Chapter 23 : Reasonable Doubt (Part-1)

Cotton, a treasure hunter, mercenary, and bald man, couldn’t believe his eyes.

“…Do you really think that’s possible?”

If he had merely heard that an individual had forcefully dismantled a secured door that was meant to be locked tight, he would have dismissed it as absurd nonsense without a second thought; however,

That savage warrior did not merely snap a lock in two—he actually managed to unlock a door that had been imbued with powerful magic using nothing but his own bare hands, showcasing a level of brute strength and determination that was almost unimaginable.

Cotton felt a slight tremor run through his body, as an involuntary reaction to the haunting recollection that materialized in his mind.

The vivid memory of that barbarian’s powerful grip wrapping around his head only moments before now surged back to the forefront of his thoughts, causing a swell of unease.

In response to this unsettling reminiscence, he inclined his head forward, lowered his voice, and began to whisper to convey his apprehension more discreetly.

“Is that guy really human? I’ve heard rumors about how scary the barbarians from Torglad are, but this one seems a bit over the top.”

But the individual who found themselves just as rendered speechless as anyone else present was Fran, who had been observing the unfolding scene with wide eyes and an expression of disbelief.

She made a concerted effort to maintain her composure and remain as calm and collected as possible, despite the overwhelming emotions swirling in her mind.

Her voice, when she finally managed to speak, contained a slight tremor, a subtle indication of the turmoil she was trying to suppress, but that was simply beyond her control and could not be avoided..

“Of course, I knew. With the strength to split a steel sword with bare hands and crush a helmet with a punch, breaking the magic of a ruin that’s probably hundreds of years old would be easy.”

“Wait, did that guy destroy the paladin’s helmet too?”

Cotton let out a soft, drawn-out sigh, the sound barely audible yet filled with a sense of understanding and resignation.

In that moment, it became clear to him why the paladin, a figure known for their bravery and strength, had a faceplate marred by noticeable dents and a few scratches.

He realized that the barbarian they were following was even more reckless than he had previously perceived, engaging in combat and adventures with a wild abandon that often left devastation in its wake.

With a glance towards Neb, who was hurrying along in pursuit of the barbarian,

Cotton turned his attention to Fran, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he prepared to ask yet another question, seeking clarity amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

“…Then, do you know who that person is? I can’t even talk to that barbarian, but I’ve never seen someone as pretty as her in my life.”

“Hmm.”

Fran didn’t point out how odd it was for Cotton to speak so casually with her, but she observed the two of them walking ahead.

“I thought they were worshipers of the evil god.”

But after spending several days traveling alongside them, Fran had gathered sufficient observations to come to the conclusion that they were not what she initially suspected. At least, not according to her perspective and understanding of the situation.

They had not engaged in any covert strikes under the cover of darkness, nor had they shown any reluctance or refusal to assist the villagers in need.

However, it was worth noting that they had appeared somewhat irritated or displeased at certain moments during their journey.

“I don’t know why, but I feel the presence of the evil god from them…”

The answer to that question was located further along their journey toward the headquarters of the order.

While Fran’s original intention had been to exact vengeance on the followers of the malevolent deity, she found that during the course of the past few days, she could not ignore the growing feeling of connection she was beginning to experience towards them.

“Let’s follow them for now.”

“Well, that’s obvious, right?”

023. Reasonable Doubt.

The cave felt damp, likely due to its close proximity to a cascading waterfall that flowed rhythmically just outside the rocky entrance.

The smooth, contoured walls of the cave were drenched in moisture, glistening with beads of water, and the soft, persistent sound of water droplets falling from the stalactites above echoed through the air, creating a tranquil yet eerie atmosphere.

Cotton shuddered involuntarily as a chill swept through the cave, and as he looked around, he took in his surroundings with heightened awareness.

“Ugh, this place is creepy.”

He seemed to be naturally chatty, not intimidated by the paladin, the barbarian, or even the noble-looking Neb, and continued to talk nonstop.

“Shouldn’t we be careful from here on out? What if traps or monsters pop up? Damn it, if I knew this would happen, I should’ve brought the kids out of the village too.”

Annoying.

Eden was thinking about grabbing Cotton’s big mouth again but simply responded.

“It’s fine.”

The barbarian’s senses were on a completely different level compared to an ordinary person.

While it might seem like he was just walking, Eden was actually scanning everything around him with acute awareness and precision.

