Episode 70. Who is the Evil One? (1)
Episode 70. Who is the Evil One? (1)
They say life is a series of choices.
Throughout our lives, we make countless decisions, and we live each day bearing the consequences of those choices as our future.
Whether the outcomes are good or bad, they're all part of my completed life-so I can't complain and can only regret, or so they say.
Then in this situation, what choice should one make?
"Adventurers-nim, please save us sisters!"
"Step aside, this is our business! Outsiders shouldn't interfere!"
...No, it's not like we wanted to get involved in the first place.
How did we end up tangled in such troublesome affairs?
* * *
Rewinding time to before the incident occurred...
We left Pesto immediately after sunrise when the city gates opened. For breakfast, we bought lunch boxes from the inn where we'd stayed.
Since Cecilia and Rita had purchased all our travel supplies yesterday, there was no reason to spend more time in this city.
Exiting the city without incident, we happily munched on our lunch boxes while driving the carriage.
"Hehe... he..."
Cecilia occasionally opened her bag full of yesterday's purchases, letting out delighted giggles.
She'd bought frilly, cute clothes and adorable little dolls-the kind young girls would love.
I thought this was because Cecilia had never fulfilled her personal desires before and didn't fully understand her own wants, so she was now satisfying childhood cravings she'd missed out on.
*Sigh*, her body may be grown but her heart's still a child's. I'll have to take good care of her. My little Cecilia needs my protection.
"Camellia, don't force the reins. Horses are intelligent creatures. They're always ready to obey your commands-just subtly indicate your desired direction and they'll follow faithfully."
"Really? You big beast, if you don't go where I command, I'll slice off your lower half!"
"That's not what I meant by giving commands..."
Camellia was handling the reins again today. Rita was instructing her from the side, though Camellia's talent was so exceptional there seemed little to correct.
Her only flaw was being somewhat harsh with the horse, but since she never used the whip, maybe Raven had grown fond of her.
However, given her obsession with hierarchy-even trying to establish dominance over speechless animals-I suspected she might cause an accident soon.
...It's not problematic enough yet, and no need to discourage the child.
"..."
"Lycoris, is your new book that interesting?"
"Fascinating. I was completely ignorant in this field, so learning something new is enjoyable."
Lycoris had been completely absorbed in reading her new books since yesterday.
'Eastern Anatomical Divine Text', 'Herb Guide for World-Adventuring Travelers', 'Homebrew Potion Recipes', 'Introduction to Pharmacology'... all books Lycoris had purchased.
Why this sudden interest in medicine? Did she develop aspirations of becoming a doctor?
Inside the carriage, she read while grinding, kneading, and mixing herbs bought at the market, attempting to make simple ointments and potions.
Though we have Cecilia the priestess to heal minor wounds, having first-aid medicine isn't bad. Since holy healing works by boosting the target's recovery ability to mend wounds, serious injuries or illnesses beyond 『Heal』 require medicine and potions.
Medicine-making requires delicate work, so I left her undisturbed to focus.
"Slurp."
"Seems it's just you and me with free time, Rose. Right?"
I held Rose-now grown to about two years old in size-and nursed her.
Having grown enough to take her first steps alone, Rose could now walk over and climb into my lap by herself.
Watching her push off the floor with both hands, stand on short legs, and balance with her plump tail supporting her was unbearably adorable every time.
I wouldn't mind if she stayed like this forever. Well, I do want to see her grown-up form too... Ah, why can't we have both big and small versions at once?
Among my vassals, only Camellia possessed the 『Body Transformation』 skill. While we could use magic on others, only pureblood demons like Camellia and I could cast it ourselves.
The difficulty differs greatly between altering one's own body versus changing another's. I could transform myself into any form, but altering others was limited to minor physical changes.
Thus, only Camellia could freely enjoy both mature and adorable childlike forms anytime, which was frustrating beyond measure.
I console myself by cherishing my girls' current forms while I can, though parting with their childhood seems a parent's fate.
Just grow up healthy, my lovely princesses.
"Travelers, are you?"
A man's voice came from outside, prompting me to lean out.
Three men in thick coats approached from the opposite direction. Rita took the reins from Camellia and stopped the horse.
One carried a giant axe on his back, while two wore longswords at their hips. Their gear and Adventurer's Badges around their necks marked them as passing adventurers.
"Greetings."
"Pleased to meet civilized folk. Is that child your sister?"
"My daughter."
"...Hmm, I see. Ah, no need for caution. We're adventurers. Just wanted to exchange information about any troubles along the way."
Even with good intelligence, natural disasters could collapse roads, or bandits and monsters might block paths. Exchanging fresh intel with opposite-bound travelers was common among adventurers.
"We encountered no issues. Any problems on your route?"
"Just killed a goblin that seemed separated from its pack. Must've wanted our rabbit meat. Tossed the corpse into bushes, so don't be alarmed by bloodstains ahead."
"Noted. Safe travels."
"Likewise."
Rita's curt responses left the adventurers unable to prolong conversation. They parted after exchanging necessities.
They clearly fancied Rita but gave up early due to her cold demeanor. Her status as a married mother likely contributed too.
"It's more peaceful... than I imagined. I thought monsters would swarm once we left churches and villages."
Cecilia marveled at the smooth journey.
"Oh, Cecilia. Not that bad. Though remote areas far from cities get dangerous... most monsters on traveled roads are weaklings exiled from their packs. Any sturdy adult man with decent weapons could handle them."
"What if a truly strong monster appears?"
"Those usually migrate with seasons. Unless starving, they're harmless if unprovoked. For genuine road-blocking bandits, Adventurer's Guild requests get posted and resolved quickly."
"Ooh. Amazing. Learning about unknown worlds is exciting."
Cecilia nodded repeatedly, savoring newfound knowledge.
Like a child constantly asking parents questions, the nun-unworldly-kept voicing curiosities.
Her desire to learn and joy in understanding resembled her daughter Lycoris. Clearly, Lycoris inherited this trait from her birth mother.
"Hmm, so anything can happen on journeys."
"Exactly. But no need for excessive worry. Main roads rarely bring danger."
Seeming to relax at my words, Cecilia moved toward the coachman's seat to view the scenery. Carrying Rose, I followed.
With five people suddenly crammed into the seat, Camellia playfully groaned in exaggerated discomfort.
"Gah, it's cramped! I'll get squished flat between your chests!"
"Sorry, too tight? Want to sit on my lap?"
"Hehe, then I'd love it~"
Camellia on my lap, Rose in my arms. Rita to my left, Cecilia to my right. Ah, surrounded by beauties while traveling-if this isn't paradise, what is?
We were happily passing through forest paths when it happened.
We spotted something approaching from afar.
"Camellia, slow down."
Before Rita's order, Camellia already pulled the reins to decelerate.
The approaching figure was running. Despite our reduced speed, the distance between us kept shrinking.
When close enough for clear sight, we identified it.
Two women. Dressed in tattered, ragged tunics, their bodies covered in minor wounds. Red marks on wrists and ankles suggested they'd been bound with rope.
"Hey, over here! Please, help us!"
At shouting distance, they screamed for aid.
We exchanged bewildered and troubled glances. I stared at them with disgusted expression, sensing impending annoyance.
Ah, this feels like troublesome trouble brewing.