The Pink-Haired Navigator
The ridge of Sarmé. The ridgeline of Mount Sarmé, with its many peaks forming graceful undulations, was bathed in the slanting sunlight, making its symbolic beauty even more striking.
At the central points of the ridge, connected runes symbolized that many people worshipped the chief god Odin. To heretics they were called witches, but to those who served Odin they were known as sorcerers.
Let me talk about my old party members. Ragner was one of the Vikings who worshipped Odin. He was called the greatest warrior among them, a war hero. Or so they say. To me, he was just a muscle-brained barbarian whose head was filled with nothing but women.
Lunaris wasn’t a sorcerer. She was a mage, sure, but she didn’t worship Odin. She was closer to a scholar who simply researched magic. While sorcerers used magic, shamanism, and sorcery, Lunaris only handled mana through the attributes of water, fire, earth, and wind.
Fina was indeed a saintess. To be precise, she was the Valkyrie chosen by the temple for this generation. Valkyries were selected from maidens who served Odin, but no matter how I thought about it, there was no way that bitch was a virgin.
“Why the hell did I think about them?”
My mood grew fouler by the second. I’d deserted the party to travel the world with a light heart, but now that I was actually out here, I had no idea where to start. That’s why I’d decided to climb to the highest point of the Sarmé ridge, survey the terrain, and choose my destination.
I gazed at the rune characters on the distant ridgeline. I had no clue what they actually meant, but I secretly thought they looked pretty damn cool.
I untied the horse Seria had prepared for me, mounted it, and rode off without a plan. Something would come up if I just kept going, right?
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
As Kim Taesik’s horse began galloping across the plains, leaving hoofprints in its wake, another figure emerged behind it.
“...What the hell?”
“What do you mean, what? I’m accompanying you.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“It’s Lady Seria’s order. Since you’ve spent the last two years only in the Demon Realm, I doubt you have perfect knowledge of the terrain here. Does having a companion inconvenience you?”
“Ah, no, that’s not it.”
She was right. I only had a vague understanding of what was where and what existed. I didn’t know the detailed routes or finer points. That was exactly why I’d stood on the ridge wondering which way to go, and why I’d decided to figure out what to do once I got there. They say a trip without a plan is romantic, after all. That was exactly my situation right now.
“Well, whatever. Even if the hero tries to drive me away, I’ll simply follow my lady’s orders.”
In other words, she was going to tag along no matter what. I wasn’t thrilled about gaining an extra mouth to feed, but she was a maid from a ducal house. At the very least, she’d have money. So it probably didn’t matter. And since Isabel didn’t seem as incompetent as those other bastards, it should be fine.
Come to think of it, what exactly were her orders?
Curious, I glanced back. Isabel seemed to catch my intent and nodded before speaking.
“My lady asked me to watch your back, hero.”
Of course, that was a lie. Her actual order was to gather information about him. To report if he encountered any of his former party members. It was to help her lady’s love. That was why she didn’t tell the truth.
“Watch my back?”
“Yes. Aren’t you still under false accusations, hero? Like yesterday, when you spoke your real name. I intend to stay by your side and assist you so you don’t make such mistakes again.”
I stared directly into Isabel’s eyes. There was no wavering. It didn’t seem like a lie, at least…
Of course, Isabel had lied. But she was so skilled at deceiving others that she could even fool the hero. And since it wasn’t harming him, she felt no guilt.
“Ah, if that’s the case, then I’ll allow you to accompany me.”
“I would follow even without your permission. Hmph.”
“Haha… of course you would.”
And so the two of them galloped toward the ridge. The grass of the plains swayed in the gentle breeze. Riding at full speed made the surrounding scenery fly past rapidly. The constantly changing landscape before it could even fully register in the eyes was truly beautiful.
It was a sight I hadn’t seen in the Demon Realm. A peaceful plain without the blood and corpses of monsters was the perfect place to forget those creatures even existed.
How much time had passed? By the time the sun hung high in the sky, we had reached the highest point of the ridge. I dismounted for a moment and let the horse drink some water. It must have been exhausted.
“...Oh.”
