Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Capital Advance - 1
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Maide's party stayed in Tetra Territory for five days.
Of course, that didn't mean they just lounged around eating the whole time.
They pooled all their abilities to help rebuild the territory.
They rebuilt collapsed houses and shops, healed the injured.
They even encouraged those who were exhausted or weary.
'Kaild's never really done work like this before.'
What an odd guy, Maide thought.
No.
Maybe that's what a real hero would do?
'Well, Grade did the same thing as Maide.'
Yeah, Maide and Grade really were alike.
But he'd never once thought Kaild and Grade were similar.
She hadn't outright declared her intention to join Maide's party, but in truth, Risel's mind was already made up.
Five days later, Maide left first, leaving behind a request to take care of things.
He'd earnestly warned her once more to spiritize herself and stay hidden.
Risel didn't know why she needed to be so wary of Kaild, but for now, she decided to heed their new leader's words.
After that, she waited two more days in Tetra Territory.
Two days later.
Kaild and Serein appeared at the territory's entrance.
Risel quickly attached a wind spirit to Serein.
Then, through spiritization, she vanished from the world and spied on them.
Serein called out in a loud voice.
"Risel! Risel, where are youuu!"
"Enough. Stop it."
"Huh?"
"Risel left us."
"No way."
Serein gaped.
"Why are you so sure?"
At that moment.
Risel, observing Kaild through the spirit, felt something off.
Kaild was looking not at his conversation partner Serein, but off into empty space.
He scanned the 'empty air' carefully before speaking.
"It's a hero's intuition."
"I can't trust that anymore..."
"Want to say that again?"
"Ahaha. Did I say it too loud? Sorry."
"Shouldn't you apologize for saying it at all?"
Serein brushed it off with a laugh.
Kaild glared at her for a moment before saying.
"Let's go. We have no more business here."
"But now it's just you and me left."
"So?"
"...Um, don't get mad when I say this."
"I'll judge after hearing it."
"Kaild, can you really grant my wish?"
At that instant, Kaild's eyebrows shot up.
"What? Think I can't?"
"No. But you're falling behind Maide in all sorts of ways..."
"Then why not go to Maide? Like you said, our party's just you and me."
Serein looked troubled.
She scratched her head vigorously and muttered.
"He's too good a person. Doesn't seem like he'd match with me."
"I figured you'd say that. Guess you're out of options but me, then?"
"..."
"Unlike Risel, I never expected any great loyalty or sense of belonging from you from the start. So I'll pretend I didn't hear that. But watch yourself from now on."
"Yes. Sorry."
Kaild nodded and checked the official document.
[Risel Vint has joined Maide's party.]
[Hint. Make sure to keep Serein Magnus firmly in place. Risel plans to convince Serein and recruit her to Maide's party.]
Kaild rubbed his forehead.
'I thought at least Risel was solidly on my side.'
How the hell did he recruit her?
Was that bastard fated to be the hero after all?
Crunch.
Kaild ground his teeth without thinking.
No way.
No way in hell.
The hero was supposed to be Bion Kunze.
Kaild steadied himself and spoke.
"I've decided our next destination."
"Chasing Maide?"
Kaild shook his head at Serein's question.
"No. Hate to admit it, but clashing with him again right now seems riskier."
"Then where?"
"To Dronor Territory. The lord there should be ill."
"I can heal him, then. Got it."
They set off.
Before leaving the territory, Serein glanced back.
'Still, it's a shame. Couldn't even say goodbye to Risel.'
Three days after departing Tetra Territory.
While traveling by carriage, I said to Trail.
'Recovery done?'
[Yeah.]
'Show me the gap between me and Kaild. In numbers.'
[Sure.]
A screen soon appeared.
[Maide Mohan Cumulative Fame: 55,760]
[Kaild Wake Cumulative Fame: 27,980]
My eyes widened.
My fame had surpassed 55,000 at some point, but that wasn't why I was surprised.
'Kaild's fame has dropped?'
Last time I'd checked, it was definitely a bit over 35,000.
[Your plan worked a little too well, it seems.]
'Whoa.'
[Quite satisfying. All that hard work for nothing but lost fame. If it were me, I'd be crying into my pillow at night.]
'Yeah. You'd definitely do that.'
[That was just a figure of speech. Why take only that seriously?]
'Anyway, can't just be thrilled about it.'
[Huh?]
I let out a light sigh and said.
'Since meeting you, I've never seen my fame drop once. Same for Kaild.'
[...]
'I aimed for it, but seeing Kaild's fame actually fall with my own eyes is shocking. Gotta be careful myself.'
Trail snorted.
[Good to stay alert, but aren't you being too cautious? I can't imagine you doing anything to tank your fame.]
'Of course not. But...'
I trailed off and looked at Neril.
Trail seemed to get it.
[Ah. Yeah, the Witch of Atrocities' notoriety is definitely a minus for you. That's why you're stopping any more atrocities.]
'I'm not stopping her; Neril's holding back. Very cooperative party member.'
[Hmm.]
'Can't hide Neril's identity from the common folk forever. If it gets out, it might hit my fame too.'
So timing is key.
But to time it right, Jenia's the problem.
The secret deal with Dame. And the weakness he has on Neril.
Jenia's reverence for her father above all.
How to untangle this knot?
That's when it happened.
Jenia suddenly spoke up.
"But now that Offense has officially joined our party, how about a welcome party?"
"I don't need one."
"See? Offense agrees."
