Good and Evil (1)
How long had it been since we left the village? We were still crossing the forest. The path was rough, and the sun blazed overhead. Even in the shaded woods, the humid heat was inescapable.
Still, I was feeling pretty comfortable. I had a pack mule following behind me.
"Huff... huff..."
Adelaide was panting raggedly, burdened with all our gear. Sweat trickled down her jawline, soaking her collarbone. Her white skin showed through her clinging clothes, but she didn't even have the spare energy to adjust them.
"Can't you hurry the fuck up?"
"Huff... shut... up..."
"Backtalk, huh? I'm thirsty—give me some water."
Without even setting down the luggage, she twisted awkwardly to pull out the waterskin. Her hands trembled violently. Even a Swordmaster had her limits after days of walking with her mana sealed.
I gulped down the water, then dumped the rest over myself.
"Ahh... refreshing."
"...!"
"What, you jealous?"
"...Water is precious. Don't waste it."
"It's my call, isn't it? If you don't like it, go fetch more yourself. Shut up and keep following. We need to get out of this forest before sunset."
"Understood..."
She fell in behind me without another word.
How long would this peaceful stroll last? It was boring and tiring in its own way, but I hoped this moment wouldn't end.
It was when we reached the forest's edge. Contrary to my wishes, the peace didn't last long.
"Kieeeek!"
"Grrr..."
A grotesque cry echoed from afar. The ground trembled faintly beneath us.
I stopped and peered toward the sound.
Adelaide stared ahead with a hardened expression, too focused to even drop the luggage. Her knightly instincts must have kicked in. It had been a while since I'd seen that sharp look on her.
"What was that?"
"Monsters."
Monsters. With my ignorance of King's Story, I pressed her for details.
"Not a small group... I can smell the blood riding the vibrations. Someone's under attack."
"Oh? Too bad."
"People could be dying!"
"I've told you over and over—you're not people. Don't make me repeat myself. And what does it have to do with me?"
"You...!"
Adelaide clenched her fists tight. She looked ready to bolt the moment I gave permission. It was amusing enough to make me chuckle.
"Wanna go check it out?"
"...Yes."
"And do what? Without even a sword."
"I'll save them. Even if it costs my life..."
"Hmm... even if it costs your life?"
I lifted her chin with slender fingers. Her eyes shook, yet she still spouted that nonsense about sacrificing herself. What unyielding sense of justice. To pledge aid to others even before her abuser and tormentor.
"Fine, let's go watch."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. But if you drop even one piece of luggage, I'll kill you."
"Got it."
The moment I answered, Adelaide plunged into the underbrush. The heavy load seemed nonexistent to her. I followed leisurely behind for a while.
Emerging from the forest, a vast plain greeted us—and so did the hellscape unfolding there.
"Ahh..."
A sigh escaped Adelaide's lips.
The plain teemed with a wave of monsters—hundreds, by the look of it—crashing over a column of refugees. Every creature from fantasy tales was there: orcs, goblins, wolves. The sheer variety reminded me I was inside a game. They tore into NPCs indiscriminately, ripping, chewing, trampling.
"Save me—aaagh!"
"Mom! Moommm!"
"Run! Don't look back!"
Desperate screams reached us. The mercenaries guarding the refugees fought desperately but were overwhelmed. Blood sprayed; flesh flew.
"This is... a wave. A massive monster wave! We have to go. Help them...!"
Adelaide took a step, then faltered. No weapon. No mana. She knew charging in bare-handed meant certain death.
Yet her knightly instincts urged her on. She dropped to her knees on the dirt.
"...A sword. Give me a sword. Please... I beg you."
"A sword?"
"I have to save them. I can buy time for them to escape."
"Are you insane? You'll die if you go in there."
"I don't care! A knight can't just watch her people die—!"
Her voice cracked. Tears welled in eyes gazing up at me. The proud woman was on her knees, begging—for others. It disgusted me for some reason.
"No thanks."
"...What?"
"Why should I? Who's carrying the luggage if you die? Not me."
"You... you demonic bitch! Can't you see the horror unfolding?!"
"Nope. Looks like bugs eating each other."
"Damn it! Damn it, damn it—!"
Her posture crumbled as she pounded the ground with her fists. Dust billowed around us. She wailed, cursing her own powerlessness.
Suddenly, irritation surged. That racket grated on my nerves. I'd been enjoying a nice walk, and they'd ruined the mood. Those filthy beasts, blocking my path? And the NPCs—why scream so loud instead of dying quietly?
"Hah... so noisy. Adelaide."
"..."
"Get up and grab the luggage."
"...I can't go. I... can't leave them. Kill me here if you want. I won't move a step without helping."
"Ha."
I laughed in disbelief. She'd grown bold enough to defy me amid the carnage. Didn't matter. I'd just train her harder soon enough.
Besides, we couldn't proceed without clearing those things anyway.
"Move."
"What are you... doing...?"
"Making them shut the fuck up."
Thud, thud. Footsteps that shouldn't carry in this inferno rang clearly in my ears.
"H-Hey! Woman over there! Run!"
"Stay back! It's dangerous!"
Someone shouted at me, but it drew no attention.
My gaze fixed on the massive orc rampaging at the front. It had just bisected an NPC. Covered in blood, it roared—then spotted me and licked its chops.
"Chwiik...! Human! Prime female! Woman! Take!"
It hefted its club and charged.
Adelaide's cry came from behind.
"What are you doing?! Dodge—!"
Dodge? Why would I? I scowled instinctively, circulating my mana. My shadow sharpened vividly.
And then.
"...?"
The orc's eyes wavered. Then it began to tremble.
I tilted my head, puzzled. That wasn't the reaction I'd aimed for.
Thump. Its knees buckled, forehead slamming the dirt. The club rolled away. Like a vassal prostrating before its king. Imagination, maybe.
"...Huh?"
"W-What...?"
Fleeing NPCs and swinging mercenaries alike froze, staring.
"Kiiing... kiing! Kyaang...!"
"Grrr..."
Wolves rolled belly-up, tails tucked. Goblins quaked, heads to the ground. It felt like I'd commanded it. Attention-grabbing like this was risky—but then the monsters glanced at each other and fled.
In mere minutes, the horde vanished.
NPCs gawked blankly at me, still processing. Naturally, so did I.
Then, a trembling voice cried out.
"I-It’s the Saintess—!"
"Ooh... the Saintess has worked a miracle!"
"The gods haven't abandoned us!"
One NPC knelt. Others followed, prostrating reverently. Some even wept, praying toward me.
Things were getting interesting. I forced a solemn smile and slowly approached Adelaide.
She stared blankly, still in shock.
"See?"
"...You... what... are you...?"
"Problem solved, nice and clean. Happy now? Grab the luggage. Let's go."
"...Understood."
Her voice shook as she answered, staggering to collect the gear. She looked even more burdened than before.
"Saintess! Let us follow you too!"
"We'll go wherever you lead!"
The refugees snatched their things and trailed us. My lips twitched.
Adelaide alone had been getting a bit dull. Perfect timing.
"Adelaide."
"..."
"Your role's about to get a lot more important, huh?"
"What... nonsense?"
"Hmm... nothing. Just popped into my head."
Adelaide bit her lip instead of replying.