Ch.120Chapter 120

Hmm.

How did it come to this?

I was definitely wandering around the marketplace with Aghartha before going to the library.

I was feeling a bit hungry and looking for a decent restaurant.

Just as I was about to enter a place with good menu items, pleasant aromas, and a well-maintained appearance.

That’s when I ran into The Huntsman.

Or did I really run into her?

Perhaps I fell victim to some elaborate psychological warfare?

Either way, The Huntsman was sitting there eating as if nothing was unusual, with a completely different atmosphere than before.

No, this is strange no matter how I think about it!

She may have said she doesn’t have trauma about being female, but isn’t this sudden change a bit much?

Then why was she always wrapped up so tightly before?

The only explanation is that she was completely committed to a concept, right?

…Sure, she said those clothes served as protective gear, but how do you explain wearing them even during rest times?!

“…Hmm?”

Snap.

I was glancing at The Huntsman with reproachful eyes when she suddenly raised her eyebrows questioningly, causing me to quickly look away.

Would that cold-blooded person even understand what I’m feeling?

I was glad that in this life, apart from The Princess, there weren’t many people with such revealing outfits, but suddenly seeing this, I don’t know where to put my eyes.

“Aren’t you cold? Near the marketplace where the braziers don’t reach, such indecent attire must be quite chilly.”

Aghartha calmly delivered a cutting remark to The Huntsman.

Good job!

That’s right, Aghartha.

Coming to a chilly area dressed like that shows such obvious intentions.

But The Huntsman carefully put a bite of food in her mouth, chewed slowly, swallowed, and then said:

“Shut up, half-Outer God. You’re quite brazen for someone who betrayed her mother and chose a man.”

Crack.

I could almost hear the sound of a vein popping on Aghartha’s forehead.

Maybe it was just my imagination…?

Truly, this is what they mean by different words, different meanings.

To summarize Aghartha’s past actions in such a way.

That sentence perfectly reflected The Huntsman’s characteristic of ruthlessly tearing someone down when looking down on them.

“Um, Huntsman. That’s a bit…”

“Yes, exactly. I was sick of it. Isn’t it better than being lost in delusions of dreams, losing your mind, and pouncing on someone without their consent?”

…No, Aghartha.

I thought you couldn’t say such harsh things, but this seems even more severe than what The Huntsman said?

The Huntsman, who had been quietly eating, stopped and slowly raised her head.

“What? Are you looking for a fight?”

“You started it first.”

Both maintained perfectly calm expressions, but the atmosphere between them was more ominous than anything.

Why are these people fighting at the dinner table!

“P-please calm down…”

At my words, both of them turned their gazes toward me simultaneously.

I flinched for a moment, but contrary to their aggressive attitudes, they both blinked once and then returned to their meals.

I had spoken out of fear that their conflict might spill over to me, but why did they comply so easily?

I was puzzled at first, but soon realized.

They were still glaring at each other without letting me notice.

The second act of their league had already begun without my knowledge.

…Ugh, I’m going to get indigestion.

#

After quickly finishing our meal, we headed to the library.

It seemed The Huntsman wasn’t lying about having business there, as she immediately began wandering around the bookshelves, keeping her distance from us.

“Lord Tanthyn.”

“Yes.”

When the librarian called me, I approached, and he slightly frowned while pointing at The Huntsman.

“Please tell that person to dress properly. She’ll catch a cold.”

“…Yes.”

I had much to say, but it was a natural concern from an observer’s perspective, so I didn’t bother.

Still, the librarian seemed quite open-minded for not commenting on how provocatively she was dressed.

I wonder how surprised this librarian would be if he knew she was The Huntsman who goes berserk at the sight of Outer Gods.

For the sake of his heart, which might stop if he knew, I decided not to give him the red pill.

Aghartha blankly looked around at the surrounding bookshelves.

Before, she always kept her eyes downcast while acting as my maid, but seeing her eyes now filled with curiosity made me feel pleased.

“If there’s a book you want to read, feel free to check it out?”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Since you’re a half-Outer God, you won’t get eye-poisoned from reading books written by Outer Gods, right?”

Aghartha chuckled lightly at my joke meant to lighten the mood.

Yes, this is why we came out.

The atmosphere earlier had been too tense.

