Chapter 41
The hero seized the guard captain. "Is it really okay to leave him like this?"
In the forest near Butler Territory, Marian watched as I tied Talion to a nearby tree and posed the question.
I glanced at Talion in response to Marian's query. The beast snorted roughly, his face full of dissatisfaction—as if mocking whether a mere knot like this could hold him. Strangely enough, from some point on, Talion had started making increasingly human-like expressions. Especially that giddy grin he flashed every time Marian rode him. It pissed me off for no reason.
"Well, he's a divine beast at least. He can protect himself."
"But do we really have to leave Talion behind?"
"Too conspicuous."
That was my answer to Marian's question. His horns had grown quite a bit by now, but more than that, Talion was a purebred white stallion cherished by Jena von Darius, the duke's daughter. A horse without a single stray hair wasn't common, and just riding him around would likely put the enemy on high alert.
I wanted to scout Butler Territory's situation without revealing I was the hero, so hiding Talion was necessary.
"We're almost there anyway. The walls are just a short walk. Hang in there."
I said that to Marian and started through the forest. She gave Talion one last wistful look before hurrying after me.
"Have you been here before?"
I'd visited this place in my previous life, so I knew the castle would come into view as soon as we exited the woods. But at this point in time, I wasn't supposed to know that. I hesitated over how to answer Marian, but the dilemma didn't last long.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
A woman's bewildered voice echoed from one side of the forest. I signaled Marian to stay quiet and cautiously approached the source.
"What do you mean? You followed us all the way here knowing full well what was up, didn't you?"
"I-I just thought you'd give me food if I helped with work..."
Marian and I reached the spot and saw exactly what I'd expected: a man in Butler Territory soldier garb facing off against a refugee woman. She was terrified, and the soldier was already fumbling with his pants.
"I-I didn't know it'd be like this. Please, just let me go."
"Hah. I skipped my shift for you, and now you wanna pretend it never happened?"
"I'm sorry, I really didn't think it'd be..."
The refugee woman pleaded with the soldier, her face pale with fear. I could help her right now, but I decided to observe the soldier's behavior for a bit. I'd left Talion behind to gauge the territory's atmosphere anyway.
But even without going all the way to the castle, this bastard gave me a pretty good idea of how things worked here.
The leering soldier pulled a small loaf of bread from his pocket and dangled it in front of her eyes.
"Think about it. Get on my good side, and you'll get food like this. Do a good job, and I might even sneak you inside the walls."
"Th-that's..."
"Come on, do your best. Satisfy me for real, and I might let you in."
The woman stared at him, conflicted. His promise of entry into the castle was too tempting to refuse outright.
"Is that really possible?"
"Sure. The castle's half-empty since everyone inside evacuated. Once you're in, you can squat in any house you want."
"...But the Empire doesn't take in refugees, does it?"
"Hah, naive girl. Why do you think all the young, pretty refugee girls vanish? They all got in that way."
At his words, the woman seemed to make up her mind and slowly began undressing. Her clothes—slightly different from imperial style—fell to the ground one by one. The soldier grinned like an idiot at the sight.
Maybe he was right; perhaps all the pretty young ones had already gotten inside. This refugee woman's naked body wasn't even worth watching. Gaunt from sudden flight and malnutrition, covered in grime from days without washing.
I lost interest and was about to step forward when I glanced sideways. I was curious what expression our voyeuristic saintess would have.
...Not quite what I expected.
Marian glared at the woman and soldier with utter disgust. She was only holding back because I'd stayed put. Her face screamed she wanted to charge out and beat the bastard to death right then.
Remembering her origins late, I finally understood her reaction. The scene must have stirred up old memories.
Well, nothing more to hear anyway.
Judging I'd gotten all the info I needed from the soldier, I stood up. Just as the excited bastard lunged at the woman, I kicked him hard in the side without a second thought.
"Wh-who the hell are you?!"
The soldier rolled on the ground clutching his side, scrambling up and yelling at me. I smirked and replied,
"Just someone who takes responsibility."
"This place is a total shitshow."
The area near Butler Territory's walls was pure chaos. The walls themselves were grand and imposing, but below them, early-arriving refugees sat on ragged blankets. Soldiers with sharp spears glared down from the battlements, while desperate newcomers eyed them warily, hovering near the gates.
The moment Marian and I appeared, every eye turned to us.
Couldn't blame them—a battered soldier with a swollen face staggered ahead, pants down, his ugly dick flopping around.
"Walk straight, yeah? Hands on your head nice and proper so everyone can get a good look."
I prodded his back with my sword tip. He straightened up, terrified.
"Captain!"
One of the soldiers finally recognized him. Not just a grunt after all—he had some rank.
His face flushed beet red as he bellowed at his men,
"What the hell are you waiting for? Grab these bastards!"
Meeting his subordinates must've emboldened him; the coward from before was shouting boldly now. I stared in disbelief.
No matter how you sliced it, my sword piercing his gut would be faster than his men swarming us. Yet he yelled as if blind to the math, and the soldiers began encircling us at his command.
"You're insane. What if I just stab you right here?"
The half-naked captain flinched at my words. Reality finally sinking in. But with his men watching, he puffed up his chest and shouted defiantly,
"Stab me and you die too. Unless you want war with Butler Territory, release me now!"
The more I saw, the funnier he got. Judging by the soldiers' reactions, he was probably just the gate guard captain, deluding himself into thinking he was a big shot.
"What makes you think the territory would go to war over trash like you?"
"Wh-what?"
"And even if I let you go, you think we'd call it even?"
He flushed guiltily at that. The soldiers seemed to sense the weird vibe too. Spears leveled at us, but faces full of confusion over what to do.
"Who are you to threaten our captain?"
An older-looking soldier finally asked. I glanced at him, then slowly jabbed the captain's ass with my sword tip.
"Caught this dog trying to coerce a refugee woman to satisfy his urges. Got a problem with that?"
The watching refugees started murmuring at my words. They weren't clueless; they had to know what went down in Butler Territory. Hell, they couldn't not know.
I yelled again at the hesitant crowd,
"Anyone who wants can come beat this prick till you're satisfied. Sounds like he's made enemies everywhere."
But no refugees stepped forward. Their glares at the captain were venomous, but clashing with territory forces scared them shitless.
This wasn't his first time. The bastard's coercion routine was too practiced.
Meaning friends, family, even lovers of his past victims were probably among the crowd. Yet no one moved.
I let out a light sigh at the sight.
Hah, damn vermin.