Chapter 44

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After parting ways with Aura, I started running towards the direction Vaize had gone, which was towards the town.

The town, surprisingly, seemed unchanged, operating as usual.

The only difference was that everyone was looking at me.

Upon reflection, it might be inevitable since I was dressed as the "Jet-Black Savior."

"Um, um... Are you, by any chance, the 'Jet-Black Savior'...?"

One of the people looking at me asked hesitantly.

...Maybe it's better not to say I'm the real one?

If they knew I was the real one, it might hinder my actions from now on.

"No, I just admire the 'Jet-Black Savior,' you know?"

Even if I am the real one, it seems better to lie here.

When I said that, I heard voices of understanding from the crowd, saying, "I thought so."

However, since my appearance is what it is, it's inevitable that some people will keep glancing at me.

Maybe I should go to the guild first...

Right now, most of the adventurers should be out on a mission, so there shouldn't be many people there.

I managed to reach the guild by taking routes that would attract the least attention.

Just to be safe, I quietly opened the guild's door.

"What!?"

The guild was dyed red with blood—

The guild master, whom I had previously helped, and people in familiar armor were lying on the floor.

"Ugh..."

"Hey! Are you okay!?"

I had imagined the worst, that everyone might be dead, but the guild master groaned.

Upon closer inspection, the others were injured but, fortunately, none were dead.

I immediately began healing everyone.

Since the others didn't regain consciousness even after being healed, I went to the guild master, the only one conscious, to find out what had happened.

"Guild master, what happened...?"

"...I thought it was an adventurer, but they suddenly attacked. I'm not good at close combat and ended up being caught off guard..."

It's probably about Vaize.

"...So, where is that adventurer now?"

I need to catch up with Vaize as soon as possible to prevent further casualties.

"Ah!! That's right!! That person went to a room at the back of the guild, where Asaha and the king were waiting!!"

"What!?"

If the king were to be killed, it would be more than just a major incident.

Moreover, Asaha is there too.

Without waiting for the guild master's permission, I ran frantically to the back of the guild.

As I was about to turn a corner in the long hallway of the guild, I heard a loud noise from the back.

Just as I tensed up, a familiar figure flew around the corner.

It was Asaha, dressed in a receptionist's uniform.

I quickly cast a spell and caught her just in time.

"Wh-What!? Nest!?"

Seeing my black cloak, Asaha immediately recognized me.

However, her face turned red in my arms, and she tried to get down right away.

I complied and carefully lowered her.

"Asaha, where is the king!?"

The fact that Asaha was thrown out means Vaize is already there.

"In, in the room..."

"Got it!!"

I ran at full speed to the room where Asaha had been.

When I entered the room, Vaize was already about to stab the king with a knife.

...Damn!! There's no way to avoid the knife!!

I quickly slipped between the king and Vaize, extending my arm to block the knife.

Thanks to the drug still in my system, I could feel something foreign entering my body.

It seems I managed to protect the king.

"King!! Please escape while you can!!"

Vaize was still in shock, not fully comprehending the situation since he thought he had killed me.

"O-Okay..."

The king hurriedly fled the room. For now, I can breathe a sigh of relief...

"...What's going on? I thought I killed you back then..."

Vaize finally spoke, and as expected, he asked about that.

"Yeah, that... Yeah, I was just pretending to be dead."

"..."

Vaize was stunned, his mouth agape.

"Well, that doesn't matter now, does it?"

"...Yeah, you're right."

Vaize and I quietly readied our knives—.