ALL NOVEL Chapter 16- Parting ways
I calmed my breathing and inwardly sighed in relief.
Because of my foolishness and over-reliance on my previous life knowledge, something irreversible could have occurred. But thankfully I didn't have to feel guilty anymore.
Clara was safe and the incident that I wanted to prevent was negated by the woman herself.
"You really seem too worried for someone who doesn't even know me."
Hearing those words from Clara didn't surprise me. From what I could see, Clara somehow discerned by my visit that something was about to happen, and as such she prepared countermeasures.
Those purple patches left on the trail were no mere coincidence but intentional clues left for me to follow and reach here.
Now the question remained, "How did you suspect that something bad was about to happen?"
I locked the door of the storage room, just in case someone walked in, and witnessed the seven men lying half-dead on the floor. I already have checked their pulses and it seems they weren't in any immediate danger.
Clara didn't seem uncomfortable at my caution as she sat on one of the storage containers and responded to me nonchalantly,
"It did not take me long to discover that you are not acquainted with Uncle Ronin. As someone who has spent years with him, I could easily distinguish between a friend and a deceiver. As such, it wasn't very difficult."
...now that she mentioned it, I indeed noticed Clara bringing up things about Ronin more often in our conversation.
She isn't an airhead as I thought...
"Then why didn't you report me and more importantly, how can you drink something that a stranger gave you...especially, that stranger who was trying to deceive you?"
The fluency she showed while gulping down that potion-ah!
My eyes widened at the realization as I said, "You knew that it was an anti-drug potion to negate the effect of any kind of drug or harmful medication, didn't you?"
There was a grin on her face when I said that.
Right! How can I forget that this woman was the genius potion maker who would be known throughout the world for the discovery of the 'Miracle Potion'?
I slammed my palm against my head as I heard Clara's response, "Thanks to that, I realized that someone was going to drug me tonight. And after hearing your confrontation with Tim, I had a feeling that Mister was trying to protect me."
Her words made me raise my brows before I leaned my head and looked at her, "Then...? What did you do to them?"
Indicating toward the seven fallen criminals, I asked.
"I mixed a post-triggering anesthetic drug into barrels that would only come into effect once I wish to. Thankfully Mister isn't much of a drinker or you might also be lying on the ground like these men."
I...inwardly shivered seeing the woman saying those words with a smiling face.
It seems, after this incident, she becomes an entirely different person that's why her personality in the game is shown as a timid and soft-spoken person.
But as it seems to me, this woman, was a sadist by nature.
'Hmm...wait!' I suddenly realized something before I asked her,
"You said 'barrels'...that means every person in this town who has had a drink tonight would...suffer like them?"
I was not worried but shocked. Does this woman not feel guilty about those who were not involved in this or she was a heartless being, to begin with?
However, the latter part of my assumption was soon shot down as a saddened Clara responded,
"I know what I did is hideous...however, I had to do it. "
Jumping off the container she continued, "This drug keeps people unconscious for half a day before a strong hangover hit them upon awakening. Apart from that, no other side effects were recorded during testing."
I raised my brows which ushered her to continue while still looking guilty and half sad, "Without knowing the possible threat this was the only option I was left with. Do you think I went too far?"
With her eyes drawn toward the ground, she asked in a self-deprecating voice that suggested how unsure she was of her decision.
Clara must have known that she had saved herself from being sexually violated by these men...yet she was feeling guilty for the method she used for her defense.
I don't know whether to call this woman foolish or too kind for her own good...
"Clara." Hearing my voice she turned to look at me before I told her, "There is no future of yours in this village, as such I suggest you to escape and live with your uncle for the time being."
I was about to say 'Live with you Uncle until the entrance ceremony' but I held myself. It would cause too much suspicion.
She looked at me with a defeated expression...however, she didn't refute. She must have already expected this conclusion before mixing the drug in the barrels. Being an outsider, the Mayor wouldn't pardon her with some light punishment for what she has done, and given Tim's obsession with the woman, he might use different tactics to target her again.
"But...Trevenstoff is under Viscount Powell's jurisdiction. What if he starts an investigation? In that way, Uncle Ronin might get into trouble."
Hearing those words, I smirked at her before assuring her.
"About that...don't worry. The Mayor and the citizens wouldn't even try finding the real culprit behind this drug incident as well."
She tilted her head in an adorable manner before asking, "How so?"
*****
On the occasion of the harvest festival, within the Townhall of Trevenstoff, many people were found unconscious, under the effect of some unidentifiable drugs that were mixed in their drinks.
Additionally, there was a massive fire that set off at the backside of the Townshall, consuming the lives of more than five recorded adventurers and possibly one of the citizens named Clara.
If anything then there was a theatrical mask that was found around the site, as such, the whole blame of this incident was directed at the masked-wearing individual whom the guards allowed to enter the town in the morning.
****
Once the whole place was in chaos, it was relatively easy for me and Clara to escape Trevenstoff.
She was wearing a hood like me as we dashed far away from the town in a hurried manner without conversing a single word.
Since all the guards were busily helping the citizens who had been drugged and some were involved in extinguishing the fire I ignited, our departure was questioned by none.
I could see in those violet eyes Clara possessed how sad she was, leaving behind the town she had considered her home.
Once we reached the middle of somewhere, but far away from the town, I signaled her to halt.
"Haah....let... let's just...stop...for a moment..."
The difference between an awakened and a non-awakened could be seen here...or maybe since she was a farmer her natural stamina was quite higher than mine.
Clara seemed surprised before she offered me some water.
I took off the lead before smelling the content, when suddenly the melodious chuckle from the woman, rang in my ears,
"Don't worry, I won't drug my savior."
"Savior you say..." I wanted to chuckle at the remark but I focused on drinking the water first.
Turning away from her I lifted the cloth from my mouth before gulping down half of the water
"Now what? We part ways?"
As I handed her the container, she asked me.
"Yeah, we should. You can manage yourself from here on, I suppose?"
In the short time I spent with Clara, I realized she was a skilled magician with a strong survival instinct. And there are many carriages that travel from Trevenstoff to the place where Clara had to go, as such, she wouldn't meet any difficulties reaching her destination.
"Umm, before you go..." She suddenly pulled a pouch that was attached to her waist before extending it toward me.
Confused, I took the pouch before taking a peek inside...only to find my eyes widening a little.
There were more than twenty potion vials inside with some of the rarest and most expensive ones in there.
Amidst my shock suddenly Clara raised her voice and said something concerning,
"The next time we meet, I will offer you something better than this."
Raising my brows I asked, "Why do you think we will meet again?"
My question brought a soft smile to her beautiful face, leaving me dazed for a moment before she uttered,
"I just know...and believe me, next time I will have you uncover that mask and show me your face, Mister."
*****
A/N:- Hmm~