Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Thief, and (5)
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"Our staying put like this without doing anything... is that really okay?"
"......If we don't do anything, what are we supposed to do? Start a war with the Eustaine Clan?"
"Is there really no other way...?"
"Yeah. 'Root' is beyond Ustain's Forest."
"Why of all places there?"
"That's not the question you should be asking."
Arotep smiled faintly.
"It's why the Eustaine Clan has placed vampires in a spot we have no choice but to pass through."
"......No way?"
Munet frowned, but Arotep didn't respond. Ban stopped listening to their conversation and looked around. 'Druids.' The Eustaine monks each gave off different vibes, but they all carried the same scent of nature behind them.
'It feels like there are dozens of Jeos.'
Individually, most seemed like opponents he could beat in a fight, but if they all rushed him at once, it would only be a matter of time before he fell. Fighting was an option he absolutely could not choose.
Surrounded by the monks, they slowly moved forward. They weren't tied with ropes or anything, but the pressure they exuded was worse than iron chains.
Munet glanced at Ban.
"You seem pretty relaxed. You."
"I'm just visiting a friend's house. What's there to be scared of?"
"......Even though you came with vampires?"
"Can't be helped in that case."
Ban looked at Arotep with a mischievous expression.
"Have to offer up the vampires and beg for our lives."
Of course, nothing like that would happen. Traveling with Jeo had given Ban a rough idea of what kind of family the Eustaine Clan was. They were stubborn yet flexible. If he explained the situation... especially if he mentioned that Erok of the royal House Ballgot was backing them, there'd be no need to draw swords, honestly.
'......Though it might be fun.'
Still, Ban didn't want to die a dog's death. Being prepared to die didn't mean he was okay dying anytime.
Fortunately, things didn't unfold as seriously as he'd feared. The monks surrounding Ban led them into a village full of massive log cabins. No, it was too large to call a mere village. Children riding wolves and leopards laughed merrily, and squirrels carried fruits as big as themselves to people.
—A place worthy of being called paradise on earth.
Whenever Jeo talked about his hometown, he always brimmed with pride. It deserved it. There were no grand statues or artists flaunting extravagant attire, but this might be the only place where humans could blend into the scenery as part of nature itself.
He was lost in silent admiration when it happened.
"Ban!"
A voice came from above. A man hanging upside down from a tree grinned down at them. Ban smiled quietly back at him.
"Long time no see. Jeo."
§
"I didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
Jeo shrugged. He'd thought it'd be years before he saw Ban again. That's why he'd been training steadily, wanting to show off his changed self by then.
But here was Ban, appearing before their memories could even fade. And with unexpected companions, no less.
"You're not here as enemies... right?"
Jeo laughed. It was a friendly smile, but if Ban nodded to that question, it would vanish in an instant. They were comrades who'd faced death together, but circumstances could make them point blades and claws at each other anytime.
Ban shook his head.
"Turn the Eustaine Clan against me inside Ustain's Forest? I'm not that stupid. I'm here because I need to pass through Ustain's Forest."
"Pass through Ustain's Forest, huh... Judging by your companions, I can only think of one destination."
"I have to go to the Vampire's Castle. Jeo."
Jeo wasn't particularly surprised. He'd guessed Ban's goal from the moment he saw his companions. He crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand.
"That's a tough request."
"......Any reason why?"
"We don't bother cleaning out that castle on purpose. We made a promise. But at the same time, we don't allow anyone to come out of there or go in. That's part of the promise too."
"Was the one you made that promise with... someone from House Ballgot?"
"Oh, how'd you know? Yeah, that's right. Name was... hm, what was it again? Can't quite remember."
"Probably Erok."
Ban said in a low voice. Munet and Arotep silently watched their exchange. They might know more about this incident than anyone, but Ban was the one who had to speak for now. The only reason they could have this 'conversation' in such a peaceful atmosphere was Ban's presence.
A hawk flew in and handed Jeo a bottle of water. Ban took it from him and slowly quenched his thirst before speaking.
"He sent us. To bring back a living corpse."
"......A living corpse, huh. Interesting story. Come on in for now, Ban. Crossing the desert is always brutal. Let me at least treat you properly."
"Gladly. But... does that hospitality extend to my friends too?"
"The Eustaine aren't stingy."
