They moved on with their journey. On the way, they turned east toward a small trading town, where Zetto bought everyone warm winter furs. In Kahima's chest, there were nine hundred pearl coins. Zetto let out a sigh of relief – that would keep their budget safe for a while.
"Are you sure we don't need a fourth wagon?" he asked Meime, who was handing out the furs to the other Tiriga and then to the kids running around the adults.
"No, we're fine. You bought such a huge wagon, you could probably fit a whole army in there," she said with a laugh. "Come on, six skinny Varii won't exactly make it tight. And as sad as it may sound, they've got nothing but a few clothes. Worst case, we can use the space we're saving on gear." She smiled.
"I see. I'm just glad you're comfortable," he replied, looking at those he'd promised to lead toward a better future.
The mothers kept a close eye on their kids so they wouldn't run too far. The Varii were chatting lively, quickly getting along with the others. Alice, after advising which furs were well-made and worth buying, returned to the driver's seat, humming to herself, visibly happy. Ora was asleep, curled up between Tae and Maghra.
Meime gave Zetto a friendly slap on the back.
"Stop worrying about everything, we can take care of ourselves."
"I told him the same thing at the very start of our journey.," added a brown-haired Tiriga named Darhi, who was holding her little daughter close. She looked Zetto over from head to toe. "If I had to guess, I'd say in the future you'll be a very loving, yet overprotective father."
"Which makes him perfect for leading a pack!" one of the Varii spoke up. "Kind and gentle when he needs to be, looking out for us… but when it comes to our enemies, he'll crush them out without a second thought!"
"Just don't make yourself puppies too soon, pack leader," Meime teased with a sly grin.
E-even with Tae… that's not something we're planning just yet," the Messenger stammered.
Meime and Darhi burst out laughing.
*
At the same time…
Hiro led the bound Gerai in. The hero had a half-sad, half-furious expression. Gerai kept his pride until the end and struggled against them. If it hadn't been for Hiro and his physical strength, the guards wouldn't have stood a chance of keeping the chieftain under control.
The King looked at Gerai with disdain.
Kerin and Aquirlla watched the whole scene with interest from a distance, standing with Makoto, who observed the king's talk with Gerai with an indifferent expression. Makoto and his team were called to the hall, to be ready if things turned violent.
"I want to enjoy your defeat," the King said with a satisfied smile. "Your execution will take place tomorrow at noon."
Gerai spat on the floor, right at the King's feet.
"And what will that do for you? You can kill me, but you won't kill the hope of my people," Gerai replied with a proud grin.
"If that's the case," the King said with a venomous little smile, "Hero Hiro, I have a special task for you."
Hiro, still glaring at Gerai, turned toward the ruler. His nerves were obvious, even though he tried to hide them. He clenched one of his fists.
Am I even ready for this?
This would be too early a fight – I'd rather refuse, but I can't make a fool of myself. I can't say no; I'd just be pathetic.
Gerai laughed, a sharp, confident laugh in response to the king's words. Hiro couldn't hold back and punched Gerai straight in the face.
"What's so funny, huh? That one of your people killed Marittus?" Hiro spat.
"No," Gerai answered, not caring about the pain. "I don't think someone as arrogant as you could handle Zetto and the other Tiriga. You only won because I wasn't paying attention."
"You're the one standing here bound and defeated, old man," Hiro ground out through his teeth.
After that argument, it'd look strange if I said no. I can't back out now, I have to step up.
"I'll do it gladly, Your Majesty," Hiro said, polite for him.
Luciia and Ren looked at him in disbelief.
"Wait, wait," the sorceress spoke up. "It's impossible to catch them after so many days! Besides, we don't even know where they are."
"One of my spies reported that Zetto cold-bloodedly murdered the noble Sir Kahima, who donated generously to our common treasury. The local villagers described a man with red eyes and long white hair. There's no chance he's mistaken. Does anyone still believe Zetto has any goodness left in him?"
"I don't," Kerin answered, shocked. "This Zetto really sounds like some kind of monster."
"To be honest, I don't know. If he were evil to the core, I doubt he would have chosen Alice," Aquirlla said, shrugging.
Makoto glanced at her, a bit annoyed.
I need to do something about her stubbornness. She gets on my nerves. If she hesitates at the crucial moment I've prepared for those two pathetic pawns, my plan will fail.
"I hear no objections," the King continued. "I'm glad we at least agree on this."
"It's just impossible to catch up to them now," Luciia replied. "Even with teleportation magic, we can't move that far – unless one of the official state mages happens to have outstanding ability in this area, but I haven't heard of anyone like that."
"Allow me to help," Makoto stepped forward. He reached into his pocket. Kerin, Aquirlla and Luciia let out gasps of surprise. Makoto pulled out something that looked like the eye of a cat-like creature set in a resin that looked like amber but pulsed with blue magic. "I got the chimera's eye during a fight with demon forces. I pulled a few all-nighters, but it paid off," he added, faking a humble, slightly embarrassed smile. "I pick up new knowledge fast and can put it to use even faster."
"Huh? That's supposed to help us?" Hiro asked suspiciously.
"This is the Crystal of Will Transfer," the King announced, admiringly. "A very old technique from ancient times. Usually only the finest alchemists or mages could construct such an item after weeks of hard work. I'm impressed, Hero Makoto, you managed to do this so fast."
Piece of cake – I did it from memory, but I'll take the praise. Go on, admire me, you lowly and filthy beings! Makoto thought, smugly under his breath.
Hiro stepped up to Makoto and took the crystal from his hand. They exchanged cold, unfriendly glances.
"I don't understand why you're helping me," Hiro said, surprised, "but… thanks."
"Let's just say I have my reasons," Makoto murmured, then showed him how to use the crystal.
After that, the King ordered his guards to escort Gerai to a cell, along with Hiro. When Hiro returned, he called Ren and Luciia over.
"Hey man, you sure we can do this?" Ren asked, nervous. "I know we've gained experience, leveled up, and buffed our skills, but…"
"I have no other choice, but to believe it'll work," Hiro answered, then took a deep breath.
Ren knew Hiro was hiding his real feelings behind that calm.
"You ready?" he asked with a small smile. They nodded uncertainly.
Hiro thought of Zetto, of striking him by surprise, then smashed the crystal against the floor.
His team vanished in a light-brown glow.