Chapter 338 - 338: Successful Release

"Fu… With me, releasing a collar is this much."

Saying that Rigel puffed his chest full of confidence.

It was the day after he began analysis of the collars.

So readily it was anticlimactic Rigel showed success in releasing a collar of subordination.

The girl adventurer in question stroked her neck many times with an appearance of not being able to believe it.

"I-it's really… off…! Thank you… truly, thank you…!"

The girl repeated thanks many times with moist eyes.

With that voice the party's taut air loosened.

Rigel received that gratitude suitably and turned his gaze at Irina with a casual face.

"Th-that's impossible…!"

Irina's eyes were wide.

Releasing a collar of subordination was difficult.

If someone other than the contractor laid a hand the formula could run wild and even give serious damage to the wearer's mind or body.

Rigel had analyzed such an article.

"Now then, next…"

"!!"

Irina readied herself reflexively.

She was so wary now that her whole body stiffened before even being named.

But the one Rigel called to was not her but the other girl.

"M-me…?"

"Yeah. I won't force it if you don't want to."

The girl swayed her eyes looking uneasy for an instant.

But having seen the earlier success up close was probably large.

Eventually she nodded as if making up her mind.

"…Please."

"Good, honest is a help."

Rigel answered without straining and invited the girl into the carriage.

Did he not want the concrete movements during analysis seen.

He put a mantle from the girl's neck down so what he was doing could not be seen from outside.

But there was no appearance of doing anything particularly suspicious.

While only the creak of wheels rang in a constant rhythm there was no hesitation on Rigel's expression.

The appearance of chasing a complex formula was like handling a key he was used to unlocking.

Then several hours later.

Faster than the first, the second collar of subordination was also released.

In that instant the girl swallowed her breath, then put a hand to her own neck as if flicked.

"Amazing! It really came off!"

"Thank you!"

The two girls in joy could not hold back and clung to Rigel.

It was a gaze like maidens looking at a hero.

Yearning, gratitude, and innocent heat only those who had been saved directed poured straight at Rigel.

But to Rigel it did not matter.

A high noble and also a war hero, he had been directed praise more than he wanted until now.

Respect from run-of-the-mill girl adventurers was not enough to move his heart.

If there was someone who concerned him in this place, there was only one.

"Now then, next…"

While lightly peeling the girls off Rigel looked at Irina.

That gaze was not blatant.

But it was certainly aiming only at her.

Despite being a low-rank adventurer she was strangely competitive, and even in the position of being helped she glared back.

A personality that would normally seem likely to die early.

She would live easier if she learned the art of flattering more shrewdly.

But to Rigel that was what was good.

Eyes that did not break easily.

A strength of spirit like biting.

That way of being that still did not yield even when cornered strangely aroused him.

"I-I…"

Perhaps sensing a bad premonition Irina immediately took distance from the carriage.

But she did not run from that place with all her strength.

Since there was no existence she could rely on other than Rigel that was natural.

"If you hate it that much, it's fine?"

"Eh?"

"I'm doing it from goodwill. Analysis of the collars, escorting the guys too. I have no intention of forcing it even on someone who refuses."

It was a matter-of-fact tone.

Neither blaming nor angry, it sounded like only lining up facts.

But that calmness was conversely troublesome.

"Six guys remaining. I'll deliver all of them, and send you three-person group to town too. Two have become free, and you'll manage somehow sooner or later. …If you're not abandoned, that is."

The last word stabbed Irina's chest sharply.

The other two were already free.

But only she still had the collar remaining.

That difference was large.

Whether she would be treated as a companion or cut off as a nuisance.

It would not be strange even if she were left behind.

Irina could not deny that possibility.

"…"

Irina made a face as if she had crushed a bitter bug.

It was frustrating.

She did not want to acknowledge it.

The reality that one end of her life and death was gripped by the man in front of her.

But no matter how much she clenched her teeth that reality did not vanish.

To remove the collar she had no choice but to rely on Rigel.

There was no other means.

At least here and now.

Eventually she nodded small as if giving up.

That movement was a very slight thing.

But for her it was proof of a large defeat.

"…My collar too, please."

Contrary to the content it was a way of speaking as if spat out.

Her pride probably did not allow even honestly lowering her head to the end.

Even so in the depths of that voice there was a faint tremble.

"Leave it to me."

Rigel smiled brightly.

That smile was strangely refreshing, and that was why it was shady.

The composure of the helping side and satisfaction that the cornered opponent had finally broken seeped somehow amused.

Irina glared at him like that, but even that gaze did not have the sharpness of until a moment ago.

Rigel jerked his chin lightly as if finding even her feelings amusing.

Then he invited her into the carriage.

—-

"…What is this?"

The cloth held out from Rigel.

Seeing that Irina openly furrowed her brow.

At a glance it was an article of no particular distinction, and that was why wariness stood first.

"A mantle. To hide your body."

"So why go out of the way?"

In the voice asking back irritation and distrust seeped.

Even having come this far did he still intend to scheme something.

As expected she could not let her guard down.

Such opposition sharpened the sentence ending.

"Release of the collar is delicate, and moreover secret technique. I want to avoid being seen by the guys walking outside the carriage and your two companions."

"Aren't you worrying too much…? Collar release isn't something you can understand by looking, right."

While saying it she could not have conviction herself.

If she just acknowledged it she would accept Rigel's pace.

That was why she could not help talking back.

"Even without actively trying to peek, it can enter your field of view by chance and remain as an impression. Things you don't need to know are better left unknown. Worst case you get marked by those in that line and erased."

"Even so…"

"In the first place with the other two I also hid from the neck down with a mantle, you know? Despite being the leader, you didn't look at what treatment your companions received? Or do you want to take every precaution only for yourself?"

Stabbed in a sore spot Irina's throat clogged.