That’s why I told them not to use their powers. But...
Thibault thought back to the times when Lam and the others had used magic to save him. He’d been shocked at first, naturally, and had panicked that they would cause too much of an uproar.
But the more I listen to the captain, the more I realize that I may have been mistaken. Perhaps they had been right to use magic.
If they hadn’t stood up to injustice and tried to protect themselves, the captain would’ve kept taking more and more from them until he ultimately claimed their lives.
Things have to change. I need to do something.
Lam and Char were much kinder people than Gahariet. It was only thanks to their help that Thibault had made it thus far.
“Fortunately, we’re in the middle of a forest, and the hunting tournament will start soon,” Gahariet resumed, still unaware of Thibault’s presence. “A couple stray arrows finding their way into their bodies isn’t at all implausible. Our guests aren’t experienced hunters; it would merely be an unfortunate accident.”
As it turned out, it seemed that Gahariet was plotting to harm Char and the others and make it look like an accident.
“Are you really going to do this, sir?” one of Gahariet’s subordinates asked.
“I am. I’ll get rid of every rookie who defies my orders—under the guise of a tragic hunting mistake. No one would blame the big shots of the Faith for shooting a couple of rookie knights. We’ll rally all the other knights to carry out this plan.”
The words coming out of Gahariet’s mouth were nothing short of outrageous. Thibault was frozen in place, unable to move.
O-Oh no! The others are in danger!
Gahariet was about to commit a terrible injustice.
I don’t know how strong the Mercures are, but they’re going to find themselves completely outnumbered. They might get killed! I don’t want that!
He couldn’t waste a single second. He had to find Char and the others and let them know of Gahariet’s plot.
But if I come out of here, the captain will notice me...
The sheer dread of being discovered paralyzed him.
Waaah! What should I do?
Thibault had always been a stout believer in the philosophy of not rocking the boat. Under normal circumstances, he would’ve just stayed hidden in the thicket, quivering in his boots. Perhaps his warning Char wouldn’t even change a thing.
But...
He stood.
I have to let them know they’re in danger! They’ve done so much for me. I can’t do something as cruel as abandoning them!
Gahariet’s and his men’s sights converged on him.
Eeek! They really spotted me!
Tripping over his feet, he began running in the direction Char and the others had disappeared.
“Hey! Catch him!” Gahariet’s voice boomed behind him.
At his words, his underlings immediately pursued Thibault. The journalist did his best to outrun them, his pace not slowing even the slightest.
Ah! I just realized that I’ll be taking them straight to Mr. Char! That’s no good! B-But I have to let him know that he’s in danger. Uuh, what should I do?!
Thibault was at a complete loss.
I can’t breathe. My sides are starting to hurt.
A sob escaped him as he fled. Sadness and frustration washed over him. He felt so miserable, he didn’t know what to do. Just how incompetent could he be?
I kept relying on their sympathy and having them save me. I yelled at them every time they used flashy spells, but I would never have been able to protect my own hide.
Worse, he had never given anything back in return. He’d been the one who requested they help him with his mission, yet he hadn’t been useful to them even once, nor had he tried accommodating them or assisting them.
I even briefly thought of staying hidden while knowing they were in danger. I truly am the world’s biggest coward. A true good-for-nothing.
Who would ever trust someone like him?
As he ran, one of Gahariet’s men grabbed him, causing him to lose his footing.
“Aah!”
He tumbled to the ground, mud clinging to him as he rolled. His hands and legs throbbed with a sharp pain. Had he scraped them?
Uuh... Waaah! I can’t do it!
Would Gahariet kill him and make it look like an accident as well?
Trembling and teary-eyed, he peered at the knight pinning him down.
I’m going to die just like this... Unable to do anything...
Was that truly how he would meet his end?
I don’t want that. If I’m going to get killed anyway, I’m at least going to try to slow him down.
Deeming that Thibault wouldn’t be able to oppose him on his own, the knight loosened his grip on him.
Now!
Thibault flapped his skinny limbs in all directions, doing everything in his power to resist his captor.
“I... I... I’m not a good-for-nothing! I’ll buy them some time, even if just a little!”
The knight holding him down guffawed. “What the hell is he talking about? Has he done a single useful thing since joining the knights?”
“Didn’t he just get depressed all the time? He was basically just deadweight,” another said, ridiculing Thibault.
“Hey, quit it. He’s at least good for one thing,” Gahariet said.
The knights let go of Thibault. “What do you mean, sir?”
“He’ll make a perfect hostage for us to get to those pesky rookies. What other use could he have?”
“You’re so right, sir!” his subordinates exclaimed, clapping and laughing.
Ah... Even now, all I’ve managed to do is get in the others’ way... Thibault thought, his mind going blank.