The Hero's Endless Journey (2) (Part 2 End)
Morning.
I'd slept like a rock.
Thank goodness nothing happened while I was out.
Orio was sprawled on her stomach, butt bare, snoring peacefully.
For the record, I didn't do that. She must've rolled over in her sleep and instinctively found the comfiest position.
Anyway, it didn't look great, so I discreetly tugged her hiked-up skirt back down.
It wasn't sexy or anything—just straight-up monkey ass.
I rekindled the dead campfire and got breakfast going.
She probably hadn't eaten a proper meal in two days, so I filled a pot with water, sliced in some dried meat, ground up dried fruit, and sprinkled in the dried herbs Agnes had given me to make soup.
It was crude, but I'd maxed out the available ingredients for a restorative health porridge.
"Ughhh…."
Orio finally seemed to come to.
"Eek!? Eeeeek!?"
She freaked out the second she woke up, just like before.
Crawling away from me while still tied up—same deal.
After I'd beaten the crap out of her last night and humiliated her so badly, no wonder she wanted to bolt at the sight of me.
"Guh!? Uuugh… grrr, sob…."
But collapsing like that probably made her ass sting like hell, right?
I didn't approach the trembling, speechless Orio rashly. Instead, I started explaining.
That I'd come to rescue her on a request from her daughter Ferio.
That the Darania knights had given up on saving her, and Prosek's rescue team would take too long, so I'd rushed ahead alone.
That the beating yesterday had been an act to bluff our way out of being surrounded.
The last part was a lie, of course.
"Alright, now we'll head to Prosek Castle. I didn't untie you last night because I was worried you'd try to run, thanks to misunderstanding me from the start. You get it, right?"
"……."
She nodded. Who knew if she truly believed me or was just too terrified, but she wouldn't pull any more stupid stunts now.
I cut her ropes, but she didn't budge.
"Eat some breakfast first. Gotta fuel up to keep going."
I handed her the soup I'd just boiled, and she stared at it like it was poison.
Couldn't be helped—it was a mishmash of whatever I had. To prove it wasn't toxic, I took a big swig first and showed her I was fine.
Only then did she drink.
She must've been starving; she downed it in one go once it cooled a bit.
"I boiled it with medicinal herbs. Have more."
"……."
Yeah, must be confusing as hell.
Beat her senseless, then nursed her sweetly. Classic abusive husband playbook.
Anyway, she was eating well.
Hm, what's this urge bubbling up in my chest….
A woman who'd treated me like dirt just days ago, now thoroughly thrashed and meek before me—it was stirring something weird.
Hold it back, inner S.
No way, hypnosis? Nah, conditioning kink?
Whatever it was, I just wished these impulses would shut up.
I tamped down whatever was awakening inside me, packed up, and prepped for the march.
I'd overlooked it till now since I'd been carrying her, but Orio was barefoot. I gathered the leftover rags and wrapped her feet as makeshift shoes.
"Can you walk?"
"……."
She nodded.
I handed her a small vial of ointment.
"Take this medicine. It's what I put on your wounds yesterday. Stings like hell, but it works great.
They're already way better than last night, right?
I had to apply it myself yesterday out of necessity. Now you do it."
"……."
No! What are you doing!?
I didn't mean right now….
Terror and tension turn even people like her into fumbling rookies.
"Grrk… grrrrrr… ahh…."
Too late now that she'd slathered it on.
She was gritting her teeth against the burn, barely able to stand. At this rate, she wouldn't walk all morning, so no choice—I'd have to carry her again.
Haa, what a pain in the ass.
Finding the way back was surprisingly simple.
Just follow Tsradra's band's tracks in reverse.
Orio was still slung over my shoulder.
I switched her to the other side whenever one got sore.
When the sun hit midday and we found a stream, we took a break.
Orio seemed able to walk now.
Should've said so earlier. Nah, she probably didn't wanna talk to me yet.
Haa, haa. Exhausted. So damn tired….
We started walking again.
Carrying her was too much, so I told her to walk on her own. She flinched and stammered, "S-sorry."
Suddenly so meek.
