Chapter 80
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Why the Sudden Freakout?
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Ibu rubbed at his side where I'd stabbed him, as if it still hurt, and grumbled.
"Fuckin' thing. Yeah, that's right. Ibu gives permission. Live here. Hunt, farm, drink booze, fuck around! Got it? And get married too—."
Maybe once Silver Star wakes up, Ibu will get a bit more under control.
Fat chance. Silver Star's a part of me, after all.
"—Fuckin' thing. All these guys staring is scary. Why's everyone just looking at Ibu?"
Ibu, who'd been rambling on for a good while, finally shut his mouth on his own, probably overwhelmed by all the attention.
At least he doesn't spaz out in gradients like I do. Small mercies.
"Steron, this won't be easy for you to understand."
Like I get any of this, you bastard. You're the one who complicated shit!
"But there are flows you can't fight. The fortress's fate was sealed that way. I decided it. Whether you ride that flow or resist it is up to you. But you bear the responsibility for the outcome."
Steron nodded faintly, barely perceptible.
How the hell am I supposed to tell if that's agreement or some other resolve?
He finally spoke.
"Lady El Ravina said this on the day she became the High Saintess."
Thud—.
Roginin stomped the floor hard.
Is this some kind of Holy Knight ritual for relaying the Saintess's words?
Everyone except me and Ibu jumped in surprise and straightened up.
Steron waited for the vibrations rumbling through the conference room floor to settle before continuing.
"Fate flows from the stars. The stars create flows that cannot be defied. To follow that flow is Hellite's destiny. Those were her words when she appointed the era's greatest Holy Knight."
And that's it?
What the hell are you trying to say?
I furrowed my brow.
Steron and Roginin rose from their seats.
A halo of light emanated from their bodies, illuminating the conference room.
They weren't wearing armor, but they didn't need it—they were light itself.
Why the sudden freakout...
Light.
That was the presence of a Holy Knight.
Their light signified unyielding resolve.
"Steron Baldrak, as a Holy Knight, I shall follow the flow as is proper."
"Roginin Randolph, I shall follow the star."
Steron and Roginin bowed deeply.
Light poured forth.
These guys are really going all out, huh.
"Fuckin' thing."
Ibu rubbed his eyes with tiny hands, like a kid just waking from a nap.
Eyepoke. Fuck.
Those two Holy Knight bastards made my chest ache.
They reminded me of my final moments in life.
Sigh. Whatever, they don't know any better.
The magnanimous Holy Knight Kalruk will endure.
Ha, these punks. Wrapping up the meeting all dramatically.
Well, in the end, it worked out, I guess.
I managed to wring something like a loyalty oath out of two Holy Knights, even if it's just these two.
The Insight Ability isn't omnipotent.
I can gauge emotions or intentions, but I can't peer into every nook and cranny of someone's mind.
So to figure out their inclinations or thoughts, conversation is essential.
Meaning I have to interact like normal people do.
Having to mingle with people who think so differently. Might be easier to tango with a monster snake.
It's tiring, but necessary.
I can just beat down anyone trying to kill me, but I can't go around slaughtering everyone indiscriminately.
Feels like I'm finally learning how to live in the world. Ah, well, I am only three months old in this one.
The meeting wrapped up, and everyone dispersed.
I met Roginin alone in the plaza.
"Promise. When I get a good sword, I'll give it to you."
I'd promised yesterday too, but now that our relationship was reset, I wanted to make it carry real weight.
Something like a vow.
Roginin's smile no longer felt awkward.
"It's an honor."
Aw, c'mon, honor my ass.
If I owe a debt, I pay it.
I'm a capitalist Holy Knight—I know how to honor my obligations.
I headed to the fortress plaza, thinking about the tasks at hand.
"By my command—, Herald of Hellite—."
First, I called the birds.
Doing this is kinda fun now.
I stroked the head of the bird that landed on my wrist and scratched under its chin encouragingly.
Can't forget the corn.
I handed the bird straight over to Requiya.
"Use it properly this time."
"Saruk!"
Not much corn left. Gotta ration it for now.
I called the blue bird separately.
"Last time, y'know..."
My goal was to ask about the bats circling overhead when Fiore's guards were chasing me.
Oh right, no Silver Star.
Wasted corn for nothing.
Led by Edinhand, the bandits carrying farming tools headed inside the fortress.
"We'll be off."
To clear the farmland inside the fortress first.
It made sense for accessibility, and safety too.
The bandits walked in a line like the seven dwarfs, waving.
"Boss, we'll head out."
"Call us if something tasty comes up."
"Boss got anything yummy? Share with us."
"Hehe—, even the boss shouldn't eat alone—."
What the fuck, you lunatics.
"Don't clear around the gate entrance—need that for the road. Got it?"
"Yes. Erakinsa told us."
In a few days, the interior clearing would be done, and they'd start on the outer fields.
With Roginin and Steron around, Edinhand's crew would be safe.
Erakinsa said he'd check the well and stream, then figure out how to use both.
