Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Twin Canyon (1)
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A typical forest scene.
Leaves sprouted densely between the branching tree limbs. Fragments of sunlight filtered softly through, like rays seeping into a cracked roof. The bushes and undergrowth were quite thick, but that was it. Now, this place had become just an ordinary forest you could find anywhere.
The ominous atmosphere and bizarre events in this forest had all stemmed from a powerful reverse-spawn demon. With that demon exorcised, it was only natural for the woods to return to normal.
However, its vast expanse and dense foliage remained unchanged. The abnormal growth and regeneration had stopped, but what had already grown wasn't going to vanish. Kadim and Duncan still had to trek through the forest path for half a day more.
Even so, the end of this exhausting forest hike was finally in sight. Duncan climbed a tree to scout ahead, then shouted down in an excited voice.
"Master! I can see the village! Just a bit further!"
"......"
They had spent three full days trudging solely through forest paths. Unless they had been going in circles, they must have already crossed the border into Alliance territory.
According to the merchant, the Free City Alliance nominally belonged to the Lucaonia Empire. In practice, though, it was no different from any other nation. The previous emperor had relinquished partial control and granted autonomy because demonic outbreaks made governing the territory too difficult.
Duncan had insisted that even an Arch Paladin couldn't just waltz in uninvited. If word got out that such a powerhouse had crossed the border without permission, it would surely spark a major diplomatic incident. From here on, they no longer had to worry about running into holy knights and getting hassled.
Duncan scampered down the tree like a squirrel. His steps leading toward the village were light and bouncy. Ever since he'd been promised gold and jewels, he'd been in this state. He was even chattering away without Kadim telling him to.
"The Alliance folk don't have a bad view of Atalans! The common notion is that they're mostly stoic warriors with a strong sense of honor! Sure, some ignorant fools treat them like slaves... but they wouldn't dare act that arrogant in front of you, Master!"
"......"
"Oh, you'll be amazed if you visit a big city, Master! The Alliance's largest are Deluta, Vesta, Galenta, and Agon. Every one is massive in size and teeming with people! If you go to Deluta's central square, there'll probably be more folks than you've seen in your whole life!"
"......"
It was amusing. Kadim had lived in a city with over ten million people. Still, there was no harm in picking up info on this era, so he let the man ramble.
"The 'Golden Highway' we'll be taking crosses the entire Alliance from Deluta to Vesta. It's one of the safest trade routes on the continent. Each section has guards, and even mages from the Magic Tower..."
The merchant's voice gradually trailed off. His jaunty steps turned hesitant. Sensing something, Kadim slowed and peered ahead.
A group was raising a commotion amid the greenery.
It didn't take long to figure out what was happening.
- Hiss! Ssss!
"Damn it, get off! Get off meee!"
"Fuck, I-I got bit! I got bit! Is this a viper? It's a viper, right?"
"H-Hey, watch your back! Snakes from behind too..."
- Hiss!
"Aaaagh! My ankle!!"
"......Goddamn it."
They were lightly armed, maybe a dozen or so. Mercenaries, by the look of them, swinging their weapons like scarecrows dancing in the wind. It looked comical from afar, but they were deadly serious. Several in the group had already collapsed, bitten by the snakes encircling them.
Even without the demon, the forest—and the snakes it commanded—remained. They no longer regenerated when cut, but that was small comfort to the mercenaries. The swarm's sheer numbers and venomous fangs were threat enough.
"Oh no, how did they... Th-They're gonna all die like that..."
Duncan fidgeted anxiously, watching the mercenaries. He glanced at the barbarian. Kadim's eyes were utterly impassive, even toward those in dire straits.
Soon, the mercenaries spotted the two standing at a distance. They lit up like they'd seen saviors and shouted.
"Hey, a barbarian! A barbarian mercenary!"
"Over here! Help us out!! Too many snakes!"
"Come kill these things!"
"......"
