Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Don Quixote (6)
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Wandering knights are exposed to danger in proportion to their freedom.
Unlike mercenaries, most of them travel alone or with just a single squire.
Moreover, a wandering knight must uphold the code of chivalry.
Otherwise, they can't call themselves one.
In that sense, the knight setting out on his journey now could be called remarkably fortunate.
Unlike the knight who died in the demon realm not long ago.
"Haha, you're treating me so hospitably—I'm at a loss for words."
"Not at all, sir. If anything, we're honored to host such a splendid gentleman."
"Thank you!"
It had been one day since he set out as a wandering knight.
He had decided to spend the night in a small village and was receiving generous hospitality.
He happily accepted drinks and food while chatting amiably with the villagers.
Seated together in the village center, toasting with their cups, they quickly grew close.
Before long, even sensitive topics came up without hesitation.
"You're just the man we needed, sir. We were in the middle of a memorial rite."
"A memorial rite? What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, well..."
The village shepherd realized his slip too late, but some things couldn't be hidden forever.
He let out a deep sigh and explained.
"Truth be told, some unfortunate events have been plaguing our village lately."
The shepherd's tale was shocking, yet all too familiar.
These were the sorts of things that happened now and then in villages like this.
Nobles are granted vast territories.
But few nobles properly manage the lands bestowed upon them.
It's commonplace for them to sell off their territories.
Even if they keep and run them, they only manage the villages and towns near their own castles.
Occasionally, a particularly capable noble or one with a small grant might oversee everything.
Of course, that's rare, so minor hamlets spring up across noble lands.
People who can't reach the lord's castle settle in scattered spots to form villages.
Or nobles receive lands dotted with such hamlets to begin with.
In any case, this place was one such minor village.
In other words, it received little protection, so the shepherd's story wasn't all that unusual.
Of course, for a wandering knight like him, it was the perfect chance to earn merit.
"Tell me the details. I, Don Salm, shall aid you all in the spirit of chivalry."
"Oh, sir! Thank you so much!"
"No need. I'm just doing what must be done. Especially after such warm hospitality."
The shepherd, overjoyed, explained the recent happenings.
Once a week, a village maiden would vanish.
The culprit only struck at night, and a small drop of blood always marked the spot where the maiden disappeared.
Having heard it all, he furrowed his brow with a grave expression.
"That's peculiar indeed. It moves only at night, presumably to hide itself. But leaving blood drops every time? That's not the act of someone trying to stay concealed."
The shepherd nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Exactly, sir. There are scarcely ten maidens left in the village now."
"Worry not. I'll catch the culprit for you."
The knight comforted the shepherd and villagers as they spent a joyful yet bittersweet evening together.
When night finally fell, he stood before the village headman, checking his gear.
"Village headman, no one comes out at night, correct?"
"That's right, sir. We're counting on you tonight."
The elderly headman bowed deeply and politely.
He waved it off as only natural and sent the man inside.
"Whew, let's see what we've got."
He had drunk some alcohol, but he believed his mind was sharper than ever.
With what felt like perfect clarity, he patrolled the village.
He figured a culprit careless enough to leave traces at night would surely show itself.
Of course, common sense dictated it would hide from an armed knight on the prowl.
But he was deluded into thinking his faculties were unimpaired.
His judgment wasn't utterly gone, but it wasn't exactly sound either.
As mentioned, it was because of the alcohol.
"It's dark. Without the moonlight, I wouldn't see a thing."
His face taut with tension, he scanned his surroundings.
Ready to draw his sword at any moment, he circled the village.
As he returned to the center, he spotted a suspicious shadow.
Amazingly, his booze-fueled hunch was right!
"That... I should follow it."
The knight trailed slowly behind, minimizing his footsteps.
Crouching low, hand on his sword hilt, poised to charge.
After a short distance, the shadowy figure stopped before a house.
It opened the door naturally and slipped inside.
For a split second, it seemed so seamless he mistook it for a resident.
"Damn. To be so brazen...!"
He drew his sword and burst into the house.
A terrified village maiden was inside, already gripped by the throat by the fiend.
He bravely aimed his blade at the fiend and shouted.
"Release that woman at once!"
"A human? Heh, so you're the one tailing me—a knight, no less."
The fiend released the maiden's throat.
Her body crumpled to the floor, knees slamming down.
But the knight had no time to worry about her.
'What intense killing intent!'
He tensed at the thickest malice he'd ever felt.
Even his training captain, who had honed him, couldn't compare.
Of course, training involved holding back, but the gap was still vast.
Sweat beaded on his palms from the tension.
He clenched his teeth unconsciously, then whipped himself mentally to snap out of it.
