Chapter 70

"Um... Can't we take a break? I'm really tired."

"What? But you said we're being chased."

"They went to check on our pursuers. I feel like I'll just be a burden if I keep walking like this. I think I'll be fine if I can just rest a bit."

"Alright. You've done a tough job rescuing this dryad."

"And... I still don't feel safe. Could you keep watch? I won't recover if I'm anxious."

Perhaps because of the pitiful look on his face, which was relaxed by the power of cannabis, or because he believed it would only take a moment, he moved away from his position.

I gestured to Cannabis. She looked anxious, perhaps worried that the delay would prevent her from meeting her master.

"Hey, I have a few questions. Is your master a doctor?"

"Yes, that's right."

Was I worrying for nothing?

"Isn't there an emergency surgery you need to go to in the 17th terrarium? Would it be okay to go to the 18th instead?"

Cannabis looked surprised at my question. Her expression seemed more bewildered than curious about how I knew.

"What? I'm not qualified to participate in formal surgeries yet. My control over my powers is still poor. I'm still in the probationary period. My druid is a doctor, but he didn't bring me to participate in surgery. We were evacuating me when the school was attacked..."

"What? So that guy was lying? He said he was taking you to an emergency surgery..."

"No, my master isn't a man."

It felt like someone had poured cold water over me.

So the guys who came to rescue us were bad guys too... It's like the bad guy who was kidnapping Cannabis was attacked by another bad guy team and ended up being kidnapped again. The one who got attacked was using us.

"Why are you saying that...? Could it be that your druid is still in danger...?"

Not just your master, but we're in danger again too. What did I say to that guy? I think I told him I had no combat power without a party. I must have revealed everything to the enemy from the start.

Should I try a forced breakthrough again? But last time, everyone was together, which was good. Now, they're scattered, checking for stragglers. There might be more on the way...

But they probably don't know something's off yet. How can I use this to my advantage?

Maybe the power of cannabis worked because of my luck. Or maybe it was the luck of my dryads, since I'm usually unlucky.

When Cannabis said she was resistant to the power of cannabis, I thought maybe someone in this group had a dryad with similar resistance.

What can I do to get out of this situation with only money?

"Didn't you say dryads can't be far from their masters? Are you okay?"

"It's not too far yet, so I'm fine. I can feel that I'm getting closer to my master. Maybe he's in the 18th terrarium. For some reason, he can't summon me with an artifact..."

"In the 18th, huh?"

I asked Elder to cast a luck buff. When he asked why I needed it if I wasn't going to fight, I said I needed a charm. Elder had mentioned before that he could use his flower branches as charms.

"Have you rested enough?"

A bit of time must have passed while I was thinking. Four people had moved away to keep watch, but only one came back. Where did the others go?

My dryads, sensing my thoughts, were about to be on guard, so I calmed them down. We can't be discovered yet.

People often act boldly when they're drunk. Fortunately, my courage was also boosted, even though it was from the power of cannabis, not alcohol. I took a deep breath.

"Can I pay now?"

"Pay?"

"Didn't you come alone to do this? Isn't that you?"

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"There's no one around to hear us. We don't need to act anymore, right? I gave you the signal, and you agreed to come alone."

He stiffened, looking exasperated by my nonsense.

"The advance payment has already been sent, and we agreed to settle the middle payment when Cannabis is taken away separately. And you agreed to give the final payment when I can safely hide with Cannabis in the 18th terrarium."

The man's mouth closed tightly. What is he thinking? Does he suspect there's a spy in the organization? How will he react? Is he greedy enough to be swayed by money? Or will he resist? What if I offer an amount he can't refuse?

"I was going to kill the woman protecting this one and run, but you caught me. So, unfortunately, we need to resume the deal. The advance was in diamonds..."

I shouldn't mention the unit yet. I'm still not familiar with the diamond market here. I stopped talking and held up one finger. One means nothing. It's like a single check. The reasonable amount will be up to him.

"1... 100..."

His voice trembled slightly, suggesting a weak surge of greed. But 100 only causes that much trembling?

"100? It was 1000, right?"

"1000..."

His mouth dropped open. Elder also flinched but quickly closed his mouth.

What now? The advance is usually a small percentage of the total. If a part is 1000, how much are the middle and final payments? Huh? Will he deny it? Or...

"That's right. It was 1000..."

He's buying it!

"The middle payment was double the advance, 2000. Remember?"

Elder's shoulders trembled.

"Of course. It was just an act. I was checking if anyone was around."

He quickly turned his head and walked to where he was supposed to keep watch. I looked at Mesquite, wondering if she heard anything.

