Chapter 131
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 131
Niphrim was simply lost in thought, wondering if he truly deserved such peace. In Pesil’s eyes, however, he just looked like a half-wit.
“If you were at least built sturdily, you could have gone hunting with the adults. But you’re so lanky, I doubt you could even catch a single slime.”
“……”
“Well, whatever. I guess I’ll have to look after you. I’ll even dig up your share of tobu for you.”
Pesil continued, her voice prim.
“You just stay over there and pick some wild greens. All you have to do is gently dig them out with a dagger, so it’ll be easy. You can at least do that much, right?”
Niphrim nodded again.
After staring at the silent Niphrim with a dissatisfied expression, Pesil finally decided it was time and spoke up cautiously.
“And you… are you going to keep living without a name?”
“……”
“Say something, will you!”
Pesil huffed in annoyance at his lack of reaction, then cleared her throat and continued.
“Ahem, hem. This wasn't just my decision. The whole village held a meeting and decided on it. We figured we needed a name to call you by.”
“……”
“It’s… Lansler.”
“…Lansler.”
“You’d better remember it, because that’s what we’re calling you until you get your memory back! You should feel honored. It’s not a name we just give to anyone.”
The name Lansler was taken from the captain of a subjugation squad that had saved the village from a crisis in the past. Since then, the villagers had used ‘Lansler’ as a pseudonym whenever a stranger arrived who wouldn't reveal their name.
“Lansler…” Niphrim muttered.
It was clearly a play on ‘Lancelot’ from the old legends. A rather ridiculous name.
When Niphrim let out a short chuckle, Pesil’s face turned bright red, and she started shouting again.
“D-Don’t just laugh, go do some work! Go pick those wild greens over there!”
Driven to the edge of the safety zone by Pesil’s nagging, Niphrim silently began digging up wild greens with the blunt dagger she had given him.
The villagers, who had been watching the exchange, returned to their own tasks once Niphrim moved further away. Now out of everyone’s sight, Niphrim smirked.
By any cold, rational standard, a man like him—who couldn't even dig up a single tobu properly—should have been kicked out. To the village, Niphrim, who looked as if he couldn't even handle a slime, was nothing but a useless burden.
So why were all the villagers, including Pesil, trying so desperately to protect him?
Was he actually being sheltered by these people?
“……”
Niphrim, who had been standing vacantly, narrowed his eyes. He had timed it perfectly, distancing himself just enough to be out of everyone’s line of sight and ignored.
After scanning the area for any other presence, Niphrim stepped over the wooden fence.
He arrived at a steep cliff.
It was a path the villagers never approached, as one wrong step would lead straight to the afterlife.
Niphrim looked down.
Below, the corpses of monsters were strewn about.
…Did they say a guardian deity dwelt here?
They were all just things he had killed.
“Kahat.”
He let out a small laugh. He had checked just in case, and as expected, the stench from the mounting corpses was starting to waft up to the top of the cliff.
The number of monsters had increased lately. If he didn't deal with them like this, they would surely overrun the village.
Niphrim knew the village’s combat strength all too well.
They were a group of simple, weak people who would struggle to take down even a single troll. Lacking the power to fight monsters head-on, they had chosen a survival method that revolved around hunting while avoiding the creatures’ notice.
If there had always been this many monsters in the mountains, the village couldn't possibly have survived for decades. They would have become monster feed long ago.
He looked down the cliff again.
He had killed roughly twenty monsters in the past week alone.
…Why is their number increasing so much?
Fortunately, none of them were strong. To be precise, the monsters in these mountains were no match for Niphrim.
However, if the corpses continued to pile up and the smell spread, the villagers would eventually find out.
If this continued, his identity might be exposed. Even if his true nature remained hidden, they would have more than enough reason for suspicion.
At that point, the way the villagers looked at him would turn to fear.
It didn't particularly matter to him, but he didn't relish the thought of such a situation.
