Chapter 38: Who are you?

Carl and Franz proceeded along the path of light, passing through the forest and arriving at a square.

The square had a large house made of logs and a small garden next to it, with the grass and trees neatly trimmed.

“A big house in a forest like this?”

“I don’t think anyone lives nearby, so maybe she built it alone.”

In the midst of a forest overflowing with monsters, they couldn’t understand how it was built. As the two approached the house cautiously, the front door opened and Noemi appeared.

“Who are you?”

“…Who are you?”

As Noemi looked down at the two and spoke, Carl questioned her, unable to recognize her true identity.

“…Hm? Wait a minute. I feel like I’ve seen the scruffy beard somewhere… Ah, I remember. You’re Carl, right?”

Noemi looked at Carl’s face and something clicked in her memory, reminding her that he was Carl, someone she had teamed up with before.

“Yes, but who are you?”

However, Carl frowned, still unable to recognize Noemi.

“…Ah, right. I completely forgot.”

Forgetting that her facial burn scars had disappeared, Noemi shifted her left hair to partially cover her face. Carl finally realized it was Noemi.

“Do you know who I am now?”

“You… are you Abyss?”

Carl was surprised as he looked at Noemi’s face. Behind her, Franz was captivated by her beauty and attire, his mouth half-open in awe.

“I don’t like that nickname.”

“That doesn’t matter! What about the burn scars on your face?”

Noemi frowned at being called a disliked nickname. Unfazed by her reaction, Carl asked her a question.

“Can’t you see? They’re healed.”

“…It’s not your usual illusion technique, huh?”

“No, it’s different.”

“I see… But still, I’m surprised. Without the burn scars, you’re incredibly beautiful.”

“No matter how much you flatter me, it won’t change anything. So, is the person behind you your son?”

“Oh? You figured it out?”

“After hearing so much about your family.”

Despite Carl’s scruffy appearance, he was actually quite devoted to his family. He had a habit of boasting about his family to the point of annoyance during drinking sessions, and Noemi was one of the victims.

“This is Franz, my third son. He resembles me. He’s a novice adventurer, but he has talent in magic and has a promising future.”

“N-Nice to meet you. I-I’m Franz!”

Carl introduced Franz, who had been standing behind him, stumbling over his words as he bowed to Noemi.

“I’m glad he doesn’t look like Carl. So, what brings you here today?”

“I have a letter from the village chief at the entrance of the forest. Also, Nina has fallen ill and is suffering. I remember you knew more about illnesses than doctors. Please, I beg you to help Nina.”

Upon hearing Carl’s request, Noemi frowned. Nina… She had been considerate of her in many ways. Although she didn’t want anyone to enter her house, Nina, Carl’s wife, was one of the few friends who treated her kindly despite her scarred face.

Moreover, Noemi owed her a favor from their adventurer days, so she wanted to help if possible.

“Understood. I can’t refuse if it’s for Nina’s sake. First, I want to hear about her symptoms, so I’ll let you in. I’ll at least make some tea.”

Noemi informed the two and entered the house.

“I’m sorry and thank you for helping. Franz, let’s go inside.”

“Y-Yes.”

When Carl and Franz followed Noemi into the living room, they were amazed by its spaciousness and looked around the room.

“Don’t stare around other people’s houses like that. It’s rude,” Noemi complained, and for some reason, she glared at Carl.

“Abyss, in a forest where no one lives, having such a luxurious house and furniture. How can I not be surprised?” Carl retorted, and Noemi recalled feeling the same way when she first entered his house, causing her to smile wryly.

“Don’t shout in someone else’s house. Instead of standing there dumbfounded, sit on the sofa,” Noemi urged, and the two sat on the sofa as instructed.

Then, they were surprised by the springiness of the sofa, its elasticity catching them off guard.

Franz had been curious to meet the witch Abyss, but at the same time, he also felt fear. The rumors he had heard about Noemi were that she was an ugly witch with half her face burned, who enjoyed slaughter and mercilessly killed thousands of people, commanding numerous monsters. She was said to have a cruel and brutal personality, and if one even slightly provoked her, it meant certain death.

However, upon actually meeting her, Franz noticed that she had no burn scars on her face. She was an intellectual beauty, and her attire was somewhat provocative. Despite her seemingly unhappy demeanor, when she spoke with her father, Noemi seemed like an ordinary woman, and he couldn’t imagine her having a cruel personality.

Moreover, Noemi wasn’t actually in a bad mood; she was just cautious, fearing that her secret about the house and Rudy would be revealed.

After receiving the village chief’s letter from Carl, Noemi crossed her legs and adjusted herself. Her slit skirt shifted, revealing a glimpse of her thigh.

The prevailing underwear style for women on this planet was drawers that covered half of the thigh.

Don’t look! Franz, in the midst of puberty, blushed intensely and quickly averted his gaze.

In the direction of his diverted gaze, behind the kitchen counter, Rudy and Solaris, who had half of their faces peeking out, made eye contact with them, as if eavesdropping.

“…Who’s there?” Franz noticed them, and the two quickly tried to hide, but it was already too late; they were caught red-handed.

“Hmm?” Noemi followed Franz’s gaze and heard hushed voices coming from behind the kitchen counter.

“…We’ve been found.”

“That’s why I said we should hide in the basement.”

“But I’m curious, I can’t help it.”

“If we’re discovered, it will be a disaster.”

“Besides, it’s your fault for letting them into the house.”

The voices of the two gradually grew louder, catching not only Noemi and Franz’s attention but also Carl’s.

“Hey, Abyss. Who are those two?” Carl asked, but Noemi didn’t answer. Instead, she covered her head with her hands and let out a deep sigh.