wise to contact my companions.
They might have been shocked upon hearing the news or even if they didn’t believe the rumors, they would be extremely worried.
However.
“That doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
The woman shook her head with a slightly apologetic expression.
Not a rejection, but a recommendation against it.
Confusion arose.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because the Empire may be monitoring the people around you.”
“Oh.”
Her response left me speechless.
“The Empire is not certain of your death, so they probably have people watching those around you. Trying to contact them carelessly might reveal that you’re alive. Unless you have a secure, foolproof way of communicating without being discovered… that’s not advisable, right?”
“….”
“Then, I think it’s better to stay as you are for a while. Once you’re fully recovered and the Empire is convinced of your death, it would be better to initiate contact.”
I couldn’t say a word.
It was a logical argument.
Normally, I would have thought of it earlier, but in my haste and confusion, I had overlooked it.
“….Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It was just a word.”
She smiled and got up from her seat.
“Well, I’ll be going now. I have things to do. Rest well.”
“Oh, before you go….”
“Yes? What is it?”
I grabbed her arm as she was leaving.
“What should I call you?”
“Oh.”
Upon hearing my question, she opened her eyes wide for a moment, showing a hint of hesitation.
“Well… that’s a good question.”
Even though I had simply asked for her name, she couldn’t answer immediately.
I had a rough idea of the reason.
Her displayed abilities.
Stealthily escaping the scene while I was unconscious, perfectly erasing all traces to the extent that no pursuers were left behind, possessing a peculiar disguising ability that could not be discerned unless witnessed firsthand, and finally, that sharp vitality I felt on the day we first met.
They all point to one thing.
“…Call me Bell.”
That’s why I understood why she was reluctant to easily reveal her name.
“Rest well.”
Leaving those words behind, she exited the room.
I gazed silently at the door she closed and left.
And so, our peculiar cohabitation began.