Chapter 25

It was a story about someone dying.

Death is not something to be spoken of lightly unless it's about a notorious criminal, and it's proper etiquette to pray for the deceased's peace.

Of course, Agartha was a criminal, but in a way, by us catching Outer Gods, it had been proven that Agartha also contributed to stopping Outer Gods.

But this Vice Captain just blurted it out as if it was nothing, despite such a tragic death.

"...What on earth do you mean by that?"

"Can't you understand human speech? The thief failed to catch an Outer God and failed to prove her worth."

The Vice Captain shrugged and spoke as if it was obvious.

"What, did you develop some camaraderie during your short stay in the underground prison?"

Honestly, I was already irritated just hearing that Agartha had died.

And that tone of speaking as if he had done nothing wrong...

In a situation like this, it would be normal for anger to flare up.

But I was strangely calm.

Now I understand.

The Super Chicken Mod was maintaining my rationality.

Thanks to that, my anger was sublimated into calmness, and I felt it rushing to my brain.

"Don't worry. As promised, you're no longer a criminal from now on, so forget about the thief."

The Vice Captain spoke as if adding fuel to the fire, or rather, pouring oil on it.

I tried to hold back, but feeling I should say something, I recalled what Muyeon had said and spoke:

"...You actually sent us to die, didn't you?"

"You're free to have delusions."

"Those knights, I know they were all meant to be disposed of anyway. Is that really the Imperial Princess's order?"

At my outburst, the Vice Captain frowned and started glaring at the innocent Muyeon.

Why are you blaming someone else when you had such intentions in sending us?

Seeing Muyeon trembling, I opened my mouth to redirect the Vice Captain's attention.

"So what are you trying to say?"

But the Vice Captain only showed an attitude of blaming the victim.

"Anyway, you survived. In the end, it's proof that the thief was weak. Were you criminals so close? If you were going to talk about affection now, you shouldn't have committed crimes in the first place."

"V-Vice Captain."

"You be quiet."

The Vice Captain snapped at Muyeon and then turned back to me.

"Go ahead and speak. Am I wrong?"

"How can you be so brazen even after we defeated an Outer God...!"

"Speak properly. At least for you, if it weren't for Muyeon, wouldn't it have been like trying to break a rock with an egg?"

I wanted to say something, but the Vice Captain's words were true, and his way of speaking that left no room for argument made me speechless.

"Anyway, there are weapons that will be given to you as a reward later.

Come to the armory tomorrow."

"...Armory?"

Right, one of the reasons I wanted to join the Knight Order.

According to community posts, Outer God equipment tempered with the heat of the hearth is mostly powerful. It was a fitting reward and what I wanted, but...

This can't possibly make up for it.

As I kept my mouth shut, the Vice Captain snorted and suddenly stood up.

"Fine, you're right. You came back after defeating an Outer God, so I'll give you a special additional reward.

I'll personally be your target for venting. Want to hit me once?"

He approached us with an attitude like an adult telling a child to hit them.

As if no matter how I hit, it wouldn't matter.

In reality, a punch thrown by a weak ordinary person might at best tickle the Vice Captain who has spent decades in the Knight Order.

Should I really hit him here?

Could this be an intention to put me in a detention cell by provoking me with this incident?

"...What are you doing? Do you think I'd throw you somewhere just because you hit me?

Fine, I swear on my position as Vice Captain that I won't hold you responsible.

Does this make you want to hit me?"

Why is he suddenly insisting on being hit like this?

But as if his words were true, light started to emanate around the Vice Captain, as if a contract had been made.

Still, I hesitated.

This is the Knight Order's headquarters.

Acting recklessly here could be dangerous.

"What are you doing? Are you scared now that you actually have to hit, after speaking so eloquently?

And you dare to yell at me, you're all talk and no action."

Just like that thief.

His last words stimulated my reason, and since a contract had been made, I stepped forward.

I approached the Vice Captain and threw a punch with all my might without saying a word.

Twang!

A loud noise rang out.

Of course, my punch had no effect on the Vice Captain, and it just bounced off what seemed to be armor in the shape of a teddy bear suit.

Is this really how it ends?

Does this mean I have to completely forget about Agartha with just this embarrassing feeling?

"Hmph, is that all? If that's enough to vent your anger, then so be it."

As the Vice Captain snorted and was about to return to his seat, it happened.

"If you're done talking, now disperse..."

The door opened.

The Hunter, who had brushed off Alpha and Beta's attempts to stop him, started approaching the Vice Captain with leisurely steps.

The Vice Captain spoke with a puzzled expression.

"What is it? If you're late, you should knock..."

But the Vice Captain's words couldn't continue.

Piyong!

It was a loud sound like a spring popping.

"Urgh!"

But the result was different.

The Vice Captain's body floated in the air, then the wall shattered and the Vice Captain slid along the broken wall.

The impact must have been quite large as dust flew, and the Vice Captain couldn't get up properly from his position.

I just blinked at the unrealistic scene, and Muyeon ran to the Vice Captain.

"Vice Captain!"

"Ugh..."

