Chapter 225: The Conclusion
After treating Laila-san, I decided to wake Ivan before discussing anything. It would be easier to have everyone hear the story together. Phonia was still young, so it was probably best she remained unaware of the details.
“Phonia!?”
With the effects of the sleeping drug neutralized by Healing Magic, Ivan woke up without any issues. After briefly explaining the situation, his first concern was for Phonia.
“She’s sleeping right now, but I thought it best not to wake her.”
“…That makes sense. I don’t think Phonia needs to know.”
After laying Phonia down on the bed in the bedroom, I faced Mesaria-san and Laila-san in the Living Room.
“However, I still can’t believe what I’m hearing…”
Ivan scrutinized the two of them, and it was understandable. After all, he had just experienced an attack, and following the establishment of a Spatial Isolation Barrier, he had let his guard down and succumbed to the sleeping drug in his dinner. To wake up and find everything resolved, only to learn that the innkeeper and Laila-san were now enemies, was hard to accept.
“That said, I was actually stabbed by Laila-san.”
“Sorry, it’s not that I don’t trust you guys.”
Ivan hurriedly denied it, feeling the weight of Rio’s gaze. I could understand his hesitation.
“Well then, since things have settled down a bit, it’s late, but we can’t just disperse now. Let’s hear the rest of the story.”
In front of us, seated on the floor and bound by the Spatial Isolation Barrier, the two of them nodded silently.
“That said, where should I even begin…”
As I pondered, I suddenly sensed movement in the garden. It seemed something was slowly approaching, so I decided to think about what to ask until it revealed itself. Just then, the source of the presence—Elvirinos—emerged from the bathroom.
“Whoa, are you okay…?”
Seeing his blood-soaked appearance, Ivan instinctively stood up. Upon inspecting him, I found that his HP had recovered to about 4000, and his status had returned to Subjugation. Perhaps that was why he hadn’t fled and had instead joined us. I made sure to inform Rio and Ivan of the appraisal results.
“I-I’m fine… After all, I’m a member of the Vampire Clan…”
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t explained what had happened to Elvirinos to Ivan. I should probably ask him how to temporarily nullify the effects of Subjugation first.
“Oh, so vampires can only die if you decapitate them or crush their hearts?”
When Rio asked in a low voice, Elvirinos simply replied with an “Ah.” However, it was impressive that even if their torso was severed, they could reattach it in less than a day. But wait, his arm was still detached. Did he just bring it along with his other hand?
“That’s not exactly the kind of appearance you should have for a discussion.”
As I expressed my fascination with the Vampire Clan, Rio frowned and approached Elvirinos.
“Let me have that.”
She snatched the severed arm and cast Purification on it, just as she had done with Laila-san. Then, she activated Healing Magic to reattach the arm. Although it was called purification, it merely had a disinfecting effect; it wouldn’t make his blood-soaked appearance clean.
“……………Huh?”
I was taken aback by the rapid recovery. Having grown accustomed to such reactions, I ignored it and moved on to my first question.
“When I appraised you earlier, Elvirinos, your status showed ‘Subjugation (Temporarily Nullified).’ How did that happen?”
“Huh? Ah, well… that’s because…”
“That’s because there’s a Magic Tool that temporarily nullifies Subjugation. It should be attached to the back of El’s collar. It only lasts for a few hours, and since you can’t remove the collar, its use is quite limited.”
Mesaria-san answered in place of the still-confused Elvirinos.
“Oh, so such a Magic Tool exists. …Is this it?”
Rio, who had been nearby, circled around Elvirinos and removed the Magic Tool from his collar.
“It’s a one-time use item and cannot be reused.”
“Hmm, I see.”
After examining it for a while, she returned to the sofa and handed it to me. The Magic Tool was shaped like the letter “C” for easy attachment to the collar. I could faintly sense dark attribute Magic Power emanating from it; I’d have to analyze it later.
“For now, you should go wash off the blood in the bathroom and change your clothes.”
Rio pulled a spare outfit from the Dimensional Box and tossed it in front of Elvirinos.
“Ah, okay.”
Elvirinos obediently accepted it and disappeared into the bathroom.
“I had heard a bit from Elvirinos, but both of you are members of the Assassins’ Guild, right?”
“Yes, that understanding is correct.”
Mesaria-san replied respectfully.
“Huh? But didn’t the man in the black robe that Shuu dealt with oppose you?”
I shared Rio’s confusion. The two of them seemed more like a third faction rather than being part of the Assassins’ Guild alongside the man in the black robe. However, considering Laila-san’s attack at the moment when the man in the black robe drew attention with his grand gestures, I could only think of one answer.
“No, that was obviously an act. That man was the Guild Master of the Assassins’ Guild.”
“Oh?”
“Huh?”
“The Guild Master!?”
At Mesaria-san’s words, our three voices overlapped in surprise.