[10 — What Now?]

The blue sky was beautiful. There were fluffy, well-defined clouds scattered everywhere, the kind that made me feel like I was inside one of those animated movies I used to watch.

Anyone looking up now would never believe there'd been a storm yesterday. No puddles, no mud, no trace that it had rained at all.

According to Ruru, we were about to reach the last turnoff on the road. After that—aside from being stuck in the middle of the street—the only possible stop would be the city of Blessom.

Realizing I was heading straight into the city without any prior intel, I came up with an excuse to take the exit and get my bearings.

Which brings us to now...

"Destroyer-sama, your eye for scenery is really something. How did you know this tree was here?"

"This is one of the only spots in the region where you can get such a clear view. If you look around, you'll see that aside from this tree up here on the hill, there isn't another one within a five-hundred-meter radius. And that's exactly why this place is known as the 'island tree.'"

"A-amazing... but how did you hear about it? Have you been to this city before?"

"R-Ruru... there's one thing you need to understand: a good magician never reveals his secrets."

"A-ah... I see."

...Phew. Good thing we happened to find this tree here.

"Waaah! This place is amazing! You can see everything from up here, haha!"

"Sera! Don't go hanging from the branches, you'll hurt yourself!" Ruru called, running after her.

"Ah... those two... I really don't know what to do with them."

But, setting that aside...

The real reason we made this detour was because of her. I have no idea what was going through Ruru's head when she decided to bring her along.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue, nii-san?"

I know she's unarmed and her arms are tied around her body, but still...

"Destroyer-sama, as you can see, Maria kindly offered to guide us to the city."

"I can hear you, you bitch!" Maria spat.

"Ruru, I appreciate you taking care of things while I was asleep, but no matter how I look at it, I don't think traveling with her is a good idea."

"Sorry for deciding on my own, Destroyer-sama, but I thought this would be in line with your plans..."

"In line with my plans? What do you mean?"

Ruru stretched out her legs, closed her eyes, and raised a finger into the air.

"Keep your allies close, and your enemies even closer."

Urgh... was that supposed to be an impression of me?

"Ahem, you have a point."

"Don't I?"

Well, looking at it from that perspective, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. If I could get something out of her, it might just work in my favor.

"Ruru, could you give me a moment? I want to talk to her alone."

"W-will you be okay? I mean, your body's still—"

"No need to worry about me. Instead, go check on Sera before she ends up spooking the horses."

"Very well, Destroyer-sama."

Even so, she didn't step away until making sure the rope around Maria was tight enough. For extra safety, she tied it around the tree as well.

"Sera! Stop poking the horses!"

I stepped up to the tree and crouched down. Rule number one for intimidating an enemy: never show a hint of nervousness. Keep eye contact at all times.

"I'll admit I didn't expect you to volunteer to guide us to the city."

"Volunteer?! Are you blind, you bastard?"

"What I still can't figure out is what you and your people stood to gain by kidnapping me..."

"Huh?!"

...What's this? My intimidation's not working?

I leaned in a little closer, making sure not to blink.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Ptt!" She spat at me. "You think I'll fall for your tricks again, you bastard? I'm not buying that innocent face of yours anymore."

I wiped my face on the bandages without reacting. I couldn't let her throw me off balance.

"Tricks? I don't recall pulling any tricks on you."

"Y-you... how can you lie so easily? You put on that whole act about having no memories, and now you're going to deny it? Hahaha!"

Hm? I don't get the joke. I was telling the truth at the time.

"I knew something was off when Markus told me you didn't remember anything, but no... I didn't listen to my instincts and gave in to desire."

"Desire?"

"Ha... they say sin doesn't pay, and they're right."

...What the hell is she talking about?

"Why didn't you kill me? Did you really think I'd ally myself with you heretics?"

Heretics? Weren't you just talking about sin a second ago, you hypocrite?

"I figured you might still be useful..."

"Y-you... my services don't come cheap," she said, blushing slightly.

Where'd that sudden mood swing come from?

"Whatever you're thinking, you can be sure that's not what I mean."

"Then what? I don't see how else I could be of use to you. If it's protection you want, I'm sure that girl you're with is more than enough."

"I need you to tell me how to remove that mark from Sera's body."

"Sera? That the name of that little monster?"

"Answer me!"

Thud! My hand hit the tree.

I leaned in close to her ear.

"I believe you know exactly what'll happen to you if I decide you're no longer of any use to us..."

Her eyes widened.

"...S-so this is your true face?"

Itai! Right on the cut!

*

While watching the horses graze, a twinge of envy crept in. I know I can't eat what they eat, but I still can't help wondering why our digestive systems have to be so different.

I'd have to find something to eat soon.

"Destroyer-sama," Ruru approached with Sera in tow. "Did you find out anything?"

"Only partly. Take a look at this."

I handed her a stone.

"A stone?"

...She doesn't recognize it?

"This is what keeps marked people from escaping."

"By marked, you mean..."

"Exactly. Maria told me she's never heard of anyone removing a mark before, and if it is possible, it's something only the church would know about."

"And I doubt they'd be willing to share," Ruru added.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

"What are you two talking about?"

I took the stone back from Ruru and crouched in front of Sera.

"W-what is it?"

"Sera, look at this."

"H-how did you get that?"

"How do you think?"

"W-why are you showing it to me?"

She turned away, gripping one arm with her hand.

"Hm? You don't know what it is? With this, you're no longer—"

"I know exactly what it is! But why are you showing it to me?!"

...What's with her eyes...?

"I'm giving this to you, Sera. I know it's not permanent removal, but you can go wherever you want now."

"Ah... so that's it?"

Her voice was quieter.

"Destroyer-sama—"

"Yes... with this, you're free. There's nothing tying us together anymore."

"..."

"Sera..." Ruru stepped toward her.

"I-I see... th-thank you."

"Wait! Sera! Come back!" Ruru called.

Sera ran toward the wagon.

"D-Destroyer-sama... why did you do that?"

"We can't keep her tied to us, Ruru. I don't want her feeling she owes us anything for what happened."

"But... did it have to be like this?"

I turned my back and walked to the edge of the hill. From there, I had a perfect view of Blessom.

Ruru came up beside me.

"Your hands are trembling, Destroyer-sama."

"Ah... that's because the wind's still cold. I'll need to buy warmer clothes once we reach the city."

"Yes... we should."

"..."

"So? What now? Do we head for the next city?" Ruru asked.

"No. We're going to Blessom."

"Did you find a lead on what you were looking for?"

"Not yet. But there must be a reason we started here."

"A reason? Why do you think that?"

"Chekhov's gun."

"Huh?" She tilted her head.

"Every element shown in the story has to be relevant to the narrative."

"...Seriously, Destroyer-sama... I'll never understand where you get these things from."

Hmm... I don't know why, but I still can't shake the feeling I'm forgetting something.