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CHAPTER 5 - ATTEMPTING TO CONCEAL THE ASSAULT ON THE CORRUPT OFFICIAL!
In this manner, Sota Souta found himself explaining the situation to Assam for the time being. However, leaving the official unattended would result in his death. That's when Asugi stepped forward, placing her hands over the bound official and muttering something under her breath.
Suddenly, a green phosphorescent light emitted by the wind spirit element danced around the fallen official's body, and the circulation of air began.
"Breathing has been secured. I'll concentrate here for a while, so please let me know if anything happens."
The scene resembled fireflies dancing, and Sota Souta couldn't help but be mesmerized.
"Hey, Sota or whatever your name is. There's a lot I want to ask you. More than that guy lying over there."
Being addressed by his name brought him back to his senses.
"Oh, it seems like we can communicate."
The experience of teaching and engaging in dialogue during his teaching career led Sota Souta to intuitively understand that this rough-looking man before him was perhaps the most "talkable" person he had encountered so far.
"Yes, there are several things I'd like to discuss as well. Let me start by explaining the situation up to now."
"Yeah, I only know the part about you getting caught and thrown into a cell."
"Then..."
Sota Souta explained the events leading up to the present moment, concluding with a rather frank remark.
"...So, long story short, when I hit him, his breathing stopped."
"What the bloody hell did you do, you damn alchemist! If this story reaches his superiors, the military might get involved!"
"I see, it's a genuine crisis for the village. It's understandable to be angry. Prioritizing the village over his daughter's worries makes sense. This guy seems a lot more conscientious than that damn official."
"And if someone messed up a job I was doing diligently, I'd be pissed too. Seems like we might get along."
First, Sota Souta decided to gauge the man's reaction.
"...We're in quite a situation. At that moment, I couldn't think of anything else to do. What should we do?"
"Don't play dumb, alchemist!"
"I'm a chemistry teacher."
"I don't care. Only assassins or alchemists can prepare poison at that speed. You don't look like an assassin, and no matter how you try to explain it, you're nothing but an alchemist."
"I see, so around here, someone like me is called an alchemist. Understood."
"Tch, you're getting off track."
Assam muttered in a low voice. To Sota Souta, it sounded like he was warning him not to waste time. He genuinely didn't know, but there was no time to make excuses.
"Let's get back to the main topic. It's about what to do with that official over there."
"That's what I wanted to discuss. First of all, let me make it clear: I'd like to help you if possible. You're a troublemaker who brought a big mess to our village, but I have an obligation for saving my daughter."
Assam's voice was slightly calmer compared to before. And Sota Souta caught onto that change.
――Strong confrontation followed by kind words to make me feel like an ally. A tactic often used by teachers.
――For now, I'll go along with it. Can't hurt.
"You want to help me? You?"
"You probably don't want to end up in the hands of the authorities either. If you do, we'd also be accused and likely killed. So, we need to cover up the incident."
"How?"
"By killing him and burying him. He'll become food for the local mythical creatures and monsters."
"You know, I ain't eager to kill him either, you know? I went through the trouble of handing over some opium I'd stashed away, so he could have some fun and stay quiet in the village. But no, you've ruined the bribe we gave him, you idiot! There's nothing you can do about it. Just keep doing your makeshift treatment for now!"
"Y-Yes..."
Opium. For Sota Souta, it was a term he only encountered in world history textbooks as a pastime read.
――Wait a minute.
Sota Souta came up with a good idea.
"Opium? Did you just say 'opium'?"
"What's the matter?"
"It's a narcotic, right? Could it be that the poppy flowers in the field are for making that...?"
"Don't tell me you're serious? You're not really acting, are you? You really don't know anything about this village, do you?"
"I'm saying I don't know!"
"Alright, my bad, my bad. Sorry. Most folks who come to this village are either spies or criminals on the run... And you're really a alchemist, huh? Even all the way out here in the boonies..."
――I don't want to become a murderer, but we have to cover up the incident. The village chief and Asugi-san also don't want to kill if they can avoid it, but we're all in agreement that if we don't kill, we'll be killed.
――In other words, we need to eliminate him without killing him.
Sota Souta had found a solution.
"Um, may I suggest something?"
"What is it?"
"Well, as the village chief, you also want to cover up the incident without killing this man, right?"
"What's your point? Do you have something in mind?"
"Do you have any truth serum, by any chance?"
"Truth serum?"
"We could concoct a scheme to make this official believe he just had some weird dream under the influence of opium, and then confirm it with the truth serum. If he believes it was a dream, we'll let him go. If it seems suspicious, we can kill him. How about that?"
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Assam's face lit up with an amused grin, quickly transforming into a fierce expression.
"You've got an interesting idea... but, where did you even hear about truth serum? Among the elves, hardly anyone these days can make that stuff, you know?"
Sota Souta flashed a calm smile.
"Let's not get caught up in the details."
"No need to be vague. Even when I was in the capital, no one believed it was real. People thought it was just a fairy tale or tall tale. Who are you really? Aren't you just an alchemist?"
――I've put him on guard. Well, that was part of the plan all along. Make him cautious first, then gain his trust.
That's Sota Souta's intention.
――You can't underestimate this village. They won't hesitate to turn against you.
"At the very least, I have no intention of causing harm to the village from now on. Shall we put aside the details and work together?"
Sota Souta didn't say anything more. Allowing the other person to imagine on their own reduced the chances of him slipping up in his words, and it made the whole story sound more coherent in the other person's mind.
――Assam is clever. He'll fill in the blanks with his own assumptions.
"Can you swear on your life and dignity?"
"Of course, I swear. But just to be clear, my life isn't something I take lightly."
"...Yeah, got it. I can't afford to make more enemies. Let's go with what you're saying. We'll let the details slide. Mutual understanding, then."
"Thank you for understanding. Let's work together moving forward."
――Truly relieved.
As Sota Souta maintained a serious expression to prevent a sigh of relief from escaping, the moment arrived.
"Ah, he's, he's alive! He's breathing again!"
Upon hearing Asugi's words, Sota Souta felt a sense of relief.
"Alright, then. First, let's take him to my house and proceed with your plan."
"Asam. I'll help."
"No need. You just stay out of it. You've been here all evening, so you don't know anything about this guy. The officer's been at my house the whole time, smoking opium and sleeping."
"Very well."
"And one more thing, I still don't fully trust you. Just watch over the injured Asugi or something. If you plan to get along with us here, prove it."
――Is he a tsundere old man?
Sota Souta flashed a friendly smile.
"Asugi, take care of this guy at your house. If you've been saved by him, you owe him at least that much. If he's really a teacher, he should be able to be useful."
"Huh? Oh, I understand."
――Well, a place to stay, food, and supervision as a bonus. It's a reasonable compromise.
While thinking these things, Sota Souta remained silent as Assam effortlessly lifted the unconscious and bound officer and left the room.
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