Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Reaper Only Eats Apples
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After meeting the Hero, I retraced my steps.
Unlike the Hero, who was imprisoned at the far end of the third level, the other three were held in cells staggered in a zig-zag pattern, allowing them to see each other through the bars.
The Sage was still drawing on the floor, and the Priestess continued her prayers facing the wall. I reached the Warrior’s cell without interruption.
The Warrior inside, her once vibrant blonde hair now dull and lifeless from days of imprisonment without proper food or hygiene, berated me.
“Kaldrash! What did you do to the Hero?! Answer me!”
Unlike the Hero, who was unaware of his companions' fate, she knew he was imprisoned here.
Well, that makes things easier.
If she proved uncooperative, I could always use the Hero as leverage.
I said to the agitated Warrior,
“I didn’t do anything. Just had a little chat about old times. Nothing you need to worry about.”
The Warrior gritted her teeth.
“If you lay a finger on the Hero, I’ll never forgive you.”
She still hadn't grasped the situation.
“Whoa, calm down. Getting worked up won’t solve anything.”
I feigned fear and took a step back.
I needed to have a productive conversation with her, and starting with hostility wouldn't be beneficial.
I tapped on the bars of her cell.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“Hmph! Another one of your schemes, I presume.”
“Exactly. This is a secret deal between you and me.”
I glanced at Camilla.
She had intended to stay, but at my insistence, she reluctantly left.
However, the corridor was so quiet and the acoustics such that she would still be able to hear our conversation, even from a distance.
Anticipating this, I pulled out the item I had prepared.
A small cylinder containing a piece of paper about a handspan wide.
I discreetly shielded it from Camilla and Vanessa and tossed it through the bars, raising my voice so they could hear.
“Rachel, you’re the eldest daughter of the Margrave of Hamburg, who’s in charge of the Eastern Front, correct?”
I gestured for her to read the contents of the cylinder.
Rachel looked back and forth between me and the cylinder, then, realizing what I wanted, she launched into a performance.
“Insolent! How dare you utter my name with your filthy mouth!”
She pulled out the piece of paper from the cylinder and unfolded it.
It contained a message I had written before coming here.
“Rachel, I pretended to betray the party to find a way to infiltrate the supposedly impregnable Demon Lord’s castle. I’ve now discovered a secret passage leading into the castle. It’s time to inform the kingdom. If you write a letter to your father, the Margrave of Hamburg, requesting his assistance, I’ll deliver it.”
Maintaining a poker face, I continued my intimidation tactics.
“Hamburg is known as an invincible fortress, never conquered by demons. But as the Margrave’s daughter, you must know a back route or a secret passage. Tell me, and I’ll spare your life.”
“Never! You fiend! Do you think I would betray my people for my own life?!”
Rachel shouted, then quickly started writing on another piece of paper inside the cylinder with the pen provided.
She didn’t have much time.
If Vanessa or Camilla sensed something amiss, they might come to investigate. Rachel scribbled furiously.
“Even a dumb beast values its own life. Or do you intend to rot in this dungeon for the rest of your days?”
Her handwriting remained legible despite her haste. She must have received training in calligraphy.
Having finished writing, Rachel placed the paper and pen back inside the cylinder and closed the lid.
“I’m a warrior before I am a noble! I’ll never betray my beliefs!”
“You’re a fool. A fool who suffers for her stupidity.”
I needed to retrieve the cylinder, but Rachel, bound by shackles, couldn't reach the bars. And I couldn't bend down to pick it up without arousing suspicion.
I channeled my mana.
The cylinder on the floor floated into the air.
I reached through the bars and snatched it, exchanging a meaningful glance with Rachel.
“If you refuse to cooperate, so be it. You’ll regret your decision.”
“I’ll never regret it! Now get out of my sight, you Demon Lord’s lapdog!”
I nodded my thanks to Rachel for her convincing performance and returned to Vanessa and Camilla, who were waiting at the entrance.
Vanessa, who had been sitting on a chair with her arms crossed, looking bored, asked,
“So, what happened?”
I smiled wryly and shook my head.
“Nothing.”
Vanessa nodded sympathetically.
“I figured as much. That Hero is tough. He didn't even make a sound when the torturer was sawing through the tendons in his arms and legs.”
I looked at Camilla, who still seemed suspicious.
“Why the long face?”
Camilla lowered her gaze and replied honestly,
“I was concerned about your actions, Master Kaldrash. They seemed… suspicious. I thought it might be some kind of elaborate psychological tactic.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Who would betray someone so openly in this day and age?”
Camilla conceded,
“You’re right. I was being too sensitive.”
I told Camilla not to worry about it and turned to Vanessa, who had patiently waited for us to finish our conversation.
“Let’s go.”
Vanessa nodded, holding her head under her arm, and started ascending the spiral staircase.
I followed her, then paused, glancing back down the stairs.
“…”
I couldn’t say when I would return.
But when I saw their faces again, the world would have changed.
I had a feeling about that.
***
After leaving the dungeon and parting ways with Vanessa, who returned to her patrol, Camilla and I decided to head back down to the village to join the small party the villagers were throwing, as I had promised Violet.
We had spent quite some time in the dungeon, so it would likely be dark by the time we reached the village.
Holding the reins of my Bicorn with one hand, I pulled out the cylinder from my pocket.
It contained the letter Rachel had written.
I unfolded the small piece of paper and began to read.
*“To my dearest father,
I can’t even remember the last time I saw you.
I’m completely isolated in this foreign land.
While searching for a way to survive, my companions and I discovered a secret passage leading to the Demon Lord’s castle.
I’m writing this letter to inform you of this discovery, but since I have no way to deliver it myself, our party’s mage has agreed to carry it for me.
He is trustworthy, so please believe what is written in this letter.
If you raise an army and attack the Demon Lord’s castle, we can finally put an end to this long and arduous war.
I pray for your victory every night.
Your loving daughter, Rachel von Hamburg.”*
“Heh.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle after reading Rachel’s letter.
At first glance, it seemed like she had written exactly what I wanted. However, the key was the excessively cursive handwriting.
Connecting the strangely elongated letters revealed a hidden message…
“Mage is traitor.”
Quite a clever trick for a warrior.
I crumpled the letter in my hand.