The rules of Chapter 3, "The Altar of Shadows", were simple:

Find an expedition member possessed by the Double and sacrifice him to the altar. That's all. If the choice is correct, the Double that has entered his body will be removed. But what if you make a mistake?

It will be incapacitated until the Chasm is cleared.

In other words, if I use the cards correctly, I will be able to deter those who might get in my way.

"Dwarf, your face isn't like that. Is there something wrong with your head?

"Hmph, since you started poking at me from the beginning, you're more suspicious.

My first target, the dwarf, was not at a loss and counterattacked. As I thought, he was not a simpleton.

But now the real attack will begin.

"Suspicious?" Strangely. When I first met you, you clearly spoke like you didn't know anything about this place. But now you speak as if you know?

"Oh, come to think of it, you're right.

When Raven agreed, Hans G's comrades also began to express their doubts. This was expected. We have just arrived at this place and have not yet discussed what Chapter 3 involves. Then how did the dwarf know to resist?

"This—" The dwarf thought for a moment, and then, without hiding his displeasure, spat out, "I learned this from Hans Christen.

— ... You lie to get out of trouble.

— ... Th-That's not a lie. I told him, "Hans G arrived just in time to help the dwarf.

"Did you tell him?" When? "Since I had been following them throughout the journey, I couldn't agree with that.

"Yesterday, while on duty.

Of course, he was out of my sight at the time, but I had assigned Mr. Bear to them for just such an occasion.

"Abman, is that true?"

— Of course not. The two of them did not have such a conversation.

"It is Abman, who was with you, who is speaking. Hans Kriesen, why are you covering for a dwarf?

As I stepped forward menacingly, Hans G waved his hands convulsively.

— ... I--I don't cover up. It's true! We used a magical device to talk... So Mr. Urikfried didn't know anything!

Talking with a magic device... It doesn't look like a lie. When the hell did they get so close? If I hadn't found out, I'd have been in big trouble.

"And what did you talk about?"

I had to find out.

"Well, that's...

As I deliberately spewed out murderous energy, Hans G began to get confused with words, unable to overcome the pressure.

Just as I was about to push even harder, the dwarf intervened as if to protect Hans.

"Why do we have to tell you this?" It was a private conversation. And this seems to have removed the question of how I know about this altar.

Skillfully refuting the accusation and leaving no room for argument, the dwarf ended the topic decisively.

Of course, so far my plans have not been disrupted. And even without that, I had countless ways to attack these guys.

"Now let's talk about each other.

The dwarf was an explorer from Noark, and Hans G was what was called an evil spirit in this world. If I were to target these parts, there would inevitably be problems with their answers.

"Dwarf, what rank do you rank as an explorer?" Do you have a family? Brothers and sisters?

— ... I don't want to talk about myself.

"So you refuse?!"

I grinned. Silence was not only their right, but also their responsibility. At this point, all questions were justified now.

"I'm sorry, but I think it's better to do as Mr. Yandel says. And I say this not because he is the leader of our team, is it true that there is a Double here? Raven supported me with a logical argument.

Agreeing with the correctness of this method, the magician from Hans G's team also supported our opinion.

"Y-let's do that. We can't just blindly offer someone on the altar. Let's talk better. Then maybe we'll find out who it is. Even the Double can be recognized.

Public opinion changed instantly. In the end, the dwarf had no choice but to take a step back.

— ... Ok. Then how should we do it?

The dwarf's question was answered by Hans G.

"I suppose verification magic is the best choice?"

As a player, he proposed the most classic strategy.

At this moment, the blunt weapon warrior from Hans G's team cautiously raised his hand and expressed his doubts.

"Hmm, but I heard that the magic of verification doesn't work on everyone!?"

It was a sharp question, unlike the usual one.

Indeed, the magic of verification did not work on everyone. For example, on me. In the past, even in the Guild, it didn't affect me. According to Raven, Magic Resistance is one of the reasons, but it seems that I also had an innate thick mental barrier.

"It doesn't matter if it doesn't work. I've heard that this doesn't work on Doubles either.

"Y-yes!" That's for sure! At least we can reduce the number of suspects.

"That's right, even that will be useful enough.

