Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: A Long Day Comes to an End
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I was about to take a step when my eyes met Requiya's.
Half-turning, I looked back at Steron.
"Can Requiya help too?"
Steron shook his head with a grim expression.
"I tried, but his body rejected it. He's not human. The moment divine power enters him, he'll be destroyed."
"Destroyed?"
"I'm just interpreting the signal from the ability. I don't know the details, but the rejection is certain. Forcing it in would harm him."
Damn.
In that case, all we could do was trust Requiya's regenerative powers and wait.
"Talk later once things are sorted. You too, Loginin."
"Yes. I'll pass that on to Loginin."
I headed toward the bedding.
The sensation in my legs, which I'd thought lost forever, had returned.
The power surging through my thighs with every step was incredible. Stomping hard felt like it could crater the ground.
'The rampaging Toolsep is steadily weakening.'
Not just calming down—it was actually dissolving and assimilating at a rapid pace.
Because my body, having endured the peak, was now perfectly merging with it.
And meeting the healing divine power had accelerated the stabilization.
'This battle must've expanded the vessel for divine power quite a bit. Feels refreshing, like recovering from a nasty flu.'
Fred's voice, directing the bandits, snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Tough on you. Better to move 'em aside—for our future sakes too."
His years as a ronin and instructor shone through.
"Instructor Fred says it's tough!"
Had Kruk switched his master already?
Impressive adaptability.
Suited the situation.
Loginin was silently displaying his superhuman strength amid the bandits.
Grateful they weren't shunning him as dirty or lowly, but working together.
Steron, who'd joined, grabbed a monster leg and dragged it along. Ogres must be heavy; the Holy Knights' bodies gleamed with effort.
I checked on Requiya first.
"You did well, Requiya."
Too exhausted to reply, Requiya just rolled his eyes toward me and gave an awkward smile.
His lips moved, but I couldn't make out the words.
His parched, cracked lips tugged at my heart.
I placed a hand on the demon's forehead and tilted his head back.
'By my command—.'
I mixed magma and chill.
Creating water, I washed the ogre blood from my hands, then clenched my fist over Requiya's face.
"Open up. Water coming in."
"Ugh—."
Requiya gulped down the water for a long while before exhaling deeply.
Looking alive now, he soon began muttering incantations.
Probably a spell to recover energy and accelerate mana cultivation. I didn't speak demon.
I patted Requiya's shoulder and settled beside him.
Ibu scooted her butt over, pressing right against me.
Even without Insight Ability, reading her intentions felt arrogant?
"I'm not going anywhere."
Ibu pulled my cloak to wipe under her eyebrows.
She even cleaned the dirt from her lips.
'No, leave your own cloak alone—why use mine...'
The hippo blocked my view like a guard dog.
Still seated, I tapped his rear.
"Move. Can't see."
Grooo—.
The glaring armored pig shifted his heavy bulk.
My view opened wide.
No Blue Eye activated, yet time crawled slow.
Bandits looked relieved; Holy Knights still stone-faced.
Yuderg chatted with a bandit near the piled ogre corpses.
Both gripped daggers reverse-style; Yuderg nodded at the bandit's words.
"What's with them?"
"Fuck if I know. Can't hear."
I faintly caught it, but ignored.
Didn't seem like play.
No way they're thinking of eating ogre, right?
I don't eat that shit. You guys chow down.
As we rested, Requiya let out a long sigh.
His color had returned, free of internal injuries.
Relieved.
Sanctuary escape buddy—if Requiya suffered, it'd sour my mood too.
"I'll help those guys. You rest more."
"Fuck. Ibu wanna help too."
"I'll help as well."
Grooo—.
"Do what you want."
Even the hippo joined, hauling giant corpses.
I didn't count the bodies.
My soul dominated more by firefighter than Luke? Guilty over lives taken?
Nah.
'Too lazy.'
Busy Holy Knight—no time for tallying.
"Deputy Kruk reports: Total 63 bodies."
Someone to think for me.
"Walter?"
"Walter's group fled dragging ogres elsewhere. If they survived, they'll return soon or..."
Bastards. Got loyalty.
I like it.
"Some want to search. Just give the order—."
"No. They'll come soon."
Blue Eye caught the rising dust cloud in real-time.
Dark, but moonlight made it clear.
"Dodged the ogres, looks like."
Not scared even if they charge again.
These folks handle a few ogres fine.
The sun had fully set long ago, and the battlefield was mostly cleared.
Yuderg reported.
"Per Eratkal, ogre parts fetch good money."
"Era—what? Who?"
"That citizen there."
Yuderg pointed to the bandit he'd been talking with.
Eratkal bowed politely at my gaze.
