Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 021
Chapter Title: Ratas
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My lifelong enemy, Erdari.
The moment I spotted it infiltrating the Great Wall and was about to go all out!
Germain stepped between me and the Erdari.
“Germain, what the hell is going on? You know these demons?”
I demanded an explanation.
Then the filthy demon spawn's eyes gleamed.
“A rat making a fuss. Should I just kill it? I have a personal interest, though—I'd love to take its head and poke around in its brain.”
Kill it, poke its brain—
Spouting such brutal words as casually as pulling candy from a pocket. Truly an evil bastard.
Germain spoke up.
“Enough. Enough. This kid's a new recruit in our guild from just recently. Looks like his party's been making him pull night watch.”
“Explorers assigning night watch to a thief?”
“I know, weird, right? No normal party puts thieves on watch duty. Who knows what they'd get up to wandering around at night. Their party's just that clueless—”
Germain chuckled and patted the Erdari's back.
“I'll handle him, so let's move spots first. You brought the goods properly this time, right? If you're showing up empty-handed like last time, I'll be pretty disappointed.”
Germain and the demon were about to leave the arrow storeroom.
What a chaotic situation.
“…This is really happening…!?”
Was I really supposed to just let my greatest enemy of a lifetime go like this!?
My teeth ground in frustration when Germain glanced my way and subtly drew her thumb across her throat.
Probably telling me to shut up and stay put.
In that moment, my reason kicked back in.
According to Hammer, the 'Erdari' don't need Ether to level up.
Their average level was 15.
‘Each one is on Felix's level.’
Felix was an obnoxious young master.
But his skill at butchering humans and monsters alike was downright impressive, even to me.
‘Going head-to-head with a guy like that? My odds aren't good.’
‘In other words, Germain showed up just in time and saved my skin.’
Fuck!
It was a conclusion I'd reached myself, but I hated it.
Why the hell was Germain consorting with demon bloodlines anyway?
I already knew she wasn't some saint.
I'd switched off night watch with another party's guard.
Familiar face.
“You're from Handricks' party, the bounty hunter, right?”
“Double Sword. You're Yor, yeah?”
Two swords crossed in an X on his back.
Double Sword!
Cool nickname.
“Your party puts a thief on night watch, huh.”
“There are all sorts of complicated circumstances here.”
“I bet.”
I subtly probed the veteran-looking guy.
“But aren't you scared pulling night watch, Double Sword? What if some sneaky Erdari bastards pop out?”
“Hah? Nah, won't happen. Look at this Great Wall. Nightfolk are mostly crazies, but even they don't have that many climbers tough enough to scale it upside down.”
“Not many means there might be one or two.”
“Could be. But I haven't seen any.”
I have!
As I ground my teeth inwardly, Double Sword clapped my shoulder.
“Not seeing them is good. They're born assassins. No footsteps, great night vision, swing swords better than most knights. If you run into one alone, shit your pants first thing.”
“Huh?”
“Buddy of mine shit his pants, and it let him go. Maybe sent him off for being dirty and gross. Guess they've got sensitive noses.”
Even cool-nicknamed Double Sword thought a straight fight with Erdari was risky.
It really hit home how dire my situation had been.
‘I almost died for real.’
Anyway.
After switching shifts with Double Sword, I headed straight for the library.
Me, who gets sleepy after a few lines of any book, going to the library.
Even I'm surprised.
That's how badly I wanted to learn about my enemy!
But now that I was surrounded by shelves crammed with books, my resolve was already wavering.
Fortunately, there was a familiar face.
“Hello there! You're the mage from Handricks' party, right, Grandpa?”
“Oh, you recognize me? And you even come greet me first. Setting aside that you're a thief, you're a promising young sprout these days.”
“Heh heh heh, my nickname's Yor of the Golden Sprout!”
“I am Saxen Freud von Barz Dobarkan ibn Aiud.”
“……”
“…Just call me Sir Saxen!”
“Sir Saxen! Cool name.”
Sir Saxen was the axe-wielding giant Handricks party's mage.
White beard screaming 'I'm a wizard~' to anyone who saw it.
From talking with Hermit and Estelle, mages were the type who itched to spill every bit of knowledge they had.
This old man was surely no different.
‘Perfect chance to learn about those demon bastards!’
Ahem.
I cleared my throat and asked.
“So, Sir Saxen, got any books on the Erdari? I'd love to read up, but I have no idea where to find them or how.”
“I can point you, sure. But you expect that for free?”
“Heh heh, very fair point! But you're different from the mages I've met. They were all dying to blab first.”
“Ho ho ho, tower mages who love scribbling at desks, yeah. But field mages like me are different. People gotta chase real gains, right?”
