Chapter 43 "Arson"

　"I've been wondering since before I left Oratorium..."

The sun was setting, and the town was enveloped in a glowing red. After looking around the stalls, we moved to the south side of the town and were having a meal when the conversation began. While continuing to eat, I looked at her and asked her what she wanted to talk about.

　"What is that weapon? What is it? It looks very strange."

Her eyes turn to my club. 

Oh, this is bothering you?

　"It's a cudgel. I have confidence in my arm strength, to tell you the truth. It's easier to use."

I show her the club I had made from my arm, which was hanging from my waist.　

The shape of the club is similar to a club you would find anywhere, with a slightly thinner handle and a bulging tip.　The only difference is the material.

　The surface of the club is a dark brown color, reproducing the armor of the Death Worm.　

It also has spikes of reduced size.　

In addition, there are several slots on it, and I intend to insert a magic stone into it soon to recreate the makana.

"I was curious because the color and shape are similar to those of the previous monster...."　

"No, you're right. It was made from the outer shell of the monster you saw."　

"Is that so? How did you manage to do that?"

　I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

　"I have a knack for it."

　I was just trying to make it look good.

"Forget about that, have you noticed?"

　It's too much trouble to get into it, so I forcefully change the subject.

　"What are you talking about?"　

"There's been no attack.""......,that's right."

I thought they might come again, judging from the way they were yesterday, but they stopped coming after we left the inn.I was on alert just in case, but there must have been no kind of tailing.

　...How did they know we left the inn?

Or was it simply cancelled? Then we left the inn too soon.

"Or maybe there was no one left to do the work?"

　That's what I'm thinking.

　"But it's hard to imagine they know we're out of the inn."　

"You mean they've been watching us?"　

"Something like that."

　The exact detection capability of Death Worm, let's call it Earth Sonar, is a little more complicated than that.　

I've been using it to periodically check for suspicious activity, but there's been no suspicious response.　

This one has the advantage that unlike the Thermal Detector, it does not act in space, so it is difficult to notice.

　In fact, Heidi was unaware that I was using it.She is not a mage in her own right, but as long as someone who knows magic doesn't notice me at close range, there should be no problem.It is impossible to say that the level of those goons yesterday was higher than Heidi's.

For these reasons, I would assume that tailing is unlikely.Then I'm wondering why there isn't one.It's hard to imagine that it's stopped. The people Heidi beat up are still alive.

　Then why didn't he send them? There's no reason not to send them, given that boy's personality.　

The memories of the people i ate made that clear.

　"Does that mean he's given up?"　

"I wonder."

　I said so, but I was thinking that it was not so inwardly.

　...Then...there is no longer a need to send them?

　Then I realized.Isn't this bad for the old men?　

If not, they might resort to very direct means.

　I wondered what I should do.　

If I could just save them, it wouldn't be too difficult.I don't know if they're going to kidnap the grandchildren or come to destroy the store, but all I have to do is turn the tables on the ones who come.

If I did that, it would be pointless.　

The next day comes the next.　

So how do we get rid of him completely?

　We should get rid of the boy....But if we do that, we'll be making enemies with the lord.　

After that, it's easy.

The country will recognize us as criminals, we'll have our reputation destroyed, and Gnosis will come after us.　

Yeah. No way. It's all risk.If I really wanted to do this, I'd just change my face, but I don't have the guts to do that.

　Well...old man. Good luck with that.

　I'll just pray.I'll keep my mouth shut to Heidi, who is looking at me with a difficult expression on her face.

　"I can't say either way. Well, if they don't come, that's fine with me."　"Well...is that...right?"　

"I don't think it's any of our business to begin with. Instead, starting tomorrow, I'm going to take on a quest to earn some more road money."　

"I understand. I have no objection."

　We've seen most of what we can see in this city.　

It's time to get ready to move on.Truth is, I'm not short on money since I got some money from the goons that sprang up yesterday, but I'd like to raise my adventurer rank enough so I'd like to take on some quests.

　Heidi seemed to be in favor of accepting quests.

　"Now that we have decided on a course of action, let's head back to the inn for the day. We'll be busy tomorrow."　

"I understand. I've never done a quest before, so I'm looking forward to it."

　We both got up and left the restaurant.

　It was Heidi who noticed something was wrong.　

She tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the western sky.　When I looked at her, I saw that part of the sky was bright. To be precise, it was brightened by something.

　I don't need to check to see if it's a fire.　

If I listened carefully, I could hear the noise of the residents.　

If that's all, I let it go lightly, but the problem is the direction in which the fire is burning.

