Chapter 77

Cold Heart, Warm Feelings

It was the next morning, I think. The town between the mountains was still cast in shadows. But the sky had a mystical paleness with streaks of red, that was typical of the dawn. I used to work until the morning, and so my instincts were telling me that that was the time. And so, it must be the morning.

Before me are the fallen slaves. I did freeze the wounds on their feet to stop the bleeding. But still, their voices moan without end. Like the voices of the dead.

I was sitting slightly above them, with my chin on my bent knees. I stared dazedly at the ice sword in my hand and absent-mindedly fidgeted with the handguard. As time passed, I felt like my heart was becoming colder, just like this sword. And this feeling was not new to me. I had felt something similar, that day in Fhiraldo when the guild had given me an unexpected welcome.

I can hear doors opening in houses all around me. It was time for the town to wake up. People were leaving and gathering to start their work today. It was getting noisy. And then the first resident appeared.

“Wh-what…happened…”

The heavy sound of baggage being dropped. The pale face sees the fallen slaves and then looks at me. Just as the mouth is about to form an accusation, I address him first.

“Good morning. Are you from here? I was just attacked by these slaves, and it would be really great if you could call the guards for me.”

While I had indeed done it, I was still the victim here, I inform him. And so he swallows the words he had been ready to say, and instead inspects the scene again and nods. And then he runs in the direction that Lisa had said the guard house was located. Thankfully, he was a good guy.

I had to explain it a few more times as people gathered, until finally, the guards came rushing to the scene. The one in the lead was the captain we had met at the gate. He ordered his men to keep the others away, and they checked to see if the slaves were alive. The fact that I wasn’t immediately arrested meant that they had heard an accurate account at least. I was thankful for that.

When they were done, the captain turned to me. I stood up then and made the ice sword vanish into steam.

“So, you were attacked, eh? Are you injured?”

“I’m fine, as you can see.”

I raise both arms to show that I was unhurt. He nods at this.

“Well, I will like to hear a detailed account of what happened. Will you come back to the guard house with us?”

“Yes, thank you.”

And just as we begin to walk away, a voice calls me.

“Hey, Asagi! Hey!”

I look behind me and see Lisa is shouting at me. The guards were holding her back, as the residents were not to get close.

“Who is that?”

“She works at the inn I am staying at. She was also attacked.”

“Hmmm… You, take that woman to the guardhouse as well!”

He ordered, and two of his men escorted Lisa along with us. “Let me go!” she shouted to their displeased faces, but given that they still glanced down at her chest, maybe they could become friends one day.

“I’m sorry, but there’s one other thing.”

“What?”

I ask the captain as he walks ahead of us. He answers without looking back. And so I tell him about Daniela, who is still at the inn.

“Hmm, so you want us to call your partner to the guardhouse?”

“Yes, the inn…uh, Lisa. What’s the name of the inn again?”

“The Mountain Mist.”

“That. There is a light elf there. Please call her.”

“Understood.”

He relayed this to the aid next to him. The aid bowed and immediately headed back for the Mountain Mist inn. It must be somewhat famous, as he knew exactly where it was. Well, they were successful enough to buy a hot spring after all.

After that, we reached the guard house after what was a short walk. It was a tall building with white walls, somewhat reminiscent of a police station. I didn’t do anything wrong, but felt oddly uncomfortable.

Once we went through the entrance, I was led down a hall and into one of the many doors that were lined up. Lisa was taken to a different room. Probably so that we could not match our stories. I sat down on the chair that was prepared, the captain removed his helmet and sat opposite of me.

“I am the captain of the guards in Alessa. Backus. What is your name?”

“It’s Asagi. A humble Adventurer.”

Once introductions were out of the way, the questioning began.

“A resident here notified us that you had been attacked. Did you know that?”

“Yes, I am the one who asked him to. I did make it so that the slaves wouldn’t be able to escape, but I still wanted to stay and make sure.”

I also added that I would like to thank the man later, as he had accurately described the situation for me.

“I understand. I will tell him for you. And do you know why you were attacked?”

“Those men were former Adventurers who had caused trouble back in Fhiraldo. I and my partner were involved in that. They were sent to these mines upon my request to Fhiraldo’s captain of the guards.”

“Hmm…so you know Russel then. How is he doing?”

Oh? I did not expect to hear his name brought up here.

“You know him too?”

“Well, he is my cousin. Aren’t our names similar?”

In what world? I guess this one?

