Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Messene's Brothers (2)
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A gentle breeze rustled through his thick locks of hair, and in the distance, a massive tree faintly silhouetted against the open plain.
Kadim narrowed his eyes.
The tree, once the size of a pinpoint, grew to walnut proportions, then apple, melon, and finally watermelon-sized in his vision. He gradually tightened his grip on the axe handle, veins bulging taut along his arm. Twisting his torso back and forth, he swung it horizontally. The axe blade hurtled viciously through the air, soon followed by a distant tearing roar brushing past his ears.
…Kwaaanggg… Craaaack….
He could see the tree trunk exploding, the pillar teetering unsteadily. The faint scent of splintered timber rode the wind to tickle his nostrils ever so lightly.
Kadim extended his arm and murmured a low prayer.
'Come back, Salmon.'
Once more pulverizing the tree trunk on its return, 'Salmon' flew back.
…Kwaaanggg… Whoosh, whoosh, whing, whing, thud!
As it neared, the axe folded its metal wings and settled perfectly into his callused grip on the dark handle. Kadim hooked 'Salmon' onto his belt and ran a hand over his own burly frame.
It was certain. Not only had his weapon been strengthened, but his flesh had grown once more.
His eyesight now rivaled that of a hawk or eagle. Recalling how he'd effortlessly butchered monsters in the fortress's pitch-black depths without proper light.
His sense of smell and hearing surpassed most beasts. Refine them a bit more, and he might sense enemies kilometers away without sight.
Muscle power went without saying. Compared to the start of his second playthrough, his strength had surged by dozens of stat points.
Indeed, the successive battles with trolls, the Arch Paladin, ogres—had they nourished his growth? At this rate, he might reclaim his first playthrough's power within years.
That is, if he kept his sanity until then.
….
Suddenly, he sensed a faint presence.
Turning his gaze, he saw Shin-young had approached unnoticed. No need for alarm. Panting and out of breath, Duncan shuffled forward hesitantly.
"S-Sir… The plenipotentiary calls for you. I think it's time to depart soon…"
Kadim nodded silently. He'd waited a fortnight in Remtana for the plenipotentiary to finish his business. His body had itched for action, wondering when they'd leave. He'd half-considered abandoning them if they delayed further, but this was timely.
Kadim quickened his returning steps. But Duncan didn't follow immediately. Fidgeting as if he had something to say, he finally approached and proffered a hefty pouch.
"S-Sir… Please take this…"
"What's this?"
"It's… the proceeds from selling that massive demon's scales last time, plus what I scraped together hawking odds and ends while staying in Remtana… I figured it was time to hand it over to you…"
"Then isn't this money you earned? Why give it to me?"
"B-But that demon was slain by you, sir! And all this time, you've covered the inn's food and lodging, while you fought hard, I did nothing… I-I just wanted to contribute something…"
Duncan's voice shrank to a squeak, like burrowing into a mouse hole. Kadim gazed down at him impassively.
As he'd said before, no money wandered the world without purpose. Even this merchant shadowing him like a half-servant was no exception. He offered coin because he wanted something.
"What do you want?"
"P-Pardon?"
"No need to play coy. You gave money because you want something. Speak freely—I won't get angry."
Duncan plunged into agonized turmoil. He started to speak several times, only to clamp his mouth shut. It looked like he was fiercely battling his inner self.
Just as Kadim's patience neared its end after endless dawdling, Duncan finally spoke.
"Sir, could you… teach me how to fight?"
….
"O-Of course, I could never become a great warrior like you… but I want to lend a hand in battle too. As a companion, I should pull my weight…"
"Aren't you already guiding us? That's plenty."
"G-Guiding requires protecting myself too, doesn't it? You'll keep facing mighty demons and monsters ahead. At this rate, I'll just burden you and risk my own neck!"
….
Kadim stared piercingly at the merchant without blinking. Duncan, fearing he'd misspoke, gasped and covered his mouth, then dropped his hands in resignation, head bowed. The breeze felt feather-light, but the silence weighed like a boulder.
