4
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 4
Five days have passed since the Demon King's head flew off.
Now the moon is fully emitting a white light.
It's the border.
Barre threw the axe across the wasteland.
The axe cleanly cut through the air and crossed the border.
It's probably stuck somewhere in the forest beyond the border.
I'll have to retrieve it later when I cross the border.
Barre transformed into Caesar's body and faced the soldiers guarding the border.
"Who are you?"
"Caesar Sylvatil. A knight of the Allied Forces."
"...What business brings you here?"
"I want to be discharged."
"...Pardon?"
Caesar tossed a silver coin to the soldier and said, "Don't ask stupid questions and call an officer."
"Ah, yes sir!"
The sentries ran off quickly.
Money is truly frightening.
With just one silver coin, you can command sentries like dogs.
That's how twisted this world is.
***
Shortly after, Caesar faced the personnel officer of the 31st Division.
"You say you're Sir Caesar Sylvatil?"
"That's right."
"And you're a knight of the Allied Forces...?"
"Correct."
The personnel officer looked at Caesar's family ring and dog tags before speaking.
"We've heard the news that the Demon King has been killed. However, the war isn't over yet, so you can't be discharged. Strictly speaking, since you belong to the Allied Forces, without the permission of the Allied Commander or your division commander..."
The reason for the long explanation is simple.
He hasn't seen the silver coins yet.
Caesar handed five silver coins to the personnel officer.
"My shoulder is injured and won't lift. I think I need to meet with my doctor for treatment?"
"Ahem!"
The personnel officer secretly pocketed the silver coins.
"If you're in pain, it can't be helped. I'll suggest to the personnel staff that you go for outpatient treatment. About half a year..."
Caesar handed over one more silver coin.
"...It seems you need about 3 years of recovery? Then it would be better for you to be discharged."
The personnel officer handed over the liquor bottle he had been drinking from and said, "Please wait a moment. I'll prepare the documents for you right away."
"Thank you."
The personnel officer left the tent.
Seo-han took a sip of the liquor.
It's quite a tasty brandy.
'What a corrupt world.'
To be able to get discharged during wartime by offering bribes.
If I had known this was possible during my time as a soldier, I would have scraped together money somehow and tried to bribe high-ranking officers.
No, back then, wouldn't it have been forcibly taken away?
They'd say, "Why does a mere private have so much money?" and tell me to keep it in the platoon leader's bank for safekeeping.
Then I'd face a shitty situation where deposits are possible but withdrawals are not.
How much time had passed while having these idle thoughts and enjoying the liquor?
The personnel officer entered, lifting the tent flap.
"The personnel staff and division commander expressed their gratitude for Sir Caesar's contributions and decided to grant you an honorable discharge. This is a personal letter from the division commander, and these are your discharge papers."
"Can I read this right away?"
"Yes, of course."
Caesar read the division commander's personal letter.
[To Sir Caesar Sylvatil,
On behalf of His Majesty the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the great Eileen Empire and anointed by the four goddesses, I commend you for your meritorious service.
When I heard the news of your injury during the battle with the vicious demon race, my heart was torn.
I hope you recover quickly and make a name for yourself as a knight who illuminates the world.
By the way, I know a surgeon in Homigraph.
His name is Fin Beckin, and he's my cousin.
If you go to Fin with this letter, he will treat you for free.
May the blessings of the goddess Royder be abundant before you.
-Miliu Beckin
Division Commander, 31st Division, 9th Corps]
Caesar furrowed his brow.
'They're offering free treatment for just 6 silver coins?'
Surgical treatments in this era are quite expensive.
Although cheaper than the potions sold by the Ruber Order, proper treatment once can bankrupt the average commoner.
This is because surgical procedures are highly advanced techniques, and only doctors recognized by the Royder Order can use blades on people's bodies, resulting in a chronic shortage of personnel.
But they're offering free surgical treatment?
Something smells fishy.
Caesar used psychometry.
-There's no reason not to discharge him now that even the Demon King is dead.
-There's no chance to handle money here except for embezzling supplies... Hmm... This looks like a pretty good way to make pocket money?
-More importantly, I'm worried about the bandits who've been rampant on the northern road lately. I heard even the 28th Division commander was robbed recently...
