Monsters with blue skin, huge eyes and an average height of three meters - this mysterious species that called itself «human» - emerged from the trees to confront us, real humans.
«So these are the monsters that Lord Baron warned us about...»
«But why do they stand there without approaching us?».
The monsters holding the position had tense gazes on their faces despite the weapons in their hands, their group was significantly smaller than our expedition group.
«It's been a while, Bjorn, son of Yandel.»
In the ensuing confrontation, the village chief emerged from the group of monsters.
The newcomers from the expedition group were clearly surprised to hear a monster like the boss speak our language, and I stepped forward to place them safely behind me. «Yes, it's been a while».
«Your allies have increased in number».
«Yes, things turned out that way».
He seemed to want to talk for now, so I responded as I scanned the area. The rest of the expedition group, the people who had been stationed around the original entrance, were approaching now, and it was impossible for them not to have noticed.
So why is he so relaxed?
His carefree greeting and lack of urgency made me even more nervous. However, I hid those emotions as best I could while asking him: «So where do you come from? You told me the town only had one entrance».
«Don't feel so bad. He couldn't share all the secrets of the village with an outsider, could he?».
«Oh, like those bodies in the basement?»
The village chief had nothing to say to that. He just looked me up and down with those weird eyes before asking me his own question.
«Did you know? The smartest among us tend to pretend that we are not aware of the things happening around us. So I wonder, are you just pretending or do you really have no idea?».
Well, I wasn't sure about that, but it was a pretty scary phrase to hear from someone staring like him. I almost threw my hammer at him on instinct.
«Your Honor! Move away». Commander Jerome Saintred demanded, arriving from the rear.
The village chief turned his bright eyes towards him. «Hmm... and who are you?».
«I am Count Jerome Saintred, captain of the First Royal Guard. I was given the position of commander of this expedition».
«The royal guard... yes, they knew that the palace people would come down here very soon-».
«Now it's your turn», Jerónimo cut off the boss and launched his interrogation. «Baron Yandel informed me that you appeared before him as the dragon knight Cornelius Bruingrid. Is that true?»
The boss stared at him before answering: «Does that matter?».
«Yes it matters. Because depending on how you respond, I will determine if you are simply an unidentified entity that we can communicate with or a former traitor who needs to be eliminated by execution immediately.»
A former traitor? What was this guy talking about?
While I tilted my head in confusion, the eyes of the boss, who did not usually show his emotions, hardened with murderous intent. It looked like the dragon had just been tickled in the tail. «Execution... you are quite a comedian».
«Is that so? How weird. My friends always say I'm not a very funny man».
«Even after all this time, those friends of yours haven't changed a thing. They are arrogant. As if they were on top of the world...» The village chief's voice became colder. «Try it then. That execution you crave so much».
«Well, although I would be happy to fulfill your wish, I cannot carry out an execution here and now».
«Because? You're afraid? And after coming...»
«I have many answers to get from you first. But after questioning you and getting all the information we need, I will personally execute you as you deserve.»
The conversation ended there, after an electrifying exchange full of bombs that left me amazed, although I was only a spectator.
But the good thing is that they don't seem to be friends at all...
When I had been going over possible scenarios in my head, somewhere these two had teamed up against me, so this was already going better than I was worried about.
«End them! Kill them all except their leader!»
«¡Nia Rafdonia!»
But wait, what was this?
«Separate and return to the village!»
As soon as Jerome gave the order for an all-out attack, the monsters fled in all directions.
«Commander! The monsters are fleeing!»
«Chase them and kill them! Capture their leader at all costs. You can kill him if necessary!»
Wait, chasing them was really a good idea?
Although the question crossed my mind, it wasn't like I could do anything to stop the operation. He had no reason to do so either.
«No one leaves on their own! Do not separate from me». I ordered Squad Four, and then rushed to join the others in their pursuit.
Of course, I just acted like I was trying to chase the monsters and didn't give it my all. No matter how you looked at it, this was extremely suspicious.
«...Yandel. There is a possibility that this is a trap».
«I know. They're trying to lure us somewhere, I'm sure». It was impossible for Jerome not to know. However, he probably came to the conclusion that either way, he couldn't let the boss escape. He was also probably sure that even if there was a trap, he would be able to overpower the monsters.
«What are you going to do?» amelia asked.
I responded without a moment's hesitation. «We will separate ourselves from the main unit as naturally as possible». That was the best way to ensure our survival.
However, it seemed that Amelia did not understand my logic, as she spoke again after a few seconds of silence. «...What do you mean? Divide us?»
«Exactly what I said. While chasing the monsters, we will separate ourselves from the rest of the group in the most organic way possible.»
«And after that?»
«We will escape from this island. As far as you know, we accidentally separated from the main unit and left out of necessity.»
«Do you really think we can do it?.»
I immediately realized that I wasn't wondering if we would be able to make it. I was wondering if I would be able to handle the aftermath.
Well, what difference does it make...? Either way, it's too risky to stay and keep chasing them.
Erwen had ended up with short hair before she could figure out how she was going to deal with Jerome, and now that the village chief had appeared, the odds of something big happening had skyrocketed. What, I was supposed to sit here and wait for whatever it was?
No, this is the best decision.
With that, I shook off the doubt and hardened my determination.
