Signs of the Fall (2) <Side: Raysi Gliss>

『Cross Moon - Day 23 (Morning)』

I geared up early in the morning and stepped out of the house. The streets, just greeting the dawn, were mostly empty, with only merchants bustling about as they prepared to open shop.

"So quiet..."

The guards patrolling the streets were scarce too. The captain had mentioned pulling most of the force to the western district, leaving only the bare minimum elsewhere—so the streets looked emptier than usual, plain as day. It wouldn't be long before the territory's folk heading out noticed it too.

At least the lord seemed intent on handling this bizarre incident quietly, without alarming the public, resolving it on his own terms... which explained why he'd reached out even to us adventurers.

Musing on that, I cut through the deserted streets toward the Guild.

"The number of guards has noticeably increased."

Every time I headed to the Guild, more guards dotted the way. Seeing them dart through alleys with haggard faces—like they hadn't slept a wink—made it clear the situation was still dire.

""Rock, paper, scissors!""

"A familiar sight."

Arriving at the Guild, I found a scene I'd witnessed once before: Myrit beaming triumphantly, Elizabeth looking utterly exasperated. What could you say... they were ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my comrades.

Just like last time, the two were making a racket over some bet.

"You! How does this even make sense!? How many times is this now!?"

"You two are as rowdy as ever. Though it seems you got here pretty early."

"Oh, Raysi?"

"Hey! Focus on me!"

The pair stood before the Guild earlier than I'd expected, bickering away in what looked like perfect harmony.

"Anyway... making all that noise might disturb the folks on duty right now. As you can see, they look pretty worn out."

"Haha, yeah, we know. We were just exaggerating the bet to lighten the mood a bit. Might've been rude, though."

"No. Raysi, you gotta hear this? We bet on who'd fetch the potions I left behind—the loser goes. But! Every single time we've bet against each other, I haven't won once!"

"That's 'cause, Liza, you're just a tiny bit unlucky. And I'm just a tiny bit lucky."

Leaving the squabbling duo behind, with the party now assembled, it was time for discussion.

"Both of you... mind focusing now? The situation seems more serious than we imagined..."

"Ah... yeah, it is. Alright, we're all here, so let's wrap up our talk among ourselves? Liza, grab the potions later."

The sudden mass disappearances of vagrants in the western district. The investigation that began yesterday afternoon had turned up neither traces of the missing nor the culprit. A perfect crime, not even leaving a whiff of magic.

"Good news and bad news. Which first?"

"Don't drag it out—tell us all at once. Time's tight for us."

"Jeez, so cold. Well, fun's over anyway. The good news lines up perfectly with your hunch, Raysi. Heri said traces of holy barriers made with divine power were set up all over the alleys."

Myrit spoke matter-of-factly, but the implication was huge. It meant clergy were involved in the disappearances.

"Raysi's fiancée helped out."

"Muse...?"

"She said identifying the exact barrier types was tough, but at least two or more were intricately woven together."

Did I end up burdening Muse because of me? I'd have to make it up to her later. Sorting this intel by early morning meant she'd been investigating all night.

"The bad news? We figured out the barriers, but no culprit or missing persons. So our workload stays the same."

"I hoped otherwise... but no such luck."

I'd wished for even a sliver of hope, but it was futile.

"Haa... you done talking? Then I'll go grab the potions. Tch... shouldn't have suggested the bet..."

"Ah! Hold on, Liza! There's one more bit of bad news for you..."

"Huh...? What're you getting at?"

"Truth is... the potions you 'left behind'? I have them all."

"Ha?"

Myrit pulled the potions from her bosom and dangled them before Elizabeth. Elizabeth's face twisted in a mix of fury and annoyance, speechless.

"You... call that talking!?"

She growled low, pressing Myrit, but Myrit brushed it off like old hat, chuckling lightly.

"See, Liza, you've been so serious since chatting with Annie yesterday. Thought I'd cheer you up. Sorry if it backfired~"

"Haa...... Fine. Fine, I get it. Just don't do it again. And if you're worried, don't pull pranks like this... Be more honest! Don't confuse people."

"Ahaha! Sorry, Liza. But you know I love you tons, right?"

"Of course...... I know."

Watching their carefree marital spat eased the tension I'd been carrying. If Muse and I married soon, could we be that close?

"Ah! Right! Thanks to you, I remembered. Something Annie said yesterday—oughta tell everyone."

Elizabeth snapped her fingers, as if struck by a thought, and spoke up. She recounted her talk with the lord's wife.

The wife had scoured the entire territory using her familiars but found zero traces of culprit or missing. Moreover, her superhuman intuition suggested the disappearances were bait to lure someone—and one of us might be the target.

Elizabeth took the wife's senses seriously enough that it wasn't mere speculation or fancy.

As we chatted, tension easing briefly, a familiar voice called from behind. The one voice I least wanted to hear here...

[Raysi bro!]

"Alex?"

There stood Alex, Clarice, and Mel. Alex especially—in stark contrast to his disheveled state last time—approached neatly dressed, weapons well-maintained.