-Should I use him like last time? He might be able to wipe them out if it's him?
The world is truly bizarre.
While some are dying and bleeding on the front lines, here they are embezzling supplies.
But thanks to their corruption, I was able to get discharged easily, so it's hard to criticize this as entirely bad.
Anyway, that's not the important part; it seems this division commander intends to use Caesar to destroy all the bandits.
'Who do they think they're dealing with?'
I'm grateful for the discharge, but treating me like a pushover is a separate issue.
Caesar folded the letter and put it in his pocket.
"I've heard some rumors that bandits have been rampant lately?"
At those words, the personnel officer sighed and said, "Yes, that's right. The unbelievers who refused to join the war against the demon realm are taking advantage of the Empire's difficult times to harass people."
"Has there been any damage to military supplies?"
"Not at all. No matter how crazy the bandits are, they know that the moment they touch the Empire's military supplies, the army will move."
This guy doesn't seem to know that the division commander is embezzling supplies.
He also doesn't seem to know that those embezzled supplies are being stolen by bandits.
He must either not be one of the division commander's people or someone without the guts to steal military supplies.
'It doesn't look like there's much information to be gained from this guy.'
"Ah, by the way, the division commander did have one request for Sir Caesar because of this issue..."
"If it's about asking me to wipe out the bandits, unfortunately, my arm won't lift, so it won't be possible."
"...Pardon? Ah... I see..."
Caesar stood up.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
"Ah, yes. Congratulations on your discharge."
***
Caesar proudly crossed the border after showing his crisp discharge papers to the soldiers.
Now, what should he do with his life?
After five days of contemplation, Caesar came to a conclusion.
'Let's go to a quiet countryside for now.'
Although they say bandits are rampant, it's unclear to what extent.
If lucky, he might find a peaceful rural area without bandits.
Creating a vegetable garden there, building a cabin, and enjoying a pleasant rural life could lead to mentally and physically peaceful days.
In fact, even during his Earth days, Seo-han's dream was to return to farming.
He wants to try it at least once.
How long had he been walking?
A cart loaded with straw approached from behind.
The driver smiled kindly and said, "Where are you headed?"
"I'm trying to get to the nearest town for now."
"There's a small Rock Village nearby where you can buy horses. Why don't we go there together? How about it?"
This world is truly romantic.
Is this what you'd call the warmth between people that can't be seen in harsh Korea?
Although you have to wipe with straw instead of toilet paper and quench your thirst with earthy-tasting water, he liked this romantic lifestyle.
"Then I'll take you up on that offer for a bit."
"The journey is long, so feel free to sleep comfortably~"
Caesar gathered the straw on the cart to make a soft bed and lay down.
It's slower and bumpier than running, but it has a rustic charm.
Like riding on grandfather's tractor in the old days, perhaps?
'Rural life will really be so much fun.'
What crops should I grow?
Let's start with potatoes and tomatoes.
Catch fish by the river in summer, and in winter, boil potatoes and eat them while watching the snow fall.
Ah
This is the life.
Just as he was having such leisurely thoughts, he felt like he was missing something.
'...Something's off.'
This cart definitely came from the border area.
And this straw is surely fodder used to feed horses.
Unless the division's quartermaster had embezzled horse feed, there shouldn't be this much left over.
Caesar used psychometry on the cart.
Then, a vision flashed before Caesar's eyes.
Wounded soldiers lying in the cart like Seo-han.
Suddenly, arrows rain down on the cart.
One of the wounded soldiers, dying and bleeding, barely opens his eyes to look at those who killed him.
Bandits wearing black hoods.
And between them, the face of the cart driver was visible.
Caesar glared at the driver with his eyes half-open.
'Look at this bastard.'
The driver glanced at Caesar, and when their eyes met, he hurriedly looked away.
"What's your name?"
"Huh? It's Tom, sir."
"Tom. There's one thing I'm curious about."
"Yes, ask me anything, Sir Knight."
"Who told you my pockets were full?"
"Haha... What do you mean by that...?"
As soon as he saw the driver's shoulder twitch, Caesar threw his axe.
Thud-!
The axe lodged in the driver's shoulder blade.
"Aaaaaargh!"
The horse, startled by the driver's scream, broke into a run.
