Chapter 8.1 (1/2)

Chapter 8.1

So we want a few things explained, already. That alright with y’all?」

The day after the Japanese members of the group decided on their next step, Hiroshi opened up the conversation after a breakfast together had been completed.

「You may be right. It may be time to tell you our side of the story.」

「Lord Douga!? 」

「Call me Doul, Reena. And no need for honorifics.」

After what had become a frequent recurring conversation, Douga faced the Japanese members again. That being said, it seemed that Rayna attempted to stop Douga not because she was against telling their story.

「There is something I want to confirm before we begin.」

「Yeah?」

「Was it you, Hiroshi-dono, who crafted the antidotes when the horde of Venomous Wolves appeared a month and a half ago.」

「…Knowing ya, you’re askin’ ‘cus ya already know the answer, so I’ll be honest. It was me. Made ‘bout three hundred and change of them.」

Hiroshi answered Douga honestly. Aearis’ and Douga’s eyes clearly shifted. Aearis, especially, looked as if she wanted to say something but had reservations about asking for more, still keeping Rayna’s transgression in mind. Seeing the stalemate, Haruna broke through it with a direct question:

「Does Hiroshi-kun’s potion making and you guys being trapped by Piaranork have something to do with each other?」

「Not directly. But when it comes to breaking through our current situation, it may play a big part.」

「Somethin’ complicated?」

「Very.」

While Hiroshi and Haruna had expected this answer, when Douga told it to their face, they didn’t know what to say. Chuckling at them, Douga organized what he needed to share in his mind. As he pondered where to start, it occurred to him that he may have to divulge their own identity openly if he wanted help from Hiroshi and Haruna at all.

Douga thought that, judging by their attitude, Hiroshi and Haruna had a clue as to their identity but weren’t quite sure of it. It didn’t seem like Makoto had told them about it, either. And Douga was sure that, from the time they had spent together, that Hiroshi and Haruna had no intention of making an enemy out of them. On that note, other than Makoto and Tatsuya, the other three Japanese members were desperately lacking in talent to deceive anyone with malice. While Douga didn’t know what to make of Mio, whom he hadn’t spoken to much, Hiroshi and Haruna were smarter than most, and they were sharp and wary enough to notice possibilities about being deceived or betrayed themselves, but they seemed naïve at their core, where they would never consider shooting first.

Douga saw them as trustworthy for their character, and for their secret-keeping, somewhat. But because he saw that they were good people, Douga couldn’t trust their talent in acting. While he doubted that could be tricked into spilling the beans too easily, he wasn’t sure if they could refrain from giving away any tells when questioned. Then, he realized that they couldn’t possibly be as stupidly honest as Rayna.

While Rayna’s straightforwardness was charming, it was coupled with her detriments of a one-track mind, inability to read between the lines, and incapability of lying. She was stoic and unwavering, making her a hard target to manipulate. On the other hand, once she had set her mind it was difficult for anyone to get her back on the right track. This made her susceptible to unexpected (non-combat related) events. Of course, Rayna wasn’t completely useless. Her youth and characteristics made her unfit for politics and negotiations, but she was much more of use than the average recruit, like the third son who had no hopes of inheriting the family business.

She had only ended up cornering Hiroshi, in part, because both people who could reign her in were incapacitated. She had just become an adult, after all, and she was bound to improve with experience, somewhat. Best of all, she recognized her own flaws, and was striving to improve them. Douga always thought he could afford to give her more time. Besides, Hiroshi himself was opposed to a harsh punishment. Douga was worried that if he administered an unnecessary punishment without a closer look, he could further damage their relationship. Of course, if something like the incident were to happen again, he would have no more chances to give Rayna.

Comparing Hiroshi and Haruna to his own subordinate, Douga came to a conclusion. They were easier to handle than Rayna, very loyal, and were skilled enough to take down Piaranork with just the two of them. The same could be said for Tatsuya, except he seemed like he had also lived enough to play some politics. As for Mio, Douga doubted that she would say anything unnecessary as long as Tatsuya and Hiroshi told her not to. Of course, Hiroshi was extremely skilled in (at least) potion making, blacksmithing and crafting magical items. Douga considered the risk of sharing their information, and it seemed like the benefit he would receive through honesty and gaining their trust outweighed that risk. With that conclusion, Douga was finally ready to tell the whole story, including their identity.

「Are you ready?」

「Yes. I would like to keep what I am about to say to this house, if possible.」

「Lord Douga! I will not oppose telling them our story! But are you going to tell them everything, right here, right now!?」

「Call me Doul, I say.」