Family-like Guild (2)
The opposite of a genius is not an ordinary person, but a dullard. Realizing the truth at an age when one desperately wants to believe they are special is an agonizing experience. But there was no helping it. Those who could see something once and never forget it, who could even surpass the original—before true geniuses, I could only be compared unfavorably. I could not manifest any swordsmanship. All I could do was draw the blade from its scabbard. Nothing more. Even swinging the sword lightly was a talent denied to me. A talent that could cut nothing with a blade. My instructor had assessed it directly: a talent that seemed hated by the sword itself.
If only I had been born with ordinary aptitude. Then at least my efforts would have been rewarded. There were times I cursed the heavens for such thoughts. Yet in the endless despair, I finally understood. I had only been running away. The single sword technique granted to me—nothing more than drawing the blade from its scabbard. That alone was all I could do, something not even worthy of being called swordsmanship. Still, I had no choice but to accept it. If this was the only talent I possessed, then I would forge it into a weapon no one could approach, and prove it to everyone who had mocked me.
Of course, it was all just a concept!!
* * *
Gideon. The city of heroes and myths. It was no exaggeration to say that most tales of heroes who slew monsters, vanquished demons, and won the hearts of beauties originated here. True to its name, countless heroes in Gideon continued writing their own myths even now. But where there is light, there must also be darkness. For every person living a radiant hero's life, there were those who died miserably and were forgotten. It was only natural. Not everyone could become a hero.
The city of heroes and myths. Another name it was called by: the graveyard of heroes and myths. In that case, we at least had to make sure our own graves were never dug. Walking alongside his guild members, Isaac thought to himself.
The creatures known as demonic beasts that blocked a hero's path were exactly that sort of existence. Monsters akin to calamities that could claim the life of even the most skilled hero in an instant. Even if the opponent was the weakest demonic beast, a goblin, there was no room for carelessness. In reality, even goblins, the weakest of demonic beasts, were more than ordinary villagers could handle. That was why heroes existed. To deal with demonic beasts.
"At least the distance is close. That's a relief."
"I heard the top guilds travel around using spatial movement."
"How could we fill our stomachs with the first spoonful?"
"I-I know that! I was just saying!"
At Hans's rebuke, Sophia flushed and snapped back. As Isaac had said, the Iron Shield was a guild that had only just been founded. Comparing it to the major guilds was meaningless.
"Save the fighting for later. They're coming."
Though he wouldn't have minded watching their affectionate bickering a little longer, unfortunately that wasn't possible. Uninvited guests had appeared. Isaac raised his hand. Lifting his left hand was the signal that enemies had been spotted. In an instant, the guild members who had been laughing and chatting in a light atmosphere changed completely.
"Sophia, their positions and numbers?"
"They're completely surrounding us. Roughly twenty of them."
"Quite a lot."
Though Sophia was a half-elf and not at the level of a pureblood elf, her ability to sense presences in the forest still far exceeded that of ordinary humans. In other words, she was an excellent scout.
"They're just goblins, though."
The moment he heard their positions from Sophia, Hans stepped forward. The massive greatsword resting on his shoulder swung down like a bolt of lightning. At the same time, a tremendous slash erupted. With enough force to cleave the forest itself, the slash instantly swept away the trees, earth, and goblins in front of them.
Though he had already known, seeing it directly was still shocking.
"Sophia, how many left?"
"Five. They're even running away."
"That means they sent out scouts as well."
"Seems that way. How arrogant of them."
To hide his inner turmoil, Isaac played the role of a calm commander as best he could. It was only natural—anyone who witnessed such a slash right before their eyes would tremble. But who was Isaac? A true concept fanatic who would stake even his life for the sake of his concept. Quickly suppressing his own agitation, Isaac calmly considered the next move.
"The fact that these cowardly creatures didn't flee even after seeing us, and instead surrounded us, means their nest must have considerable forces."
"Should Hans and I go scout?"