Kadim broke the stillness.
He unhooked 'Mosquito' from his waist and tossed it before Duncan.
"Stab me with that sword."
…"P-Pardon?"
"Stab me with it. If you have the guts, I'll teach you to fight."
At first, Duncan showed no reaction, uncomprehending.
Realization dawned like ink spreading in clear water: bewilderment, then exploding into horrified distortion of face and voice.
"W-What are you saying? Stab you, sir? That's absurd… I-I could never…"
"A man who can't stab an unarmed foe—what fighting do you expect to learn? Don't strut about wanting to fight; learn to hide and flee instead. That's far better for survival."
….
A declaration shredding his pride.
Clenching his fists in torment, after a moment's struggle, the merchant snatched up Mosquito with a furious glare. The barbarian's lips twitched faintly. Good—not total mush.
But that was it. Gripping the hilt, Duncan trembled like an aspen, doing nothing more. Truth be told, that alone surpassed his lifetime's courage.
Kadim decided to shove him once more.
"If hesitating to stab outright, try shouting a curse as you come. Words hold power to spur action."
Duncan did so.
"D-Die, you bastard!"
Whoosh!
Kadim casually blocked the sudden slash with index and middle fingers.
….
Amusement first flickered incredulously in his eyes, then genuine interest.
Duncan, snapping to his senses belatedly, paled in shock.
Startled once by the blade caught between Kadim's fingers, twice upon realizing his deed. Imagining consequences, his gut twisted.
Yet unexpectedly, praise returned.
"You have talent for swordsmanship."
…"I-Is that true, sir?"
"No, I'm lying."
….
Momentary silence again.
Kadim twisted his fingers, reclaiming Mosquito. He turned and strode ahead.
"Pack at the inn and prepare to leave. I'll teach you fighting when time allows later."
….
Duncan gaped, dazed. Then jolting alert, he hurried after Kadim.
*
The next dawn, the party bound for Delutana assembled before the plenipotentiary's residence.
The lineup was fairly grand: the plenipotentiary, four elite plenipotentiary guards, Ironhammer the elder, the merchant, and the hulking barbarian. Including mounts, fourteen heads total.
Grand by normal standards, but exceedingly sparse for a plenipotentiary's entourage. They'd minimized numbers to conceal his identity and absence.
"A plenipotentiary lingering absent from the city long isn't ideal… and to ward off threats from dubious factions. Like the Vesta council or Magic Tower, say… No revealing identity en route unless absolutely necessary."
Kadim glanced sidelong at Enrico.
Face shrouded under a wide-brimmed hat, the visible skin wrinkled like a pickled prune. Days sleepless, tying loose ends and fabricating tales. Swaying drowsily on his reins, he looked precarious.
"You've been busy. Matters wrapped up?"
…"Broad strokes laid, rest delegated to chief aide. Reliable sort—no worries. His whole family in Delutana leeches off our house, debts alone over twelve million luden."
….
Hard to call anyone before others 'reliable,' but that was a sturdy leash. Kadim nodded curtly, changing subject.
"Describe the route and hazards. Prepare if dangerous spots ahead."
"No major perils. Half-day to a river; cross it, reach Messene village. Overnight there, two days straight to Golden Highway. Safe path, scant monsters or bandits—but watch for approaching strangers, just in case."
Truthfully, no escort needed. Enrico sought Kadim mainly to cement ties. Fifty thousand luden, horse, provisions—not bad for Kadim.
- Prrrruk, prruk….
….
Kadim reined in, slowing. He scanned the trailing party. Meeting the barbarian's gaze, guards tensed pointlessly. As if scripted, awkward coughs erupted.
"Ahem…"
"Khem, khm…"
Clop, clop -
With each hoofbeat, hydra scale fragments dangling from armor clashed noisily.
….