"2000? What are you doing!"

Elder finally couldn't hold back and shouted.

"2000 is a bargain."

"‘So that's why you insisted on the 18th terrarium...’ You said. But your master, Jay, is a good liar. He seemed like a completely different person."

"I wouldn't have dreamed of it if I were sober. My voice would have trembled. But I'm a bit high."

Mesquite glanced at Cannabis, as if eager to get rid of her.

Meanwhile, the man returned.

"It's safe now. Shall we continue the conversation?"

I thought my unwavering trust might make him suspicious. It's a big deal, and it might seem odd if I trust him blindly. I need to set an easy trap.

"But... Are you really the right person? It's suspicious. You don't even remember the advance payment... This is a 10,000 diamond deal."

I subtly pushed Elder behind Mesquite to hide him. It would be troublesome if he kept jumping around like a caught fish.

"10,000... The advance was 1000... The middle payment was 2000... The rest is 7000..."

His voice grew soft, then louder.

"What are you talking about? It's me. That's why I came alone, right?"

"Right? We had a password. You should know it if you're the right person."

"Password...?"

His expression changed. He looked completely flustered. There is no password. I just...

"Matches?"

"Matches... Matches are like..."

"You're the right one."

It doesn't matter what he answers; I'll say he's right.

"Like...? Like this guy...?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

It would be good to cause some internal conflict. If things go wrong, the fake doctor who tricked me will be dealt with somehow. I pretended not to hear, and he cleared his throat loudly.

"No, no. Look. It's me."

"Okay, let's give you the middle payment. Last time, you wanted everything in kind, not a deposit. What about this time?"

"This time, just deposit it directly to me."

He took out his phone, so I did too. I sent 2000 diamonds. The dwarves were complaining, but now wasn't the time to worry about that. By the way, his name is Karlung.

I deliberately set the final payment high in case he took the 2000 diamonds and ran. He'll have to take me to the 18th terrarium to get the final payment, and since it's a village, he can't do anything to me, right?

From what I heard when I was tied up, it seems you can't forcibly take diamonds from a wallet against the owner's will.

His eyes were shaking as he looked at his phone screen. He was clearly very moved by the amount.

"Come on, hurry. Our boss has no patience. If this deal goes well, there will be more, right? I gave 10,000 diamonds for the escape costs. Stay hidden until the next instructions."

His attitude became very polite.

"Of course. There are many eyes, so just act as you did before."

After that, he acted as expected.

He was extremely greedy, willing to abandon his principles for a lot of money. He left the others behind with excuses and gradually reduced the number, eventually team-killing them.

When he backstabbed the unsuspecting companions, I had to pretend it didn't bother me. As if I expected it... Of course, I helped a bit too.

I thought he might be a leader because he approached me first, and my guess was somewhat accurate. He seemed skilled.

***

The World Tree's blessing felt stronger, indicating we were close to the village.

"We're about to meet at the agreed spot."

Oops. We were supposed to meet inside the terrarium. Of course, the administrative manager can't see everything with just a phone, so they can't openly commit crimes in a visible place.

"Let's hide here for a moment. There's a dryad with good detection skills among them. I recommend sending all your dryads back to the artifact."

That's a bit concerning. Send all the dryads protecting me back to the artifact? Mesquite and Elder gave me a look that said absolutely not.

Then he sent one of his dryads back to the artifact.

"Cannabis can pretend to be my dryad, but your dryads are too strong to hide."

"Right."

"You...!"

Elder got angry, so I mentally told him to calm down. Let's trust him once. We bought this trust with money. He did team-kill, after all.

I almost forcibly sent the dryads back to the artifact. Mesquite, the last one, gently held my shoulder and looked into my eyes.

It was as if she was saying she could come out immediately if anything happened, so I should be at ease. It felt like the situation had reversed, and I was the one who needed to reassure her that everything would be fine, to comfort and soothe her.

Mesquite thought too much about me. Every action and thought centered on me. Her excessive love and loyalty made me truly feel at ease.

Once he was sure Mesquite had entered the artifact, he walked towards the gathered people.

"The plan has gone wrong. March is a traitor. There are other organizations."

What? Am I in another trap? I crouched and gripped the grass tightly. The artifact trembled. But wait, it's not time yet.

"Our group was attacked. We need help. They couldn't have gone far. I'm too exhausted from the fight, so I'll go report."

The gathered people ran down the path we came from. Once they were far enough, he nodded at me. Money... won.

"It will be exposed soon. The ones left behind and the ones who ran will notice something's off. We need to move quickly."

We hurried and barely made it to the 18th terrarium.