Chapter 99: Responsibility
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 99: Responsibility
Winter arrived with a chill so biting it felt as though the world itself might freeze solid.
Despite the cold, Hestia Village was as bustling as ever, fully immersed in its ongoing construction.
Hanson, who had been with the project since the village’s founding, had recently been promoted from foreman to site manager. Among the common technicians, he had achieved the greatest success, rising to oversee the very foremen he once worked alongside.
"Hey, pile on some more meat! How am I supposed to have any energy if you're being this stingy?"
"Meat is served in fixed portions only," the server replied flatly.
"Fixed portions, my foot! That piece over there looks way bigger. Are you saving that for someone special? Is that what you call a fixed portion?"
"Good grief. Now that you’re a site manager, you should be buying some ham to share with the rest of us. The side dish rations are a mess, and it’s getting on everyone's nerves."
"If I go blowing my coin on stuff like that, when am I ever going to save up?! Don't give me that lip; just give me more meat."
After a bit of persistent bickering, Hanson managed to secure a large extra chunk. He left the serving station with a satisfied smirk.
"Manager Hanson! Over here! I saved you a spot!"
He sat down a reasonable distance from the campfire.
"Wow. Even after becoming a manager, you still eat in a place like this?"
"Do I look like I have the time to dine with the high and mighty? While they’re off playing around, we’re the ones doing all the real work!"
"Where did that knight go?"
Hanson shrugged.
"How should I know? He disappears so often I’ve just come to expect it. He doesn't eat with us anyway, so let's just enjoy our meal in peace."
A moment later, one of the foremen approached, glancing around nervously.
"Eating, are you?"
"I am. What’s wrong? You being chased by your wife?"
"Something like that. I’d rather not run into her. Here, take this, quick."
He pulled something out from inside his heavy coat. It was a whole ham.
"Ooh! Where’d you get a ham?"
"I heard there was a problem with the supplies," the man bragged. "I swiped one from those Halim folks."
Instead of scolding him for the theft, the other men began praising him like a hero.
"Then why didn't you bring a bigger one?"
"This is the biggest one."
"Damn, this thing is huge. I was just thinking the rations were a bit light on meat, but now we can finally get some grease in our bellies. Get your knife out."
"Mine’s dirty. Use yours."
"Mine’s just as filthy. Don't be like that, just give it here."
"Can't we just sterilize 'em in the fire?"
"Then use yours and stick it in the coals!"
They were bickering over whose knife was less disgusting when a voice interrupted them.
"Gentlemen."
"That brat is here! Hide it, quick!"
At the sound of the young man's voice, the men scrambled. They began shoveling stew into their mouths as if nothing had happened.
The young man who approached wore polished half-plate armor, a sword at his hip, and an armband that read: Security Force Captain.
It was William.
The Captain, whose rigid personality was evident even in his tone, asked, "The people from Halim say some of their side dishes have gone missing. Do you know anything about that?"
"Can't say I do. Do you know anything, boys?"
"I haven't a clue either. Maybe that desert god of theirs turned into a ghost and stole it?"
William scanned the area slowly. An unnaturally large bulge in one man's crotch caught his eye.
"Take out whatever you have in your pants."
"Hey, now! A man's eating his dinner, and you're telling him to drop his drawers?"
"It looks suspicious. Take it out. Now."
"This? I'm just naturally well-endowed."
"…Please, let's not embarrass each other."
Reluctantly, the man pulled the ham out from his trousers. William let out a long, weary sigh.
"This is strictly theft. Why are you all like this, honestly?"
"Hey, those guys did it too! They swiped some of our materials and then played dumb when we called them out!"
"Exactly! If they can do it, why can't we?"
The workers shouted, claiming the ham as their right under the logic of 'an eye for an eye.' However, their excuses didn't work on the Security Force Captain.
"I have a duty to maintain the peace in this village. Please, let's not make things unpleasant for each other."
"I'm telling you, they did it first. You're not going to lock us poor folks up over a bit of meat, are you?"
"Consider it revenge enough that you're giving back something you rubbed against your crotch," William said dryly. "If this happens again, I'm following the law to the letter."
