Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 782: Correcting A Mistake

Orders were out, and Regalia was meant to return to her cargo route with Mercedes and Mono’s twin. But before her return to Elenaris, she had one last thing left to do. A brief trip to Aesteradia. She wanted to go there and check on Hilma. Perhaps even apologize for what happened, even though there was no way in hell that she would be forgiven so easily. Despite that, the least she could do was try.

And so with little hope to be forgiven in her heart, she set foot on Aesterdian land. Sitting atop a mountain range that edged the dark ocean, the land was far from pleasant, and surprisingly so since Lululaia, which was much closer, was flooded with greener and fresh water canals. In contrast, this city sitting above it was gloomier than any other that she’d visited.

’Still looks like things are better than they were when Batimos was ruling this place.’ Looking around the streets that were now packed full of healthy people, Regalia brushed off the past image of this place and began to walk forward. ’Hilma must be in that inn she and her nephew used to stay in.’

Staring into the distance, it seemed that the place was further into town and closer to that castle where the queen had turned out to be a keeper being manipulated by Batimos’s influence.

"Time flies, huh..." Although those days were gone, it felt as though just yesterday they were fighting to cure the people of this land from the numerous diseases and mind control that had been spread by the god of rot.

Bumping shoulders with a handful of folks as she walked through the packed street, Regalia ran into a young kid since she wasn’t really looking where she was going. The voice of the crying child drew her attention downwards.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t see you," she said, frowning with worry.

But as she tried to kneel and help the kid, her parents quickly grabbed her arms and lifted her up on her feet. A bit surprised by their speed, Regalia lifted her head and looked at their faces. A mix of nervousness and uncertainty was painted all over their faces.

"Sorry about her; we lost sight of her for just a moment, and she started running."

"I hope she didn’t hurt you. We wouldn’t want the city’s saviors to get hurt because of us..."

Hearing them talk, the frown on Regalia’s face deepened.

"No...I’m okay; you should check on her instead." Lowering her gaze, she noticed that the child had already stopped crying and was hugging her mother’s leg tightly. "See you around, little girl."

Gently running her hands through her hair, Regalia gave her a smile.

"Be strong and don’t cry so easily next time, okay?" With a brief nod from the little girl, the demi-wolf decided to continue moving. As she did so, she could feel the child’s parents staring at her back intently.

’Mental wounds take longer to heal.’ Even now, the people of Aesteradia were scared of anyone and everyone that held even an ounce of power over them. Regalia and her group were no different even though they were currently the unofficial government of the place.

On her way further down the path, she decided to sneak into an alley and make her way from the interior of the city instead of the main path. Too many eyes on her were a bit distracting, especially since she’d come without telling anyone else. Making her way through the dark alleys and sketchy spots, she noticed quite a handful of graffiti from people who weren’t quite satisfied with the current government.

’You can’t make everyone happy.’ Running her fingers through what appeared to be an artistic depiction of Batimos, she wondered why someone would still crave such a tyrant as their god. However, not a second later she was reminded of the people of Eclanor who seemed blinded by the giant’s spell. ’Whatever, I should just check on her and leave.’

After brushing some more shoulders with the crooks and criminals that hid in dark places, she eventually came to an opening that led into the inn’s stables. Getting out of the dark, she made her way inside. There once again she was greeted by curious eyes, all honed in on her. Ignoring them all, she walked up to the receptionist. However, before she could say a word, the old man grabbed her hands and began speaking trepidly.

"Oh, thank gods you’re here! Come with me!"

"What happened?" She asked, but the man began leading her upstairs without an answer.

Confused and a little dazed by the sudden pull, Regalia followed the frantic man, as there was little chance that he could prove to be a problem by himself. After being led past a few doors, the man finally stopped in front of one of the rooms. Letting go of Regalia’s hand, he knocked on the door, but there was no answer from the other side.

"Here, she has locked herself in ever since she buried her nephew," the man explained, sweating enough to drench his shirt completely.

"What?" Moving him aside, Regalia grabbed the doorknob and pressed her ear to the door. "Hilma! Are you there?"

Banging on the doors a few times, she tried to get her attention, but yet again, dead silence.

"HILMA! ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!" Banging more and more until the entire door was shaking, Regalia demanded an answer, but there was none. However, as a waft of air escaped from inside from the constant banging, she smelled iron. "What the–"

Waiting no longer for an answer, the demi-wolf dug a nail into her palm and pressed the wound against the keyhole. Taking the shape of the key, her blood itself opened the door and let her in. Rushing inside, Regalia instantly noticed Hilma lying on the bed with a sliced wrist hanging from the side.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID SHE DO?!" Her screams echoed throughout the inn. Waking up those who’d already fallen asleep–something she would feel grateful for in just a few moments. But for now, she had to stop the bleeding and keep Hilma alive.