Chapter 137 : The Culprit Flees.
The Culprit Flees.
Pale-Violet Mistweed.
Just holding that herb in my hand made my mind start to feel tangled.
Looking at the status window that came up, the effects matched the symptoms of the plague.
The one who had this herb was none other than the tribe's healer, melissa.
In other words—
'Was Melissa the source of the plague?'
When I smelled that strange scent at the well, I started having my doubts.
My body must have sensed that such a day would come. That's why I wasn't surprised.
But.
'Gor...'
I recalled Melissa and Gor chatting by the well.
– "I love you, melissa!"
He was completely sincere.
His eyes, his voice, everything radiated pure emotion.
That Turtle kid who'd been with us since the coming-of-age ceremony—even though I only recently learned his name, he's a brother who means a lot to me.
If the woman Gor loves—the lover he cherishes—turns out to be the culprit who spread the plague through the tribe, what would he think?
'And if, on top of that, melissa is a member of the Seven Abyssal Brands.'
What would happen to Gor then?
Could he kill his own lover for the sake of the tribe?
"B-Brother Dmihtan?"
Lost in thought for a moment, Serena, who had come here with me, spoke up.
"Are you okay? Your expression seemed strange..."
Apparently, my expression hadn't looked normal.
Was it that obvious? I had tried my best to remain calm.
"Did you perhaps find something?"
"I did."
At Serena's question, I stared at the Pale-Violet Mistweed.
"I think I've found the source of the plague."
"Really? Is this herb related to the plague?"
"Yes."
Probably.
No, definitely.
"Pale-Violet Mistweed—this herb causes a mild fever in those who consume it, and if consumed in larger quantities, it induces hallucinations."
"... That's exactly like the symptoms going around the village."
Saying that, Serena brought the herb I was holding close to her nose and began to sniff.
Sniff, sniff.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity.
"With such a nice scent, though..."
"Just because something smells good doesn't mean it's good for you."
There's a saying that medicines that do you good are bitter.
As I toyed with the herb, I pondered what to do next. I'd found decisive evidence, but I wasn't sure how best to proceed.
'Should I confront Melissa directly?'
Not yet. That would be dangerous.
I hadn't yet cemented my place in the tribe. The other barbarians might call me "Sage," but I had no real authority.
If Melissa wriggled her way out under questioning, things could get complicated.
'Besides, melissa is the healer.'
She tended to the tribe's health. How much trust must she have built up?
"So, brother..."
Serena looked at my hands and asked.
"What are you planning to do?"
What else?
I couldn't move alone, so I'd have to seek someone else's help.
Fortunately, hadn't I become friendly with someone influential within the tribe?
Leaving the bitterness of the past behind, we were now working together for the good of the village.
I needed to tell him.
"I'm going to see the priest."
* * *
A red tent marked with Thrag's symbol.
This was the residence of Priest Rugar. Standing in front of it, I took a deep breath.
'For some reason, this feels awkward.'
Rugar is the priest. He has experience leading the tribe and must know how to handle sensitive matters.
The problem is, this guy once commissioned my assassination.
It's hard to simply go in and talk to someone you used to be enemies with.
Of course, rugar had told me previously that if I found either the culprit or evidence, I should let him know.
Yet, it couldn't help but feel awkward.
'And besides.'
It wasn't yet certain that Melissa was the culprit.
We needed to proceed with caution.
A thorough investigation was necessary at this point.
That's why, despite the awkwardness, I sought out the priest.
If I were to ask the chieftain or other barbarians for help, it'd be easy to guess what would happen.
I'd seen it too often already.
Suddenly barging in, using fists, and making a mess.
"Rugar!"
Standing before the tent, I raised my voice, and movement sounded within.
"Dmihtan?"
"Yes."
"You may come in."
I glanced back at Serena once, then stepped into the tent.
Inside, rugar sat before Thrag's sacred flame. He appeared to be praying, exuding an intense air of fanaticism.
"What is it?"
Rugar slowly stood, asking.
"I have something to discuss."
After checking our surroundings, I spoke carefully.
"It's about the plague, and the darkness hidden in the tribe."
At those words, a sharp gleam flashed in Rugar's eyes.
