Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Followers of the Forgotten God (3)
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The next morning, Yulitan and Duncan woke to the sight of a pitch-black heap of residue.
"...Huh? What the hell is this?"
"Eek! What in the world is this, my lord?"
Mixed into the half-solid, tar-like ooze were tattered scraps of flesh, bone fragments, and rusted blade shards. Bubbles still rose continuously from it, suggesting the melting process wasn't fully complete.
Kadim, who hadn't taken his eyes off the dissolving mass, gave a brief rundown of the previous night's events. Yulitan and Duncan paled like children who'd just heard a chilling ghost story.
"...My god, so you're saying that thing was imitating a person last night? And imitating someone you two knew, no less?"
"Ah, could it be the work of a demon, my lord? Or maybe that silver coin from the archaeologist was... cursed or something..."
Kadim glanced at the residue, then at the silver coin.
It wasn't the work of a demon. No demonic energy emanated from the heap at all. But the speculation about the coin held some merit.
The coin itself didn't directly cause harm. But if one person after another who possessed a certain gem ended up murdered by greedy thieves coveting it, others would naturally call that gem "cursed."
In that context, this silver coin might well be "cursed" too. The fake human had clearly come to kill Kadim and take the coin. If Duncan had been on night watch instead, he'd have been caught off guard and robbed blind.
"..."
Kadim pondered for a moment before tucking the coin deep into his bosom. He then gave his companions a subtle nod.
"We're setting off again. Let's hurry to Galentana."
"Huh? Th-that... we're just leaving this here, my lord?"
"Shouldn't we investigate the traces more before we go? Something this bizarre happened..."
Kadim ignored their suggestions.
"There's nothing more to see here. Go pull the cart."
"..."
He had already thoroughly investigated and backtracked before they even woke. The trail led from the direction of Galentana. Since they hadn't gotten the coin, whoever sent the fake would surely approach again once they got there.
Whoever they were, Kadim had no intention of letting them die peacefully. Having struck first, they needed to be wiped out cleanly, without loose ends.
Kadim strode ahead with firm steps. Duncan and Yulitan cast uneasy glances at the residue before following, rattling the cart with the demon heads aboard.
*
Mossy beast fur-like underbrush whipped in the wind, weaving a modest dirt path that undulated like waves along the rolling hills. Crossing one hill after another felt like sailing from port. At last, beneath a vast cerulean sky, a low mountain range and towering ochre walls encircled a sprawling metropolis.
The city of knowledge, Galentana.
One of the three pillars upholding the Free City Alliance. A treasure trove of wisdom, home to an ancient university boasting a storied history and brilliant renown.
The city's grand entrance offered profound awe to fledgling scholars who'd dreamed of reaching it their whole lives and country bumpkins seeing a city for the first time. But unfortunately, today didn't seem the right moment to indulge in such sentiments.
The drawbridge and central gate into Galentana.
Now, throngs of people crowded it worse than any marketplace, with endless lines snaking out like ant trails before and behind.
"...Don't push! How many times do I have to say don't push..."
"Hey, hands off that! Why are you messing with someone else's luggage..."
"I already paid! I paid earlier, why demand toll again..."
The sweltering summer heat compounded by body warmth made it hard to breathe even standing still. Amid the chaos, some clamored to enter, others to exit, everyone shoving and struggling endlessly. Guards at the flow's center sweated bullets trying to control the unruly crowd.
And overseeing it all, the central gate captain in charge climbed to the sparsely peopled gate tower for a moment of lament.
"Haa, damn it all..."
His body was soaked like he'd been caught in a downpour. Removing his helmet released a steamy plume of sweat from his crown.
His luck couldn't get any worse. For nearly two months, they'd restricted access due to demons rampaging on the Golden Highway, and of all days, the gate reopened on his shift.
Too many coming in, too many going out. Merchants hauling goods to profit from shortages, couriers heading to other cities with news, prostitutes seeking safer pastures with better pay, scholars leaving or returning to the university, locals heading home, refugees from Soltana who'd lost their homes...
