World Tree*1
"It’s really in there, isn’t it…"
"Well, there’s no doubt Edele and the others ran in here. That’s good enough for me."
"Heh, looks dungeon-like to me. Bet there’s something inside. Perfect, huh"
Yup. Hook, line, and sinker. I caught ’em. Nice!
I figured these guys must like dungeon treasure and all that.
… That said, they don’t seem to be of one mind.
From watching them a bit, I’ve picked up one thing: they’re not united.
Looks to me like they’ve just clumped together because their interests lined up for now, but really, some of them probably don’t even wanna be in the same party.
After all, just at a glance, you can split them cleanly into “folks who look rich” and “folks who definitely don’t.”
… The one with the fanciest gear. A real breastplate, and a sword with some fancy decoration. He’s probably the leader of this team.
From what I’ve overheard, he’s the one courting Edele.
Aside from him, there are five more with decent armor—breastplates, chain, that sort of thing. They’ve got swords, axes, bows. They’re exactly what you’d expect from “washed-up adventurers.” Makes sense they’d be into “dungeon treasure.”
… And then there are another eight. A ragtag bunch if I ever saw one. I’d bet money they’re only here ‘cause they’re broke. Doesn’t look like they get along too well, but they are motivated by loot, so they’re game for the treasure talk.
And.
Among them, there’s one person who doesn’t quite fit.
"… Hey. What if this is a trap to lure us into a dungeon?"
That guy must be the cautious one. He’s throwing cold water on the plan.
Looks like he’s the pack mule. Huge bag on his back, trailing in the rear. He’s got a sword at his waist, but it doesn’t scream money. No armor either.
His most obvious feature though… is that he’s missing his left arm. And his left eye. Maybe that’s why he got stuck with carrying the baggage. He looks worn down, and even his one good eye has no spark in it.
… He probably joined out of desperation for money. Still, there’s something about him that catches my attention…
"No problem. Even if the villagers are plotting something, as long as we’ve got these hostages, it won’t matter!"
The band of washed-up adventurers cheerfully shoot down the one-armed guy’s warning. And just to make the point, they press the knives at my and Mishisia’s throats harder.
"H-hey! I don’t care about me, but let the kid go!"
"As if we’d just say ‘sure thing.’ Idiot elf."
Wow… having a knife at your neck hits harder than I thought.
… I mean, yeah, it’s scary. Instinct, nothing I can do about it.
It’s like that one time in life everyone has, where you slice your finger clean with scissors or a kitchen knife. That image sticks and won’t leave your head. That’s exactly what’s flashing through mine right now.
But even so, I have to keep my cool.
… Because if I see even the tiniest chance, I’ve gotta make a run for it.
If I can shake them off, that’s our win. No way they’ve brought enough food to last. Getting lost and starving in a maze is perfectly possible.
Even if I can’t shake them… if Mishisia and I can reach the deepest part while separated from them, maybe the traps can handle things. Hopefully.
At the very least, so long as we’re hostages, neither of us can make a move. We need to get free before they reach the deepest chamber.
"Walk faster, you brat."
Lost in thought, I was moving too slow, so one of them kicked me. Ow, ow! Hey, that doesn’t help me walk faster!
"Damn it… Hey, Lisas! Carry the kid!"
And with that, the guy who kicked me barked back to the rear.
Then—
"Sorry, but I can’t haul one more. I’m short an arm, remember?"
The one-armed, one-eyed man gave a flat reply.
"Figure it out. Think real hard about why we even let you tag along!"
They shoved me toward him, and I toppled over at his feet. Hey, quit with the child abuse, you’ll die a lousy death at this rate!
"… Can you stand?"
A hand reached out to me. The one-armed, one-eyed man. Up close he’s… intimidating, honestly. Missing an eye, yeah… it’s a lot.
Still, staring would be rude, so I just got up quietly. But then his arm slipped behind my knees, and in a blink—he lifted me up, cradling me with one arm.
"Eh—uh, I can walk, you know! I’m heavy!"
"If I wait for your walking, night will fall. Just stay quiet and let me carry you."
And with that, he settled me firmly in his grasp. Wow. Seriously, wow.
His left arm is gone above the elbow, so he can’t use that at all… and yet he’s carrying that giant pack, and me, with just one arm. What kind of strength is this!?
… While I’m still stunned,
"… Kid."
He whispered suddenly, close to my ear.
"Can you escape on your own?"
The words froze me solid.
Escape…? That sounded an awful lot like he wanted to let me go.
… Wait. For real? He’s actually trying to let me escape? But why!?
I glanced up, searching for meaning, but all I found was a tired smile. Something about it told me, this man isn’t a bad person.
"… Not without big sis."
So I decided to gamble, and gave a selfish answer.
"… Figures. That’s too much for me. I can’t manage the elf."
So that’s no good.
… Still, that confirms it—he really is trying to help me escape.
But why in the world would he…?
… Not like I had time to puzzle it out.
"Good luck, kid."
He gave a wry smile, then suddenly—he hurled his giant pack straight at the adventurers up ahead!
The bag slammed into the back of one thug’s head, knocking him forward into another. Then it hit the ground with a thud.
"Ah—!? Lisas! What the hell are you doing!?"
The adventurers whipped around in shock, and in that instant, the one-armed man had already drawn his sword. He charged like a beast, scattering their formation.
"Oi! Lisas!"
His blade cut down one man. Then another.
The thugs had no choice but to ready their weapons. Their hands off us for the moment. That gave Mishisia her chance—she bolted free, dashing to my side.
"Asuma-sama! What on earth is going on!?"
"I don’t know!"
I really didn’t. I had no clue what was happening. But danger was still danger.
… The traps are deeper inside the cave. Past the thugs.
If we run out now, maybe we could escape. But could we really lose them? I’m not confident.
And more than that… the one-armed, one-eyed man—“Lisas,” they called him.
He was already slammed against the cave wall, his sword knocked away, lying out of reach.
Time’s almost up. If we’re gonna run, it’s now. But if we do… what’ll happen to him?
"… Asuma-sama."
Mishisia looked at me, determination blazing in her face.
"I’ll make this work. So please… grant me permission. Permission to plant the World Tree here!"
What do you think about this chapter?
