Hope

"Well, this is really..."

When I returned to Rikarisu Town, I found that the city had become lifeless too.

Could that magical disaster have reached this place too...? Then my hometown...

No, for now, I should ask around for news about Rudeus first. At least after coming to the Demon Continent, I hadn't noticed anything unusual.

I walked into the guild and found the front desk.

"Excuse me, have you heard the name Rudeus Greyrat?"

The receptionist froze when she heard the name, then smiled and said, "Yes. He left this city two months ago."

Huh? There was actually news about Rudy?

We'd missed each other...

But it was enough to confirm that Rudy was all right...

"Uh, if I may ask one more question."

As I spoke, I pushed three copper coins forward.

"Go ahead."

"Has the Demon Continent suffered any kind of magical disaster? Why do the people in town all seem so lifeless?"

"Ah... that... We're still investigating and confirming the details. Two months ago, countless bolts of lightning suddenly struck the western district. Many people in that area died... More than a thousand were killed... and over two thousand were seriously injured..."

"I see. My condolences."

I adjusted the brim of my hat, picked up my staff, and prepared to leave.

Just then, an Angry Minotaur who had been dead drunk suddenly spoke up.

"How many times have I said it?! It was that human called Rudeus who did it!!! Why won't any of you believe me?! I saw it with my own eyes!!"

He rose to his feet and roared at the young lady behind the front counter, his mangled arm fitting perfectly with his ruined, dispirited appearance.

The receptionist merely smiled awkwardly.

"Sir... the records show that Mr. Rudeus was only a support mage... The monsters killed were all credited to his older sister, Eris, and another party has testified to that."

"Then he lied to all of you!! You've all been tricked!!"

The Minotaur Demon roared a few more times, then suddenly quieted down again, sat back where he had been, and started drinking.

Rudy did it...? The possibility was practically zero. My kind disciple could never do something like slaughter innocent people indiscriminately.

Although he might indeed have the ability to use that magic, Rudy would not use that power in an inappropriate place.

Speaking of Eris... wasn't that the name of his student? I often used to hear she was an unreasonable young lady...

I shook my head, left the guild, and went to the western district they said had been destroyed.

As soon as I arrived, I saw countless people kneeling before the collapsed houses, their hands clasped together, eyes closed, quietly murmuring something.

They prayed that their families could find peace in the land of the dead. They cursed the one who had abused their power and slaughtered innocents. They... were shedding tears.

I interlaced the fingers of both hands and closed my eyes.

"May you... rest in peace."

An hour later, I picked up my staff and left this city that was mired in grief.

Rudy had left Rikarisu Town, so he had probably headed toward Wind Port. Once he reached Tezan Port, he should be able to see Mr. Paul's message.

In any case, since I had already come to the Demon Continent, I would first go back and see my parents, whom I hadn't met in so long... then go help Mr. Paul.

After walking out of Rikarisu Town, I looked back at the city for a while.

"It's already lost its vitality..."