Chapter 75

"Since you haven't gone to the grave, I can repair it... but to break it so soon..."

"I'm sorry. I really am not used to using it."

The day after the fox incident, I came to the blacksmith on Fifth Street to get my machete fixed and buy a new robe. When I showed the machete to the shop owner and asked for repairs, he sighed in exasperation.

"Well, you're a magician, not a professional. It's understandable that you're not used to handling swords. But you should take better care of it."

"I have no excuse."

After the repairs and sharpening were done, I looked at the returned blade and reflected on the shop owner's words. In fact, I had damaged the blade with just one swing. Even though the monster was strong, I should have reflected on my actions. Especially, breaking it after channeling my fighting spirit is not something that happens often.

The second robe was sold to me happily. It seems that the current trend is to show off armor as much as possible, and actually, coats are not selling well. In the past, they used to supply the knights, and it was often the case that the stock would run out. However, with no monsters or battles these days, there is no particular need for a large quantity, and the stock is piling up because only a few explorers buy them occasionally. The shop owner was smiling about it.

After leaving the shop, I thought about my plans for the day.

That day, I only managed to repair my equipment and secure food. I thought it might be good to eat out soon, but I end up being satisfied with the fish and insects I'm used to. My seasonings are almost running out, so I'll think about it after that.

A few days later.

A man called out to me as I was heading to the guild.

"Hey, Crow. It's been a while since we last met."

"Um, you're Leighton, right?"

Leighton was sitting on a barrel by the roadside, looking at the passersby. When he noticed me, he swung his dangling feet and greeted me, then jumped up lightly like a cat.

"I'm glad you remembered."

"Thank you for the other day."

When I bowed my head, Leighton stopped me with a gentle smile.

"I didn't do anything. But let's go to the guild together. I was just about to head there anyway."

"I don't mind, but were you waiting for me?"

It's hard to imagine that he predicted the time I would come out on a whim. Perhaps he had been waiting for a while.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you once."

Leighton yawned and answered.

"I don't have much to say, but if you want to."

"That's great. Let's go then."

And we started walking to the guild together.

"I knew about you, but I couldn't meet you because of Gustav. Finally, I got the chance to meet you."

"You know Gustav?"

Surprised, I checked Leighton's appearance, but I had no memory of seeing him in the slums. He's not a resident of the slums. Then,

"I often take jobs from Gustav."

"As an explorer?"

"Yeah. Let me introduce myself again. I'm Leighton Dorgwant. I'm an explorer who grew up in the slums like you. I used to live on the support of the Stone House, just like you. Nice to meet you."

After a light cough, Leighton puffed out his chest and said so.

"Um, yes. Nice to meet you."

Indeed. In that sense, he was a senior.

"So, if anything happens, don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure I can help."

"Thank you."

If he really takes jobs from Gustav, his skills are probably reliable. If something happens, it might be good to ask for his help. But I'll trust him later.

"So, is it okay if she... Hedron gets hurt?"

After walking for a while, Leighton suddenly said something strange.

"…? What do you mean?"

For a moment, I thought he was suggesting an attack on Tera. But following Leighton's gaze, I quickly understood that it wasn't the case.

A street running across the one we were walking on.

In the distance, I saw the back of a red-haired girl.

And a man's figure descending from above her head.

"Danger!"

I couldn't help but shout. But Tera reacted before she heard my words.

She jumped to the side and swung her arm. A wave of flame attacked the man's body. The man's body was engulfed in flames, but it was only for a moment. He landed and jumped at Tera as if nothing had happened. The flames were easily left behind by his movement.

The man's short sword was thrust at Tera. Just as the sword was about to reach her face, Tera, without moving a muscle, cut through the air with a burning hair.

The burning hair struck the man's torso.

The man's body collapsed. His torso was burned and blackened, now split in two. It was certainly an instant death.

"Phew. Just another grunt. …Wait? Did someone say something just now…?"