　What? That little boy is going to do this much?

　"Oh no..."

　Heidi also seems to have noticed. She ran out without looking at me.　

After I confirm that Heidi is out of sight, I check the surroundings and enter the alley.　

As soon as I enter, I use . I climb onto the roof of a nearby building and crawl.

I am moving quickly along the street, and soon I can see my destination.I lower my gaze and catch a glimpse below. A knight in armor is blocking the road.

　...Blocked off, huh?

I land on top of a building a short distance from my destination.

　"...... how dare you."

　An unintentional voice leaked out.　

The Golden Thread Pavilion was engulfed in flames.　

From the looks of it, this is no ordinary fire. The building was completely engulfed in flames.　

Probably, after spreading oil, the building was burned by fire magic.

　There were several dead bodies lying around the building.One of them was the old man. In all, nearly ten people were dead, but did he kill that many single-handedly?　

I knew there was something about that old man, but he was really strong.

　So, what was that thing?

A short distance away, I saw that boy leaving with the Knight of the Holy Temple who was surrounding him.　

What's he doing there? No, I know why, right?　

That's it, isn't it? He wanted to see the inn burning down, right?

　You shouldn't show your face.I guess it's not a problem, because he has the Knights blockading the area, but don't you have any sense of urgency about that?　

Oh, you don't because you're an idiot.

　After the little boy disappeared completely from my sight, I let out a sigh and jumped off the building.

　I don't know how to quiet Heidi down....

　I thought about that until I landed on my feet.

His words made me - Heidi - speechless with surprise.

　"Is it true?"

　I could hear my voice trembling.

　"Oh, the Golden Thread Pavilion was on fire."

"Trust and the others..."　

"At least the old man was dead. I didn't see the others, but I'm afraid..."

He looked down without any strength.　

It was just a few minutes ago. On the way back to the inn with him, I saw the sky light up.　

The direction and the way it lit up immediately made me think of the Golden Thread Pavilion, and I found myself moving my feet.

　I hurried to the Golden Thread Pavilion, but a knight blocked the road on the way, so I could not go any further.After that, I returned to my room and he began to tell me what had happened to the Golden Thread Pavilion.

He told me that the son of the lord had attacked the inn with a large force.By the time he arrived, everything was over and the inn was completely burned down, leaving behind the dead bodies of the outlaws whom the lord's son had apparently hired and Mr. Trust.

　"I knew we should not have changed lodgings."

"Then there would have been two more corpses."

　He dismissed my regrets with a simple smile.

　"I might have been able to fight them off, but it would have been impossible to protect the inn."

　That doesn't mean I'm convinced.　He continues, not caring about me.

　"Listen. If we had helped, the old men might not have died. I know I've said something like this before, but I'll repeat it. You are not wrong in wanting to help. But how responsible are you for the lives of those old men? Or are you going to let it pass because of your good intentions?"

He snorted.

　"Suppose you saved them this time. What are you going to do next? Defeat the boy? Sure, that might save the inn. But our life is over. As long as we fought with the lord, we will be hunted as criminals. I'm telling you, it wasn't just the Knights. It was the Knights of the Holy Temple who were escorting him. The Gnosis, having lost face, will also send assassins. Until we die, of course."

He let out a light breath and added, "It's only if we can break through the Holy Knights."

"That's the reason why I didn't support them. But... no, that's fine. It's done"

I let out a sigh and closed my mouth.He probably has her own thoughts about Golden Thread Pavilion He said no more.

What he says is true. Sadly.

Actually, he didn't raise a single objection.

In the end, what he's trying to say is that if you're going to save someone, you should be prepared to take the corresponding risk.

I didn't understand.

Why did Trust-san and the others have to die? I wonder why the lord's son could do such a thing without hesitation.

Why, why, why. I couldn't come up with an answer.

"So? What are you going to do tomorrow?"

he changed the subject.

Is it possible that he's taking care of me?

"Um...?"

"If it's hard for you to stay in this city, why don't we either accept the escort quest for the merchants or arrange a carriage to move to another city?"

He seems to be taking care of me.He's kind of kind at times like this.

...it's not good to be spoiled.

"No, it's okay. I'll adapt. Let's take on quests in this town tomorrow."

He nodded with a slightly relieved expression.

"Understood. From tomorrow let's do our best."

"Me too"

I decided to take a rest for today when the story was settled.

I still feel something stuck in my chest, but I swallow it and lie down.

He also glanced at me then he lay down and closed his eyes.

I tell him "good night" and close my eyes.

...Let's try not to think too much on today's affairs as much as possible.

Just like that, I fell asleep.