Erica slowly followed the trail. By the time she reached the edge of the district, the footprints became clearer.
They weren't much different from the ordinary feet, but the size was the real issue. The two footprints were mismatched - one extremely large, the other extremely small.
" This guy's got problem, Eri. Look at them, don't they seem off?" Lars grumbled.
" Since when has anything in Hell been normal."
" Yeah, true."
The two continued walking in silence. Only after leaving the district did Erica suddenly speak up, breaking the quiet.
" Can you sense it?"
" Huh? Sense what?"
" Someone's watching us."
" Oh, that? I barely even noticed it. Thought it was just a regular person."
" Right, but this one's easy to handle. Let's keep going."
Erica was all too familiar with the terrain of Limbus. If they continued straight, they'd reach a wasteland devoid of settlements - just jagged rocks formations and bizarre creatures.
Erica gathered all the clues in her mind. She was certain of the connection between the house and the footprints, but one puzzling detail made her realize things might spirit out of her control. Then, a sudden thought struck her, and she turned to Lars.
"Lars, is that district always crowded?"
" Huh? You mean the migrants? Yeah, it's basically the center of this layer. People are always coming and going."
" I see. And the locals there have sharp sense, right?"
" Probably. Why do you ask?"
" Oh, no reason. Just curious."
Lars knew Erica had her own plans - ones she often kept from him. It made him feel a bit sidelined, but he took comfort in not being the only one left in the dark.
By the time they reached the wasteland, Erica suddenly sprinted ahead and hid behind a large rock. Lars, still on her shoulders, was confused until she signaled for silence. Then, he began to piece together her plan.
Moment later, a shadow appeared on the ground. It was the woman who had earlier berated Erica. She frantically scanned her surroundings, her face twisted in fear.
In a flash, Erica appeared behind her and struck her nape, knocking her out cold. Lars whistled mockingly.
" Well, well. And here I thought it'd be someone important. Turn out it's just that hag from earlier."
" ... I didn't actually think she'd follow us this far. But I guess she had the strongest motive."
Erica pulled a rope from her bag and tied the woman to a rock. She left Lars to guard her while she went to scavenge food.
When the woman awoke, she was dazed, only realizing she'd been tied up after a moment. Before her stood the girl she'd been tailing - except now, the girl's form was distorted, her body grotesquely enlarged, her head misshapen.
" Well, well! The lovely lady is finally awake."
" What!? You! ...How did I-"
" Shh! No need to talk. We both have questions, but I'm the one in charge here. So behave, unless you want that ugly face of yours even more disfigured."
Just as she raised a knife to threaten the woman, a voice interrupted.
" Enough, Lars! I never told you to threaten her."
Erica approached with a basket of food, shooting Lars a disapproving look.
" I didn't realize I looked so distorted." She added.
" Why do you have to be so soft? She was tailing us, and she insulted you earlier!"
" I don't like bullying the weak. And change back - I prefer your usual form."
Grudgingly, Lars reverted to his original shape and climbed onto her shoulders. Erica patted his head affectionately.
" That's better."
Erica sat across from the bound woman, casually offering a large mushroom from the basket.
" I found some tasty food, want some? Don't look me like that - it's not poisonous. Or how about some eggs?"
" Don't act all friendly after tying me up, you brat!" The woman spat on the mushroom, her voice dripping with contempt.
Luckily, Erica pulled her hand back in time. Otherwise, she'd have regretted it.
" Geez! Even if you hate me, don't waste food, Mrs. Sagrite. If you don't eat it, I will."
" Wha-? How... How did you know my name?"
" Huh? Oh, it's nothing special. Part of my job is memorizing the histories of troublemaker in Hell. So I decided to learn all of them. Impressive, right?"
" S-So you know... everything?"
Her arrogance vanished, replaced by trembling fear.
" Not everything, but I'll get there. Where's your husband, Mr. Hawer?"
" ...Why should I tell you?"
" Mrs. Sagrite, is this really wise? Earlier, you wanted to know if I worked for the Darker family. You're seeking my help, yet you won't tell me why. What are you so afraid of?"
Mrs. Sagrite hesitated, wrestling with her thoughts. Erica waited patiently while Lars busily ate.
Finally, the woman spoke cautiously.
" Before I say anything... will the person you're chasing be punished?"
" Of course - if he's rebelling or trying to escape."
" I swear he isn't! He's a good man - he always has been!" Her voice shook with desperation.
" Pfft! So 'good' he didn't make it to Heaven, huh?" Lars remarked coldly.
" Don't complicate things," Erica chided. "Mrs. Sagrite, if what you say is true, I might be able to plead for leniency. But we're still in the dark here. How can we help you, or him?"
The woman took a deep breath.
" Fine, I'll trust you. I can't hide it anymore - my husband, Hawer, committed those crimes. But he was manipulated! Someone pushed him into it!"
" Do you know who?"
" I don't know. He often went out to forage, while I stayed home. I never worried - I trusted him. But a year ago, he came home uneasy and exhausted. At first, I thought he'd overworked himself.
Over time, his personality changed. He grew irritable, lashing out at the slightest provocation. I also sense something terrifying in him - a dark energy I never felt before. Then one night, he left without a word.
I searched everywhere but couldn't find him. Eventually, I discovered him at the center of Limbus - in the form of an abandoned house. Hawer could only transform into small objects, so a whole house was shocking. Even worse, he had hurt people, something he would never even consider before."
" A year ago? But the locals said you moved there few years ago." Lars interrupted. " Were you lying?"
" No, of course not! I didn't lie about that, I swear!"
" She's telling the truth, Lars." Erica said. "The one lying are the townsfolk, or rather, they've been brainwashed. I found it odd that no one noticed the house disappearing last night. They might've lied, but they're usually honest, so brainwashed make more sense. It also explained the dark energy I sensed in them."
" No wonder... They've been watching me since I arrived!"
" Rough, huh. You must've struggled to follow us. That's why you didn't tell me earlier."
" Yes. The moment I met them, I feel the same terrifying, cold aura as Hawer. Now that I told you everything, I know punishment is inevitable. But please, save my husband!"
Erica placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, her calming gaze easing the woman's fear.
" I will."
Standing up, Erica stretched and glanced at the fading footprints.
" Time flies. We should talk while walking - the trails's disappearing. We need to hurry."
" You forgot something." Mrs. Sagrite said.
" What? Did we miss a clue?"
" I'm still tied up."
" ... Just drag the rock with you. You're strong enough, right?"