Chapter 37
Chapter 37: This Moment’s Opportunity
「I wonder if we had convinced that woman, Saint Matia, with that kind of answer . 」
The sound of hooves marching on the ground echoed in the carriage . Besides that sound, the cracking noise of the wheels was quite predominant as well . Everyone remained silent amidst that noise . Before long, Helot Stanley opened his mouth .
「Most likely . I don’t know much about that Saint woman . But, I’m convinced that she must’ve believed in something at least, or she would’ve killed us by now . 」
I didn’t understand much about that woman as well . Or what kind of intentions she had . I twisted my neck in confusion .
It felt as if I were the only one having a conversation with Helot Stanley . Filaret La Volgograd had not regained consciousness yet . Therefore, she wasn’t in a good physical condition to engage in a conversation . And Caria sat by her side with closed eyes . She reluctantly opened her lips and cleared up her throat .
「Still, she freed us . I’m sure she had ill intentions against us . She really was a prideful person . But, she swallowed that pride and managed to send us away in a respectful manner without even harming us . 」
Caria’s words were tingling on my chest .
There was no such thing . Yes, unbelievable . It was impossible . I refuse to believe that that woman named Matia was that kind . We only exchanged a few words with one another . But, I understood her character very well .
That was a woman with ulterior motives . That woman was willing to sacrifice us for real by misrepresenting the doctrines of her faith . A woman capable of putting an act to fool other people . She was probably a professional in the art of deceit . A manipulative and oppressor woman . If she wanted to kill us on the spot, she would’ve done that immediately even if she had to rebel against the doctrines that her people believed in .
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That’s why we still had our necks . It was all because of her vicious scheming . If we didn’t satisfy her hidden desires, then, we would be transformed “into ashes on a bed of eternal sleep” .
I felt frustration . I bit my lips to contain this frustration .
Yes, I tried to find a new path for my new life . Instead, this path has been overshadowed by conflict and troubles . I felt a heavy burden on my shoulders . Even my light clothes felt like an iron armor . That woman was ridiculous . Matia, a woman of hell . A very disgusting woman .
That woman’s words didn’t leave my mind . Those words still whispered on my ears .
…So, let’s decide the method of transmitting our communications . Ann . Largud Ann will be a suitable person for this role .
It was as if I could hear her whispering voice coming right from my shoulders .
From a normal perspective, that would be the last words someone would say before a farewell was given between both parties . But to me, it felt as if that witch inflicted a curse on my head . I felt a strangely cold sensation on my fingertips every time I remembered her voice .
Worse . This was absolutely the worse . Everything kept going beyond my expectations . I got faced with disappointments each time . I bit my tongue every time I felt an awful feeling . Even meeting with that Saint woman, who gave us such an unwelcoming introduction, was a mistake . All went wrong on these last few days . Besides that, I haven’t even figure how to separate Filaret from Helot . Ah, these troublesome feelings kept swirling inside of my head .
「Whatever… Anyways, we are finally getting back to the city . So, how is my employer’s condition?」
I shook my shoulders casually, and then, I spoke with some light-toned words to appease the frustration of my mind . Helot gently put a blanket on a laying Filaret . He narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth .
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「It seems that she exhausted her magical source . Both her mental and physical strength were drained as well . It was as if she ran out of energy . It’s been a while since she invoked this insane amount of sorcery powers . She needs a proper rest for the time being . 」
He spoke while taking a deep sigh . This request and this adventure . Everything was interrupted . I didn’t want to give back the advance payment I received prior to this trip . But, to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to get a reward for doing such a poor job on this quest . I had mixed feelings about his though . I had dignity and pride of an adventurer, but a dark soul of a lawless person .
Helot looked somewhat apprehensive . Maybe cautious, or maybe confused . Anyways, I just nodded quietly after he told me about Filaret’s condition .
—
Largud Ann .
