Well, I know that Rudeus is busy every day, gazing here and there and thinking about everything from what can be seen to what can't be seen."
Ariel looks at my eyes, playing with the topic.
Perhaps this is what she wanted to talk about?
“One thing I would like to ask Rudeus sama ....what do you think about Luke?"
Luke.
What do I think about Luke?
So it's not about Orsted.
"Even if you ask me now."
Well, Ariel, what sort of answer are you hoping for?
"Rudeus-sama, your bad habit is showing."
"What?"
“Answer me honestly. I’m a master at the art of conversation. Such a skill is a staple for someone in my position "
Habit.
Do I have such a habit?
Although I feel that we’ve been talking and thinking about just such a thing these days.
About Orsted, about Hitogami.
That’s not all.
My family also.
"I think that ―― Luke is betraying us."
And suddenly, Ariel decisively said it.
Luke’s betrayal.
Oh, that keyword.
"Although I haven’t said it to Sylphy and the others."
I bet.
But, that's a little shocking.
".....I thought that Ariel-sama trusted Luke.”
I was wondering about that, about Ariel’s trust in Luke’s loyalty.
Sylphy, just like Luke, will not betray Ariel.
The two attendants as well.
"I do."
"......"
“There is no reason for Luke to betray me. If he wanted to betray me, he would have done so a long time ago. Luke would have been able to take my life during my sleep whenever he wanted."
"..... Then, why?"
“Even someone as loyal as Luke would betray me if he were forced into a situation where he had no choice but to do so. Like for example...... since he cares deeply about his family, maybe his family was taken hostage…..."
Ariel said so quietly.
Family taken hostage.
I see.
If you’re convinced, even without knowing about the existence of Hitogami, the words and actions of Luke can be explained.
Darius taking Luke’s family hostage, and forcing him to betray Ariel.
On top of that, with Notus soldiers attacking Ariel, the promise was broken.
If you look at it that way, it all makes sense.
But Luke has remained eerily silent.
Does it appears to Ariel... that he's troubled about whether to return to Ariel's side or stay on Darius's side?
"That’s why I want to hear your opinion. What do you think? I’m asking Rudeus-sama since he has recently offered his help to me. "
Also, it’s possible that Ariel also suspected me.
Because of Luke, suspicion against me has grown.
By those words, she assumed that I’m teamed up with Luke.
“Is discussing a matter like this alright? In a place like this? I could turn out to be a traitor and take your life here and now, Ariel-sama. "
“It will be a shame if that were the case.... After all, it would mean that I lack the eyes to discern a person’s true nature. I’ll accept my death obediently."
Maybe I should test that courage?
No, that won’t be good, it's not as if I got betrayed.
It’s easy to enumerate the reasons that I will not betray her.
“.....I don’t think Luke is betraying you. It’s just that he is being manipulated."
"By who?"
Her question is not easy to answer.
I wonder how would she respond if she hears Hitogami’s name.
It's easier to just reveal the truth, but .....
Wait, looking at this conversation, perhaps Ariel is actually an apostle of Hitogami?
Although Orsted said that was impossible.......
Calm down.
The advantages and disadvantages of informing Ariel.
Let’s consider them all…. first of all.
"Though I’m asking you that, it’s probably difficult for Rudeus-sama to answer. If there was an easy answer, you’d have given it a long time ago."
Ariel’s following words stopped my train of thoughts.
"So, could you introduce me?"
Ariel was laughing.
In the dark, I see a friendly smile.
"To the person that Rudeus-sama occasionally contacts...... Orsted-sama."
"What?"