Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: To the Capital (1)
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The grasslands bloomed endlessly across the earth, as if someone had spilled green paint over the land.
Roll, roll.
As the wagon slid along the road, the soft soil welcomed the wheels with a gentle give.
Three days out from Oakwood, our journey so far had felt like nothing more than a peaceful picnic.
"The weather's great! The wind even smells different!"
I swung my legs in the air, basking in the warm sunlight. Mani, seated beside me on the driver's bench, hummed a tune.
"Let's drink some beer~ After a day's labor~ Leaving the furnace behind~ Heading home~"
"Mani! You've sung that song over ten times today alone! It's getting old."
"But Sena! This is the best song from our mines. How could it ever get old?"
Sena and Mani bickered briefly, tired of hearing the same tune every day.
The winner of the spat: Mani.
"After a day's labor~ Leaving the furnace behind~ Heading home... yeah!"
"Sigh... Fine, I'll put up with it."
Sena declared her surrender and leaned back against the cargo hold. As if to focus on something else, she pulled out the map.
"We've still got a long way to the capital, but at this pace, we'll arrive right on schedule."
"Way faster than going on foot, right?"
The guildmaster's gift of a wagon was carrying us comfortably and swiftly toward the capital.
Sturdy plate springs under the wheels absorbed shocks for a smooth ride. The waterproof canvas roof filtered the spring sun just right, casting a pleasant shade.
"Hyah! Let's pick up the pace a bit!"
I lightly snapped the reins, and the two ponies quickened their steps with lively hoofbeats.
That was when it happened.
"Kyaaaaack!"
A horrific scream shattered the peaceful afternoon silence!
A bizarre shriek, like nails scraping a chalkboard, rang out.
"What? What's that noise?"
Sena grimaced and covered her ears.
The sound came from beyond the bend up ahead. It almost sounded like a baby's cry, but monstrous.
And then our ears picked up something else.
Desperate shouts mixed in with the screams, along with crashing and clattering.
"A fight?"
"They're under attack! Let's go!"
At Sena's urging, I whipped the reins to speed up.
Round the corner, and there they were: a cluster of wagons tangled in a cloud of dust. Three small cargo wagons, about our size, had halted in the middle of the road, surrounded by a pack of monsters.
They had long, rabbit-like ears, but faces like roe deer with sharp fangs protruding from their mouths—a distinctive look.
"What, more Torani?"
"They're different, Reti! Those are Blood Torani!"
"Blood Torani?"
Sena pulled out her bowgun and explained.
"A variant of Torani. Much stronger and meaner tempered. They're infamous for charging straight at wagons to attack!"
Sure enough, these were bigger than the Torani we'd hunted before, with blood-red eyes that screamed trouble.
Up close, the situation looked dire.
"Kyaaaaack!"
A bloodthirsty pack of Blood Torani screeched as they assaulted the wagon train. The donkeys pulling the loads thrashed in panic. Red bite marks scarred their necks and bodies where the Torani had chomped down.
"Argh! It hurts! Stop hitting! Thwack!"
Taking advantage of the stalled wagons, the vicious Blood Torani kicked a fallen passenger with their hind legs, piling on the beating. Some tore at sacks in the cargo holds with their teeth.
"No! Not that cargo!"
"Kyak! Get lost!"
Petite girls who looked like travelers swung clubs desperately to protect their goods.
But against over fifteen Torani, it was hopeless.
Wait—girls?
Round ears and long, slender tails caught my eye.
My apostles! Kin are under attack! We must save them at once!
"Of course!"
I yanked the reins hard without hesitation.
"Mani! Sena! Battle stations!"
"Got it!"
Mani and Sena readied their bowguns behind me.
"Hey!"
"...!?"
"Heads down!"
I shouted to the Ratkin girls.
Thud-thud-thunk!
A crisp burst of shots. Three crossbow bolts flew from Sena's rapid fire.
"Kiek?!"
Arrows struck true in the shoulder and thigh of the lead Torani charging the wagon. It screamed and tumbled. The sudden attack drew the pack's eyes to us.
"Fire away!"
Mani fired her bowgun from beside me in support.
We drove the wagon between the Torani pack and the caravan.
Time for the Rapid Bowgun's firepower to shine.
"Take this!"
Clack, thunk! Clack, thunk!
