Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Prairie Wild Dog (2)
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A pitch-black night where even a single point of moonlight was precious.
I had fallen asleep among the sparsely scattered massive tree trunks.
Until just moments ago.
Rustle.
At the faint presence, I raised my upper body and stared into the pitch darkness.
"Who goes there?"
"Hah, I was wondering what gave you the confidence to stand watch without sleeping. Looks like you weren't asleep after all."
Beneath the faint light of the dying campfire, a middle-aged man revealed himself.
A handsome man with a soft impression mixed with playfulness.
A familiar face.
His name was Nederman, I think.
Of course, that didn't matter.
"Stop."
With that, I halted the steps of the guy trying to approach. He raised both hands to show he meant no harm, but I didn't buy it.
"Your allowed distance ends there."
"You're even stingier than I thought."
The guy who stopped grumbled like he was hurt. It was the same at our first meeting—a slippery snake of a man.
Whether that leisure came from his true nature or confidence in his own strength, I couldn't tell.
"W-What's going on?"
Irriel, startled awake, looked back and forth between me and him in confusion. Allen was rubbing his eyes as he got up too.
He gave Allen a short whistle.
"I was wondering why the little moon was rolling on the ground, but you've cleaned up nicely in the meantime. Almost didn't recognize you. Haha."
Allen scowled at him, clearly offended.
"Do you know me?"
"Hah, didn't we meet once with those bandits? That young man seems to remember."
"Ah—."
Only then did Allen smack his fist into his palm and nod.
I cut their conversation short.
"Enough chit-chat. If you're just passing by, keep passing."
"It was on my way, but what if I want to rest a bit? Getting old, my joints are killing me."
His tongue was as smooth as a snake's. The way he played it cool wasn't the work of a day or two. That's what made him dangerous. Guys like him were hard to read.
I held firm.
"Still, keep passing."
"......Man, your resolve is like forged steel. Fine, then. I'll rest here without getting closer. You said up to here was okay, right?"
Nederman plopped down on the spot. I stroked my sword hilt and said,
"Do what you want. But you'll never stand again."
"You say 'I'll kill you' with such kindness? Gives me chills."
With a hearty laugh, he stood, brushing off his butt.
"If you hate me being here, I'll ask one thing and leave."
I didn't answer.
Taking it as silent assent, he continued.
"I'm looking for the white lion who recently killed Itzriel. I think it might be you—what do you say?"
"Evidence."
"They say the one who killed Itzriel and rescued people was the three brothers of Kreisan. Righteous bandits, aren't they? And by coincidence, you were helping those bandits back then. Plus, among the people I've seen lately, you're the strongest. It's been ages since I've met someone whose presence I can't read. How's that? Pretty reasonable deduction, no? Oh, don't misunderstand. I'm not after any bounty. Like I said, I want Francia's independence too."
"Is that why someone like you was with the Polchero Merchant Group under Itzriel?"
Allen jumped in with sarcasm. He still smarted from the jab at his looks. Nederman replied with his usual ease.
"I've got a favorite saying: Don't distinguish between means and methods to achieve your goal. It was all a strategy to get close to Itzriel. If you hadn't interfered, I'd have slipped into their camp smoothly and accomplished my objective."
Deeming further talk unnecessary, I cut it off bluntly.
"Wrong guess. I'm not the white lion."
"Is that so? What a shame. I was pretty sure. Guess revealing your identity is sensitive?"
He smacked his lips in disappointment, naturally trying to sit.
I stared him down.
"......"
Catching my gaze mid-sit, he laughed heartily and stood.
"Got it, got it. You give no openings. Well, I'll be off then. Sorry for disturbing your sleep unintentionally. Let's meet again sometime."
Only then did he wave and vanish into the darkness. Once he was gone, Irriel turned to me.
"He didn't seem to be lying."
It was her way of asking why I'd gone that far. From what he'd said, he seemed like an independence fighter from another faction, and his attitude was friendly. It might not have warranted shutting him out without a word.
But all that info came from his mouth. His identity wasn't verified.
And.
"Five steps."
"Pardon?"
"When that guy is within five steps, I could kill one of you two right in front of me. No need to keep someone of unconfirmed identity close."
"Ah—."
Irriel let out a short gasp, and Allen flashed me a sleazy grin.
"Lord Genesis, you care about us more than I thought—"
Whack!
"Argh!"
I cut him off with a knuckle rap on his shiny bald head.
"Urgh......"
"No more nonsense. Go to sleep."
* * *
The village of Arten lay silent.
The chattering Anaks and children who had been playing everywhere had vanished, leaving the empty streets to swirl with dust.
All because of the knights who had suddenly appeared and occupied the village.
"You sure we posted the notices right? Why no word yet?"
Parfe was already fuming early in the morning. Erka swallowed a curse dancing on his tongue and spoke.
"We posted them in all nearby cities, so news should come soon."
Isoluni, beside him, bared his fangs in a grin.
"What if they don't? Francia's full of villages. We just sit back and enjoy."
