Chapter 25
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: People More Pitiful Than Demons
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Head commanded to stay away from Brad Kingdom, while emotions urged me to go.
How should I handle this...
I suddenly noticed my soles aching and looked down.
Requiya, who caught sight of me, chimed in.
"The road to Brad is long and treacherous. The border checkpoints are pretty strict, too."
Ah, I see?
"Let's head to Fiore."
"We seem to have shaken off the danger, so take it slow. It's the better route, but the path isn't great."
"Got it."
We walked on in silence.
Where there were no sharp rocks on the ground, we picked up the pace; when it got rough again, we slowed down because of my bare feet.
When hunger struck, we chewed on jerky as we went.
Barefoot or not, my soles weren't delicate, so there was no need to stop as long as my stamina held out.
"Once we cross that mountain, we'll hit the Fiore border."
"Before that, we need to offload these goods."
I couldn't exactly cross the border carrying weapons and armor stamped with the Fiore royal seal, could I?
"The border town has a black market and inns."
It occurred to me that maybe the days of grand adventures were behind us.
The occasional people we passed were walking merchants or travelers, or mercenaries escorting trade caravans. After rubbing shoulders with such rough characters, these folks just seemed downright ordinary.
'Actually, they are ordinary.'
【Their mana is weak too!】
Only a rare few used carriages. Most were backpackers on foot.
If this was a world where even such weaklings could roam freely day and night, then surely I could scrape by somehow.
We crested the mountain without any real threats, only to encounter people who didn't seem all that ordinary.
They carried shovels or clubs, and some had swords at their waists.
They weren't blocking the road, but they were lined up on both sides, staring right at us.
I nodded toward the group ahead.
"What's the situation here?"
Requiya answered casually, like it was nothing.
"Looks like toll collectors."
"Lots of guys like them?"
"Plenty. It's how they make a living."
"By shaking down passersby?"
Requiya laughed and shook his head.
"They're probably the ones who built and maintain this road. Folks who can't join up with any nation for one reason or another—they carve out paths like this and take a small toll."
Hmm...
By my values, I couldn't wrap my head around Requiya's attitude.
Thieves' work, plain and simple.
If there were no road, people would just go cross-country.
Of course, having a road made things easier.
'Is this a cultural difference?'
【What're you talking about! Even the world where your guardian lived had tolls!】
'Really...? So it's just about who's collecting the money?'
I used my lever as a walking staff to climb the hill. Before we reached the toll group, I made myself clear.
"It's ambiguous to me. Meaning I don't fully get it."
"I understand. Leave it to me."
"If the demand's excessive, we'll use force."
Hahaha, Requiya chuckled, and the folks on the hill who'd overheard us furrowed their brows.
Requiya asked the man at the front.
"How much?"
"Pay what you see fit."
"This enough?"
Requiya pulled two silver coins from the money pouch he'd taken off Reyes.
The man's furrowed brow smoothed right out.
"Safe travels."
I'd pegged them as bandits, but watching the man accept the coins and bow his head politely made it clear I'd misjudged.
Once we were past them, Requiya said,
"People more pitiful than me. Might look like extortion, but they don't do anything truly bad. They take goods from merchants short on cash, food from plain travelers. Sometimes they accept news of the world in lieu of coin."
"I see. My prejudice painted them as thieves."
"Hahaha. Different upbringings can do that."
"Feels like you know me pretty well."
"Holy Knight, as I said before, I possess the Evil Eye. It looks like a human eye, but it sees souls."
It was astonishing, so I just nodded silently.
Handy to have that no-lying constraint in times like this.
Wonder how much he'd have mocked me inwardly if he'd lied.
"Yet you call me Holy Knight without a second thought."
"Because it's the truth. You bear divinity and martial prowess. And you aid your weak neighbors and voiceless beasts—what else could you be but a Holy Knight?"
Does it add up like that...?
"Still, I'd prefer a different title."
I said it almost pleadingly.
Every time he said "Holy Knight," my neck shrank right in.
"Then bro—"
"Don't call me brother. I'm not your brother."
Requiya looked embarrassed and scratched his cheek.
Absurd, seeing an ultra-youthful demon who'd lived over a century here make that face.
Am I older than you, punk?!
After a moment's thought, Requiya said,
"Then how about Leader? Can't be rude to my benefactor. And since we're disguised as merchants, you can be the merchant leader."
"That's fine. Go with it."
Felt just right somehow.
Not too close, but not like strangers either.
'Merchant Leader Andre Bong. Merchant Leader Andre Bong.'
I brainwashed myself with my new identity and role.
To avoid slip-ups in crucial moments.
Whenever we hit a fork, Requiya would grab my arm and guide me.
"This way."
"Ah, right."
Having a reliable ally sure made a difference.
"Requiya, I'm glad you're with me."
I don't know the lay of the land.
Silver Star only vaguely knows the northern continent's geography.
With a top-notch guide, no wasted time wandering.
