Chapter 80

(Harold’s Point of View)

In the twilight following the theft of the treasured sword, a report arrived from Elu. Harold, contemplating setting off under the cover of night, was greatly disturbed by this news just before his departure.

It was fortunate that Ventus’ face was seen. It would have been problematic if not, as the same had occurred in the original story.

『It is highly probable that Colette will not follow Liner.』, that was the problematic part. According to Elu, while Liner wished to pursue the criminals immediately, Colette seemed to hold the opposite view, believing pursuit to be dangerous and advising Liner to stop and retreat.

Huh? Why would this happen? This was Harold’s initial, honest doubt.

So he sought an answer within his confused mind. Due to what had transpired in the game, Harold had never considered the possibility of Liner and Colette taking separate actions.

Why would such a fatal deviation from the original story occur?

What was the difference between the Colette of this world and the original? There was only one significant factor; Colette’s mother, Clara, had survived. That was all.

Then, what changes had taken place because of that? In the original story, Colette harbored resentment towards Harold due to the irrational killing of her mother. That was likely the driving force behind her training with Liner.

However, with her mother alive, wouldn’t she have no need for revenge? This wasn’t necessarily true, but considering that Colette had become a young lady far removed from the bloody stench of revenge and battle, her decision wasn’t strange. Rather, it could even be considered the normal choice.

Why would a girl like her follow a childhood friend who was going to chase actual robbers? For someone with common sense, the correct choice would be to rely on professionals, although that didn’t seem to apply to Liner, whose emotions always took precedence due to his reckless nature.

Well, putting that aside, Harold had a major problem to address.

If Colette did not follow Liner, that would mean one less member for the main party, a significant blow to the team’s war potential. In the game, despite her lovely appearance, Colette was a formidable vanguard. Her physical attack value was the third highest among all party members, and she had the highest HP and defense value.

However, when it came to magic, she was helpless. Her attack magic could only inflict damage on lower-ranked opponents, and she could not learn even a single recovery magic spell. Even Liner could use some minimal recovery magic, though it wasn’t very effective.

As a character, Colette didn’t seem very girlish; rather, she possessed a muscle-brain status, utilizing a tonfa to beat her opponents to death.

Furthermore, adding to the decrease in numbers, Harold couldn’t predict how this situation would alter the flow of the game’s story. So far, it had already broken the flag of Colette’s revenge event, but there was a chance that, beyond this, the situation would have a major influence on the entire story. It was a difficult problem that had presented itself many times in the past eight years.

In any case, to minimize the problem’s impact and control the developments he knew of, Harold had to get Colette to join the party by any means necessary. Although this was an early stage of the story, if Liner were to act alone, it could likely lead to the worst outcome, death.

(What should I do? Though Elu said it’s just a possibility, if he bothered to give that information, then it will almost certainly happen.)

Even if this were a very unlikely worst-case scenario, if it were to actually happen, it would be too late to act upon it. Whether the possibility was high or low, if it could bring danger, Harold could not overlook it.

Harold wanted to leave it to Elu, who was on the scene, but that wouldn’t do. Even if Harold were to get Elu to persuade Colette, there were no phones or emails in this world, so it would take time to convey his intentions to someone at a distant location. Therefore, no matter how Harold would go about persuading Colette, if he didn’t go to the Bloche village immediately, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

It was around sunset. In his original plan, Harold was supposed to have left town more than an hour before.

Moreover, he had already given Ventus and Lilium their action schedules. Telling them they would be traversing the fog valley after dark, to make it difficult for them to be seen and evade any pursuers.

The two would not complain if Harold simply split from them at the last minute, but once Justus was aware, he might question the change. With his ingenious mind, there was a chance the mad scientist would start to doubt just from that.

He was Justus after all; a single opportunity could perhaps allow him to uncover every single one of Harold’s secrets.

Then I have to find a solid pretext to split from them, thought Harold.

