Chapter 134 : The Lady's Mind
The Lady's Mind
You.
You sent an assassin after me.
What are you going to do about that?
When I asked Rugar this stinging question, his expression changed instantly. He looked genuinely troubled, unsure what to do.
A brief silence fell.
Breaking that silence, rugar spoke.
"... I'm sorry."
Sorry, huh.
I hadn't expected an apology so easily.
But hey, is apologizing all it takes?
If so, why do we even need police?
The silence deepened. The air inside the cave weighed heavily.
"It's true that I doubted you."
"Doubted me?"
"That's right."
Rugar slowly raised his head.
In his eyes was a mix of guilt and a strong desire to explain something.
"During the coming-of-age ceremony, I sensed the power of necromancy from you."
At that time, I was only just getting used to the world. I hadn't even learned abilities like 'necromancy detection' yet, so from his side, he could have checked one-sidedly.
Even so, the reason Rugar couldn't make a bold move was likely because he too had learned 'necromancy' and was afraid that would come to light.
"A necromancer had infiltrated the barbarian's tribe. And not just anyone—a 'barbarian' who had completed the coming-of-age ceremony."
Rugar gave a bitter smile.
"I hope you understand why I doubted you. After learning that there was darkness lurking within the tribe, I became overly sensitive."
Hearing his words, I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.
I had mistaken Rugar for the 'Seven Abyssal Brands,' and this guy also thought I was from the 'Seven Abyssal Brands.'
What's funny is:
Both of us, who had learned 'necromancy,' were having this conversation.
Thrag.
If cases like this existed, shouldn't you have at least eased my restrictions?
"So now, have your suspicions eased a little, at least?"
Rugar nodded.
"I have no choice but to accept it. You are a necromancer, acknowledged by our god, who has kindled Thrag's fire to a size never seen before."
Rugar added, "Though I don't know the reason for that," but it seemed he had no intention to press further on that point.
So that's why he was opening up now.
Rugar had decided I was an ally, not an enemy.
"Still, the commission for an assassin went too far."
"I apologize. There is no excuse."
Rugar bowed his head once more.
"However, it was for the sake of the tribe."
I could feel his sincerity. I had no intention of pressing further.
"Hmph."
I let out a light sigh. I now knew Rugar wasn't the one from the 'Seven Abyssal Brands,' but it created another problem.
I still had no idea who in the Red Wolf Tribe was trying to create the 'Vessel.'
"If not me, is there anyone else suspicious?"
At my question, rugar paused to think for a moment.
"If it's the same person who spread the plague in the tribe."
Yeah, yeah.
"Someone who can manage the tribe members. Or someone who can manage those resources."
I know that too. That's why I'm asking who it is.
Is there anyone who seems suspicious at all? I stared at Rugar, but he didn't answer.
So, you don't know either.
What have you even been doing in the tribe, seriously?
Harsh words almost slipped out, but I barely held back.
* * *
When we came out of the cave, three pairs of eyes immediately focused on us.
"Brother!"
The first to react was Barkal. He strode up to me.
"Are you safe!"
"I'm fine."
I raised a hand to calm Barkal.
"The misunderstanding has been cleared."
"Misunderstanding?"
The chieftain also approached. Complex emotions were clearly visible in his eyes.
"Rugar, I wanted to ask you, but I held back to respect the order of things."
Through the crack in the skull helmet, I could see his trembling eyes. He must have restrained himself a lot.
The two started talking for a moment.
Did you really send an assassin to Dmihtan?
Are you part of the Seven Abyssal Brands?
Are you the source of the plague, and so on.
They talked about those things, and Rugar denied everything except the 'assassin.'
"... Then, you're admitting the assassin part was true?"
"Yes."
"I knew it!"
"He's a dead man! I'll kill him!"
The moment the priest acknowledged it, Barkal and the chieftain raised their weapons and started raging.
Honestly, I expected Barkal to react like this, but I never imagined the chieftain would too. He even drew his weapon.
"Both of you, calm down."
I tried to calm Barkal and the chieftain. Compared to Barkal, the chieftain settled down more easily, despite his outburst.
