episode_0055

I thought I had become good at hiking, but that wasn’t the case. When I think about it, Jules, who hiked with me, was always considerate of me.

As if to support my thoughts, Yusria and Nemstov were walking ahead of me. This is probably why they are walking slowly because of me.

To begin with, it makes no sense for a person who is not even an adult to climb a mountain without stairs. It’s not even the back mountain.

Climbing the mountain is very difficult, perhaps because it is not a flat road. I once again miss the sturdy wooden stairs on the mountain behind my neighborhood.

Just like when I first climbed a mountain with my father, I had to use all my hands and feet to climb the mountain. Moreover, now I don’t even have gloves, and they don’t care about me like Jules or my father do.

I swatted away the bugs that climbed up my hand and chased after them with my teeth clenched.

“Why does Seolrang take such a person with him? Plus, you’re young.”

“I don’t know. Still, I think I have grit.”

As I continued to run, I was somehow able to walk at a steady pace. I had to run as hard as I could to keep up with their fast walking pace.

I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I put a sip of the stimulant in my mouth. My throat burns and I can’t stand it.

At least my mouth is moist, so I have the strength to hold on. The mucous membrane may also absorb some of the drug’s effects. Instead of drinking it, spit it out after a while…

“Wow—?!”

My foot slipped and I fell down helplessly.

Thanks to this, I swallowed the stimulant that was in my mouth. When I looked behind me, there was a small ditch flowing. My shoes were slightly wet. It shouldn’t get wet inside…

Blood flows from my torn palm while touching the floor.

······Now, if you step on the ground with your palms when climbing a slope, it may really fester. I can’t let the wound fester when there are no antibiotics.

But you can’t stop.

I ran towards the two people who were standing at a distance and watching me fall. No matter how long it has been since you drank it, your body feels energized as if you were instantly rejuvenated.

It is a stimulant that burns with immediate effect as soon as you take it.

Is it a placebo effect? I gained strength and was able to quickly run towards the two. How long did he run like that?

“······It’s the smell of a goblin.”

Nemstov stopped.

“Where?”

“West. There are also trolls.”

Yusria drew her bow.

Nemstov drew out his large two-handed sword. What kind of shit are these people doing now?

“Wait! Please wait a moment!”

“What is it?”

Jules told you to say it verbally, right?!

That’s why I’m accompanying them, not to watch a massacre!

“I… I will say it in words.”

“Don’t say nonsense. Those trash bastards───.”

“It’s a person.”

Yusria did not even look this way, only Nemstov looked this way.

“Just because you can communicate doesn’t mean you can always persuade someone. I don’t think they’ll listen to you. The answer is to kill everyone.”

If I had that thought, I should have said it when Juul was around!

In the first place, I was just doing what Jules told me to do. Because they are not my guardians.

“I will try it.”

Nemstov looked at me intently.

You’ll feel like a bold kid who doesn’t know anything. But I might be older than you. Of course, I can only say this in my heart.

“Leave it alone. He said there is something he wants to try. Let them do it.”

I really appreciate Yusria’s cold indifference.

“Thank you. Can I just walk straight west?”

Nemstov nodded.

······Even though it was west, I lost my sense of direction as I was running for dear life.

“···Where is the west?”

“You don’t know how to look at the sun and determine its position?”

Yusria frowned and looked down at me.

Ah… I couldn’t think of it. It’s still around 8 a.m. so it’s quite possible.

“It’s over there. The smell is close, so it seems to be lurking, so don’t get too close.”

“Thank you.”

I ignored what he said and approached.

I could see the puzzlement on the two people’s faces, but they had no intention of explaining. It was downhill and I could hear the sound of water as if there was more in the ditch. And as there was water, the trees grew thicker. It is useful as a shield.

Even though it was downhill, there was a lot of tall grass—it was definitely the perfect terrain for concealment, so it was difficult to approach.

Should I use my hands? I carefully went down to the direction Nemstov had pointed. Then, he went down a certain slope and stopped in front of a place where goblins and trolls were likely to be.

good. Let’s begin!

“I came to you because I have something urgent to say!”

quiet. That’s right.

Because the word “everyone” does not specify anyone.