A cruel laugh without a shred of guilt.
To them, the villagers were mere bait or toys—not fellow humans.
Erka struggled to stomach their nauseating behavior.
In Francia's current state, there was no way to punish them.
To Halent the Governor-General's loyal hounds, razing a village was nothing.
They could fabricate any reason.
Like how Arten, being close, was now tied to the white lion.
"Why's it so noisy outside?"
Isoluni frowned and stood. Before he could act, Erka quickly moved to check the situation outside.
He'd heard the commotion too.
Opening the door, he saw an old man—the house owner and village chief—being roughly dragged across the yard by the knights, mouth gagged.
He seemed to have tried voicing complaints.
As Erka tried to pretend not to see and close the door, a voice from behind said, intrigued,
"Let him go."
At Isoluni's words, the knight released the chief. The old man, gasping, prostrated himself flat and pleaded,
"Sir Knight, please hear me out!"
Isoluni nodded for him to continue. Swallowing dryly, the chief cautiously spoke.
"We haven't been able to leave our homes for two days. We have crops to tend, livelihoods to maintain. What crime have we committed? Please show mercy and let us live our daily lives."
Isoluni glanced at Erka and smirked at the groveling chief.
"Looks like you didn't tell them."
"......Yes, in case of backlash."
Erka hadn't told the villagers why they'd occupied the place or that everyone would die if the white lion didn't show in a week.
He'd anticipated fierce resistance.
They had orders to kill resisters, but it would end once they caught the white lion.
No need to kill innocents unnecessarily.
Isoluni eyed him disapprovingly.
"That's why problems like this happen when you're such a softie. A squad leader who can't handle these pests."
Rebuking him, he looked at the prostrated chief.
"I'll show you mercy today."
"Th-Thank you."
The startled chief bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Isoluni curled his lips wide.
"I was going to tear you limb from limb, but killing a worn-out old fart like you would be a waste. So I'll specially let you live."
"......Pardon?"
The chief's face hardened as things veered off script.
"You must be stuffy cooped up at home, so I'll personally let you breathe all the fresh air you want. Consider it consideration for your few remaining days."
Isoluni told the knights beside the chief,
"Hang this one upside down in the square. And from now on, no water—not a drop."
In a flat voice devoid of pity or emotion, Isoluni pronounced the cruel punishment.
"If anyone defies and gives him water, cut off their head and hang it beside him. I'm curious if this old man will drink that blood."
* * *
A cool breeze swept over my body. My mind felt refreshed too.
After a refreshing bath, I lay on the bed. Not luxurious, but worlds better than camping.
We'd arrived in the city after ages, secured lodging, and were enjoying some peaceful rest.
This was the best inn since leaving headquarters.
That's when frivolous footsteps echoed from the hall.
From the sound's texture and stride, definitely Allen's— but unusually urgent.
Bang!
"Lord Ge—"
Whack!
"Argh!"
I greeted the guy bursting in without knocking with a knuckle rap.
"What's the fuss? I've told you a million times to knock. Tsk tsk."
Allen rubbed his red head and said,
"Knocking's not the issue now—big trouble! We can't just sit here!"
Looking grave, he peeked into the hall left and right, closed the door, and handed me a sheet of paper.
Clearly torn from a notice board.
I read the text calmly.
The gist: If I didn't show up in a week, they'd wipe Arten off the map.
Along with a fabricated tale of how Arten's people helped me assassinate someone.
A story no one would believe.
Publicly threatening to erase a village on such flimsy grounds......
What the hell was wrong with this country?
My gut burned for the first time in a while.
"You'll see at the bottom—it's the 'Prairie Wild Dogs.'"
"Famous bunch?"
At my question, Allen's eyes bulged as he ranted.
"Of course! These guys are the Special Task Force! On a whole other level! All members are Expert upper-class, and their leader Isoluni's Expert pinnacle. Rumors say he can even take on a Sword Master! And they're brutally vicious......"
Allen's face grew graver as he spoke.
Explaining it made the severity sink in more.
The fidgety guy, like a dog desperate to poop, was quite the sight, but I cut him off.
"Enough."
Any longer, and he'd recite their life stories.
If their details were this public, they must be infamous.
"......Anyway, the 'Prairie Wild Dogs' are top forces in the Governor-General's office."
"Fine. Where's Arten?"
Looking at the date, two days had passed.
Five days left.
I had to reach Arten within that.
"Not far from here. One day should do it."
I nodded.
Fortunately, closer than expected.
"Brief Irriel and pack up. Now."
"Yes. Got it."
He answered reflexively, turned to the door, then froze mid-step. Glancing back slyly, he asked,
"......But can you handle it?"
A rare uneasy look.
"You think I'd go to die?"
I waved him off to leave. Relieved, Allen grinned wide.
"Sorry. My faith shook for a sec."
"Get out already, you punk."
I kicked the dawdling guy's butt.
"Ow! Coming! I'm going!"
Clutching his rear, he flung the door open and bolted like a colt.
I shook my head at the sight.
Always needed a smack to listen.