episode_0008

“Thud.”

The priestess who had eaten the mushrooms shivered for a moment before her body limply collapsed.

She seemed quite exhausted.

Considering how she must have pushed herself to survive in this cursed place, it might be natural for her to fall asleep as if fainting.

I gazed at the priestess, seemingly asleep like the dead, and then gently covered her body with a plush, soft blanket.

Afterward, I sighed deeply as I looked down at the nearly depleted sack of vegetables and mushrooms.

“I need to gather more.”

Although we had brought enough food to last us for three days, it seemed that our provisions were running low.

What was once ample now felt insufficient.

Since it was evident that the precious contents in the sack would run out in two days, and we also needed to find drinking water for the priestess, I reluctantly gathered my weapons and the sack and set out from home.

“Even so, if I spare her life, she might repay me someday. When she recovers, I’ll clear her name of being a wicked witch.”

As I moved towards the place where I had collected a sack full of vegetables on the first day, my thoughts wandered.

…Nevertheless, it likely meant that since that woman had come here alone, everyone else who came with her had fallen victim to being ‘hunted,’ right?

I touched the woman’s body cautiously.

Her body felt too soft to have been engaged in combat-related duties in the church.

Moreover, her attire was nothing like the monks, inquisitors, or paladins mentioned in novels; it was a bulky, elaborate robe with a completely different feel.

Without a doubt, she was undoubtedly a priestess skilled in support rather than combat, possibly holding a high position.

For a priestess whose combat abilities could be considered almost nonexistent to venture into the forest without any escort…

Unless she was suicidal, it was unlikely that she would do such a thing.

Certainly, she must have come to the forest with her own escorts.

“It seems like she was stripped of her escorts by the elves.”

If it was a creature with three legs, they would probably resort to kidnapping first.

Most likely, her escorts, who protected a priestess of high rank, were all kidnapped by those lunatics referred to as ‘Erofs’ by readers.

They were likely strong individuals, considering they were escorting a high-ranking priestess.

The fact that they were kidnapped without a trace indicated that only those obsessed with seeds and mating had such powerlessness.

“Still, she doesn’t seem to be causing any hysteria for now. It should be fine to replenish our supplies there for a few days.”

Elves, who were usually sensitive like old maids but became more generous than any other race after consuming protein.

I changed direction and began to make my way towards the elves’ habitat.

And as it turned out, upon reaching the entrance, there were no arrows flying towards me.

Of course, the sense of life was still present, but there were no hostile actions.

“I’ll just pick fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. After all, to you, they are merely snacks, aren’t they?”

As I muttered, the presence weakened.

It was a rough permission.

Despite the increasingly intense hostile glares as I moved inward, I ignored them and harvested plenty of fruits and vegetables.

At that moment, I was confident that those beastly women wouldn’t kill me.

“Farewell.”

After collecting fruits and vegetables until the sack was full, I expressed gratitude to the elves and left their habitat.

Although I found it quite annoying how the elves continued to send sticky vibes my way until the very end without shooting arrows, I was grateful they hadn’t attacked me.

Unless there was a severe shortage of food, I vowed not to return and began to walk back home.

“They should be awake by now.”

Leaving the elves’ habitat, I noticed that the sun was nearing the horizon.

Observing the crimson dusk hanging in the sky, I organized my tasks for the day.

Once I get back home, I need to ask the priestess about various things.

What time is it now?

Why did you come looking for Daesurim?

And do you know about the protagonist’s group?

Especially in this situation where information about the protagonist’s group is most needed.

I need to know how those crazy people behaved so that I can understand the changed settings and predict the future to some extent.

“I hope they’re just unbearable lunatics.”

Beatrice, who was relatively normal, was eventually overwhelmed by the madness of the protagonist’s group and finally gave up.

Laughing while reading a novel is one thing, but if the original content unfolds as it is, I’ll have to experience it the same way.

“Can I handle this…?”

I threw the question to the sun disappearing beyond the horizon, but of course, there was no answer.

