Chapter 76

Chapter 76

「Time remaining 16 : 22 : 12」

Less than a day left. If the Holy Knight Order hadn't been able to achieve any significant results in their search, the clock was ticking. As soon as the excitement of meeting the long-awaited Garuel calmed down, anxiety about the plan bloomed.

Garuel rose from his seat as if he didn't care what happened. Approaching the table in the corner, he took the new flask on it and opened the lid.

“I don't know. I'm sure they're doing fine.”

“So you didn't get any reports?”

“Won't they come if there's an emergency? By the way, we don't even know each other's names yet. My name is Garuel Monzasi.”

“......My name is Cadel.”

Cadel didn’t feel the need to tell Garuel his full name because he knew not only his name but also his secret. Cadel, who gave his name awkwardly, tried to put strength into his drooping body.

‘I don't think he was involved in the search from the beginning. That's right. Even in the game, he was just a lout with a pretty face until the protagonist recruited him. ......It's too much to hope for help, and the current Garuel won't be able to use his power in front of others anyway. I'd better get back to my subordinates soon.’

Stretching his legs under the bed, Cadel flinched slightly. The mere touch of the floor sent a jolt of electricity through his body. It seemed that the aftereffects were greater than expected.

“You'd better not move.”

“It seems so. But the situation is urgent.”

There were only 16 hours left until all the villagers turned into monsters, and one of his subordinates was captured by the demon. There was no point in lingering if there was no information to be gained from Garuel.

Rising resolutely to his feet, Cadel paused to catch his breath. He felt dizzy with a terrible headache. Finding him staggering, Garuel quickly approached and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. His right eye, unobscured by the patch, drew a soft arc.

“You're tougher than you look. It must be hard to even take a step, do you really have to go now?”

“If there is someone who will look for the demon for me, I won't have to go. But the person next to me right now doesn't seem to have any intention of doing that, so I'll have to make the move myself.”

In his lout mode, Garuel couldn't even be bothered to throw his finished flask straight into the trash. Cadel had no intention of dragging someone who was enjoying his deviation.

Gently shaking off Garuel's touch, Cadel limped away. Despite the short distance from the door, his body ached, and it took him an age to get there.

Just like that, when Cadel barely put his hand on the doorknob, Garuel said abruptly.

“If I say I'm going to look for the demon, are you willing to take a break with me?”

“......Pardon?”

“It's lonely to be alone.”

With his back to him, Cadel mulled over Garuel's words, then slowly turned his head. The look on his face was one of utter disbelief, a look that screamed ‘What the f*ck?’ so much that Garuel couldn't help but laugh out loud.

After mercilessly tearing down the official joining flag, Lumen never struck the subject again, so Cadel thought he could keep the relationship peaceful for a while. Apparently, he couldn't.

Cadel knew what would immediately ease his mind, but he couldn't bring himself to say it, so he had no choice but to start a Q&A session with Lumen in a desolate atmosphere.

“Lydon was taken by the demon? That's a surprise. No matter how weak he was, he didn't look like a guy who could be kidnapped so easily.”

“He used too much mana. Right before I lost consciousness, he still couldn’t move.”

“And the matter of life or death?”

“He’s alive.”

Cadel lowered his gaze, his body swaying with the galloping horse.

Lydon was alive. There was no way the system wouldn't let him know if something happened to the knight. Lumen's departure in the past was also a nerve-wracking experience, as it was notified in detail.

‘......I'd better believe so.’

Although it was Cadel's theory to assume the worst and plan, he didn't want to assume the death of his subordinate.

“Van's tracking the demon with the Twilight Knight Order?”

“I doubt he's still doing it. I'm sure he's been on the move while you’ve been healing, so if he's not getting any results, he'll eventually return to the village. And the ring?”

“Huh?”

“The ring you gave Van. Van said it would tell you the wearer's location and status. Any change?”

He completely forgot. Only then did Cadel look at the ring on his index finger belatedly. A faint red thread ran long across the darkness. Fortunately, he didn't feel a tremor.

“Looks like they didn't find the demon. If they're still searching, let's join them. We can follow the thread.”

“Give it here.”

Lumen reached behind his back. Cadel glanced back and forth between Lumen's back and his outstretched hand in confusion, and then Lumen waved his empty hand lightly.

“Give me the ring.”

“The ring? Why so suddenly?”

“Isn't the location visible only to the wearer? I'm the one who drives the horse, so I should be the one who wears it.”

“Ah, that's right. I didn't think of that.”

He was slow to think, having only just woken up. Cursing his own slow brain, Cadel quickly removed the ring and handed it to Lumen.

Accepting the ring, Lumen still hadn't turned his head, so Cadel didn't see the smile of satisfaction on his face.