Signs of Falling (2)

<Side : Lacey Glyss>

『Month of the Cross – 23rd (Morning)』

I prepared early in the morning and left the house.

The streets, just welcoming the morning, were mostly deserted, with only merchants bustling about, preparing to start their business.

“So quiet…”

Also, there were hardly any guards patrolling the streets.

The captain of the guard said that most of the personnel, except for a minimum number, had been dispatched to the western district, so it was immediately apparent that the streets were emptier than usual.

This wasn’t just noticeable to me; the Territory residents who would soon be out on the streets would realize it before long.

At least, the Lord would try to resolve this unusual situation quickly on his own, without informing the people… and that must be why he reached out to adventurers like us.

With those thoughts, I walked through the desolate streets towards the guild.

“The number of guards has noticeably increased.”

Each time I headed to the guild, the number of guards seemed to increase.

Seeing them hurrying through the alleys with haggard faces, as if they hadn’t slept all night, searching… the situation still didn’t seem good.

“Rock, paper, scissors!”

“A familiar sight.”

When I arrived at the guild, a scene I had witnessed once before unfolded.

Myrit with a triumphant expression and Elizabeth looking dumbfounded.

Needless to say… they were my companions.

The two of them were making a lot of noise, apparently betting, just like last time.

“You! Is this even fair!? Do you know how many times this is!?”

“You guys are still noisy. More importantly, you seem to be here quite early.”

“Oh, Lacey, you’re here?”

“Hey! Focus on me!”

The two of them were in front of the guild earlier than I expected.

The way they were bickering looked like they had a really good marriage.

“Anyway… making a lot of noise would be rude to those who are currently working. As you can see, they look quite tired.”

“Ahaha. I know, I know. But I was trying to lighten the mood by exaggerating the bet. It might be rude, though.”

“No, Lacey, you should hear this! We bet on who would go get the potions we left behind, and the loser would have to go get them, right? But! No matter how many times I bet with him, I never win!”

“Well, Liza, you’re just a ti~ny bit unlucky. And I’m just a ti~ny bit lucky.”

Leaving the bickering duo behind, now that the party was all together, we had to start discussing things.

“Both of you… can you focus now? The situation seems more serious than we thought…”

“Ah… that’s true. Okay, now that we’re all here, shall we continue our discussion? Liza, let’s get the potions later.”

The sudden mass disappearance of vagrants in the western district.

The investigation, which started yesterday afternoon, had failed to find any traces of the missing people, let alone any traces of the culprit. It was a perfect crime that didn’t even leave behind the slightest trace of Magic.

“I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“Don’t stall, just tell us at once. We don’t have much time.”

“You’re so cold. Well, the time for fun is over anyway. The good news is that Lacey’s assumption was spot on. Herry told me that there were traces of a Barrier made with Divinity in various alleys.”

Myrit said it casually, but the implications of this statement were significant.

It meant that clerics were involved in this disappearance case.

“Lacey’s fiancé cooperated.”

“Muse…?”

“According to him, it was difficult to identify the type of Barrier, but at least two or more Barriers were intricately interwoven.”

Did I make Muse work too hard because of me? I should repay him later.

The fact that this information was compiled so early in the morning meant that Muse had been investigating all night.

“The bad news is that even though we found out the nature of the Barrier, we still haven’t found the most important thing: the culprit or the missing people. In the end, it means we still have a lot of work to do.”

“I was hoping for something, but… I guess it was in vain.”

I was hoping for at least a little bit of hopeful news, but it was all for naught.

“Haa… You’re done talking, right? Then I’ll go get the potions. Tsk… I shouldn’t have suggested the bet…”

“Ah! Wait, Liza! There’s one more piece of bad news for Liza…”

“Aang…? What does that mean?”

“Actually… all the potions you said you left behind are with me?”

“Huh?”

Myrit took out the potions from inside his coat and waved them in front of Elizabeth.

Seeing that, Elizabeth didn’t say anything, her face a mix of half anger and half annoyance.

“You… you’re saying that now!”