At least gouging extra tolls would've been nice, but he'd been caught once before. Get nabbed again, and he'd be booted from the garrison or strung up in University Square as a lesson in the rule of law. From a bribe-free administrator's view, the masses looked no better than cockroaches.
"Phew, damn it... If only a demon popped up and swept them all away..."
He didn't truly mean it. He wasn't that wicked. Besides, if a real demon appeared, he'd be in the most danger as the one responsible here. It was just grumbling born of exhaustion.
Yet words hold power to change reality, so one must speak carefully.
'KyaAAAAH!!'
'UwaAAAAH!!'
Startled by the sudden screams, the captain peered out. He let out a puzzled gasp.
"...Huh?"
His wish was coming true outside the window.
People parted like a burning wick. The crowd before the gate scattered like shrapnel from a bomb. And the culprit driving their flight was...
A demon.
A demon formed of countless bundled heads charged the gate atop a cart.
"Gah, shit! Wh-what the hell is that?"
The captain jumped back in horror. It was a nightmare come to life. Corrupt he might be, but he had at least a shred of duty as a soldier. He donned his helmet, raised his spear, and dashed out the gate.
By the time he arrived, a standoff was in place. Amid the dust cloud, the demon's hazy outline loomed. Guards panicked, flailing wildly.
"Uh-uh-uh? Uh-uh?"
"Halt! D-don't come any closer or we'll run you through!"
"C-Captain? Wh-what do we do? Call for reinforcements?"
Fresh from above, the captain observed more calmly. He soon spotted a familiar figure standing before the demon.
"...Eh?"
Golden Highway Ninth Checkpoint Guard Captain, Yulitan Jermani.
Far more haggard now, but unmistakable. A senior officer several ranks above, highly respected in the Galentana garrison.
"N-Ninth Checkpoint Captain? What... how is this happening? That thing in front..."
"Good to see you well, Captain Dokran. Maybe tell your men to lower their spears? Unless they plan to fight already-dead demons."
The stench of decay stung his nose. Only then did the captain realize the heap was severed demon heads, not a live one.
Several facts flashed through his mind. Demons rampant on the Golden Highway. The ninth checkpoint a brutal battlefield. Yet Yulitan held firm, repelling the invasion to the end...
One logical conclusion emerged.
"C-Captain? Did you... bring every single demon head subjugated at the ninth checkpoint defense line all this way?"
"..."
"Hah, unbelievable! Talk about impressive! I knew demons swarmed the ninth checkpoint like mad, but not to this extent! Even all the demons the empire's holy knights ever caught wouldn't match this!"
"..."
"But why... why'd you come alone? Without your soldiers..."
The captain asked, baffled. Yulitan gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"...No, these weren't caught by the garrison. This mercenary took them all down solo. Bringing them as proof to claim payment from the council."
"..."
"..."
"...Pardon?"
The reflexive retort escaped him. The captain's gaze stiffly followed Yulitan's pointing finger.
There stood a menacing Atalan warrior who'd make even demons tremble.
*
Thanks to Yulitan, Kadim's group passed the gate without hassle. Though the captain still had matters to discuss.
He clasped his hands politely before Kadim.
"Th-that cart... Bringing it into the city might cause another scene like before, so how about storing it in the impounded goods warehouse and releasing only when verifying evidence?"
"...Fine."
"And, uh, mercenary sir...? Sorry to say this, but you can't bring that many weapons into the city... We'll keep them safe and return them when you leave, so could you hand over all but one...?"
"..."
Kadim stared silently. The captain flinched back and swallowed hard.
Kadim considered.
Subduing him and slipping away wouldn't be hard. But it'd complicate claiming payment immensely. Nor could he entrust these vital weapons to some garrison lackeys. Not when anything could happen the moment they entered the city...
In the end, Kadim resorted to mysterious and wondrous magic to resolve it.