Kadim didn't budge. He just stood there, lips pressed tight, staring blankly. The mercenaries' voices grew sharper.
"Hey! Didn't you hear us? You, barbarian! Come help!"
"What're you standing around for? Those weapons on your belt just for show?"
"Shut it, Torenon! We're begging for help as it is—why provoke him?"
"No, that bastard's just watching like it's a show... H-Hey, watch out!"
"Aaaagh!"
That was enough. Kadim turned to bypass the mercenaries. Furious shouts chased after him.
"Hey, heeey! Where you going! Damn it, we just need some help!"
"You motherfucker! Can't you understand people?!"
"Barbarian and that little-goateed guy next to him! I remember your faces! Walk away now—you'll regret it later, you fucks!"
Duncan flinched at being singled out. He scurried after Kadim and asked cautiously.
"M-Master... They're rude as hell, but shouldn't we help and punish them? Letting people die right in front of us..."
Kadim shook his head firmly.
After countless scams and betrayals in this world, he had set his principles. He wouldn't rashly save anyone who didn't meet these conditions.
No clear danger during the rescue. No clear danger after. Clear benefit afterward.
Those mercenaries failed all three. Duncan would be exposed during the fight, no guarantee of safety after, and no real gain.
No—in fact, the opposite was far more likely.
"Most of them don't look comfortable with their weapons. Armor doesn't fit right either. They're probably using gear they looted from someone."
"......!"
Duncan jumped in surprise.
Now that he looked, the mercenaries did seem dressed in stolen gear. No shock there—mercs on hard times blurred the line with bandits.
Duncan hadn't noticed despite watching the same scene. It hit him again: this barbarian wasn't just a fighter; his observation and judgment surpassed ordinary folk.
In the end, Duncan agreed not to help. Kadim pressed on past them, Duncan hurrying behind.
Suddenly, Kadim stopped dead.
"......What's wrong, Master?"
"......"
"Some problem...?"
"......No, nothing."
He glanced back briefly, then continued. Duncan tilted his head but quickened his pace.
*
A log cabin exuding a rustic wooden scent and pastoral charm. A weathered sign creaked on rusty chains.
'Eckl's Feast' was the only inn and tavern in this remote Alliance outpost. The owner's cooking was decent, making it the village's unofficial gathering spot—until recently, when roaming mercenaries had claimed it exclusively.
Not today. With the mercs out en masse and unfamiliar travelers arrived, villagers crammed in for the first time in ages.
Rye bread, potatoes, and thick soup covered the tables, surrounded by a ring of people. At the center, drawing all eyes, sat bewildered Duncan and impassive Kadim.
One man asked excitedly.
"You really crossed 'The Forest You Can't Return From'?"
"......"
"......Y-Yeah. Pretty much."
"Unbelievable! You're the first to fully traverse it and reach our village! Countless adventurers went to uncover its secrets and vanished..."
The villagers buzzed in shock. A girl darted forward in the chaos.
"How'd you get through, uncles? Mom said that forest's full of huge snakes and scary monsters! Did the big uncle beat them all?"
"Ahem, kid, don't interrupt the grown-ups..."
"No, but really—how? Nothing happen on the way? It's called 'The Forest You Can't Return From' for a reason! No one's even gone deep and come back..."
"No, someone did come back alive! That weirdo lady hunting strange ruins, carrying a bundle of odd antiques!"
"Right! She was from some university. Said the forest has a monster that lures travelers and a house-sized demon..."
Duncan wasn't sure if he should spill details. He glanced at Kadim, who ignored him, focused on tearing rye bread. Taking it as tacit approval, Duncan opened his bag and pulled out a pouch.
"Ahem, don't be shocked. This is spoils from the hundred-man warrior beside me—he slew that house-sized demon single-handedly!"
Duncan unveiled a large, olive-green shimmering scale.
The already-wide eyes of the villagers grew enormous.
