Ch.91Report on the Downfall of Kindness (1)

# “What is a hero?”

“Someone who does what ordinary people cannot, earning everyone’s respect and love.”

“Then is the Emperor a hero too? Ordinary people can’t become Emperor, and the Emperor receives respect and love from everyone.”

“No. An Emperor cannot be a hero.”

“Why not?”

“Because they also receive hatred and resentment.”

– A conversation between Emperor Joannes II and the young crown prince

* * * * *

An unnamed village at the edge of the Black Forest.

Even without a name, people live cheerfully and pleasantly.

Today is especially bustling as it’s market day, held once every ten days, with people gathering from five surrounding villages.

Though called market day, its main purpose is for country folk to gather, dance, eat and drink together.

With abundant food and drink everywhere, people are divided between those already drunk and those about to be.

It’s a shame the people from Berta Village haven’t come, but isn’t that how local festivals go? You enjoy them whether everyone shows up or not.

But a festive atmosphere shouldn’t turn into chaos.

Count Bördem’s guards exchange light jokes and even have a drink or two while maintaining order.

They break up fights, easily lift and toss rowdy drunks outside the market, and kindly help find parents of lost children.

All the while, they keep their eyes on the “outsiders.”

Even though people come from five villages, country folk generally look similar in dress and appearance. Outsiders with different faces, clothes, accents, and even smells stand out too obviously.

Especially when that “outsider” is carrying Imperial marks and shopping.

In the countryside, there aren’t many places to spend money, so even at markets, most transactions are barter. Occasionally, small coins might be added when prices don’t quite match up or to sweeten a deal.

So it’s natural that a young newlywed couple handling Imperial marks and a squawking woman attract attention from the gathered crowd.

But when the outpost captain with a pheasant feather in his helmet stops the newlywed couple, it’s not just to warn them about standing out too much.

“Look, the rule applies to both of you even if you’re on horseback. If I disobey Count Bördem’s orders and something goes wrong, it’s my head that rolls. Even if you’re armed, the same applies.”

The outpost captain pointed at the Imperial sword on Kain’s waist.

“You clearly don’t have a swordsman’s hands, so just listen nicely.”

Kain looked down at his hands. Large, thick hands with calluses here and there. A copper ring on his left ring finger indicating he was married.

Everything about him looked like a commoner. He didn’t look like someone who’d been “sword-fed”—a fighter with sword scars on his hands.

“When I got married, I was told my hands were large, but never that they were delicate.”

“Honey. You were also told they were warm and comforting… weren’t you?”

Liliana quietly added. She also wore a copper ring on her ring finger.

“I understand your concern, Captain, but isn’t there some way we could…?”

If Kain hadn’t subtly nudged her with his elbow to stop her, Liliana would have spoken in her usual stiff manner. Fortunately, the outpost captain didn’t seem to notice.

“I’m not usually one to repeat myself, but since you’re newly married, I’ll tell you again.

You two seem to be taking the Black Forest too lightly. This isn’t just some mountain behind a village or a slightly larger forest.

You don’t know what’s in there. A month ago, five people on horseback insisted on passing through just like you. Do you know what happened?”

“How would we know?”

“The horses were nowhere to be found, and the five people were lying in the middle of the road with broken necks.

After that, the Count strengthened his policy. ‘Minimum 15 people. No exceptions whether on horseback or on foot, armed or unarmed.'”

Kain widened his eyes like a country bumpkin.

“Are there that many bandits in the forest?”

“Do you really know nothing about the Black Forest?”

“Only that it’s extremely vast and ancient.”

“Then you should listen to someone who knows better.”

Kain scratched his head awkwardly while Liliana fidgeted uncomfortably.

The outpost captain couldn’t help but be distracted by the sight of this pretty, charming young woman—half a span taller than her husband—looking so flustered.

Of course, he quickly came to his senses. Not because of the Prophet of Life and Death’s saying that “one must not covet another man’s wife,” but because he feared his own wife’s glare from across the market. To avoid hearing “So you were gawking again today?” he had to be careful.

“Anyway. Either wait here until you have 15 people to travel with, or turn back. At least there’s one person over there. Just 12 more to go.”

“That one person” was currently arguing over prices in the market.

“Come on, it’s not even expensive leather, just a cheap pigskin coin purse—why is it so expensive?!”

