The Path of Learning (6)
The inn was divided into general and luxury sections around the dining hall. The general area was for multiple people crashing anywhere on the floor mats. The luxury rooms were for families of two to six, with bigger and smaller setups.
Ashu would naturally grab a luxury room for two, of course.
As I tried to pass the dining hall toward the rooms, someone called out to me from there instead.
The owner had prepared a special warm soup and bread for weary travelers, they said. There was even uncorked alcohol.
Did people in this world really take dinners this seriously?
Back in my home world, there was overtime, after-work drinks, all-night gaming, or endless internet surfing. Dinner was routine there.
But this world had no electricity—sunset meant bedtime as the default. Dinner felt like a luxury, not everyday life.
Unless it was a drinking party, night hunt, or a forced march where you skipped meals to save time. Even then, dinner usually meant polishing off lunch leftovers or just filling your gut with whatever.
Yet here they were, cooking up a massive spread that might go to waste?
Normally, I'd chalk it up to good luck or a kind innkeeper and dig in happily.
Normally...
But this was right after Ragi's wild speculations and delusions.
So now I was suspicious too.
What if this food was meant to lower our guard?
What if it wasn't for us guests at all, but a feast for bandits celebrating a big score?
Hell, maybe it was drugged.
Something slow-acting like chronic poison that wouldn't hit right away.
With growing unease, I pulled up Ashu's Status Window—she'd already eaten.
Ashushikara
Status: Poisoned
"Haa..."
A groan escaped me. Poisoned was showing on Ashu's status.
But I had no clue what kind. No obvious signs on her face or demeanor, at least.
Back in that first cave, the gas effects had just shown as Poisoned too.
The Status Window was my special, handy ability, but it wasn't always granular.
Small mercy: it didn't look life-threatening.
No HP drain. Probably something mild like inducing sleep.
To avoid suspicion, I deliberately took a serving, said I'd eat in the room, and tossed the young server a silver coin for a bottle of booze too. Acted all casual.
Ashu grabbed her food and followed me. We'd traveled together so long, we had that unspoken sync.
The moment we were in the room, I locked the door and asked her,
"Ashu, how's your body feeling right now?"
"Huh? Oh... just a bit dizzy. Kinda nauseous. Probably motion sickness from the long carriage ride."
Ashushikara
Status: Poisoned → Confusion(Updated)
Confusion. Her Status Window had just refreshed with new info.
This damn thing still had mysteries. But now wasn't the time to poke at it.
"Looks like the food's drugged. This village might be in cahoots with those bandits we passed. Ashu, can you pray it off?"
"Ugh... this nausea... M-maybe. But it's tough. Urgh... ow. Is the drug kicking in harder? I could... sorta purify for a bit, but the food's... urgh, still absorbing into my body... Purging my stomach too... ugh... Magic would be easier for... purification... S-sorryyy... so dizzy..."
Ashu—who had stronger endurance and willpower than most—was rambling visibly. Looked like she could barely stand.
"Enough. Don't talk. Just wait."
Agnes's med kit had emetics. I'd relied on them a lot early on in this world.
Happened plenty: ate something dumb by accident, had to puke it up.
Travelers always had that one guy who keeled over from bad eats. Unknown allergies, wrong mushrooms—shit happens.
No real allergy meds here; puking was your only play.
Anyway, this stuff worked—I swear by it. Mixed the emetic in water and fed it to her straight away.
She was out of it but gulped it down without a fight, just like I knew she would.
"Urp!!"
Quick reaction—good. No time to hit the bathroom or outside clean-like.
I scooped her up, leaned her out the window.
For minutes, she wretched, emptying her gut completely.
I rubbed her back, patted her through it all.
She looked wrecked, but teasing her was the last thing on my mind.
Ashushikara
Status: Confusion(Poison cleared)
Poison was gone from her Status Window, but confusion lingered. She was still out of it.
Once she finished, I cradled her limp form, wiped away the tears and puke splatter myself.
"Ugh... so gross... sorry. Seeing me like this..."
She sniffled, voice thick with misery and shame. I just hugged her instead of answering.
Tears stung my eyes for a second. I'd been more worried and tense than I realized. Honestly? Scared shitless.
Relief hit, and my arms tightened around her without thinking. Thank god nothing worse happened.
She stayed quiet, so I pulled back a bit to check her face. Shy, exhausted eyes met mine.
She looked so fragile tonight—like a real princess. Made me want to protect her.
I hadn't said a word, but she felt it too—leaning back into me, like begging for another tight hold.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Damn near drew my sword. Not from surprise—pure killing intent surged. Whoever poisoned Ashu was outside that door.
"Guest? You alright? Heard some awful sounds, so I checked."
I pulled Ashu closer with one arm, forced calm on myself. Long exhale, picked my words slow.
"Haa... sorry. Haa... my companion... ahem... weak to booze. Haha. No big deal. Vomit went out the window, luckily."
Emotions choked; breaths ragged. Voice slurred. Perfect—sounded like I was drugged too, to the owner.
"I see. Rest well with your travel fatigue."
Footsteps faded. I carried Ashu to the bed.
"Um... Kirgil. I'm okay now. Feeling much better. Should be able to purify soon."
"Sorry. Got too jumpy."
"It's weird. Looking at you now scares me. But in your arms... so warm. More than usual."
"......"
"Kirgil, you're always my light. Not just bright—you melt my heart with your warmth.
I know you're having dark thoughts. But you're still warm."
Her hand caressed my face.
"Please, don't dwell. When it's over, hold me like before. If your heart cools, I'll return the warmth you gave me."
She was right. I'd had dark thoughts.
Like: Should I kill everyone in this village?
Ashu told me not to agonize—practically egging on my brutality.
While shoving my back, she insisted I wasn't bad. Said she'd accept whatever I did next.
Thanks to her, I finally cooled off. Mind cleared.
I didn't want mindless slaughter. But to protect myself—to protect Ashu—I had no choice.
"Thanks, Ashu."
"Of course. My light."
I'd thought she was just clingy or leaning on me before. Cocky of me.
Now? I needed to lean on her. Maybe even act spoiled.
She'd firmed my resolve.
It was time for everyone to sleep.
Tonight's dinner came with a high full moon.
Bright enough no candles needed. I curtained it off, blanketing the room in dark.
Told Ashu to lie in bed and sleep. Obviously, fake it.
Fixed my bed to look slept-in, blankets over luggage.
Hid under it.
Breath held, waiting. Footsteps approached outside. Door creaked open.
Barred lock. But they picked it with a tool, barged in uninvited.
Dead sure no one inside would wake.
I'd harbored dark thoughts, sure. Still hoped nothing would happen tonight.
Till this—decisive proof.
Under Happy Moment, I slid from under the bed, eyed the intruder.
Young guy. The server from dinner.
Dagger out, staring at my bed.
No room for doubt.
Time to make thoughts real.
Maybe kill a lot of people.
Maybe innocents too.
Maybe carry grudges forever...
Still. I'll do it.