"That's not a bad way to look at it. Your crotch stench is pretty potent, after all."
"Oh? You haven't washed in a week, yours is definitely worse!"
While the workers bickered over who was more disgusting, the Security Force Captain picked up the ham as if it were a piece of filth and disappeared. The workers watched his retreating back and began to grumble.
"Damn. That refugee brat really made it big as soon as he got here."
"Where did a guy like that even come from?"
"Who knows? His name is William, but he's just a refugee. As soon as the Administrator saw him, didn't she appoint him Security Force Captain on the spot?"
"Why would they give such an important job to a refugee?"
"Maybe he brought some heirloom from a high-ranking family and slipped it to her?"
"What would a Dragon Spawn want with something like that?"
"But doesn't he look the part? All stiff and acting like a proper knight."
"True."
As much as they hated to admit it, it was true. William had never done anything to bring shame to his position.
Then, a sudden thought sparked a new topic of conversation.
"Come to think of it, why hasn't anyone thought about giving our knight a title?"
The foremen all nodded in agreement. Given his monstrous strength, it was strange that the Armored Knight was still treated as a common laborer.
"I naturally thought the Armored Knight would become the Security Force Captain."
"I heard they didn't even offer it to him. When I asked the Administrator if we shouldn't give our knight a title, she just said she was 'considering it'!"
"So she is thinking about it. We just have to wait, then?"
"Thinking about it, my foot! She's probably just planning to work him to the bone and then toss him aside. She's nothing but a greedy, corrupt official."
The foremen felt a chill run down their spines at those words.
"That… the Administrator is a dragon, isn't she?"
"She's a Dragon Spawn, not a dragon."
"To people like us, it's all the same. They're the kind of folk who'll snap your spine in half if they get angry. Is it really okay to talk about her like that?"
"…Well, I'm just saying," Hanson muttered, backing down.
He valued his own life too much to actually get angry on someone else's behalf. Among commoners, there was an old saying that one should be careful around anything with horns—whether it be a demon, a Dragon Spawn, or a dragon. They all possessed power far beyond the reach of humans.
"Oh?"
"What?"
"Isn't that our knight over there?"
"Speak of the devil."
A figure in full plate armor, looking entirely out of place on a construction site, walked toward them.
"Sir Knight, over here!"
Hanson waved his hand vigorously. The Armored Knight spotted the familiar face and came running over with short, quick steps.
"The way he runs… it’s almost like a maiden."
"He’s got the height and the build, so there’s no way he’s a woman, but still…"
They brushed it off, assuming it was some strange knightly etiquette. Above all, this was a man who could pick up eleven logs with his bare hands. They only felt his behavior was feminine because the person inside the armor was, in fact, Valdrova.
"My, Sir Knight. Have you eaten?"
A nod.
"Then rest here for a moment. We were just talking about you."
A tilt of the head—a silent question.
"We were saying how upsetting it is that our knight, who has accomplished so much here, hasn't been given a single title."
"?"
"I mean, you've done so much for the construction of this city. Aren't you disappointed that they haven't given you anything in return?" Hanson pressed.
While he felt a genuine sense of regret for the knight, his primary motivation was his own gain. There was no better power than having an acquaintance in a high-ranking position. Hanson simply wanted to ride the knight's coattails.
Of course, Valdrova didn't see through such a shallow ploy.
I'm enjoying what I'm doing now well enough.
More than anything, Valdrova was satisfied with her current work. She wanted to build things rather than be a knight. Even if the pay was low, she couldn't hide the sense of pride she felt every time a building was completed. She preferred staying in a place like this over returning to the life of a warrior.
As the meal was drawing to a close, a loud, angry voice erupted nearby.
"You little piece of—!"
Everyone's attention shifted. A group of armed men was surrounding a young girl. A slightly older girl, who appeared to be her guardian, was trembling nearby.
"Can't you keep a better eye on your sister?! Why would you let her carry something like that? You've ruined my clothes!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Adventurer. I'll wash them for you, please…"
"Get your filthy hands off me! Do you have any idea how much this cost? Three shillings!"