Well, no clear goal yet, so a little wandering wouldn't hurt.
"Shouldn't you rest a bit?"
"Not tired."
Truth was, I was worn out both physically and mentally.
But if I slept, I might lose control of the power hiding Silver Star. And who knew when the Queen might show up and carve out my heart—especially since we were still in chilly territory.
After escaping Negaf Arron, the two fugitives pressed on without rest for three full days.
Up and down winding hills, around and around crooked mountain paths—until at last, they reached the milestone they'd been longing for.
「Welcome to Fiore's Western Border Town」
I'd figured a border town meant Fiore territory, but it turned out to be a city of free folk, belonging to no kingdom.
The gate looked like a fortress.
Tall palisades ringed it, with towers rising above to watch every direction.
Through gaps in the wood, I glimpsed stone walls. Double fortifications, basically.
'Neat. Never seen a setup like this in movies or dramas.'
【I wanna climb up there!】
'Silver Star's curious? Should I take a guard job here?'
【Then no world touring!】
The gate was shut tight.
As we drew near, a spear-wielding soldier atop the tower peered down and shouted,
"Who goes there?"
His vigilance was ingrained; even weary, his voice rang clear.
Requiya stepped forward, clasping his hands.
"Merchants here. A bit early, but could we enter?"
We heard murmurs as they conferred among themselves.
"Requiya, your first time here too?"
"Yes. I lived in the Fiore capital. But free cities like this aren't too strict on passage—they'll let us in."
Kreeeeak—rumble rumble rumble—
The log gate creaked open bit by bit.
Once fully ajar, two torch-bearing guards awaited us.
Spears in their other hands, swords at their belts. Leather torso armor over their clothes—not high quality.
The guards showed more interest in Requiya than in the hippo pup cradled in my arms.
'These guys into pretty boys?'
One approached Requiya and gingerly touched the fur coat with thumb and forefinger, like it might shed.
"That's a soft, fine coat."
"Hahaha, it's for sale."
Made sense in this harsh winter land.
Requiya opened his pack and shared jerky with the guards.
"Merchant Andre Bong and Requiya Lance. If we make good sales, we'll give more when we leave."
"Ahem. Appreciate it."
"Polite young fella. We'll enjoy it."
They seemed pitiful too.
A cut above the road toll collectors, maybe.
The other guard turned to me.
"You're Andre, right? Why no shoes?"
His eyes sharpened keenly.
Sigh, not asking for ID, but shoes.
What to say?
Suddenly feeling downcast, I just wiggled my toes for a bit.
'Guess I'm one of the pitiful ones too.'
Requiya quickly stepped in front of me.
"Ah, well, we ran into bandits on the way. Fled in such a hurry, Leader's shoes came off. That's why we're knocking this early, no time to rest."
Demon of a guy.
What a smooth liar.
Still, having someone step up when I'm cornered feels good.
Protected, like.
Back in my firefighter days, there was someone who looked out for us.
No ties to me at all, but impossible not to respect him.
He poured huge funds into developing suits and supported firefighters hurt in body and mind every way he could.
His shoulders, seen from afar, loomed gigantic and steady. Ex-sports star, built like a tank.
I think I endured day by day wanting shoulders like that.
Wanting to be the kind who could protect others.
Gazing at Requiya's shoulders as he shielded me, I didn't know why that man came to mind—but having a protector here wasn't half bad.
"Ah, got it. Come on in."
"Leader Andre, let's go. Thanks for your trouble—."
"Andre seems close-mouthed. Safe travels—."
I followed Requiya silently, mulling over what "free folk" meant in this world.
'People without protection.'
【Free folk! Unprotected people! Protect yourselves!】
A border town was where such folks gathered to form a city.
We trudged barefoot over the sticky mud.
We passed what passed for a main street.
"Ehehehehe—."
"Uweeeck—!"
A man with a booze bottle laughed like an idiot, while another, looking like he'd swallowed his bottle whole, clutched a torch-lit wall and heaved.
"Hurry!"
Folk in white hoods and aprons loaded someone onto a stretcher and scurried along in short, hurried steps.
"Faster, faster—."
"Grandpa—! Ack!"
A little kid trailing them took a hard tumble but got right back up without a whimper.
"Old man's on his way out."
"Tough little kid."
We were looking at the same scene but took away different impressions.
We'd crossed borders together, been traveling companions all along—but it hit me anew how different people really are.
As the kid brushed mud from his clothes and checked for injuries,
Thud thud thud thud—!
A massive horse burst from the darkness, charging straight at the child.
"Damn it—!"
"Kid!"
We leaped in opposite directions.
I scooped up the kid and rolled across the ground.
In the roll, my face slammed into the dirt, blinding me with mud.
Is the kid okay?
Where's Requiya, who'd rushed toward the horse?
If it trampled him, he'd be in danger.
Demons give no presence—if I can't see him, no telling if he's alive or dead.