“That’s the grain storage.” Norton swaggeringly pointed to the largest building in the village with a red roof. “Only a few people can enter there, but I’m one of them. Want to go?”
“Not really…”
Seeing my disinterest, he pointed to a black roof this time.
“That’s the armory, really hard to get into. How about it? Want to see some weapons? Ever seen gunpowder?”
“I’d rather go…” I pointed to a distant mountain. “Over there, to the mountain.”
“Huh? The mountain?”
“Yes. Is it far to walk?”
“No, not really. But it’s not that close either.”
Norton’s face twisted into a sly smile. “The mountain at night, eh? Sounds good.”
“…”
It was clear that Norton’s mind was filled with impure thoughts. But I wasn’t too worried. After all, Carl Windsor would surely come at the right time.
Well, I do have a gun under my skirt. If things go south, I’ll just shoot.
* * *
Just as I expected. It’s really here.
I saw the giant cave on the mountain.
As I thought, it’s here.
Standing in front of the cave, I shivered. It was my first time seeing it in person. The last time, I had only read memories about this cave while purifying the rotten land of Kaltusa. This cave is…
“What are you doing? Aren’t you undressing?”
“…” I slowly turned around, then froze.
“Hurry up, we don’t have time.”
There stood a naked man. The white cloth fallen at his feet looked like shed skin.
“What are you doing right now?” I backed into the cave, frowning.
I had thought something bad might happen, but to think it would start with him taking off his clothes so quickly and efficiently!
“In the cave, huh? Quite bold of you.”
“When did I ever say that?”
“Why? Isn’t that what you meant by coming to the mountain? What else would a man and a woman do on a mountain at night?”
“…”
What kind of upbringing leads to such a terrible mindset? I couldn’t help but wonder, even though I wasn’t that curious.
Good thing I brought the gun.
I fidgeted with my hand. Where should I shoot him? His toes? Or maybe his vital parts?
“Hurry up and undress,” Norton ordered, breathing heavily. “Don’t back out now. Or should I help you?”
I decided to shoot him in the vital spot. Just when I made that decision…
“Dana!”
Perfect timing.
I smiled broadly. As expected, Carl Windsor had arrived right on time.
“Dana, what are you doing in there…?”
Carl’s voice stopped abruptly. In the unusually bright moonlit night, he saw the stark naked man.
Norton muttered in embarrassment. “Damn it, y-your husband’s here.”
Carl Windsor froze on the spot, not comprehending the situation. But soon, he approached us, creaking.
“Let’s have fun next time, Lady.”
Norton quickly dressed and tried to leave, but…
“Uargh!”
Carl grabbed Norton’s shoulder as he passed. He asked calmly. “Dana?”
“Ack! Ack! Will you let go?!”
“Is this situation happening with your consent, or is it because this fellow forced you?”
“Aaargh! Let go! It hurttttts!”
Carl seemed to assume the latter. However…
“Let go,” I said indifferently. “Let him go.”
“…What?”
“Let that man go.”
I didn’t have time to deal with such a scoundrel. There was more urgent business in this cave.
“Hurry up.”
Carl’s face went blank as if he had been slapped. Was his grip loosening? Norton quickly slipped away like a fish.
“What kind of crazy b*stard are you!”
Tears welled up in Norton’s eyes.
“Hey! Your wife brought me here! Why are you freaking out over nothing!”
“…”
“Ugh, damn it, what bad luck!”
Norton spat on the ground and quickly left the scene. Even after he disappeared, Carl was still in a daze. A moment later, he extended his hand.
“…Let’s go back. Dana, come here.”
But instead of approaching him, I leaned my back against the wall of the cave.
“No.”
“What?”
“I said no. What if you lock me up in the mill again?”
Ah. Carl finally realized why I was so cold.
“Dana, that… I’m sorry. I was afraid you wouldn’t listen to me and go outside. Just like now.”
“…”
“Oh dear, I should have used a lock.”
Unbelievable. Is that what someone who says they’re sorry should say? Though I thought that, I waited for him instead of arguing. I lured him further into the cave.
Did he think I was trying to avoid him? Carl let out a frustrated sound. “Dana, just listen to me, okay? I know I was wrong.”
He took one step closer, then another. And finally.
“Dana?”
He finally entered the cave.
I eagerly awaited his reaction.
Come on, Carl Windsor. See what’s inside this cave!
However,
“Dana? What’s going on?”
Carl looked bewildered. No, he seemed confused. There was no amazement on his face.
Why isn’t he surprised? Can’t he see the starlight filling this cave?
A mineral more precious than gold and rarer than diamonds, Retillan. Retillan was sparkling in this cave like the Milky Way!
There’s Retillan deposited here. In other words, just seeing this sight was akin to discovering a mountain of gold. Carl had just hit the jackpot he so desperately craved!
“Dana, let’s go outside first. Let’s talk outside.”
Why isn’t he looking?! Carl bizarrely only focused on my face, ignoring everything else.
“W-Wait a minute!”
Carl grabbed my hand.
“Just a moment!”
“I’m scared a snake might come out. Let’s hurry and go outside, okay?”
For a moment, I wanted to grab his hair and turn his head towards the cave wall.
Look at that, you fool! Look at the inside of the cave. It’s sparkling!
“I’m really scared of snakes. Do you know how vicious mountain snakes can be?”
In the end, I decided to perform for this clueless idiot. “What is this, Uncle?”
“Huh? Did a snake come out? Where, where?”
“No, this!” I knocked on the cave wall. “Something is sparkling here!”
“…?”
Only then did Carl look into the cave. A few seconds passed like that.
“T-This is…” His lips trembled. “This looks like Retillan, doesn’t it?”
Exactly! You finally noticed!
Carl’s eyes sparkled as he examined Retillan. “My goodness. Retillan. There’s a Retillan mine in the empire, my goodness! This… This is an incredible discovery!”
Yes, you fool.
I almost sighed in relief. Finally, this blockhead had noticed the Retillan!
Great. Now, he’ll be completely engrossed in exploring.
I thought he’d get excited and start exploring the cave in earnest. However,
“Well, shall we go?”
“…”
What?
I was flabbergasted.
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Wow i cant wait for next chapter 😭
can she read the thoughts of the land to find out about the ritual? pretty sure its an orgy or something at this point
this situation reminds me of the ATLA, many of the episodes have the same setup. due to an incident the group has to make an unexpected stop, everything looks normal but there is a weird undercurrent of a vibe. And there is that one crazy/weird/suspicious character. Then the group finds out the truth! and the crazy/weird/suspicious character may be the sane one at the stop, or just crazy actually.