Episode 34
Episode 34
It took a little time, but we finally succeeded in escaping with Seoryeong unni and Eri as well.
I didn't really help much - they both got out using their own power.
They just killed the engraved pattern and the priests all at once.
They say if your head is stupid, your body suffers, but conversely, if your body is strong, you don't need to use your head. Still, I at least told them the method.
The two of them nodded in understanding after hearing my explanation.
"So that's how you get out."
"I should try that next time. By the way..."
After hearing the full explanation, Eri's gaze turned forward.
Fragments of the shattered carriage were scattered everywhere, and the groans of injured people could be heard from all directions.
"Quite a lot of damage. I guess there were more enemies than expected."
"A little? More than that, by the time I came to my senses, it was already too late. So I dealt with it as quickly as possible, and this is the result."
"Is that so. Well, neither the fox nor I noticed either."
At Eri's casual tone, Seoryeong unni also nodded.
"If even the spirits couldn't detect it, we should probably consider it something else entirely."
"Practically only Mia noticed. As expected, the Prophet Aron spoke of is different. I guess this is the level you need to be at?"
My conscience pricked me a little, but I laughed.
"Of course. I'm not perfect, but I do have countermeasures for most things."
"What are you three talking about?"
I flinched at the sound of Aron's voice coming from behind as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
He had finished helping repair the broken carriage, moving luggage, and talking with the Merchant Leader.
I quickly turned around to look up at him.
"I was telling them the standard method for getting out of the barrier. Everyone just used brute force, after all."
"If everyone had used their original power, it would have been broken before anyone even noticed, right?"
"That... I suppose so."
These are powerhouses who exchange giant flames that cover the sky as a greeting.
They might even knock someone unconscious with their aura alone, like in some manga.
"But stronger opponents will appear in the future. Since we're weak now, it's good to know."
At my words, Aron nodded as if convinced.
"So who is it? The strong opponent that will appear."
"Since it's the Church, they get stronger as you go up the hierarchy. The Cult Leader will probably require you to fight at full strength, Aron?"
In the game, he was defeated thanks to the protagonist's buff.
The boss clear condition required either the Hero Ivy or a token that could substitute for the Hero.
'Was the reason to block the Outer God's power?'
It was related to the Outer God, but it's been so long that I can't remember the exact reason.
The only thing that's certain is that you need at least one of the two.
"Except for the Cult Leader, these three probably won't lose to anyone. Unless they're suddenly ambushed or fall into a trap."
Actually, the Cardinals under the Cult Leader are strong too, but at best they lose to the incomplete Hero Party.
You just defeat the Cardinals, complete the party, and stop the Cult Leader from summoning the Outer God. That's the end.
So they wouldn't be much of a threat to these three who are already complete.
Other than that, there are just minor traps.
'But... aren't traps meaningless in the face of overwhelming power?'
It might be more beneficial to just tell them to destroy everything.
I eventually stopped pondering.
Instead, I took out paper and began writing down the important events and key figures that would occur in the future.
"Thinking about it, these three probably don't apply. Aren't they stronger than the completed Hero Party from the start?"
"We are a completed Hero Party, though."
"Then we just need to lift the curse."
"Right. Then what... wouldn't it be dangerous if about ten Demon Kings showed up?"
Summoning ten Demon Kings would probably be more difficult.
"Then it's settled. Just be a little careful while you're weakened. As long as you don't encounter the Cardinals of the Cult of the End, the Saintess, or the Holy Knights, you probably won't be in danger."
"What if we encounter one of them?"
"Hmm... if it's more than one, running away is the right choice, otherwise it's fine. So take this."
I handed the paper to Eri and Seoryeong unni, excluding Aron since he would be with me anyway.
The two took the paper and immediately checked it.
"As long as you check all the contents inside, there shouldn't be any major problems. If an opponent not listed appears, it's better to run away appropriately."
After reading through the contents, Seoryeong unni was the first to nod.
"It seems like it will take time to start moving again, so I'll go ahead. It's been a while since I returned, and I think there's a lot of information I need to share."
"Where are you going?"
"The Great Plains. It's been a while, so I should go see my family too."
"You have family at that age?"
I quickly covered my mouth at the unintended remark, but Seoryeong unni, understanding the meaning, nodded.
"Strictly speaking, it's my younger brother's grandson... but anyway, family is family. See you later."
Seoryeong unni disappeared with the wind, and Eri also put the paper in her pocket.
As she wiggled her fingers, a green light shimmered around her.
"I should go ahead too. I'll come back again when everything is over."
"Then Eri is going to the Forest?"