A breathtaking view entered my sight. The light pouring down through the clouds made the pure white castle look even more sacred. This was healing. Those damn bastards—did being pretty or handsome make everything okay? Staring blankly at this beautiful scenery was far more calming to the mind than looking at their faces.
Are you better at healing than Fina, Odin? Want to be a healer? I’ll worship you diligently.
“It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?”
“It really is. Now I understand why people worship Odin.”
The kingdom viewed from the Sarmé ridge was enormous. With the pure white Valhalla temple at its center, the outer walls surrounding the kingdom could truly be called beautiful and holy. Countless branching roads extended beyond the kingdom, showing just how many international relations it maintained. They were paths to other countries and trade routes used by merchants traveling between nations.
“Hmm…”
“What are you worrying about so much?”
Where the hell should I go… The blind monk from the canyon came to mind. Right now, I couldn’t see the path ahead. Don’t misunderstand—I’m not actually blind. I just couldn’t figure out which direction to take or which road to follow.
“If you’re troubled about where to go, how about the east?”
“The east? You mean the Ludrick Kingdom?”
“Yes. At the very least, you won’t run into the party members who used to torment you there.”
Really? The Ludrick Kingdom was the place Lunaris would selfishly wander off to alone, saying she needed to relieve her fatigue. A country famous for hot springs and massages, a land of entertainment where people enjoyed hot springs and alcohol. For some reason, I had a feeling I’d run into those guys if I went there.
But! They were in the Demon Realm. Now that they knew I’d disappeared, they probably wouldn’t come looking for me. At least, Lunaris would act that way. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to search for me. She’d stubbornly drag Fina and Ragner forward instead. Honestly, I’d prefer it if she did. Let them try getting by without me.
I chuckled inwardly and looked east. The wind was refreshingly cool. Isabel knew this world far better than I did. Following her suggestion didn’t seem like a bad idea. In fact, for someone like me who couldn’t decide on a destination, obeying her words would probably be the safest choice.
Whoa, a free guide. I should thank Seria for this.
Perhaps sensing my decision, Isabel moved her horse first. She began galloping along the ridge path close to the cliff. Her pale pink hair fluttered in the wind. The thought that it would be clearly visible even in the dark crossed my mind, and a smile formed on my lips.
“This isn’t good…”
But what can I do? I felt a little sorry for Isabel, but it was such a good idea. Alright, decision made. At night, I could just follow that hair. Yep. Free navigation acquired.
*
The eastern Ludrick Kingdom. A land where autumn leaves dyed the mountains, cool breezes blew, and hot water flowed. It was a place where warriors exhausted from battles against the demon race came to relax their bodies, and a resort where people received healing.
I’d been grinning ear to ear at the thought of resting there. Yes, I had been grinning.
Ah, fuck. I’m screwed. What do I do now?
I was in a very troublesome situation.
“Goddamn it, nothing’s going right.”
I never expected the gate guards to inspect my belongings when entering the kingdom.
— Rumor has it the hero stole the Holy Sword.
— We’ll need to inspect your belongings.
I’d hidden the Holy Sword so it wouldn’t be discovered, but when I refused to show my things, they summoned the safety guardians! I hadn’t anticipated the guards’ power. If I took them down here, I’d be marked throughout the entire kingdom. I’d ridden hard day and night with high expectations, only to get cut at the entrance. Getting denied entry like some club bouncer rejecting you? Does that even make sense?
“It can’t be helped. I’ll find us lodging, so you can camp outside, hero. See you tomorrow.”
“Hahahaha. Your jokes are too much, Isabel. You know how much I cherish you, right? We’re comrades. We rode together all night until our waists ached!”
“...! Such vulgar words! In front of all these people! Can’t you see everyone’s staring!?”
And they were staring with incredibly dirty looks, too. It didn’t matter to me since I had my face covered, but Isabel was the one in trouble.
“...Haa. Please show some restraint.”
“No, I really mean we rode horses! Is that the kind of riding you’re thinking of? What the hell is going on in your head?”
“This lewd, filthy man!”
That was complete nonsense. It wasn’t true at all. Where would you find a gentleman like me!
Isabel’s face flushed bright red. “Rode all night until our waists ached…”
…Did that sound good to her?
She slapped both her cheeks. She mustn’t have such impure, obscene thoughts. He was the man her lady adored. This was wrong!