I heard Tera mutter. Hearing her voice, Leighton and I looked at each other and shrugged, smiling.

"She's pretty strong, isn't she?"

"She's a mage, so it's to be expected, but… she's completely different from the Tera in the forest. I'm honestly surprised. She's strong."

"So, let's get to the main topic."

"The main topic…?"

While watching Tera from a distance, Leighton said something strange again. Was there some kind of setup for walking this far?

"Yeah. I want to hear about her situation with you. Is that okay?"

"Is there something that concerns you?"

"She's been making quite a stir lately. I want to know the details."

"If you want to, go ahead, but I don't think I need to be there."

I don't need to be there. If you want to know, just ask her directly.

But Leighton said this was the main topic. If so, he was waiting for me on the street. Is there a reason he needs to bring me along? Is it okay to refuse?

"I can go alone, but as a supporter of Gustav, it's better to have more people, right?"

"…Is this related to Gustav…?"

Just because you're related to Gustav. Is that it?

Leighton didn't answer. But he stood quietly, waiting for my answer. I still don't understand his true intentions, but maybe it's okay to accept the invitation.

"…Alright. I'll come with you."

"Hehehe. Since we have your agreement, let's go and ask her right away."

Leighton turned to Tera. I followed his gaze and saw Tera dragging the corpse into an alley.

In the alley, Tera squatted next to the corpse. She placed her hand on it and chanted something, and the man's body was enveloped in a clean blue flame.

I couldn't help but call out from behind.

"You're burning the corpse?"

"!! What the heck, you guys?!"

This isn't a funeral. The corpse turned to ash from the edges and eventually crumbled and scattered. If it were to be buried, some form of remains should be left, but this is erasing everything, including possessions. So, this is...

"Covering up? But there are witnesses, right?"

"No, no, this assassin is thoughtful. There are no witnesses other than us. So, if we erase the evidence of his presence here, the incident won't come to light."

Right, this assassin is careful not to leave evidence of his work, so the evidence can be erased by his own setup.

"Crow, Leighton? What are you doing here…!?"

"I see. But if someone is used as a sacrificial pawn to deliberately create witnesses, Tera could be arrested."

"In that case, the motive and details of the incident would have to be revealed. Since Tera has been causing a stir recently, it would be a problem if it became a topic."

"Or, the guards could be bribed to silence them immediately after the arrest."

It seems like Haman and his ilk could be easily bribed.

"But the city operates according to the law, so that might be difficult. The guards don't have the authority to punish."

"If the guards suppress the information, it won't reach the higher-ups, right?"

"Hey, wait a minute…!"

"Considering Tera's counterattack, it might be difficult to suppress the incident without bringing it to light, given the damage of a large-scale arrest."

"Hey, hey!!"

Tera shouted loudly.

Oops. I was too engrossed in the conversation with Leighton.

"Ah, sorry. I was ignoring you."

"I was a bit intentional, but Crow, you were really into it."

Leighton was laughing happily.

"…Where were you watching from?"

"From when you were attacked by the person who turned to ash."

"Oh, that voice was you."

"Yes. I didn't really help."

A minor enemy like that can be easily dealt with. The post-battle comment wasn't a lie.

"Still, you killed him easily."

"…I'm just brushing off the sparks that fall on me. I can't afford to be killed."

Her eyes, fixed on Leighton, were filled with determination.

No interference. If anyone interferes, she won't show mercy to us either.

She took a half-step back and looked at Leighton and me.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not blaming you. But…"

"But?"

"I want to know why you can't afford to be killed. Depending on the story, maybe Leighton and I can help."

"Speaking as Gustav's representative," he added, but only I could hear it.

Tera's atmosphere softened at Leighton's words.

"Alright. I'll talk to you."

"Hehehe, understood. Let's go to the guild together. We can talk there."

The hand extended to her, the words spoken to her.

They didn't seem to have any malice.

But for some reason, those words sounded like the whisper of a demon to me.