Volume 3 Chapter 34 The Trap Was Waiting for Me
Luckily, my sisters were just asleep.
I immediately rushed home and searched for any signs of the culprit.
"......Huh?"
I noticed a strange envelope on Lene's usual crafting table.
I picked it up.
It wasn't addressed to anyone.
It means it was either given directly to Lene... or──
"Or, left by the culprit, but..."
I opened the letter and read it.
"Come to the ruins of Orut Village alone. Don't tell anyone about this."
Orut Village ruins... how nostalgic.
That's where I fought Guy and Marie, who had become a fiend.
The fact that this place was mentioned means the culprit might know about our past connection.
I packed my things immediately and headed towards the neighboring house.
It was an imposition to wake Lana up, who I had just put to bed, but I had no choice.
"Mnn... huh? Ryuuji...? When did I fall asleep...? My clothes are still on..."
Lana hadn't fully woken up.
She rubbed her eyes and looked at me with a confused expression.
"I don't have time to explain, but I need you to listen. Belle and Ai are seriously injured back home, and I need your help."
"Eh!? That's terrible!"
"Ugh?"
Oh, Lana's loud voice woke Lena up too.
She sat up and looked around.
When she saw me, her eyes widened and she tilted her head.
It was late, but now Lana and Lena were my only hope.
I quickly got them ready and led them back home, giving them a brief explanation about the situation.
"When morning comes, go to the workshop at the harbor and ask the guard at the gate to call Minori. My sister will take care of the rest, so I'm counting on you tonight."
"What about you, Mr. Ryuuji?"
Lana asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
Well, duh.
Why would the homeowner leave an injured person behind?
"I have to go talk to the guy who did this to you two. I'm sorry, but..."
"...I see. Understood! Please be careful!"
Even though she probably had a lot on her mind, Lana seemed to understand the situation and encouraged me.
Ugh, what a perceptive and kind girl.
I have to thank her when I get back.
I left them to it and set off for the ruins of Orut Village.
* * *
I arrived at the ruins of Orut Village a little after a day later, in the morning.
It took longer last time since Lene and my sister were with me, but this is about right if I use my usual stride.
The village was shrouded in morning mist, giving it an eerie atmosphere.
Seriously, is Lene even here?
As I was exploring the center of the ruined village, I immediately saw a figure approaching.
So the culprit shows up already, huh?
I readied myself, ready to toss my staff and call upon the protection of the <Magic stone of Fyrel>.
My Alchemist's Gun was also slung at my hip, ready to fire at any moment.
"Oh? Ryuuji?"
"......Huh?"
The person who approached... was someone I never expected to see here.
Seriously, why is she here?
In a place like this?
"...'Teacher'?"
"Yes, Ryuuji. What brings you here?"
Her expression must have mirrored mine──'Teacher' looked utterly taken aback.
* * *
"I came here because they say you can find rare mushrooms. They're not that unusual in the north, but around here, they seem to be quite valuable."
"...I see."
Hearing 'Teacher's' explanation left me at a loss for how to respond.
I was pondering the reason behind it when I realized it was just the kind of thing a magician would say.
Just a few minutes ago, I was about to strike first with the Alchemist's Gun──talk about a close call.
"So, Ryuuji, what brings you to a place like this?"
"Um..."
'Teacher's' question, which was completely innocent of any malice, had me stumped for a moment.
After all, I was told to keep this a secret, so I really couldn't tell anyone.
If the letter I'm holding has any magical contract on it, Lene could be in danger.
After some hesitation, I decided to return a question with a question.
"...Have you seen any suspicious figures around here, perhaps someone accompanied by an elven woman?"
"An elven woman...?"
"No, not you, 'Teacher'."
I waved my hands back and forth in front of 'Teacher', trying to clarify.
It was true that the person I was searching for resembled 'Teacher', but she was my wife.
"Ah... well, I might have seen a shadowy figure. I didn't approach them, though, since I wanted to avoid any unnecessary trouble."
"Which direction?"
"Umm, just a little ahead, where the path curves?"
'Teacher' turned around and pointed, and sure enough, there was a side path. I was desperate for any lead at this point, so I was grateful for the direction.
"Thank you so much!"
"Wait, oh, hold on!"
Ignoring the voice calling out behind me, I dashed towards the side path.
* * *
I found myself in the heart of an abandoned village, a narrow alleyway nestled between old buildings, with a path seemingly leading deeper into the mountains beyond.
And there she was, Lene, finally.
She was lying on a blanket by the roadside, but her breathing was ragged, and at a glance, it was clear she was in bad shape.
"Lene!"
"... huh? Ryu...ji...?"
Lene woke up at my voice and turned her head, looking this way.
It felt like it had been ages since we last met.
But Lene's eyes widened in shock.
"Sister! Stop it!"
"Eh──-?"
Sister?
I hurriedly turned around, and what I saw was──
'Teacher' standing before me, Alchemist's Gun leveled at me, a smirk curling her lips.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)