I knew what I was suggesting.
A temporary alliance between me and these strangers, pending the time we got all the Arcanas.
It was both sudden and shaky, but the way I saw it, the benefits made it all worth it.
'Firstly, there's the fact that my knowledge of this world is insufficient. Having these three provide me information, while serving as my cover in this place, is perfect.'
The second, and most obvious reason, was the conflict of interests that would arise from operating separately.
'We both want the Arcanas, so of one side gets it first, it could cause conflict for the other.'
I, for one, needed every single piece of the cards, and I desperately had to lay my hands on them.
'I don't want to hurt anyone in the process, especially if they're not enemies.' Which was why I proposed an alliance.
"Hmm. A teamup, huh? That's actually a great idea." Larry Damien rubbed his chin as he smiled at me.
"It's similar to what I proposed to both Drake and Aria."
"Really?" I expressed a tinge of surprise. "You weren't a team from the get go?"
Looking at both Drake and Aria, I thought they would be his long-time companions, but at second glance, I could see why that might not have been the case.
"We were strangers just two months ago." Larry spoke. "Well, we knew of each other and had met each other many times in the past—mostly at public events—due to our accomplishments and fame, but we never really knew each other."
"So what changed?" I asked in curiosity.
I could see Aria's face darken instantly. It made me wonder what secrets she hid behind her clear face.
"You really aren't from around here, are you? Two months ago... was when these two became outlaws." The old man spoke.
'What? Outlaws?!' I was proposing to travel with criminals?
I thought they were famous and trustworthy people, so I would have an easy time cruising with them without any real trouble.
But if they were criminals, that meant we would all live our lives on the run.
"The Eastern Empire fell two months ago. And it was at the hands of the Grand Swordsman. She was gravely injured afterwards, but the Heretical Doctor healed her and helped her escape." Larry spoke with a grim tone.
"News spread of their crimes, and so they became outlaws. We met not too long after they escaped, after they were cornered and had nowhere else to go. Fortunately for them, I remained neutral about the whole thing, and after hearing them out... I realized they weren't as guilty as they were painted to be."
Larry continued telling the story, and it seemed like a political scandal that involved a lot of factors that I wasn't very invested in.
Apparently, Aria used to be the Head Knight of the Eastern Empire, but realized that the system they ran was oppressive and tyrannical.
The government was corrupt, and they greatly oppressed the poor.
Slavery. Forced Prostitution. Drug Trafficking.
The system was messed up from the inside and no one at the top was willing to change it since they all enjoyed from its fruits.
Once Aria found out about all of this, she grew appalled at the Empire she had dedicated her life to serve, and turned her blade on the Emperor.
After hearing of his countless atrocities, and seeing firsthand what he was doing in the privacy of his room, she could not think of a more befitting punishment than sending him to the graze.
However, it wasn't just the Emperor.
The Nobles also fell at the hands of her blade, and all the ones she had caught in the act—which was pretty much all the upper echelons of the Eastern Empire
"The downside of everything was that she became a criminal in the process, and thus was accused of treason. The neighboring countries that have an alliance with the Eastern Empire, as well as the Criminal Underground all rose against Aria, but she couldn't take them all on at that point."
As a result, she fled with Drake, and left for Larry's home, which was in the middle of nowhere at the time.
"The public still has no idea they're with me, so I'm technically not an outlaw yet. Though I consider myself one already... considering how absolutely repulsive the system is."
When I first saw these people as denizens of the Nether, I thought their morality would be warped, but to think they actually shared my values on morality...
'It shows we're not so different after all.'
"Aria was actually the one who suggested going to The Great Sage's home for refuge. I wasn't sure we could trust him, but she seemed to have faith in his integrity." Drake laughed with his deep voice.
"S-shut up! It's just because his house was close by. Plus, he was a weak. He wouldn't have posed a threat to us."
Aria's cheeks were beet red at this point, and I couldn't help but think something was up.
'I'm no expert on these issues, but..."
"... Do you like Larry, Aria?" I asked, my face drawing a clueless smile.
"W-what?!" Her face instantly became redder.
'It seems I was right.'
"A-are you crazy? What the hell are you saying? You shouldn't say something so preposterous! Why would I... !!!"
She kept rambling on and on about it, but there was already no point.
I stared at Larry, and it seemed like he already knew of her feelings for him.
'She probably admired him from afar. And even now, she's hiding her feelings for him for a particular reason.'
"What are you talking about? Don't tease Aria too much. We're all just comrades. Right, Aria?"
"Y-yes." She murmured, avoiding eye contact with Larry himself.
'She's not going to say anything because Larry is still focused on his past family, huh? Well, I suppose that makes sense.'
Larry's purpose was to revive his wife and child. There was no room for Aria in his plans, so she was better off giving up from the jump.
'I kind of feel bad for her, though...'
But what could I do about it? Larry made his choice, and I had to respect that.
'Looking onto the past... while refusing to move on with the future...'
I couldn't particularly judge him for that, but it was a shame, really.
'I just hope it ends well.'
"So, what do you think, Lewis? You still want to partner up with us after knowing the truth?" Larry asked with a grimace on.
"Just got reference sake, what would you do if I decided to turn you in?"
I saw their expressions darken instantly. Their faces rang of instant caution, particularly Larry's.
"It would be unfortunate, but..."
"You'd kill me, huh?" I widened my grin.
"What? No! We'll make you lose your memories of ever meeting us."
*
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