Well, objectively, nobility or not, I was the strong one here—the boss.
Until we escaped this forest and reached Prosek Castle, her life hung on my choices.
She'd suffered a shock, but she was smart at heart. Her brain just tended to twist toward the nasty side.
Anyway, no way she didn't grasp the situation.
Fine by me—I'd use it.
I had to keep my promise to Ferio, right?
Honestly, we were moving too slow. At this pace, it'd take at least a week to hit the original ambush site.
Another band—not Tsradra's—could jump us.
Food was an issue, and wild beasts couldn't be ignored.
"What're you doing? Hurry up! We're on the run! Wanna get caught again? Die!?"
So sometimes I'd bully her.
"Hold my hand! No squeaking! This isn't the time to be scared—grab on and climb! Come on!! Ugh, seriously!!"
Sometimes I'd drag her along.
When she collapsed from exhaustion, I'd carry her.
Night fell again.
Both of us were beat, but we'd covered good ground.
Nice—at this rate, three days tops.
I built a fire and kept watch while Orio slept.
Got careless and dozed off last night, but you can't in the wild. Pray no leopards or such show up.
Better to nap during the day.
I sharpened my sword, prepped tomorrow's water, snacked lightly, and stood vigil.
Drowsiness hit, but I stayed alert.
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Huh!?
Sound of grass parting.
No, normally you wouldn't hear it.
But with animal and insect noises gone, my night-sharpened ears caught it.
Something—multiple things—were approaching!
I doused the fire and shook Orio awake.
"Eek!! Mmph!!"
Still scared of me. So I clamped her mouth.
Think I'd try something now?
What the hell does she take me for?
I held up three fingers for "quiet" and whispered the situation.
"Someone's approaching us. Could be enemies. I'll scout—hide quietly in those bushes."
Orio's eyes went wide, then she nodded understanding.
I gripped my spear, crouched low, and crept toward the noise.
Hid in the moonlight's shadows and peered at the intruders.
One, two, three… over twenty.
Humans. Rescue team!?
Maybe. Better safe—my path's never been smooth.
Bandits could lurk in these backwoods.
I snuck up behind the straggler at the rear.
"Mmph!?"
I muffled his mouth, pressed a knife to his throat, and dragged him into the shadows.
"Quiet. Name and affiliation. Make noise or alert others, and you're dead. Got it?"
Once he signaled yes, I eased off his mouth.
"I'm with General Liard's…."
"Ah, sorry. My bad."
I sheathed my knife and apologized after the first words.
Phew, rescue team for sure. Before the flustered soldier could speak, I yelled ahead.
"Prosek Hero Kirgil here!
I've rescued and am protecting Lady Orio!!"
My shout halted the leaders; they turned.
"What!? What is it!? Found her!? Where!?"
"Behind!? When!?"
"Captain, over here!! Hero and Lady are here!!"
Torches lit; they rushed my way.
The rescue team had mobilized early and force-marched till night.
"Hero Kirgil! First time meeting. I'm Feripa, eldest son of Count Gideia of Prosek."
Torchlight revealed a swarthy-skinned guy with womanly long white hair—a dashing type.
Greatsword on his back, but he'd look better with a guitar.
"The pleasure's mine, Sir Feripa. Never heard your name from your sister. First time today."
"Hahaha, I get it. My little sis is a bore—no guy talk, no chit-chat. Worst at parties. But still…."
Unlike Ferio, Feripa loved drinks, guys, and gossip.
"First time hearing her recommend or praise anyone. I wanted to meet you myself… oh right! Forgot!!
You rescued Mother Orio, right?
Honestly, didn't think you'd done it already.
Saw torches afar and hoped it was her…."
"Sir Feripa…."
"Yeah! Let's see Mother first."
Prosek count's heir was nothing like his stern dad.
I led to the campfire, shining light on Orio's hiding spot.
"Eek!?"
"Ah! Don't be scared, ma'am. It's me.
You're safe now. Sir Feripa brought the rescue team. We can head home."
"Feripa?"
Orio gawked, frozen in disbelief.
