Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Outlaws' Village
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The Ruben Empire in the central continent.
The empire was the undisputed strongest power in the world, wielding immense influence across the continent.
Even this empire, however, had remote regions beyond its reach: the vast southern great desert, the eastern rainforests, and the northern snowy mountains and plains.
Among them, the "Village of Outlaws" had sprung up right at the foot of the snowy mountains. It was a settlement formed by wanted criminals who had fled from the empire after committing crimes. A true lawless zone.
With most residents being criminals, honest work for pay was exceedingly rare.
They sustained themselves by robbing unsuspecting travelers who wandered into the village or by banditry outside it.
Just like right now.
"Did you see that purse earlier?"
"Looked like it had over a hundred silver coins."
"For real? Jackpot."
In the darkened first floor of the inn, men sat in their spots sharpening their blades while chatting.
Then, a man in the corner suddenly spoke up.
"But she's not a noble, right?"
"You idiot. What noble travels with just one mercenary?"
"No way she's a noble to begin with."
"Because those guys crossed the mountains to get here."
Crossed the mountains.
Everyone's eyes changed at those words.
"That means..."
"They're barbarian scum."
Beyond the snowy mountains lay vast plains.
The domain of barbarians cut off from civilization. Folks with no ties to the empire. If they vanished quietly in a place like this, no one would care.
"But that girl seems different."
"Yeah, she doesn't look like a barbarian."
"Hey, that's even better. We play with her a bit, then sell her off for a high price."
A few men cackled.
Soon, they gripped their knives. Sharpened to a razor's edge. Their eyes turned feral.
"Alright, then... now..."
"If you're ready, let's head up."
Time to work.
The men moved with practiced ease. As they climbed the creaking stairs to the second floor, someone called out to the leader.
"Hey, Joel."
"What?"
"Target the barbarian first no matter what. That guy's no ordinary punk."
A warning laced with concern.
Joel laughed carelessly.
"This ain't our first rodeo. What're you worrying about? Just watch."
They'd slipped a full dose of sedative into the loaves those guys ate. They should be out cold by now.
With that certainty, he strode forward.
Then, Joel's eyebrow twitched for a split second.
'What was that? Just now...'
He thought he heard voices.
He strained his ears cautiously, but beyond the door was silence. Must've been his imagination? As he touched his knife, thinking that...
BAM!CRASH!
The door exploded, and a massive hand shot through.
No time to dodge. It seized his head. Then came the immense force.
Joel's eyes bulged.
"Guh! Khek!"
He'd planned to swing his knife the moment his head was grabbed. But he couldn't move. The grip was crushingly powerful.
'C-can't... breathe!'
Writhing in agony was all he could manage.
That was Joel's final thought.
CRUNCH!
With the sound of something shattering...
Joel's body went limp.
5.
"Damn! They caught on!"
"Rush 'em all at once!"
After Joel collapsed foaming at the mouth...
Men charged up from the stairs below.
Brandishing blades honed to a deadly sheen.
In a pinch like this, there were two usual options: hightail it out or grab a weapon or shield from the room.
Ullan's choice was neither.
THUD!THUMP THUMP THUMP!
He didn't retreat. He charged right back.
The men hadn't expected that. It threw them off balance, creating openings. And Ullan never missed an opening.
SMASH!
A fist to the face.
Nose bone shattered in one blow. He twisted, slamming an elbow into the skull, then drove a knee up into the jaw.
WHAM!CRACK!
Three down in an instant.
Ullan's assault didn't stop. He grabbed an unconscious man as a shield and barreled toward the stairs.
"Wh-what?!"
"Shit! Gaaah!"
A brutish charge.
The men toppled like dominoes to the first floor. Formations broke, composure shattered.
Now this was Ullan's battlefield.
THWACK!CRUNCH!CRACK!
Fists, arms, legs, knees. He used his whole body to efficiently neutralize foes.
Thanks to his monstrous strength?
No one struck by Ullan ever got back up. By the time he'd caught and subdued even those fleeing the inn...
"Joel's gang's done for!"
"Block him! Don't let him escape!"
Villagers swarmed in.
Seemed they were all in cahoots. Weapons in hand, hostile glares as proof.
'Guess I have to take 'em all down.'
Ullan clenched his fists.
He held back on the axe, unsure he could subdue without killing.
But then, something happened.
Gurgle!Slosh!
The ground rippled like a lake surface. Soon, the villagers' feet sank into the earth.
"Wh-what?!"
"The ground's turned to quicksand!"
"Magic! He's using magic!"
The sudden anomaly threw the villagers into panic. Meanwhile, Ullan intuited the cause.
'Noa?'
His guess was spot on.
Noa had already stepped outside and scattered talismans everywhere. Sleep fully fled, she asked,
"What the heck happened?"
"No idea."
Ullan shook his head.
"Subdue 'em first."
"Yeah, sounds good."
Noa agreed.
Thoughts aligned, no hesitation.
They faced dozens and soon subdued them all.
"So, why'd you attack us?"
Noa began the interrogation.
The reason was obvious: silver coins and Noa. Moments later, realization dawned on her face.