Given that Liner and the others’ assailants were known to be two, and that Ventus’ face was seen, it wasn’t unimaginable that witnesses would quickly track the duo using that information. If there were indeed pursuers, Harold could turn the tables on them as the third, unknown member of the gang, by surprising them.

If, on the contrary, there were no pursuers, then the three could simply escape, as planned before. Moreover, by concealing himself within the dense fog of the fog valley, Harold could make his surprise attack even more effective. With so many motives, it wasn’t so odd for him to split from the group.

If asked why he went so far, he would simply say it was a precautionary measure, and it would settle the matter. If pursuers did appear, there would be no mistake in Harold’s judgment, and Justus wouldn’t inquire too much.

While thinking this, he instructed Lilium and Ventus to split from him, claiming that, in consideration of the possibility of pursuers appearing due to Ventus’ face being seen, Harold was going to confirm if anyone was following them to the fog valley, to alleviate his anxiety; and in the meantime, if there were indeed pursuers, he would deal with them.

He also told them to wait at the fog valley until he joined them. Naturally, the two obeyed his instructions.

As for those two, Harold had no need to worry about them being killed by monsters. Also, just in case Liner encountered Ventus and Lilium before Harold’s return, he ordered them to assess their opponents’ abilities without killing them. This would surely reduce Liner’s chances of being killed.

Thus, after watching them leave with the setting sun, Harold set off towards the Bloche village on foot.

Anyway, there was no more time to waste. In the game, Liner and Colette left for their journey a day after the incident. In other words, it was on this very day’s morning, or perhaps at noon; either way, it was early in the day, so no matter what, Liner had surely already started moving.

Speaking of which, Liner is on a very forced schedule, thought Harold. In the span of a single, nightmarish evening, his parents were assaulted by trespassing burglars, and his treasured sword was stolen. Yet, as soon as the sun rose, he directly went to chase the criminals. It was safe to say he was full of energy.

Well, Harold wasn’t one to talk; he had gone to steal the sword the previous evening, returned to the inn before dawn, and then, after only a few hours of sleep, pushed himself on another late-night, five-hour walk for the second consecutive day.

He had also changed his action plan after receiving Elu’s report, and had little time to actually put it into practice. If he arrived at his destination a little early, it would be possible to borrow a horse, but if that proved impossible, he would only be able to rely on his own two feet.

After Harold advanced for tens of minutes at almost a running speed, his ears caught some peculiar noises.

There were dull metallic clangs and a loud, beast-like voice. But it wasn’t unusual; someone nearby was simply fighting a monster.

Harold was in a hurry, but when it came to the monsters that would appear in this area, there was none that Harold couldn’t instantly kill in passing. Therefore, while thinking it wouldn’t be bothersome to help if necessary, Harold approached the path where the battle seemed to be happening. In doing so, he identified the person’s identity.

He had fire-like red hair, and a voice Harold was quite familiar with. As it turned out, the one fighting the monster was Liner, the protagonist of this world.

Harold barely restrained the urge to say, “What the hell, it’s you?!” Moreover, since he was focused on his fight, Liner fortunately did not notice Harold, hidden in the shadows.

Therefore, Harold used the opportunity to observe Liner’s battle. The monster wasn’t very strong, and Liner’s movements were stable, so he was unlikely to be defeated.

Although he appeared to have a few injuries, none seemed fatal. Liner had likely sustained those wounds from fighting other monsters on his way here.

Despite being a little worried, Harold decided to ignore Liner and let him fend for himself.

He didn’t think Liner would be defeated by this monster even fighting alone. Furthermore, the next town was nearby, and there were no powerful monsters on the way.

Above all, Harold was Liner’s acquaintance. Being the friendly boy that he was, Liner would probably start getting too familiar with Harold if they encountered each other. Harold regrettably did not have time for that now, so he preferred to avoid any contact with Liner.

Thus, Harold left the scene, but not before altruistically leaving a recovery item on the path Liner would likely take after defeating the monster. That was the best consideration Harold could give him at the moment.