Idiot, coward, defiler of the Goddess—he hurled insults at himself inwardly.
Gradually, the tension eased, replaced by fighting spirit.
"Hah. I am Don Salm von Roman! I shall punish you for your crimes!"
The fiend stared at the babbling knight like he was mad.
Then it let out a mocking laugh.
"Kuk! To challenge the King of the Night—ridiculous."
"King of the Night?"
"Indeed. I am a vampire, granted power by the Great One. You cannot defeat me!"
Vampire.
He didn't know it, but vampires were currently in seclusion, hiding away.
Thanks to their kingdom in the mountains, they'd evaded detection for centuries.
But in any large group, there's always a rebel.
One lowly vampire, bored with isolation, had slunk out.
And by chance, crossed paths with a knight.
Of course, he'd never heard of vampires, long forgotten.
"I haven't the foggiest what you're on about! But it hardly matters now!"
He kicked off the ground hard and charged the vampire.
Gripping his sword bravely in a diagonal slash, he twisted his waist.
Channeling the spin, he swung with full force.
"Hah, quick reflexes!"
The vampire dodged with his sword, somewhat surprised.
He didn't have to, but something told him even a scratch would spell trouble.
Don Salm's blade cleaved empty air, but he ignored it and pivoted.
The vampire had roughly seized the maiden in one hand and sidestepped.
He swung again.
"My apologies. But please understand."
He courteously apologized to the maiden and led her outside.
Then he released her and urged her to run far and fast.
She hesitated briefly, but his stern shout startled her into flight.
The vampire, following them out, glared at the fleeing maiden in rage.
"You've let my prey escape."
"Humans are not your prey!"
The vampire's face twisted in fury as it eyed Don Salm.
He straightened his sword and bellowed.
"Come at me, monster!"
"If that's your wish!"
Blood sprayed through the air, the knight's sword flashing in the moonlight.
The two clashed until dawn, fighting and fighting on.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The second book of Don Quixote was nearly finished.
But my mind might give out before I wrapped it up.
I had to tweak things this world lacked or portray daily life with subtle differences appropriately.
Since it was a novel, I could've just made it pure fiction like Sherlock Holmes.
But as a satire of knightly literature, I felt it needed some relatable elements to resonate.
That's why I went and invented all this backstory.
Anyway, to soothe my weary body and soul, I stepped out.
Absolutely not because I was fleeing my sister or Katiranya.
Not because I didn't want their nagging about lounging around.
This time I went out alone, but somehow, I wasn't alone anymore.
"Hello, Edn."
"Hello. Fancy meeting you here again."
Somehow, I'd run into what seemed to be a nun—or perhaps a priestess.
It was Hepiriya. Surely she wasn't staying here long-term?
I asked, and she replied with a gentle smile.
"I've taken a liking to this place lately, so I decided to stay for an extended period."
"Is that so? What about it?"
"Why, the books by Author Prometheus, of course!"
Oof.
She leaned in close, eyes sparkling with intensity.
I leaned back slightly, and Hepiriya pulled away, flustered.
"S-Sorry."
"Haha, no worries. Speaking of, have you read his latest, Don Quixote?"
"Oh, yes! I have."
She and I chatted amiably in a relaxed atmosphere.
About how Sherlock Holmes was, how Don Quixote was.
Talking with someone I didn't know well was surprisingly enjoyable.
Or maybe it was just because Hepiriya was so pretty.
I struggled to keep my gaze from drifting downward as we conversed.
About an hour in, my throat parched, I was about to suggest grabbing a bite at a restaurant.
If only I hadn't spotted the two people I really shouldn't be seeing here.
Pretina and Esili were walking together.
The two who usually snarled at each other—together!
Well, Pretina was mostly just going along with it.
And the looks they gave me weren't normal.
Esili's face was shadowed, like my "concern" had been unfounded.
Pretina, meanwhile, smiled as if amused.
A fan half-covering her mouth was the cherry on top.
The two approached the bench where we sat.
Why were they here?
Puzzled, I asked as they drew near.
"Pretina? And Esili too? What's going on?"
Esili, looking a bit urgent, answered.
Unlike her usual calm demeanor, her voice brimmed with worry.
"Edn, you're in big trouble."
"Big trouble? What do you mean?"
Can't you just say it plainly?
I gave Esili a quizzical look, and Pretina picked up.
Her smile remained, but her voice was a touch lower than usual.
"You're about to get dragged off to the Magic Society."
...What the hell does that mean?
Why would the Magic Society drag me away?
I had no idea what she meant, but I got the gist: big trouble.
Ah, but I still need to finish Don Quixote volume two.
Looks like that's not happening.