No one will wait for you at the window, except me

With the "friendly communication" of Vane and others, the villagers' attitude quickly became more amiable.

But everyone denied that Jim and his companion were followers of the Deep Sea Cultists.

Irene's face flushed as she desperately pulled back Vane, who was about to confront the villagers.

"Mr. Vane! Please calm down!"

Dario watched this scene with emotion. Elini's impulsiveness was instantly cured in front of the even more impulsive Wayne.

"They begged us to release Jim and his companion, and said they didn't know the boy."

Vane stopped moving and turned his head in confusion.

"You agree?"

"No... it was just a transaction."

Dario glanced at the villagers who were still stealing glances in the distance.

"We will keep Jim and his companion under our custody for the time being. They have said they will provide us with food and lodging to facilitate our investigation in the village."

"What are the conditions?"

"They must be released without any results from the investigation."

"How can you do that!" Irene exclaimed angrily.

"They are Deep Sea Cultists, the evidence is irrefutable! How could this be... Ah!"

Vane fiddled with Irene's feather ornaments, interrupting her while glancing at Dario.

"... So, Your Inquisitor compromised?"

"... This is a temporary measure. Forcibly taking people away will only escalate the conflict and may even lead to violent clashes."

"Detaining them temporarily while granting them permission to conduct their own investigations within the village is currently the safest option."

"Isn't this a compromise!?"

Irene couldn't accept it and looked at the teacher in confusion.

"Teacher, we are clearly right! Why should we give in to lies?"

"Because the sword of the Inquisition is pointed at evil, not at the blinded populace."

Dario looked at his apprentice, his tone becoming more serious.

"Irene, our goal is to eliminate the threat posed by the Church of the Deep and protect more people, not to create conflict and bloodshed here."

"If forced enforcement results in injury or death among villagers, then even if we catch the perpetrators, the enforcement will have lost its meaning."

"Stop!"

Wei stepped between the two to interrupt their argument, and at the same time put his arm around their shoulders and pressed them together.

"It's alright~ Even if Mario doesn't find out anything, I won't let them get away with it."

"Mr. Vane! If you say anything more that's dangerous, I'll have you arrested!"

Dario felt heavy-hearted watching his beloved student playfully fighting with Vane.

Irene, how can I make you understand--

It takes more courage to lay down the sword than to wield it...

"Okay, stop looking so gloomy."

Vane hid behind Dario, escaping Irene's pursuit.

"If you guys were a bit more cheerful and outgoing, your reputation might be better."

"..."

Seeing that Dario didn't respond, Vane sighed in disappointment.

"Never mind... Your Inquisitor should begin your investigation now. It's still early, so I won't disturb you."

Dario was taken aback by what he said, Vane feigned surprise.

"No way, you don't actually think I'd help you, do you?"

"No, this is my duty," Dario said calmly. "But... are you leaving now?"

"Yes."

Vane nodded affirmatively.

"I said I would interrogate those two Deep Sea Cultists my way, but you refused."

"I can't help with anything else, and you won't be able to finish your work here anytime soon."

"Anyway, given your old-fashioned sense of responsibility, you definitely won't leave. I'll go play for a while then."

Having said that, before the two could react, Vane's figure vanished in the light.

Irene curiously observed the spot where Vane had disappeared.

"Mr. Vane knows so many skills! Is this also Originium Arts?"

Let's go...

Dario turned and walked toward the boy named Aegir who was standing to the side.

"Perhaps... we can ask this non-existent boy some questions."

"Your king has returned!"

A flash of light appeared, Vane witnessed a strange scene as soon as he returned to the Vitality Hall.

What are you doing?

Before him, Gregor, who had returned at some unknown time, was completely entangled by Gorth's vines, while Gorth was trying to secure the Ten Percent Off vines to his two horns on his head.

[In disguise.]

"Ha?"

Seeing Vane's puzzled expression, Gorth calmly explained.

"The boss is about to leave Columbia and is worried that his appearance will cause trouble, so he's going to disguise himself."

"We're leaving Columbia soon?!" Vane asked excitedly.

"That wasn't easy, boss! So where are you now? Have you seen any landmarks?"

"We should be almost at Kjerag; I can already see the snow."

"Really? Did you see the Snow Mountains?"

"Snow Mountains?" Gregor's voice held a hint of hesitation.

"Yes! The Snow Mountains of Kjerag can be seen from afar; they are landmarks among landmarks!"

"..." x3

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Vane's heart skipped a beat, and he asked cautiously:

"You really didn't see it?"

"..."

The atmosphere grew increasingly silent, Vane wore a subtle expression.

"Boss... you didn't end up in Sami in the north, did you?"

Seeing the increasingly dim light emanating from Greg, Gorth offered words of comfort.

"Perhaps it's just too far away, and we haven't seen the Snow Mountains yet?"

"At a time like this, let's stop deceiving ourselves..."

Vane rubbed his forehead and waved his hand weakly.

"My bad, I should have known the boss would get lost."

[Feel sorry...]

Gregor's light dimmed slightly. A frustrated emoticon appeared on the Ten Percent Off screen.

"What's there to apologize for...?"

Vane shook his head and proposed a new plan.

"Since we're almost at Sami... let's head straight for Kazimierz along the snowfield border."

[Kazimierz?]

"Yes, the land of knights, though the knightly tradition has declined."

Vane looked at Gregor's bound body and turned to Gorth.

"You want to use vines to insulate against the high temperature?"