Elizabeth growled, suppressing her voice as she pressured Myrit, but Myrit brushed it off as if he had experienced it many times before.

“Well, Liza. After talking with Annie yesterday, you kept looking serious, so I thought I’d cheer you up a bit. I’m sorry if I made you feel bad~”

“Haa… Okay. I get it. I get it, so don’t do that again. And if you’re worried, don’t play pranks like that… uh, what was it, just be more honest! Don’t confuse people.”

“Ahaha! Sorry, Liza. But you know I love you a lot, right?”

“Of course… I know.”

Watching the two of them have their carefree marital spat, I felt my tense heart relax to some extent.

If Muse and I become a couple soon, will we be able to get along so well?

“Ah! That’s right! Thanks to you, I remembered. I think I should tell everyone what Annie said yesterday.”

Elizabeth snapped her fist as if she had remembered something and opened her mouth.

She told us about her conversation with the Lord’s Wife yesterday.

The Lord’s Wife had used the animals she controlled to search the entire Territory, but she hadn’t found a single trace of the culprit or the missing people.

Also, according to the Sixth Sense, a transcendent sense possessed by the Lord’s Wife, this disappearance case was a means to lure someone out, and that someone might be one of us.

Elizabeth seemed to have considerable faith in the Lord’s Wife’s Sixth Sense, enough to not dismiss it as mere speculation or delusion.

While we were talking and the tense atmosphere had eased for a moment, a familiar voice came from behind us.

Perhaps the voice I least wanted to hear in this place…

[Reisy Hyung!]

“Alex?”

Standing before me were Alex, Clarice, and Mel.

In particular, Alex was dressed neatly and carried well-maintained weapons, a stark contrast to his disheveled appearance from last time, and he approached us.

And the moment I saw them, one lingering sense of unease came to mind.

They had disappeared from the inn at the time of the incident yesterday morning.

Clarice, a devout Devotee, hadn’t been to church at all for a month.

All of this was intertwined in a chilling assumption… No, it couldn’t be…?

I couldn’t ignore the possibility of coincidence, but the series of unusual events, along with Alex’s previous gloomy behavior, might be related… A hypothesis that had sprung up unintentionally echoed in my head at a terrifying speed.

“Oh! Those promising kids from last time? Lacey was looking for them so much last time, right?”

“That’s… that kid from last time. He looked like he had lost everything back then, but now his face is all smiles.”

As Myrit said, I should have felt relieved just by confirming that those kids were safe… but because of the whirlpool of suspicion swirling in my head, I couldn’t feel at ease at all.

Because of the lingering discomfort, I couldn’t easily approach Alex or even greet him, and my mouth remained firmly shut.

“Hey, Lacey, the party you were looking for so much is here. See? I told you there was no need to worry so much~”

“…………”

“But you guys, if you came to the guild for business, you’re here too early, aren’t you? The guild is still preparing, so you’ll have to wait a bit to take on a quest?”

[It’s okay. We’re not here for the guild, but for Reisy Hyung.]

Alex casually brushed off Elizabeth’s words and specifically mentioned my name.

Clarice and Mel, who were standing on either side of him, seemed to share the same opinion. Because both of them were looking at me with very expectant expressions.

Still, I kept my mouth shut and watched the situation. Of course, that didn’t last long…

[Reisy Hyung… can you guide our party once again?]

“What, are you saying…!?”

As a novice seeking greater strength, requesting guidance from me again was something I should welcome with open arms.

Under normal circumstances, I would have gladly accepted, but I was in no mood for that right now.

The shadow of doubt swirling in my head urged me to suspect that they had some other intention.

Could it be that they deliberately timed their arrival and came to find me… that suspicion even took root.

I was as silent as a mute, unable to answer Alex’s proposal… or rather, it would be more accurate to say that I didn’t answer.

Breaking the continuing strange silence, a voice woke me up.

“Ah… that would be difficult. Lacey has to go on an important quest with us, so he’ll have to postpone the guidance. I understand your desire to get stronger, but we have our own circumstances.”

Myrit scratched his head and skillfully explained to Alex’s party why I couldn’t guide them right now, without hurting their feelings.