Blood truly doesn't lie; the chieftain was just as hot-tempered as Barkal.
"The situation with Rugar has been resolved. He still has debts to pay, but there's something we must face right now."
"Something to face?"
"That's right."
I nodded.
"If the priest isn't the culprit, then the source of the plague must be elsewhere."
When I pointed out the real issue, the hot-headed pair immediately turned serious again.
"You're right...!"
"We have to catch them. We came here to find that culprit!"
They really are two peas in a pod. It's uncanny.
Actually, since they're both strong, maybe it's more like descendants resemble their ancestors.
Thump.
While I calmed Barkal and the chieftain, rugar suddenly got down on his knees.
"I offer my apology, chieftain."
All of a sudden?
"It's true I tarnished the honor of the Red Wolf Tribe by involving outsiders. That is something I must apologize to you for."
This time, rugar pressed his head to the ground.
The chieftain stared at him for a while, then sighed.
Afterwards, he approached and placed a hand on Rugar's shoulder.
"Brother, the one you wronged was Dmihtan, not me. You should apologize to him."
"I already have."
At my answer, the chieftain nodded.
"I know you've always lived for the tribe. It was a rash act, but if you already settled it with the one involved, then I have nothing more to say."
"Chieftain."
"Stand up, rugar."
When Rugar stood, the priest brushed the dirt from his knees.
"If it weren't for your help during the war with the Kreta Tribe, I wouldn't be here now."
Touching the inside of his skull helmet, perhaps to refer to an old wound, the chieftain placed his hand on his face.
"Priest, your duty remains unchanged. Continue to commune with our god for the sake of the tribe."
"I understand."
Their strong mutual trust was clear as they nodded to each other.
Watching them, I began to feel a sense of helplessness.
"... So, if the priest who targeted us isn't a member of the Seven Abyssal Brands, then who was behind all this trouble?"
As if sensing my thoughts, Serena spoke up.
Who knows.
I have no idea what to do from here.
* * *
Returning to the tribe from the ritual site, a tribe member told us that a meal had been prepared.
"Wow... A barbarian's feast!"
As soon as she heard that, Serena looked at me with sparkling eyes.
She seemed very excited, but I already knew.
The barbarian menu.
Just how plain and savage it really is.
"Khahaha! Foreigner! Normally we wouldn't eat with outsiders, but since you're the Sage's companion, I'll make an exception!"
It looked like Kid Boulder had prepared the food. With a proud face, he led us to his tent.
We were guided to seats near the campfire.
Then, our bowls were handed out.
Inside: a few leaves, some wild berries, and some shriveled fruit pieces.
"Is this the barbarians' menu? Not a lot of protein, huh..."
GUEEEHHH!
As soon as Serena commented on the lack of protein, kid Boulder yelled into the tent and brought something out.
A wild boar.
"Khahahaha!"
With a slicing laugh, kid Boulder stabbed his sword into the animal's neck.
He divided the fresh boar meat and began placing it in all our bowls.
"This is the food of life! The blood and flesh of this being will dwell in us!"
Naturally, it was raw.
As a result, the bowls were soon awash in blood.
If this was the plan, what was the point of the fruit and berries?
"Hm."
With a short sigh, I glanced around.
"This is the taste of home! How I missed it!"
Barkal and the other barbarians were, of course, chomping down noisily on the raw meat.
They truly looked like savages.
Meanwhile, Serena sat staring at her bowl, now bright red with blood.
No matter how tough she might be, Serena is nobility. This sort of meal must be shocking for her.
"Wow, so wild! I see now that the barbarians' strength comes from meals like this!"
Though flustered, she didn't let it stop her from picking up the meat and bringing it to her mouth.
As Serena took a bite of the raw meat, blood started running down her lips.
"Ah!"
Watching Serena in disbelief, I saw her quickly set the bowl down, face flushed.
"S-sorry. I lost my composure, didn't I?"
With a fake cough,
She composed the air and, in a manner befitting a noble, continued her meal with elegance.
Still,
It looked like she had no intention of doing anything about the blood dripping down her chin.