It'd take a lot of manpower, he added.
Requiya and Fred, staying in the fortress, would help Erakinsa.
Yuderg and Eratkar had already left to butcher the ogre.
Bunch of busybodies.
Walter headed to the armory.
Said there was a lot to gather for hunting.
I waited for Walter with Ibu and the hippo.
"Ibu, what's this rock made of?"
"Fuckin' thing. Ibu made it, but don't know what it is."
What a clueless little shit.
No wonder he sleeps whenever and keeps his head light.
"Llevec stone? Different from the one that wrapped around you and flew in?"
"Oh, yeah. That one. Say the hometown words all grumbly, and it appears."
"Can you make more?"
"Fuckin' thing. No. Can't."
"Guess only awakened dragons can."
"Fuckin' thing, yeah. Boss is super smart. Actually, can make without awakening. Uh— what was it again?"
"Takes a shitload of mana, right?"
"Uuuung—. Yeah, that."
For some reason, I feel like I know more about dragonkind than this kid.
Frustrated, I punched the fragments—thunk thunk—and kicked them lightly.
"Damn tough stuff. Lots of uses."
"Uses? What for? Can't break Llevec stone."
"Can't break it? It's shattered right here."
"Fuckin' thing. Humans can't break it. Need super super strong power."
Ah...
No wonder the ocean's worth of Toolsep suddenly seemed manageable. Just handing some to Ibu didn't explain over half vanishing.
Silver Star must've used it to shatter this rock. Burned through it like crazy.
That explains it.
I was wondering about the huge amount left, but there was a secret like this.
I'd always thought Toolsep was impressive when I got absurdly strong, but it was potent enough to unseal a dragon.
If it didn't try to devour me, I'd want to keep it around forever.
Honestly, absorbing even what's left would make me confident I could beat anyone. Too ridiculous? Nah.
But Toolsep is my natural counter.
It steals every bit of mana I cultivate, and after using the power it allows, it goes after my life force.
Like fuel, but also a virus.
I don't really know Toolsep's true nature.
Just that scarfing too much caused side effects.
"Boss, preparations complete."
Walter reported in once ready.
I glanced at the walls and said,
"Let's go."
Flap—. Whoosh—whoosh—.
The flying fox took to the air.
I'd ordered it beforehand to scout game-rich spots and rest on the walls.
Walter dashed after it like the wind.
Four hunters followed him.
Ibu hopped on the hippo.
"Fuckin' thing—! This beast is super fast!"
The hippo loped along without complaint.
With Ironclad Ability, its strength was up, and it could run faster and longer.
Abilities are more impressive the more I think about 'em.
I brought up the rear, scanning for threats.
Not to ogle the beauty on hippo-back.
I'm a pervert, but as a Holy Knight, I don't forget my mission.
Safety nominal! All clear!
Walter and the hunters tied their long hair into buns, then folded and tied again—like topknots.
They moved silently, barely a breath or footfall.
My job was protecting the hunters, so I focused outward more than them.
Ibu and the hippo caught on and followed quietly, alert.
Plenty of game: boars, deer, you name it.
I carried the first deer back to the fortress myself.
On the way back to Walter's group, I met Ibu with a boar on the hippo.
"Who’s watching the kids?"
"Fuckin' thing. If you were so worried, boss should've come quicker!"
Sigh... Fuckin' thing. Watch your mouth.
Can't use Blue Eye in the forest.
Trees block the view above.
But rough situational awareness is possible.
Walter's spot looked chaotic.
I sprinted at full speed.
When I reached the woods, the first thing I saw was a monster I'd never seen before.
Smaller than an ogre but bigger than a man, with gray skin.
Huge head, back hunched nearly 90 degrees, long monkey-like arms nearly dragging the ground, short legs but blindingly fast.
"Walter! Circle wider!"
"Walter, don't get hit!"
"You aim right!"
Situation tense, but the hunters' voices stayed calm.
Arrows nocked, they tracked the monster, adjusting aim.
I approached the hunters without hiding my presence.
Was this guy's name Eragez?
Too many 'Era-' names from similar regions—confusing.
Anyway, I asked the busy Eragez,
"What's the situation? What the hell is this thing?"
"Ah, boss? After Ibu left, we spotted a buffalo, but it picked a fight with that guy."
"Picked a fight?"
Near where Walter and the monster played tag lay a massive black buffalo.
Arrow in its neck, gasping—about to croak.
"Know what this thing's called?"
I jerked my chin at the monster.
"Percler. Insanely strong. Hugs prey to crush 'em, then bites the throat. Faster than an ogre—no escaping."
"Walter's escaping fine."
Walter was way faster, keeping distance.
He turned to block the monster's view of allies, firing arrows or chucking stones.
"Killing the monster comes first, I thought, but yeah, it's weird. Walter's quick, but Perclers exceed human imagination."
Got me interested.
In Walter, not the Percler.
Hmm—.
Curiosity had me huffing hot breaths through my nose.