"Oh, I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to ruin such expensive clothes…"
"Talk is cheap! Pay up, now."
"Wh-what?"
"Are your ears clogged?! I said, give me three shillings!"
The girl's face turned pale. It was a desperate situation. They were already worried about tomorrow's meal; where would they ever find three shillings?
The workers watched the scene, whispering among themselves.
"There's been a lot more of those types lately."
"Isn't this place originally for adventurers? It's only natural they'd gather here."
"There are plenty of adventurers in the Empire, too. I've never seen anyone act so rudely."
"That's because guys like that get kicked out immediately. They're all bark and no bite. That's why they never get past Bronze or Silver rank."
The foremen clicked their tongues, but they didn't have the courage to confront armed adventurers.
"I-I'll pay you back. We're staying here, so I'll save up the money bit by bit…"
"How long is it going to take to earn three shillings that way? I'll die of old age first."
"This big brother knows a way to earn three shillings fast. Want me to show you?"
"What do you mean by…"
A lecherous hand reached toward the girl. Sensing instinctively what was about to happen, the girl cowered.
"Those filthy bastards—!"
Just as the foremen were about to stand up, unable to take it any longer, someone else beat them to it.
It was the Armored Knight.
The sheer weight of the plate armor made the sound of her standing up enough to give the foremen pause. She trudged toward the group. Although the armor was smaller than her original set, it was still imposing, and its bulk made the thuggish adventurers nervous.
"Wh-who are you?"
"…"
"You son of a bitch! You think I'm scared just because you're staying quiet?!"
Valdrova raised her fist. The thugs flinched, expecting an attack, but the fist opened. Inside were three silver coins.
Three shillings.
She was paying the price for them.
The thugs, who had been terrified just a moment ago, tried to save face.
"Take this and get lost? Fine, I'll take it! Hey, brat, consider yourself lucky!"
The blackmailers took the money and released the girl, practically throwing her aside. The young girl fell into Valdrova's arms. She stayed there, huddled in the knight's embrace.
Valdrova, looking like she didn't know what to do, held her arms in the air for a moment before finally lowering them. Then, the girl's older sister approached.
"Th-thank you for saving us, Sir Knight."
"…"
"I will definitely… find a way to pay you back. So please, my sister…"
The girl looked like she was about to cry. Her hands, holding a basket, were still trembling with fear. Valdrova handed the younger girl back to her. Wiping away her tears, the older sister took her sibling and ran off.
Valdrova stared blankly at their retreating backs.
"Why did you give them the money? You should have just given those guys a good thrashing!!" Hanson argued.
"…"
Valdrova just looked at him silently. Remembering that he was talking to a man with the strength to lift eleven logs, Hanson lowered his voice.
"Since you're a fellow adventurer and seem to have your reasons, I suppose it's useless for someone like me to complain."
Valdrova also vaguely knew that it wasn't the 'right' choice. Seeing them grab the young girl had made her blood boil. Her fists had clenched; she had wanted to hit them so hard they’d cry.
But she couldn't let it lead to violence. Valdrova knew all too well.
If I use my strength… someone will die.
Death leads to sadness for some and fear for others. This was something she had felt and experienced over hundreds of years.
I don't want that.
So, if possible, she wanted to resolve the situation peacefully. Right now, the best tool for that was money. She gave the adventurer exactly what he wanted, and the situation was resolved. Without incident.
Valdrova was satisfied with that. She wished everything in the world could be settled so easily.
It was then.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Suddenly, the frantic peal of an alarm bell echoed through the village.
"What's that sound?"
"It's coming from the center of the village."
No one knew exactly what the bell meant, but they could guess it was a warning. The question was whether it signaled a real threat.
While everyone stood frozen, the Security Force Captain came running toward them, sword drawn.
"This is not a drill! Everyone except those who can fight, get inside the buildings immediately! Monsters are approaching!"
"M-monsters?"
"Oh boy! They said the East was dangerous, and they weren't kidding!"