The moment I saw them, a nagging unease resurfaced, one I'd momentarily forgotten. They'd vanished from the inn that morning when the incident began. For a whole month, devout Clarice hadn't shown at church.

What if it all connected? A chilling hypothesis... No, probably not...?

Coincidence was possible, but paired with Alex's prior gloom and the string of oddities, it could link... The stray guess echoed terrifyingly in my mind.

"Oh! Those promising kids from before? Raysi was hunting high and low for 'em last time?"

"That's the kid... from back then. Looked like the world ended, but now his face is blooming with smiles."

As Myrit said, confirming their safety should've lifted a weight... but the whirl of suspicion circling my head wouldn't let me relax. That unresolved unease kept my mouth shut; I couldn't greet or approach Alex.

"Hey, Raysi—the party you were desperate for showed up. See? Told ya not to worry~"

"…………"

"Anyway, you lot here for Guild business? Bit early—the Guild's still prepping, so quests'll wait."

[It's fine. Our business isn't with the Guild—it's with you, Raysi bro.]

Alex brushed off Elizabeth, zeroing in on me. Clarice and Mel flanking him seemed to agree, eyeing me expectantly.

Still, I kept my lips sealed, observing. It didn't last long, though...

[Raysi bro... could you mentor our party again?]

"Wh-what...!?"

A beginner seeking higher strength from me was something to welcome with open arms. Normally, I'd jump at it... but not now. The shadow of suspicion swirling in my head urged me to doubt their motives. Were they timing this to seek me out specifically...?

I stood mute as a clam, unable to respond to Alex's proposal—more precisely, refusing to.

The awkward silence broke with one voice.

"Ah... that's gonna be tough. Raysi's got an important quest with us. Mentoring'll have to wait. I get wanting to grow stronger, but we've got our own stuff."

Myrit scratched her head, deftly explaining my unavailability without bruising their feelings.

But Alex's party's faces darkened rapidly. Like predators eyeing prey... I alone noticed.

Watching it unfold, before it worsened, I steeled myself. To dispel my suspicions, I had to talk honestly with Alex. Doubting these novice adventurers felt immature; pinning resolution on Alex alone was unfair. Guilt gnawed, but it had to happen sometime.

"Myrit, Elizabeth... let's talk a sec."

I waved Alex's party back first, turning to my comrades.

"Raysi. I know you care for those kids, but given the circumstances, we can't spare time for them."

"Hoo... I know. But I've decided. I'll accept Alex's request and mentor today."

A claim with no backing. No way they'd buy it easily. Indeed...

"What? What're you saying!? I get you adore 'em, but priorities exist. I'm totally against. We're already shorthanded—one more pair of hands needed."

Elizabeth clicked her tongue, voicing strong discontent.

"Calm down first, Liza... But Raysi, that statement? You know it doesn't add up. We need capable help. And you're no fool to ditch a quest over sentiment—I know you draw a hard line between work and personal."

Myrit eyed me coolly, demanding reason. Expected, natural.

I wouldn't deny Elizabeth's point—I had my rationale.

"Of course... there's reason. Present evidence that'll convince."

What followed was a cowardly excuse built on a stray hunch. Voicing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it risked unintended harm to Alex's party, even if false.

"Hearing what you two just shared convinced me. Culprit and missing untraceable even by the wife's search, plus holy barriers. Based on that, I suspect an 'inside collaborator.' Meaning the culprit knows we're aiding the lord—and might be watching or tailing us."

"The more you talk... that's just wild speculation. All guesswork. And even if true, how's that link to mentoring that party?"

"I agree with Liza here. Intriguing hypothesis, but just that—a hypothesis. No evidence of collaborators. Raysi, there's a saying: suspicion demons. It conjures ghosts where none exist. That's how you seem right now."

As expected, they wouldn't budge easily... but I wouldn't yield rashly. I had one card: valuable info from Myrit yesterday.

"Myrit. You mentioned yesterday the lord's hunting the black market."

I believe the black market's behind this. You said before—no trace of it in the territory. The wife joined the hunt on his orders, yet still nothing. Doesn't that mirror the current mess?"

"Black market...... Ah!"

Myrit's brow twitched at "black market." Hooked, as planned.

"I think the black market's the culprit. Even the wife, with top intel, can't find it. Like now?"

Riding the momentum, I desperately persuaded Myrit and Elizabeth.

"Assume collaborators exist, watching us—no evidence found inside. Points to the culprit being 'outside.' And why take those kids out...?"

"Under mentoring guise, to slip any watcher nets legally and exit...? Rushing out risks losing what ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clues remain?"

"Exactly. Me approaching Alex first might raise flags. This—him seeking me out—is ideal timing."

My persuasion seemed to land; Myrit shifted from skeptical glare to chin-stroking thought.

Silence returned. It broke when the thinker spoke.

"Total nonsense."

"Is it......"

"But worth trying. Honestly, I'd refuse regardless—emergency's no joke. Needs all hands from capable folk."

