In the seventh’s mind, killing Adlet with their own hands wasn’t the best course of action. In fact, they wanted to leave the task to one of the Heroes of The Six Flowers.
If things went smoothly then the seventh could place all the fault and blame onto the person that killed Adlet. And even if they couldn’t do that, a large fissure would form in the mutual trust shared among the Flowers. Using that fissure, they could tactfully go around, causing further internal discord among the companions.
The seventh didn’t know what was going to occur in the future. But they did understand that flexibility was very important. They needed to be able to view the circumstances well, without just sticking to one way of thinking so that they could accurately use the tools available to them. And more than anything, they could not let themselves be suspected.
If they could do that then victory would tumble into their lap.
Well then, who in the world will kill Adlet for me?
#
When Fremy returned to the temple, Chamo, Nashetania and Hans were already sleeping. Mora and Goldof, on the other hand, were outside keeping watch.
“You’ve been alive after all? What happened to Adlet?” Mora asked.
“He fled. He was wounded and I had wanted to capture him if possible, but I didn’t have my gun.”
“I see. It’s alright for you to rest as well too. We’ll hear about the details tomorrow morning.”
When Fremy entered the temple, Goldof called out to her and said, “Sorry I suspected you.”
“It doesn’t matter. Any ordinary person would have done the same.”
When dawn broke Fremy told the five about what happened after Adlet kidnapped her. She then followed that up with her own personal story. Specifically, why she wanted to fight The Majin.
“Those Kyoma were heartless.” Mora knitted her brow.
“That was a terrible story, if it’s true,” Chamo said.
“Chamo! You still suspect Fremy? It’s already clear that Fremy is our important ally,” Mora chided, to which Chamo giggled.
“Meohehe, I now feel a bit uneasy. Is it alright to think of her as our companion?”
“Hans, even you are saying something?” Mora asked.
“Did you really fight Adlet?” Hans continued, asking Fremy. “The sword I threw successfully went deep into his back right?”
“It missed his vitals. Even you are not as strong as you claim.”
“Adlet showed a great deal of affection towards you. When you were suspected he stood up for you. When Chamo said she would torture you he got angry and stopped it. Even the idea that Adlet excites you too is not impossible.”
“You’re incredibly irritating.”
“Meowy, a woman’s heart is an eternal mystery. Their words and their inner feelings don’t match up.”
“Hans, shut-up for a bit,” Mora said and Hans stopped talking, a look of mock surprise on his face.
“I too have some questions. Fremy, what did you think about Adlet? How did you feel when you realized that he was the seventh?”
“Ah, I thought that it was true after all.”
“After all?
“He had tried to get on my good side, feigned concern, and tried to gain my trust. But I now understand why.”
“Meowy, you’re a dreadful woman. And Adlet’s a guy whose troubles didn’t pay off.”
Fremy glared at Hans.
“More importantly, how are we going to catch Adlet?” Goldof asked and Hans walked over to the corner of the temple.
He looked at the iron box placed in the corner and said, “Most of that guy’s weapons are here. Without them, he can’t fight. I think if we wait here he’ll come back to get them meow.”
“He’s not limited to those. He still has weapons to some extent hidden on him,” Fremy objected.
“Not enough to fight all of us.”
“While that may be true, I don’t think it’s good to say he lacks the means,” Goldof said. “We should move from here. And since our time is limited, we should probably split up to pursue him.”
“Goldof is right,” Mora said. “We’ll proceed in groups of two. First Fremy. You and I will search for Adlet.”
Fremy nodded.
“Princess, make a group with Goldof. Be sure that you don’t take it easy on him. Goldof, I’m entrusting the princess to you.”
Goldof nodded and Nashetania looked at him with a seemingly uneasy expression.
“Chamo and Hans will remain here to confront Adlet. Stay focused and keep your wits about you.”
“Meow? My motivation is cut in half if I’m not with a pretty girl. Can I switch with Goldof?”
Everyone ignored Hans’ complaint.
“If there are no objections, let’s hurry up and go.”
“No way,” Chamo interjected. “Chamo hates waiting.”
“I see. Well then, Fremy you stay here and Chamo, you come with me.”
“Chamo doesn’t want to walk around all over the place either. Chamo will play around the area until the barrier comes down.”
“…Do you want me to scold you, Chamo?” It looked like Mora was about to pop a vein in her forehead.