"Do these look like weapons to you? They're just pokers for stoking the fire."
Clink.
The captain's eyes widened hugely.
The bag the mercenary placed down brimmed with gold and silver coins. Easily several months' pay. But knowing another slip-up meant his head, he desperately resisted temptation.
"N-no, you can't do this, sir. I got burned badly once before, swore never again..."
Clink.
"Haa, th-this is troubling... It's not about the amount! Not the amount! This is a matter of pride and conviction as a soldier..."
Clank-clink!
"No way! They really are just fire pokers! Sorry! My eyes must be bad—I nearly made a huge mistake!"
The captain succumbed.
He had no desire to irk this monster of a barbarian anyway. Booted from the garrison or hanged in the square—whatever. At least he'd die fat and happy with this haul.
The captain kindly escorted Kadim's group to an exit with fewer crowds. Yulitan instantly grasped what happened upon seeing the beaming junior and Kadim with his weapons intact.
"Hey, Captain Dokran. A word."
"Uh, y-yes, sir..."
Before leaving, Yulitan pulled his subordinate aside for a one-on-one. When he returned, the captain looked a decade older, Yulitan's face stern.
Kadim asked Yulitan casually.
"What'd you tell him, Captain?"
"...I'll let it slide this once, but do it again and you're done. Also urged him to inspect thoroughly—something might mimic humans entering or exiting."
"..."
Kadim somehow doubted either warning would stick, and stepped onward.
*
The group entered the city outskirts via alleys. True to a great city, Galentana was impeccably tidy from the edges.
Wide flagstone roads accommodated two carriages abreast, free of the usual dung stains plaguing small-town streets. Crowds filled the way lined with neat brick buildings topped by scarlet gables. Gazing to the vanishing point revealed spires piercing the sun and ivy-cloaked towers. Likely the Galentana University.
For a moment, Kadim felt an odd nostalgia.
Utterly unlike any small town he'd seen. In fact, first such bustling city since entering this game world. Even the kingdom's capital 300 years ago hadn't matched it. He suddenly felt the weight of those long centuries not wasted in vain.
No time to gawk. Much to do, and foes to hunt posthaste.
Kadim decided to secure lodging first.
"Captain. Any decent inns nearby? Room quality doesn't matter—good booze, low profile."
"Head straight, turn at the fork, go to the end: 'Elm Barley Field' inn. My go-to in Galentana. Secluded spot, sparse traffic, but the beer's top-notch."
"We'll stay there and handle business. Lead on."
Yulitan nodded and pressed ahead briskly. Down the avenue, into alleys, far along until they reached it.
In the shadow of the walls, no sun piercing the gloom: a sign with a barley field and lone tree, an old brick building rich in patina. True to "sparse traffic," inside was dead quiet. Yet the weathered door atop the steps creaked open.
Creeak, creeak—
It seemed mere wind at a glance. Yulitan casually climbed toward the inn.
But Kadim sensed it.
The hazy presences lurking like ghosts within.
"...Get down from there, Captain."
"...?"
Yulitan turned, puzzled. Kadim hardened his face, gripping his axe handle.
"Don't ask—just come down and run with Duncan. Hide where you won't be seen..."
Bam—crash!
Before he finished, something kicked the door flying.
Swoosh—!
It thrust a blade lightning-fast, but drew no blood as intended. Kadim had hurled his axe a step ahead to block.
Crackle-crack, thud-crunch!
"Whoa!"
"Gahk!"
Duncan and Yulitan yelped in terror. Black blood splattered the doorframe; the sudden figure staggered. As it steadied, all saw its true nature.
A woman with topaz-yellow eyes, an axe blade buried in her chest.
"Sharp senses, mercenary. Was detecting me coincidence... or inevitability?"
"..."
Ilenia—or whatever wore her skin—flashed a crooked smile.
Slash—crunch!
Kadim's gale-force swing severed its head.
"Seems inevitable you bastards die."