As the Vice Captain slowly tried to get up with a pained expression, I turned my head towards the Hunter.

The Hunter just retracted his fist and dusted it off as if he had done nothing special.

"If he was given that right, then I have it too. Am I wrong?"

"..."

The Vice Captain said nothing.

As if he had no words to refute.

He just glared at the Hunter with a frown.

Seeing this, the Hunter clicked his tongue and patted my shoulder.

"Tch, this is why I hate you lot. If we're done here, let's go get something to eat."

As I was led out of the hearth by the Hunter, I saw:

The Vice Captain, who I thought would get angry, didn't say anything as if he had just done what he was supposed to do, and just silently got up and returned to his seat.

***

"By the way, the armory, huh. Those Knight Order guys are unexpectedly generous.

If it's weapons from there, it'll be a big help in catching those Outer God bastards from now on."

The Hunter somehow knew the entire conversation.

Certainly, I was looking forward to the weapons.

The weapons from the armory were made with the heat of the hearth.

As they were made with the mysterious flames of the hearth that keep the entire domain warm, the effects on the weapons are endless.

However, it was a bit concerning that the weapons from the armory come out randomly, and their performance also varies depending on the status of the person obtaining them.

It was so much that posts like "Hit the jackpot at the armory. Done with rerolling this playthrough." were often seen.

Well, that's definitely good, but...

"Sigh."

How should I put it, I didn't feel depressed, but I didn't feel like saying anything either.

I don't know why the Hunter, who seemed like he would have no blood or tears, hit the Vice Captain once.

Anyway, it felt refreshing at the time thanks to that, but it didn't bring Agartha back, so I felt gloomy.

The image of her always speaking to us first and trying to get close, despite her snarky attitude, seemed to flash before my eyes like a panorama.

I sighed at the thought of that sight I could no longer see.

Maybe I should set up a memorial service for her alone later.

As I was having these gloomy thoughts, suddenly the Hunter slapped my back once.

"Ugh."

The force was quite strong, and as I looked at the Hunter while groaning, he spoke while looking ahead as if nothing had happened.

"...The thief was destined to die in that prison if it weren't for your help.

You've done your duty just by letting her live until now.

If you're so gloomy, the thief probably can't rest in peace either."

"...?"

"Well."

When I looked at the Hunter with a questioning expression, he just flicked his chin once with a gruff attitude and continued walking ahead.

Did I hear that wrong just now?

At least the Hunter I knew wasn't the type to comfort people like this.

He was always blunt, just stating facts.

What on earth caused such a change of heart that he could become so gentle?

I don't understand why he keeps showing such bewildering aspects since the detention cell incident.

"...Thank you, Mr. Hunter. I feel a bit better thanks to you."

"I just stated the facts."

Right, he probably thinks it's just facts.

Sometimes, those facts can be warmer than any consolation in the world.

"Follow me. I know a good place."

The place the Hunter was going to was a quiet-looking restaurant.

There weren't many people visible as it was a place you had to walk quite far into an alley to reach.

He explained that it was one of the few places he frequents.

He really only goes to places like himself.

But it definitely had a good restaurant vibe.

...Come to think of it, I haven't had a proper meal.

"I'll order. Sit down at a table."

I nodded at the Hunter's kindness and looked for a place to sit.

Most of the seats were empty, so it seemed I could just choose according to my preference.

Right.

In a restaurant, it's best to sit by the window.

Since I'm feeling a bit down, I should eat something delicious while looking outside.

As I was about to approach the closest window seat, it was already occupied.

Thinking it was indeed the best spot, I was about to look for another place when my attention was caught by one person.

Well, a girl who had lost one arm was eating with a jade bead placed on the table.

Moreover, that jade bead felt like I had seen it somewhere before.

Surely, that's...

"Nom nom nom."

She seemed to have been eating for a while, and she was eating so deliciously that it looked like she must have been very hungry.

"Gulp gulp. Ah, this is the hearth, this is the firewood. Why be a knight? When there's something this good. I went through all this trouble to escape for this... huh?"

She was about to put a mouthful of meatball spaghetti in her wide-open mouth.

For some reason, she seemed to feel something strange and looked up.

Then our eyes met.

"Hey."

"...Huh?"

Seeing my face, she couldn't help but be greatly surprised.

"Um... so..."

She seemed flustered, sweating profusely and not knowing what to do, then suddenly waved her hand.

"S-so you finished well...? Haha..."

Forcibly suppressing the urge to shout "Is that what you should be saying right now?", I roughly pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.

"Eek!"

Seeing her pretend to be startled, I couldn't help but sigh, and found myself asking in a gruff tone:

"Let me ask you one thing."

"Y-yes?"

"Are you perhaps a ghost?"

"Umm! Maybe I am a ghost...?"

Finally losing my temper, I ran behind that person and put her in a chokehold.

"Ack! H-help!"

"Oh my? Can ghosts eat food and be choked? How did you fix your spatial coordinates? Huh?"

Making all my previous worries meaningless.

"You're giving me a heart attack, you damn thief!!!!"

Agartha was very much alive.