In addition, there was no way he would open his mouth to a human who was not of his own race or a demi-human living here, who suddenly found out where he was hiding and started talking to him.

If you approach them, they will feel like a threat.

I have no choice but to keep my distance and keep appealing until they give me an answer. There may be no answer. If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do about it, but that’s what happened then.

“Yunaira’s demi-humans may come to hunt you!”

I haven’t really made a loud noise, and I’m already thirsty from running.

“A group of goblins and trolls have joined the fight between Drekkar and Yunaira! If sparks fly, many goblins and trolls may die!”

─What does that mean?

It’s a thick and heavy voice.

I don’t know where I hear it. All I know is that I heard it from somewhere. Don’t try to figure it out. The other person does not want to be seen. The mere act of trying to understand creates hostility.

Just answering is halfway there.

First of all, I am willing to talk. I think this is the power of language. There is no need to raise your voice as long as the other person listens to you.

If it sounds overbearing, the other person will not listen to your story properly.

“Humans are attacking the demi-humans of the Yunaira Alliance, skinning them and cutting off their hands and feet. Some goblins and trolls joined the Drekkar there. Goblins and trolls are tentatively listed as targets for extermination.”

Although it is not accurate, the actions of Yusria and Nemstov support my prediction. The fact that he took out a weapon indicates that he had the intention to kill them.

Because it is difficult to distinguish.

People do that when they can.

“We also received that offer, but we declined it. It has nothing to do with us.”

I see you’ve received an offer!

In that case, it doesn’t matter if I don’t explain it lamely. Let’s take advantage of being a child.

“I think so too. But since I can’t communicate, I can’t prove my innocence to people.”

Honestly and naively.

···No answer comes back.

Did I say something wrong?

“You may not feel like it, but you have to think calmly. Because Yunaira’s Ajin cannot distinguish between you. Plus, the language itself is wrong. I am the only one here at UNAIRA who can speak your language, and by the same token, I am the only one who can help you as efficiently as possible.”

There is no way that there is no one other than me who can speak the language of goblins and trolls. In other words, the only one who can help them is me.

“You are human.”

Fortunately, no one came calling.

“···I am Yunaira’s slave.”

He showed off his slave bracelet.

Even though they couldn’t read the text, I thought it would be a symbolic sign.

I don’t even know where it is in the first place.

How will they accept it?

“We have always been persecuted by them. No matter how much I tried to explain the elf’s writing after learning it, in the end, they didn’t believe me. In that case, all I have to do is move to a deeper place to avoid you.”

no. then no.

A hosot’s sense of smell cannot be avoided even if it burrows into the ground. Of course, if you say something like this, he might get angry and go away.

Even now, that sense of smell is causing my perfect stomach to be revealed. Their help is essential to get things done easily.

I need a reason to convince you…

One keyword passed through my mind.

just in case. Zul said before that goblins also believe in Maal, so they must have also met Dragonia, who came to predict misfortune. If so, they would also be familiar with Dragonia.

If it were a matter of faith, there would be no threat that would be heard as well if it were a real world. Please do it!

“They use magic tools to commit crimes. Did you know that Dragonia will directly punish the opponent if he uses his magic tools or magic for conflict purposes?”

“···Dragonia?!”

His voice is slightly thinner than the one he uses to communicate with me.

It must be a goblin. It feels as if the bush is talking as it hides and makes noise.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you are guilty. However, it is best to eliminate the gossip in the first place.”

“Well, it’s a different tribe. Do you think Dragonia doesn’t have that much sense? If that were the case, the world would already be ruined.”

Wild demi-humans are not friendly with other tribes.

Or is it just this tribe?

“Not necessarily. If the details of all incidents are revealed by Dragonia, the Uniera Alliance may drive you to a deeper and more barren place.”

“They don’t understand or listen to what we say.”

That’s not the point.

“The focus should be on the discovery that southern goblins and trolls have joined the band of marauders, not on goblins in the central area or behind the Great Wall. They might judge you as a potential enemy rather than a wild child.”

The point is that we can be persecuted even more.

“Don’t call us wild people. And that doesn’t matter.”

Ah, you hate being called a wild child.

The most unpleasant words were said at the most important times.