Ms . Ninz introduced this person to guide us to the city-state of Garoua Maria . She was a girl that looked younger than Caria and me . Her expression and the posture resembled the behavior of little children . However, her talent was unquestionable . No one could deny that she had an extraordinary ability in persuasive and negotiating skills .
Ah, what a frightening coincidence this turned out to be . In fact, our guide was once part of the heraldic order . Of course, I knew that already based on the description I received from Ms . Ninz’s letter . Even so, I never knew that something unimportant written on a letter actually transformed into something so big that entangled all of us .
One of the shabby alleys of the city was designated as the meeting point . Before long, Largud Ann appeared . She was carrying a large barrel as always .
「I’ve heard that you wanted to meet me, my heroes . Ah, well, great Lugis, is it okay if I call you a hero?」
She cleared her throat, and spoke with a voice that spilled the beans . Yes, a bit rude in fact . But, it was Largud Ann after all .
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She walked into the shabby alley . We exchanged some information with her . All of us tried to understand each other’s situations . The ambush, the real intention, the transaction, and everything that followed afterwards .
「I already told you that I’m not that type of person . Heroes are people with burdens, especially because many people rely on them . Too much pressure . But, I must confess that I wouldn’t mind getting some of the fame and riches that comes along with it . 」
In other words, to get enough money in order to free Ariene . That would be, not only my adventurer’s goal, but also my personal goal .
Heroes and great people . I was, in fact, none of those . Did I longed to have such a title attached to my name? Maybe . Deep down I knew the answer to that question . Yes, it would be too much pressure . But, my heart would be satisfied with a rewarding life . Still, I had a good understanding of what would happen if an ordinary person like me reached out to such almighty horizon .
Just look at what happened with that request . I would have died if I had made a bigger mistake . No . Actually, I was almost at the verge of death . The talented ones were those that were with me . Only those that save others are the ones that deserve to be called heroes and great people .
It was very difficult to swallow the unfairness of this world . That made it hard to maintain my own soul’s determination .
「Sure…Well, then Lugis . How much do you know about their purpose? And, how did you end up cooperating with them?」
The tone of her words were conveyed in a very politely way . Actually, Largud Ann always spoke graciously with us ever since we met . But, it was different this time . She didn’t speak in a friendly nor familiar manner . It was as if her words were “thrown to the sky” purposely . The light in her eyes and the movement of her body seemed different this time .
Ah, I see . This demeanor was probably Largud Ann’s true face .
「Apparently, your name ended up being brought in the conversation with the Saint . Still, all of us knew that you weren’t deeply involved in the heraldic order because of Lady Ninz’s letter . 」
Yeah, a name that wasn’t supposed to be heard in a situation like that . After one of us explained that, Largud Ann loosened her cheeks and made a big smile on her face . It was probably a sarcastic smile . After all, her name was used to barter for our freedom . Still, there wasn’t anything we could do to avoid that now . Although the purpose wasn’t that righteous, Largud Ann was nominated as the trading partner for the negotiations with the Saint woman .
Yes, a very strange and sarcastic smile . Even though she showed us a fake smile, her face said it all . She hardened her face as if her emotions were suppressed .
「I don’t know about everything in detail . But, I do understand the meaning of what you told me so far . 」
Largud Ann spoke with a normal but ironic manner that even made my ears hurt . I just nodded as I heard her answer . However, than she opened her mouth again and spoke in a loud tone .
「You are getting involved with a dangerous person that impersonates herself as Saint Maria* . That woman has never forgiven anyone . At least not until now . 」
Largud Ann’s atmosphere changed after she finished speaking . Her smile was hollow and gave an ominous feeling . Afterwards, she shook her head slightly . She hesitated to speak for a while, as if she were choosing her words carefully .
「I see . Even if you like it or not… You ended up becoming a hero, Lugis . Okay, you have two options . You take this opportunity to negotiate, or…」
…you’ll end up as “someone else’s food” .
In the corner of a shabby alley, Largud Ann’s strange bright voice melted away .