A blue-skinned, big-eyed monster averaging three meters in height.

An unidentified species that calls itself “human.”

They and the true humans were facing each other, separated by a thicket.

“So those are the ones the baron mentioned…”

“But why aren’t they coming closer? Why just stand there like that?”

Because their numbers were no less than ours in the expedition team, the expressions of those clutching weapons tightly brimmed with tension.

And amidst this standoff–

“Long time no see. Bjorn, son of Yandel.”

The chief appeared among the monsters.

Those who saw the chief for the first time showed genuine surprise that he could speak human language, and I walked past them and stepped forward.

“Yes, it has been a while.”

“You’ve increased your companions since then?”

“Ah, it just happened that way.”

Since he seemed willing to talk, I answered vaguely while scanning the surroundings.

The expedition forces, spread widely to encircle the village entrance, were converging here in real time.

Yet, despite knowing this perfectly well–

‘Why is he so relaxed?’

His calm greeting without urgency only increased my unease.

Still, I concealed that feeling and spoke.

“But where did you all come from? You said there was only one village entrance.”

“Don’t be so disappointed. We cannot reveal everything about the village to outsiders, can we?”

“Like the corpses in the basement?”

The chief didn’t respond to my probing question.

He just gave me a chilling glance, looking me up and down, then asked:

“Do you know? Truly perceptive people pretend not to notice.”

“……”

“So, which side do you think you’re on?”

Well, I wasn’t sure, but as he said that, his eyes gleamed wildly and looked very frightening.

I almost swung my hammer without realizing it.

“Baron! Step back.”

Just then, Commander Jerome Saintred arrived from the rear, and the chief shifted his gaze to him.

“Hmm… Who might you be?”

“I am Jerome Saintred, Count, First Royal Knight Commander. I have been appointed the commander of this expedition.”

“The royal court… Yes, I expected you would arrive soon–”

“Now, it’s your turn. I heard that Baron Yandel introduced himself as the Dragon Knight, Cornelius Brungrid. Is that true?”

Jerome cut him off and asked in an overbearing tone, and the chief stared at him and answered.

“Does that matter?”

“It matters. Depending on that, we will decide whether to treat you as a communicable unidentified entity or as an ancient traitor to be executed immediately.”

Ancient traitor?

What the hell was that about?

I tilted my head, and the chief’s normally impassive eyes suddenly flashed fiercely.

As if I had struck a nerve.

“Execution, huh… amusing words.”

“Is that so? Strange. My acquaintances always say I’m a boring person.”

“Despite the long time passed, these friends of ours haven’t changed. Very arrogant. As if they stand above this world…”

The chief continued coldly.

“Let’s see. That execution of yours.”

“Well. No matter how much you want it, the execution won’t be carried out here.”

“Why now suddenly scared–”

“There is much I need to hear from you. After extracting all the information through interrogation, I will personally finish the execution that couldn’t be done then.”

“……”

The discussion ended in an instant.

This was no lightning-fast deal, but watching it unfold left me bewildered.

‘Still, it’s not exactly friendly, so it’s good it ended like this…’

When running the simulation in my head, I half-expected these two to team up and take me down, so for now this situation wasn’t too bad.

But…

“Exterminate them! Everyone except the leader may be killed!”

“Nia Raphdonia!”

What now?

[Everyone scatter and descend into the village!]

As soon as the order for full attack was given, the monsters scattered and began to flee.

“Commander! The monsters are running!”

“Pursue and exterminate! Capture the leader at all costs. If necessary, shoot to kill!”

Wait, should we really chase them?

A sudden doubt crossed my mind, but it wasn’t something I could stop by force.

Nor did I want to.

“Stay close to me. Don’t ever leave my side!”

Forming a formation with the members of the 4th Squad, I hurried to join the pursuit line.

Of course, I only pretended to pursue seriously, not giving it my all.

Anyone could see this was suspicious.

“Yandel, this might be a trap.”

“I know. It’s definitely a lure.”

Jerome surely knew that Novelight (Official version) too.

But he probably judged we couldn’t just let them go.

Even if it was a trap, he must have had confidence we could overpower it.

So…

“What will you do?”

Without hesitation, I answered Amelia’s question.

“I’ll break away from the main force as naturally as possible.”

A perfectly clear plan of action.

She seemed a bit confused, and after a few seconds’ pause replied.

“…What do you mean? Break away?”

“Exactly. While the pursuit continues, I’ll slip away naturally.”

“And then?”

“I’ll leave this island. Completely by accident and unintended during the chase.”

“You really think that’s possible?”

Though the subject was missing, I understood immediately she was not asking about the plan’s success.

She was asking if I could handle the consequences after desertion.

But what can I do?

‘…It’s too risky to keep following them.’

Before taking Jerome out, Elwen lost her MP regeneration.

And with the chief showing up, it felt like something big was about to happen.

And here, I was supposed to quietly watch?

‘Yeah, this is right.’

I shook off my last doubts and hardened my resolve.

