Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: Crusade Army
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The subjugation force's advance had been scheduled for next week, and as a result, a massive wave of adventurers had already headed to the baron's territory ahead of the army to claim first dibs.
We were no exception.
Me and Claudy. Winia and Elise. Forming the ultimate serial killer party, we set out on our journey to pass judgment on the heretics, fully geared up and ready to go.
"Winia. Any idea how long to the baron's lands?"
"By carriage? About three days."
"Walking would straight-up kill us, man."
"If you'd suggested walking, this blackie would've wrecked you."
"Fuck. Harsh."
We immediately ruled out going on foot.
We snagged a carriage heading that way. The driver jacked up the price to damn near double, citing wartime conditions, but what could we do? We had no choice but to pay up. War was war, after all.
This blood-boiling loss would be recouped from the heretics' loot.
Fuckers were all gonna die.
"Hmm, lots of people. It's packed."
"Yeah, tell me about it."
The subjugation force hadn't even mobilized yet, but merchants hauling supplies, adventurers tagging along, and mercenaries drawn by the rumors had turned the roads into a total clusterfuck.
"A righteous procession. What a sight."
Elise peered out from the carriage, looking downright proud.
Righteousness my ass—it was just a mob of killers and greedy bastards—but to Elise, they all looked like good-hearted heroes off to smash heretics.
"Heh heh heh, looks like justice is still alive in this world. So many good souls."
"Indeed. They're the ones who'll lead us into the future."
They were all just cannon fodder for us.
The more the merrier.
"Yeah. Damn, there are a ton."
With so many heading the same way, the roads were jammed solid with carriages, forming what looked like one massive merchant caravan snaking along.
The sheer scale kept monsters at bay, and even the usual friendly neighborhood bandits were nowhere in sight. Any survivors had probably joined the brigand hordes after hearing the rumors. Birds of a feather and all that.
Barring the boredom, discomfort, and slight chill at night, it was a smooth trip. No fights at all—we just slogged toward the baron's lands. So uneventful that days and nights blurred into half-asleep hazes.
That's why long trips suck.
The last rumor we'd heard was that the swelling brigand hordes had seized two more villages. If they could smash an army, villages were small potatoes. They were on a total roll.
At this rate, the whole barony might fall.
And their numbers were still growing fast.
Apparently, skirmishes were already breaking out in several villages.
Most of the adventurers heading our way were probably itching to sell their violence in those hot zones.
We were no different.
Three days rattling around in that cramped carriage later, we rolled into a village called Sezak. Battle was raging here too, by the looks of it. We hopped off, and the driver—who'd picked up more passengers—headed straight back the way we'd come.
"Katt, you smell it? That blood reek?"
Claudy grabbed my hand mid-stretch as soon as we dismounted.
"The metallic tang of blood... the scent of the battlefield!"
"Hee hee, kinda exciting. Ahh, my blood's pumping. Time to feed the blade."
"Hell-Cane?"
"Yeah. Needs its blood sacrifice."
Claudy scanned the surroundings, buzzing with excitement.
She was clearly hyped to start murdering already.
The village was total chaos. Soldiers with spears hustled about alongside bandaged wounded, smoke rose from multiple spots, and even women were hauling supplies.
"Oh! Adventurers! Welcome!"
As we gawked, a middle-aged soldier who looked like a sergeant hustled over. Plenty of other adventurers had gotten off here too, drawing his attention.
"If you're here to smite heretics and claim rewards, head to the meeting hall in the village center! We desperately need your help!"
He pointed the way and vanished.
"What the hell was that?"
Winia rolled her eyes, and Elise chimed in.
"Hmm... Seems like they're in the thick of fighting heretics and begging for aid. The hall should have the details, like he said."
"Yeah, let's check out the central meeting hall then."
And so we found it.
"Hey! Wrong way, idiot!"
"Huh? Isn't this it?"
"You moron!"
"Round up all the wounded who can still move!"
"Hey, fuck, no carpenters in this village? Shit, everything's collapsing here!"
"You pussy-ass bitch! This ain't a big injury! Get up!"
"Someone carry this girl! Fuck, no one's answering!"
"Move your asses! Don't block the road!"
"Ugh, fucking hell! Where's the relief?!"
The village was a madhouse on all fronts.
Everyone was bellowing at the top of their lungs, making it feel like we'd stumbled into a warzone. More than that, had every bastard here been born with a rag in their mouth? As a cultured guy, it grated on my ears.
Time for some regulations.
"Fucking assholes. Can't they talk without cursing?"