Instead, someone behind me answered that question.

Growl!

With a cute owl head, a fierce bear body, and a terrifying monster – Owlbear.

Seemingly questioning why I was contemplating such things, he was rushing towards me to devour me.

“…Oh, focus on surviving for now?”

Right, this was a survival situation at the moment.

It was already too late to run away.

I adjusted my grip on the dagger and faced the charging Owlbear.

—–

Chirp chirp –

A refreshing sound tickling my ears.

At the same time, smelling the delicious scent wafting up from below, the priestess, who had been watching that scene, asked me in a frightened voice.

“What… is this now?”

Looking at the plate piled high with meat, she made a blank expression.

To convey the obvious, I placed the still dripping Owlbear head on the table.

Grrr!

“Don’t you see? It’s owl… no, bear meat. Why, don’t you want to eat this too?”

“…”

Thinking she might be picky again, I furrowed my brows, and the priestess, alternating between the severed Owlbear head and me, vigorously nodded her head.

Then, she started eating the well-cooked Owlbear meat on the plate eagerly.

Somewhat polite.

Momentarily puzzled by the change in the priestess’s attitude, I added more Owlbear meat to her plate.

“You eat well. You should have eaten like this from the beginning.”

If you can eat this well, why did you refuse mushrooms at lunch?

Oh, maybe she’s a carnivore?

Raising an eyebrow, I cautiously asked the somewhat relaxed priestess a question.

“I have many questions, can you answer them?”

“Huh? Y-yes? Oh, please! Please don’t!”

“Why suddenly formal language? You used casual language fine during lunch.”

“T-that’s… it’s not that. It’s just that… there was no need for formality then…”

The priestess rolled her eyes nervously, trying to gauge my reaction.

I couldn’t understand why she was being cautious, but she seemed more comfortable to ask questions now, so I smiled warmly and asked her.

“What year of the Imperial Calendar is it now?”

“N-now? Just a moment… It’s the 421st year of the Imperial Calendar!”

“421 years…”

I thought deeply about the time, but nothing specific came to mind.

Even in history problems, just knowing the time period made me sick, but could I learn anything from knowing the time period?

Taking a deep breath, I asked the priestess another question.

“Have you ever heard of someone named ‘Pashible’?”

“Pashible…? Hmm, it sounds familiar…”

“If you can’t remember, that’s okay. How about the name Stroheim?”

“Oh, I’ve definitely heard that name before. The eccentric dwarf rejected by his own kind, right?”

Bingo.

I put on a satisfied smile and immediately inquired about his current situation.

“Do you happen to know anything about his recent whereabouts? Even brief information would suffice.”

“Well, I do have some idea…”

The priestess glanced back and forth between Owl Bear’s head and me once again before slowly opening her mouth, avoiding my eyes.

“Um, could you please move that head first? It’s been making me uncomfortable staring at it like that…”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize it would be scary.”

It felt like placing a pig’s head on the dining table, but apparently, it was quite unsettling.

I lowered Owl Bear’s head beneath the table with a sheepish expression, and the relieved priestess finally informed me about the crazy dwarf’s recent activities.

“He visited our country two years ago. What was it… He requested a Paladin as a test subject for new weapons, but ended up getting permanently banned…”

“Oh…”

“I’ve heard he’s been forming parties and going on adventures recently… But apart from that, I don’t know much. The name ‘Stroheim’ itself is practically taboo here in our country…”

“That makes sense.”

A dwarf who goes around spreading the absurd theory that “Paladins = awesome punching bags,” who wouldn’t find that annoying?

Even with just bits of information, my head is already starting to ache.

I was hoping to tighten the loose screws a bit and restore some sanity.

Why does the author leave those lunatics unchecked?

“Damn it.”

Dealing with one of them alone is nauseating enough, but having to handle two others no less deranged, along with the protagonist who possesses true madness, paints a challenging future.

“Any New Year’s resolutions?”

Although I’ve never smoked, I truly felt the urge to light up a cigarette.