Chapter 39

“Hnng…. Huaaaah….”

I stretched my body and slowly exhaled. 

“I guess it’s all over?”

“Hm.”

Alaine nodded, agreeing to me with her single word. 

The black hole from before had completely vanished. I couldn’t feel the presence of numerous monsters that I had been sensing before I went into the hole either. The monsters must’ve overflowed from that black hole because of that space itself, the cube or because of that chained boy. Either way, something from that hole must be one that created those monsters. 

………. Hm. I wonder what was that

I came here looking for clues but instead, all I could find was one more mystery I couldn’t understand. 

“Just what was that?”

“I don’t know.”

“……. Really?”

I looked at Alaine. She seemed to know something. She was the one who suddenly slashed him and the one who declared that she’d be the one to defeat it. She was being pretty adamant about it too. 

“Yeah.”

Alaine nodded. Neither her expression or voice showed anything unusual. Her poker face was too great for me to be able to pick up anything. 

“……………”

I stared at Alaine’s visage. 

“……………………..”

I continued to stare at her. 

“……………………..”

“….. I don’t know anything about it.”

Alaine said so as she turned her head away, escaping from my gaze. 

“Haah…”

I let out a deep sigh. 

Clutter

Alaine who was facing the other side began to shake violently. The shaking of her body made the armor she wore clunking together so it was easy for me to tell that she was trembling. 

“Well, since it’s Alaine, I guess it’s fine. Even if you’re hiding something from me, I’m sure you’re doing it for my sake.”

Alaine is my ally. That fact will never change. No matter what. 

“Hm.”

In response to my words, Alaine’s face looked slightly relaxed. She nodded, looking happy even. 

…….Hey, what’s up with that reaction? It looks like you’re happy I’m allowing you to have a secret from me? I knew it. You do know something…..

“Well then, shall we return to the village? I need to tell them that the monster won’t be coming anymore.”

……

I know it’s a little late to be thinking this now but…. Is it really alright for Alaine and I to destroy that black hole? The existence of the monsters attract both the adventurer and the adventurers’ guild staff. Because of them, the inn owner in this village can earn an income.

…….. Maybe I shouldn’t have destroyed it without asking for their permission first….. Maybe because of me, a lot of people will have trouble with money. 

“Hm. Let’s return.”

If they get angry, we will just run away. 

With that thought in mind, we returned to the village. 

“… Ah, right. I will be waiting for you, okay? You need to tell me the secret you’re hiding from me one day, okay?”

“Hm.”

Alaine nodded with all her might at my words. 

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

T/N: Don’t worry Zero, I’m sure the villagers are going to be happy. Mostly. Since they can’t earn much from the monsters anyway. Well, the inn owner might be upset but hey, at least their village is now safe from monsters.