Chapter 191
Chapter 191
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: Settler (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Kingdom of Resk was the southernmost nation among the four allied kingdoms located in the western part of the Ion Continent.
What made it special was its vast granary region, known as the largest food producer in the west.
Thanks to its warm climate ideal for crop cultivation, the kingdom had devoted itself over many years to expanding its farmlands, reaping impressive results.
'And the presence of the Pikaol Grand Temple is pretty special too.'
The grand temple had been built on the spot where one of the two Immortal Kings fell three hundred years ago.
It was a place Heinrich had visited to obtain a holy sword—a site of great historical and religious significance.
As the only grand temple in the western continent, it oversaw all the dioceses in the region.
And Spear Knight Geos Kalkin, a member of the hero party, was—
a noble holding the rank of count in this very kingdom.
"Welcome, family head. I've been keeping up with the news, but seeing you safe and sound like this puts my mind at ease."
"...Yeah. You've had it rough too, Oliver."
"Hoho, this old man just manages the house—what hardship is there? It's nothing compared to what you've been through, family head."
The place Heinrich's group arrived at after Glatan Viscounty was a small baronial village in one of the kingdom's more remote areas.
Unable to use the temple's gate, they had no choice but to rely on Iseah's spatial transfer to reach this territory.
This was Geos's hometown.
"My apologies for the late greetings to our guests. I am Oliver, the steward managing this estate. I will do my utmost to ensure your comfort. Please feel free to let me know if there's anything inconvenient."
An elderly man dressed as a butler bowed politely to the group.
Even if the Kingdom of Resk wasn't a large nation, a count was undeniably a high noble.
It wasn't unusual for him to have built a villa with a steward in his home village.
"By the way, you said Geos is a count, right? Does that mean you have a territory too?"
Once Oliver stepped away to prepare the meal after showing them to their rooms, Iseah turned to Geos with a curious look.
She had earned her title through skill alone, just like him, but back then she hadn't performed any special feats, so she hadn't received a territory.
Princess Riley had been locked in a power struggle with the crown prince at the time, making it hard to grant her one anyway.
'Not that I'd have any use for a territory now, since I'm planning to return to Earth in a few years.'
Still, she couldn't help being curious about how someone in a similar position had fared.
After all, a noble's power base was their territory, wasn't it?
"...I liquidated all my assets and stepped down from my lordship not long ago. I don't have the capacity to take responsibility for others anymore."
"Ah."
"But I just couldn't bring myself to sell this villa... This is my hometown, and the place where I met my wife. So we spent more time here than at the territory unless something urgent came up."
A territory lord came with as many duties as privileges.
They had to guide the path for thousands or tens of thousands of people and ensure their very survival.
Moreover, the countship he'd been granted was barren—called a viscounty in name only, mostly wasteland.
Even in peaceful times, it demanded constant headaches; protecting the people in this chaotic era would have been impossible without extraordinary effort...
After losing his family—everything to him—he no longer had the leeway for such things.
"Ahem."
Iseah cleared her throat lightly and cautiously gauged his expression.
She felt she'd touched a sore spot by mistake, but contrary to her worry, he remained impassive, showing no change.
As if he was too worn out to express anything anymore.
"Of course, that's all water under the bridge now. There's a reason we came all this way, isn't there?"
But that impassivity didn't mean he'd abandoned all emotions.
His heart was worn thin, filled only with emptiness.
Yet amid that, one intense emotion still whipped him onward—
burning clearly even in the void: 'rage' was the driving force that moved him.
"Ahh, yeah! We didn't come all this way just for a vacation!"
"Anotherworlder, huh... I hope it's someone from Earth like me. Wonder which country."
"Hm, shall we eat and head out right away? Now that we're here, it'd be nice to get something out of it."
The other companions quickly chimed in.
Yes, the reason they'd come to this distant place was
to exploit the Immortal King's weakness to the 'unique ability of otherworlders' that Hesperon possessed.
To find someone who knew him well and somehow extract information.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thanks to his high realm, Geos appeared quite young, but he was the party's eldest at over forty.
'Well, come to think of it, that's only natural.'
In truth, it was the awakeners who grew rapidly with buffs and skills that were the exceptions.
For the people of this world, bone-grinding training was essential to raise one's realm—it wasn't unusual at all.
'That's why people revere Iseah as a genius mage.'
She'd reached grand mage status in her twenties and was still growing!
Heinrich was an exception as the hero chosen by the gods, and Harley felt less out of place due to his unfamiliar tigerkin race and presbyopia...
But Iseah was a pure human who looked like a mid-teen girl, making it all the more shocking.
"It's been over twenty years since I first met him. Back then... I never imagined I'd end up like this."
Ten minutes after leaving the hilltop villa and walking the path to the village, Geos glanced around nostalgically and murmured.
How many twists and turns had an orphaned commoner boy endured to reach his current position?
His life story was probably as tumultuous as 'Harley's Great Adventure.'
'Well, maybe not quite that level.'