"Foremen, spread the word to the workers and get them to safety! This is a real emergency!"
The foremen began shouting, directing the evacuation. Valdrova stood there, rooted to the spot.
Monsters…
Her mind seemed to go blank. With monsters approaching, she couldn't make a choice.
"You're the Armored Knight, right?" William asked, stopping in front of her.
"…"
"We need all the help we can get. If you're willing, would you fight for this city?"
"…"
When she didn't respond, William tried to persuade her again.
"The Security Force alone can't stop them! Everyone is in danger! Hestia Village could be destroyed. Everything we've built could turn to ash. We need your help, Sir Knight!"
At William's plea, Valdrova finally snapped out of it. She nodded and followed him.
As she moved, she saw the city in a state of chaos. Everyone was terrified, moving quickly with their belongings packed. The Security Force, clad in armor and carrying spears, ran toward William in a disorganized fashion.
"Sir! The evacuation is about seventy percent complete! Should we finish up?"
"No, that's enough! Security Force! Form a phalanx in front of me!"
The spearmen stood on the road and raised their weapons. They were a ragtag army, soldiers in name only, with no proper training. Because of this, they desperately needed the help of adventurers.
—Security Force Captain.
Isabella's voice echoed via telepathy.
—We expect wolf monsters to enter through one of the western alleys. Can you send some adventurers there?
"Understood!"
William quickly scanned his surroundings. He spotted a group of familiar adventurers and shouted, "Adventurers! Defend the western alley… where are you going?! Get to the front lines immediately—"
"What, are you crazy? You think I became an adventurer just to throw my life away here?"
"Didn't I tell you that adventurers would be mobilized in case of an emergency?!"
"Who cares! I'm not participating!"
"You're the Security Force, so you guys deal with it!"
"I didn't see anything. I didn't see a thing."
They had come with the intention of making a quick buck, but they were quick to turn tail at the first sign of real danger. Far from being helpful, they were actively demoralizing the others.
Those damn bastards.
William felt his blood pressure rising. He had thought that even if they were troublemakers, they would at least be useful in a crisis, but even that was too much to hope for. In the end, the only ones he could rely on were a few principled adventurers and his own men.
The Armored Knight with monstrous strength.
He was the only one he could truly count on right now. If the Security Force was to safely block the main road, his help was essential.
William made his choice.
"Sir Knight."
"?"
"They say we need troops in the western alley. Monsters are coming through there, and we have to stop them."
"…"
"Can you handle it alone? If not, I'll pull four men to—"
Valdrova cut him off with a gesture. It was a signal that she didn't need support and that they should focus on their own tasks. Then, she moved without a word.
Toward the east.
"S-Sir Knight? Not that way…"
Ah. The west was that way.
And so, she filled the gap. Although the main force had lost a significant amount of power, William had no other choice.
A moment later, the source of the frantic alarm bells made its appearance. It burst out of the forest and into the village.
—Awoooo!
Fifteen wolf monsters, each twice the size of a normal wolf. Three of them appeared on the main road.
William raised his sword and shouted, "Keep your spears steady! One step forward!"
Following his command, they moved forward slowly. What lay before them was death. Who could walk toward death with confidence? At the very least, it was a difficult task for these poorly trained soldiers.
The wolves licked their chops, sensing the fear of the inexperienced men. Their instincts told them that this formation would crumble with just a little pressure.
—Bark!
"Whoa, whoa! D-don't come any closer! Stay back!"
One wolf monster lunged, weaving through the spear shafts. The infantrymen panicked and fell back, overwhelmed by the monster's fearless charge.
"A-aaagh!"
Just as the soldier thought he was about to be eaten, a red sword aura struck the wolf monster's head with precision.
—Yelp!
The wolf monster retreated, its head mangled. The one who had delivered the critical blow was none other than William. He helped the fallen Security Force soldier up and shouted.
"Stand up! Hold your spears straight! If you want to live, plant your spears firmly and lower your center of gravity!! You just need to disrupt their movements!"
William beat his chest. The sound of his plate armor rang out like a metal drum.
"I will take responsibility for your lives!"