“Then make one yourself!”

“Give me the materials and I will! How slow are your hands anyway? The stitching is all coming apart! The leather costs more than this! It’s torn, torn!”

Maria and the merchant were bickering in front of his stall. The outpost captain burst into laughter.

“She’s clearly from the city.”

“Really? How can you tell?”

At Kain’s question, the outpost captain kept snickering.

“That’s how city people are. They just want to haggle as soon as they see something. If they want such cheap, good products, they should buy them in the city… Aish. And she shouldn’t be doing that. I should warn her.”

Kain nodded at the captain’s observation.

“She does seem to be haggling too much.”

“That’s part of it.”

“What else is there?”

“She’s an outsider. Like you two.”

The outpost captain gestured with his chin toward Kain and Liliana, disguised as a newlywed couple, and Maria.

“Even though people from five villages gather at this market, in the end, it’s the same people. Not many new faces coming or going. It’s all very familiar.

But when an outsider like that raises her voice? That won’t do. Country folk don’t look kindly on outsiders.

Frankly speaking, how can anyone tell if she’s just a stylish woman from the city or a criminal hiding in the Black Forest, a bandit-in-waiting?”

Feeling he might have been a bit harsh, the outpost captain cleared his throat.

“And her destination is the same as yours. ‘Berta Village.’ The place protected by Roberta the Kindness, one of the Seven Heroes. In many ways, luck isn’t on your side.”

This was a troublesome situation.

The Black Forest. A massive, dense forest stretching from the western Empire through the central region to the south. Named for its perpetual darkness, as the trees are so thick that sunlight barely penetrates.

As dark as its shadows are the many names attached to it: Fugitive’s Hideout, Rebel’s Sanctuary, Deserter’s Barracks, Sanctuary of Witches and Wizards…

But its most famous nickname is “The Forest Where Kings Bloom.”

Before the Empire emerged, there were many kingdoms. These kingdoms fought each other, and naturally, there were more losers than winners.

The Black Forest was where most fallen royalty hid. And most of them ended up hanging themselves from trees.

The nickname “Forest Where Kings Bloom” comes from the fact that there were as many kings who hanged themselves as there were fruits on the trees.

Of course, some succeeded. Even the founder of the Empire received a revelation from the Two-headed Eagle in this Black Forest, built up his forces, and emerged triumphantly.

But even with the Empire’s power, the Black Forest remained too vast, extensive, and sinister to control.

Eventually, the Empire abandoned the forest, which is why if you venture just a little deeper, you can easily find the foundation stones of old fortresses, walls, hideouts, and towers. Enough to serve as bases for sizeable bandit groups.

And that’s not all. The beasts here are nasty too. Having had little contact with humans, they approach out of curiosity rather than fear.

Even rabbits approach with curious stares—imagine what wolves, wild dogs, or leopards might do.

That’s why moving in “groups” is common sense here.

Kain, an Imperial Security Bureau agent, knew this well and deliberately arrived at this nameless village to coincide with the ten-day market.

After the market closed, he planned to blend in with the returning villagers to reach “Berta Village,” where “Roberta the Kindness” resided.

But today, of all days, the people of Berta Village didn’t show up at the market.

“Actually, even for the ten-day market, not all villages always come. When there’s a big event or disaster, they can’t help it. Or if roads are cut off or dangerous creatures are roaming about. But Berta Village is a bit…”

“Did something happen?”

At Kain’s question, the outpost captain scratched his chin.

“Berta Village is located in the deepest part of this area. Ten years ago, before Roberta the Kindness arrived, oh my, it wasn’t a place for people to live. It was practically a village of thieves. Really.

Roberta personally eradicated the surrounding bandits, taught them how to live like proper people, and truly created a ‘village’ where people could live by working diligently.

Since then, Berta Village has always brought quality leather, meat, and valuables. Things like magnificent stag antlers that even nobles would appreciate.

But three or four months ago, the villagers didn’t look well. When I asked ‘What’s wrong?’ they said they were worried because Roberta the Kindness wasn’t feeling well.

So the people here at the market prepared all sorts of things for her. Roberta the Kindness is truly ‘kind.’ But after that, fewer and fewer people from Berta Village came, and today they didn’t show up at all.”

“Oh dear.”

