Ch.93Report on the Downfall of Kindness (3)

Brother Henry collected himself after his initial shock. He stood firmly in front of the villagers and Kain’s group, making a resolute declaration.

“These people are not guests of the village. They’re visitors from a parish in the big city, and they’re my guests. They won’t be staying long, and the villagers won’t be troubled by them.”

But the woodcutter remained unmoved.

“What a disappointing thing to say. Your guests are our village’s guests, Brother Henry, since you’re part of our family! It’s been so hot lately that everyone’s been resting, but having so many outside visitors brings life to our village. Besides, they’ll have to stay in the village tonight anyway, won’t they?”

“I have spare rooms in my cabin.”

The woodcutter seemed to back down a bit at the monk’s stubborn insistence.

“Well, fine. But at least join us for dinner with the villagers! There’s a certain rural charm that people from the big cities don’t know about.”

Brother Henry tried to say something again, but Kain stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you for the invitation. But we came here in a hurry and don’t have anything to offer in return.”

“Oh, nonsense! Paying for lodging makes you a customer, not a ‘guest.’ Don’t be shy, come along. Down there, to the longest log building in the village. It’s so elongated you can’t miss it. I’ll make preparations accordingly!”

“No, I… I…”

The woodcutter turned around abruptly, as if he hadn’t heard the monk at all. Brother Henry ushered the three people into his cabin, like a shepherd herding sheep into a pen away from wolves.

* * * * *

The old monk’s log cabin was immaculately clean. The wooden floor had been coated with straw and scrubbed thoroughly until it shone, and there wasn’t a speck of dust on the windowsill.

The furniture was limited to only what was absolutely necessary for living. There weren’t even chairs for guests, so Maria and Liliana sat on the bed while Kain had to stand against the wall.

The old monk put dried herb leaves into a kettle of boiling water. Judging by the aroma, it seemed to be rosemary and some kind of cranberry. The tart and refreshing taste and scent made their mouths water.

“This tea is good for calming your nerves after a shock. You must have been quite startled, yes?”

Brother Henry finally wiped the sweat from his forehead. Maria took a sip and responded.

“It would be a lie to say otherwise. So let me introduce myself again. I’m Sister Maria from the Magdeburg parish. These two are my companions.”

“Are they also from the parish?”

“No, they’re just a farming couple. Our paths happened to cross by chance. They’re on their way to visit relatives in the central region of the Empire, while I plan to go through the Black Forest and head north.

That woman may be tall, but she’s quicker than a fox, and that man may look like that, but he’s a good person, so you needn’t worry.”

“That’s right. My darling is the kindest person in the world.”

The old monk gave a warm smile to the happy Liliana. Kain turned his gaze toward the window. Fortunately, there was no sign of anyone approaching. Maria continued speaking.

“Anyway, the Magdeburg parish is collecting news about formerly renowned monks from the parish. It seems the elderly brothers are quite curious about the whereabouts of their former colleagues. So I’ve been entrusted with this important mission…”

Maria spun a convincing tale.

Kain silently observed the poor old monk falling for Maria’s deception. In fact, Kain and Liliana already knew about Brother Henry. Maria had told them about him before they arrived here.

Henry had been a renowned monk in Magdeburg, respected for his outstanding virtue. He was particularly close with the fastidious Judge Malachia.

But Brother Henry left the city about 20 years ago. His reputation and virtue had outpaced his actions. When he reached the point where he received praise just for breathing, the monk decided something was wrong and left Magdeburg without regret.

Of course, the parish was reluctant to let him go, so Brother Henry gave a plausible excuse.

‘I want to go to the Black Forest to study the Life Tree Order.’

Since the Black Forest was the birthplace and sacred ground of the Life Tree Order, he declared he would go there to study it himself.

Even now, people of the Empire don’t view the Black Forest favorably, but when Brother Henry set foot there, it was considered so dangerous that people would shake their heads, saying it was no place for humans. Many believed Brother Henry’s head would be displayed in the marketplace the next day.

But the kind-hearted monk who grew up in the city unexpectedly got along well with the mountain bandits. Perhaps there’s something that connects the beasts of the cave with the angels of heaven.

Brother Henry wandered here and there in the Black Forest.

The place where he finally settled was here, Berta Village in Bördem County. It was at the request of Roberta, the Hero of Kindness, who admired Brother Henry’s great virtue.

“I want to transform the Black Forest into a place where people can live comfortably. I can scold people to keep them from going down the wrong path, but I cannot show them the right path. Please guide us with your great virtue.”

Until a few years ago, reports indicated that the purification of the Black Forest was progressing well. That’s why Kain, Liliana, and Maria weren’t too worried about Berta Village.

Their only concern was whether the Hero of Kindness would provide proper answers to their questions, not this suspicious situation they hadn’t heard about.

While Kain recalled what he’d heard about Brother Henry, Maria continued to press the monk from various angles.

In the end, her message was: ‘So please tell me what’s happening here. Then I can provide whatever support the parish can offer.’