Jeo shrugged and beckoned them. The monks surrounding them spoke with Jeo and began dispersing one by one. Jeo looked at Ban and said,
"It hasn't been that long a parting, but still, good to see you again. Tell me how you've been."
"Same as always. Train, fight, rest, eat, drink."
"You seem a bit stronger."
Jeo grinned. His sharp fangs gleamed like a vampire's. Ban smiled. Was that what he wanted to hear?
A moment later, Jeo lay sprawled on the ground, panting. He looked up at Ban in disbelief.
"......You monster. You've gotten even stronger. What the hell did you do?"
"Training. And adventure."
"You say it like it was something special."
Jeo grumbled. He'd thought he'd improved by absorbing the forest's energy in that short time, but the wall called Ban had grown even taller.
"Still, I can't recommend the Vampire's Castle."
"I have my reasons to go."
—......Must've gotten some incredible reward promised.
"Something even greater than the castle itself."
"You're wearing an expression I can't dissuade."
Jeo laughed as if he couldn't stop him. Ban was simple in the best way. He did what he wanted. He achieved what he set out to, without half-hearted excuses even if it was tough.
"Why does the Eustaine protect that castle?"
"We're not protecting it. We're isolating it."
"If you don't isolate it, you'd have to wipe them all out."
Ban said in a low voice.
"That's why you're isolating them, right? Because of that request."
"......Then why ask? You already knew."
Jeo grumbled. Ban smiled quietly.
"Just wanted to confirm. The Eustaine are good people, no doubt. Not shirking even such a hassle."
"If you know pity, you can't help it. So what do you plan to do? Vampires sound like massive villains, and some did roam committing atrocities, but the ones locked in that castle now... they're more like pitiable folks."
"I'll see for myself first. What kind of people they are. Then talk with them. As politely as possible."
"Politely..."
"Ever think about it sometimes, Jeo?"
Ban asked in a strange tone.
"How to tell who deserves to be cut down and who doesn't."
"......We just give back what we get. If they swing at us, they'll get cut. If they try to kill us, they'll die. Isn't that enough?"
"What standard should guide the one who swings first...?"
It wasn't a question Jeo could answer.
Without finding an answer, the next day they moved under the Eustaine's watch.
The Vampire's Castle loomed before them.
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Even calling it the 'vampire' castle, when Ban heard "castle," he'd imagined some grand, imposing structure welcoming him.
But this was barely a castle—almost in ruins. The fairly large mansion had gone without maintenance, its colors faded and parts crumbling everywhere. Far from lively, it didn't even exude a proper eerie aura. What was it? It felt like even the building had grown weary and collapsed after long years. Just looking at it drained his energy.
"That's the place."
Jeo said flatly. Ban turned to Arotep. He was baring his fangs in a grin.
"We've arrived properly. My blood's reacting."
"......So it seems."
"But I can't help you."
Jeo spoke up.
"We promised not to touch them unless they try to break out. It's a promise we can't break. Letting you in is solely because of that lord's permission, so... think it over one last time. I know your skills well, but it's still dangerous."
"Don't worry. I don't plan to fight every one of them."
"......Alright."
"Jeo. Thanks."
"If you're grateful, come back safe."
Jeo left without erasing his worried look to the end. Was it because his reliability during their time together wasn't enough? Or were vampires that terrifying?
Ban looked at Arotep and Munet. They exchanged glances and soon split into two groups. Munet and Arotep. And Ban.
Ultimately, the key to this mission was stealing the 'living corpse,' that is, Root. Munet and Arotep would handle kidnapping her. And Ban...
'I'm no thief. I'm a swordsman.'
A thief steals. A swordsman cuts. Fights.
Ban gripped Kishin and Yuri in each hand and stomped toward the Vampire's Castle. The Storm Sword's ferocious power surged with him. And that power, Ban unleashed straight at the castle.
Rumble! Thunder roared as if the sky were tearing. Piercing screams echoed, and soon vampires caught off guard burst out one by one, faces bulging with veins.
"A human here...? How...!"
"I have something to discuss, but I didn't know which door to knock on, so... sorry if my greeting was too loud."
More vampires than he could count on his fingers glared at him from all sides. Amid their flashing yellow eyes, Ban felt Kishin's power fill him more fully than ever. His mind wasn't free of complicated thoughts, but his task was still simple.
He would be the bait.
A frighteningly strong bait... impossible to ignore.