This was something I would never have done before. That alone might twist fate enough to prevent the scene Parab saw that day.

Therefore…

“The chief! The chief! The chief is going there!! Squad 4, follow me!”

At the right moment, I led the 4th Squad out of the pursuit line.

“Huh? I clearly saw him go that way–”

“Don’t you trust me? Follow me!!”

The 4th Squad members didn’t know my plan and looked like they weren’t sure if it was okay, but luckily they obeyed.

Tat-tat-tat–

Quickly increasing the distance from the main force.

“Uh? The baron is going that way…”

“But wasn’t there nothing there?”

“Still, he saw something…”

The nearby 3rd Squad watched us with confused expressions but did not try to stop us.

Who would imagine I’d lead a desertion at this timing?

“You say he headed that way? Change the whole army’s direction!”

…Huh?

“The entire army will follow Baron Yandel!”

What the hell?

Why are they following me?

Just when I thought I had escaped the main force successfully, they changed direction and came toward me.

Because of that, I inadvertently ended up in the lead.

“Yandel, what will you do now?”

“Just act naturally.”

“…Got it.”

Turning again would just make the main force continue to follow me.

While running, seriously wondering why this was happening, Jerome caught up to me alongside the 1st Squad.

“Baron! Though I followed your judgment, are you sure what you saw was correct?”

A dead end.

“Uh…”

What should I answer here?

Lost in thought, pretending not to hear, I kept running forward.

“The chief, that one was definitely heading in that direction–”

“Commander! That one! The one we lost is there!”

For some unknown reason, the chief was at the end of the direction I was going.

“Could it be… was the bait we followed?”

“……”

“Hah… If Baron Yandel hadn’t been here, we might have lost him! I will never forget this merit of yours.”

“…Thanks.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be glad I didn’t have to make excuses or to admit I screwed up.

Soon, the chief stopped in front of a tree and entered a gap beneath it.

“There is a path leading downward!”

That must be another entrance to the village…

“Count Saintred, what will you do? There’s a high chance of traps beyond.”

“I know, but we can’t let him get away here.”

Phew, yeah… they really plan to go down.

Well, fine. If we let them go down here, maybe we’ll spot an escape route–

“So, Baron Yandel.”

“…?”

“Would you lead the way?”

“…I don’t know what’s down there.”

“That’s why we need your strength even more. You can hold your own against a first-grade monster, right? If you hold out just a little, our forces will enter soon and assist you.”

Jerome’s reasoning made sense.

Among all the expedition members, I was the toughest.

Sending me first into the most dangerous place was natural for a commander.

But…

Thump–

For some reason, hearing that proposal made my heart beat low and slow.

At the same time, my narrowed and confused view widened, and only then did I see Jerome’s face clearly.

Just a usual soldier’s expression.

Thump–

But why?

Suddenly, several scenes I saw during the day connected in my mind.

Each one was trivial alone but together…

‘I have to check.’

I looked Jerome straight in the eyes and spoke.

“Fine. I’ll lead the way.”

“Oh ho, that’s good! If you refuse, I was wondering who else to send–”

“First, let me confirm one thing.”

I interrupted and added a condition, and Jerome pursed his lips for a moment, then stared at me.

Whatever it was, he seemed to say, ‘Go ahead, say it.’

So I bluntly stated my demand.

“I heard among the supplies brought, there is something called ‘Broken Trust.’ Is that true?”

“…Yes.”

“If I can use that to check a few things, I’ll go in first immediately.”

“I don’t know what you want to check, but do it now? The one who fled down there might be plotting something–”

“Then that’s the end. I won’t go first.”

“Even if I order it as commander?”

I shrugged and said nothing more.

“……”

“……”

A moment of silence followed.

“…Guys, the atmosphere between those two seems weird, am I the only one noticing?”

“Pnelin, Kalstein, Tersia. Prepare yourselves.”

“P-prepare ourselves?”

“Whatever it is, just do it.”

The heavy silence was felt by everyone watching.

In that silence, he finally made his choice.

“Good. Lord Evost! Bring the Broken Trust! Seems the baron wants to verify something!”

Once approved, the deputy commander quickly brought the item, and I took it and immediately activated it.

Click–

Phew, now everything within a 10-meter radius cannot lie.

Yeah, so…

“Your name is Jerome Saintred, right?”

“That’s right.”

Starting with a simple test question, then moving to the main topic.

“From now on, you only need to answer ‘no’ to my questions.”

“Easy. Go ahead.”

I looked into his unwavering eyes and slowly spoke.

“Not today.”

“……”

“No, except for the one you met just a moment ago.”

“……”

“Have you ever met that monster who claimed to be Cornelius Brungrid?”

The answer I wanted was ‘no.’

But no matter how long I waited, the awaited answer did not come.

Slide.

Just as I gently lifted my shield and hammer facing him, the long silence was broken by his deep voice.

Very quietly.

“How did you know?”

…Damn it.

Today wasn’t the first time he met the chief.