My fingers danced on the lever. A hail of bolts rained down, dropping the Blood Torani like dominoes.
"Kieeek! Kyak!"
The brutes who'd been bullying easy travelers met superior force. Five went down in seconds amid the barrage.
"Kyak...?"
Their momentum broke.
"Reti! Keep covering me. That one's definitely the leader!"
"Got it!"
Sena set her bowgun aside, leading with shortsword and shield as she charged. She targeted the largest, fiercest Torani.
"In the name of the Hearth Goddess and the Hamster Wheel! Judgment!"
"Kieeeek!"
The leader's throat met her blade, and it collapsed screaming. The rest turned tail and fled.
"Whew... Victory."
I checked the Rapid Bowgun's magazine and hopped down from the wagon.
Merchants peeked cautiously from the wagons. The Ratkin girl with the fluffy tail—who'd been getting pummeled—staggered up, helped by her round-eared companions.
"Ow... It hurts... My poor bones..."
Slightly round ears and an incredibly bushy tail.
Oh ho! Squirrelkin! Friendly, lively children of the forest!
So there are squirrelfolk among the rodentkin.
"Ow... Thank you! We were about to get eaten alive!"
The eldest-looking squirrel girl stepped forward with a deep bow.
"You okay? No serious injuries?"
"Yes, and our cargo's safe too. I'm Poli from the Acorn Merchant Company. We were heading to the capital to deliver nuts..."
Poli let out a sigh of relief, patting her chest.
"They burst out of the woods suddenly... We nearly had a disaster. But... huh?"
Poli's eyes widened. Her gaze flicked between my rat ears and tail, then Mani and Sena.
"You girls... rodentkin too?"
"Yeah. I'm Reti, a Ratkin."
"Nice to meet you! But... are you adventurers? You have weapons."
"Yep. Bronze badge."
"Whoa! My first adventurer rat!"
Was it joy at meeting kin, or rarity of Ratkin adventurers? The merchant girls swarmed around us. They looked just as small and frail as us, yet traveled long roads—fascinating.
"This area's dangerous. I hear the roads have bad security. No escorts?"
Poli winced from her injuries before answering.
"We usually take this route in a group, so we figured it'd be fine! Goblins or chickadees scatter with a club. Didn't expect monsters charging the front!"
Fair enough—even we hadn't seen crazy monsters like Blood Torani before.
"Who knew the road to Dunholm would be like this... Anyway, we planned to stay at the stagecoach inn tonight. It's safe—we stop there often."
"Dunholm?"
Perfect timing. They knew the local roads well—joining up would be smart.
"Great. We're headed there too. Mind guiding us? We'll escort you in return."
"Really? We'd love that!"
We merged caravans and hit the road. As the sun dipped low, a two-story wooden building came into view, white smoke rising from its chimney. A horseshoe sign bore the name:
Running Hoof Inn
According to Oakwood intel and the slate's encyclopedia, roads had these stagecoach inns at intervals. Thankfully, no monsters here. Beyond a thorny fence as tall as us, the yard bustled with travelers' wagons.
"Phew, made it."
We stabled the horses and wagon, then entered the dining hall.
A lively clamor and delicious aromas greeted us. Under warm lamplight, adventurers and merchants clinked mugs and chatted.
"Over here."
We joined the Acorn girls at a long table.
"Ready to order?"
The server pointed to the wall menu: venison stew, smoked sausage, cheesy potatoes...
One item stood out amid the standards.
Today's Special: Herb-Steamed Pigeon – 60 fairy feathers
"Pigeon dish?"
Mani and Sena eyed it with sparkling interest. My curiosity piqued too. Wonder if it tastes different from chicken.
"Alright, let's splurge on something fancy tonight."
Moments later, steaming stone bowls arrived.
Inside: a whole small bird, steamed tender and mushy, stuffed with herbs and garlic. Steamed potatoes and carrots surrounded it, with a hunk of bread on the side.
"Mm... A bit tougher than chicken, but the broth is tasty. Good herb and garlic balance."
Mani tore bread to sop it up, looking pleased.
"I like it! The broth's so rich!"
We enjoyed a delightful dinner.
As we finished, night had fallen outside. Stepping out, I saw the Acorn Ratkin chattering by a courtyard bonfire.
Poli turned at my approach, beaming as she stood.
