Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Gold
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“Shwoooongu.”
The wriggling Shungshung.
I have my share of worries too.
I'd thought, so what if I rack up a bit of infamy?
I'm leaving soon anyway—what could you even do about it?
That was my mindset, but things have changed now.
The trait from the sub quest reward.
Ominous Aura and Holy Aura.
Ominous Aura sounds bad just from the name, while Holy Aura looks like it'd be good no matter what.
On top of that, Ominous Aura even strengthens other traits.
Which means it's been in effect this whole time...
It's hard to guess exactly what Ominous Aura does.
I'd wondered if it was just that others sense something ominous from my body.
“Shung?”
But seeing how Shungshung treats me so friendly-like, that can't be it.
If I were truly ominous, it would've bristled and stayed on guard from our first meeting.
But Shungshung clapped at my dance and loved it.
....
Wait, Shungshung's a Lace.
Doesn't it have different tastes from normal people?
What if it likes me because of the ominous vibe?
“Shungshung.”
That's a real possibility.
But there's a counterexample too.
The Sage.
The Sage's situation differs from Shungshung's, yet it views me favorably.
Meaning I don't actually have an Ominous Aura.
“Your ominous aura has grown even stronger.”
....
So yeah, people can sense the ominous aura from my body.
No wonder the adventurers jumped when they saw me.
Was that why the woman called Dorothy threw me?
No, probably not.
I can't know for sure, but she seemed to like it even more.
Pushing thoughts of that woman aside for now.
What should I do next?
Since it's come to this, maybe I should just go all-in and spread some real infamy?
It's too late to turn back now, so why not fly straight to human territory and peck their asses with my beak?
As I had that thought, Moona subtly lifted its butt.
Why?
What does that mean?
“Shung.”
Shungshung lifted what seemed to be its butt cloth too.
I don't want to know what it means.
Feels like something I shouldn't understand.
“Kak!”
Still, being able to joke around like this means we've got some leeway left.
So what if Ominous Aura gets stronger?
These guys like me anyway.
Dealing with humans is a double-edged sword, so leaning into infamy might not be so bad.
...The best option would be building fame instead, but flipping it overnight would be tough.
*
Time passed, and a few days later.
While patrolling during the day just in case, I caught the scent of iron.
I could roughly guess what Moona had meant.
It was an alien smell that didn't belong here.
This place was originally a human village.
Yet picking up the iron scent so easily means wild animals could spot even a tiny metal scrap as a sign of human intrusion.
Probably instinct for the beasts and monsters here.
Humans.
Especially ones reeking of iron and oil—their purpose was obvious.
“Hm, they've finally shown up. There aren't too many, so be careful. No humans at a level to threaten you yet.”
The Sage peered down at them from my shoulder.
It was true.
The levels I could see on those guys weren't that high.
About the same as the adventurers I'd seen before.
Meaning Rolling Maniac Crow could handle them.
But what are they doing over there?
They seem busy moving around...
Guess I need a closer look.
I quietly flew through the sky and approached them.
“Urk! Stick to the left!”
“Injured back! Form up the phalanx!”
The forces who'd come here were in combat.
And their opponents were...
“Queeeeeshiiiik!”
“Grwoooaaargh!”
Extremely familiar faces.
Of course, the levels and sizes weren't familiar at all.
No way—those things could grow that big?
The ones I fought were definitely juveniles.
That squirrel was tiger-sized now, and the Mountain Eater was the same.
“Queeeshishik!”
“Grwoooaaargh!”
Unlike when I faced them, these two weren't fighting each other—they were teaming up on the humans.
“Kaaack! The black beast is using black iron acorns!”
“Why is the Mountain Eater here! Guh! Help! Heeeelp!”
The squirrel and caterpillar's combat prowess was top-notch.
Kwaaaaang!
The squirrel mercilessly smashed down on enemies with a boulder-sized giant acorn.
“Queeeshishik!”
Thud thud thud thud!
The caterpillar swept through the enemy lines like a madman, bristling with sharp thorns.
“Grwoooaaargh!”
True to their names as the black beast and the Mountain Eater, their skills were fitting.
