Volume 7 Chapter 13: Solidarity

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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“…So it’s like this…”

Muttered Cain behind Oliver’s tent, having erased all signs of himself. Making sure he wasn’t noticed, Cain moved away from the tent and went back to where Claude and the others were waiting.

“You’re late, what happened?”

“I was with the Bishop-sama…”

“We’ve already finished preparing the food. Let’s go already.”

Cain worried a little about who to talk to about this. He wanted to go back to Bishop Harnam and get him to explain, as hearing Oliver say ‘the dark division’ earlier, he thought that there was a chance of the other adventurers also coming to harm if they didn’t know about it.

He could protect himself if he was on his own, but this time, Claude and the others were also there. He doubted there would be any problems strength-wise if they were to come at them frontally, but since he didn’t know what form the attack would come in, Cain felt preparation at least was necessary.

So, after he had talked to Bishop Harnam again, he was going to explain it to the other adventurers.

Organising his thoughts, he followed Claude.

The food was already done, and all the adventurers were sitting around a table. Claude and Cain sat down in two empty seats, and Lina stood up to give a toast.

“Good job on dealing with the attack today. I’m glad no-one was injured. We’re still close to where we were attacked though, so danger might still be lurking around. You’re only to have the one cup of alcohol! As for keeping watch, there will be four groups of two who will each keep lookout for one hour, rotating. Let’s do our best tomorrow too. Then, cheers!”

“““““““Cheers!”””””””

They all raised their mugs and drank from them. Claude and the others, making full use of the Magic Bags they had bought from Cain, had bought alcohol by the barrel and stored them inside, where time was stopped, keeping the alcohol good.

Lina had told Cain that they could also sell them on when with a different adventurer party. Cain remembered her proudly saying that since they could sell it at mark-up, what they themselves bought became basically free.

However, since they had survived the attack safely, they gave the alcohol out for free this time. While they had dealt with the hundred bandits thanks to Cain’s assistance, they were mentally worn out.

After they had finished eating and cleaning up, they had another discussion about their plans for the next day, but Cain stepped out for a bit and headed to where Bishop Harnam was.

He got permission almost instantly, and when he entered the tent, the temple knight guarding the bishop bowed, then left.

“Cain-dono, did something happen?”

“That’s the thing, you see, actually ––”

Cain told Bishop Harnam how he had erased all signs of himself because he had found Priest Oliver suspicious, and how he had listened to what happened in the tent, and how he had been involved with the attack.

He also told Bishop Harnam that they were going to contact the dark division and that there might be another attack in the future.

“–– If you say so, Cain-dono, then it must be true. To think they’re really involved… How deplorable of a priest.”

“Yes, so, there’s a chance of us being attacked again in the future. I wanted to ask you whether it’s a good idea to tell the other adventurers…”

“Of course. It would be inexcusable if something happened to the bodyguards His Majesty gave me due them not having been told of things. Could you also please help, Cain-dono?”

“Of course. I’m here as your bodyguard. Then, I’ll go talk to them.”

“Mhm, please be careful. It would be bad if they found out.”

Nodding, Cain left the tent and went back to where they had eaten earlier.

Having already finished cleaning away the plates, everyone was sitting and chatting with each other.

“Cain, that took kinda long, did you go off and play somewhere?”

“I have something to tell everyone. Also, this is a secret, so please don’t raise your voices.”

“Hm? Ah, gotcha. Everyone’s alright with that.”

Perhaps having noticed Cain’s serious expression, Claude also stopped joking and put on a serious face.

“I confirmed it earlier with the Bishop-sama too, but it seems like people from the church really were involved in the attack today. This is just a guess, but the main person behind it is Chief Cardinal Bangla, and Priest Oliver, to whom the tent over there belongs, is one of his men.”

““““!?””””

Their faces all stiffened at Cain’s shocking words.

“So that shady priest is one of his allies… Can’t we just hang him? That bastard…”

Claude balled his hands into fists on top of the table, but Cain shook his head.

“We have no proof. Also… the church’s ‘dark division’ might also take action. If there’s an attack, it’ll be in two days or so.”

Cain had observed the temple knight who had left Priest Oliver’s tent ride away on a fast horse earlier. It would take around three days to get to the holy capital from where they were, but with a fast horse, it might not even take a whole day. If the dark division then made arrangements, Cain surmised that the attack would fall on the day before they arrived in the capital.

Since Cain didn’t know what kinds of obstacles there might be on the road on the way there, he was going to slip outside at night and check from up in the sky.

“–– You heard him. Assume there’ll be another attack. Don’t neglect the maintenance of your weapons. We will all arrive in the holy capital!”

““““Woo!””””

Everyone nodded. Cain was relieved that he could now relax a little.

“Oh, Cain, let’s have a chat now.”

Claude smiled and grabbed Cain’s shoulders.

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