Chapter 71

---

The deafening roar that reverberated through the brain, even with ears plugged.

Truly, a monkey's scream.

The surrounding beasts had long since fled, and those that couldn't escape were already dead.

It was similar to the final cry of a chicken having its neck wrung. The roar of a large, ape-like beast emerged from a large cavity in its abdomen. It was hard to say that it still retained the outline of a living creature. Hence, it was a monster.

However, now, whether to flee or to face it, there was some leeway.

That loud voice was a warning. It was a declaration of intent: if the prey wanted to run, it could. It made little difference to the beast whether they fled or not. The beast enjoyed the hunt itself.

Still, given that there was likely no other path, there was no choice but to proceed through the territory the beast dominated.

"...So, Rougis. Can I attack now? How about that big mouth? It looks like it's dying to eat something, which is perfect, isn't it?"

While condensing magic at the tips of her fingers, Fiarth muttered.

The deep wrinkles on her forehead suggested that she had been awakened by the loud roar of the big ape. Her mood was particularly bad when she woke up, as I had experienced in the slums.

Her black, sharp eyes seemed ready to unleash a vortex of magic at the big ape. This bad temper upon waking up—couldn't it be fixed somehow?

"Hey, wait a moment. For a weak magician like you, it's too much. If so, it's better for the two of us. How about it, like before, the two of us together, okay?"

By "like before," she was probably referring to a large, boar-like monster. I don't think I was much involved in that.

Karia announced to Fiarth with a hint of pride and a touch of provocation. The block of magic that could be interpreted as Fiarth's murderous intent seemed to momentarily point in Karia's direction.

As if to ignore such things, Karia, who was leaning on her shoulder, made me squint my eyes. I felt my heartbeat quicken slightly.

I had recently started to realize that something was odd about this situation. Not just Karia, but Fiarth as well.

There was an indescribable, almost shameful emotion budding within them. I understood that Karia had a burning obsession, and Fiarth had a dependency on someone. This was clear.

And the joy I felt when I realized these emotions were directed at me was undeniable. I knew I shouldn't be happy, that I shouldn't distort my cheeks. They were the witches who had once trampled on me and committed atrocities.

To receive the emotions of such people and to have these deep-seated feelings stirred within me—wasn't it like a clown?

Ah, but even so. Even so, my body still rejoiced in it.

I understood it was foolish. Even when Karia had choked me, even when Fiarth had repeatedly demanded words from me.

Yes, I, an ordinary person, had somehow found joy in the emotions, similar to affection, directed at me by them. What a fool. What a commoner.

--- But recently, I had also felt a sense of unease.

Had I ever seen Karia's intense obsession, which could burn others to ashes, or Fiarth La Borgograd's dependency, which could drag others down with her? No, at least during our past travels, I had never seen such behavior.

I wondered if I had somehow stepped on the wrong board somewhere. And if I had stepped on the wrong board, there might be no board left ahead. I suddenly thought this.

Ridiculous. Even if that were the case, I could just take the next step, no matter what. I threw my voice to Matia, who was still standing, as if to shake off my thoughts, to tell her a way to deal with the big ape in front of us.

"Holy Lady, how about we treat them to some wine? They might be in a good mood and let us pass."

I pointed to the wine in the back of the carriage, speaking in a deliberately casual tone.

The wine brought from Galuamaria, originally intended as a gift for the Elven King, was a fine vintage that had not yet turned sour. I would have liked to drink it myself, no doubt.

However, the look on Matia's face when I said this was hard to describe. Her eyebrows furrowed, her cheeks trembled slightly, and they were slightly flushed. For a moment, it seemed as if she was squeezing out her emotions from the soles of her feet.

"--- I was wrong to show you even a bit of kindness! You are a fool beyond all words! If you have time to say such nonsense...!"

She opened her palm wide and pressed it in front of her mouth, as if to spew out her emotions. A slight sweat trickled down her forehead.

I hadn't expected her to be so unresponsive to my joke. It seemed my judgment of people was off. I had thought she would respond coldly to such a light-hearted remark. She seemed to be the type who showed her emotions despite her calculating nature.

"Alright, I'm sorry, it was my fault. But it's not a joke. Giving them wine is the best option."

As Matia's expression gradually calmed, I slowly withdrew my hand and spoke, as if to convince myself, word by word.

"That big ape is a particularly greedy type among monsters. When it attacks people, it chases them around, mimicking a hunt, and it likes human delicacies. What they crave the most is—"

"—Wine, you mean?"

Fiarth, with her black eyes wide open, continued, her expression filled with doubt about how I knew this.

"Because, no matter how you look at it, it's an undiscovered monster. How do you know such things, you? Huh?"

Fiarth's question was entirely reasonable. If I was going to assert knowledge about an unknown creature, I should provide a basis for it. I couldn't just abandon it like I did when I gave advice to Karia in the past. Matia's eyes also reflected doubt.

This is bad. I couldn't think of what to say. Fighting that big ape would inevitably result in casualties. It could be the knights, or it could be me.

But they were intelligent women. I couldn't easily deceive them with just words, and it would be hard to trick them, with whom I had shared life and death.

How should I say it? As my tongue wavered, a strong voice brushed past my ear.

"It's fine if you don't believe me—Rougis. I believe you are right."

Today, she seemed particularly proud. Her silver hair, divided into two braids, swayed as she spoke with a grin, tickling my ear.

"I have no basis either. Just that this guy knew about a new type of monster before. But I don't doubt his words now. What about you, magician?"

Her silver eyes narrowed as she stared at Fiarth. It was a rather malicious question, and I felt a strange sense of unease.

Fiarth pouted, her large eyes wide open, and met Karia's gaze, then glared at me.

What, what did I do? I did nothing. As if to deny any room for defense, Fiarth opened her mouth. Her voice was colored with raw emotion.

"...Fine, alright. I get it. I'll believe you... but you better explain later, Rougis!"

Fiarth said, with liquid gathering at the corners of her black eyes.

I was taken aback, my eyes widening in shock, and I nodded, pushed by the momentum. This was unexpected. It was unusual to see Fiarth so emotionally charged. Even more so because I knew the future.

But, for better or worse, Fiarth had agreed with my plan.

So, it was up to the Holy Lady now. I looked up from my seated position and met her gaze. Her expression was still sullen, as if she didn't want to acknowledge it, as if she didn't want to consider my proposal.

I was really disliked. I had known this from last night, but seeing it so openly made me feel as if the life was being forcibly sucked out of me, just like in the past.

But, regardless of whether she liked or disliked it, she needed to make a decision quickly. The big ape's warning was gradually becoming less intense. It was a signal that it was about to claim its prey. Its instinct to enjoy the hunt was being overtaken by its primal drive.

The sound of hooves stirred the surroundings.

"--- Holy Lady, there is no other path for the carriage to pass. We must push through here!"

The words of the knight who had gone to scout were probably the final push.

"...Alright. Hero, no, Rougis. I will adopt your plan. Prepare immediately."

Matia's clear voice quietly fell into the carriage.