Ihoujin, Dungeon ni Moguru

Chapter 39: Like a Cirsium VIII

【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.

『Yes, it’s me. What’s the matter?』

「Is Rana there? I want to get in contact with her」

『I’m very sorry. Rana-sama is not nearby. I’ll connect you to her communication device, alright?』

「Please do」

Izora’s voice was cut off, and the ringing tone of a call could be heard.

It was answered on the second ring.

『Onii-san! Hey, what have you been doing until now?! Every――』

Bel answered noisily.

『Hey! Souya! What about Irvin?!』

Shuna answered and there was the sound of a blow, or rather, the sound of scuffling.

『Onii-chan, are you okay?』

「I’m okay, sorry to have worried you」

Ea answered.

『It’s fine then. I’m scared, so I’m putting Onee-chan on the line, alright?』

You’re scared?!

『Dear』

Her penetratingly cold voice was really scary. If she sang a nursery rhyme with that voice, all of the children would cry.

「Rana, umm………………err」

I shouldn’t have called after all.

The thing that had accumulated inside me in various ways had come loose and was slipping away. I started wanting to throw it all away and run away with her right now. Even though I knew better than anyone that it was a bad idea, I still wavered.

「I’ll send you a message tomorrow. ………I may be a little late, but definitely」

Those were the words that I had done my utmost to put together.

I had endured it.

I could still protect my pride by not wavering. I was able to meet those girls only because I was me. What would changing that accomplish?

『Okay, I’ll be waiting』

「Thank you」

I cut off the communication.

This should be perfect for now.

「Aah~ I’m so glad. If you hadn’t contacted Rana-san right then, I was about to knock you out and bring you to her」

「Huh?」

I was surprised by an unexpected voice.

A stranger was hiding in the shadows just like me.

「Zenobia?」

I hadn’t recognized her and had ended up taking a stance against her because she was dressed differently. She didn’t have her staff and she wasn’t wearing her usual witch hat and robes. Her hair had been gathered up and she had a black muffler around her neck. She had on a skin-tight black bodysuit, and a jacket with a knife holster and pouches for medicines. She had a bowgun on her back and bolts slotted on a belt fastened around her thigh.

She looked just like a thief.

「Here you go. You need this, right?」

『Good evening, team member Souya』

She handed Izora to me.

「Ye, yeah. Thanks」

I accepted the mini-pod.

「I’m sorry for surprising you, alright? To tell the truth, I’m not a magician. I’m a spy」

「Huh?」

I was surprised for a second time in quick succession.

「One that specializes in the knights of St. Lyridias, you see? Though I should mention that my employer isn’t Elysium. Don’t get me wrong, alright? I have nothing to do with the hero-sama that you’re trying to pick a fight with」

「Huh, in that case, what the heck is going on?」

Question marks were popping up in great numbers.

「My job is to report it to my employer if I see any signs of the beasts. It’s that kind of job」

「Wait, hang on a minute, Zenobia, does that mean that you were with us in order to keep an eye on Irvin?」

「That’s right~, is what I want to say, but it’s not like I’m the only spy. There are more than a few lurking in Lemuria. The lineage of the beast hunters must be monitored. There’s no way such a dangerous bunch can be left alone, right?」

I gripped the handle of my hunting knife with a sweaty hand.

「Why are you telling me this?」

Is she going to silence me?

「It’s because it’s the right time」

Her tone was half-laughing and half-sad.

Perhaps she had gone through some sort of special training or something, but I felt something mechanical in her expression.

Did I get flustered needlessly, I wonder?

「The person that I’m supposed to keep an eye on is dead. The reason for me to stay in your party has disappeared. I usually disguise myself as a corpse and disappear. But I won’t be able to fool Makina, Izora, and your eyes easily, am I right? So I came to have an honest talk with you. At any rate, today is the last day that I’ll use this face and name」

「You’re kidding, right?」

「What is telling such a lie going to accomplish?」

Huh, you’re kidding.

Then………………Is Zenobia also going to disappear from the party?

「Wa, wait. Please wait. Let’s put this problem aside for now, please」

「No way. If I miss this timing, I’ll gradually end up staying in this party. I mean, Shuna, Bel, Ea, and Rana, they’re adorable. In all likelihood, after you challenge the hero-sama to a reckless fight and get torn limb from limb, I’ll end up lending those girls that you left behind a hand. That’s no good. That would mean changing my way of life. Despite everything, I’m really good at what I do. I also find this job rewarding. It’s a job where the world is at risk unless someone does it.

But the one time when I got a shock was during the party’s self-introductions, I suppose. As might be expected from the deeply insightful Rasta・Oru・Razva. He kept me in check by talking about assassins in a roundabout way. I had a tough time clearing up the misunderstanding」

She was being much more talkative than usual.

It felt like she talking a lifetime’s worth.

I desperately searched for something to say.

Oh, but.

Nothing.

「Hey, leader. If I said, for instance, that my condition for staying in the party is for you to have nothing to do with Lyridias from now on, will you comply?」

「That’s impossible. Those guys framed Irvin. Irvin’s friend too. Someone has to pay the price for that. If I don’t avenge my friend and live my life quietly from now on, I’ll be the same as livestock」

It’s what I had decided.

I’ve no intention of changing it.

「That’s what I thought. I knew it」

I understood very clearly what she wanted to convey.

Both of us had things that we weren’t going to change. Our paths had ended up diverging. I doubted that they would ever cross again.

「I haven’t told the other kids about Irvin. That’s the leader’s job, isn’t it? But I’m sure that it’s something that you don’t have to worry about. That’s it, that’s already it」

「Yeah, Zenobia. Thank you. It was fun while it lasted」

「I had fun too」

She circled her arms around my waist and pulled me close.

Our lips met.

The smell of woman and medicine filled my nose.

We were pressed together only for a brief moment, but in just that moment, I felt the exquisite technique of a skilled professional.

「The next time we pass each other in this city, me and you, you and me, we won’t see each other. A faceless spy is anyone and no one. Bye~」

She flourished her muffler in front of my eyes, blocking my sight. When I swept it aside, there was no one there.

Only me, alone in the shadows of the city.

There was none of the atmosphere of a parting.

I never saw Zenobia of Fosterk ever again.

Second bombshell in a row exploded. So you thought that her hand was shaking from the alcohol back in chapter 7, huh? And well… that last line was REALLY specific, wasn’t it? Was it a shock though, or was the normal Zenobia a character who didn’t leave much of an impression? Either way, that’s the second person to leave the party in a very short amount of time. Will the party be able to recover from the loss of 2 members? And hilariously, did she count Shuna as one of “those girls” that Souya left behind?

A mini-mystery here though, how did Varner kill Ryutetto’s party members? But looks like Luxgaru is as scummy as Varner and Souya’s negotiations/blackmail has failed. Btw, the fact that author doesn’t simply write that Souya shot down the rabbit to prevent Luxgaru’s letter from reaching Elysium, but implied it through Souya just happening to eat a shadow rabbit right after is so this author’s style.

Well, with the consecutive bombshells, we’ve actually finished the penultimate chapter of the arc. Next chapter will be the ending of this arc and it’s gonna be a long ride. I’m gonna try to keep it whole though because it’s a key chapter of this entire series. Don’t miss how this arc ends! It’s the beginning of everything!