Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 135
Ghost of the Ancient Monastery
Kyle looked lost in thought. Neither side was wrong. It was true that we had to hurry, but there was also no need to deliberately take on danger.
After thinking seriously, Kyle finally made a decision.
“Let’s take the faster path. There’s no need to waste time. The deadline His Majesty mentioned is already right in front of us.”
There was no guarantee that the Black Flame Dragon was in the Land of the Dead, but the deadline the Emperor had given was already nearing its end.
In any case, I knew that even if we went there, we wouldn’t find traces of the Black Flame Dragon, but I was certain we would be able to find a new clue about the Devotees of Darkness.
“Let’s do that, then.”
Even though his opinion had been rejected, Elonen accepted it without showing even the slightest sign of displeasure.
“Has it been decided?”
The Fairy King, who had quietly waited for our decision the entire time, gestured to Caesar, who was standing on one side of the dining room. Kyle glared fiercely at Caesar as he approached us.
But Caesar lightly ignored him and walked over to the table where we were sitting, then set down what he was holding.
“It’s a map of the ancient kingdom.”
Caesar explained briefly while staring at me. I turned my head, wondering if perhaps there was some line written behind me, but I didn’t see anything in particular.
Why is he looking at me like that? Does he have something he wants to say about yesterday?
“It was drawn before it became the Land of the Dead, so it should help you find your way.”
“Oh, thank you.”
After what Caesar said, Elonen brightened and unfolded the map.
“It’s wider than I thought, and the roads are complicated too.”
Kakaros, who was sitting beside Elonen, traced the map with his finger and studied it closely. I could see that he was planning the optimal route in his head.
“Well, as Kakaros can recall, the Kingdom of Adrianna was quite prosperous before it fell.”
The Fairy King narrowed his eyes as if recalling a very old memory and stroked his chin.
“I sincerely hope you return safely. If there is anything else you need, tell me.”
“We’ve already received more than enough. Thank you for lending us horses, preparing food for us, and even giving us a map. I don’t know how we can repay all this kindness…”
The Fairy King lightly waved his hand as he listened to Kyle’s thanks.
“Repay me? You’re going to defeat the Black Flame Dragon, so it’s only natural to do this much. If anything, I’m sorry I couldn’t prepare more for you. Speaking of which, Caesar has agreed to guide you until the path out of the forest.”
“…Pardon?”
Kyle raised his brows in surprise at the unexpected proposal. Caesar nodded slightly with an unconcerned face, as if he had already known.
“No, there’s no need for that…”
“There are traps we set up all over this forest. So he’s helping you avoid getting caught in them. Don’t refuse.”
Kyle truly didn’t look pleased with the proposal. I could feel him looking back at me with an extremely uneasy expression.
“Sure, let him do that.”
I answered while looking once each at Kyle and Caesar, who were both staring fixedly at me.
I myself didn’t particularly have any feelings toward Caesar. Of course, my first impression of him had been the worst, and yesterday’s conversation hadn’t exactly been pleasant either, but I didn’t think he had done all of it with bad intentions.
The problem was that he knew about my scar, but he didn’t seem likely to go around spreading it.
“But that guy, yesterday—”
“He said only until we leave the forest.”
Kyle had been speaking as if wronged, but after seeing my calm attitude, he reluctantly backed down.
“Then let’s get ready to leave now.”
Elonen seemed to think the situation had been settled, because he said that as he rose from his seat. At that, everyone got up one by one.
We had unexpectedly wasted another day in the forest, so we had to hurry.
“Then, may the blessing of the World Tree be with you.”
With the Fairy King’s farewell as the last words, we set out on our journey again.