“I am satisfied with my life here. So there’s nothing you need to do for me.”

Henry’s answer was disappointing. Kain noticed his fingertips trembling.

Maria wondered why the monk was reacting this way, but like a skilled investigator, she changed the subject.

“By the way, have you seen any Holy Grail Knights? I understand they’ve established a position somewhere around here.”

Kain guessed Maria’s intention. Since the monk was reluctant to speak, she planned to find and question the Holy Grail Knights instead.

Weren’t the Holy Grail Knights and White Blood Knights assigned to protect the heroes who had not yet been attacked?

But there was no sign of Holy Grail Knight tents or flags here. The White Blood Knights might be disguised and stationed somewhere, but it was hard to guess where they might be hiding in a village where outsiders were so easily identified.

The monk’s reaction was even more dramatic. He jerked backward like a startled cat.

“W-who did you say?”

“The Holy Grail Knights.”

“How did you…” Henry took a deep breath. “Well, let me tell you. The Holy Grail Knights were here. They set up camp under a large tree at the edge of the village, but one night the tree was uprooted and fell…”

“…Good heavens.”

“Half of them were crushed to death on the spot, and the rest were evacuated.”

Brother Henry shuddered. Kain abruptly asked a question.

“Were there any other visitors? That villager earlier mentioned that the place is bustling with outsiders.”

“Well… about ten men and women with extremely rough appearances did come, but they disappeared after just two or three days. I have no idea where they went.”

Ten rough-looking men and women could possibly be White Blood Knights. But it was certain they weren’t in the village. Perhaps they were camping somewhere in the forest.

If so, it would be better not to expect support from them.

“What about Roberta of Kindness?”

Henry glared at Kain for a moment, as if he had spoken some unspeakable taboo, but then let out a stormy sigh.

“…She is doing well in the village. After all, Berta Village is her creation.”

“I heard she wasn’t feeling well,” Liliana asked this time. “The checkpoint officer we met before coming here…”

“People have good days and bad days, don’t they? That’s just how it is.”

The monk dismissed it casually.

But just as he was about to continue speaking, the sunlight disappeared. Though it was just momentarily blocked by dark clouds, the window outside suddenly darkened.

“Shh!”

The monk jumped up and took flint from a drawer. He struck it against the lantern on top of the drawer—tap, tap—and the lantern lit up. The monk hurriedly placed the lantern in the middle of the floor.

Only after the light spread throughout the room did the monk finally relax.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sensitive to darkness.”

“I suppose that’s understandable after living in a dark forest for so long.”

Maria tried to brush it off despite her confusion, but the monk’s eyes were filled with fear.

“No. That’s not it. In the darkness, there are hands and ears and tongues. Unwelcome guests might be hiding under the bed or already inside the closet. Beware of the darkness where you never know what might emerge. So please, leave this dark forest and go to a bright…”

Kain, who had been watching outside the window, concealed himself further. He waved his arms vigorously. Someone was coming.

“Are you in there?”

As if by magic, the clouds cleared. The monk quickly extinguished the lantern and placed it back on top of the drawer. Only after sitting back in his chair as if nothing had happened did he call out:

“It’s open, come in!”

Two men with plump, reddish faces stood there. They were dressed in white cotton that looked newly made, creating a good contrast with their skin roughened by hard outdoor work. One was short and plump, while the other was tall and skinny.

The plump man spoke first.

“Greetings. We heard guests arrived today. Our village’s pride and leader, Roberta, would like to meet the three of you.”

“The Empire’s hero, in person?”

“That’s right!” the skinny man answered.

“She’s not called the Hero of Kindness for nothing. She always says, ‘How can a hero not live up to their name?’ So please, don’t decline our invitation.”

“What an honor. But for people like us to impose on someone like her…”

The plump man smiled good-naturedly at Maria’s modest response.

“Oh no, not at all. In return, we’d just like you to tell us about what’s happening in the outside world.”

“News from the outside world is what we crave most in a place like this.”

The skinny man chimed in. But Kain noticed that while his face was turned toward Maria, his eyes were fixed on Brother Henry.

“Then I accept with pleasure.”

“Please come with us. Let’s go share this joyous occasion together.”

The two men rubbed their hands together. Liliana and Maria rose from the bed. The plump man looked up at Liliana with surprised eyes.

“Wow. You’re tall. Are all outsiders like that?”

“I’m a bit unusual. Darling, let’s go together.”

Liliana reached out to Kain. Disappointment briefly flashed across the plump man’s face when he realized she was married. As Liliana took Kain’s arm, his sleeve rolled up.

“You have a bruise. Doesn’t it hurt? How did you get it?”

The skinny man pointed to Kain’s arm. It was from a fistfight with some thugs before entering the village.

“Ah. I slipped. I had a bit too much to drink.”

“I see…” The skinny man looked at Kain’s bruise with interest. “I’ll give you some ointment. Shall we go now?”

Kain nodded politely. At the same time, he didn’t miss the skinny man whispering to the plump one, mouthing the words, “One of them is damaged.”