episode_0053

Our goal is to ride on the carriage of a man named Jeron for now.

However, our plans were disrupted by soldiers from Brigal.

Even so, it’s not necessary to change all the plans.

“Is that really true?”

The carriage driver in front of us asked.

“Why would we lie about this? It’s not even a day’s walk to that village.”

I pointed with my thumb towards the path we had taken.

“…Excuse me, guests.”

Jeron, the carriage driver we encountered on the road, turned his head towards the carriage and spoke.

“You might have heard, but dozens of bandits have appeared in the border village ahead. It seems like you should go to the nearest town instead. Is that alright?”

“Are there really that many bandits appearing in that village?”

Someone inside the carriage said as they got off.

It was a man with a sleek appearance dressed in fine armor.

The sword hanging at his waist looked fairly decent.

No, more than that person…

“We are on our way to the Labyrinth City beyond the border, but turning back doesn’t sit well with us… huh?”

The man widened his eyes, perhaps recognizing me.

“Rashwood? What are you doing here? Were you able to come out of that city?”

“Do you think I’m cursed or something? Are you finally returning? Is ‘Swift Wind’ all safe?”

“Yes. No one was injured during the expedition.”

‘Swift Wind’ is a mithril-ranked adventurer team from the Labyrinth City. The man in front of me is their leader, Ponce, who excels in speed-focused swordsmanship.

About three months ago, they went on an expedition outside the city and captured a significant number of criminals.

Not all adventurers work solely within the Labyrinth.

Due to their reputation, some top adventurers receive commissions as mercenaries from outside sources.

“Did you make good money?”

“I did earn quite a bit, but expenses were high too. Well, I made enough. Not entirely satisfied, though.”

“At least you returned without any injuries. Did you hear what I said earlier? Bandits have come to that village near the border.”

“Hmm… You mentioned twenty, right? That should be…”

“Oh, by the way, soldiers from another country have infiltrated disguised.”

“What?”

“It means things will get really troublesome if they get involved.”

“Oh…”

Ponce probably intended to suggest joining forces with his team and me to subdue the Brigal soldiers. It might be challenging with just Spect and me, but with a team properly equipped with various roles, the story could be different.

Perhaps, with Swift Wind’s help, it wouldn’t be difficult to defeat Brigal soldiers. But then those guys would also get involved in political matters.

“Well, it’s complicated. I have a promise in the Labyrinth City…”

“With whom did you make a promise?”

“With Gelly from the Red Lake. We agreed that after we went there for a while and returned, we would share information. If it’s a good commission, we decided to give it to Red Lake next time.”

“Oh… that thing…”

“What happened?”

Sensing my lukewarm response, Ponce cautiously asked.

“The Red Lake… has disbanded.”

“Disbanded?! How on earth did that happen?!”

“They ran into a really tough guy deep down. Gelly was lucky to survive, but the team was wiped out. Probably, Gelly will retire too.”

“Such… the Red Lake being wiped out… I always thought they were invincible…”

“In life, you never know what’s coming. Anyway, be careful, all of you.”

“Yes…”

“So, what will you do? Will you turn back even if it takes some time?”

“I’ll discuss with my comrades for a moment.”

“Sure.”

Ponce went back into the carriage.

After a brief commotion inside, he came back out.

“We decided to turn back as Mr. Rashwood suggested… By any chance, are you planning to ride this carriage, Mr. Rashwood?”

“Well, I was planning to, but…”

“Mr. Jelon.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter to me. So, you’ll be riding from a different village, right?”

Jelon, the coachman, asked me.

“If that’s possible, it would be best.”

“Thanks to the story about the bandits, I feel safer now, so I consider it a favor. Still, my horses need a day off. Is that alright with you?”

“It’s fine.”

After all, we had decided to wait for this carriage for another day or two.

“By the way, the story about the bandits must be true, right? Well, judging by how those gentlemen trust you, it must be.”

“It’s true. If I lied about this, I’d be the only one at a loss.”

“That’s true. However, having carried various people, I’ve seen all kinds… Anyway, if it’s true, that settles it. Anyway, we plan to head to the nearby Reza Village. Do you know where it is?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’d like to take you all there if I could, but my horses are too tired for that. Instead, I’ll guide you. Do you see those two tall mountains in the distance?”

Jelon pointed with his finger to a far-off place.

“If you go straight between those two places, you’ll reach a village called Reza. I’ll go ahead and wait for you there for a day. Will that work for you?”

“That should be fine. It’s not too far anyway.”

