Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Leave the Stragglers Behind
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So, what is my decision?
I glared at Suhes.
"Outside the city, there's no reason to follow the city's laws. We'll do things my way."
Suhes smirked.
It wasn't mockery.
He raised both hands toward me as if conceding defeat.
I turned to those rejected by Suhes.
"You're free to follow me. But you're responsible for yourselves. I won't pity any stragglers."
I spat the harsh words, suppressing the urge to squeeze my eyes shut.
Fuck it. Whatever happens, happens.
"In that case, I'll follow you as well."
The carpenter Erakins said that, pointing to the twenty-five burly beggars.
"If these guys can go, there's no reason I can't. You gave me a sword, so I'll start learning it from now on."
"Do what you want..."
I sighed and nodded.
'Fucking idiots. Useless bastards without even a knife or a home. Like homeless bums. What the hell are they suffering for by following me...'
I raised my palm toward the wagons.
Some of the townsfolk were fidgeting, ready to butt in.
"No more room. Head back to the city."
"Me too?"
This time it was Fred.
I'd half-expected it from his outfit.
He was the kind of guy dreaming revenge on the fiend who kidnapped kids.
Fred wasn't dressed like a sheriff anymore—he was clad head to toe in leather like a ronin.
"What about the city?"
"Porsta's there, and plenty of promising young folks. It'll be fine."
With a swordsman like Fred backing them up, I'd feel a bit better. At least those beggars wouldn't die like dogs.
"Just until we catch that demon."
"Yeah. Got family in the city, so I have to go back."
Fred nodded.
Next, I asked Yuderg.
"What about you? What do you plan to mooch off here?"
"Well... Seeing the world sounds good, but better than wandering alone..."
"Got it."
Fucking lot of them.
Do whatever the hell you want!
Twenty-five beggars, one carpenter, one ex-sheriff swordsman, one powerless imperial knight, and one demon.
'Damn, that's a crowd.'
And a fake Holy Knight to top it off.
Even I could see it was a ridiculous lineup.
I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
As I snickered to myself, the wagons carrying the townsfolk started moving.
"Good luck~."
Suhes grinned and flipped me off high.
The townsfolk on the wagons flipped me off too.
All with pious expressions.
'Shit...'
No one's thrilled getting flipped off by this many at once.
"Requiya..."
"Yes?"
"Never mind..."
...I'm pissed, that's all.
"Hey, fuckers, let's go."
I turned back toward the mountains.
Passing the burned mountain bandit camp, some beggars sniffled.
"You little shits—"
I grabbed Requiya's shoulder to stop him from snapping.
They were bandits by origin, but they'd take beatings, stand watch as ordered, hunt on command.
"Don't stifle their emotions. Didn't you go wild-mouthed like a madman sparring with me?"
"I'm ashamed."
"They were bandits, but now they're people whose homes burned down. Some guy shows up out of nowhere claiming to be boss, hangs the old one, slaughters all the higher-ups giving petty orders. The mayor they hoped to rely on threatens execution on sight. How do you think they feel?"
"Like me when Charles captured me."
"Yeah. Lost and scared."
Only then did Requiya look at the bandits with pity.
I waited for them to calm, then spoke.
"Heading along the ridgeline. Anyone who wants to bail, go ahead. Fred, cover the rear. Make sure no one whines in hell about dying following me. Leave stragglers behind."
"Got it, boss."
"Move out."
Spring was in full swing, but the tall straight trees didn't block the chill wind. They just cast shadows blocking the sun.
Meaning it was kinda meh.
None of us shivered in this mild cold.
"Boss, look over there."
Requiya pointed, and all eyes turned.
A sunlit path stood out bright.
Townsfolk on wagons chatted excitedly.
Seeing them twisted my gut for no reason.
'Ah, fucking full of hope.'
Hope I can't have.
I couldn't openly envy or begrudge their simple happiness.
Still, I watched them go as best I could.
I'm me, they're them.
As a Holy Knight with this mindset, I don't straight-up envy others.
'Who can I blame when I handed them that hope?'
It's Kalruk's fault!
The sheriff's posse scouted warily, driving slowly.
"Bye-bye~!"
Kruk waved innocently with a big grin, but they couldn't hear.
We were too far; they couldn't see us either.
I told Requiya, who was flipping off the townsfolk.
"The townsfolk will be fine. Suhes is with them."
"Yes. A rare trustworthy old man."
I wasn't sure who was calling who old, but I'd adapted to Requiya's identity enough to let it slide.