Yuderg unfolded parchment from his pocket and read.
"Tendons, bones, fangs, hair, hide, e—, what's this say?"
You wrote it—why ask me?
Why are all around me such dimwits? Even knight-born.
"Ahh—genitals, it says."
Genitals? Balls?
"Helps with erectile tissue growth and rigidity—."
Ah, that kind.
Smartass.
"Yeah. Handle it yourselves."
Selling everything.
Humans barely leave a name after death; ogres leave a fortune.
"Still, as boss, formal approval'd be nice."
"You used to just follow orders, huh?"
Yuderg wore an ambiguous expression.
Neither ashamed nor brazen.
"Approved. Earn big, stuff those ragamuffins silly. Good?"
"Yes."
Sheesh, happy about it.
The emotionless knight finally smiled faintly.
A bit dim, but not bad. Starting to smell like a fool too.
"We'll start right away. Eratkal's from Ruguslo, knows it well. Easy to teach, he says."
"Ruguslo? What's that?"
Yuderg scratched his head.
As he struggled, Requiya chimed in.
"Butchers who dissect meat by cuts. Real pros with knives."
Ah, heard of it.
Like forensic pathologists or meat cutters in my world?
I nodded firmly.
"Good. Plan set already. Proceed."
For emergencies, I took Ibu and Hama outside the fortress.
People to greet.
Didn't go far before meeting Walter.
"All good?"
"Yes! Boss! No deaths?"
Panting hard, Walter checked on the others first. Loyal bastard.
Doesn't even smell dumb.
"Lots died."
"Wha—."
"The ogres, I mean."
"Ah!"
Walter's grim face brightened instantly.
I eyed Walter and the bandits.
"Head in. Grub time."
"Yes!"
But is there food?
The crazy chick beside me, head bowed scratching her nape, seemed to have eaten it all.
Groooowl—.
"Already hungry?"
"Fuck. Sorry. Ibu like this."
"It's fine, fine. You're young."
Lived thousands of years, looks early twenties—plenty young.
A long day faded.
As brilliant and enduring as that shooting star's tail.
It was the shadowed rear of the central tower.
Bandits found old grain flour.
Per Eratkal, leftovers from fortress builders.
Meant ancient ingredients.
"Years old, I'd say."
I can math that much, man.
Krchak led the cooking.
Generous to call it cooking.
"Krchak was a cook once—good hands."
Kruk's words sparked hope.
Krchak mixed flour with water, added salt, boiled it.
Thirty shared it.
Finally a beggar.
Bum-like since Eaarth drop.
Not sure if this passes as food—pure paste. Like wallpaper glue.
But hunger's the best sauce; salted, it was edible.
Fred's crew praised Krchak.
"Without Krchak, we'd starve."
"Tasty."
"Fuck yeah. Even Ibu's fancy palate says it's good."
Messing around.
Hunger seasons; fatigue's sleeping pill.
No energy for a bedroom. Drained from sprinting till shitless, tension released.
All flopped in the fortress yard where Ibu was sealed.
Small rock shard as pillow, long one as leg rest like a scholar.
Yawns brought tears.
I sought deep sleep for once.
"Ibu. Too close. Scoot over."
"Fuck. Ibu can't sleep deep. Needed grandma or gramps' arm as pillow. Hama sleeps by you—arm pillow fair. Say yes. Huh? Say yes."
"Fine......"
Reluctantly offered an arm.
"As expected of our boss. Eyes for talent, yet history—."
"Shut it."
Growled at the chattering bandit, yawned again.
Ibu pillowed on my arm, seeking sleep.
Claimed shallow sleeper—soon mouth agape, out cold.
I quietly watched the dragonkin's face on my arm.
Unreal beauty, small light head.
'Empty inside...'
That thought faded as I blacked out.
Dreamed of Mom.
Dream, yet another reality—I know.
My old world: time had passed long.
Mom's hair streaked gray, looked silver from afar.
Drove a new-design EV.
Worked hard, upgraded car. Ever diligent, earning Mom.
Wanted to call, but no voice.
Her granddaughter, my niece, now college-aged, hugged Grandma tight—so warm, heart swelled.
Mom kept my promise for me.
No cats or dogs.
Probably passed.
Enough time to age out.
Of the three I saved from fire, two gone.
Saved yet dead—bittersweet.
I died Christmas Eve.
Ordered gifts for them, planned personal delivery.
Ah, missed the handover.
"They'll love from you," Mom urged attendance.
Rented Santa suit for it too.
Anyway, Mom thriving—heartwarming.
No pain.
Just longing.
Yawwwn—.
Ibu's yawn woke me.
Damn, morning already?