When I think about it, the term ‘wild child’ has the same connotation as calling a black person a nigger or making fun of an Asian person by calling them a yellow monkey.

I was being racist without even knowing it.

“I can understand the feeling of remaining silent regardless of whether you are suspicious because you have not done anything wrong, but if you do not provide at least an explanation, Yunaira may think as she pleases. It may not be you, but someone definitely dies without knowing why! That shouldn’t work, right?! It’s the same life!”

please.

This is not only good for me, but it can also save others. After all, aren’t we all the same person?

“You didn’t do anything wrong, but that’s wrong, right? If it bothers you, do you need to explain? no. If you just appease the trolls and goblins who help the bandits, it won’t become such a big problem. No one except the few in charge of the case still knows that information.”

“Maybe not.”

“No! That’s right!”

This is as much as I can say.

I can’t think of any more ways to appease. A moment of silence passed. I did not urge him to speak first.

“···Send news to the chieftain. You guys go back first.”

done!

Sasasak! Rustle!

“──────?!!”

The ground rose.

Highly. Really high. Dust was scattered everywhere. You were burying yourself in the ground! Even though the slope is steep, he is taller than me when he stands up.

Skin ranging from greenish brown to dark brown, a long hooked nose, lower canines touching the upper lip, significantly more teeth than a human, and a majestic build and height that easily overwhelms a hosot.

The skin is similar to that of an elephant or rhino.

The hands are abnormally long and large compared to the body. He wears clothes made of leather, and has a long, anaconda-like snake skin belt tied around his waist.

Rather than being fat, it is a muscular pig with fat covering its angular body full of muscle. This is a troll! He glares at me─── no, glares at my back.

“Tell the elf who is aiming his bow over here that if he doesn’t get rid of it right away, I will kill him.”

I guess they were preparing for the worst case scenario.

I thought you wouldn’t care if I died, but maybe that’s not the case? Well, I’m Jules’ slave.

“Please lower your bow!!!”

The troll looked at me with a puzzled expression.

Ah, I have to explain first…

“Do they even know our language?”

“I am under Dragonia’s spell. My words can be heard in the other person’s language. Same goes for me.”

The troll flinched and his eyes widened.

“You received grace from Dragonia?!”

The troll gently extended his hand to me.

Even though there was a distance, his long hand was far enough to reach me.

“Is this what they mean? Are you coming to get us out of this hell?”

Coming to take it out…?

“I don’t know who he is, but my master told me to persuade you through conversation. For everyone.”

“Ah… I see.”

The outstretched hand moved away again.

Is this how a hamster looks at a human hand? I was so intimidated that I suddenly thought about running away. I think I understand why there are animals that die from stress when touched.

The troll let out a deep sigh.

“Okay, how can we help?”

“We need to know where the goblins and trolls who joined the humans are. If you just find them and appease them, everything will be over.”

“Are you planning to kill me?”

Did I become cautious?

“Only footprints were left and it was not revealed what he did. Taking footprints is not a crime, but we need to find out why they behave the way they do with humans. I don’t know much about punishment either.”

“···I know. Guide… Why is my physical condition like that?”

The big hooked nose, like a troll witch, is wriggling.

···.

me? Ah, my legs are shaking. I don’t think I was aware that the stimulants were causing the strain.

“Well, I couldn’t rest after running all the way here.”

“Hmm.”

The troll pulled out a small wooden barrel from his belt.

Well, from my perspective, it’s a wooden barrel the size of my body. He bit his finger and let the blood from his little finger flow into the wooden bucket.

At the same time, he put his finger in his mouth and shook the wooden barrel several times with one hand.

There is no way that wounds caused by teeth will heal just by sucking your finger.

What happens in a place like this?

······My finger is completely healed.

The troll glanced at me.

“Are you excited?”

“···How is it possible to get hurt──?”

Is saliva a hemostatic agent?

The troll held out a wooden barrel.

“Apply it to the wound.”

As the troll told him, he held out his hand and took some water from the wooden bucket and applied it to his hand.

“······?!”

My palm started to itch, and in an instant, the torn palm began to heal. I can’t believe it even though I see it with my own eyes and experience it with my own eyes.

New skin is sprouting!

It’s as if a high-speed camera is showing plants growing quickly.

