Chapter 156
I cut in abruptly, sending Sal a meaningful look.
“Is that true?”
Elonen asked as if wondering why he was only bringing that up now. Belatedly, Sal also seemed to understand what I meant, and he let out a loud exclamation.
“Ah…! Now that you mention it, yes. That’s right, he did say that to me. And I think I sensed his energy too. I’m not certain, though.”
“Then he might be inside.”
Kyle, whom I had expected to be pleased after hearing news about the Black Flame Dragon, somehow didn’t look glad.
“If it’s alright, may I go to the Land of the Dead with you as well?”
Sal stared quietly at Kyle for a moment, then suddenly asked. Perhaps Sal’s offer to accompany us was unexpected, because Kyle frowned and asked back.
“Why? Do you have some business there?”
“I am the Village Chief, and the people of this village are under my responsibility. But as you saw today, there is such a dangerous land nearby, so the damage is no small matter. That is why I want to actively help defeat the Blood Demon as well.”
Perhaps because he had experience, he came up with a fairly convincing excuse. As I listened, even I found myself nodding before I knew it.
“There’s no need to go that far. Our goal isn’t to fight the Blood Demon. We’re only going to search for traces of the Black Flame Dragon.”
But Kyle rejected him flatly. Sal glanced at my complexion from the corner of his eye. I blinked discreetly, meaning it was fine for him to bring out the next move.
“Then let’s do this. If you defeat the Blood Demon, I’ll give you this.”
Just as we had planned in advance, Sal took out Ridelion’s Ring, which he had hidden in his pocket.
“This is Ridelion’s Ring, one of the five sacred relics.”
“Is that true?”
Kyle examined the ring Sal had taken out with a gaze full of doubt. Elonen, who had been watching from behind, let out a small exclamation.
“It’s a real sacred relic. Where did you get this?”
“It came into my hands a long time ago, so I’ve kept it. There’s no meaning in me having it, so I’ll give it to you as payment for defeating the Blood Demon.”
Perhaps it was quite a drastic proposal, because the party members, including Kyle, couldn’t easily answer and only watched one another’s reactions.
“And I know that land well, and I am strong too, so if I go with you, I’ll be helpful in many ways.”
Kyle looked at the sacred relic with awe-filled eyes, then slowly raised his head and looked at Sal. He held Sal’s gaze persistently, as if trying to figure out his intentions.
“…Even so, I can’t promise that we’ll defeat the Blood Demon. We have a greater goal. But if the situation allows it, I’ll seriously consider it.”
If so, that meant we wouldn’t be turning back right away, and the mood shifted toward Sal joining us. For now, everything had gone according to my plan.
“Good. Then let’s eat and set out.”
Elonen informed Sal that Macy’s house needed to be isolated, so while we had a simple meal, Sal told the villagers about it.
Everyone was serious for their own reasons, so the atmosphere during the meal was quiet. My head was complicated too, so I was in a state where I couldn’t even tell whether the bread was going into my mouth or my nostrils.
After finishing the meal in an atmosphere that had sunk much heavier than usual, the party decided to rest until Sal returned.
Kakaros had already fallen asleep on Sal’s bed, and Gerard was looking through Sal’s books. Elonen said he would go to the well and prepare plenty of holy water for the blessing.
And Kyle… approached me while I was sitting beside the fireplace and resting quietly, then spoke to me.
“Lysian, can we talk for a moment?”
I didn’t think Kyle had ever called me aside like this to talk separately before. I was suspicious because I didn’t know what he intended to say.
“What is it?”
“I want to talk with just the two of us, so follow me for a moment.”
Kyle grabbed me, reluctant as I was, and led me outside Sal’s house.
