Ch.63Chapter 63. Catch Two Rabbits in Gillesman, the City of Lament

Lin didn’t want to resort to that cliché line about waking up to an unfamiliar ceiling.

But when he awoke unpleasantly to the sizzling heat and murmurs penetrating through the walls, he found himself muttering involuntarily:

“An unfamiliar ceiling… no, it’s the sky?”

Blue.

A blue sky.

The irritatingly clear weather annoyed him.

Just waking up from sleep yet feeling angry and irritated—that was exactly his current state.

“You awake?”

A beautiful woman with violet hair blocked the sky.

Even looking up from below, her face remained adorably flawless.

But Lin only felt awkward.

“Would you mind moving aside?”

“Okay.”

As Lin sat up, he realized he had been resting his head on Tigria’s lap.

The mage’s pure, clear eyes scrutinizing his every move continued to bother him.

Lin suddenly realized that he had been much more comfortable around Lucia than the other party members.

Though she could be troublesome at times, Lucia followed him attentively.

Despite repeatedly apologizing and seeming at a loss, she had never made him feel uncomfortable, just occasionally frustrated.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Well… I’m not used to receiving this kind of attention.”

“You talked just fine with Luciena.”

“I was awkward even right after saving Lucia.”

“You feel awkward with me?”

“Don’t you think so?”

“I don’t understand why. Is it because I was once hostile toward Luciena?”

Lin quietly observed her, then stood up completely while dusting off his pants.

Sand had accumulated all over his trousers.

“Well, that’s…”

The porter felt a familiar sensation but also a sense of dissonance toward her persistent questioning.

“You never really cared about me before, did you?”

*Throb*

Strangely, Tigria felt a pang in her chest when she heard those words.

—

“Ah, finally regained consciousness. It’s been a full day.”

Tigria explained that she had hastily cast a random teleport spell.

As a result, they were transported to a ruin filled with sand, where explorers who had been researching the area discovered the mage holding the unconscious Lin.

The expedition leader was a middle-aged man with a magnificent mustache.

His well-defined muscles and perfectly tanned skin enhanced his masculinity.

“At first I thought some dormant monster in the ruins had awakened, but fortunately, it was a mage. This is truly lucky for both you and us.”

It was a common scenario—if teleport coordinates went wrong, body parts could overlap with objects and be severed.

Luckily, both Lin and Tigria had teleported relatively safely without such accidents.

The explorers who found them were initially wary, but quickly welcomed them after Tigria demonstrated a simple spell.

There was, of course, a reason why these typically exclusive explorers were so hospitable.

“For the past few weeks, our members have been dying one by one every night.”

The expedition leader said with a serious expression while stroking his mustache.

“And the dead members were all dried up like mummies, with all their blood completely gone.”

The mage flinched at those words.

Lin could easily guess the culprit.

Denarua.

The dual-wielding swordswoman of the Dragon Knight party, who was also a vampire, was clearly hiding in these ruins.

It wasn’t a difficult prediction.

In the memories of the reincarnated Mr. Lee, all boss characters appearing from this map onward were fixed.

Originally, the reckless attack on the imperial palace happened due to Rinasien’s unilateral decision in the story, and the mage teleporting with the porter was also a guaranteed event as long as certain conditions were met.

And the episode following this teleport event was crucial for both Lin and Tigria.

“I have a request. Judging by the condition of the bodies, this isn’t a simple physical monster. It’s definitely magical in nature.”

In short, he meant: since we found and protected you, please solve this serial murder case happening in our expedition.

Contrary to Lin’s expectation that she would take the initiative, Tigria glanced at him sideways and waited.

With no choice, Lin accepted the request himself.

“Very well. In exchange, please allow us to explore the ruins. The monster didn’t appear out of nowhere—we need to examine the ruins to find its origin.”

“Of course. And while you’re at it, I’d also like you to guard our members.”

When Lin shook the expedition leader’s extended hand, the man deliberately applied pressure, trying to test him.

