Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Contract (3) - Village
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1.
"Ah, fuck."
"I thought this time it'd be easy."
Voices came from beyond the darkness. Soon, one by one, they revealed themselves. Filthy clothes, crude gear—no one would mistake them for anything but bandits.
They exchanged glances before charging at me. No hesitation; they looked plenty experienced.
Whoosh—
I blocked the incoming attack from the front with my shield and immediately thrust my sword.
Pshk!
"Grahhh—"
The man's mouth gaped wide as he let out a foul scream. I bashed him away with my shield and dodged the attack coming from the side.
"Fuck!"
The fight was on a hillside, so the bandit's balance crumbled, and he staggered. I never missed an opening like that.
Slash!
I half-severed the flailing bandit's neck and scanned the surroundings. The area had brightened at some point; the bandits had lit torches.
'At least ten of them!'
Even after cutting down two, there were still plenty of silhouettes. They'd come prepared.
Kreeee—
A sudden scream rang out. At the same time, the bandits in front of me faltered. Sounded like Anne was on a rampage.
"Fuck, take him down quick!"
"Kill that bastard!!!"
I'd expected them to run, but they charged even more aggressively. A heavy impact hit my shield with a metallic clang. The shock forced me back a step.
'Ugh, shit!'
I nearly lost my grip on the shield. I looked up to see a burly brute swinging his mace again. A beat behind him, another bandit thrust his sword. It was a sharp coordinated attack.
Slash—
I forced my sluggish mana to move and cleaved through the brute and his weapon. As I watched his face split diagonally, I swung my shield back at him.
Bam—!
The belated sword thrust clashed against my shield. The bandit screamed and dropped his weapon.
Pshk!
I instinctively pierced the head of the fool clutching his hand, then raised my shield again.
"Huff, huff—"
I whipped my head around, checking for approaching enemies.
Anxiety and shock filled their eyes. Seeing that, my lips curled into a grin.
"Scared shitless, you retarded fucks?!"
My shout ignited their eyes like torches. They ground their teeth and charged again.
"You cock-sucking shit!"
"Take that fucker out first!"
Three men rushed me at once. I surged my mana. It sluggishly coursed through my body.
I blinked slowly at the blades flying toward me. Then, before they could touch, I moved.
A deep step forward. I swung my arm wide, and my sword flashed in the moonlight.
Slaaash—!
One bandit didn't even get to swing before his neck was slit. Another was bisected along with his weapon.
Drip drip—
The hot blood splattering my face nearly made me burst out laughing. My body felt drained, but at the same time, exhilarated.
"Sh-shit!"
"Crazy, what the hell?! That guy's a knight too!?"
They'd seen what I'd done; the bandits' faces twisted. Their earlier momentum gone, they hesitated to charge. And that was their biggest mistake.
"Good work."
A voice brushed past my ear. Then a shadow shot forward like an arrow, swinging her sword at the bandits.
Blood sprayed like a fountain alongside the torches. It took less than thirty seconds to mop up the rest. A total massacre.
"Why were you so late?"
"I was protecting the young lady while fighting. More importantly, you're using formal speech again?"
Anne walked over, looking pristine. The blood dripping from her sword tip told the tale of the lives she'd taken.
"I told you before. Seeing you fight stirs up respect automatically."
"Yeah. It's still as ridiculous as ever. But... not bad."
She flicked the blood off her sword and sheathed it. Glancing at the corpses around, she nodded.
"Bringing you along was the right call."
Yeah, following you was the right call too.
*
Despite the unpleasant bandit attack, we pressed on. No one from our group had died, after all.
'Of course, even if there had been, it wouldn't have changed much.'
One change, though: the maids' gazes had shifted subtly. Before, there'd been a hint of disdain; now, it felt like faint fondness?
'At this rate, one of them might approach me soon.'
I passed the time in the wagon with idle fantasies. Four days after leaving Dina, as meals grew sparse and Amelia and the maids tired...
"It's the village!"
We arrived safely at the next one. I stood and hopped to the lead wagon.
"That village isn't the main estate, right?"
"As if. Lady Amelia's home is in the city."
"Makes sense..."
I hadn't expected it anyway.
"So, we'll stay in that village?"
"Seems like it. Supplies are running low, so we need to restock and buy necessities. Above all, the young lady's exhausted."
"Anne, I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
"Not sure the village will take us in."
Anne snorted at my words.
"Their opinion doesn't matter. What counts is Lady Amelia's will."
"Yeah, yeah. Of course."
What a loyal knight.
'A village near Dina... Lotus Village, probably.'
Not huge, but prosperous due to its position on the road to the city. Merchants and mercenaries passed through often, so the guards were decent.
"Halt!"
As we drew near, a stern voice rang out. I felt relieved.
'Looks like zombies haven't hit them.'
That alone was good news. The village was still functioning.
"I'll handle this."
Anne leaped from the wagon and approached the spear-wielding guard. Her knightly bearing paled their faces.
We entered without a word. Her presence said it all.
"Village isn't in great shape."
The stench of rotting corpses and smoke stung my nose. Unburied bodies piled in alleys. Faces pale, a gloom hung over everything.
"World's gone to hell; can't be helped. Surviving at all is what matters, right?"
"True enough."
"Welcome!"
As we ventured deeper, an elderly man hurried over. Frail-looking, he bowed deeply.
"It's an honor to host Lady Amelia of the Bardi family!"
"Is the lodging for Lady Amelia prepared?"
Villages on major routes usually had guesthouses for nobles.
"Ah, well..."
Not here, apparently. The village chief's face filled with dismay.
"Surely it exists? I remember it from the last visit."
"It does. But it's poorly maintained."
"Why wasn't it kept up?"
"Recently, there was turmoil here. It only settled a few days ago..."
"We know about the village trouble. The outside world's chaos isn't news to us."
"Does that mean this is happening everywhere?"
"Yes. But more importantly, no proper lodging for Lady Amelia."
'What a crazy bitch.'
I thought, in this chaotic village, her nerve was something else.
"I get the turmoil. But how's that an excuse for the guesthouse? Not even a month old. Even if neglected lately, it shouldn't be an issue."
"Th-that's..."
The chief sweated bullets.
"You're not neglecting it because of turmoil. You never maintained it. Am I wrong, Village Chief?"
"...You're right."
The old man conceded.
"World's a mess, village looks rough—no big deal. But you okay with us using your house?"
"N-not at all! I'll have it cleaned immediately."
"Good."
The old man bowed and scurried up the hill.
"How'd you know?"
"Know what?"
"He was lying."
I'd thought it was zombies.
"Not hard to tell. Here, take this."
She handed me a pouch. Gold and silver coins inside.
"Pay?"
"Hardly. Market's around; buy what we need."
"Could send the maids."
"You're not serious."
"Obviously not."
Who knew what could happen sending women alone? Even I knew that much.
"I'll head ahead and rest then. Good luck."
"Sure."
Two maids hopped off and joined me.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Hanson-nim."
Walking with girls wasn't bad at all.
'Mood's still off.'
Fortunately, the market operated normally. Streets relatively clean.
"What do we need?"
"Plenty. Not sure if all here, but let's shop around. Save money now, easier trip ahead."
The maid spoke spiritedly and led the way.
"About 3 silvers."
"3 silvers for this? You joking? Trying to scam a noble?"
"N-no way!"
The maids were pros. The market was their domain; they haggled like experts. If vendors tried overcharging, they pounced.
"Saved a ton on the budget! It'll help Lady Amelia."
We got most necessities while pinching pennies.
"Yeah."
As I nodded at her bright smile...
"Hey!"
A group blocked our path; we had to stop.