"Yes, this way the cloak won't be so noticeable when it's set up outside."

Gorth nodded and raised the Ten Percent Off in his hand.

"Then place the Ten Percent Off on top of your head to hold it in place, acting as a translator."

"What kind of TV personality..."

Vane imagined Greg's body with a TV head on top and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

[Any problems?]

"Ahem! No, no, it's a very good idea."

Vane affirmed their ideas and offered new insights.

"The cloak isn't quite enough. Since we're going to the land of knights, we should put on another layer of armor."

"When the time comes, boss, you can just find someone to lead the way, whether they're merchants or wanderers, we have the money and the fists."

[That's possible... but what about the armor?]

"Just use your high-temperature casting method, as for the materials... ask the second brother."

[Second son...]

Gregor paused, then said with a touch of emotion,

She's been coming home less and less these past few days.

Upon hearing this, Gorth turned his gaze to the soundly sleeping Ifrit and gently replied:

"It's probably because things are gradually taking shape over there, so it's normal to be busy."

[Really...]

Gregor looked at Ifrit with barely perceptible concern.

[Is it Good Fortune? Since we brought this child back, her Oripathy seems to have never flared up again.]

Vane's relaxed expression faded somewhat, and after a moment's thought, he replied:

"It can't be entirely called Good Fortune. The daily life-saving potion must have some effect. And..."

"There is no Originium dust in the hall; for the Infected, this is an ideal 'clean environment'."

He paused, then added:

"But this is just a delaying tactic; the Originium crystals in her body won't just disappear into thin air..."

"Just to be on the safe side," Gregor suddenly spoke, interrupting Vane.

I'll go find some inhibitors.

His tone was calm, as if he were saying, "I'm going to get some water."

Gregor grabbed the Ten Percent Off and pressed it over his head, causing the other person to scream in surprise.

Vane rescued Ten Percent Off while pondering Gregor's proposal.

"Find inhibitors? Finding those is a real hassle."

"Legitimate Oripathy inhibitors are scarce and controlled substances, with complicated procedures, high prices, and no guarantee of effectiveness."

"They might circulate on the black market, but the quality varies greatly, and they're mostly mixed with strange things."

[Well... let's just take it one step at a time. If all else fails, we'll go to the Chamber of Commerce and use money to buy our way in.]

Having finalized the itinerary, Gorth inquired about Vane.

"Have you sorted things out on your end?"

Gregor turned his head, looking worried.

[What's wrong? Do you need help?]

"It's all taken care of, don't worry!"

Vane quickly changed the subject, trying to steer the conversation away from his own messy affairs:

"Hey, third brother, didn't you promise to learn languages with Alina?"

"It's already daylight outside! Don't keep them waiting, hurry up and go!"

Gorth was taken aback by what he said, glanced at Vane's obviously guilty expression, understood, but did not point it out:

"Okay, I'll head back to Ursus first. You guys take care."

"Be careful on the road," Gregor said in a muffled voice.

"Okay, okay, let's go!" Vane waved his hand.

Gorth said no more, and his figure slowly faded away in the light in the center of the hall.

Scene change: Northern Ursus, snowy plains.

At the edge of the Black Forest, two figures stood silently.

"Alina..."

Talulah her head to look at her best friend beside her, her eyes filled with worry.

"Isn't it a bit too early to come now? Why don't you go back and rest first, and I'll ask your advisor for leave on your behalf, and you can come back later?"

"No need, Talulah."

Alina gently shook her head, her deer ears twitching slightly.

"I wasn't injured before, and I don't feel unwell. And..."

"Now that we've made a promise, how can we easily break it?"

Talulah understood her best friend's temperament and stopped trying to dissuade her. Instead, she turned to the side and silently radiated warmth to shield Alina from the cold wind.

The two waited quietly, as time ticked by.

Talulah looked up at the horizon; the sun was rising higher and higher. She frowned, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"Speaking of which... is our mentor still asleep?"

Upon hearing this, Alina hesitated for a moment.

"Perhaps... this forest is too vast? Our mentor lives deep within and hasn't realized we've arrived?"

"Huh? Then..."

Talulah paused for a moment, straightened her back, and cleared her throat.

"Should I call out? Like this..."

"No, I'd rather not!"

Alina tugged at Talulah's sleeve, stopping her.

"What if the professor is really still resting? That would be incredibly rude..."

"Okay, whatever you say."

So, what is Gorth doing right now, the one the two are thinking about?

"Still not awake...?"

On the hillside outside the village, Gorth gazed at Alina's house from afar, waiting for the girl to emerge from the doorway.

He had been waiting here for quite some time and was beginning to wonder if he had arrived too early.

"How about... we go take a look?"

After a moment's hesitation, Gorth sank into the shadows, shifting several times before finally arriving directly beneath the house.

Peeking out from the shadow of the woodpile outside, Gorth couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

"I should have carefully arranged the time..."

With a sigh, Gorth carefully leaned out; the window was just above him.

His body froze, Gorth suddenly became worried.

"What if they're still sleeping? And doesn't this feel a bit like peeping..."

After a long silence, Xi Xue covered Gorth's forehead with a thin blanket.

Just one look...

Having made up his mind, Gorth slowly stood up; the window was draped with heavy curtains.

"Looks like he's still sleeping."

Relieved, Gorth prepared to leave.

The next moment--

"Brush--"

The curtains were drawn back, and the old man and Gorth locked eyes.

[Wendigo profanity!]/[Ursus profanity!]