Chapter 62: The Alliance of Evils

There were three questions directed at the bewildered Opt.

One, is the longevity potion the only reason for The Resistance to go to other countries to target the elves?

Two, does The Resistance have any outside supporters, and if so, who are they?

Three, does Opt intend to continue his immoral trading?

Of course, Opt was not going to simply give the answers.

“Dark hero, that’s a big one. Sure, Axe has visited this country in the past, but what proof do you have that …… you’re him?”

“I lost the ring some time ago, so it might be pretty hard to prove”

“HAHAHA! No Hero, a Dark hero to boot, would lose his ring!”

Opt was overwhelmed earlier, but he regained a lot of his composure after this exchange. As usual, he uses appraisal magic without the other party knowing.

It is classified as a non-attribute, and the information it provides changes depending on the user’s skill level. In Opt’s case, it was able to recognize the amount of magic power of the opponent as a number.

Combat ability does not necessarily mean magical power. However, the amount of magic power is often proportional to a certain degree, as Opt judged from his experience.

“————wh……?”

Opt rubbed his eyes and blinked several times. He wondered if there was something wrong with his magic.

The amount of magic power of an average adult male in this royal city is around 300. An adventurer who is good at magic has about 5,000 to 10,000. A top-notch magician who can be used in the royal court has around 10,000 to 30,000.

On the other hand, Shion’s magic power was well over 350,000. He had never seen such a number in the past, and he can’t hide his upset face.

“You know, Opt. Elves don’t like people. I was attacked by them a long time ago. But after all that, they finally started to trust us a little. And yet, I can’t allow them, greedy humans, to attack elves again for their own dirty desires”

His tone is quiet, but his eyes are filled with anger. Reading his emotions, Opt quickly gives up out of fear.

However, if he speaks out so loosely, his life would be in danger.

So, he tried to negotiate, even though the chance is near zero.

“I can tell you everything. But on one condition”

“Say it”

“If they find out I told you, they’ll kill me. I’m not doing this because I want to. My dead father was part of the organization, and I couldn’t resist the …… situation, so I took over. Even the witch thing, when my dad died, I took over as the go-between. ……”

Even so, wasn’t this Curio Shop a beneficiary of that organization? Shion felt that way inwardly, but he kept his mouth shut and guaranteed the safety of Opt.

“If I have to leave town, I’ll have Hero Aria protect you. How’s that sound?”

“You knew Lady Aria!? That’s …… somehow reassuring. ……”

Without pausing for long, Opt revealed the current plans and activities of The Resistance. Shion couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the content.

First, about the elves.

This one is said to be under an ongoing simultaneous attack. The aim is not only the elven ears, which are the ingredient for longevity potion, but also the magic tools, which are the elven secret treasure, and they are working with the malicious purpose of making elven slaves.

“The elves are very skilled. How can you guys handle this on your own?”

“We have support, from the infamous ”

“Those guys again, huh……”

It’s an evil organization that hunts for magic tools all over the world, and just the other day, Shion had a match with a member of the organization. It was a man named Jean, who specializes in dark magic.

The members of The Resistance, consisting of martial artists and the , left three days ago, Opt said.

“They kill the men and take their ears, eyes, and hair. I’ve heard that they make slaves out of the women. There are few races as beautiful as the elves. They can be used for comfort or sold off. I’m just a lowly one, so I can’t go that far. ……”

“Aside from the Death God, your organization’s goal is to overthrow the regime, right? What about that?”

“The prince’s birthday was in five days, and there would be a parade. Of course, security will be tight, but that’s when the plan is going to be executed. But there was an …… irregularity”

We had friends in a church near the border, and we were planning to bring in a large number of weapons and magical equipment from there. However, the other day, it was attacked and the king’s side took everything.

After he said that much, Opt looked as if he had been splashed with cold water.

“Wait a minute! Don’t tell me you’re ……”

“That’s right. So, the raid’s been called off?”

“Seriously? …… The raid, however, I haven’t heard anything about it being called off. To be honest with you, I’d rather it not happens. We can’t afford any damage to this curio shop”

Opt agitatedly asks him to stop the parade attack. Shion doesn’t answer and walks to the entrance in a daze.

“Don’t tell anyone about me. If you do, I’ll keep my promise”

“All right. You don’t spread the word about me, either. If they find out I betrayed them, they’ll kill me in the worst ways. The last guy who betrayed them had his fingernails ripped out one by one and his whole family killed. ……”

Don’t worry, Shion said softly, and then moved outside through the darkness again. He immediately started moving at a fast walk.

“…… I’ve become soft, haven’t I? I don’t know if I’ve always been like this. I’m a grown man and I don’t really know what ‘right’ is”

When he was wearing the ring of hero, he might have judged the Witch and Opt out of a sense of duty.

But even if you go at it with only a sense of justice, you will often fail. Without a little bit of calculation, you cannot live well in this world.

Overlook it, don’t overlook it. Forgive, don’t forgive.

The accumulation of small choices is what makes the future, which is why we may always be lost.

However, there’s no hesitation inside the and the Anti-Social Organization.

“——I’ll be going to the elven village now!”

As soon as he opened the door to Lineria’s house, Shion announced loudly. The first to react was Haku, who was lounging on the ceiling with his stomach showing.

‘I knew you would’

Aria was a little confused by Haku, who suddenly looked crisp and walked gracefully.

“It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? Can’t it be tomorrow?”

“Can’t. We need to go now. And I need Aria to stay here”

“What? Why? I want to go with Shion, too”

“I have my reasons. I need you to listen to me”

There was the matter of the Hero Substitute to report to the king, but it was more about the protection of Opt and the prince’s birthday celebration in five days.

“I’ll try to get back as soon as I can, but I might not be able to. With Aria there, I’ll be able to relax in case something happens”

“…… You mean, you trust me?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

When Shion looked straight at her, Aria curled her light blue hair around her fingers and was embarrassed.

“I won’t let you down, so go without worries!”

“Then, we’ll be off”

Shion and Haku hurriedly left.

Tonight, the lower moon was obscured by dark clouds, making it difficult to move, but Haku, who has good night vision, was unfazed.

While running through the capital like a gale, he senses the emotion of Shion on his back. It’s definitely [FURY].

But he won’t try to poke it.

‘I’ve already eaten my fill at Lineria’s house. We can go through the night’

“Thank you. I want to get there as soon as possible”

‘Uooooooooo—————!!’

With a howl of enthusiasm echoing in the night sky, Haku ran through the world with all the strength he could muster.