Grape Village (1)

"Until we meet again."

Lacazette boarded his carriage and vanished beyond the hill, swallowed by the deep darkness that had settled over the land.

Rian looked down at the scroll and the soul container in his hands.

To use the scroll, simply harbor killing intent toward your target, then tear it with your teeth.

He smiled.

"Will I even have a chance to use this?"

He looked up at the night sky. A bluish dawn was already beginning to break. He hadn't slept a wink, and his mind felt foggy. After a night spent in the company of Lacazette and the Uma Girl — with those peculiar appearances of theirs — he felt as though he'd wandered through some fairy-tale kingdom.

Rian yawned and turned around.

He was ambling toward the village, thinking how peaceful the neighborhood felt, when the sound of hoofbeats reached him from afar. Not one horse — several. And they sounded desperately urgent. Then, all at once, the horses whinnied and the hoofbeats ceased. They must have dismounted.

"Don't tell me... soldiers?"

Rian hurriedly ran ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠toward the sound. He climbed the hill, flattened himself against the ground, and peered down.

Six heavily armed knights were locked in combat with a black wraith wielding a massive scythe. The wraith, draped in a black robe, floated through the air, swinging its enormous blade without mercy. The face beneath the hood was a skull, and its body was as large as a bull. Against such a foe, the six knights were having a rather hard time of it.

"Dodge!"

"Kim! Dax! Go right!"

"Whew! That was close!"

"Captain Lyle! I'll hold it — strike from behind!"

"Too dangerous! Fall back — Kim, you're in!"

"Ah, damn it!"

Whenever they found themselves in a tight spot, the knights never panicked — they slipped out of danger with practiced ease. Their tightly woven teamwork, the individual swordsmanship of each man... even at a glance, they looked like seasoned veterans.

"Whoa, that's impressive."

Rian, who'd been watching in a daze, let out a gasp of admiration.

"Four years in this other world, and this is the first time I've seen actual knights."

At first, the knights fought well against the black wraith, which had been driven into a corner. But the creature's resistance was fierce, and as time wore on, the knights seemed to be tiring. Eventually, the sag in their momentum became unmistakable.

"Is that thing some kind of high-ranking demon?"

Seeing it hold its own against six knights, it was clearly a powerful one. A creeping urge to use the scroll began to well up in Rian, just in case.

"Use it, don't use it. Use it, don't use it. Use it, don't use it. I just got the thing... it'd be a waste to burn it already."

Lacazette had said it clearly: some of them were worth ten souls, even a hundred. Could that thing down there be one of those?

"It vanished again!"

"Watch the ground! Look at the grass moving!"

"Over there! Captain Lyle, that way!"

The black wraith, which had vanished for a moment, suddenly materialized right in front of the man who appeared to be their captain. It swung its massive, razor-sharp scythe without hesitation.

"Ghk!"

The knight captain dodged nimbly, but caught his foot on a rock and went down. As he hit the ground on his rear, the black wraith raised its scythe once more. Urgent shouts rang out from all around.

"No!"

"Damn it!"

"Captain Lyle!"

A man's head was about to fly. Rian clicked his tongue and gripped the scroll.

"Guess I don't have a choice."

He had no obligation to save knights he'd just met today, but if he was going to use it anyway, he might as well do it now so they could all go home in one piece and in good spirits.

Rian immediately filled himself with killing intent toward the black wraith. Keeping his eyes locked on the creature, he bit down on the paper and tore it with a rip.

The change came instantly.

KYAAAAAAH!

The black wraith, electrocuted by the lightning, convulsed violently. When the bolt finally ceased, the creature's body scattered into the air like smoke and vanished.

"Wh-what just happened?"

The knights stared at one another, faces stunned.

"Magic? Who cast that...?"

"Wasn't me."

"Me neither."

"None of us even know magic."

One of them clutched his chest and let out a sigh of relief.

"Anyway, it's dead. That's what matters."

The knights all broke into bright smiles.

"Yeah, as long as it's dead."

"But what was that? Weird."

"Whew. That's one down."

