Chapter 39: Like a Cirsium VIII (1/2)

【55th day】

I took a quick nap in a corner of the city. The spot I chose was under the small bridge where the sisters used to sleep. It felt as if I could still feel their warmth.

So that the story would be consistent afterwards, I didn’t sleep in an inn.

While I was awake, I tried my best not to let my emotions influence me too much. I didn’t want to waste my stamina.

I checked my equipment.

One Lycan bow. One Deep Emperor Bone harpoon. 15 normal arrows. One hunting knife. One longsword, which was a keepsake of Irvin. One karambit. Modern combat uniform, poncho made from aramid fibers, army boots reinforced with metal. Heures’ hand protector. Fishmen’s coral necklace. And, various kinds of devices that were linked to the Makina system.

It would have been great if I could have at least prepared Misuranika arrows, but due to recent market fluctuations, Misuranika gold coins were valued at 80 normal gold coins each, so it was impossible for me to buy them using the money I had on hand.

I thought of borrowing the money from the merchant company, but I couldn’t come into contact with anyone at the moment. So I gave up.

Presently, I was consuming portable food. I held bread that was as hard as stone in my mouth along with water, and then swallowed after the water had softened it. I took a few small bites of cheese, and then savored the dried meat as I chewed it thoroughly.

There was nothing to do but wait once I had finished eating.

I concealed myself in the shadows, as if I was waiting for prey.

It was still early in the morning.

I wasn’t necessarily drowsy, but I closed my eyes to concentrate.

Irvin’s face in his last moments sprang to my mind.

I bit my lip and forced the darkness to retreat.

I rapped the cobbles with the karambit and beat out a constant rhythm.

With that, I gradually grew calmer.

I took a deep, deep breath, and then exhaled it slowly.

As I did that repeatedly, my mind became empty.

The hustle and bustle of the city sounded distant. In addition, I could hear the sounds of an animal. A stray dog? A low growl was getting louder as it came closer. Right, beside, my ear,

『Report』

I heard the hustle and bustle of the city clearly. Before I knew it, I had blacked out. It appeared that I had fallen asleep.

It was almost noon.

「What happened?」

I listened to Izora's report.

『Ryutetto-sama’s two remaining party members have been killed. The crimes are believed to have been committed last night』

I had expected that.

I had even warned them through Otou-san. That was the most I could do for them.

「Was it Varner that did it?」

『Unknown. Subject was under surveillance, but hasn’t left his inn. He acted in an inexplicable manner in the middle of the night, but there isn’t enough information to tell if it’s relevant』

「Show me the video」

『Understood』

I watched the video from a bug drone that had been assigned to watch him. In the middle of the night, the window was opened from the inside. The wind that blew into the room made the curtains and Varner’s cloak flutter.

「Show me a video from another angle」

『Understood』

I couldn’t see his hand because his cloak and the curtains were in the way.

「Switch to infrared」

『Understood』

The video changed into a black and white image showing the heat given off. I went back to where the window was about to be opened and waited for a brief moment. I let the video play.

I watched until the window was closed again.

It was unclear.

I was unable to observe anything of note.

『Video ended』

「Save it for later」

Nothing was coming to my mind.

『Luxgaru is writing the letter right now. Displaying the letter』

An image showing the present was displayed. Luxgaru was writing on a small scroll used for sending messages.

『Digitalizing and enlarging image』

There was no need to check the entire message. I was able to read the rest of the message from the opening paragraph.

『Team member Souya, what’s the matter?』

「It’s nothing」

I had laughed spontaneously. I hid the twisted shape of my mouth by pulling up the poncho.

This was what the message roughly said:

Sanperie・Godoru, knight-companion of the hero.

Irvin・Foz・Gasim, former・knight of St. Lyridias.

These two had been collaborating with the black elf and were planning the downfall of the allied nation of Lemuria, but they were stopped by Varner・Kalbezzo.

Harsh interrogation of the Godoru family and Arianne・Foz・Gasim is hereby requested.

「Is that so?」

It’s such a strange thing.

Even though the moral education classes teach that even the worst kind of trash has at least a shred of this thing called the “goodwill of humans”, not once have I ever seen something like that. Trash would be trash until the end. Even though there were times when I had the mistaken idea that things were different, the essence stays the same. People do not change. Just like how I haven’t changed.

Even though I had been dropped into an alternate world, had met party members and have people that I should protect, my essence hasn’t changed.

Just as I had expected, the negotiation had not turned out well.

Now, what’s left is only to take revenge like a cirsium.

The shadow rabbit that I had for dinner was very delicious.

I ate it after I had salted it lightly and cooked it over a fire. It was bony, but it was extremely tasty because of its delicate fat that wasn’t greasy in the mouth. I would have loved to fry it if I had the time.

I wasn’t in a position where I could afford to be picky at the moment.

After the sun had fully set, I got started.

My destination was Varner’s location.

Avoiding the main streets, I went from back alley to back alley. From corner to corner, just like a rat.

Without knowing why, I was afraid of the lights. I had the feeling that my head would go flying if I were to be exposed under one.

The circumstances of Ryutetto’s party members’ deaths were as follows:

One was stabbed to death while lying on a bed in the healing temple. The window was broken for some reason. There were no witnesses.

The other died near the outer walls of the city. Also stabbed to death. There were signs of battle. Several of the party member’s equipment were damaged. It was not clear what the party member fought against. There were no traces of an enemy, not even footprints.

I searched the surroundings. There were no people around. I hid myself in shadows that were thicker than night.

I called Makina using the communications function.

『Souya-san, everyone is worried』

Those were her first words once we were connected.

I couldn’t help what couldn’t be helped.

「Makina, how’s it going with the thing I asked for?」

『It’s been completed. It can be moved at any time』

「Deploy the high-altitude observation drones. Hand over the control of the drones to Izora, and once she specifies the location, bring “that” along with you to the location. Leave it there, and then return to the camp and stand by」

『Understood. Souya-san, please contact Rana-sama. Makina believes that she is very worried about you』

「………………Got it」

『Can Makina ask for just one more thing?』

「Uh-huh, what is it?」

『Souya-san, please undergo a medical check as soon as possible. Makina believes that you’ve received the report from Izora already, but if your genetic information continues to change, we’ll have no choice but to revoke your user registration. Makina and Izora will become unable to see you with our recognition capabilities. The cause must be identified immediately. Please undergo the medical check』

「Understood」

I was told repeatedly what I already knew. That probably showed how important it was. Only, that wasn’t the priority right now.

『The preparations will be made without delay. Please don't forget what Makina said, alright?』

「Yeah」

The communication with Makina was cut off.

I called Izora.