Ch.137Chapter 137

The Outer God and I, and that old man.

The three of us couldn’t say a word the moment our eyes met.

The old man with an expression of shock.

The Outer God with a look of being lost in thought.

And I… just surprised.

Why on earth were The Outer God and that old man together?

Moreover, judging from their conversation just now, they seemed quite close.

Didn’t the knights dislike that old man?

“W-well.”

Just as the old man was about to say something, The Outer God suddenly looked at me with sparkling eyes.

“Ah! I see! You’re…”

“Oh my, you cursed fellow!”

The moment The Outer God tried to say something, the old man suddenly lunged forward, struck The Outer God’s head with his cane, and covered his mouth.

“Mmph, mmphmmph?!”

“Stop spouting nonsense and be on your way!”

“Mmph, mmphmmph, mmph mmph?”

“Good heavens, you clueless fool, come with me for a moment.”

With this series of unintelligible exchanges, the old man began dragging The Outer God outside.

For some reason, The Outer God couldn’t do anything and was led away by the old man.

Thud.

After this sudden incident, watching their figures, I could only interpret it this way:

There’s someone who can physically overpower The Outer God?!

…I realized I shouldn’t mess with that old man.

#

After hearing what sounded like a lengthy conversation outside, eventually only the old man came back in.

Seeing that The Outer God didn’t return, it seemed he had been sent away.

No matter how I looked at it, it felt like they were hiding something from me, but without concrete evidence, I hesitated to say anything rash.

“Welcome, Lord Tanthyn. I’ve been waiting for your arrival.”

“…Well, I wouldn’t say waiting.”

“How could one not welcome someone who understands The Watcher’s words? Such a person would not be forgiven even by The Watcher himself.”

Ugh.

Still giving off those cult vibes.

Though it does feel somewhat nostalgic since it’s been a while.

Hmm.

But now that I’m about to ask, it feels awkward.

Can I just ask directly?

“About that…”

“Ah, if our conversation might be lengthy, how about we talk inside? Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I had something light.”

“Then I’ll bring out some snacks. Please go in and wait for a moment.”

Sigh.

Is he still attached to The Watcher?

How did he know our conversation would be long?

Without time to think properly, I was led by the old man to sit at a table.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring out some sweet jam and bread.”

After seating me, the old man opened a door and disappeared inside.

Hmm.

What’s this about?

It feels a bit uncomfortable to suddenly be treated like an honored guest.

Sitting here feels awkward, so I looked around.

How should I put it?

The stone walls gave a somewhat messy impression, but looking at the interior, it was actually very well-organized.

It’s like the typical image that comes to mind when you think “medieval era!”

Yes, this is definitely a place I’ve never seen before.

So why does it feel so familiar?

Like I’ve been to a place like this before.

“My, you look bored. I apologize. Here’s bread and jam. I also brought milk in case your throat feels dry.”

Just as I was thinking this, the old man arrived carrying a tray with bread, jam, and a cup of milk.

After placing his portion and mine separately, he sat down and gestured for me to eat first, then withdrew his hand.

Well, I guess I was feeling a bit hungry.

I comfortably accepted the food offered by the old man and put it in my mouth.

It had the soft yet plain bread flavor that I like.

“Old man.”

“What is it?”

“Your room’s interior is quite unique.”

At my question, the old man smiled like a child who had just heard something heartwarming.

“Hehe, indeed. I’ve been decorating rooms this way since I was young.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I used to decorate like this even when I lived in other lands.”

Huh?

“You came from elsewhere?”

“Yes. I came here following The Watcher’s revelation.”

So the old man was spreading his message in various places.

If he claims to have received revelations from The Watcher, perhaps he genuinely wanted to enlighten people in the true sense.

Looking at the old man, I felt like he might have struggled and worked hard just like me.

A sense of kinship, perhaps.

Initially I was somewhat displeased, but now I felt a certain fondness.

Oh, I’ve been dragging this on with unnecessary talk.

I cleared my throat to bring the conversation back on track.

“Now, about the main topic.”

The old man’s eyes turned kind, as if inviting me to ask anything.

“I came to ask about The Watcher.”

“Oh! So Lord Tanthyn finally wants to learn deeply about The Watcher?”

“No, I’m not asking to join your religion.”

I gently pressed down on the old man’s shoulders to calm his excitement and sat back down.