They all collapsed onto the ground. As the knights wiped the sweat from their brows and caught their breath, Captain Lyle — who'd just escaped death by a hair — hurriedly scanned the surroundings.

"What in the world was that?"

At that moment, Rian, still lying prone on the hill, was staring at the soul-flame that had appeared where the black wraith had vanished. The knights hadn't noticed it at all. Only Rian could see it.

"Oh. So that's what Lacazette was talking about."

He popped open the lid of the soul container — a long, thin cylinder that looked rather like a ballpoint pen — with his thumb, then stretched it as far forward as he could.

Confirming it had been drawn in without any trouble, Rian promptly closed the lid.

"That thing was pretty strong. Hopefully it's worth at least ten souls."

He smiled quietly to himself.

A voice suddenly rang out.

"Is anyone there? Thank you for your help! If you're watching us from somewhere, I'd like to formally express our gratitude! Please, don't be shy — come on over!"

It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was Captain Lyle's shout. His men, still sitting on the ground, snickered and bantered among themselves.

"Nobody helped us, I'm telling you."

"So it just dropped dead on its own?"

"Who knows. Maybe the weather just turned and a lightning bolt happened to strike."

"That was definitely a magic spell. How else does lightning hit that thing and nothing else? Does that make any sense?"

While his men chattered, Lyle stood still, carefully surveying the area.

"Is there really no one who helped us...? But I can't make sense of Risgal, the so-called Lord of Darkness, just dropping dead like that..."

That was when it happened. Someone suddenly stood up on the nearby hill.

They might give me a reward, right?

Hoping as much, Rian revealed himself.

"Is that a person?"

"Look, it's a person."

The seated knights sprang to their feet, staring curiously at Rian as he pushed through the brush and came down the hill. But his appearance struck them as bizarre. A bloodstained shirt... and nothing but underwear below. The knights stared at him even more strangely.

"He's not one of those village lunatics, is he...?"

"A lunatic wouldn't be able to fight like that."

Once he'd come down, Rian stood facing Captain Lyle, clasped his hands behind his back with a solemn expression, and cleared his throat.

"I came running out of bed, which is why I'm dressed like this. The blood on the shirt is from butchering a wild boar the day before yesterday."

"Ah, I see."

Lyle smiled as if he finally understood. Seeing Rian's appearance, he addressed him casually.

"Are you the one who saved us?"

Rian gave a slight nod.

"That I am. The situation looked dire, so I lent a hand."

Even accounting for having just rolled out of bed, Rian's appearance was so shabby that Lyle remained half-skeptical.

"How did you do it? What did you use to kill it in one shot?"

"I used a magic scroll that was a family heirloom. My father invested his entire fortune to purchase it — an extremely expensive magic scroll."

Rian spoke with gravitas, letting his expectations show. I don't need anything from you people except money.

Lyle pondered, stroking his chin.

"A magic scroll... so that's what it was."

"It was extremely expensive."

"An expensive magic scroll... hmm."

Apparently convinced, he called his men together.

"Everyone, form a line behind me. We will formally express our gratitude to this gentleman."

"Yes, sir!"

"Sir!"

Rian grumbled inwardly. No, I don't need any of that — just give me the money already. But outwardly, he merely wore a solemn, good-natured smile.

"Haha, no need for all that. The thanks are unnecessary. Helping a fellow man is simply what one ought to do, having been born human, is it not? Of course, the scroll was rather expensive, but the thanks are quite enough. Put it away, put it away."

"I must decline."

Lyle said it with a serious expression.

"We're short on time, so please understand this will be abbreviated. All hands, attention!"

He shouted loudly.

"Salute!"

Behind him, the knights struck their breastplates with the flats of their blades exactly three times. Clack! Clack! Clack!

"Huzzah!"

Rian waved a hand, feigning embarrassment.

"It's quite all right, quite all right. People ought to help each other."

"Then take care on your way back."

"What?"

Lyle and his men turned their backs as if their business was concluded. They were literally wiping their mouths and walking away!

"That's it?"

As the situation unfolded contrary to his expectations, Rian was left speechless.

"Excuse me?"

Lyle looked back.

"Did you call?"

"You're leaving already?"

"We're pressed for time, so we must be going. Thank you for the help."

