Adventurers Who Don't Believe in Humanity Will Save The World

Chapter 97: The children's decision – Part two

We have to get help anyway! Staying here isnt going to end well! Right!?

I screamed, but the others looked downwards, not sure if they should agree.

After a few moments of silence, Elmer responded.

I dont know. I think well at least survive if we stay.

How can you be so sure?

If he wanted to kill us, he wouldnt be going through the trouble of looking after us. And he wouldve locked us in the worst place too!

But what if hes selling us off to someone thats going to do something even worse than killing us!?

Theres always that chance.

Elmer shrugged, and started playing with those annoyingly thin bangs.

We werent getting anywhere, but that was to be expected, since neither of us knew for sure what we were talking about.

I turned to the two that were quiet.

Joseph still looked flustered, and Elise had a look of desperation on her face.

No-no I want to wait for old man Narga.

Why!?

B-because he promised! He said next time hes back, he would teach me magic!

He never says anything!

But he nodded!

You have a family dont you!? Like a real family, not like that man!?

No no! You dont get it Ronia!

I didnt respond to Elises screams right away, and it became quiet, but it suddenly crossed my mind that there was no way this mess couldnt be heard from outside. I was sure whoever was out there was going to break down the door and come in.

I cant hear you from here, but Im sure you can hear me!

Apparently the old man was more careful than I thought.

But whoever was outside seemed convinced we were in the house.

The entrance should be chained shut! The emergency unlocking has to be done from that side!

Eh?

We could break the door along with the whole building using magic, but youd get caught in the destruction. Ill teach you how to do it, so unlock it.

Emergency unlocking?

I hadnt heard of that before. The other three looked surprised too.

We were all nervous as we listened to the person outside while staring at the door.

There should be a very tiny jewel among the chains.

I rushed towards the door and searched frantically. I found it behind the third chain to the right.

Press it lightly with your finger. After ten seconds, a green arrow should appear.

I did as I was told, and the red jewel flashed green.

It changed!

Now move your finger as I say, starting from where the arrow is pointing

I was about to do as the person said, when I was pushed.

Ouch!? E-Elise!? What are you doing!?

No! Lets wait until old man Narga gets here!

Are you an idiot!? Ah

The jewel stopped shining.

Did I fail? Did I make a mistake?

Do it right after it changes color. If you press it too many times or make a mistake in the sequence it goes back to red. If you fail three times, the anti-tampering function kicks in and it wont be able to be unlocked. Be careful.

Two things crossed my mind. We could still be saved, but we only had two more attempts.

I got up and glared at Elise, but all she did was glare back.

No.

I didnt even say anything.

We should wait for old man Narga.

Elise, hes a bad man.

I know! But he pats my head and gives me books!

Of course she knows, but she still wanted to cling to the hope of Narga taking her away, giving her another life.

Elise, its not like Ronia is telling you to hate that man or betray him or anything.

Elmer stepped in.

I got angry and was about to tell him not to get in the way, but hoped he would convince her.

No?

Do you think hes the type of person that will get mad if we open the door?

No but He might give up. I dont want that.

Oh

Elmer looked at me as if asking what to do.

He wasnt any help now that it mattered.

Think, think What kind of situation is this anyway?

Who could be behind this door, trying to open it?

Who could know how to open it?

Now that I think about it How come this person knows how to undo the lock?

The expressions on their faces changed after they heard what I mumbled.

This lock is probably the type you have to set yourself. If this person knows how to undo it, that could mean one of two things This person is his friend, or

An enemy that forced the information out of him.

Elise reached the same conclusion, and looked like she was about to start crying.

Elise.

Eek.

Lets go outside. We wont know what happened until we open this door. Maybe something happened to the old man.

B-but

We dont know if something good is waiting for us outside, but we cant stay here. You know that.

But Elise wasnt moving.

She hugged the chains so as not to let anyone touch them.

I worried about us wasting time, and wondered what could be done about Elise.

W-we just have to protect Elise. Together.

Eh?

Surprisingly, it was Joseph, who was panicking the most, who said this.

Youre scared right?

You were the first one to get here, and the next one died And you spent some time alone with that old man. Im sure you had to think of him as a friend, right?

Uuu

It doesnt matter if you like him or not, what matters is that hes doing something dangerous. Hes not going to hate you or anything just because you leave. Were leaving because of the person thats on the other side of the door. Its not your fault.

Uu Aah

Elise started crying. She pressed her face with her hands, but the tears wouldnt stop coming.

She was afraid this whole time but had been holding back.

She wanted to think she was being loved and protected.

It was the same for me, and Joseph and Elmer too. Getting mad and playing around were just distractions.

How Did you know about Elise?

Eh?

Joseph seemed surprised by my question.

No, I mean, whats strange is that you didnt know If anything, you two are the ones that are too calm Its kind of scary.

Elmer and I looked at each other, not expecting to hear this, and laughed.

What are you talking about Joseph?

Youre pretty great!

Eh? Ehh?

After laughing for a while, we sorted out our feelings

Elise, if you feel that its dangerous, run away. Get help from the old man, the knights, the adventurer guild, or whatever. Just do what you can.

Eh?

Elmer or I will start screaming, and then well all run at once. Use whatever you can get your hands on, got it? If someone gets caught Well hold no grudges.

W-we shouldnt have to worry about that.

Dont count on being lucky at a time like this

I said while staring at Elmer, but he just giggled.

Still, that made him very reliable depending on how you looked at it.

A-alright. Ill do it too.

Said a nervous Elise.

Are you sure?

Yes. If it gets dangerous, Ill run. Youll run too right?

Of course.

I nodded, as Elmer went to the kitchen to get knives, forks, and put seasonings in his pockets. Shrewd guy. Id definitely hate him if I met him in school.

We sort of have a strategy now. Lets go.

Said Elmer, and we all nodded.

Whats going on?

I have no idea.

The door was suddenly opened, and children suddenly started running in all directions, but Bond, his copies, and the deer person receptionist caught them in no time.

Are you Really an adventurer?

Said a girl with a mean look in her eyes as she glared at Nick.

What else could I be?

Well You look kind of shady And that lady looks scary too

What do you mean shady

Nick peeked at the deer woman, who was holding the two boys by their collars. They were children, but it was still impressive that she was effortlessly holding them up.

What?

Its nothing Its just Arent you kind of strong?

I wouldnt be working there if I wasnt strong enough to hit you idiot adventurers.

Said the deer woman while sighing.

Anyway, youre coming with us to the guild, and then were going to contact your parents. Alright?

Ah, hum!

One of the girls Bond caught looked up with a keen look in her eyes.

What?

W-what happened to Old man Narga?

He

Nick wasnt sure what to say.

They seemed to be doing well considering they were confined, but they also tried to run away, meaning Nick was not sure if they were emotionally stable. He did however feel that lying or being intentionally vague was not the right move.

Hes dead.

D-did you kill him?

I went after him because he was a kidnapper, but someone else killed him.

The eyes of the quieter girl started watering. She pressed her mouth with her hands, and started quietly sobbing.

The other children seemed despondent, but still consoled her.

Elise.

Yes Ronia

Its over. We should go home.

This signaled the end of the case.