When Raven and Hans G, the brains behind this expedition, agreed, there was no further objection. And now the full-scale tracking has begun.

"Are you a man?"

— ... Why do you ask this?

"Haha, I'm just checking to see if the magic is working properly, so you can answer as you wish."

"As you can see, I'm a man.

"That's true.

The two Magi went around and tried to verify everyone's words with magic. As a result, 9 people on whom the magic of the check did not work were eliminated:

Hans's team includes: Hans, a mage and an elf archer;

The dwarf team consists of a dwarf, an archer, a sorcerer, and a priest;

In my team: me and Raven.

By the way, the number of participants exceeded all my expectations. I expected this from magicians and sorcerers with high Magic Resistance and Willpower, but there were others, weren't there? Could it be because all those present were quite experienced researchers?

I didn't think that their number would exceed half of the group...

It gave me a headache now, but it didn't change what I had to do.

"Are you a double?" "At first, the same question was asked to those who were affected by the magic of the check, and everyone answered 'no', which significantly reduced the list of suspects.

"So that bastard Double is hiding among the nine of us.

Everyone looked at each other much more keenly than before.

However, this atmosphere was quite favorable for me.

"I'll go first."

When those who answered "no" were expelled, I swung my mace like an executioner swinging a sword.

I only had two targets: the dwarf and Hans G, who were also the leaders of each team.

"Where did you get the equipment in your backpack?"

"Why are you asking this?"

"Answer the question.

— ... I won't tell you.

You use the right to remain silent, right? This is also not bad.

"Hans Kriesen, it seems that you know a lot about this forest. Where did you get this information?

"I read it in a book.

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— What is the name of this book?

"This... I won't tell you.

As I continued to ask questions, the stack of "no comment" responses continued to pile up. That was part of my plan. Technically, these were not matters related to the Double, but to others, someone hiding something may seem suspicious.

— ... Maybe we're immune to the magic of verification, but I see that no one can correctly answer such simple questions?

As I muttered this in a meaningful tone, the dwarf burst into laughter.

"And how are you different?"

It seems that the aggro was properly involved.

The dwarf, who had suffered greatly from my negative attack strategy, began to resist, unable to stand it any longer.

"What essences do you have?"

— ... I can't tell you.

"Can't remember because you're a Double?"

When the dwarf opened fire, his teammates joined in and attacked me for verbally beating their leader.

"Come to think of it, it was this guy who started drilling people without evidence.

"As if he doesn't care who ends up on the altar.

"Not only that, but it's too logical for a barbarian.

I just kept silent, accepting all the attacks. Then, one by one, the members of Hans G's team began to question me.

"I've heard that Doubles have imperfect memories. Do you remember our last meeting in the Land of the Dead? What happened then?

"This... I don't remember very well.

"Hmph, you mean you forgot?"

— ... I am a barbarian.

"What a convenient race.

When I couldn't answer, the elf archer laughed sarcastically. It seems that my attack on Hans G got on her nerves... Oh, these newcomers.

"The fact that you are pointing at me as a Double must mean that you are the Double!" Misha! Ainar! Do you think so too?

— Huh? Well, yes...

"B-Bjorn, a great warrior, so it must be true!"

Even my teammates were ambivalent about this statement and disagreed with me. Thus, the eyes on me became colder and colder. Finally, the long-awaited moment has come.

[00:00]

As the clock passed midnight, white light poured from the altar in the center of the room.

[The Stone of Truth is formed].

This was the key point of this chapter. Needless to say, Raven explained.

"This is the Stone of Truth. It allows you to determine the truth, even if it is a Double, but only once.

— ... Does it appear again?

"I heard that he appears every midnight. However, the Double becomes stronger after each use.

"That means we have to use it carefully.

I was silent, as if I were a person who was worried about something. I examined everyone's faces and met the dwarf's eyes.

- Let's decide by voting. I choose this barbarian. He's clearly suspicious," the dwarf smirked and put a target on me.

Without any ballot box, several people raised their hands, and 8 votes were collected in an instant. It was more than half of us.

— ... Think carefully again. I am not a Double.

I gave them sincere advice, but it was ignored.