Oh—
Mages seemed tricky honestly.
But this Sir Saxen suddenly felt approachable, like some back-alley con artist with magic tricks.
‘Felt the same with the Thieves' Guild old man. Old folks are never to be underestimated.’
Surviving proves strength.
I pulled a cola from my Black Satchel at my waist and offered it to Sir Saxen.
“This do?”
“What's this for?”
“Like this, like this—”
Pssht!
I cracked it open and handed it over. His heavy eyelids lifted slightly.
“Fascinating contraption. From the Empire's golden age? Never seen this preservation style. And the stuff inside's some weird liquid.”
“Heh heh, Sir Saxen, a mage through and through.”
Soon he was gulping it down.
I braced for him to spit it out, but he didn't.
“Tastes like it fries your brain. Nice getting new stuff from you young ones.”
“So, any book recommendations?”
“You bet! *Urp*—Ahem, let's see… Decent one's nearby… Ah, here. The Nightfolk. Covers the clans living in the Night Land and their habits. Worth a read.”
It was a massive tome.
I took it to a quiet library corner and held a lantern close.
Flip.
Opening it revealed pages packed with full-frontal nude drawings of men and women sprawled out.
Looks readable enough.
One page caught my eye.
「They revel in indiscriminate slaughter, belying their beautiful features.」
「To them, the world divides into 'Lendo' and 'Shando'.」
「'Lendo' means beast or soulless thing in ancient Nardil tongue. 'Shando' means human or soul-bearer.」
Lendo and Shando.
Come to think of it, the group that shot me with arrows called us that.
“That bastard earlier called our explorer party 'Lendo'.”
So they see us explorers as beasts?
That's why they slaughter us like cattle, pigs, chickens.
“—You filthy Erdari bastards!”
“Filthy? We bathe three times a day.”
A voice from behind startled me.
I whipped around. The Erdari from the wall was staring at me.
Shing!
I yanked a throwing knife from my waist and aimed at its throat.
At the same time, I seriously debated stabbing or shitting my pants.
Problem was, I didn't really need to go that bad.
But the Erdari stared back fearless, knife at its throat.
“Germain told me to ignore you, but your scent's nagging at me.”
It even sniffed me like a cat marking territory.
“Close your eyes, sniff only, and you'd mistake you for Shando. Why?”
Chills ran down my spine, mood soured instantly.
If I yell, maybe Sir Saxen over there helps—
As I thought that, the Erdari smirked thinly.
“I'd love to bag your head for a leisurely dissection, but that'd piss off Germain. I want to keep dealing with her long-term, but you nag… Only one way, huh…?”
The demon minion poked my chest with a finger.
“Gotta take your 'Ratas'.”
Take my what!?
Demon spawn talking, so probably gunning for my 'soul.'
“Fuck off!”
Whatever it was, no way I'd give this bastard a single drop of sweat.
I swung the knife—whoosh—it smoothly widened the gap and retreated.
“Why attack?”
Rip.
The shoulder strap my knife nicked gave way, and its clothes slipped off silkily.
The revealed figure matched the nudes in the book.
“Strange. I don't fuss with looks, but I've heard my appearance passes as handsome to you Lendo.”
The Erdari cupped its perky breast.
Slim waist, flat groin—and in that moment, my eyes locked.
‘Fuck, it's a woman!’
Even knowing she was female, I kept the knife up—thanks to my training against women and pure hatred for Erdari.
She opened hooded eyes.
“—Ah—right. You Lendo have those driven by greed over instinct. No luck, I don't carry your coin. But I've got something way better.”
She rummaged in her torn clothes and pulled out something round.
Looked like a stone.
Size a bit bigger than a fist.
“This is a Breakthrough Stone. You lot go nuts for these, right? Precious even to us, so should trade for your Ratas.”
Breakthrough Stone!
That really a Breakthrough Stone!?
If it's the one I know, jackpot.
But!
Never trust Erdari words!
“—Down with Erdari!”
I bellowed with resolve.
Right then—crash!—library racket.
Sir Saxen charged over staff in hand.
“Aiya! What's happening!”
His eyes hit the naked demon bitch and me.
“Doooouble Swoooord—!!! Sound the alarm!!! Erdari invasion!!!”
Unshakable shout!
“Tch. Don't wanna fight an old mage.”
Evil slut! Scared of Sir Saxen!
She just dropped the stone—clink—on the floor and fled.
Then Sir Saxen foamed at the mouth yelling.
“This Saxen and rookie Yor repelled the wicked Erdari!!!”
“Yay—!”
Chased off the demon minion and scored a Breakthrough Stone—double the thrill!