"Well, if you're busy... I understand."

The words Isn't there a reward? rose to Rian's throat, but he only moved his lips silently. I can't exactly come out and demand payment for saving their lives...

After a moment's thought, he quickly chased after Lyle. The captain and his men were gathering the equipment scattered on the ground.

"Where are you headed? Heading back to a city, perhaps?"

"We're going to Chester to handle our next commission."

"A commission? You're going right now?"

"We've already lost a lot of time, so we intend to leave immediately."

"Is Chester a city?"

"It's the name of a mountain."

"A mountain..."

"Do you have business in that direction?"

If they'd been heading to a city, he'd planned to ask them for an escort as compensation for his help. But they were going to a mountain.

"How long will you be staying in the mountains?"

"Until the monster is caught."

"Monster hunting? Don't tell me you're a mercenary company?"

"Do we look like one?"

Lyle chuckled.

"You heard us say Stone Shield Knights just now, didn't you? We're all members of the order. We were deployed to this region, and we took on a few commissions to earn a bit of extra pocket money."

"Ah, my apologies."

"No offense taken."

Lyle went on.

"If you're thinking of coming with us, think it over carefully. We're heading somewhere dangerous, so you'll have to look after your own life."

One of the men called out with a laugh.

"If you've got another high-grade scroll like that one, come along! We'll even cut you in for a share!"

Another knight chided him.

"We barely have enough for ourselves, and you're offering to share?"

"I was just saying. Hahaha."

Rian clicked his tongue. These guys are completely useless. Won't even give me money.

In the end, he left the knights waving goodbye behind him and headed toward the village.

"Hey!"

They'd barely parted when a voice called from behind. It was Lyle. He approached and held out a handkerchief with his name written on it.

"I couldn't properly thank you just now with my men watching. I'm Lyle Jr. II of Baltigo. Please take this."

"What's this?"

"If you ever happen to travel to Baltigo, seek out House Lyle. Show them this handkerchief and they'll treat you well. Consider it payment for saving my life."

"I appreciate the thought, but isn't a handkerchief a parting gift between lovers?"

"We're making do with what we've got. Instead of pointing that out, maybe you should put some pants on. Anyway, this is all I have on me right now. Just take it."

Rian said he understood and took the handkerchief.

"Do stop by. Even better if you come while I'm there."

Lyle flashed a grin and turned away.

The sun slowly rose, and the surroundings gradually brightened. On the early morning road back to the village, Rian had tied the blue handkerchief from Lyle around his right wrist. He walked the quiet forest path, lost ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in thought.

"The princess is surely looking for me too. To let her know where I am, I have to go to a big city and advertise. That's the only way our chances of meeting go up."

He immediately let out a sigh.

"But I have no money to leave the village, and there's no such thing as currency in a backwater like this."

The villagers got by through barter. The occasional coins that came in through outsiders all went to the village chief, who used them only for communal necessities or as a development fund.

"If I want to get my hands on some money..."

Before long, Rian arrived at a conclusion.

"I need to sell something to that lime-green-haired woman. She's a traveling merchant — she always carries cash."

"Try these pants on."

It was a languid afternoon. Rian was lying in front of the barn, soaking up the sun, when a man held out a shabby pair of pants.

"Where'd you get these?"

"They're ones I used to wear. How long are you going to walk around in just your underwear?"

"After four years of going around like this, pants would just feel uncomfortable. Anyway, hand them over."

Rian grinned and tried them on. They weren't a perfect fit, but they were close enough. The length, however, was quite short — more like three-quarter pants.

"I'll wear them well."

"You two, I've got you now!"

The Freckled Boy's voice rang out suddenly.

"I'm telling Father you were colluding with the enemy! Just you wait!"

The two men on watch just snickered.

"The fields are fine, and what exactly has this fellow done wrong? Go ahead and tell."

"Dean! You come over here and say hello too. There's a lot to learn. He's a teacher — a real teacher."

"Don't make me laugh! You two have been bewitched by a demon! Bewitched! I'm telling everything!"

Rian, who'd been watching quietly, thought to himself, I should butter that kid up first.