— How to use it? Just like that? The dwarf felt the Stone of Truth, and it glowed white. In this state, he asked:

"Barbarian, are you a Double?"

"I'm not a Double.

My answer was immediate.

*Pzzzz*

The Stone of Truth lost its power and shattered.

"Magus, what happened?"

"What do you think?" This means that he told the truth.

Now that I got what I wanted, it was time to stop playing like an idiot. I stretched my arms up and relaxed my tense neck.

"Tsok, I asked you to think again.

I now have the right I need to carry out my plan. Simply put, from now on, no one could doubt or attack me.

"Dwarf, why did you point at me as a Double?" Are you the Double?

It's time to move on to serious showdowns.

***

"This!" Because you were acting suspicious...! The dwarf exclaimed, as if justifying himself.

This was quite understandable. I was the first to start attacking right and left and showed that I had many weaknesses from different sides, but this is not a reason to give him slack.

"When did I behave suspiciously?" I answered all the questions.

— ... You didn't tell us about your essences!

"You're acting like you're from another world. Don't you know how impolite it is to ask a researcher about his essences?

"Then how are you going to explain it?!" When the elf asked-...

"I told you so. I forgot.

I squared my shoulders, not feeling the slightest shame.

The barbarian forgot. And what was he going to do about it?

—…!

Realizing that he had been scammed, the dwarf fell silent.

However, was it difficult to simply watch the leader experience humiliation?

A member of his team chimed in.

"Enough, barbarian. The voices speak of your suspicious behavior.

Correct. Beat the ignorant barbarian!

"That's because you're all up in arms against me!" The roar of the offended barbarian sounded loudly.

The dwarven archer tried to say something, but his words were buried by my overwhelming voice.

"Did you give me time to explain?" You were the one who stole the stone that Raven was holding and used it!

"No, it is-...

"I suspect you!" Take responsibility and go down the aisle!

"I say I didn't steal it...

"Take responsibility and go down the aisle!!

Only then did the muttering archer shout at the top of his lungs:

"Then tomorrow we will use the Stone of Truth!" Is that enough for you?

It seemed that these guys were beginning to understand how much benefit they could derive from the Stone of Truth. But... It's too late.

"Yes, it's you!!

Just at the moment when this long-awaited phrase sounded, I kept my excitement and stomped forward. The atmosphere instantly became ferocious.

"Say it again, archer!" Not only do you want to spend it on me, but you're going to use it again? Are you a double?

I changed my aim from a dwarf to an archer. This was originally intended. No matter how much I fussed, I knew that it was impossible to push a dwarf or priest, their key members, onto the altar.

"Come to think of it, it was you!" Every time I said something, you teased the dwarf!

"Not only me, everyone-...

"Take charge and go down the aisle!" You're not going to die anyway! We can clear the Chasm without an archer!

It was a furious cry that interfered with rational thinking. When sparks suddenly fell on him, the archer's face turned white.

But did it seem strange to any of the others?

A few of Hans G's crew stirred.

"Of course, it's a smarter way than using stone.

—... And it's not a fact that it will kill you.

In the end, the dwarf had to intervene.

"All right, go down the aisle.

"Excuse me?" What do you mean...

"That's enough. This time, do as I say. Unless you're a Double.

It seemed that the leader's authority was very strong in this team, and the archer couldn't make a sound.

"Martin!" Are you really going to put it on the altar?

The dwarf nodded resolutely, despite the anxious looks of his colleagues. I could see clearly what he was thinking.

He is trying to change public opinion.

If he sends an archer to the altar at my insistence, and he was not a Double, then the right of attack passes to them.

… Since he can't attack me, he'll most likely aim at Raven.

His strategy was to abandon the archer and put on the altar of our Magus, an important force in our team. From their point of view, this will give them an advantage, as the mage can also put on a crazy show on PC.

Idiot.

Probably, he decided that he had nothing to lose. If the archer was indeed a Double, then that was good enough in itself.

However...

Do you think the Double will voluntarily walk down the aisle?

I removed my smile and watched the archer being dragged to the altar by his leader.

"Don't worry too much. Once the Guardian is defeated, you will be freed unharmed.