After Aghartha left to find a book to read, I headed to my usual spot to do what I needed to do.

There, as always, I could see the saint stacking books and researching something.

Perhaps sensing my approaching footsteps, the saint paused and looked up.

“Oh, Lord Tanthyn!”

As the saint stood up with great delight, I waved my hands frantically for him to remain seated.

The saint sat back down as I quickly took a seat across from him.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, well. I briefly became a fugitive, but somehow survived.”

“Ah, you mean those rebels? I was very surprised when I heard the news. Anyway, how dare those ignorant people slander Lord Tanthyn. The Huntsman, was it? I’ve been grateful for his protection of Rondan all this time, but this incident was so absurd it made me want to curse.”

“Sh-shh!”

I was startled by the saint suddenly badmouthing The Huntsman and tried to quiet him down.

But the saint became even more agitated and raised his voice.

“No, don’t you agree! Lord Tanthyn was only dealing with Outer Gods for the sake of humanity. What was your ultimate goal? Wasn’t it to stop the Giant of the Snow Mountain and save humanity? How dare they call someone walking such a sacred path of chivalry a traitor! I cannot forgive this!”

Hey, I told you to be quiet, but you’re getting even more worked up!

I was looking around nervously, afraid The Huntsman might have heard, when—

“Raedan Tanthyn.”

Startled by the voice coming from nearby, I turned around to find The Huntsman looking down at me with indifferent eyes.

I barely managed to suppress a yelp.

“Y-yes?! What is it?”

“Where are the books on information?”

“Ah, probably over there. I think I saw history books in that section.”

“I see.”

After saying that, The Huntsman surprisingly left our table without another word.

Is… is that fortunate?

“Lord Tanthyn? Who was that woman just now?”

“Shh!”

Oh, come on!

Why is this person being so oblivious today of all days!

“Ah, and one more thing.”

Eek.

The Huntsman suddenly stopped, turned her head slightly, and looked at us.

As if entranced, the saint and I simultaneously looked at The Huntsman.

“If you cannot forgive me, then come at me. I’ll take you on anytime.”

The Huntsman looked at us with a playful smile and then continued on her way.

…Is that how she always smiled when joking with me?

Despite her harsh words, I somehow found myself mesmerized by her beauty.

But the saint’s impression seemed quite different from mine.

“L-L-Lord Tanthyn.”

“Yes?”

“I might be misunderstanding, but I must ask just in case.”

The saint turned to me with trembling hands.

“Could it be that person is The Huntsman’s sister?”

“Well… surprisingly, that is The Huntsman herself.”

“AAAAAAHHH!”

And then I witnessed it.

How a person’s firmly established beliefs crumble when forcibly shattered.

And what happens when someone realizes their thoughtless remarks were heard by the most dangerous person possible.

The saint transformed into a quadrupedal creature.

There was no other way to describe it.

“Please maintain silence in the library.”

…Surprisingly, the librarian returned to his seat without commenting on this bizarre behavior.

#

“…Can I trust Lord Tanthyn?! Was that really a joke?!”

“Yes, usually when The Huntsman speaks like that, it’s only when she’s joking.”

I tried to calm the saint based on my experiences so far.

To say something offensive to The Huntsman, who slaughters Outer Gods—from an ordinary person’s perspective, it would be suicidal.

The saint, finally calming down with a sigh, returned to his usual deep gaze.

“Whew, I never imagined The Huntsman was a woman. It’s unbelievable.”

“Well, I was just as surprised.”

Especially since the first time I saw her was when she was naked.

Ahem.

I shook my head left and right to chase away the memory that kept resurfacing.

“So, what brings Lord Tanthyn here today?”

“Ah, I have a few more questions to ask.”

“You’re always welcome, Lord Tanthyn. What are you curious about?”

Hmm.

While I’m curious about how to become stronger right away, I should start with lighter questions.

“Um, well.”

Come to think of it, should I avoid being too direct?

It should be fine to phrase it a bit indirectly.

“Is it possible for an Outer God to appear as an ordinary person?”

I thought this would be a simple question that could be answered in a sentence or two, but—

“…Sigh. Lord Tanthyn. So you’ve finally reached that point.”

The answer I received from the saint suggested this would be anything but simple.