The rules of the third chapter, the Altar of Shadows, were simple: Find the member of the expedition possessed by the doppelganger and offer him to the altar. That was all. If we were right, the double that lived in his body would be eliminated. But were we wrong?
They would be incapacitated until the crack cleared.
In other words, if I used this right, I could pin someone who got in my way.
«Dwarf, your face seems dull. Is something wrong with your head?»
«Hmm, seeing that you're kicking me out from the beginning, you're the most suspicious». My first target, the dwarf, was not scared and counterattacked. As I thought, it wasn't easy.
But the real attack began now. «Suspicious? How strange. When I met you, it clearly seemed like you didn't know anything about this place. But now you talk like you know?»
«Oh, you're right». When Raven agreed, Hans G's colleagues also began to express their doubts. It was to be expected. We had just arrived at this place and had not talked about what the third chapter entailed. So how did the dwarf know to defend himself?
«That's right...» The dwarf pondered for a moment and then, without hiding his displeasure, spat: «I heard it from Hans».
«...Lying to get by».
«It's not a lie. I told you». Hans G intervened just in time to help the dwarf.
«Did you tell him? When?» Since he had watched them throughout the trip, he couldn't accept it.
«Yesterday, during the guard».
I was certainly out of my field of vision at the time, but I put Mr. Bear on top of them just for this scenario. «Abman, is it true?»
«Of course not. The two of them didn't have that kind of conversation».
«Abman says it, he was with you. Hans Chrisen, why are you covering for the dwarf?»
When I took a menacing step, Hans G waved his hand frantically. «It's not a cover-up. It's the truth. We used a magic device to talk... So Mr. Urikfried wouldn't notice!».
A conversation held with a magic device... It didn't sound like a lie. Damn, when did they get so close? I would have gotten myself into quite a mess if I hadn't known. «What did they talk about?» I had to find out.
«That's right...» When I intentionally expelled murderous energy, Hans G was paralyzed, unable to overcome the pressure.
Just as he was about to cut it, the dwarf intervened as if to protect Hans. «Why should we tell you that? It was a private conversation. And that seems to have clarified the question of how I know about this altar». With skillful words, he left no room for refutations and ended the conversation decisively.
Of course, so far there has been no interruption in my plans. Even without this, he had countless ways to attack these guys. «From now on, let's talk about each other». The dwarf was an explorer of Noark and Hans G was someone they called an evil spirit in this world. If you targeted these parties, there would inevitably be problems with your answers. «Dwarf, what is your scout rank? You have family? Brothers?»
«...I don't want to talk about myself.»
«Then you refuse». I smiled satisfied. Silence was his right, but so was responsibility. In this place right now, all the questions were justified.
«Excuse me, I think it's best to do what Mr. Yandel says. I'm not saying this because he's our team leader, but it's true that there is a double here, right?». Raven made logical support shots.
Agreeing that this method was correct, Hans G's magician also supported our opinion. «Let's do it. We cannot blindly offer someone to the altar. Let's all talk together. This way we will know who it is. There are ways to discern even a double».
Public opinion wavered in an instant. In the end, the dwarf had no choice but to take a step back. «...Good. So how should we do it?».
It was Hans G who answered the dwarf's question. «I guess verification magic would be best?». As a player, he presented the most classic strategy.
Just then, the blunt-armed warrior of Hans G's team carefully raised his hand and expressed his doubts. «Um, but have I heard that verification magic doesn't work for everyone?».
It was a sharp question, unlike his ordinary-looking face. In reality, verification magic didn't work on everyone. For example, me. It didn't work for me in the guild in the past. According to Raven, mana resistance was one thing, but it seemed like I had an innately thick mental barrier.
«It doesn't matter if it doesn't work. Anyway, I heard it doesn't work with doubles».
«Yes! That's how it is. At least we can reduce the number of suspects».
«True, even that will be useful enough».
When brains Raven and Hans G joined their voices there were no more objections. And so, the official tracking began.
