71 Episode 70 "Floating Suspicion and Trust"




 --Geeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 Even though I covered my ears, the shock rushed through my brain.

 It was a monkey scream.

 The surrounding beasts had long since fled, and those that hadn't were already dead.

 It is similar to the scream of a chicken being strangled. A large ape-like beast, its scream is coming from a large cavity in its belly. It can no longer be said to have the outline of a living creature. Hence, a hexenbiest.

 But now, there is some time to escape or face it.

 That loud voice is a threat. It's almost a statement of intent that it has its eyes on its prey and that if it wants to escape, it should do so. It makes no difference to the beast whether it runs or not. It is his habit to enjoy the hunt itself.

 However, since there is probably no other way out, there is no other choice but to go through the territory he has set up.

"...... So, Lugis. Can I shoot now? What about that big mouth? I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to use it.

 Phialat mutters as he condenses magic into the tips of his fingers.

 The wrinkles between her eyebrows indicate that she was probably awakened by the loud noise of the giant monkey. She was in a particularly bad mood when she woke up from sleep, as she had experienced in her life in the poorhouse.

 Her black pointed eyes are about to hit the great ape with a vortex of magic power. Can't we just do something about this bad sleeping habits?

"Hey, wait, you. It's too much for a poor sorcerer like you. Then it's better for the two of us. Hey, why don't we just do it together like before, huh?

 By "like before," do you mean a large, boar-like hexenbiest? I don't think I had much to do with that one.

 Kalia told Fialaert, somewhat boastfully, but in a condescending manner. Fialat's mass of magical power that seemed to want to kill. For a moment, it seemed to point in Kalia's direction.

 I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at Kalia, who leaned on my shoulder as if she didn't care. I could feel my heart beating a little faster.

 I have recently begun to notice that something is wrong with her. Not only Kalia, but also Fialaat.

 There's something in them that I can't quite put my finger on. I knew that there was an unspoken, almost shameful sentiment growing in them.

 Kalia has a burning obsession, and Fialaat has a dependence on someone she can't help but lean on. That's for sure, he thought.

 And there was no doubt in my mind that I would be overjoyed to find those feelings pouring out of me. I shouldn't rejoice. I know I shouldn't twist my cheeks. These are the witches who once trampled and tyrannized over you.

 Isn't it just like a clown to take on the emotions of these people and shake the feelings that have settled deep inside of me?

 Yes, but still... And still, even more so, this body rejoiced in it.

 Even though I knew it was foolish. Once, when Kalia tightened her throat on me, when Fialaat begged me for more words.

 Yes, I, a mere mortal, even took some pleasure in these feelings of near-fondness from these women. What a fool. What an ordinary man.

 --Yeah, but... But lately I've been feeling something strange as well.

 I wonder if I've ever seen Kalia's obsession that burns others to the ground, or Fiorato La Volgograd's dependence that sinks them both.

 No. At least, I've never seen anything like it in my travels.

 Suddenly, I think. I'm wondering if I'm stepping on the wrong board somewhere. And then I suddenly thought that once I'd made a mistake, there would be no more boards.

 This is ridiculous. Even if that were the case, I would just have to force myself to take the next step. Shaking off his thoughts, he threw his voice at Mattia, who was still standing. To tell her how to get rid of the big monkey in front of her.

"My Master. How about I buy them a glass of wine. It'll make them feel better and they might let you off the hook.

 She pointed to a bottle of wine in the back of the carriage, saying in an easygoing voice.

 It was brought in from Garouamaria, originally a gift for the Elven King. The wine, in an unopened cask, is a fine product, not yet overflowing with acidity. If I could, I would drink it myself.

 However, I'm not sure how to describe the look on Mattia's face when I say that. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her cheeks were quivering, and she was blushing slightly. It was as if she was twisting her emotions out of the bottom of her heels for a moment.

I was wrong to give you any warmth at all! You are a fool who cannot be abused with words! If you have time to talk nonsense, go to ......!

 I opened my palm wide and pushed it in front of my mouth, which was now spitting out my emotions. A little sweat ran down his forehead.

 I didn't realize that I could not take a joke like this. It seems that I've been looking at people the wrong way. I had expected him to respond coldly to such a casual remark. He seems to be the type of person who reveals his emotions in spite of his high calculation.



All right, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But I'm not kidding. They can have the wine. That's the best move.

 He slowly withdrew his hand in front of Mattia's slowly calming expression. Then, one by one, he formulated his words as if to say to her.

"That great ape is an oddly greedy type of hexenbiest. When it attacks people, it chases them around, imitates hunting, and likes people's food. And what they can't get enough of is--

"Wine, you mean?

 Fialaert continued with a quizzical look in his dark eyes. The expression on his face was full of questions as to how he knew such a thing.

But that's an undiscovered hexenbiest, isn't it? How do you know such a thing, you know? Right?

 Fialaert's question was perfectly reasonable. If you're going to claim knowledge of the unknown, you should be able to prove it. You can't just throw them out into the wild like you once advised Kalia to do. The color in Mattia's eyes was also that of doubt.

 That's not good. I can't think of any words. There will always be casualties if that great ape fights. Maybe it's the knights guarding him, maybe it's me.

 But they're smart women. I can't simply talk my way out of it, and I don't feel comfortable trying to trick them into believing that they're already dead or alive.

 What should I say? As my tongue wavered in hesitation, a strong voice brushed my ear.

"If you don't believe me, that's fine-- I do, Lugis. I believe you're right.

 I believe you are right." Today, she seemed to want to be good at something. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I don't have any proof either. I don't have any reason to believe that he knew about the new type of hexenbiest. But I'm not going to doubt that now. What about you, sorcerer?

 I could see his silver eyes narrowing as he looked at Fialat. It's a nasty question, I think. I can't help but feel a strange sense of discomfort stroking my chest.

 Fialaat's lips twitched, and her large eyes widened as she met Kalia's gaze, and then she stared right back at me.

 What? What did I do? I didn't do anything. Not giving any room for such excuses, Fialaat opens his mouth. His voice was colored by his emotions.

...... Yeah, okay. Fine. Very well. Believe me when I tell you, ...... you're going to have to explain yourself later, Lugis!

 Fialaat says, liquid pooling at the edges of her dark eyes.

 You'll find a lot of people who'd like to know what's going on. Oh my God. I'm still not used to seeing a woman named Fialaert be so emotionally active. It's all the more so because I know what the future used to be.

 But for better or worse, Fialaat agrees with my idea.

 So now all that's left is the saint. I looked up from my seated position and met the saint's gaze. Her expression was still resentful. It's as if she doesn't want to admit it, as if she doesn't want to take up my proposal.

 She hates me so much. I knew it from his words last night, but when he's so blunt, it still feels like something like life is being forcibly sucked out of my chest. Just as I had once done when I was traveling.

 But whether you like it or not, you'll have to decide sooner or later. The great ape's threats are slowly becoming more subdued. That's a signal that he's ready to take his prey in hand. Their instincts are beginning to override their habit of enjoying the hunt.

 The sound of hoofbeats caused a commotion around us.

"Holy Mary, there's no other road around here that's passable for a wagon. I'm afraid we'll have to push our way through here!

 The words of the knight escort who was on his way to search. That was probably the last push.

"...... is good. Brave man, no Lugis. I'll take your idea. Prepare immediately.

 Mattia's clear voice dropped quietly into the carriage.