Volume 3 Chapter 37 The Fugitive Drama, To Move Forward or Return
Gritting my teeth to suppress the urge to vomit, I continued climbing what seemed like a mountain path, and after what felt like an eternity, the smoke finally began to clear.
I spotted Lene, who was pulling my hand.
My mood was starting to settle, and thankfully, the hellish sensation was easing up just a bit.
Considering the situation, I must have climbed the mountain path that stretched opposite where Lene had led me, Adiliana.
I had walked quite a distance, but where exactly were we?
The thick, overgrown vegetation gave me a rather eerie feeling.
"Lene, are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine! It just felt like I had to help Ryuuji, and suddenly, I had all this energy, hehe."
Lene's face was slightly flushed as she smiled softly at me.
Hearing her say something so uplifting made me feel warm inside.
Even though we were in a difficult situation, it seemed like her spirits had lifted a little.
"So, what's the deal with this smoke that still hasn't cleared? Why are you so unfazed by it?"
I couldn't help but ask about the nagging thoughts on my mind.
After all we'd walked, how could this smoke still persist?
Just how potent was this smoke bomb?
No, it was hard to believe that something this powerful could even exist.
There had to be some kind of trick to it.
Then Lene said, "It seems like we can see it now," as she let go of my hand but kept walking steadily.
She probably believed Emerada wouldn't give up easily.
"Um, first off, the smoke is only swirling in that specific area. This place is filled with fresh air right now, but it looks hazy to you, Ryuuji, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it's gotten better, but..."
"Actually, the smoke I released back then was toxic, causing a disruption in our senses and Magic Power Detection ability. I wasn't affected because I had taken the antidote beforehand, you see."
"Wait, wait, it was poison?"
I can't believe she actually tried to poison me and make her getaway.
I'm impressed, really.
But even as I endured the hellish nausea, I couldn't help but slump in defeat.
My wife just poisoned me.
Lene, in response to my reaction, chuckled softly and playfully stuck her tongue out at me, saying, "Sorry!" in the cutest way possible.
Well, I guess I can't complain too much, since I'm alive because of her.
"So, where exactly are we? Which way did we walk to get here?"
"Um... probably east?"
Lene answered, glancing up at the sun as if she wasn't quite sure.
East, huh?
That's the opposite direction of Sartzstadt.
"But heading west towards Sartzstadt from here could mean we might get ambushed at some point. What should we do?"
I spread a mental map in my mind, weighing what the best course of action would be.
If we continue south along the road, there's a decent chance that Emerada or those 2 could be lying in wait for us.
Still, that route is the only way to the town.
Turning back west right now would only be more dangerous.
The north is rugged with mountains, so I guess we're left with no choice but to head east for now.
"This is troublesome. I can't think of a way to head back west."
I threw my hands up in surrender, declaring my defeat.
While it's a relief my life was spared, I honestly can't see any way back to Sartzstadt.
Lene watched me, deep in thought as we walked.
Then, as if she suddenly had a brilliant idea, she spun around to face me, her hands cheekily placed behind her back, and looked up at me with a mischievous grin.
"Then let's not go back!"
"...Well, it's not like that. Goldmont's on the offensive right now..."
I'm part of the defense squad, but I snuck out without saying a word.
I feel bad for His Excellency Duke Hoffman, and my sisters are probably worried too.
I'd like to go back if I could.
"Sure, that unwavering sense of duty is part of Ryuuji's charm, but don't you think we should be a bit more strategic, a bit more flexible? Sartzstadt has the Alchemy Long Rifle, and Flamme is there too, so they won't go down easily. I think we should hide somewhere else until things cool down."
"Hmmm..."
I had to admit, Lene had a point.
I groaned, troubled.
Then there's that cheating battle power, the fire dragon Flamme.
Whether that guy will join a war among such short humans is a bit iffy, but I get the feeling they might take action to protect Lana and the others.
"So, where should we hide in the end?"
We could try hiding in a village from here, but that might be a bad move.
There's no guarantee someone will hide a stranger like us.
Lene is giving me a weird look when I ask.
It's like she's thinking, "Did you forget something?"
"......Ah, right. East. No, to be precise, it's northeast."
A place popped into my mind, somewhere that might take us in, no questions asked, and the words slipped out naturally.
Lene is nodding vigorously.
Seems like I hit the nail on the head.
"That's right, let's head to the Capital City and hide out in the royal castle!"
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