With amazing balance, Caesar ran across the rocking cart and sat in the driver's seat.
Then, he pulled out the axe stuck in the driver's shoulder while simultaneously pulling on the reins to stop the horse.
Caesar searched the inner pocket of the driver, who was writhing and groaning in pain.
As expected, a revolver was found.
"Hmm... It's an S&W product. Looking at the serial number, it's military issue."
"Urrrgh...!"
"This revolver can only be used by those ranked major or above, and it's a luxury item that can't be bought on a driver's salary. Ah, I suppose you already know that?"
"P-please spare me... Aaaaargh!"
Caesar mercilessly dug his fingers into the driver's wound.
"Aaaaargh!"
"You didn't come to catch me alone. Where are your comrades now?"
"Th-that's..."
Caesar used psychometry on the guy's body.
Then he saw a narrow ravine and bushes that could hide bodies.
"I see. They'll appear a bit further ahead. Then, who ordered you to target me?"
The face of the personnel officer he had seen earlier appeared.
Who would have thought that the guy who smiled broadly at six silver coins would have such sinister thoughts?
There's not a single person to trust in this world.
Ah, the barbarian blood is boiling.
Caesar put the gun in his inner pocket.
"You know, until just now, I dreamed of a peaceful farming life. But after experiencing this today, it seems impossible. How can I live a rural life in a place with such terrible public safety?"
"Please spare me... If you just spare my life..."
"The price for trampling on my dream is steep, Tom."
Thud!
The driver's blood splattered on Caesar's face.
"I guess it's better to live as a nouveau riche with 11 maids in the city after all."
Of course, not before killing the bandits who tried to kill me first.
***
Victor came out through the doghole when night fell.
He then headed towards the narrow rocky gorge where he was supposed to meet Tom, riding the horse he had prepared in advance.
'This nonsense will be over soon.'
With the Demon King dead, the war in the demon realm would soon end too.
Wandering knights like Caesar who wanted to be discharged and the wounded would surely flock here.
If he killed them and looted all their spoils, he wouldn't have to worry about money for the rest of his life.
'That bag Caesar was carrying looked quite heavy.'
Even one gold nugget would be good, and if it contained vampires' artwork, it would be a jackpot.
Victor's heart was pounding at the thought of opening his bag.
As he approached the narrow rocky gorge,
Victor tilted his head.
'Why aren't they coming out?'
Normally, they would have been waiting for him here.
Victor entered the gorge, leading his horse.
"Billy! Where are you?"
Victor's words echoed in the empty space.
Victor felt a chill run down his spine.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
Just as Victor was about to turn his horse around and head back to the army, the horse startled and jumped.
Victor fell off the horse, and it abandoned him, galloping away.
Where Victor's gaze landed, Caesar was standing with axes in both hands.
"L-Lord Caesar...?"
"You've killed quite a lot, Victor."
"W-What are you talking about?"
"Were there over 100 who were discharged due to injuries? And about 3 wandering knights like me."
Victor slowly reached into his inner pocket.
"I don't quite understand what you're saying..."
"I'm not doing this out of some misplaced sense of justice. It's just that when someone throws an axe at me, I have to throw one back to feel satisfied."
Victor's fingers grasped the revolver.
"I don't know what you're talking abou-!"
Thwack!
Before Victor could draw his gun, an axe flew and embedded itself in his forehead.
"Then die not knowing."
***
Caesar searched Victor's body.
He found only a revolver, a gold pocket watch, and a ruby-studded jewel on him.
'Less than I thought.'
Victor probably had hidden valuables here and there like a squirrel in autumn.
But Caesar decided to give up on finding them, as it would be troublesome and time-consuming.
Caesar loaded Victor's corpse onto a wagon.
There were also the bodies of the thieves who had tried to kill Caesar.
"Go."
When Caesar slapped the horse's rear, the horses slowly began to pull the corpses.
The direction was towards the border.
This should be enough to make even the most incompetent army pay attention to public safety.
Then at least one innocent person might be saved from death.
Caesar climbed onto another wagon.
This one belonged to the thieves.
"Let's go then."
That wagon was loaded with the treasures the thieves had hoarded, Barre's axe, and other spoils.
"This should be enough for even 20 maids, huh?"
Barre hummed a tune as he drove the horse.