— ... I'll be waiting here.

At last the archer stood in front of the altar. Everyone watched him in silence.

*Shaaaa!*

When the archer touched the altar with a resolute face, a black glow flashed on it.

[The soul of a member of the Petraeus Arc expedition is sealed].

The soul extracted from the archer's body floated in the air, connected to the altar. His movements and expression clearly looked suffering.

"A mage... No, Hans Christen. What does it mean?

— ... Th-That means he's not a Double.

The dwarf took a deep breath and closed his eyes, then let out a long sigh and opened his eyes after a while.

Although it was his decision, I guessed that he had mixed feelings seeing it now. But maybe he decided that now was not the time for this?

"Varvar, are you ready to answer for your words?" The dwarf growled.

I immediately answered:

"No, why should I answer?"

"This... Because of you... My teammate was in this position! Following your logic, it's time to test your side as well!

"Click, click," I said as if it were a pity. "How childish.

— … A what?

"Is the search for the Double a joke for you?" Stop being emotional and think rationally.

— …

Despite my impassive words, the dwarf said nothing. Well, I was sure that he probably didn't think he'd hear it from the barbarian who had been screaming about a bloody murder a moment ago.

"Grow up, dwarf.

Even if your height remains the same.

" You're a debt!!

Looking at the dwarf's spewing curses, I calmly reached out and stopped him.

"Wait, you're not trying to attack me, are you?" Unless you're a Double, you shouldn't have absolutely no reason to do so, should you?

The dwarf's body began to shake.

And then I stopped provoking him.

"I feel sorry for your teammate. It's scary to think that he could leave like that. He seemed like a good guy-...

"That's enough. Get down to business.

"I was excited and made a mistake. But why don't we forget about the past and focus on traversing the Chasm? If we lose even more people, it is not known whether we will return alive.

For the record, that's why I managed to get away with it. As angry as he was, the dwarf must have known that a fight between us now would only lead to destruction.

— ... So, what's your plan?

"I'm afraid your priest is a little suspicious-...

"That's it, stop!" The magician Hansa G shouted then.

His name was... Partean? It was a middle-aged man.

"Let's end this senseless drama. I have a way to find the Double.

None of those present expected such a remark.

***

"Do you have a way?"

There was no way he could lie with such a resolute expression on his face.

— Speak.

When I asked for it, the sorcerer retrieved an object from subspace.

It was a small disc the size of a compass.

As soon as I saw it, I immediately knew what it was:

No7234, "Lost Trust" is a consumable numbered item that, when activated, prohibits any lies within a 10-meter radius.

— Did you have something like that...?

Gambler Hans flinched as if he had met his nemesis. It was a feeling that I could 100% understand.

"Usually it's not an item that needs to be used. But I have already used it several times. So this is the last use. I wish I had taken it out sooner.

… Hey, I haven't gotten rid of the bastard priest yet.

I erased all my regrets. Unable to watch our argument any longer, the mage took out his cherished object. It would be just strange not to use it here. Revealing the Double in the early stages had its advantages, and that was not a bad thing, in my opinion.

"Great.

— ... I agree," the dwarf also put aside his hostility towards me for a while and took a step towards his fate.

It seems that we were thinking about the same thing.

"Well contrived. Then maybe we should gather here?

Everyone whose name had not yet been cleared gathered in the center, and the magician used the Lost Trust. The effect lasted only 10 minutes.

"Then who will be first?"

"I will.

They started with a dwarf. I guessed that he really wasn't a Double, from the way he didn't look alarmed. However, this was only for a moment.

"Then I'll ask you a question to see if it works.

The mage asked to check the effectiveness of the item, just like when using verification magic earlier, as if there was nothing special about it:

"What city are you from?"

He stepped on a mine.

Bloody hell.

The dwarf couldn't answer that question.

— …

A cold silence reigned. The corners of the dwarf's lips twitched involuntarily.

"Why don't you answer?" Could be...

The mage cut off his words and closed his mouth. He had just realized why the dwarf couldn't answer.

"Wait, you-...?!

At the moment when the magician spoke, I shouted at the top of my lungs:

"Get ready for battle!"

Shit.