Hans laughed. “It’s alright. I will be enough for a guy like him.”
“…You’re all somewhat reliable companions. Well then good, be careful not to get lost. And don’t go out too far.”
Nashetania and Goldof departed for the west. But when Mora and Fremy were about to leave in the opposite direction, Hans called out to Fremy.
“Hey, Fremy.”
“What?”
“Are you really able to fight the Kyoma?”
“What do you mean?”
“If in front of your dear, important mother, she says things like ‘I’m sorry, forgive me, I’ve been regretting everything all this time, let’s live together again’ would you be able to kill her?”
“I would be able to kill her because I would know she is lying.”
“You’re wrong,” Hans responded and Fremy glared at him with a face full of anger. “I’m an assassin. I’ve received many requests. Husbands betrayed by their wives. Children abandoned by their parents. Those people came to me and told me to kill for them. But you see, not once was I ever happy about that kind of work. Well, in the end about half told me to call off the kill at the last hour, meow.”
“…What’s your point?”
“…Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“Let’s go Fremy!” Mora said and the two turned their backs from Hans and walked into the forest.
#
After leaving the temple and walking for a while, Nashetania suddenly stopped. She then turned around and looked behind her, surveying the area over and over again.
“What’s the matter?” Goldof, who had been following her, was perplexed by her demeanor.
“Goldof. This question may seem sudden and strange, but do you trust me?” Nashetania looked straight into Goldof’s eyes as she spoke.
“Of course. Who other than you princess would I trust?”
But his reply only made Nashetania’s expression darken. “You’re not understanding what I mean. What I want to ask is will you agree with me without saying a word?”
“Princess, what are you thinking?”
Nashetania continued to look into Goldof’s eyes and said, “Adlet-san is not the seventh. From here on out I will act to prove that fact.”
“Princess!” Goldof shouted.
“Just this one time it’s okay,” she said, referring to his outburst. “Now agree without saying another word. I know that Adlet-san fell into a trap and is waiting for my help!”
“I can’t consent to that. Even if it’s the words of the princess, I cannot do what you’re asking of me.”
“I’m not saying I don’t have the foggiest idea on the matter,” Nashetania said, standing her ground. “There is someone I’m nervous about. I still don’t have proof, and I may just be mistaken. But, perhaps there are clues that will lead us to the truth.”
“Who do you suspect?”
In a quiet voice Nashetania answered, “Hans-san.”
#
Meanwhile, Adlet had been moving, running silently atop tree branches so that he wouldn’t leave any footprints. Occasionally he would stop, confirm that no one was getting near him and then carry on.
He was heading towards the temple with the hopes that if he could find proof of the eighth then the suspicions towards him would dissolve for the moment. It was a much more effective course of action than blindly running through the forest in search of the eighth.
He wondered how the six were moving about as he jumped from treetop to treetop. Perhaps the six are searching for me in groups of two or three. That was a rational decision, if they are being cautious about surprise attacks.
If they were moving in groups of two it would be fairly bad. Any single person could be together with the seventh and after killing their unsuspecting companion they would lay the blame on Adlet. That may have been the seventh’s next plan.
I have to hurry before they can carry out their plan.
He wondered if an investigation of the temple was possible. At a minimum there should be two people guarding the temple. But if they were Nashetania or Fremy then he could use them. With Fremy or Nashetania’s cooperation he could get them to leave the temple unoccupied for him. Or he could try directly negotiating with one of them to enter the temple.
They were awful plans, and since he was at the end of the road, he was leaving everything to chance. But at the moment they were the only options he had.
“…Lets do this.”
Eventually he reached the temple without running into any of his pursuers. It seems like luck hasn’t abandoned me. He then climbed another tree, took out his telescope and searched the area. There were no people around the temple.
Perhaps they’re waiting to ambush me in the temple. Adlet thought as he circled behind the temple and approached cautiously. He then jumped onto the roof. Afterwards, he placed his ear to the stone roof and listened for sounds inside.
But he couldn’t hear anything coming from within the temple. Could it be that there was no one inside or was it all a trap to lure me in? If it were a trap, did one of his companions set it or was it the seventh?
Suddenly he sensed a murderous intent and his body reacted before he could even think about it.
“Memeow!”
When Adlet rolled to the side to dodge the attack, a