This was something I would normally never do. My hope was that by acting out of character, I could cause a big enough change that the scene Parav saw could be avoided.
«The boss! It's the boss!» I screamed. «The boss went that way! Squad Four, follow me!»
The moment I saw an opportunity, I began to guide Squad Four away from the main group.
«That? But I definitely saw him go around...»
«Are you saying I'm wrong? Follow me!»
The members of Squad Four who didn't know my plan seemed hesitant, but fortunately they stayed with me. We quickly put distance between ourselves and the main group.
«Hey? Mr. Baron is going in that direction...»
«But is there something there?»
«But he said he saw something...»
The members of Squad Three, the group next to us, gave us glances that clearly said they were confused about what we were doing and how they should react, but they didn't actively try to stop us. I mean, who in their right mind could imagine that we were going to take advantage of this moment to escape with an entire squad?
«Are you heading there? All forces, change course!»
…¿Eh?
«All forces, follow Baron Yandel!»
What the hell? Why were they following me?
The moment I thought I had successfully escaped from the main group, they changed direction to mine, turning our squad into the tip of a spear formation.
«Yandel, what do we do?»
«Act as natural as possible for now.»
«…Understood.»
Even if we tried to change direction here again, the main unit would still follow us.
While I was busy contemplating where my life had gone wrong, Jerome, who had been moving with Squad One, caught up with me instantly. «Your Honor! I have decided to trust your judgment for now and have ordered them to follow you, but did you really see the monster?».
This was checkmate.
«Uh. »
What could I say here?
With growing panic, I pretended not to hear his question and continued running. «The village chief was definitely heading in this direction...»
«Your Honor! Is he! The creature we are chasing is there».
My mouth slammed shut. I had no idea how, but suddenly, the village chief appeared right in front of us, running in the same direction I was heading.
«Wait...» Jerome reflected. «Were we chasing a decoy?».
I didn't say anything, choosing not to disturb the pleasant atmosphere of the forest.
«Ha! If it weren't for you, we would have lost him, Baron Yandel! I will not forget the contribution you have made here today».
«...Yes. Thanks.» I wasn't sure if I had been lucky as this meant I wouldn't have to make up an excuse, or if I had really been screwed here.
In any case, shortly after we saw the chief stop in front of a tree and slide through a gap under it.
«There is an underground path!»
It seemed like it was another entrance to the village.
«Count Saintred, what is your plan? This may very well be a trap».
«I know, but we can't let it go now».
I sighed. Yes... Yes, it was always going to fall. Well, it's okay. I could send him there and keep his eyes peeled for another chance to escape-.
«So, Baron Yandel, could you perhaps guide us?»
«...Even if we don't know what could be down there?»
«That's why we need your strength more than ever. You were able to resist the attacks of a rank one monster on your own. As long as you can hold them back a little, our soldiers will be able to reach out and support you».
What Jerome said made sense. Of all the members of the expedition group, I was the most resilient. Sending myself into danger first was the most logical decision a commander could make. However...
¡Ba-dump!
For some reason, my heart started pounding as soon as the suggestion came out of his mouth. Simultaneously, scraps of memories that he had collected throughout the day overlapped each other. Each of them was something insignificant that could easily be ignored on its own, but...
I still have to check it.
With that, I came face to face with Jerome's eyes and said: «Clear. I'll take the lead».
«Oho, that's great! If you refused, I wasn't sure who I could send instead-»
«But only if you allow me to do something beforehand».
When I cut him off to put a condition on him, Jerome closed his mouth and stared at me. His eyes seemed to say: «Say your conditions».
«From what I remember», I started, »one of the objects you brought with you was Wrong Trust. It's true?»
«It is...», he said, breaking down to encourage me to continue.
«If you let me use it to confirm a few things, I'll be happy to take the lead and guide us».
«I'm not sure what you're trying to verify, but do you have to do it here and now? We don't know what kind of trap that monster may be setting down there...»
«So that's all. I won't take the initiative».
«Even if I order you to do so with my authority as commander?».
I shrugged instead of an answer.
A moment of silence followed.
«...Things seem strangely tense between the two of them. I'm not the only one who sees it, am I?».
«Fenelin, Karlsten, Tersia. Manténganse firmes.»
«E-Confront us»?
«Just do what you are told.»
The friction between the two was palpable even to onlookers. But after a few more moments of heavy silence, Jerome finally came to a decision.
«Okay. Mr. Ebost! Bring Wrong Trust here! I don't know what, but it seems that the baron wants to confirm something».
As soon as he gave the order, the deputy commander approached with the object, and I quickly picked it up and activated it.
Clack.
i sighed. With that, everything was ready. Now, no one within a ten meter radius could lie.
«Is your name Jerome Saintred?»
«Sí.»
I started with a simple test question before getting into the subject. «Now I'll ask you a question, and all you have to do is answer 'no'».
«That will be easy. Forward».
I met his confident gaze and opened my mouth slowly. «Besides today... No, to be more precise, excluding the meeting he had a few minutes ago...».
The commander remained silent.
«Have you met that monster who calls himself Cornelius Bruingrid before?». asked.
The answer I requested was «no». However, no matter how long I waited, the answer I desperately wanted never came.
As I began to slowly raise my hammer and shield, the silence was finally broken by his deep voice, each word spoken very carefully.
«How did you know?»
...Maldite sea.
This guy already knew the boss.