Harley, inwardly proud of his own tale, stroked his chin thoughtfully and nodded gravely.
He figured he'd need to add some more dramatic scenarios soon.
"Kuh! But mister, is that guy still in the same spot? What if he moved somewhere else..."
"...No. I last saw him two months ago, so he's probably still there. He even attended my family's funeral... and took care of me in my grief afterward..."
"Kuhm!"
Another landmine situation.
With landmines everywhere, it seemed best to just keep quiet.
"Besides, he can't just abandon his current setup and go anywhere."
"Hmm?"
Shortly after, following Geos lost in memories, they arrived at a fairly large village at the base of the hill.
They crossed the streets, drawing all eyes.
"Hey! Isn't that..."
"It's Count Geos? He hadn't been around for a while—did he come back?"
"Who's with him?"
As expected of a famous figure, villagers quickly recognized him and began murmuring in groups.
'Well, it'd be weirder if they didn't know. A fellow villager suddenly becomes a noble, builds a villa nearby, and settles down.'
And his rank outstripped even the local baron.
They'd likely benefited indirectly, so of course they knew him.
"...Here we are."
Their destination amid all the attention was
the largest and cleanest building in the village, seemingly newly constructed.
Though its purpose was a bit unexpected...
"Hey? It's Uncle Geos!"
"Eee? It's Geos! Uncle Geos!"
"Daddy~! Uncle Geos is here!"
"But who's with him... Eek?"
"Waaah! Monster! Sis! Siiiis!"
Children's voices rang out chaotically from the spacious courtyard surrounded by a low fence.
Far too many for one family.
"This is?"
"...An orphanage?"
Then, an unfamiliar man's voice reached the slightly flustered group's ears.
"What? Geos? Monster? Who dares scare my kids like th— Huh?"
A man rushed out of the building amid the children's clamor, then froze upon spotting the group.
A black man with short-cropped hair and neatly trimmed white beard.
His gaze swept over the sudden outsiders before stopping on Geos at the front.
"Long time no see, Chehai."
"...Geos."
Thus, the hero party finally met the self-proclaimed otherworlder.
And the somewhat unexpected figure running an orphanage as a philanthropist.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Tch, calling the manly Harley a monster. Kids are clueless 'cause they're young. Real men gotta have bulging muscles like me."
Harley grumbled as he tossed off the large cloth covering him upon entering the reception room.
The kids had freaked out at the sight of him, leaving him no choice.
If not for Geos, he probably would've been chased off entirely.
"Um, Mr. Harley? It's not just the muscles, is it...?"
"Eh? What're you talking about, miss?"
Iseah stared at him blinking innocently.
His 2.3-meter hulking muscular frame covered in tattoos, barbaric attire, and massive axe.
Plus the predatory aura and hyper-macho face— no wonder the kids screamed.
"...Never mind."
But instead of explaining, she just shook her head and looked away.
He was playing dumb, but he knew full well anyway.
"Hmph."
Harley scowled, crossing his arms against the wall.
His menacing look intensified, but luckily no kids were in the room to cause a scene.
"First, I apologize for showing up unannounced, Chehai."
"No, I'm grateful you came. You have no idea how worried I've been... Though I do expect an apology for scaring the kids."
As Geos spoke first, Chehai—the black man across from him—glared at Harley and clicked his tongue.
He wanted to kick him out, but he couldn't mistreat Geos's companion after so long.
...He'd also guessed their identities to some extent.
"So, what's this about, Geos? You didn't come alone—you brought others."
"Ah! Before we get to business, let me introduce my companions. First..."
"Greetings. I am Heinrich Saint Landgard, the first sword serving the Main God's will. Sorry for the sudden visit and inconvenience."
"Ah, no, that's fine now. Ahem—I'm Chehai. Just a country bumpkin running a small orphanage and enjoying the kids."
Though living rurally, he wasn't completely cut off—he looked a bit burdened receiving Heinrich's greeting.
Introductions with the others followed.
His smile for Iseah turned to a frown at Harley, but he didn't bring up the topic again.
"Hi, call me Hesperon! Not my real name, though."
"Hm?"
After Hesperon's greeting, his gaze shifted back to Geos.
With introductions done, time for the main point.
"Chehai. You know who these people are... and what I'm doing now. No need to spell it out—you get it."
"...Yeah."
"I have one question for you. It's very important, so please answer honestly."
A heavy air filled the reception room at those words.
Geos, who spoke, and his companions all stared at him gravely.
"Haha, seriously. For the record, I'm no black mage or Immortal King affiliate? Though I did dig potatoes with the kids recently. That it?"
Chehai laughed it off with a joke, but Geos stared silently, unmoving.
Feeling awkward, he scowled and nodded roughly.
"Fine, fine. Just ask already. What's with the suspense..."
"Chehai, are you by any chance from a dimension called Earth?"
Unlike the buildup, the question was direct.
And at that moment—
Chehai's body stiffened rigidly.