"I guess I have to? I need to go tell them about what's happened so far and prepare accordingly."
"That makes sense. Then good luck."
At my greeting, Eri nodded lightly.
The wind wrapped around Eri's body and she instantly flew into the sky.
I watched her figure recede into the distance and muttered.
"That looks really convenient. Should I ask for a ride next time?"
"Try asking. The spirits will probably refuse while being really angry."
"Is there a reason they'd dislike it that much?"
"They dislike anyone who isn't an elf."
"You've asked before?"
Aron nodded and muttered.
"I once asked for aerial sex..."
"Let's stop right there."
It seems like the guy next to me has nothing but these kinds of thoughts in his head.
*
After Eri and Seoryeong unni left, we helped the trade caravan and roughly finished repairing the carriage.
Though calling it repair is generous - without any skills, all we did was move some things around.
Fortunately, the Merchant Leader didn't seem to mind much.
'Is it because he's experienced? He definitely seemed to realize these weren't ordinary enemies.'
Usually, if escorts fail to this extent, they don't get treated well.
Even mercenaries or adventurers would typically apologize for something like this.
But the Merchant Leader actually said it was okay.
His reaction suggested that ending it at this level was actually fortunate.
"Or is it because of rumors circulating?"
After the incident with the Cult of the End, I heard the employees talking.
They already knew about the events that appear as signs of the Cult of the End's emergence in the game.
Plus, judging by the Merchant Leader's expression, he seemed to know something too.
I eventually went to see the Merchant Leader first.
"Do you happen to know anything about what happened today?"
The Merchant Leader, who was checking goods, turned his head at my voice.
I expected him to be flustered, but instead he looked at me with an expression that said 'You really don't know?'
"Isn't that the famous rumor these days? They say strange guys in black cloaks suddenly appear and take people and goods without anyone noticing."
"Really? I've been living in the countryside until recently. Could you tell me more details?"
"Ah, of course. It's a bit awkward talking standing up, so please sit here."
I casually sat on the chair he pointed to.
The Merchant Leader took a seat in front of me, handed me a glass of cool water, and began his story.
"It's been about a month now. There was a rumor that the Golden Merchant Group got hit hard - did you hear about that?"
"No, I went to the countryside about two months ago."
"Then it makes sense you wouldn't know. You know the Golden Merchant Group, right?"
I nodded lightly.
As the name suggests with 'golden' in it, it's a really large and successful trade caravan.
"Then this will be quick. That Golden Merchant Group was ruined because of those bastards."
"What? Is that possible?"
"That's why the rumor spread so quickly and became famous. At first, when they got hit once or twice, the Golden Merchant Group hired mercenary groups too, but I heard they failed."
"Then what happened to the Golden Merchant Group?"
The Merchant Leader thought for a moment before clapping his hands.
"Ah! I heard they tried to make a comeback by accepting a request from some Duke, failed, and were completely ruined. What was it... ah, something..."
"...Could it be Duke Augustus?"
"That's right! Exactly! As expected, the vice-leader of a successful mercenary group is different."
I laughed awkwardly.
"I guess I can't help it since I deal with nobles a lot."
I didn't expect Duke Augustus to already be moving personally.
No matter how much the Cult of the End wants the end through Outer God summoning, they need money and power until then.
The figure who operated in the open for this purpose was exactly Duke Augustus.
'By now, he's probably already brainwashed and being used like a puppet, right?'
The situation seemed to be progressing faster than in the original game.
Duke Augustus only provided financial support until almost the very end before leading the rebellion that destroyed the Empire, but they're already using him this early.
"By the way, the person traveling with you... is he your lover by any chance?"
While I was deep in thought, the Merchant Leader's question reached me.
Lover?
Aron and me?
My consciousness, which had sunk deep into thought while pondering, instantly surfaced.
My gaze turned toward Aron, who was helping people in the distance.
"Uh... well, that is..."
I should obviously deny it, but I couldn't.
Is there any more convenient way to explain a man and woman traveling together than calling them spouses or lovers?
Of course, even if I don't like him, it's just for convenient explanation purposes.
That's probably it.
After making my judgment in a very short time, I smiled faintly.
"Yes, he saved me in the Forest of Temptation... so that's how it happened."
"I see! Well, a lifesaver in a place where life is at stake - that's enough reason. Then I'll prepare a separate tent for the two of you to use."
"Ah, what? Yes! Good!"
I nodded with a bright smile.
Mia herself had no way of confirming it, but the Merchant Leader watching her expression became convinced.
That Mia genuinely likes Aron.