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Translator: Raizu
Editor: Shirayuki
Chapter 19 – Wall
As the shield and sword pushed back the fang dogs, arrows flew and took them one after another.
It’s an amazing skill. When I turned around, I saw Trisierra releasing her stance.
Her job might be『Sex Mage』, but I think she also has considerable talent as an archer. When our eyes met, I smiled refreshingly to show my admiration, but she looked away with a suspicious look on her face.
I can’t believe my refreshing smile won’t work. Once on Earth, a girl on her way to school was staring at me, so I smiled at her. And the next day, there was information circulating around that a suspicious person had been sighted. All I did was smile refreshingly, what a tragedy. In other words, it was business as usual.
It’s been about two days since we left the encampment where the battle raged. There were still attacks by fang dogs, bird-type monsters, and monsters such as goblins and demi-humans, but I think the frequency and number of these attacks are gradually decreasing.
Instead, we started encountering other passersby.
There were merchants riding horse-drawn carriages, a group of warriors on guard, and people on the streets heading somewhere on foot. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down when dealing with humans, but there were people who greeted me every time we passed by a group, which made me feel a little warmer inside. Even if you don’t really care if you see someone on the street, you’ll feel strangely happy when others actually greet you.
Is this a phenomenon similar to when mountain climbers become strangely kind to others?
Callwing was also surprisingly courteous to those passing by. Well, rather than being a climber phenomenon, it looks like it’s just a cat wearing a hat… Or rather, maybe he’s the type who is extremely strict with his family?
No, I’m not his relative. He is strict with his relatives and mercenaries. This is the more correct answer.
…I can’t help it if the old man likes me, so that’s fine.
The road was a gentle climb, with only the occasional tree planted on the side of the road, and visibility was clear.
A lush green color spread out to the left and right, and the sky was clear and blue without a single cloud. It’s a little hot.
As I continued on, admiring the picturesque scenery, I noticed what looked like an outer wall in the plains to the north, to the left.
[Is that…?]
I thought I was muttering to myself, but Marie, who was standing behind me, picked up my whispers.
[What do you mean? The wall?]
[Oh, Marie. Is that where the town is?]
[That’s no town.]
Marie said with a bit of a laugh.
Come to think of it, I was once told that it was fun for me, who was thought to be the first person to come out of a slurry game, because I reacted in a way that was completely new to me. This is making fun of me.
[Then, what is it? …A fort?]
When it comes to things that are surrounded by walls, if it’s not a human residence, it’s probably a military base.
[I know what you were thinking, but it’s not that either.]
[Hmm, I see.]
After enjoying my reaction, Marie told me the correct answer with a look of shame.
[That’s probably a wall surrounding farmland.]
[…..farmland?]
[If you look closely, it’s much lower than the city wall, and it’s pretty shabby, isn’t it?]
[Hmm, if you ask me, I guess so…?]
[If you look closely, you might be able to see that it’s broken in some places.]
[I see…because there are monsters, do we have to protect each farmland one by one?]
It’s a tough world, really.
[Well, it’s a fine thing to do something like this, but it’s usually surrounded by something like a cheap fence.]
[Is it luxurious because it’s close to the Royal Capital?]
[Is that what it looks like? I have no idea myself.]
Marie isn’t exactly an expert about it either. If I ask too much, the conversation will eventually come to a halt like this.
[Ah, if you look closely, it’s definitely a bit crumbling.]
The structure looked like a pile of stones and a wooden fence attached to it, but the stones were crumbling in places and the fence was entangled with plants, giving it a rough look.
What’s more, the wall facing west seemed to be in good condition, but if you walk along the road and look at the wall facing south, you’ll see that it’s surrounded by a wooden frame with almost no stone piled up. I wonder if this is even effective?
[If you want to securely surround all of your farmland, no matter how much money you have, it won’t be enough… There’s no choice.]
[I see.]
After walking for a while, we came across a similar enclosure on the plains to the south, indicating that this area has been touched by humans. That day, we barely encountered any monsters until dusk, when we arrived at a village along the highway.
Apparently, it is safer than staying at an inn, as the Emond family is connected to some of the most influential people in the village.
When we entered the village proper, I saw a number of simple mud-walled houses and a fairly large population. Children were playing chase in the vacant lot. It’s peaceful.
There were almost no fields or anything similar in the village. Apparently, these villages were residential areas for people who work on the surrounding farmland. That’s why, despite it being just a village, the population is large, and the walls are well built.
Apparently there are villages here and there that don’t have walls, but that’s if the area is safe. This area is still not that safe.
[Welcome to our village.]
The village chief himself… we were welcomed by a powerful person.
A thin cushion was spread between the planks, and each person sat cross-legged on it. Some people, both men and women, sit in a seiza-like manner, but it doesn’t seem to be polite.
[No need to be so uptight, Wool-dono. This looks delicious.]
[Yes, thank you.]
Callwing and Aawinda-sama praised the food served.
Brown rice, boiled fish, and pickled wild vegetables…maybe?
Simple yet flavorful local dish.
Eating it with chopsticks made me feel like I’ve taken a trip to the Japanese countryside. Especially because none of the foods contain any monster materials.
[I’m digging in…]
I was stationed in the place closest to the exit, so I made sure to make my presence known and not get involved in the conversations of the higher-ups, and thoroughly enjoyed my meal.
Hmm, the saltiness was just right and the rice was cooked well… A small bowl of wild vegetables was also good, with a bitterness and a hint of sweetness. Is it like butterbur…the grassy smell had been removed and the taste had been made a little lighter? Hmm, it’s hard to compare it with things on Earth.
