115 – Enemies everywhere (3)
“Now. Let’s all gather together.”
At my words, the colleagues started to gather around the table.
Erina is always by my side.
Kyla is lost in thought with a complicated expression on her face.
And Celica, who can’t hide her uneasiness from start to finish.
She sat down on the chair, each having a different idea.
“Let’s talk about future plans.”
First of all, I told you the story I had with Lucas.
In order to scout the Hellwood Forest, Lucas’s companion is essential.
No one welcomed that fact.
Celica even shook her head.
‘Is it time to talk soon?’
Then, Kyla also noticed her and looked at Celica and asked.
“Lady Celica. Are you feeling unwell?”
“Oh no! Just… I’ve got a lot on my mind…”
It didn’t hurt anywhere. Just hesitating
She already knew why Celica was worried.
“If you have something you want to say, it’s okay.”
At my words, Celica nodded her head.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally made up her mind and spoke her mind.
“Actually, a man named Lucas… I’m used to something…”
I felt relieved at her words.
What I just heard. She said exactly the same lines as when playing the first round.
“When I was young, there was a murder case in Helen Village.”
After that, the story I expected continued.
“The culprit is a man of mixed blood between a demon and a human. He was an outcast even in town.”
“So how did it go?”
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch the culprit. When the investigation began, the man had already disappeared from town.”
Of course, until now, the culprit has not been caught.
Since then, it has been remembered as one of the horrific murders in Helen Village.
And there was a reason Celica told us about this.
“With him earlier… It was a bit like him.”
“Did he ever see the culprit?”
“Yes… Actually, his appearance was very different, but maybe his eyes… The atmosphere was a bit…”
Selica wasn’t sure either. But her miserable heart wouldn’t let her go.
‘As expected.’
In the first episode, she heard the same story from Celica.
Thanks to that, I was able to detect Lucas’ betrayal in advance and respond easily in the first playthrough.
Even back then, Erina belonged to the Knights, so dealing with Lucas was very easy.
And it is still the same now. I felt relieved that the event hadn’t changed.
“That means Lucas might be the murderer.”
“I can’t be sure. But if my intuition isn’t wrong…”
Celica was speechless. She must have never said anything suspicious.
Thanks to that, she naturally led the discussion about Lucas.
“If Celica is right, what should I do?”
“I have to kill him right now.”
Erina concluded as if she had been waiting. Of course I rejected it.
Kayla thought for a moment, then raised her hand and said.
“How about asking an investigator to investigate?”
“Lucas is a member of the village scout. He must be quite close to the investigator.”
The moment we accuse him, it will get into Lucas’ ears in an instant.
In the meantime, you could run away to the demon realm, or you could accuse us of being liars.
In fact, there is no evidence other than Celica’s suspicion.
But she couldn’t kill her secretly like Erina said.
“Let’s just watch. Instead, I decided to be fully prepared in case of an emergency.”
The meeting ended with only an ambiguous conclusion remaining.
“”
“My lord. Are you really going to be with him?”
Kayla’s voice was full of worry.
After the meeting, Erina said she would take a bath, and she headed straight to her bath.
She said that she would take a bath with me even in the middle of it.
It was only after she was barely dried that she was able to spend time with Kayla.
“Yes. There’s no way to get it off anyway.”
Lucas is to scout Hellwood Forest together.
Kayla knew that he was a traitor.
Still, I accepted to accompany him.
In fact, isn’t it different from the story of being stabbed in the back of the head on purpose?
As such, what I was about to do was quite dangerous.
“Don’t worry too much. Kayla.”
Anyway, all or nothing.
It is a self-evident fact that the Demon King’s army will invade Hellwood Forest as time passes.
In fact, there was no way to avoid an all-out war with the Demon King’s army.
A situation in which the Demon King’s army might march into Hellwood Forest even tomorrow.
Even if my actions brought the timing forward, I still had to gamble.