Kadim said nothing. Their coin, their choice—scale armor or scale undies.
The illiterate merchant and smith rode pillion behind guards. Kadim neared Ironhammer elder, Gullak. His wrinkled face beamed, thrilled at nearing family.
Yet Gullak's baggage: mere coin pouch, iron hammer, few tools.
Kadim tilted his head slightly.
"That's all your gear, elder? Told you essentials only, but even leaner than expected."
"Ah, junk just clutters—dumped it on the central smithy fool. You with that blade make any field a battlefield? Me with this hammer, anyplace a forge."
Gullak grinned, chipped front teeth flashing. Kadim chuckled dryly. Fine craftsman, but head full of hot air.
Crossing the sparse dawn streets, they exited the north gate. Dew-kissed wildflowers blanketing the plain scattered lingering dawn rays from the horizon. Hoofbeats crushed weeds, wafting grassy scents. Warm despite unset sun—summer neared.
- Neighhh, hiiing!
- Trot-trot….
Clop-clop, clop-clop….
Hearing hoofbeats ring his ears, Kadim mused. Riding a horse after ages.
Even in first playthrough, seldom mounted. Untrained horses panic easily—ill-suited for demon-and-monster paths. Demon-infested realms aside, hero party preferred hasty walking over procuring trained steeds.
Yet Kadim's horsemanship excelled. Atala's blood instinctively mastered riding. Thighs clamped firm to flanks, he handled like a veteran. His bulk strained the mount, though.
The journey proceeded peacefully as foretold. Save the plenipotentiary nearly tumbling asleep from his saddle, no incidents. Afternoon sun dipping lazily, party crossed vast plains nearing waypoint Messene.
But afar from Messene's river bridge, Kadim spotted something.
"Hold—halt."
- Neighhh!
Party stopped crisply at his command. Enrico voiced the puzzled queries.
"What's wrong? Trouble?"
"Bridge over that river leads to Messene, right, plenipotentiary?"
"Yes, but…"
"Someone's guarding the bridge approach. Armed with spears and axes, about six."
Enrico lifted his hat brim, squinting. Faint dust visible afar, but counting and arming? Impossible. Yet this barbarian wouldn't lie—that he knew.
"Hmm, odd… River's wide and deep—must cross that bridge to Messene. It's for anyone's free use…"
"Shall we? If friction risks, eliminate now and pass."
"Haha, no need. How to dispatch what we barely see…"
Chuckling weakly, turning, Enrico belatedly realized. Gleaming axe blade in barbarian's hand. No jest.
"St-Stop! We don't know their identity. Try talking first—violence later if needed!"
….
Pointless, Kadim thought, but held tongue. Hired now—client's wish, his command.
And Kadim's concern proved true.
"Halt—everyone stop!"
As expected, they blocked the bridge.
From the group, a small-eyed man with a beaming smile stepped forward. Rustic youth vibe, yet no joke: burly near Kadim's size, massive axe slung on back.
The man scanned the party, adopting courtesy first.
"Greetings, travelers. Pardon the interruption. Might I ask your identities and purpose?"
"You first. Why reveal ours at a non-official gate?"
Kadim retorted imperiously. Man's face twisted briefly, swiftly masked, pressing on.
"We're Messene's vigilante corps. I'm captain Otrram. Local security's poor lately, so we maintain order and collect minor tolls from travelers. For your safety and public good—please cooperate…"
"Poor security? Heard few monsters here."
"Hahaha, travel perils aren't just monsters. Bandits, rogue mercenaries, occasional demons. Without us, you'd tremble to Golden Highway?"
Far from plenipotentiary's words. Frown creased Kadim's brow.
…"Then by whose leave do you collect tolls?"
"Remtana's plenipotentiary, naturally. Think we'd take coin sans high permission? Hahaha!"
The man answered breezily with genial laugh. Kadim glanced at the plenipotentiary.
Beneath hat's shadow, Enrico's face hardened sternly.