In the past, Niphrim had something to protect, however small. He had dreamed of freedom alongside his comrades, who were being subjected to biological experiments by the ‘Third Eye.’ And the ‘Third Eye’ had always exploited that weakness.
—If you retrieve Tanabella, we will liberate all the comrades who went on the subjugation with you.
—If you subjugate Swallow, we will liberate all the test subjects held by the ‘Third Eye.’
Such promises had been exchanged even during the subjugation of the Primordial Core.
Of course, Niphrim hadn't believed a word of it—but he had his own plans.
…If I manage to kill Swallow.
He had been confident that he could somehow break free from the shackles of the ‘Third Eye’ after that.
After all, if he killed Swallow, he would become a hero of the continent. No matter how powerful the Imperial Family was, they couldn't possibly do as they pleased with him. At that point, Niphrim intended to crush the institution known as the ‘Third Eye’ entirely.
To achieve that, he had to fight the strongest of enemies. To face enemies who were insanely strong, he had to become just as insane.
Kahahat, hahat.
Placed in such circumstances, he had eventually learned to laugh with such exaggeration.
As the leader of the test subjects—his comrades—Niphrim couldn't afford to show fear. And madness was the best way to erase terror.
He had pushed himself to the brink, yet… hope was extinguished in an instant.
That day, Niphrim lost everything to a single enemy named Patrick. Because of that one skeleton, he had been forced to shove the corpses of the comrades who shared his dream into his own mouth.
He thought he had lost everything then.
Since it was all over, he thought he didn't care what happened to anything else.
He had planned to leave this village in secret as soon as he recovered. He believed that human warmth was a luxury he couldn't afford. He had killed an innocent girl just before coming here; he had no right to receive a warm touch.
And yet.
He knew all this.
…But still, just until this village is safe.
Just a little longer.
“Kahat, this is ridiculous.”
Even to himself, the situation was absurd. He, who had killed humans and monsters alike without emotion under the guise of orders, was now acting like this just because he had received a bit of kindness. Niphrim let out a hollow laugh and started walking again.
It was time to go back and resume his act as the quiet, dim-witted one. Pesil was constantly looking for him, so he needed to show his face soon.
“Lansler…”
Niphrim was mulling over his new name as he climbed the mountain path.
From the corner of his eye, something unusual caught his attention.
It was a place usually hidden by mountain mist, only visible on a day as clear as today. Even then, it was barely perceptible.
“…Smoke?”
In that direction, smoke was rising.
It was an ominous, light-gray smoke.
*
Huh?
What’s down the mountain, you ask?
What a sudden question… More than that, I thought you couldn't speak well since you’re usually so quiet, but you speak just fine. I never knew.
What’s down the mountain… well, there’s more than just one or two things. First, there’s a canyon. And I know there are quite a few monsters there. It’s a dangerous place. Rumor has it there’s even a dryad. They say she’s a great beauty, and honestly, I’ve felt the urge to meet her at least once. Of course, keep what I just said a secret from my wife.
What? Not that?
Smoke?
Is there anything that would cause smoke?
Ah, right. There’s a village across the mountain. From a distance, it would certainly look like it’s at the foot of the mountain. It’s usually hard to see, but you managed to spot it.
That village is in a similar situation to ours. Rather than being managed by a Lord, the village pretty much runs itself… but it’s much larger than ours. Probably three times the size.
Since you’re talking about smoke, you must have seen some rising from over there.
You’re worried that monsters might have attacked, aren't you?
If you ask me, I don't think you need to worry. It’s a bit frustrating to admit, but that village is much more fortified than ours.
I heard they even have a retired mercenary!
Besides, they have training facilities inside the village, so the young men are all quite skilled. I wish we had facilities like that.
Anyway, smoke…
A village can produce smoke for any number of reasons, can't it? I visited that village once, and they have a large plaza in the center.
They slaughter livestock there whenever they host guests or have a celebration. Smoke rises from that spot every time they have a festival.