“I suppose… Russell is doing well. He was very good to us.”

“I see, I see. Very good then. Haha. I guess I can’t hinder you too much if your a friend of Russell. Well, you are the victim here, in any case. You will be freed without taking any blame.”

“That’s a relief. But, there is something I want to ask you about. What is going on here with the monitoring of the slaves? I don’t understand why they seem to be free.”

Yes, that was the biggest reason for this whole mess. They should have been properly watched. Instead, it was me who was being watched and chased. What the hell was happening?

“About that…to be very frank, those who are in charge of monitoring the slaves are a gathering of scum. They think their job begins and ends with striking with their whips. Their thoughtless methods have caused a number of slaves to die, and it’s become a daily routine for them to confiscate their earnings. However, even all of that is not enough to allow us to make a move. We are not in the same department, you see. Because those men were sent from the royal capital…”

Backus clenched his fist with frustration.

“The slaves were able to escape due to their disinterest in monitoring them, but we too have to bear some responsibility for this incident. After all, we did not take the necessary measures, even though we knew it was possible that someone would arrive, who they had a grudge with… I am truly sorry. We will prevent this from happening again by increasing the number of men on patrol, and who is on watch.”

His look was earnest, and I felt like I could trust him. But more than anything, he was Russell’s cousin. The person that had helped me the most in this world.

“And also, about the slaves…what will you do?”

My heart goes cold in an instant.

“What do you mean?”

“You can increase the years of their sentence, or have them executed. In terms of the law, I can move with a higher authority than the management office. If you prefer it, I can easily have a noose around each of their necks.”

I couldn’t help but smile at this nostalgic question. He was a kind man as well.

“Hehe…Russell asked me the same thing.”

“He did, did he?”

“Yeah. ‘I have the authority to hang them’ he said.”

“That is quite similar…”

I chuckle as Backus looks a little disappointed. I guess they really were cousins.

“As for my answer…”

Just as I was about to tell him, the door was banged on loudly.

“Apologies for disturbing you! We have brought over the partner!”

“Enter.”

“Yes, captain!”

Apparently, Daniela had arrived. I heard her unusual, frantic footsteps approaching, and then she burst through the door.

“Asagi! Are you alright!?”

“Yeah. Morning, Daniela.”

“What is that nonsense! Were you injured!?”

Her hands patted down my arms and stomach. That would actually really hurt if I was injured. Not a good idea.

“I’m fine. I immobilized them before any damage was done.”

“Ahhh…that is good. When I heard that the slaves attacked you while I was sleeping, I became so frightened…”

Daniela crumbled to her knees. I got off of the chair and onto the floor in order to support her, my arm going around her shoulder.

“Did you really think those guys were gonna beat me?”

“I know more than anyone that you are strong…but, I was worried.”

“Thank you, Daniela.”

She stared at me with teary eyes. She had been so worried for me. That made me happy. Her slightly reddened cheeks looked very cute, and I could feel us getting closer and closer as we looked into each others’ eyes.

“Asagi…”

“Daniela…”

Then our lips were so close that they could touch, our eyes close…

“Cough! Ahem! Cough, cough…!”

We quickly separated. Where were we again? The guardhouse. Who am I? Oh right, the stupid bastard that Backus brought in for questioning.

“You have done more than enough to convey your fondness for one another! Now! I would very much like to hear your opinion about the punishment for the slaves!?”

He looked like he was on the verge of snapping. He drained a cup of water that had been brought to him and slammed it down on the table. My shoulders jumped.

“Asagi, by slaves, does he mean…”

“Yeah, the same Adventurers that Russell sent here. They saw me walking in town and attacked.”

That was all Daniela needed to understand the situation. She stared at me.

“Asagi, I will not say anything this time. The decision is yours.”

“Are you sure? It might have been me who was attacked, but you are still involved in it as well.”

“And yet, I will leave it to you. I want you to decide.”

So saying, she stood up and moved back to the wall. She would listen from there… My decision was already made. So I wanted her to stay and hear it.

I sat back down and faced Backus.

“Backus. I want you to increase their sentence.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. I want to believe that humans are capable of change.”

That was the answer I had decided on as I sat in the town square until morning.

“…I understand. You have my word as Backus White, captain of the guard. They should be grateful for the magnanimity of the Adventurer, Asagi. This warmth of feeling will surely reach them, and perhaps help them rehabilitate.”

Being surrounded by his kind smile and by Daniela, I felt my heart begin to rise in temperature once more.