A few hours later, close to midnight, Harold finally arrived at the Bloche village.

By the gate, he noticed someone. It was Elu, seemingly anticipating Harold’s arrival.

【”You’ve come early.”】(Elu)

【”Tell me about the situation.”】(Harold)

【”Liner left alone. It seems your expectations were incorrect.”】(Elu)

【”……What about Colette?”】(Harold)

【”She was worried, but there was no sign she intended to follow him.”】(Elu)

Without hesitation, Elu provided the information Harold desired. Perhaps it was selfish of Harold to think, “Then go persuade her already”; from the start, this whole problem stemmed from Harold’s lack of foresight, making this a harsh demand considering Elu knew nothing about the situation. Besides, Elu had properly accomplished what Harold had requested, which was to get acquainted with Liner and Colette.

I’ve gotta fix my own mistakes by myself, he thought.

【”Prepare two horses. I don’t care if they’re the ones you and the others ride.”】(Harold)

【”When do you need them?”】(Elu)

【”You have an hour.”】(Harold)

【”Alright.”】(Elu)

Elu readily agreed to the sudden request, once again demonstrating his reliability. Harold appreciated Elu not inquiring further than necessary. He also asked him to give instructions to the Frieri personnel still in town.

Having acknowledged Elu’s cooperation, Harold was now determined to reward him, bringing tangible results.

Once separated from Elu, Harold went to look for Liner’s house. From what he’d heard, Colette and Clara’s new home was next to Liner’s. Harold had received this information from Zen, who occasionally checked on Colette and Clara, and he said they seemed to be getting along with their neighbors. At the time, Harold had indirectly investigated the neighbors, and when the words “red-haired boy” came up, he was greatly pleased.

As he recalled these things, Harold headed towards his destination, guided by the moonlight, through the village, which he still remembered, not as small as the game’s map. If Colette wasn’t with Liner, she was surely at home.

After advancing a short distance in the silent village, Harold saw the house he was looking for. It was a two-story house, familiar to him, with a wooden warehouse beside it and a bungalow directly across. Perhaps that bungalow was where Colette and Clara lived.

They likely had already gone to sleep, as no light showed from the windows. While apologizing inwardly, Harold knocked forcefully on the bungalow’s door. The deep sound echoed through the house.

There was a brief silence, then Harold felt movement from the other side of the door. However, the door remained closed.

(Well, I guess it’s only natural they’d be wary of someone coming at such a late hour, especially with only two women alone.)

Considering Colette’s strength in the game, Harold didn’t think she’d lag behind any man, but that had nothing to do with it. Their reaction was all the more justifiable since thieves had broken into a neighboring house the previous evening.

But even so, Harold couldn’t withdraw, and he didn’t want Colette and Clara to be frightened.

【”Is anyone there? I’d like to inquire about last night’s robbery incident.”】(Harold)

For the time being, he tried to establish that he was not a robber. However, his words alone were not enough to be trusted, as the entrance door remained firmly shut.

Harold sighed, then decided to use his trump card.

Even if his reputation had reached her, as the one who had saved someone’s life, he would likely be welcomed inside. Thinking that, Harold ostentatiously introduced himself to the person on the other side of the door.

【”I know you’re inside. If you’re going to oppose me, Harold Stokes, then prepare yourself for the consequences because ――”】

But Harold couldn’t finish his line. The door swung open forcefully before he could, nearly colliding with him.

He could tell from the other party’s state and expression that she was extremely flustered. That person was Colette’s mother, Clara. She was greatly surprised to find Harold, her eyes wide with tears welling up.

【”It has been so long, Harold-sama…!”】(Clara)

Translator’s note: Honestly, I had forgotten her name, but hey, nice to see old characters come back >< Speaking of which, I'd like to thank Benjamin. H, Paween. H, Karl, and Eliot. A for their recent pledges, thank you very much for supporting me everyone! Naturally, I'd also like to thank all the other older Patrons as well!