This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 5 - The Hunters (2) - Part 2

“This is a secret… Even Zerdan doesn’t know about this ability.”

“I’ll keep the secret.”

“I’m telling you this because I trust you, Bella. You mustn’t tell anyone…”

“All right.”

“I can make all the hair on someone’s body stand up…”

“…”

He was about to shake my outstretched hand, but subtly pulled it back. I quickly grabbed it and held on tightly.

Well, even this ability might come in handy somewhere, right?

…Maybe?

* * *

The sooner we started, the better.

Since I knew where the hideout was, I suggested we go, and he nodded more readily than before.

Obella, who had prepared to go out, looked as neat as he did when we first met. He wore a white shirt, buttoned up to the top, giving me a rough idea of his personality.

“Aren’t the other members around?”

“I haven’t contacted them yet. Terisier… will manage on his own. Knowing his personality, he won’t follow us obediently.”

“I think it’s unlikely that Zerdan or his group will be there, but what if we get ambushed? I’m no help in combat.”

I said this with a smile, implying “You know my ability, right?” He seemed to have had no great expectations of me in that regard either.

Somehow, after hearing about my ability, his treatment of me had become somewhat peculiar, but I couldn’t blame him. Even I thought my ability was useless.

“In an emergency, the others will be contacted, so don’t worry. Today, we’ll just look around the area, and if we find any clues about Diswen, it will be a successful day.”

“Got it. But let’s still be cautious just in case. By the way, Bella, are you and Zerdan brothers? He called you his proud brother.”

I brought this up as we left the house, hoping to build a bit of rapport with him.

I already knew this information, but since he hadn’t mentioned it, I thought it would be good to hear more details.

However, Obella’s expression noticeably hardened as he looked down at me. His expressionless face was cold, resembling Zerdan’s.

“His proud brother? That bastard said that?”

His eyes, filled with fury, were fixed on me. Although the anger wasn’t directed at me, the atmosphere was terrifying enough to make my palms sweat.

“…Bella? I’m sorry if I upset you. It seems I said something unnecessary.”

“…No, I overreacted. I’m sorry for showing such an unseemly side. I didn’t expect him to speak so brazenly to others. I knew he was shameless, but…”

At my apology, Obella seemed to come to his senses and briefly closed and opened his eyes. Then, avoiding my gaze, he apologized.

I followed him as he walked ahead and listened.

“Zerdan and I are biological brothers. Not anymore, though. He is crazy about his ability. He proves and flaunts his ability by killing his biological parents and innocent others. I haven’t been able to sincerely stop him because of our brotherhood… but not anymore. Because of Zerdan, I’ve lost loved ones, and family, and innocent people are dying. I can’t let it go on any longer.”

As we exited through the front door, a small garden came into view. A small bird that had been on the stone in the garden flew to Obella’s shoulder as he came out. Obella didn’t seem to mind much.

“I see. So, among the people with Bella, some follow you because they share your beliefs, but some have gathered to seek revenge against Zerdan.”

“…”

Even if Zerdan heard these words from Obella, he wouldn’t bat an eye. He might even smile.

I could somewhat understand Obella’s description of Zerdan as crazy. Well, a murderer wouldn’t be in their right mind anyway.

As I nodded in agreement, thinking to myself that Zerdan was indeed crazy, I felt a gaze. Obella and the bird on his shoulder were looking at me.

The bird might have been looking at me absentmindedly because it was following Obella.

Anyway, when I tilted my head at Obella’s gaze, he shook his head as if it were nothing. He had a somewhat puzzled expression.

What? Did he expect me to comfort or sympathize with him? Ah, maybe I should have shown such an ordinary reaction to win over Obella.

Though it was already too late, I cleared my throat lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

I need to manage my image, but I keep forgetting.

The small bird on Obella’s shoulder seemed to be looking at me strangely.

“Somehow, I feel drained.”

“Oh, maybe it’s because you didn’t have breakfast?”

“…”

“Just kidding. It’s awkward when you pretend not to hear. Come to think of it, it seemed like we entered here in a rather unusual way, but we’re leaving in a normal way. Was there a barrier?”

“I had Lazis’ help, in case you were a spy or someone was following us.”

Hm? But it’s already too late…

Should I honestly tell him that Zerdan already knows the location and came in confidently and left after doing whatever with me? I kept my mouth shut, thinking it might raise Obella’s blood pressure.

The distance we moved with Obella wasn’t very long. We moved inside alleys and touched the walls to change the streets.

We repeated this process about three times. When we arrived at a familiar street for the last time, I looked at Obella.

“Is your ability teleportation by any chance?”

“It would have been nice to have such a convenient ability. It seems like this is the last place where Diswen’s presence was detected. Is that right?”

Without even having teleportation abilities, how did he manage that?

I scratched my head and nodded as I looked at the building Obella was pointing at. It was the building where I had been held captive by Zerdan. On the surface, it was disguised as a jewelry store.

Seeing that the door was locked and the lights were off, it seemed like there was no one inside the store.

“Yes, that’s the place. The lights on the first floor are off, but there are several rooms in the basement and living spaces on the second floor. The second floor seemed to be Zerdan’s temporary residence. From my experience, the basement is where they keep people locked up.”

The bird on Obella’s shoulder pecked at his cheek.

Its beak was small, so it probably didn’t hurt, but it looked like it might be annoying. However, Obella didn’t seem to mind and continued to scan the building.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any sign of life.”

“Is your ability something like enhanced senses?”

“You seem to be very interested in my abilities.”

“I’m curious if it’s something that could protect me in a dangerous situation.”

Obella seemed taken aback by my straightforward answer, but he found it amusing and gave a small smile.

“I can protect at least one person.”

“Then that’s a relief. Are you going to go in?”

“What do you think we should do?”

Why is he suddenly respecting my opinion?

I wasn’t sure what Obella’s ability was, but since he was the main male lead, it probably wasn’t ordinary. It should be at least similar to or slightly stronger than Zerdan’s abilities.

But still, it was reckless for the two of us to enter the enemy’s territory. If we had other companions, it might be different.

“Honestly, I would be of no help in a fight, so if we were ambushed, Bella would have to handle it alone. I’d just end up as a hostage and a hindrance. I think it’s a bit reckless for us to go in alone. But if there’s no sign of life, I’d like to take a look inside.”

There might be traps, though.

But there was something else I was interested in.

“While I was there, Zerdan once made me wear a pair of earrings on display. He didn’t know my exact ability, so he made me wear them just in case. They’re accessories that temporarily block abilities.”

Obella looked slightly surprised at my words. It seemed like something unfamiliar to him as well.

I didn’t know who among Zerdan’s group had what abilities, but knowing that there were items that could block abilities was a significant issue for us. If such power was applied to a weapon instead of an accessory, the odds of losing in a battle would increase.

“If that’s true, it’s a big problem.”

“I agree. If that was the only item with such power, it would be a needless worry… But if there are other similar items, it would be beneficial for us to acquire them.”

As he pondered, I whispered beside him.

“This might be our only chance. Zerdan could collect everything. Bella, it’s your call. I’ll follow your lead.”