“Old man, please don’t go around talking about this freely.”

“I swear by The Watcher, I promise.”

If he’s invoking The Watcher, it should be fine, right?

After signaling him to lend me his ear, I whispered:

“We’ve actually gathered enough forces to defeat the Giant of the Snow Mountain.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. We just need to prepare more thoroughly and eliminate any variables.”

As if finally understanding what I meant, the old man pursed his lips and nodded.

“So you’ve come to me to properly understand who The Watcher is?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Then there’s no need to investigate. The Watcher has always been favorable toward Lord Tanthyn.”

But his answer was more deflating than I expected.

The Watcher being favorable toward me?

Well, I suppose that’s why he specifically called for me during the heretic purge.

“Still, I’d like to experience it myself. I’m the type who needs to face things directly to understand.”

“I see. I think it’s good for Lord Tanthyn to experience it directly. No, The Watcher might even prefer it!”

I scratched my head at the old man’s almost certain exclamation.

Why are these Outer God-related entities so favorable toward me from the start?

“If Lord Tanthyn wishes to go himself, I’ll provide a map to the building where I used to live. You can trace The Watcher’s presence there.”

“Ah, thank you! I’ll make good use of it.”

Hmm.

So I’ll need to take the train again.

Who should I bring along?

…The Huntsman would be good for this kind of thing.

Would it be okay with just the two of us?

It’s scary.

“Thank you for today, old man. I’ll visit again.”

“Come anytime, Lord Tanthyn. I’ll prepare bread and jam whenever you visit.”

“Haha, thank you.”

As I left immediately, I didn’t hear what the old man muttered:

“The time spent dining with you is always enjoyable.”

#

Looking at the map the old man gave me, it wasn’t a place I could visit in just one day.

It was at least a four-hour train journey away.

Wait, isn’t this the heart of the empire?

Old man, you were more impressive than I thought!

Anyway.

Let’s return to the branch first.

For the final battle, I need to manage my condition well, even for just one day.

Eliminate accumulated fatigue as much as possible and maximize recovery.

That’s the first principle of becoming stronger.

“Tanthyn.”

“Branch Chief.”

Oh?

I thought the Branch Chief was supposed to be dispatched elsewhere today.

He’s back already.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“It’s nothing compared to your efforts.”

The Branch Chief accepted my salute with a pleased smile.

Hmm?

I notice he’s wearing a purple hat.

Did he buy it during his dispatch?

The Branch Chief has his cute sides too.

“Where did you go today?”

“You know that cult old man from before?”

“Ah, him.”

“I went to ask him something.”

“Hmm, I see.”

The Branch Chief seemed curious about many things, but seeing my tired expression, he didn’t say more.

He was so considerate at times like this.

“Oh, right. Tanthyn. Did anyone visit the branch today?”

“Who do you mean? No one came while I was here.”

“That can’t be right. Someone said they would definitely visit today.”

Hmm.

This is troublesome.

If the Branch Chief is saying this, it must be someone important.

Can’t be helped.

I’ll have to go find them myself.

I took out a notepad from my pocket and prepared to write.

“Could you tell me their name? I’ll go find them myself.”

“Yes, good. Listen carefully and write it down.”

I completely cleared my mind and focused on the Branch Chief’s words.

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Zumiya, Rane.”

“Zumiya, is that right? …Oh.”

After mindlessly repeating what the Branch Chief said, I suddenly felt a chill.

Zumiya.

That’s a name I’ve heard many times before.

When I realized this and looked at the Branch Chief, my brain seemed to freeze and I felt dazed.

“Hmm, yes, that’s right, Tanthyn.”

Yellow eyes.

Purple hair.

And horns protruding from the head.

“That is my name.”

The Dragonslayer was standing right in front of me.

“So you did know but didn’t call me, my husband.”

“Ah, no… this is…”

“I’m sorry, my husband. It seems humans cannot hear words they’re not supposed to hear, even in this way.”

Ah.

No.

This can’t be.

“Yes, my naughty husband. Since you called my name, you must rightfully come to my domain, just as you did for that weed.”

“Ah, no. This doesn’t count…”

“Husband.”

As I backed away trying to escape from The Dragonslayer, I was embraced by her.

It felt more binding than handcuffs.

“Don’t resist, just relax your body.”

“…AAAHHH!”

And so, Raedan Tanthyn.

Disappeared from that spot.