"That's weird. Did I say something wrong?"
Neril smirked and chimed in.
"She's just using it as an excuse to eat meat."
"Hm. Makes sense. Felt that way from the first time we met."
"You're quick."
"I hear that sometimes."
As Jenia pouted, Adwin quickly said.
"I'd love that too. But for a proper welcome, we'd need to book an inn or restaurant..."
He glanced at me.
The other companions did too.
Surely not asking if we can really stay at an inn tonight.
I smirked and said.
"You want the next destination? Adwin."
"Heh. Yes. You normal humans need at least some milestone."
Offense tilted his head.
"What's this now?"
"Don't this or that our Adwin. He's hurting emotionally."
"You're the one saying harsher stuff."
Anyway, next destination.
It's already set, as always.
"We're heading now to..."
That's when it happened.
Whirr.
Suddenly, blue light emanated from Jenia's bosom.
She puzzledly pulled out the orb and her face lit up in surprise.
"It's Sir Tibur!"
"Who's Tibur?"
"Neril, you really have zero interest in me."
"Glad you're finally noticing."
"...You seriously don't know?"
Neril waved her hands in fluster at Jenia's unexpectedly hurt expression.
"Hey, just kidding. The guy you sent to investigate the Ophelia kid thing."
"Pfft."
"...You were teasing me?"
"Glad you're finally noticing."
As Neril grimaced, Jenia activated the orb.
"Sir Tibur."
—Lady Jenia. Long time no see.
"Yes. Any progress on that favor I asked?"
—Straight to it without a greeting?
"Hello."
Tibur let out a deep sigh before speaking.
—I've safely arrived at the territory where Ophelia carried out her mission and finished the investigation.
Investigation.
The task Jenia had given him was to find out who the Knight of Light mage dispatched at the time was—the one who'd reported Ophelia's disappearance as the Witch of Atrocities' doing.
Even Dame couldn't just pin it on Neril without evidence.
There had to be a formal investigation and secured proof, procedures be damned.
'In other words, that dispatched mage and Dame are in cahoots.'
[Hm. Tibur must've gone all out digging.]
'Yeah. Dispatched mages' identities are top secret. Getting caught by a lord would be a nightmare.'
Tibur said.
—The mage's name is Gerd Jinail.
"Where is he now?"
—Hiding as an ordinary gardener in this territory.
"I'll head there right..."
Jenia excitedly started to shout but clamped her mouth shut.
Then she said something else.
"No, never mind. Thanks for cooperating."
—What happens to me now?
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to mention your name to Father. You'll hear from us soon."
—Then I'll wait. And even if I return to the Knights of Light, I don't want to see you again.
"Thanks for saying what I wanted to hear."
—Hmph.
Tibur cut off the communication orb with childish tsks.
As the light faded, she tucked the orb away.
Then she quietly gazed out the carriage window.
I sighed and said.
"Tell me quick."
"What?"
"What you're thinking."
She cautiously turned to me.
"...Is it okay?"
"Yeah."
"But this has nothing to do with you becoming a hero, Maide."
That's when Neril spoke.
"This guy's not Kaild."
"Neril."
"For Maide, prioritizing companions is a given. Worry about yourself instead."
"...?"
"You might learn some shocking truth from this."
"Don't worry. I'm not a kid. When people gather, schemes fly everywhere."
"..."
"Even the Knights of Light, who serve the Heavenly God, aren't immune. I just worry how far up the rot goes."
"..."
"But thanks for worrying. The title Witch of Atrocities really doesn't suit you, Neril. You're a good person."
Neril muttered softly.
"You're a good kid too."
Jenia must not have heard.
Now what to do.
It was already on my mind earlier.
'Yeah, fame aside... keeping Dame and Neril's secret deal hidden while maintaining the party is tough.'
No. Precisely, we could maintain it.
But for our party bonds to grow further, we have to resolve this properly.
A moment later, I made up my mind.
Might as well untangle it all now.
"Where's the territory of Ophelia's last mission?"
"Tot Territory."
"Map."
[I was waiting for that!]
"Here."
I examined the map Jenia handed over.
Trail looked sulky.
'Why sulk over that? Only I can see your map anyway.'
[Who said I was sulking? Where else is there a guy as big-hearted as me?]
'Oh. Right.'
Truth be told, I already knew where Tot Territory was without the map.
I pointed to a spot and said.
"Southern continent."
"Yeah. Pretty far from here..."
Jenia eyed me cautiously.
I smirked and continued.
"Can Agril carry the carriage too?"
"Ah. With Agril's speed, it won't hinder your hero journey at all, Maide!"
"Yeah. But loading a human carriage onto a divine carriage feels kinda blasphemous."
"Who says such nonsense! Agril will understand."
Neril gave an exasperated look.
"Didn't you act all high and mighty about even carrying us at first?"
"Ugh. Well, Agril weakens a bit carrying those without divine power. But I can feed it my divine power to compensate."
"Still, shouldn't we ask him and get permission?"
"Got it. I'll ask."
Jenia leaped onto the carriage roof.
She summoned Agril and soared into the sky in an instant.
We waited a long time.
So long that night deepened and we reached a village.
As we ordered food at the inn and waited, Jenia returned.
"You didn't order without me, right?"
"Talk go well?"
She slumped into a chair.
Then face-planted onto the table.
"I nearly died. It sucked up all my divine power to the bottom."
"..."
"Oh, right. Make mine meat."
So the source of your divine power was meat, huh.