Soldiers being foul-mouthed must be universal.
"The blackie mouthing off now?"
"Mine's fine."
"Dickhead, seriously."
Winia started flipping me off.
The carriage ride had built up some stress, apparently.
Anyway, I took a look around.
It was a walled village with tall log palisades.
As you know, villages in this world—far from cities—are usually ringed by high wooden fences to fend off invaders. With monsters popping up daily, you can't survive without 'em.
Thanks to those walls, the village was half-fortified right now.
Soldiers and locals were teaming up to hold off the heretics. A full-on siege defense.
"Katt. That the place?"
"Yeah. Looks like it."
Keeping an eye on the terrain as we went, a big building came into view. It had a fence around it, with a sign reading "Central Meeting Hall (Temporary HQ)" like a placard.
Two guards stood watch out front.
As we approached, one spoke up.
"Adventurers?"
"Yeah. He said we'd get the rundown here."
"Names?"
We gave the four of ours; he jotted them down and waved us inside. Said we'd meet the officer there.
We headed right in.
There was a short line—adventurers and mercenaries, all rough-looking types packing weapons. Obvious brigands at a glance.
Up front, a uniformed guy at a big desk was talking to parties.
Waiting our turn, Elise gushed admiringly.
"All these people gathered for the crusade... They look so righteous. I can feel their pious hearts."
"Uh... yeah, sure."
"Our service won't be in vain. The heretics will pay in blood. Holy Father. My blood boils."
"Same here. Can't wait to kill some heretics."
"That's the spirit!"
Hey, as long as we slaughter heretics, we're righteous, right?
Elise seemed as thrilled about murder as Claudy.
Am I the only sane one here?
Definitely a killer party.
We chatted idly while waiting, and soon it was our turn. Who'd speak for us? As I pondered, Winia shoved my back.
Yeah. Guess it's me.
"Pleased to meet you, adventurers. I'm Hardin, temporary contractor officer."
"Adventurer Katt. Temporary contractor officer, huh?"
The uniformed man greeted us solemnly.
Name: Hardin.
"That's right. Quick rundown: The soldiers and officers here are remnants of Baron Dovens's forces. We fell back to this village and dug in, awaiting reinforcements."
He gave the backstory.
These were the baron's troops routed by the brigands. Cut off from the main force, they'd retreated here and set up defenses while holding out.
"It's been hell holding on, so your timing's perfect. Every hand counts right now. Can't offer much, honestly. But I figure folks who've come this far will bite even on slim rewards."
"Lay it out. What's the job?"
"Tough one... Kill heretics and bring proof. We'll pay fair: one silver per head. Loot's all yours, even if it's mixed with ours. Finder's keepers, right?"
"Hmm... Got it?"
Two silvers per head back in the city, but here it's one.
Three days just to get here, though.
Market rate? Fair enough.
"Their camps are everywhere. Haven't mapped their command structure, but it's no ordinary setup. Some band together, others roam solo. Feels like a cell organization to me..."
Long story short: Go out, cull the brigands, bring heads. One silver each.
Simple, straightforward contract.
This officer was handling incoming adventurers like this.
"Raid those camps, anyway. Mostly squad-sized... Thinning 'em out would help big time. That's my pitch. Next time I see you, hope it's with brigand heads in hand."
That wrapped it up.
"Oh, join the city garrison if you want, and we'll compensate fairly."
I shook my head at Hardin's add-on. The next party stepped up, and he started his spiel from scratch.
What an NPC.
Confirmed with the guards and headed out.
"So we gotta hunt 'em ourselves?"
Claudy asked, grinning eagerly.
"Feels that way."
"Sweet."
Time to snag a room then.
The thought had barely crossed my mind when Winia jabbed my cheek with her staff.
"So, blackie. Head out right away? Hope not."
"Obviously grabbing a room first, unpack, then go."
"Good. Damn right."
After three days in that hellhole carriage, we deserved inns. With all the traffic, they'd be open for business.
"Then let's find an inn."
"Yeah."
But inns are gonna be stupid expensive... Swallowing my dread, we wandered the village. No active assault right now—rowdy, but with some breathing room.
I tried brushing off the worry, but reality hit hard.
"...Rooms are fucking pricey."
Just like the carriage—pure gouging.
What, tourist season or some shit?
At this rate, who knows how many brigands I'd have to kill to break even? We're here to smash the invaders, and they pull this?!
Rage boiled up.
But no rest, no work. No choice.
"Ah, fuck."
Handed over the key.
Me, Claudy, and Winia in one room; Elise next door.