But the faces of Alex’s party rapidly darkened. Like the eyes of a predator aiming for its prey… but most of all, I was the only one who noticed it.

Watching the series of events unfold, I made a decision before things got any worse.

In order to resolve the doubts swirling within me, I had no choice but to have a sincere conversation with Alex.

I was painfully aware that it was ungentlemanly of me to suspect a weak party that hadn’t yet shed its novice adventurer status, and that it was wrong to suspect them on my own and then choose Alex as the key to resolving it. I even felt guilty…

But it was something I had to do someday.

“Myrit, Elizabeth… let’s talk for a moment.”

I first pushed Alex’s party back and tried to talk to my companions.

“Lacey. I know you value those kids, but given the situation, we have very little time to spare for them.”

“Hmph… I know. But I’ve already made a decision. I intend to accept Alex’s request and guide them today.”

A mere verbal assertion. There was no way my companions would easily agree. In fact…

“What? What are you talking about!? I know you care about those guys, but there’s a proper order to things. I’m absolutely against it. We’re already short-handed, and we need even one more person.”

Elizabeth clicked her tongue and voiced her dissatisfaction loudly.

“First, calm down, Liza… But Lacey. You know yourself that what you’re saying doesn’t make sense, right? We need a capable helper. And I know that person isn’t a fool who would abandon a quest because of sentimentality. He’s someone who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters.”

On the other hand, Myrit calmly watched my reaction and demanded a reasonable answer.

It was a natural course of events, and I had expected that answer. I didn’t deny Elizabeth’s words, but I had my own thoughts.

“Of course… there’s a reason. I’ll present a convincing basis.”

What I was about to say was a cowardly excuse based on a random guess. If I said it out loud, it could unintentionally harm Alex’s party, even if it was a lie.

“I’m convinced after hearing the information I just heard from you two. The culprit and the missing people that even the Lord’s Wife couldn’t find, and the Divinity Barrier. Based on this, I believe there’s an ‘insider’ in this case. In other words, the culprit has information about us cooperating with the Lord’s side, and may even be monitoring or tailing us.”

“Listening to you… that’s just an overreach. Everything you’re saying is just speculation. Besides, even if that assumption is true, there’s no connection between that and your claim that you’re going to guide that party.”

“I strongly agree with Liza’s words. Speculation is interesting, but it’s only ‘speculation.’ No evidence of an insider has been found. Lacey, there’s a saying, ‘Suspicion creates ghosts where none exist.’ It seems to me that’s your current state.”

As expected, these two weren’t easily swayed…

Even so, I wasn’t one to give up easily. I had one more method.

I brought out a valuable piece of information I had heard from Myrit yesterday.

“Myrit. You said yesterday that the Lord is looking for the Black Market.” I think the Black Market is behind this. Didn’t you say before that the location of the Black Market couldn’t be found within the Territory? The Lord directly ordered it, so his wife must have participated in the investigation as well, but the Black Market still hasn’t been found. Don’t you think it’s similar to the current situation?”

“Black Market… Ah!”

Myrit’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of the Black Market. As expected, using a story that would appeal to him was the right answer.

“I think the Black Market is behind this case. Even the Lord’s Wife, who boasts the best intelligence in this Territory, hasn’t found the Black Market. Don’t you think it’s similar to the current situation?”

Riding on this momentum, I desperately began to persuade Myrit and Elizabeth.

“Assuming there’s an insider, and we’re under their surveillance, and no evidence has been found within the Territory. What this clue points to is that the culprit is located ‘outside.’ And the reason I’m going to take those kids outside is…”

“Under the guise of guidance, to legally go outside to avoid the surveillance network of the insider that might be somewhere… is that what you want to say? Because if we rashly go outside, we might lose the remaining clues?”

“Exactly. Me going to Alex first could arouse suspicion. Rather, I think this situation, where Alex comes to ask for guidance first, is the most opportune.”

Whether my persuasion worked or not, Myrit was no longer looking at me with suspicious eyes, but was now resting his chin on his hand and thinking deeply.