Myrit's verdict-not-verdict. But his scales tipped our way.

"Agree we've exhausted inside leads. Holy barriers from clergy changes nothing. External scout? Yes... but you own the consequences?"

Consequences... Of course. The party I'm mentoring crushed mid-level quests lately—promising. Dragging them into adult business forcibly... Myrit worried they'd become targets, get hurt.

"......I'll take responsibility. Protect them. Even if it breaks me."

"Hm, not like you. Panic's plain on your face."

Panic...? Guess so. Reason: unraveling my own suspicions toward Alex's party... I'm viewing them as foes now. At least accomplices, at worst culprits in the disappearances. If so... might need to eliminate in a pinch.

Hid that truth, but apparently not fully.

"As party leader? Eh... go get 'em. I'll tell Heri. We'll cover for three with two, but solid intel? Cheap price."

"Haa... us investigating solo again? Lame. He's approved, no more gripes—but safety first. Intel secondary; bolt if danger hits. You and those kids. We'll dig here too."

"Thanks for understanding. My stubbornness burdens you again."

"You know it? Make it up with a feast later."

"Heh, deal. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠See you. Cover for me."

Leaving those words, I turned from Myrit and Elizabeth toward waiting Alex's party.

Their faces... unreadable. Neither joy nor displeasure—pure blank.

Startled briefly, I soon shouted at them.

"Got mentoring approval. I'll guide thoroughly, like our first meet. Let's head out—beyond the territory."

Whether Raysi thinks we're tied to the crimes? Not our concern. Our target's Raysi Gliss... you♥ Only matters getting this pathetic male into our new comrade.

That blue-glowing spear Blair found? Its true master: the male before us, Raysi Gliss. Thinking of him wielding the glorious weapon Goddess handpicked, becoming our ally... my cock stiffens, dying to spew cum♥

Clarice pinched her nose, shaking her head. Agreed. Humans stinkier than usual; every breath annoys. Wanna torch 'em all, but hold back... for Goddess's paradise... give those fools a shot at her blessing too.

Then, that grating male voice scraped my ears.

"Got mentoring approval. I'll guide thoroughly, like our first meet. Let's head out—beyond the territory."

The blue-haired male said that and led ahead. His male backside never inspires trust♥ Can that protect even his one female? Whatever—now it starts. Our corruption plan♥

Us Apostles followed the blue-haired male out of the territory into the forest.

The woods looked untainted by mana, yet dense. Few or no monsters here—unless a dedicated human mentoring three personally. Normally, mentoring heads where beasts lurk.

"Y'know, this forest reminds me of old times. First quest mentoring you—orc pack nearby. Remember, Mel?"

[Ah, yeah.]

Why dredge up ancient history? Forgot already... Half-hearted reply as we walked.

Not long out of territory—too soon to strike his nape... So endure his yapping till then? Haa... screwed.

Clarice and Blair averted eyes like it wasn't their issue, putting distance between us...

"...Hm? Mel. Leaf in your hair..."

--Smack!

[Don't touch!]

How dare you reach for my body! Filthy male touching me—a sin unforgivable even in ten thousand deaths!

Post-Apostle, my fastest reflex ever—slapped Raysi's hand away. Touch alone disgusted; imagining it on my hair? Worth the cheap sacrifice.

Fury boiled—wanted to incinerate him then. But endure... for Goddess's paradise, Eden... Collect later, once comrade!

"Wh-whoa... fast. Didn't expect a mage like you slapping my hand that quick. A month's hard training paying off...?"

[Sorry for slapping. We all had a nasty illness—cured recently. Still, could be contagious, y'know? Reflex. Really sorry.]

"I see...... Glad you're past it now. Better safe."

Lame excuse, but Raysi withdrew with a dubious look. Obvious—he's upper-rank adventurer; no way he missed my speed. Suspicion confirmed.

So what? Already under doubt— one more drop in the wave changes zilch. Just burns him inside.

One slap, and Raysi shut up. Better than boring chatter—fine by me.

Then...

--Awooooo!!

Grrr!!

Kwaaaang!!!!

Keeeiiing!!

The quiet forest exploded with ferocious roars. A massive beast shook the earth, charging wildly.

What? When'd it appear? No mana, no signs—not just me; Clarice and Blair looked baffled too.

Noticing our stares, it darted nimbly between trees. Encirclement tightened; surrounding woods splintered futilely.

--Kraaaang!!!

Finally revealed: black beast with four heads. Drooling sulfur flames from gaping maws, four wings on back—a monster unseen, unheard.

New breed? Fine, but looks like it's after us.

Simple then. Show our power now...

--Woooong...♥

[Wh-what, uhn♥ Th-this feeling!? Goddess's blessing descends!?]

Right ahead!?

[Ah, ahaha♥]

Beast irrelevant... Prioritize greeting Goddess's blessing♥

[Wait just a bit, Goddess♥ Coming right now♥]

I bolted. Two sets of footsteps echoed with mine...

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