In this situation, there is no way to return to the capital without gaining anything.
Cooperation of the Elven Village and the joining of Tyria.
I decided to take a risk to achieve both goals at the same time.
“Above all, because Erina and you are here.”
Even if things go wrong, the worst won’t happen.
Erina and Kayla. Even Celica.
In fact, it could be said to be the strongest party in the world.
I also had in mind the situation of overturning the game, dealing with the Demon King’s army, and fleeing to the capital.
Although the story would be different if the demon lord’s power came rushing in.
There was no way that would happen. No, it was virtually impossible.
“Kayla.”
“Yes. Lord.”
“I really need your help on this one.”
Why I told Kayla everything.
Because I need someone to act with me.
Erina cheating on me and behaving wildly.
Naive Celica who doesn’t know anything yet.
She is a goddess imprisoned in the heavens and unable to do anything.
The only person I can trust in this situation is Kayla.
She felt sorry for leaving her burden on her.
But I trusted Kayla to understand my choice.
“Can you do what I said?”
“Yes. Do not worry.”
Actually, the plan I came up with was not that difficult.
After Lucas betrayed him, all he had to do was capture him.
“I will always follow the will of my lord.”
“Thank you. I always believe in you.”
After telling Kayla the truth, she felt a little better.
Is it because there are people who sympathize with me and worry about me?
“Then let’s check the plan again.”
Time Erina went to take her bath. Only five minutes.
She had to share the plan perfectly with Kayla in the meantime.
***
“Haa… ha… Everyone is in great shape… ?”
Lucas caught his breath and looked at us.
Contrary to what he warned, we didn’t show any signs of getting tired after marching for two hours.
In particular, Erina did not shed a single drop of sweat. She just continued her hike, remaining expressionless.
Of course, not all of us were fine.
“This, this is fine…!”
Celica did not stop her steps even though she was sweating.
It didn’t look much different from before, but it was a mountainous area.
Unlike the plains around the town of Helen, there were hills with considerable slopes.
It wasn’t as rugged as Nostel Snow Mountain, but it was a pretty rugged area.
However, Celica didn’t fall behind and followed well.
Although it was dangerous as if it would collapse at any moment.
“Haa… We’re going to arrive at Hellwood Mountains soon. Whoa… Be careful.”
Lucas was also falling behind little by little as if he couldn’t keep up with our stamina.
But Erina did not stop her steps.
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After ten minutes of hiking, I was finally able to reach the level ground.
“Okay. Let’s take a break here… !”
Lucas, who had barely followed us, raised his hands and stopped us.
It seems that Lucas, who has never shown a hard expression before, has also given up.
“Kayla. Help Celica.”
“Okay.”
Kayla handed Celica her water bottle, who was exhausted.
While taking a break, Lucas closed the distance to me.
“Whoa… They are all monsters…The slope is quite steep…”
“This much is bearable.”
“Usually the others end up in the middle. But to come up here without resting even once…”
Lucas must have climbed many mountains in this area during that time.
Lagging behind us in the mountains, where you come and go virtually like home.
It seems that his pride has been hurt because he lags behind us who are experiencing mountain climbing for the first time.
It’s just ridiculous from my point of view, knowing his true intentions.
“Anyway, what am I going to do from now on?”
At my question, Lucas shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve said it before, but it’s nothing special. I’ll go into the center of the forest and figure out the elves’ movements.”
Since then, Lucas has been reminded of several warnings.
Always check the trees.
If you run into an elf, give up running away.
Talk calmly and tell the story.
“Okay? Of course, if that happens, I will step in.”
I was dumbfounded when I just listened to it.
To think that people who cross the border will be let go.
It was just funny to talk about it as if nothing had happened even though I went in and out of it several times.
“Okay. Let me follow you.”
“Yes. Just trust me.”
At my answer, Lucas gave a satisfied smile.
It seems that we are mistaken that we have been tricked.
But can you imagine that smile will distort after a while?