Cornered Foolish Spy
This chapter starts from Alma's POV
Everybody is starting to doubt everybody else once it's clear that there might be a demon spy lurking in this hideout.
Normally, this would be the time to listen to everybody's alibi.
But we need to prioritize saving the stranded teleported people.
As we were about to head out for the rescue while leaving a minimum number of people here... Somebody threw an accusation toward me of being on demon's side.
"Think about it, this girl used both sword and magic in the battle earlier! Only demons can do that!"
"That's the trait of Paladin-line of Jobs. It's tough to clear the requirements but anybody can do it if you Job Change correctly from Apprentice Paladin."
"Who's gonna believe that nonsense!"
...This man hiding under a hood has been trying his hardest to paint me as a demon's underling.
I understand that he'd rather believe in his friends but neither does he have enough evidence to point me of being a demon.
"If that's what you think, you may confirm this Appraisal Paper."
"Anybody can forge that crap!"
He tore and threw my Appraisal Paper without even looking at it.
It's no use, he's too angry to listen to reason.
"Oy, cool it. This girl wouldn't have acted in a way that drew suspicion to her if she really was a demon. She wouldn't have used both sword and magic earlier."
"Tearing up that Appraisal Paper without even looking. you're acting way too barbaric..."
"Guys, don't be tricked! Besides, there's no way she could have come out unscathed if she really was ambushed by twenty demons! Can you believe this little girl pulling that off?!"
"That's why I handed you my Appraisal Paper. It should have those demons in my Kill Log, do have a look."
I handed my spare Appraisal Paper to another person.
The hooded man was going to wrangle it, probably in an attempt to tear it again, but I stopped him with my hand.
"...There are dozens of demons in this Kill Log. Her level is pretty high for her age but her race does say 'Human'."
"I'm telling you! That crap is easily forged...!"
"No, this Appraisal Paper is made by 'Master Appraiser' Filsdaim-shi. No Skill in this world can forge the maker's name, and nobody can forge a paper made by a 'Master Appraiser'."
"That is to say this appraisal result is the real deal. Good enough for you?"
"Kuh...!"
...Weird.
It feels more like this hooded man is trying to paint me as the culprit rather than him being suspicious of me.
He won't listen to a word I say and his ripping my Appraisal Paper feels more like an effort to erase evidence.
"My bad, young lady. Our man doubted you."
"It's understandable in this situation... More importantly, I need to check on something."
"...What now."
I pointed finger at the hooded man who doubted me and asked.
"Who are you? What's your name? Your Job? Since when have you been here?"
"..."
"I showed you my Appraisal Paper to prove my innocence. It's your turn now."
"...Oy oy, you wanna get back at me cuz I doubted ya? What the hell, are you a brat?"
Hood shrugged his shoulders while making fun of me.
...I think I got a hit.
"I'm not mad. I just want to know you better."
"Speaking of which, this guy's been at our hideout before I realized. Anybody knows him?"
"...?"
"Uh no, who's that guy..."
I can tell the face under the hood sweating.
Hood sounded flustered as he tried to make a case for himself.
"H-hold it! Haven't I been fighting alongside you all to protect this hideout from magic beasts!"
"Yeah, you were with us during the last raid and the one before that. I personally saw it."
A brown haired man who seemed to be the leader affirmed Hood's word.
Hood spoke with a look of relief.
"R, right, of course you'd get it, leader...!"
"But I don't know you. Why not use this chance to tell us about yourself?"
"Eh?"
"I know all about Resistance members, from their birthplace to their favorite food, but it's been so hectic as of late, I haven't asked you, and only you, anything."
"Wha...?"
Leader resumed with a crafty smile.
...He's got quite the personality.
"So, you who showed up outta nowhere in the evening five days ago before mingling with us. Who are you really?"
"...Tch!"
Hood ran out of the room while clicking his tongue.
He must have deemed there was no worming his way out with word and chose to flee.
"Don't let him run, after him!"
"Oy leader! Don't tell me you already knew who the spy was from the start?!"
"Yeah but I didn't got no proof! I thought he was some wandering adventurer with no place to live anymore, who could've guessed it was a spy! What a shame! ...Dammit!"
"You shoulda discussed with us if you found anything the least suspicious!"
Leader looked truly disappointed as we chase after Hood.
...Maybe the plan could have been a success and nobody had to be stranded if only he had consulted with them.
Nothing can be gained from lamenting the past. We have to catch Hood quick.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
~~~~~~~~~Spy under hood's POV~~~~~~~~~~
Run, run.
And everything was going swimmingly until this point too. It's gonna be the end of me if they caught me...!
"Damn, damn, dammit! Everything's a wreck cause of that woman!"
I keep running with all my might as I cursed out.
I thought for sure she was a demon disguised as human seeing her use of both sword and magic, but no.
Demons may be able to disguise their skin to look human, but not their hair.
The only black haired demon in existence is Demon King. That woman can't be a demon.
But only those who side with humans know that little tidbit.
S'why I tried to establish her being the spy and make my life easier.
Why won't anybody move as I wanna!
Why am I the only one suffering like this!
"Over here! He's heeere!"
"Get him!"
"Damn it! Drop dead!"
"Guh!? T, this is nothing...!?"
I took a throwing knife and threw it at my pursuer's throat.
He managed to quickly block but still went down from the paralyzing toxin I coated the knife with.
Like hell I'm lettin' y'all catch me here! No way I'mma die!
I'm gonna keep living on! Live if even a second longer than anyone!
I can get outta here if I just get to that teleport portal I set up nearby.
Those demons should still see my worth if I gave them intel on this hideout.
...Really, when did I turn out this way anyways.
The portal should be at that rocky area.
...Phew, looks like I managed to shake 'em off.
"Don't think bad of me guys, this is just part of my job desc. Later."
I realized something amiss just before I stepped inside the portal.
The thread to detect intruder I set up at the entrance has been cut off...?
"!!"
I sensed a violent chill.
I got hit by a flashback of many detestable memory of me nearly dying.
A moment after, I reflexively got away from the portal with Ground Shrink.
A huge explosion alongside the shockwave blast shook my entire being.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaa!!?"
What the hell's going!?
The portal I set up had been blown to bits along with the rocks there.
My pursuer's Offensive Magic? No, I knew I lost 'em already. Just, who...
"...Found you, you piece of dirt aniki."
"...!?"
A figure came out of the dust cloud.
Same green hair and eyes, like me. And, daggers.
"Y, you bastaaard...!!"
"I won't let you get away anymore. I'm gonna take you down for sure this time! Rajiviaa!!"
"Get the hell outta my way, Radiaaaaa!!"
My persistently surviving brother lunged at me with daggers in hand.
...I shoulda finished him off for good back then.
Damn! Dammitall! I'mma kill ya dead!