Though he expressed sympathy, Kain quickly calculated. Three or four months ago would coincide with when Arius was attacked. After that, Roberta would have also received a letter from “William.”

Add to that the villagers cutting off contact with the outside… it couldn’t be a coincidence.

“This is troublesome. My brother-in-law will be waiting for us.”

At Kain’s signal, Liliana played along. She even made her eyes slightly teary as she clutched Kain’s shoulder.

“We’ve come all this way. Surely I can see my brother?”

The outpost captain, feeling his wife’s angry bear-like glare from behind the counter, sighed deeply. “Those were the days. I had that time too.” Consoling himself that someday this young couple would end up like him, he cleared his throat.

“Ahem. You said you have relatives living in Berta Village?”

“Yes. He received God’s calling and became a monk. He’s currently being guided by an elderly monk who lives in seclusion near Berta Village. My wife’s wish was to see her brother, so we came here, but it would be truly disappointing to turn back after coming this far. Is there really no way?”

“You must mean old Brother Henry. A good man.” The outpost captain nodded. “Actually, there is a way.”

“There is?”

At Kain’s desperate question, the outpost captain looked him and Liliana up and down.

“If you’re willing to spend some money, it’s possible.”

“Money?”

“The rule is 15 people or more. If you’re desperate, we could escort you to Berta Village as part of our patrol. With that loud-voiced woman over there, you’d only need to ‘hire’ 12 of our guards. One-way is possible, but if you calculate the round-trip cost in advance, I can give you a discount. What do you say?”

Kain was too surprised by the proposal to respond immediately.

“Think about it. If not today, who knows when you’ll be able to get in there. And are you going to miss this chance to see your brother-in-law with an escort from Count Bördem’s excellent guards? Seems like a good opportunity to impress your lovely wife too.”

Liliana, making a firm decision, gripped Kain’s arm tightly.

“Honey. Since we’ve come this far, let’s spend a bit more. If we have to, we could even sell these copper rings…”

“Wait. Just a moment.” Kain hurriedly waved his hands. “Let me ask that person over there. I’m not sure if she’ll come with us. Please wait a moment.”

Kain quickly walked toward Maria. She was still in the middle of a heated argument.

“Um. Excuse me.”

“What!” Maria turned her head sharply and glared at Kain.

“I heard you’re going to Berta Village. Actually, the outpost captain made a suggestion…”

After hearing the situation, Maria looked dumbfounded. But before she could complain, Kain quickly drew the line.

“It seems like without this method, it will be difficult to enter the village today, or even within ten days. And… if you come with us, you can save at least two people’s worth of money. Let’s go together.”

“Are you crazy? Are you in your right mind?”

Maria gaped at Kain. Kain wanted to ask if she was overacting, but instead turned his attention to the merchant.

“I’ll buy this leather purse instead. How about that?”

“My goodness, look at this woman’s attitude! How loud her voice is—even the outpost captain over there can hear her shouting! In my 20 years of business, I’ve never been so humiliated, never!”

“If you’ve been making leather purses for 20 years and this is all you can make? I’ve never seen anything like it!”

Kain, his ears red with embarrassment, quickly paid. But Maria didn’t move.

“I bought it for you.”

“You only bought one.” Maria shook the purse in her hand. Kain looked at her dejectedly.

“Then how many more…”

“Buy four more.”

As Kain was at a loss for words, the merchant made a polite offer.

“Well. If that’s the case, I’ll give them to you at half price each. It’s a bargain. You’re getting four for the price of two.”

“It’s five for the price of three, including this one.”

“Either way, it’s not the price of one, is it?”

Maria happily accepted five leather purses. She began rubbing them against each other vigorously. As they returned to the outpost captain, Kain and Maria whispered to each other.

“Why did you buy the leather purses?”

“They’ll be useful. Just watch. What did you find out?”

“That there’s definitely a problem in Berta Village and that the Count’s guard discipline is a mess. Or the Count has firmly decided to embezzle money.”

“Not a good sign. Let’s keep pretending we don’t know each other. Hello! Wow, you’re tall! Your chest and hips are even bigger!”

At Maria’s startling greeting, Liliana turned bright red and stamped her feet.

Two hours later, as soon as the market ended, Maria, Kain, Liliana, and 12 of Count Bördem’s guards set off for Berta Village.