"Have you found something?"
"I found evidence."
I began to slowly explain.
"I've uncovered the secret of the plague."
The first thing I showed Rugar was the "Pale-Violet Mistweed"
I'd found in the healing hut.
"What is this?"
"Pale-Violet Mistweed."
Rugar reached for the "Mistweed"
I handed over and began to smell its scent.
As the faintly sweet aroma brushed his nose, rugar's expression hardened.
"It's not a good smell."
"It's an herb that causes mild fever and hallucinations."
"... It has exactly the same effects as the plague spreading through the village."
That's right.
Nodding in agreement, I watched as Rugar handed the herb back.
"Who spread this poison?"
From here, things got a bit delicate. After a brief pause, I spoke.
"There is a suspect. But it's not yet certain."
"Who?"
"The healer, melissa."
At that name, rugar's eyebrows twitched.
"Melissa...? Why her?"
The coldness in Rugar's gaze turned to bewilderment, if only for a moment.
But it lasted just an instant. His eyes turned cold again as he stared at me.
"It seems this herb was used to make medicine that was put in the well."
"The well... Is that why so many got poisoned?"
Rugar fell silent after hearing my explanation.
It was almost certain now that the plague and the darkness shrouding the village were tied to the "Seven Abyssal Brands," who worship the Abyss.
Therefore, we had to investigate with care. There must be no rash judgments.
Why?
The goal of the "Seven Abyssal Brands" is to create a Vessel for the god of the Abyss.
Like Darsan, inserting "tendons" into the body to craft vessels able to endure.
'Since time has passed, there could be some barbarians who already have tendons embedded in them.'
If someone led them or took hostages, things would surely get complicated.
So the wise course was to uncover the truth quietly, without provoking Melissa...
"Very well."
Rugar nodded and spoke.
"I will summon the barbarians."
What?
"I will search the healing hut from top to bottom. I will see for myself what is there!"
Wait.
"And Melissa will be interrogated. We'll show her why the Red Wolf Tribe worships Thrag, using our own methods."
"Rugar."
I hurriedly called his name.
What if Melissa is innocent?
"If she's innocent, she'll prove it during the interrogation."
What about if there are cases like the "tendons," and the barbarians are used as hostages?
"I'll conduct their funerals myself."
The culprit might also try to escape.
"There's nowhere to run in this Red Wolf village."
Rugar's voice was full of conviction.
Ah, right.
This guy believes in "Thrag" too.
His status as priest made me forget for a moment.
Rugar was, after all, a member of the "barbarian tribe."
"I understand your concern. But I do not intend to investigate quietly."
It seemed he planned to take action immediately, as Rugar rose from his seat.
"Wait."
Still, I thought it would be unwise to rush things.
"Are you trying to stop me?"
"Not exactly. I won't stop you from summoning the barbarians and interrogating Melissa."
"Then what?"
"I will speak with Melissa first."
Was that unexpected? Rugar touched his lips, his face questioning.
"Why, specifically?"
"To prepare for the possibility that she is not a member of the 'Seven Abyssal Brands.'"
Just in case.
If she isn't the culprit, the true criminal will be more likely to notice the commotion in the village.
If that happens, the real culprit might go into hiding—or run.
"... You have a point."
The priest gave a nod, seeming to understand.
"Then you'll talk with Melissa."
It seems there's room for reason, after all. If it had been the priest or Barkal, they'd have exploded in anger for sure.
"But I still won't delay the summoning of the barbarians."
So that, at least, was nonnegotiable.
"However, as you say, I'll keep the numbers to a minimum to avoid any uproar."
Fine.
As long as we avoid a commotion, it shouldn't matter if the barbarians assemble.
After the conversation ended, rugar stepped out of the tent. Watching him go, I quietly asked Serena.
"Will you accompany me when I talk to Melissa?"
Just in case—if Melissa is the culprit, who knows what might happen.
Besides,
I have to prepare for the worst.
Should Gor misunderstand, or if something else happens.
"If Melissa tries to escape, we'll have to restrain her."
At my words, Serena responded confidently.
"J-Just leave it to me, brother Dmihtan. Subduing and breaking things is my specialty, you know."
I sure do.