I spoke to Isabel. I had the upper hand now. A smile bloomed on my lips.
“Ha! Should I tell Seria everything?”
“...Ugh, how underhanded and ugly.”
She was about to sleep outside again. How could she not become ugly? She couldn’t endure it otherwise.
“Haha. I don’t want to hear that from a woman who betrays her comrades. How are you any different from Fina and Lunaris?”
“I’m not even their comrade, and I’m different from those filthy women!”
Different, huh… She was right about that. This problem had only appeared because of the false accusations against me. But didn’t I always say it? Well, what can you do about it! It wasn’t my fault, and the king had misunderstood all on his own. At least until I heard that Seria had cleared up the misunderstanding, I had to keep my face covered and hide the Holy Sword.
“Can you prove it?”
“...Pardon?”
“Can you prove that you’re different from those bastards? I can’t end it like this. Either we go in together, or we camp together. One or the other.”
“...Tsk.”
She clicked her tongue. I didn’t like that.
Honestly, camping wasn’t a big deal. Every day had been camping, so I was used to it. At times like this, I actually felt grateful to Ragner. But not being able to enter the Ludrick Kingdom was honestly a shame. I wanted to rest comfortably too. Still, aside from the disappointment, it wasn’t that big of a problem. That was why I could act so confidently.
“If you don’t like it, fine. You can enjoy the resort all by yourself. It doesn’t bother me. I can just travel somewhere else. But that would be inconvenient for you, wouldn’t it, Isabel?”
My victory.
“Wow~ Too bad. You didn’t follow your lady’s orders. You took the money she gave you, enjoyed the resort all alone, and lost the person you were supposed to watch~”
“What are you doing right now?!”
“What am I doing? Scolding a bad maid who’s trying to disobey orders and have fun.”
I spoke loudly. The travelers heading east and the passing merchants began whispering. Everyone was looking at Isabel. Honestly, even I knew my behavior was complete garbage. But I couldn’t help it! I wanted to rest. I wanted to have fun. Who wouldn’t complain if they were told to play alone while I camped outside?
“Are you trash?! How can you say such ridiculous—”
“...Does this seem ridiculous to you? I’m the kind of person who does what he says.”
Isabel looked genuinely flustered. It was already unfair that she had to travel with a man like this, yet her lady apparently liked this kind of guy.
“Why does my lady like a man like…”
She muttered it so quietly that it didn’t reach my ears.
“Hm? Your voice is too soft.”
“It’s nothing.”
After thinking for a moment, Isabel trotted over to my side. Maybe the surrounding stares had become too burdensome. The woman who had worn a cold and haughty expression now returned with a tearful face.
…I thought it was a little cute.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trash. I don’t have a taste for making women cry. It’s just that she might turn it into a habit. It’s Isabel’s fault for being so pretty and cute. Her personality isn’t bad either, so I fully acknowledge that this is entirely my fault. Still, I won’t apologize. If I do, it’ll have to be later. Apologizing now would mean losing the initiative I’d barely seized.
“Ugh! Fine! We’ll go together, okay?!”
“Haha. As expected of a ducal maid. I don’t know how to react to such generosity.”
“...Uuu.”
It was right then.
“Taesik…?”
When we were making a scene, someone came out from the gate to greet us. A person I absolutely did not want to meet. I’d had a feeling she might be here, but I’d been certain she was in the Demon Realm. Why the hell was she here?
“Is it… really you, Taesik?”
Why the hell are you here?
“Everyone, let him in.”
“B-but…”
“Are you talking back to me right now?”
“...No, ma’am!”
“Then move quickly. And don’t open your mouths unnecessarily.”
I watched her drive away the safety guardians. Ah, I really didn’t want this… I’d ridden day and night all the way to a distant country precisely because I didn’t want a reunion like this. So why was she acting like that? I’d expected her to at least curse me for deserting without a word. But her behavior was clearly helping me.
“...Why the hell is she helping me?”
“Hero. Your choice.”
“...No need to ask.”
Isabel asked me. It was obvious. The answer was already set.
“Should we run?”
The mage Lunaris. The rotten woman who treated people like slaves, the one I absolutely never wanted to meet again, was looking at me with a desperate expression.