I looked back at my worthless ragtag beggar crew.
'Sigh... What to do with these lumps of flesh.'
Their eyes held similar feelings to mine.
Envy of the departing, loss over burned homes, pathos of rootless drifters.
Still, by now they'd pulled themselves together, I figured.
When the heart ebbs like the tide, unwanted guests arrive.
That helplessness everyone faces—I'd felt it plenty.
I didn't want it filling their hearts.
Time to refocus their minds.
"Move. Picking up speed."
"Right behind you."
Thirty men started mountain jogging.
The bandit den was near the mountain's north end, so the route soon swung east.
Only irregular footsteps and heavy breaths from behind. No complaints.
Up and down the uneven, narrow ridgeline for two hours.
"Short break."
The bandits, faces beet red and sweaty, collapsed right there.
"Huuugh—."
"I'm dying—."
"Met my mom."
"You had a mom?"
"Must've. Proof's right here."
Requiya scowled and approached a nearby bandit to kick him.
"These shits sprawling where the boss is—."
"Let 'em."
"Ahem. Yes."
"Only beat ones who talk down to me, curse, or draw steel. Let 'em drink first, eat first, shit, fuck—whatever."
"Understood."
Requiya wandered, admiring tall straight trees.
Sniffing thick bark like armor, tossing pinecones.
Over a century in Eear, yet no time for this?
Hesitant Yuderg joined Requiya's forest fun.
"Amazing."
"First time seeing these trees, Yuderg?"
As Yuderg and Requiya chatted, Erakins butted in.
"I'll explain. The wood from these is versatile—houses, bathtubs, even ships..."
While they rested their way, I blinked to peek at my old world.
Sometimes familiar faces, but mostly sky-view drone shots. Not much to see.
'Not like I'm a drone. Whatever.'
Blink focusing on Luke: dark battlefield unfolds.
Luke had advanced a few steps from his spot.
A white flag on the rock he'd leaned against—starting point, probably.
'He's gotten way stronger.'
Just the power spinning his double-edged sword high enough to leap him airborne showed Luke's prowess.
Yet only a few steps.
That many monsters, endless waves no matter how many he killed.
'Auto-hunt hard worker.'
One more blink to scout ahead.
No path, no people.
Follow the ridge east—might hit where the calamity sleeps.
Fred, resting at the rear, approached.
"Boss Kalruk."
"Fred."
"Still set on waking the calamity?"
"Mm."
I just nodded.
Explanation already done.
Still, Fred looked unconvinced.
"Maybe to you it's different, but Requiya and I can handle that demon fine. No need to borrow calamity's power, right?"
"You think?"
"I'm stronger than before, and even then Esrellak couldn't kill me."
I scanned the bandits turned beggar in just two hours.
Then the demon and carpenter peeling bark, eyes on the ex-Red Dragon Knight, and told Fred:
"Think how many that demon kidnapped and powered up by now. Probably grown at an insane rate."
"Insane rate like you, Boss Kalruk?"
Fred smiled weakly.
Hm, got me there.
'I am abnormal.'
Thanks to elixir buzz and Insight Ability.
Little from my own effort.
Holy Knight Kalruk deflects when cornered.
"Not just that. Enemies aren't only the demon. Needing calamity's power isn't solely for it."
"Got it."
"Move out."
Hama'd grown fast, so bigger backpack now.
Couldn't carry front anymore.
Stood slightly bent, gripping straps.
Then dash.
"Boss! Slower!"
"Said I'd leave stragglers."
Kruk yelled desperately from behind.
"Where we headed?"
"Somewhere safe for you guys."
Couldn't say "where ditching you won't guilt me".
Three days and nights nonstop.
Lungs near bursting toughened by Toolsep, endurance transformed.
Hardened body endlessly drew Toolsep power. Stronger, so chugging it didn't tax body or mind.
This supports Toolsep replacing mana hypothesis.
Power, rise!
'I'll control it.'
Silver Star can't overdo it.
If it sleeps controlling Toolsep, I'll be lonely again.
I grew stronger repeatedly, steps light as qinggong.
What about the others?
Requiya and Fred fine.
Erakins slimmer-cheeked, Yuderg still pale.
Beggars skin-and-bones.
Ah, bones inside probably.
No dropouts anyway.
Another day passed; Erakins pleaded.
"Sorry I said I'd follow, but... just one day? No, hours of sleep?"
Ah, stragglers...
I opened my mouth to coldly rebuke—then froze.
'Isn't Yuderg... dead?'
Pupils gone! Died standing?!