But Lin was, after all, the porter of the hero’s party.

He matched the pressure with equal force, causing the smile to fade from the expedition leader’s face.

“Are you two lovers?”

What should he answer?

In truth, the answer was predetermined.

Just as Lin was about to give the correct response, Tigria beat him to it.

“Yes. We are lovers.”

“Oh, I had a feeling about that since you two arrived alone.”

Lin shot her a bewildered glance, but Tigria continued to stare at the expedition leader impassively.

Actually, her expressionless eyes betrayed a hint of anxiety.

“You make a lovely couple.”

The expedition leader’s grin twisted his magnificent mustache grotesquely.

This meant that Tigria had given the wrong answer.

“Captain!”

A freckled, orange-haired girl rushed into the tent from outside.

After saluting, the girl startled slightly as she noticed the newcomers.

However, there was a strange hostility in her gaze.

“What is it?”

“Oh, yes! We’ve discovered a new chamber in the ruins!”

“That’s excellent news! Linna, well done. Let’s have dinner together later.”

“Really?!”

She seemed overjoyed at the mere prospect of dinner.

Knowing the reason, Lin frowned.

“Would you two care to join us?”

“That’s fine.”

“Thank you for the offer, but since the murders occur every night, we should begin our investigation this very evening.”

“How dependable! I’ll be counting on you.”

The freckled girl seemed displeased by their refusal, but conversely, the expedition leader appeared relieved.

It wasn’t because they were short on food.

He simply preferred Tigria’s rejection.

After leaving the expedition leader’s tent, they surveyed their surroundings.

Tents and shelters scattered across the sandy beach.

Before them stood a large, partially ruined palace.

The expedition was investigating the remains of this ancient royal palace.

Up to this point, they seemed no different from explorers seeking ancient mysteries in Efaltergae, but Lin had already noticed three peculiarities.

First, all the expedition members busily researching the ruins were women.

Though diverse in appearance and impression, all the members seemed diligent.

Second, Tigria harbored hostility toward the expedition leader.

“I dislike that man.”

Back in the open-roofed room, Tigria candidly shared her feelings with Lin.

“This is the first time I’ve heard you openly dislike someone, Mage.”

“I dislike him overall, but especially his creepy gaze.”

Lin was somewhat surprised.

Tigria had maintained her emotionless doll-like state until clearing the DLC.

Yet here she was, expressing dislike for someone based solely on first impressions and emotional feelings.

“It’s a gaze I’ve seen before.”

“Tigria?”

“Not me, but ‘we’ have seen it before.”

Wrapped in her robe, she was muttering quickly and softly.

Her breathing had become abnormally rapid, as if hyperventilating.

Sensing something ominous in Tigria’s heaving form, Lin placed a hand on her shoulder, only for her to grab his arm abruptly.

“I hate that man. It’s the gaze ‘Original’ warned about.”

“…I see.”

This was unexpected.

That her anxiety stemmed merely from the expedition leader.

He had thought it was due to something more fundamental.

“Why did you say we were lovers earlier?”

“I’m sorry if you disliked it.”

“It’s not that I disliked it, but I thought you wouldn’t say such things without reason.”

Tigria stared intently at the arm she was holding.

That alone seemed to considerably ease her mind.

No wonder Luciena wanted to stay close to Lin.

“The expedition leader was looking at me with desire. And there was something twisted about it.”

“If a woman feels that way, it’s probably right. Be careful.”

“Woman? Me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I’ve never had such self-awareness. My identity as a mage is strongest.”

“A female mage, right?”

Lin gently withdrew his arm.

Though reluctant, Tigria refrained from clinging to his wrist, as it didn’t seem appropriate.

“Regardless of gender, you should be wary of anyone who threatens your body.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Sexually too.”

“Sexually?”

“Anyone who tries to create a certain atmosphere or physically violate you should also be considered a threat.”

After a moment’s consideration, Lin continued.