«Are you a man?»
«...Why do you ask that?»
«Haha, I'm just making sure the magic works properly, so you can respond however you want».
«As you can see, I am a man.»
«That's the truth.»
The two wizards went around and tried to verify everyone's words with magic. As a result, nine people were excluded from the spell: on Hans' team, Hans, the wizard and the archer fairy; on the team of the dwarf, the dwarf, the archer, the sorcerer and the priest; and on my team, Raven and me. As a side note, the number far exceeded my expectations. I imagined this would be the case for wizards and sorcerers who had great mana resistance and willpower, but were there others? Was it because everyone present was a fairly veteran explorer?
I didn't think I'd make it past half the group...
Thanks to that my head hurt now, but my work remained the same.
«Are you a double?» The same question was first asked of those on whom the verification magic was acting, and they all answered «no» to greatly narrow down the list of suspects.
«So the doppelganger bastard is hiding among the nine of us». Everyone's gazes at each other were eminently sharper than before. However, this atmosphere was quite favorable for me. «I'll go first.»
When those who answered «no» were excluded, I brandished my sword like an executioner. He only had two objectives: the dwarf and Hans G, who were also the leaders of each team.
«Where did you get the equipment out of the backpack?».
«Why do you ask that?»
«Answer the question.»
"...no te lo diré."
Exercising the right to remain silent, huh? It seems good to me.
«Hans Chrisen, it seems like you know a lot about this forest. Where did you get that information from?»
«I read it in a book».
«What is the title of the book?»
«I won't tell you that...».
As my questions continued, the non-comments piled up. This was part of my plan. Technically they weren't relevant questions for a double, but anyone hiding something could only seem suspicious.
«...We may be immune to verification magic, but I see that no one wants to respond properly...».
When I murmured suspiciously, the dwarf laughed. «And you are different?» It seemed that the aggro had been attracted correctly. After being hit by my negative attack strategy, the dwarf did not hold back any longer. «What essence do you have?»
«...I can't say.»
«Why can't you remember why you're a double?» When the dwarf opened fire, his companions joined in and attacked me for doing the same to their own leader.
«Come to think of it, it was that guy who started drilling people without evidence».
«As if he doesn't care who ends up at the altar».
«Not only that, but he's too logical to be a barbarian».
I remained silent throughout the assault. Then Hans G's team started asking me this and that. «I've heard that doppelgangers have an imperfect memory. Do you remember the last time we saw each other in the Land of the Dead? What happened then?»
«I don't remember that very well».
«Hmm, are you saying you've forgotten?»
«...I am a barbarian.»
«Pft, what a convenient breed». When I couldn't respond, the archer fairy laughed sarcastically. It seemed like my attack on Hans G had gotten on his nerves... Oh, these rookies.
«The fact that you handle me like the double must mean that you are the double! Missha! Ainar, don't you think so too?»
«¿Eh? Uh, si...»
«B-Bjorn, the great warrior, must be right!»
Even my teammates showed a lukewarm reaction to my forced statement and didn't play along. Thus, the gazes on me grew colder. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.
When the hands of the clock overlapped at midnight, a white light emanated from the altar located in the center of the space.
[The Stone of Truth has been formed].
This was a key element for this chapter. Without needing my word, Raven explained it to me. «It is the Stone of Truth. Only allow the truth once. Even if it's a double».
«...Does it come out again?»
«I heard it comes out every midnight. However, the power of the doppelganger becomes stronger each time you use it.»
«So we have to be careful.»
I kept my mouth shut, like someone who is anxious about something. I inspected everyone's faces, and met the dwarf's eyes.
«Let's decide by vote. I choose that barbarian. It's obviously suspicious». The dwarf smiled satisfied and threw me to the wolves. Without the need for a ballot box, several people raised their hands and eight votes were gathered in an instant. That was more than half of us.
«...Think carefully. I'm not a double». I gave them my sincere advice, but it was ignored.
