Chapter 144.2

Chapter 144.2

[Part 2/4]

Rather, the more they resist, the more they will suffer...

"You have quite an interesting taste, not just towards me. You seem to be quite hated. By that one..."

"..."

The medic sneered and shrugged his shoulders, but she still didn't reply. She wasn't foolish enough to indulge in idle talk. She returned her gaze to the front and confirmed the direction of escape. The person completely disappeared among the trees. She turned on her heel.

"..."

"Just now, a shikigami came. They said they will join us tomorrow. They want you to chase and play with them. Well, if we break the boundaries' keystone, it will be over... Seriously, it's a crazy idea."

The medic casually uttered a bombshell statement. The boundary of the forbidden land prepared by the imperial court. The base for collecting the terrifying yet abundant harvest of the deep forest has not been used for decades and is now being destroyed. It was an violation on the assets of the imperial court and could even be considered a heinous crime.

It was an act that was too taboo to even mention... but it was already too late. They had already cut the rough rope that silenced the masses in the depths. There was no significant difference between once and twice.

...After all, those who would accuse them would all disappear.

"...You are just a support, remember? Don't get in the way."

"...Well, let's hope for good fortune."

In response to the demand made in a flat tone that was finally spoken, the medic's eyes widened slightly, but he immediately smiled as if kindness was oozing out. Wrinkles gathered and flesh lined up, making him already unpleasant appearance even worse. Whether he knew it or not, at least the girl felt uncomfortable about it. ...Of course, she wouldn't show it on the surface.

"..."

To avoid looking at the ugly appearance, she turned her gaze back to the group of trees where the figures had disappeared, squinting her eyes. She stared silently, as if twilight, for a while... but it was not eternal. The time for leniency had passed.

"...Let's go."

And finally, she resumed the pursuit. To chase. To hunt. To corner.

Everything according to instructions. It was like a well-trained hunting dog.

Literally, she was a hunting dog...

* * *

"Haa, haa... For now, this place should be better."

How far have we run? I don't think we've moved that far since the safe zone protected by the boundary is not very large. I gasp for breath and lower Loli gorilla-sama there. I lower her and sit down so that I can rest as well at the base of one of those trees, on the wall of a hollowed-out tree trunk.

Looking around, I see a forest with ancient trees standing side by side...

"...Is there any sign?"

Then, I peek around from the hole in the tree trunk and examine the surroundings. Of course, it's doubtful how much I can trust my abilities. There might be other attackers besides Hisame...

"Hey, Tomobe... Are you okay? Is there any blood?"

I look outside the tree hollow again and bite my lip. To understand the situation, I ask Aoi a question.

"Princess, how far did you witness?"

"...From the moment that servant who was accompanying you stabbed the dagger."

I realize that the subject was slightly lacking, but Aoi quickly complements and answers. I bow and add.

"Hisame. ...Although it's a bit late to mention, have you seen anyone other than the servant group who matches her name and appearance?"

"...I don't know. I wasn't interested in random people who are not exorcists. Besides, I don't have a complete understanding of the entire organization."

"I see..."

Honestly, I am disappointed by her response and fall silent for a moment. Then I remember. Memories from my past life. The setting.

(That outfit...yes, I remember seeing it somewhere. Was it in the setting materials?)

I feel like it was a rough sketch of a combatant who didn't appear in the main story. It was a setting for a special mission of the Hidden Group directly under the main organization. But, Hisame? That's just ridiculous...

"B-based on what the Princess saw, does it seem like she has been lying or acting until now?"

"..."

My voice is surprisingly shaken, even though I said it myself. Aoi remains silent for a while, giving me a piercing gaze. Then, she spoke with a hint of hesitation.

"...No. Based on what I saw, there was no obvious suspicious behavior."

"Excuse me, but is that true? Can I trust it?"

To make sure, I ask again.

"It's true. I wouldn't lie in such an important conversation. There were indeed no suspicious points. There shouldn't have been any."

"I see..."

I take a deep breath and organize my thoughts in response to Aoi's assertion. If Aoi says it like that, I should believe it. Then why did she do that? It couldn't be that she turned into a jealous yandere. Then...

"Psycho father, huh?"

I grit my teeth even harder and mutter. There couldn't have been anyone else who could have caused such a thing. That psycho head of the family who used such despicable means to destroy the dignity and emotions of others. In the original work, he thoroughly clouded the protagonist in each route. The Darth Tamaki route was truly unbearable to watch.

Stop, really. Stop suspecting their relationship just because he's learning swordsmanship... I mean, that's why she's falling behind, you know?

"Tomobe..."

"Ah, please forgive Hisame. She didn't betray us because she wanted to. She's a victim. If someone manipulated the memories of the laborers, it wouldn't be strange for one or two servants to have suffered the same fate. Isn't that right?"

I say that and seek agreement from Aoi. I needed to protect Hisame's position after everything was over. I had a responsibility. I had to fulfill it. If it followed the original work, even the underlings who were directly involved in the conspiracy should have been slaughtered, not knowing anything. The same situation had to be avoided.

Hisame is surely just a victim who got caught up in it...

"That's true. But, that was..."