Impossible to gauge. If one scale was that big, how massive was the demon? They crowded to touch it.
But reactions turned puzzled after.
"Huh? This a scale?"
"Doesn't feel like one."
"Isn't this just painted metal plate?"
Clang, clang!
Tapping it rang metallic. Heads tilted; Duncan's face flushed with panic.
"N-No, it was really a demon with scales like that..."
His fluster fueled suspicion. Villagers eyed them dubiously, whispering loudly from a few steps back.
"......Kinda shady, right?"
"Trying to sell us scrap...?"
"What would we even use that for...?"
"Can't sell direct to mages or it'd be obvious..."
"Crossing the forest sounds fishy from the start..."
Duncan flailed to salvage it, but Kadim didn't care. Whether villagers suspected them or not was irrelevant. He preferred they back off for a peaceful meal.
Just as Kadim bit into a potato and soaked his rye bread in soup...
Bang!
Someone kicked the door open, storming in.
"......Huff, huff."
A sword-wielding mercenary panting heavily, followed by others with clubs and axes. All bloodied, sweat-soaked, and wounded.
Kadim and Duncan recognized them.
"......Gasp!"
"......Hrk."
Villagers shrank like frightened rabbits. The sword merc glared wildly.
"Fuck, what're you doing here."
"......"
"Hey, innkeep! Who said you could let anyone in? We told you—no outsiders while our band's using it!"
"Th-That..."
"Fuckers. We bust our asses guarding this village, nearly dying, and you throw a party? Treating us like shit okay, you bastards?! Huh?!"
"N-No! Sorry, sirs! I'll clear 'em out now, just wait..."
The innkeeper gestured frantically for them to leave. Villagers fled in a rush. But Kadim stayed seated, dipping his bread until it softened perfectly.
As the innkeeper approached pale-faced...
"Wait. Leave those two."
Flames sparked in the merc's eyes.
He stomped toward Kadim and Duncan, then kicked the table flying.
Crash, shatter!
The table flipped, legs snapping. Plates broke, spilling bread and soup. The merc thrust his blade at Kadim's face.
"Nice seeing you again, motherfucker. Told you I'd remember your faces."
"......"
"Bet you didn't think it'd come to this while you watched the fun. Four of my boys died. If you'd helped, two might've lived. Heh, worthless coward shits..."
"......"
"......You bailed ignoring us—you pay. Too late for regrets. Stick your neck out and take the blade, barbarian."
Kadim didn't argue.
No need to ask why he should save thieves in stolen gear. Or why trash who couldn't handle snakes blamed him.
He just chewed and swallowed his rye bread, then said:
"You're right. I do regret it. Not killing you then."
"Ha, funny fucker... Yeah, must regret it. If you'd swatted some snakes, you wouldn't die so pathetically here..."
"No. Not the snakes—you lot. Should've killed you clean back then. Wasn't like me."
"What? You f..."
Still seated, Kadim kicked the merc's shin.
Crack!
Shinbone shattered instantly; joint buckled backward. The merc toppled like the wrecked table. Splintered bone tore through skin.
"G-Guhk..."
Kadim rose, slamming his heel into the merc's jaw.
Snap—crunch!
Lower jaw exploded; lower face crumpled. Head whipped back, smashing the floor. Boom—the boards caved with a thunderous echo. Unconscious, the merc twitched limbs amid grotesque groans.
"E-Eh, eh..."
It happened in a blink.
No one saw clearly. The other mercs gaped blankly.
"......Huh?"
"What?"
"Wh-What happened..."
Kadim stretched casually. He drew the axe from his belt, nodding at the innkeeper.
"Bread and soup's a bit bland. I'll pay, so bring out your best hidden booze, innkeep."
"......Y-Yes?"
"No side dish needed. Their meat'll do."
The mercenaries' faces turned corpse-pale and stiff.
Kadim bared his teeth like a beast and hurled the axe.