«How do you use this? So?» The dwarf massaged the Stone of Truth and it emitted a white light. In that state he asked: «Barbarian, are you a double?».
«I'm not a double». My response came immediately.
Pzzzzz.
The Stone of Truth lost its effect and collapsed.
«Wizard, how did this happen?»
«What do you think? It means he told the truth».
Now that he had what he wanted, it was time to stop being an idiot. I stretched my arms up and loosened my tense neck. «I told you to think about it again». I had now earned the citizenship I needed for my plan. In short, from now on no one could doubt me or attack me. «Dwarf, why did you drive me like a double? Are you double?»
It's time to get serious about politics.
«That is! Because you acted suspiciously...!» The dwarf shouted as if it were an excuse. It was quite understandable. I was the one who started attacking left and right from the first moment and who showed several careless facets of me, but that was no reason to go with lead feet with him.
«What suspicious act? I answered everyone's questions».
«...You didn't tell us your essences!»
«You act like you're from another world. Don't you know how rude it is to ask an explorer about their essences?».
«So how are you going to explain that?! The fairy asked before-»
«That's why I told you. I had forgotten». I straightened my shoulders without the slightest shame. The barbarian forgot. What was I going to do about it?
Realizing that he had been tricked by my trick, the dwarf fell silent. I guess it was hard to see their leader go through such humiliation. Another said: «Enough, barbarian. The votes speak of your suspicious behavior».
Right. For a beating by an ignorant barbarian!
«That's because you all conspired against me!» The roar of an aggrieved barbarian echoed loudly. The dwarf side archer tried to say something, but his words were buried by my overwhelming voice. «Have you given me time to explain? You're the one who stole the stone Raven was holding and used it!»
«No, that's it...»
«I think you are suspicious! Take responsibility and go to the altar!»
«I'm saying I didn't steal it-»
«Take responsibility and go to the altar!»
Only then did the archer shout as loud as he could: «Then we will use the Stone of Truth tomorrow! Is it enough for you?»
It seemed like these guys had started to realize the benefits they could get from the Stone of Truth. But... They arrived too late.
«Yes, it's you!» Just as the waiting line came out, I kept my excitement going and kicked forward. The atmosphere became fierce in an instant. «Say it again, archer! Not only did you waste it on me, but will you use it again? Are you double?»
I changed my target from dwarf to archer. This was originally my plan. No matter how much fuss he made, he knew that it would be impossible to put the dwarf or the priest, his key members, on the altar.
«Now that I think about it, it was you! Every time he said something you kept inciting the dwarf».
«It's not just me, everyone...»
«Assume your responsibility and enter the altar! You're not going to die, anyway! Clearing the crack with one less archer is not a problem!» It was a furious scream that made rational thinking difficult. When sparks suddenly splashed on him, the archer's face turned white.
But did it seem strange to some of the others? Some of Hans G's team began to get restless. «Certainly, that might be a more reasonable route than using the stone».
«...It's not like I'm going to kill you either».
In the end, the dwarf had to intervene. «Okay, go to the altar.»
«Excuse me? What do you mean...?»
«Enough. Do what I tell you this time. Unless you're double».
It seemed that the leader's authority was quite strong in that team and the goalkeeper couldn't make any noise.
«Martin! Are you really going to put it on the altar?»
The dwarf nodded his head resolutely despite the restless gaze of his companions. I could clearly see what he was thinking.
He is trying to change public opinion with this.
He repeated exactly the same thing as me. If he put the archer on the altar at my insistence, but he was not the doppelganger, then the right to attack would land with them.
Since he can't attack me, he'll probably target Raven.
Their strategy was to abandon the archer and put our mage, an important force on our team, at the altar. From their perspective, it could be an advantage since a magician could also do a crazy performance in a PK.
Idiot.
They probably thought there was nothing to lose. If the archer really was the doppelganger, that was good enough on its own.
However... Do you think a doppelganger will voluntarily go to the altar?
I removed my smile and watched as the archer was dragged to the altar by his leader.