So there’s no need to worry so much. You… no, I should call you Lansler. The name still doesn't feel natural on my tongue, haha.
I’m more worried about this. I caught four deer just before sunset. Since it was getting dark, I just bled them, removed the entrails, and left them at a temporary shelter… but I have a bad feeling.
The weather is gloomy, so it looks like it’ll rain tomorrow. I need to go retrieve them quickly.
Ah, it’s getting very late. Lansler, you should get some sleep too. Tomorrow will be busy. We’re going to have a party once we bring the venison back. Pesil told me to keep it a secret, but it’s all to celebrate your recovery. It’s not often we get to eat our fill of meat, you know?
So don't feel too pressured, and just act like you don't know in front of Pesil… Her words might be a bit harsh, but she has such a big heart. That’s why I’m telling you this in secret, but Pesil secretly…
Eh, never mind. It won't be any fun if I tell you everything. I was in my prime fifteen years ago, too. Such a shame, such a shame.
Go on and get some sleep.
I have to go retrieve the meat with the other villagers tomorrow morning, so I’ll be heading to bed first.
Please.
Have. Good. Dreams.
*
The pitter-patter of raindrops woke him.
The sky had been clear until yesterday, but a dismal rain had been falling since dawn.
It was exactly as the villager had said. However, the downpour was heavier than he had anticipated.
By the time Niphrim woke up, the ground was already soaked. The muddy earth seemed to cling to his feet with every step.
“We have to go get the deer we caught yesterday.”
The village adults—the hunters—hurriedly packed their gear as soon as the sky turned a dull gray. This kind of rain wouldn't let up until evening, anyway. There was no point in letting the meat get soaked, so it was best to bring it back as early as possible.
The mountains were dangerous on a rainy day, but— “We haven't seen any monsters lately, so it’ll be fine. Just wait. We caught a really big one, so you’re in for a surprise.”
They couldn't just give up the meat for the party because of a little danger.
“Half a day should be enough. Everyone, wait for us.”
Naturally, all the village adults were someone’s parents. They patted the heads of their worried children before setting off on the mountain path. Among them was the villager who had answered Niphrim’s questions yesterday.
Their departure into the rain looked somewhat solemn.
Half a day.
They promised their families they would be back in half a day.
Since the temporary shelter where the deer were kept was an hour away, they calculated it would take about half a day to trek through the mud and carry the heavy carcasses back.
The calculation was generally correct. Those remaining in the village believed them.
Because of that firm belief, all the remaining villagers continued their party preparations despite the rain.
“It’s raining today, so stay inside and rest. D-Don’t go outside! Don't ask why! Just don't go out!”
Pesil hovered around Niphrim even more than usual. No, she was practically glued to him. It seemed they were preparing the surprise party the villager had mentioned last night.
“I-If you’re bored, I’ll specially play with you!”
Her desperate efforts to keep Niphrim from leaving the building were almost touching.
After listening to Pesil’s one-sided conversation for dozens of minutes, just as he was starting to get tired, the village kids began to gather.
To the children who had only ever lived in the mountain village, a stranger like Niphrim was a huge bundle of curiosity.
A chaotic barrage of questions followed. Pesil, her time alone with him interrupted, started barking at the kids. With all the voices mixing together, the house felt like it was about to shake.
“Get out! Stop interrupting my time with Lansler… I-I mean! Anyway, get out!”
“Huh? Big sister, are you dating him?”
“N-N-No, you idiots!”
It was loud. It was even louder than Sylvia, whom he had always thought was dreadfully noisy. Niphrim covered his ears.
The kids only gathered more; they didn't leave easily.
Only after several hours of being trapped in the noisy space did Pesil, finally exhausted, flop onto the floor.
The other kids followed her lead and lay down one by one.
The commotion died down, and the sound of the rain became clear. Everyone listened to it. The sound was faint. The torrential downpour was gradually losing its momentum.
He checked the time. The promised half-day was nearly up.
“…They’re late.”