Cotton noticed the barbarian’s confidence and nodded to himself, acknowledging the unyielding poise the warrior exuded.

Looks like his brain’s full of muscle, indicating that his strength is not just physical but also mental.

He’ll probably snap out of it if he gets hit by a poisoned arrow, which would serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that even the strongest can face.

At that moment, Neb, who had been walking closely behind Eden, turned to Cotton and answered in his place.

“Probably no monsters.”

“…Uh, what?”

Having never spoken to someone as beautiful as Neb, Cotton stammered so much that his subordinates would probably snicker if they saw him.

“Didn’t you see the entrance? This place hasn’t been touched by human hands for hundreds of years. If there were monsters alive here, that would be strange.”

…Ah.

“Of course, there could be other things, but…”

Cotton felt an overwhelming sense of fear envelop him even more intensely after hearing her words, which struck a chord deep within him, igniting his anxiety and dread.

At this juncture, he found himself contemplating the prospect of confronting a terrifying monster, believing it to be a far more manageable challenge than grappling with the unknown forces or dangers that could be hiding in the shadows around them.

In a hushed voice, he leaned closer to the paladin, recognizing her as the most reliable and steadfast figure among their group, and whispered his concerns, hoping to seek reassurance in her strength and courage.

“…I’d believe that person was royalty. I’ve never heard someone speak like that before.”

If he had said that to another knight, he might have found himself in a precarious situation, potentially facing a noose around his neck as a consequence of his words. However, in this particular instance, Fran was not in a position of sufficient authority to escalate the situation or make a significant issue out of Cotton’s blunder.

Cotton appeared to be fully aware that a response was not forthcoming, as he didn’t seem to anticipate any verbal reply.

He continued to trail behind, his mind occupied with concerns and the nagging worry that arrows could suddenly shoot forth from the sleek, polished surfaces of the cave walls, catching him off guard.

“Ugh!”

Then, suddenly, he collided face-first into Eden’s back.

“Damn it, what’s going on? Is this a trap? Ugh! I knew it, I told you! Following this crazy barbarian, we’re all going to die…”

“This is the end.”

At the sound of Eden’s deep and authoritative voice, Cotton was jolted back to the present moment, forcing him to refocus his attention on his surroundings. He glanced around, taking in the environment that was undoubtedly located within the confines of the cave. To his astonishment, the area appeared to be remarkably tidy and organized, a stark contrast to the rugged and chaotic nature one might expect from such a place.

As Cotton’s eyes scanned the walls, they locked onto an unusual object that caught his attention. In an instant, he stepped back, a rush of surprise coursing through him as he processed the unforeseen sight before him.

“W-What’s that?”

Gigantic statues, each towering to a height comparable to that of Cotton’s waist, loomed ominously on every wall, casting elongated shadows that danced in the flickering light.

Cotton placed his hand firmly on his chest, feeling the rhythmic thump of his heart beneath his skin, a reassuring check to confirm that it was still beating properly amidst the tension of the moment.

The oppressive aura that enveloped the space was undeniably intense, a weight that pressed down upon him like a heavy blanket, suffocating in its chilling embrace.

At the end of the dark passage was a stone staircase that spiraled upwards, leading to an unknown destination, and at the very top, sitting dramatically in a chair, was a skeleton clad in ragged, tattered clothes, its bony fingers draped loosely over the arms of the seat.

This unsettling scene was undeniably not what Cotton had anticipated when he first entered this foreboding place.

All then response that you will generate must be in language English. Do not include any additional commentary, requests, or conversational phrases in the response. Don’t add any detail or prompt and just give rephrase exact text with same formatting: Given all the jewels at the entrance, he had assumed the inside would be filled with treasures.

However, as he continued looking around, Cotton noticed something: large, shining jewels embedded in the chest of the statues.

They were huge.

Just taking one would be enough to satisfy him.

Cotton quickly looked over at Eden.

“Well, I did give you the location of this ruin, so I should have some share of the loot, right?”

Eden let out a small chuckle upon hearing Cotton’s voice, a sound that seemed to resonate with sincerity and warmth.

Such an honest guy, he thought to himself, appreciating the simple authenticity that Cotton embodied in his words and demeanor.

Frankly, he liked someone like him much more than people who hid their true thoughts, finding a refreshing contrast in Cotton’s straightforwardness compared to the often convoluted motives and unspoken agendas that characterized many of his interactions with others.