"Mother! You okay!?
It's her!! Real Orio Mother!!
Hero saved her from the monsters alone!!
Hey!! Prep to head back!!"
This guy handled a three-man convo solo.
Not her birth son, but Orio knew Feripa's habits best.
Finally, she took my hand, stood, and approached her stepson.
"Feripa, it's really you."
"Whoa, Mother hugging me? First time—what happened? Hey, Hero?"
Orio finally felt safe and sobbed in his arms.
Yeah, a lot went down.
I wasn't the chatty type like Feripa… nah, too much unspeakable stuff.
"Mother, what happened? What'd those bastards do?"
Orio just wept, speechless. Even the talker knew not to push.
"Uh, yeah… we'll hear it later."
Not emotion overwhelming her, though.
Smart Orio was probably stumped on how to explain.
For real—where to even start?
Best keep quiet.
They'd scouted cautiously with a small group for my campfire; main camp was elsewhere.
Half-hour walk to horses and supplies. They'd brought a full unit, matching Tsradra's size.
As expected, cheers erupted when we returned with Orio.
In military terms, the soldiers' joy was "yari-kiri"—early discharge.
Week-long march cut short, no fight—bliss. I got it.
They suggested a victory drink, but I passed.
Too wiped; prep for tomorrow.
Tonight, sleep deep—no watch.
Next day.
While soldiers prepped early return, I visited Feripa's tent.
"Great Hero Kirgil! Up already?
Mother's still asleep. You suffered most, yet rise first."
Still so wordy.
Good—Orio wasn't up yet.
"Actually, one favor."
I explained my companion was back there; fought trolls, went solo.
Joined them, rescued Orio, now needed a horse to report and return together.
"Lady Ashushikara too? Of course! Lend him a sturdy mount!
Adjutant!! Get Hero Kirgil a good horse!"
And so…
I "escaped" Feripa and Orio at dawn.
I'm no fool just 'cause I'm from another world.
I'd beaten a countess black-and-blue for "rescue," and unintentionally humiliated her deeply.
Memorable shames, every one.
Wilds gave me the edge yesterday, but at Prosek Castle, she's countess and regent-equivalent.
I'm just an adventurer. I'm the weak one.
Would she forgive her savior?
I don't bank on maybes.
Liard's words rang true: human nature doesn't change.
So, time to leave Prosek.
Even if Ferio backed me, Liard supported, shadowkin helped…
If Orio sought revenge, it'd be a headache.
Civil strife possible.
Didn't wanna mess up Ferio's home.
Agnes said it when I left the village:
Fear something? Run.
Tough spot? Quit.
Her advice let me decide without hesitation.
True blessing.
Medieval world—leave the domain, you're extraterritorial.
Other lands don't know or care about prior crimes.
No Interpol here.
"Was gonna sightsee anyway. Good chance for a long trip."
Hit the highway, spurred north—away from Prosek.
Half-day ride later, I dismounted, unpacked.
Pinned a note to the horse.
Hero Kirgil will now begin a long journey.
P.S. I'll send letters to Rada, Suu, and Ashushikara via Piterio Merchant Company.
Wasn't the original plan. Sorry for no proper goodbye.
Maybe Ashushikara foresaw this. Can't ignore shrine maidens here.
For Ferio…
Better send to Agnes Village than Prosek. Skip it for now.
Prepped, smacked the horse's rump.
Well-trained; it'd head to camp or castle.
I left the road for untraceable mountains.
Destination?
Climb a peak, survey the vast plains.
Next stop: great view or whim.
Real isekai adventure starts now.
"Haaaaah~~"
Adventure begins, and I sigh first.
Last few weeks were brutal.
Pent-up stuff begging release like this sigh. Alone at last, one shout clawed to escape.
Couldn't even in my old world.
No one for kilometers—now or never. Belt it out confidently.
Back to wide-eyed isekai newbie vibes….
"Ahh~ I wanna have sex~!!!"
…Shouting it, no friend to nag "not so loud." Kinda lonely.
Secret bucket list item checked.
Anyway, real isekai adventure starts now.
Lonely….