"No. First, we'll establish a base in the village. We can scout after we've prepared properly. It's not too late."
Isaac wanted to avoid losing such excellent talent if at all possible, so he blocked every potential risk. Of course, Sophia and Hans wouldn't fall to mere goblins. But there was always the one-in-a-million chance. Moreover, if goblins were doing this even to heroes like them, what would happen to the weaker villagers?
Sophia apologized. "S-sorry. I didn't think that far."
"Don't worry about it. This is my role as master."
"What... Why are you so reliable today?"
"This is our first request as master, isn't it? It wouldn't be strange to steel myself."
"That's true. It would be troublesome if you didn't act this way."
Sophia was surprised by Isaac's uncharacteristic demeanor, but nodded in understanding after hearing Hans's words. Isaac himself was inwardly startled, wondering if his true nature had been exposed. There were a few more goblin attacks after that, but they were all dealt with without much difficulty.
Only after that did they finally arrive at the village, and its condition was far worse than expected.
"The smell of blood is overwhelming."
"The bodies haven't been collected."
"...They probably couldn't collect them."
Isaac already knew from the novel. Veltas Village had been completely isolated by the goblins. As a result, they couldn't even collect the bodies, let alone secure proper food or weapons. In the end, Veltas Village, drained of all strength, had most of its villagers massacred in the goblin invasion. The only survivors were Zeek and her younger sister. But that was only Isaac's story. To everyone else, it looked as though he had instantly grasped the entire village's situation after seeing it just once.
"Whoa, Master, you're way too reliable!"
"This is the first time I've seen Isaac so serious."
"Have you finished all your jokes? Then let's head inside."
Feeling another pang of guilt, Isaac urged his guild members forward. Behind the crude barricade made of stacked wooden stakes, a village youth shouted.
"S-stop! Who are you people?!"
"I am Isaac, master of the Iron Shield Guild. We've come to resolve the goblin subjugation request."
"Iron Shield? Th-then you're from Gideon?!"
"That's right."
As expected, they were still unknown. The man didn't seem to recognize the name Iron Shield. Explaining that they came from Gideon was much faster for now. The situation must have been far more desperate than imagined. The firmly closed crude barricade gate opened quickly. Isaac and his guild members entered the village.
The village's condition was even more severe than he had thought. Though the outside was already filled with corpses, the inside was packed with the injured, most of them gaunt and clearly struggling.
"It looks like a defeated army's camp."
"Hans, watch your words. These are people who have endured until now, risking their lives for their families."
"I misspoke. I'm sorry."
Isaac's cold voice struck Hans's chest like an arrow. Indeed, seeing that they hadn't abandoned their weapons even in such a desperate situation, he realized it had been a slip of the tongue.
'He really has changed since becoming guild master. He's much more composed than before.'
Hans had once wondered whether a man like that could properly fulfill the role of guild master, but it seemed his worries had been unnecessary.
'Didn't I just say something pretty cool?'
If he could read Isaac's mind, he would have immediately retracted that assessment. In any case, thanks to the youths' guidance, Isaac finally arrived at the village chief's house.
"I never thought you would actually come. I had already given up hope."
"I'm sorry we're late. And I offer my respects."
"Yes...?"
The moment he met the village chief, Isaac bowed his head and raised his right hand to his chest. While the chief was still flustered by the sudden action—
"I will never take lightly the sacrifices of those who fell while protecting their families and neighbors."
Those words carried undeniable weight. For a moment, they seemed to swallow the surrounding atmosphere. The chief suddenly realized. This was what a hero was. Why were tears flowing?
"That's right! Just leave it to us! We'll smash those goblins to pieces!"
"First, Dig and I will repair the barricade."
"Eh?! Isn't that an incredibly hard job?!"
"Shut up and follow me. The newbie talks too much."
Stimulated by Isaac's words, the guild members also began to step forward proactively. To protect the village, and to punish the goblins. The battle had only just begun.