The silence that had returned was broken when the thinking man opened his mouth.

“That’s all nonsense.”

“Is that so…”

“But I think it’s worth a try. To be honest, I was going to refuse to accompany you no matter what you said. Because a ridiculous emergency has occurred. And to solve it, capable people need to roll up their sleeves and work.”

Myrit’s declaration, not a sentence. But it seemed his scales had already tipped in my favor.

“I agree that there’s nothing more to find in here. Even if it’s revealed that the person who set up the Barrier is a cleric, nothing changes. I’m in favor of an external investigation… but you know the responsibility of your words, right?”

Responsibility… Of course, I knew. The party I was guiding now was a promising party that had been overwhelmingly completing intermediate quests recently.

What I was doing now was forcing that party to participate in the affairs of adults.

Myrit must be worried that they might become the target of the culprit and suffer harm.

“…I’ll take responsibility and protect them. Even if I fall.”

“Hmph, that’s not like you. I can clearly see that you’re flustered.”

Flustered… Is that how it looks?

The reason for my fluster was to resolve my own suspicions about Alex’s party…

I was definitely regarding those kids as enemies. I predicted that they were at least collaborators, at most accomplices, in this disappearance case.

If that was the case… I might have to eliminate them. I said those words while hiding that true intention, but it seemed I couldn’t hide it completely.

“As the leader of the party, let me state my position… well, have a safe trip. I’ll talk to Herry. Thanks to you, the two of us will have to do the work of three, but if you bring back good information, this much is a cheap sacrifice.”

“Haa… another investigation just between us? I’m so tired of this. Now that he’s allowed it, I won’t argue any further, but safety is the top priority. You can put information gathering on the back burner, so if it gets dangerous, run without looking back. And of course, take those guys over there with you, not just yourself. We’ll investigate as much as we can too.”

“Thanks for understanding. It’s my stubbornness that’s causing you guys to suffer again.”

“You know it? If you feel that sorry, buy us a round later.”

“Heh, I will. Then I’ll be going. I’m counting on you.”

Leaving those words behind, I turned my back on Myrit and Elizabeth and approached Alex’s party, who were waiting.

The expressions on their faces… I couldn’t read them. Neither happy nor displeased, just blank. I was momentarily flustered, but I soon shouted to them.

“I’ve gotten permission from the Territory. I’ll guide you thoroughly, just like when we first met. Let’s set off right away. Outside the Territory.”

–

–

–

<Side: The Second Apostle, Mel Grande>

[Haa… idiots. They were whispering among themselves, but they’re just completely barking up the wrong tree, aren’t they? The real culprit is right here. Hehehe♥]

[Mel is right. Pathetic humans. I can’t understand how they’re even considered intelligent beings, those low-IQ Inferior Species. I don’t understand why they bother carrying those heads around, they’re just decorations.]

[Leaving those two aside, Lacey definitely suspects us. In a situation where her position might become difficult, she’s making excuses about guiding us. That means she’s targeting us for another purpose.]

It’s none of our business whether Lacey thinks we’re involved in the crime.

What we’re after is Lacey Glyss… that’s right, you♥

The process of that pathetic Dick becoming our new comrade is all that matters.

That blue-glowing spear that Blair found back then. The true owner of that spear is that Dick in front of us, Lacey Glyss.

Just thinking about the future of that Dick, who will hold the glorious weapon personally chosen by the Goddess and become our new comrade, makes my Cunt throb and I want to shoot semen everywhere♥

[Anyway, the human smell is awful, I want to get out of here quickly. If I stay here any longer, my patience will run out.]

Clarice pinched her nose with her fingers and shook her head.

I agree with her. There are so many more humans than usual, and every time I breathe, that annoying smell flows in.

I want to burn them all to ashes, but I have to hold back… for the Goddess’s paradise… we have to give those guys a chance to receive the Goddess’s Blessing too.

In the meantime, that annoying Dick’s voice brushed past my ears.

“I’ve gotten permission from the Territory. I’ll guide you thoroughly, just like when we first met. Let’s set off right away. Outside the Territory.”