“Or are you of the opinion that it’s acceptable if there’s adequate compensation?”

“Absolutely not.”

An immediate response.

Even Tigria herself was surprised.

It felt as if someone other than the mage herself had answered.

Perhaps it was a value system forcibly implanted when she was created.

Relieved by her answer, Lin finally offered a slight smile.

“As expected, someone who studies affection would answer that way.”

“…Correct. Acts without affection are unacceptable.”

This was reassuring for now.

She didn’t seem to have much curiosity in that direction yet.

“Excuse me.”

An expedition member entered with a knock.

It was the freckled girl from earlier.

“The captain asked me to give you this.”

What the girl offered was a kaftan, a long, thin robe worn in deserts to shield from the sun.

“Thank you, and your locket necklace is open.”

“Ah!”

Linna hastily adjusted her appearance.

Indeed, her clothing was disheveled in various ways.

As if she had just engaged in something intense.

“Is that a picture of your brother?”

“Ah… that… no, it’s someone precious to me…”

“They’re alive, right?”

“What?”

Lin smiled bitterly.

“All my precious people died when I was young.”

“Th-they’re alive! Don’t kill them off! We’re going to live together when I earn enough money and go back!”

Linna flared up, then immediately seemed shocked at herself.

Not at her outburst, but at herself for betraying her precious person just moments ago.

“Anyway, I’ve delivered it!”

After Linna left, the mage remained silent.

By the time the porter had swept the sand-covered floor to create a comfortable place to lie down, Tigria spoke.

“Lin, I emphasize once more.”

Though very subtle, her voice was agitated.

“I absolutely detest NTR.”

Detest… an uncharacteristic word from her, but Lin nodded in agreement.

After all, that expedition leader with his magnificent mustache.

He was the quintessential netorare man.

A thoroughly corrupt individual who enjoyed targeting and corrupting female expedition members who had joined for various financial reasons, specifically selecting girls who had crushes or lovers.

And he completely ignored women who showed interest in him from the start or were unattached.

“Please believe me.”

“Of course.”

However, in that sense, Tigria’s lover declaration was completely wrong.

It had caught the expedition leader’s attention.

Lin would inevitably have to manage the mage’s affection level and mental state going forward.

Otherwise,

Tigria would succumb to sexual curiosity and fall for the expedition leader.

Just as her ‘Original’ had done.

But Lin, relying solely on the reincarnated Mr. Lee’s memories, knew nothing about the process of infidelity committed by Tigria’s ‘Original.’

That story was only meant to be inferred through Easter eggs.

“Please believe me.”

“I do believe you. I believe you.”

“That response sounds rather dry for someone who claims to believe.”

Despite her own lack of emotions, she demands sincere responses from Lin.

Finding this difficult, Lin decided to change the subject.

To a topic that Tigria would be reluctant yet compelled to address.

“Mage, by the way, where are we?”

“……”

As expected, Tigria fell silent.

But Lin persisted.

“I’m not asking because I don’t know.”

The porter skillfully spread out the kaftan to make it easy for the mage to put on.

“The City of Lament, Gilesman.”

“How did you…”

Random teleportation draws coordinates deeply embedded in the caster’s subconscious.

Therefore, one typically ends up in their hometown or a place filled with memories.

Whether those memories are good or bad, the spell forcibly transports you to a place etched in your heart.

“I’m the only one who knows your secret.”

It seemed Denarua might know as well, but being a demon, she was an exception.

This was precisely why Lin had deliberately entrusted himself to Tigria.

The City of Lament, Gilesman.

The capital of an ancient kingdom and the place where the second hero was executed under false accusations.

Now a faded city of glory visited only by expeditions researching its mysteries.

It was here that Lin needed to change his class to a combat role,

And Tigria needed to achieve two goals: obtaining her exclusive item and enhancing her abilities.

All while facing the expedition leader’s advances and battling Denarua, who was lurking in the palace ruins.