“Then that’s settled. I’ll head out first. Oh, and there are two inns there; I plan to stay at the Potato Inn, so come there tomorrow morning.”

“Got it.”

“…”

Jelon looked at me quizzically.

“…Why?”

“As I mentioned before, I’ve seen quite a few people. But someone like you, that’s a first.”

“There aren’t many people like me.”

“Haha! You speak so boldly. Your manner of speaking is truly that of an arrogant young man, why do I feel like I’ve become a kid again?”

Oh… Quite perceptive.

“Well, considering you’re traveling with a Dark Elf hybrid youngster, there must be a story behind it. Anyway, I’ll go and wait, so make sure you come safely.”

“We’ll go with you then,” Fonze said.

“Oh, okay. Go carefully… Oh. By the way.”

“Yes?”

“What was that incident you were involved in? I heard about it quite late after leaving the city.”

“Oh… It’s quite far away. I went all the way to Brigal.”

“…Oh, really? What happened there?”

“Well… It’s a bit complicated to explain… They asked me to keep it a secret over there.”

“Let’s make a deal. I’m also heading to Brigal.”

“Really? Oh, by any chance, were you also called by those people?”

“Not really, but something strange happened.”

“Hmm… I owe Rashwood a lot, so I’ll tell you, but please don’t tell anyone else?”

“Of course.”

“Well, actually… it was a demon extermination.”

“A demon?”

“Yes. It came out at the Dokart Mine, where all the mithril in Brigal comes from.”

“Oh… a mithril mine? But demons appeared there?”

“They did. In large numbers.”

“…What is the military doing there?”

If it’s a mithril mine, it can be seen as one of the pillars supporting the country.

Even if a war breaks out to secure that mine, it wouldn’t be surprising.

But hiring adventurers from the Labyrinth City to deal with demons appearing in such a crucial place?

Certainly, it’s not an ordinary occurrence.

“It’s a bit strange, but demons keep coming endlessly. They keep appearing no matter how many you kill, just like monsters in dungeons.”

“Ah, so that’s why the adventurers?”

“At first, it seemed like they mistook it for a monster and called the adventurer, but it’s definitely not a monster. Even if you kill it, the body remains intact. However, no matter how many you kill to the point of piling up a mountain with corpses, it never ends. It’s truly sickening to the core. Although they received a lot of money, the suffering was equally immense, so it doesn’t seem like such a lucrative business after all. Mr. Lashiwood, if an assignment related to the mine comes from Brighal, think carefully.”

“…I see.”

A demon… perhaps.

Maybe they specifically requested Swift Wind to finish the job as quickly as possible.

Jerone and Swift Wind left first, and we headed towards a place called Reza Village.

“Mr. Lashiwood. If that story about the demon earlier is true…”

Spectre said.

“Well… Steria is like that too, and if it were Evoni, she would have a grudge against demons. But it’s premature to jump to conclusions based on that alone.”

Of course, it’s not impossible that Steria was summoned to subdue demons.

But if that were the case, it would be strange for Loreldia to grant Steria the title of a marquess.

Marquesses are titles reserved for royalty, which would imply that Loreldia recognizes Steria as part of their royal family.

Unless Brighal, and King Slone of Brighal, offer something substantial to Loreldia to justify all this…

“…”

Suspicious.

It’s suspicious to the point of being overly suspicious.

With just a little, really just a tiny bit more information, it feels like all the pieces of the puzzle would fall into place…

“…Sir.”

Kona, who had been quiet on the way to Reza Village, spoke.

“Why?”

Spectre replied.

“No, not you, sir. Over there, sir.”

“Oh…”

“Me? Why?”

I asked.

“Are you also going to Brighal?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to meet that person named Steria in Brighal?”

“Yes.”

“Is Steria also friends with you?”

“But why are you suddenly asking that?”

“I… I don’t know. Oneroi might still be waiting for me… Jeremy forgot about me after three years…”

“He’s also an Evoni. He’s a comrade. You can’t just stand by when a comrade is in trouble.”

“Is he really having a hard time?”

“What?”

“He might not be having a hard time. Maybe he’s fine now or…”

“…That’s unlikely.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“Really really?”

“That’s right.”

I lightly tapped Kona on the forehead.

“Ow!”

“You should think about what you’ll say when you meet your sister. What will you say?”

“…”

Kona seems to have serious issues.

Now, the only trustworthy ally is Oneroi of Brighal.

If she can’t help her nephew due to her position as a royal procurator, what should this child do?

Just abandoning her feels uncomfortable.

Lost in various thoughts, the sky darkens as we arrive at Reza Village while walking.