The blue-haired Dick left those words for us and went ahead.

By the way, no matter how many times I see it, that Dick’s back is really untrustworthy♥ Can he even protect his Cunt with that?

Well, whatever, it starts now. Our Corruption plan, that is♥

–

–

–

Under the guidance of the blue-haired Dick, our apostles left the Territory and headed into the forest.

Judging by the shape of the forest, it doesn’t seem to be corrupted by Magical power, but it’s still quite lush.

In other words, there are few or no Monsters here, unless that human is putting in a lot of effort to guide the three of us personally. For guidance, it’s common to go to a place with Monsters.

“Come to think of it, seeing this forest reminds me of the old days. The mission to eliminate the Orc group that we first guided you on was also near here. Do you remember, Mel?”

[Ah, yes.]

What old story is that guy bringing up? I’ve already forgotten… I answered casually and walked on.

We haven’t been out of the Territory for very long, so it’s too early to stab him in the back right now…

So I have to listen to those old stories until then? Haa… this is going to be tough.

Clarice and Blair are turning their eyes away from me as if it’s none of their business, and walking a little distance away from me…

“…Hmm? Mel. You have a leaf on your head…”

–Smack!

[Don’t touch me!]

Who dares to touch my body! How dare a mere Inferior Species try to lay a hand on me, it’s a grave sin that you can’t atone for even if you die a hundred, no, a thousand, no, ten thousand times!

I slapped Lacey’s hand away with perhaps the fastest speed I’ve had since becoming an apostle. Just the touch of his hand was unpleasant, and the thought of that hand touching my head was a cheap sacrifice.

I was furious, and I wanted to burn that Dick to ashes right then and there. But I had to hold back…

For the Goddess’s paradise, for the Garden… I’ll get this debt back after he becomes our comrade!

“Oh, oh… you’re quite fast. I didn’t think you, a mage, would slap my hand away so quickly. Is it the result of your hard training for the past month…?”

[I’m sorry for slapping your hand away. We’ve all been suffering from a terrible disease, and we recently cured it. But you never know. You might catch it, so I reflexively slapped it away. I’m really sorry.]

“I see… whether you were sick in the past or not, the most important thing is that you’re safe now. I’m really glad you got rid of that terrible disease.”

I made a clumsy excuse, but Lacey made a sullen expression and withdrew his hand.

He must be giving me a suspicious look, realizing that I slapped away his hand, which belongs to a high-level adventurer, so quickly that he couldn’t even recognize it.

But so what? We’re already under suspicion, what difference does it make if I drop one more drop of water into that wave of suspicion?

It’ll just make him fret.

Since I slapped his hand away once, Lacey didn’t say anything else. It’s easier for me if he shuts up rather than spouting boring and uninteresting stories. But then…

–Awoooooooo!! Grrrrr!! Kwaaaaaang!!!! Kiiiiiiing!!

A fierce roar that instantly took over the quiet forest.

It was the figure of a huge beast moving swiftly and violently, shaking the earth. What is it? When did it appear? I didn’t feel any Magical power or signs of a Monster?

Not only me, but Clarice and Blair also looked bewildered.

As if noticing our gazes, the beast continued to dash nimbly through the trees.

The beast’s encirclement around us gradually narrowed, and the surrounding trees were senselessly destroyed.

–Khaaaaaang!!!

What finally revealed itself was a Jet-black beast with four heads. Brimstone fire was flowing from its unclosed mouths, and it had four wings on its back.

I’ve never seen or heard of a Monster like that… a new type of Monster?

Anyway, it seems that that son of a bitch’s purpose is us. Then the story is fast. Let’s show our skills right now…

–Ooooooong…♥

[Oh, oh, ehehe♥ T, this feeling, could it be!? The Goddess’s Blessing has descended?]

And right in front of us?

[Ah, ahaha♥]

That beast isn’t the problem… seeing the Goddess’s Blessing is the top priority♥

[Please wait a little longer. Goddess♥ I’m coming to greet you right now♥]

I ran. And at the same time, the sound of two people’s footsteps echoed…

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