Just before my body collapsed onto the ground, someone saved me and carried me away while I was unconscious.
At first, I thought it was just my imagination from not getting enough intake after walking all day.
But… when I woke up, I was immediately shocked because instead of lying on the ground, I was lying on a bed that made me feel comfortable.
I was inside a room that wasn't too big, but the atmosphere here was more than enough to make me feel better.
While checking my entire body, in case I had any injuries in certain parts, I also carefully observed this room.
I pinched both of my cheeks to convince myself that this wasn't a dream.
Then, someone entered the room while carrying a bowl in their right hand, walking toward me.
I could only stare at him with confusion and curiosity—what actually happened yesterday? That question kept haunting my mind.
He took a small chair and placed it beside my bed, then sat there.
I didn't know what to say, but one thing I was sure of—the person in front of me was the one who saved me yesterday.
I clearly remembered his vague appearance from before I lost consciousness.
Before I could thank him, he immediately fed me, making my body feel warmer and gradually healthier.
… You can probably guess it, right? That's right, the person who saved me was the first person to occupy this building.
In other words, he was the founder of the anti-kingdom group that is now known throughout the entire country.
He was a truly kind man; he and his wife took care of me very well as if I were their own child.
Two years later, his wife gave birth to an adorable baby boy, and she asked me to get along well with him in the future.
I was truly happy because I had a younger brother, even though we weren't related by blood.
——
… So Vol-san was saved by the person who founded this group, which is why he has a debt of gratitude and tried to repay it by becoming a member of the group once he grew up.
"Then… where are they all now? Didn't you go with them?" I asked.
Besides, this is strange, right? If the four of them were like a family, why is only Vol-san left here—
Damn it! I asked the wrong question, how stupid of me—
——
Well… this is what I'm about to tell you now. It all happened a year ago, I still remember everything that happened that day.
Mars, the child of that couple, had become an energetic boy with a strong desire in his heart to become a hero—at that age, it's the perfect time to have dreams, right?
Suddenly, several members of Chyvera's special forces came to this residence, threatening to kill all the group members if they resisted.
They truly couldn't fight back; they were threatened that their families would be taken hostage if they tried to defend themselves.
Mars and I had just arrived at the residence at that time, after playing together in a park not too far from here.
They kidnapped Mars by force. Since I wasn't carrying any weapon, I couldn't do anything.
With rough hands, they struck my head several times until my face was full of wounds.
After they got Mars, of course his father didn't stay silent—he rushed forward, trying to take Mars back—
His hand almost reached Mars's hand, but because he was panicking and not paying attention to his surroundings—
One of the special forces stabbed his right arm from behind, forcing him to slump down; he couldn't move after his arm was pierced.
His wife, who was inside the residence, tried to go outside to reach her family, but she was immediately struck by the special forces already inside.
She was forced to drink a dark purple liquid, which was most likely poison.
After making sure that the main family of the anti-kingdom group's leader was no longer able to resist, they immediately fled while taking Mars with them.
—
My adoptive mother and father were still able to regain consciousness, but unfortunately, they had already been poisoned.
The sword used to stab my father had already been coated with poison.
Whether it was a rare or valuable poison, no one in this group was able to cure them from the poison that slowly killed them.
A week later, they could no longer open their eyes, completely helpless after being poisoned.
Before my father died, he asked me to bring Mars back if I could; he truly saw me as the only one who could bring him back.
——
Because of that unexpected incident, this group must have fallen apart immediately, as its members felt the loss of their leader and guilty for not being able to do anything at that time.
Vol-san must have been deeply shaken by that incident, yet he managed to endure until now…
He looked at me with a smile, trying to appear fine, but I knew he was only pretending to be strong in front of me.
"It's okay, Sahiko-san. Even until now, I still don't know where they took Mars."
"I've always hoped I could do something to try and save him, but I didn't know what to do until the four of you finally came here," he said.
"Vol-san, if we can obtain our target, the chances for you to meet him again will surely become much greater."
I replied, trying to make him feel better by saying that.
He didn't answer, only looked outside again while closing the window and drawing the curtain.
"That means… is this room the one you used when you first came here?" I asked.
"Ah, no. This is Mars's room. I come here every week to clean it," Vol-san replied.
After hearing his story, I understood more just how bad Barbara's leadership currently is.
Of course, not only Vol-san—thousands of people out there must feel the same as he does. How could I not feel angry at Barbara?
When the time comes for me to face her, I won't hesitate to attack her immediately… if I even can.
—
After that, the two of us left Mars's room, and I waited for Vol-san to lock the door again.
"Oh right, are you the only one here right now?" Vol-san suddenly asked me while I was looking outside through the window in the corridor.
"No, Luke is downstairs too. He fell asleep after drinking several glasses," I replied.
He rummaged through his pocket and took something out from inside.
A small pouch that looked quite heavy—he looked at me while handing it over. I had no choice but to accept it first.
"W-what is this?" I asked, confused.
"There's about fifty in silver and bronze in there. I'd like to ask you to buy some food ingredients at the market, please."
"I need to go back to my room immediately. I have quite a lot of potions to finish today, okay?"
He hurried upstairs to the third floor, leaving me still standing there, staring at the pouch filled with money.
There was no other choice—I had to wake Luke up now. Who cares if he got drunk or whatever, I need his help.