"Reti!"
"Yeah, Poli."
"I said it before, but thanks again! Without you, we'd have lost everything to those Torani."
"Yeah! You were awesome!"
"An adventurer! Bronze badge! For real?"
The Ratkin girls squeaked their praise. Feeling a bit smug, I sat by the fire.
"Eh, nothing that impressive. Just got Bronze recently."
"Pfft, not impressive? Ratkin rarely become adventurers. At most, they do odd jobs."
"Really?"
Poli and the others' words gave me déjà vu. Come to think of it, what did other Ratkin in Oakwood do? I'd seen some Iron badge ones, maybe.
As I pondered asking more about beastkin jobs, an unexpected presence interrupted.
Fwoosh!
A dazzling golden radiance erupted.
"Whoa? What's this?"
A brilliant apparition materialized before the Ratkin girls.
A golden figure of a Ratkin girl, holy aura pushing back even the firelight.
It was Lord Rodentia.
Ahem! Yes, give thanks! My brave apostle Reti and I have protected you! Thus you survive!
Rodentia declared grandly, hands on hips.
"Whoa... She's pretty..."
"A fairy?"
The merchant girls admired her looks but showed no fear or worship.
Rodentia struck a solemn pose, arms wide.
I am Rodentia, Lord of the Horned Rat and guardian goddess of all rodentkin! The one who saved you today is my apostle—will you not believe in and follow me too?
Ah, so the Lord came to proselytize.
Sure enough, she whispered slyly.
Apostle! These girls owe you a debt! They've glimpsed the Hamster Wheel's power. Prime converts!
Oh, timely indeed. Sort of?
Poli's reaction was predictable.
"Whoa, a guardian goddess? Like a spirit, I guess!"
"Thank you for protecting us, Spirit!"
The girls waved or gawked in wonder, but that was it.
Rodentia blinked in confusion.
No, what? I'm no spirit! I'm your goddess! Believe in me, and your grains won't rot, sunlight will reach your holes!
Poli gave an awkward smile and pulled out her necklace.
A pendant with a knot pattern gleamed in the firelight.
Th-that!
"Sorry, Spirit! As a merchant, I'm already contracted to the God of Contracts and Commerce."
Another girl raised her hand.
"I'm the cook, so I pray to the Hearth Goddess daily."
"I believe in the Grandfather of Agriculture..."
[...]
Rodentia's ears and tail drooped limply.
It was only natural. Ordinary beastkin and human citizens already followed the Pantheon Temple's major gods. Some obscure rat goddess popping up to demand faith would just seem like a grateful spirit or local deity at best.
I-I see... You already have gods... Of course, bullies like Contracts or Hearth hog territory...
Rodentia feigned nonchalance, but her glow visibly dimmed.
"N-no, that's not it! We're still really grateful!"
"Yeah! We survived thanks to Lady Rodentia!"
Poli and the girls rushed to console her. But Rodentia was already wounded at heart.
Yes... I understand. Rest well, and don't stay up late...
Her form faded away. I swear I heard a sniffle from behind.
'Lord...'
I gave a wry smile and decided to offer up the pigeon leg I'd saved as a quick tribute.
"She seemed hurt..."
Mani whispered with a giggle.
"Can't be helped. Her fame's at rock bottom. Gotta hustle in the capital."
We pondered how to cheer Rodentia up.
Drowsy and ready for bed, I overheard chatter from the next table. Sword-belted, scarred breastplate—adventurers.
"Damn, security's gone to hell lately. Saw bandits lurking on the way here."
"Don't remind me. Roads are Military Police turf, right? Those blue-uniform clowns haven't shown their faces."
"Border's a mess. Adlerheim and Moravia mobilizing over a border dungeon claim."
"Council's in uproar? Troops pulled that way. No wonder weirdos are crawling the roads."
I paused, ears perked.
"Hey, silver lining—we get more work!"
"Haha!"
'So that's why security sucks.'
Pity magic nets only work in big cities or galleries. Outside, the slate's just an expensive encyclopedia.
International tensions create security vacuums, bandits fill the gaps.
The inn's night was peaceful, but the wind outside howled rough. Morning's Blood Torani too—the road to the capital wasn't easy.
I turned in early for the journey.
'Gotta be more careful starting tomorrow.'