Having the time of my life watching the fight, a thought suddenly hit me.
At this rate, those humans are done for.
What if I showed up right before they fell?
And took out the monsters in their place, saving the humans?
Infamy be gone.
Time to rack up some fame.
I might have a little notoriety, but no one's been directly harmed by me.
Help them out, though, and I'd have folks directly in my debt.
“Damn! Those black iron acorns are too tough!”
“Daggers won't work! Mace! Hit 'em with the mace!”
So the acorn on Shungshung's head was a black iron acorn, huh?
I want one of those.
That size would be perfect for me to carry around now.
And it looks tougher than the one I had.
“Guh! Don't pull the thorns out recklessly! The wounds will reopen!”
“Injured to the back!”
Hey, squirrel, caterpillar.
Keep it up just a bit longer.
That way my entrance will shine even brighter.
I started scheming with Shungshung and Moona.
I know how to make a scary entrance, so the opposite should be easy.
While gauging the moment to land in a blaze of glory...
Shwaaaaaak.
Craaaaack!
That tough black iron acorn shattered in one hit.
“Queeee shiiiik!”
The enraged squirrel lunged toward where the sword strike came from, but...
Shweeeeek!
Spluuuurt!
It just ended up the same as the acorn.
...So they didn't come here blindly after all?
“He's here! Lord Bertolt has arrived!”
“Ahh, we're saved now!”
The caterpillar was no different.
It tried burrowing to escape the mysterious interloper, but no dice.
Spluuuurt!
It was a sight that made me doubt my eyes.
The knight in the golden helmet wrapped up the situation in just three exchanges.
Even I couldn't end it that fast.
Who the hell is this guy to wield such overwhelming power?
“Sir Bertolt! Sir Bertolt!”
“The Emerald Holy Knight!”
“Master of the Golden Helmet!”
The people around chanted his name.
Normal reaction since he saved them.
And the reaction I would've gotten without him.
“Any injured?”
“We, we've moved them to the back.”
“I see. For now, just basic first aid.”
A brilliant silver light flashed.
At the same time, the wounds on the fallen began to heal bit by bit.
Holy knight, huh? So he can do that too?
I marveled at the wondrous sight for a moment.
Then I realized just how ridiculous this guy was.
That level of combat power plus ally healing.
A true all-rounder.
And his visible level was 50.
Stronger than anyone I'd ever seen.
“Hm, that's a bit dangerous.”
Moona, clinging to my shoulder, said in a small voice.
“Shaaang...”
Shungshung started hissing softly too.
Guess as a Lace, it's naturally opposed to holy knights.
“Of all people, him.”
“Kak?”
You know him?
“I only know he's an Emerald Holy Knight. Those guys aren't normal humans. No idea if it's the price of that strength or blind faith in their god.”
Emerald Holy Knight.
Got an important keyword.
He's not one individual—he's part of a group.
If a holy knight order gathered to exterminate a crow in a village?
I'd have to beg them to fry me painlessly.
“But... no matter how I think about it, it's weird. No reason for a holy knight to come to this backwater.”
Not because of me?
“No way they came for you, and the timing doesn't match... Tch, don't tell me it's for that reason.”
That reason?
What is it?
I stared at Moona with a very curious look.
“Ah, you don't know?”
That's why I'm asking.
“I see... You'll learn naturally when the time comes.”
Telling me to peck your ass right now in code?
I refocused on the holy knight.
He's seriously strong.
No way current me could beat him, dead or alive.
And such a foe came personally to catch me.
My body trembled slightly.
Breath quickened, heart pounded.
“Wind. You okay right now?”
“Shwoong...”
Moona and Shungshung worried over me.
“...Your eyes look a bit crazed?”
That's why I like sharp kiwis.
Why was my body shaking?
Fear?
Nah—crows are street punks who don't flinch even before eagles.
No reason to be scared just 'cause he's stronger.
What caught my eye was that brilliant light.
That golden helmet.
Doesn't it look perfect to snatch off?
So shiny—it'd fit right in my nest.
Saliva pooled.
I stared at that softly gleaming gold with the eyes of a crow eyeing prey.