'Oh, right. From the start, it felt familiar...'
This place was in Noa's memory.
Specifically, in 'Noa Darshen's' character story. Eight years ago, the village that captured young Noa and sold her to slavers.
'...Village of Outlaws.'
Noa's eyes chilled.
Meanwhile, the subdued thugs brazenly bellowed,
"W-we're imperial citizens!"
"Touch us and you won't get away with it!"
"The army'll come wipe out you barbarians!"
"You don't wanna make an enemy of the empire, do ya?!"
As they spewed empty threats...
Noa said flatly,
"Don't lie."
"Wh-what?"
"This is the Village of Outlaws. Den of criminals who fled the empire after committing crimes. The empire's too busy to send troops over a few crooks vanishing."
Their faces paled at her words. Hit right on the mark.
"Guess it's true."
Ullan muttered, impressed.
"How'd you know? You said this was your first time around here."
"...!"
Noa's eyes widened briefly.
Caught off guard.
"M-my master told me!"
She fumbled an excuse.
Ullan stared steadily.
Noa averted her gaze reflexively. The more he learned, the more secrets she hid.
"Fine, for now."
He'd ask everything later.
What was she hiding in that tiny frame?
With that thought...
Ullan grabbed an axe rolling on the floor. He strode to the nearest man and smashed the blade into his neck.
CRUNCH!ROLL!
The sickening tear of flesh by steel.
Head severed, blood gushed. The surreal scene froze Noa momentarily.
"...Huh?"
The other fugitives too.
Time seemed to freeze. Only Ullan and his axe moved.
SMASH!CRUNCH!
The second fugitive's head flew.
Third, fourth, fifth.
As the sixth's head was about to detach, Noa squeezed her eyes shut and shouted,
"U-Ullan! What are you...!"
"Cleanup."
Ullan replied flatly.
Drawing a blade meant readiness to receive one. Above all, these were murderers after their money. No reason to spare them.
"Eek!"
"S-spare me!"
Sensing death, they begged.
It meant nothing to Ullan. As he raised the axe again...
"W-wait!"
Noa stopped him once more.
Eyes still shut tight.
"There's a much better way than killing them! One that benefits us!"
"Better way?"
"Yes, something you'll definitely like."
Better than splitting skulls? Curiosity piqued, Ullan lowered the axe silently.
Sometime later.
They bound thirty fugitives tight with ropes and spent the night in the Village of Outlaws.
5.
The next morning.
Ullan and Noa left at dawn. After three full days of travel, they finally reached imperial territory.
The border town of Kavien.
They headed not to lodging, but the town guard. To hand over the fugitives from the village.
And the result?
"Thank you for your cooperation."
"Here's the promised reward."
Handsome compensation.
One hundred eighty-six silver coins.
Double their travel funds earned in one go. And one more special reward.
「3rd Grade Pass.」
It had restrictions, but possession ensured smooth travel to their destination.
"Didn't expect you'd turn 'em over to the guards."
"Killing them clears the mind, but we get nothing extra, right? Handing them to the guards for bounty is way more profitable."
Noa shrugged.
There was another reason, though.
'Eighth year since entering the game.'
She'd adapted well to this world. But watching people die up close? No matter how many times, it never got easier.
So she chose to hand them over. Remembering a similar event in the game.
'Anyway, we made good money.'
Ullan should be satisfied.
She patted her bulging purse with a broad smile. Then Ullan spoke again.
"You pulled some other tricks too, didn't you?"
On the way here.
Noa had performed rituals on the fugitives nightly: sticking talismans on bodies, drawing on foreheads.
They'd screamed like they were being tortured.
"Heh heh, yes. I cursed them."
"Curses? What kind?"
"Curse of No Killing and Curse of Harvest."
The Curse of No Killing supposedly brought excruciating headaches to anyone harboring killing intent or grudges toward the target, while draining their life force.
"And Curse of Harvest binds their souls to me upon death. I can use those souls to strengthen spells or boost my mana."
Right after her explanation...
Ullan asked, surprised,
"Didn't you hate seeing people die?"
"Yes. But only 'seeing' it."
Dying right in front of her never got easier. But that was only when it was "right in front of her."
"Out of my sight, I don't care if they die. Even if it's from my curse."
So she'd cursed freely.
No plans to meet again anyway. Plus, it felt like it'd soothe 'Noa Darshen's' inner turmoil.
Kill away.
Noa beamed.
"..."
Ullan stared silently.
At first, he'd seen her as a timid little rabbit of a girl. Now, not so much.
'And...'
Something oddly intriguing about her.
Too soon to tell, but more time together would reveal it.
'Watch her closely for a while.'
Ullan's eyes darkened.
Then Noa's mutter reached him.
"Anyway, travel funds were tight, but we're good now. We can afford two rooms and feast for a bit!"
Noa grinned excitedly.
With that childlike smile, Ullan and Noa set off again.
Two months later, as winter waned...
They reached their goal.
The final gateway to Arsen Academy, home to the Dermore Count's estate, and the continent's most prosperous city.
The imperial capital.
Chapter 4. Dermore Count