«Don't worry. Once the guardian is defeated, you will be released intact».
«...I'll be waiting here.»
Finally, the archer stood in front of the altar. Everyone watched in silence.
¡Shaaaaa!
When the archer touched the altar with a determined face, the light shone.
[Expedition member Arka Petray's soul is sealed].
The soul that was extracted from the archer's body floated in the air, connected to the altar. His movements and expression seemed clearly sore.
"Mago". No, Hans Chrisen. ¿What significa esto? ⁇
«... The double» is not doubled.
The dwarf let out a long sigh and opened his eyes after a while. Although it was his decision, I assumed he felt mixed feelings seeing this now. But you thought it wasn't the time for that? «Barbarian, are you willing to take responsibility for your words?», the dwarf growled.
I responded immediately: «No, why should I take responsibility?».
«It's just that... because of you... My teammate ended up like this! Following your logic, it's time to check your side too!».
Tsk, tsk.
I talked like that was pathetic. «How childish».
"...¿Which?"
«Is finding the double a joke for you? Stop being emotional and think rationally».
Despite my indifferent words, the dwarf did not respond. Well, I was sure I probably didn't think I'd hear this from a barbarian who was screaming bloody murder just now.
«Mature, dwarf».
Although your height will remain the same.
«What the fuck?» Hearing him curse, I calmly extended my hand and stopped him. «Wait, you're not trying to attack me, are you? Unless you're a doppelganger, you have absolutely no reason for it, right?». The dwarf's body began to tremble.
And so, I stopped provoking him. «I'm sorry about your partner. To think he would leave like this. He seemed like a good guy...»
«Enough. Ve with wheat».
«I made a mistake in my moment of excitement. But why don't we forget the past and focus on cleaning the crack? If we lose more people, it is not known if we will return alive». This was the reason why he could troll at ease. No matter how angry he got, the dwarf should know that a fight between us right now would only lead to annihilation.
«...So what's your plan?»
«I'm starting to think it's your priest...»
«Everyone, stop!» Then Hans G's magician shouted. His name was Parteian, a middle-aged man of his own beauty. «Let's end this meaningless consumption here. I have a way to find double».
It was a phrase that none of those present expected.
«What way?» There was no way he was lying with that determined expression. «Speaks».
When I urged him, the magician took out an object from subspace. It was a small disk the size of a compass. As soon as I saw it, I had an idea of what it was: #7,234, Wrong Trust, an object that banned all lies within a 10 meter radius when activated.
«Did you have something like that...?». The player Hans shuddered as if he had met his nemesis. This was a feeling that only I could identify with 100%.
«Normally, it is not an object that needs to be used. Well, I thought one day it would be useful. So this is the time. I'm sorry I didn't get it out sooner».
I haven't gotten rid of the bastard priest yet...
I erased all my regrets. Unable to continue watching our dispute, the magician took out his precious object. Not using this here would just be strange. Discovering the double from the beginning had its own advantages, which sounded good to me.
"Good."
«...I say the same.» The dwarf also put aside his hostility towards me for a moment and took a step towards peace. It seemed like we were thinking about the same thing.
«Well thought out. So do we all meet here?»
All those whose names had not yet been clarified gathered in the center and the magician used the Wrong Trust. The effect lasted only 10 minutes. «So who will start?»
«I will do it». The dwarf began. I figured I really wasn't double because I didn't seem anxious at all. However, this was only for a moment.
«Then I'll ask you a question to see if it works». The magician asked for the verification magic, as if it were no big deal: «What city are you from?».
He stepped on a mine.
Damn sea.
There was no way the dwarf could answer this question. There was a cold silence. The dwarf's curved mouth convulsed completely uncontrollably.
«Why don't you answer? The magician cut off his words and closed his mouth. He had just realized why the dwarf couldn't answer. «Wait, you are...!»
The moment the wizard released his jaw, I shouted with all my might: «Prepare for battle!».
We were screwed.