“The elves say that they are the only ones blessed by the nameless Earth Mother Goddess, but this is the true Earth Mother Goddess’ blessing.”

Have you lost your mind to me?

So easy? Regretful. Why can we become friends so easily just by communicating?

“Yes. Just by looking at it, this is real.”

“Right?”

The corners of the troll’s mouth rise.

However, her eyes are looking upwards at me, which means that Yusria may still be aiming her bow. The wound on my palm was not healed and it became soft as if I had received skin care from a great dermatologist.

This is truly unbelievable power.

“Your breath smelled of kokurija and poppy. Why did you run here while taking drugs, stimulants, and even painkillers? I think my body is already at its limit.”

You don’t know that?

Kokurija? poppy? ···What on earth did I eat? I don’t know what kokurija is, but isn’t poppy an ingredient in opium?

···Claudia’s confidence was clearly that of a drug dealer. Well, thanks to you, things worked out well.

It was a coveted drug.

A medicine that makes new skin grow when applied? Why do we need modern medicine?

All you need is that medicine.

“Can I take some of that medicine?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

It is a stimulant that will turn into nothing after a few days anyway.

I feel sorry for Claudia, but I spilled the stimulant───.

“Give it to me instead.”

ah? This? I handed the gourd to the troll.

To me, it was a pretty big bottle, but in the troll’s hand, it was no more than a glass of soju. Of course, this is because the troll’s hands are abnormally large compared to other demi-humans.

Since I can’t even hold it in one hand, I pick it up with my thumb and index finger and start drinking the entire contents.

“It’s a drug, so you shouldn’t drink too much. No, I can’t?!!”

That is a lethal dose!!!

Shut up—!

The troll let out a burp.

“Huh…! It has to be like this to get it right.”

“No, no! It’s dangerous to drink it like that! You might die! Throw it up!”

The troll laughs. Looking at the smiling face reminded me of Jules for some reason, and I lost my nerve.

“Even Lint’s poison can’t kill me.”

I don’t know what they believe or what they do, but it doesn’t make sense that they are resistant to all poisons. Such a ridiculous creature cannot exist in this world.

He was the one who recognized the ingredients of the drug through its smell in the first place.

You probably know that well, so you can control it yourself and drink it. Still, it’s only 1L…

The drugged troll filled my little vial with his own medicine and gave it back to me. I took a sip of what I received, closed the lid, and tied it to my belt.

My shaky legs relax.

At the same time, a dizzying muscle pain arose. The stimulant was neutralized just by drinking it! Nonsense. It took less than 10 seconds for me to swallow it!

“Thank you.”

“Drink that for a long time, and this—!”

The troll poured medicinal water on me!

Shoot!

“Wow! Ugh! Up!”

The pouring water was so heavy that I fell into the dirt.

“Puhaa!!”

“If you do this, it will seep into your skin and the muscle pain will go away.”

The troll chuckled.

···Are you kidding me? Rather than ignoring their different culture, are you just making fun of them because they are outsiders? Am I right? is not it? Am I right?

Could it be that I’m the only one who thinks he’s helping me and is actually just playing a prank? I want to hit the solar plexus, but I can’t even reach the solar plexus.

I looked up at the troll, thinking about hitting my solar plexus.

His eyes were helpless. It was only natural that he drank a lethal dose of drugs without thinking.

“Haha! how is it? Can you feel the power of the nameless Earth Mother?”

What a crazy bastard. It was just a curse thrown internally.

It’s clear that he’s out of his mind from drugs right now. I couldn’t bear to curse at the person who was going to help me.

He may be drunk on evil, but for him, this would be a favor.

“···Thank you.”

My skin itched as if I had been touched by poison.

My clothes got wet and because it was so humid, they wouldn’t dry easily. Although I was worried that it might damage my skin, I was able to suppress those thoughts because I had the benefits I saw in my palm.

I rubbed the medicinal water that got into my eyes with my hand and wiped them away.

My eyes feel cool and clear, as if I had sprayed some good medicine on them. Normally, it is normal for it to sting due to osmotic pressure.

“Okay then. Let’s go now.”

Holding the troll’s outstretched hand, I stood up and walked up the slope where the two were waiting.