I think I’m starting to understand how difficult it is to be a gourmet reporter.
[It’s delicious…]
Sasha, who was next to me, couldn’t help but smile as well.
As always, she’s somewhat a picky eater.
I was wondering what would happen since it was dinner with a powerful person, but the slaves of the mercenary group were also allowed to eat at the same table.
Or rather, people in this world don’t seem to care about that kind of thing.
Even at restaurants in Slurge, slaves were never refused entry.
Well, if you leave the slave alone, the Master will pay for the slave, so there’s no point in kicking them out.
Or, if you include things that are limited to a limited time, slavery has become quite entrenched, so you might think that tomorrow will be yours.
By the way, limited-time slaves are used in connection with various scenes of citizen life, such as when apprenticed to a craftsman. Therefore, slaves are not treated with such extreme contempt.
In the Kingdom of Cures, there are even laws that guarantee the human rights of slaves to a certain extent.
Still, there is strong opposition to people like me and Elliot, who carry around slaves of the opposite sex (I think) for sexual purposes.
[These wild vegetables are delicious…]
[Wild vegetables? Can Sasha tell the difference between edible wild plants and wild vegetables?]
[Me? …..just a little bit.]
[Hmmm, I see…]
[Why? Ah, for the trip home?]
[That’s right. No matter where we go after my mission, that kind of knowledge will be useful for us.]
As I learned from my travels, the hurdles are quite high, such as procuring food, setting up tents, and dealing with monsters and thieves.
If I were to go somewhere in the future, I would basically be traveling with Sasha alone… Frankly speaking, it’s reckless.
If there were thieves on the trip, us two would have been attacked. It’s highly doubtful whether the two of us could have dealt with the monster attack.
It’s tough even considering the fact that we were targeted by monsters despite the fact that we were in a large group with many horses.
[Traveling in this world is tough…]
After the meal, we were even able to take turns borrowing the bath at the village chief’s house.
What a guy, this village chief.
I wanted to go in with Sasha, but it wouldn’t look good if I had her to serve me at the village chief’s house, so I reluctantly gave up, took a quick bath, and when I came out, I found Aawinda-sama standing on the verandah.
Her servant, whose presence I never realized before, was standing behind her. Apparently, there were no guards. I guess she’s taking it easy since it’s been a long time since she’s been in a safe zone.
[…..Aawinda, sama?]
When I called out to her without thinking, she turned to me with a start and gave me an awkward smile.
[I’m just taking in the fresh air for a bit…]
[I see. Have you taken a bath yet?]
[Yes, I have.]
[Didn’t expect we’ll have a hot water bath here]
[I’m grateful for that…I have to thank Wool-sama again.]
[The village chief?]
[That’s right. Officially, I guess he’s a deputy entrusted by the King.]
[Hmm… could this be already in the royal territory?]
[Indeed. It’s within the territory under direct control of the King.]
[Eh…]
The Port of Cures and the Royal Capital of Curesberga are geographically close, and it’s only a short distance away, so it’s no surprise that it’s a territory under the direct control of the King.
I thought there was something like a checkpoint between the territories, but I don’t remember seeing anything like that during this trip. Therefore, it is not surprising that we entered the royal territory without me knowing it.
Well, in a world full of monsters like this, is it impossible to monitor people’s comings and goings?
[Umm, Yoyo-san?]
[What is it?]
[I heard that you did a lot of things on this trip. You must be very strong.]
[Is that so…?]
I have an excellent weapon called magic gun, and cheat jobs, but if I have to personally rank myself in order of strength, I think I should’ve been at the bottom rung of this escort team.
Well, there’s no point in strongly denying that, so I’ll just ignore it.
[Have you ever felt scared in front of monsters?]
[Always. Because they’re scary.]
[…I heard you specialized in exterminating goblins.]
[Specialized? I don’t think it can be called a specialty per se…]
I smiled bitterly. I wondered where the conversation came from. Although I had certainly turned into Goblin Slayer recently.
It’s just that there was no other suitable prey.
[After defeating a demi-human monster like a goblin… have you ever felt in pain?]
Ah, it’s that topic after all. I guess it’s a bit unpleasant, but I gave it some thought for a while before replying.
[I don’t think so.]
[Really…]
[However.]
[However?]
[If I were to become a warrior… I would rather be someone who could feel that pain.]
[…..why is that?]
Aawinda-sama, who was looking outside, turned to look at my face.
[Why of course it’s because people who can feel pain are stronger after all.]
[…..I see.]
Was I a bit too obvious?
[I guess you knew about it.]
[Eh?]
[I’m joining the warrior group.]
[Ah… no, I just thought that was the case based on your behavior up until now.]
Get out of the house. Leave your hometown and go near the Royal Capital. Self-awareness as the edge of a warrior. Well, I thought it was about that.
[There is a school for warriors in the port of Cures.]
[Ah, I see.]
[If you get good grades, you will be allowed to join the warrior group in the capital.]
[That’s great.]
The image is probably of a military academy. I don’t think she’s an intellectual to the very end. It’s probably a place that produces core elite members or members of some elite units.
[That’s why we haven’t decided to include it yet.]
[I guess.]
[If I fail the entrance exam, I might become a private mercenary.]
[Hahaha.]
It’s a joke… right? I kept a friendly smile on my face.
[Honestly, I’m a little less confident.]
[Why?]
[During the trip, I was also willing to fight… but I was relying on you all the whole time.]
[Well, we are your escorts…]
[Still, there is something shameful about the fact that I am the only one being protected despite me wanting to become a warrior.]
[Hmm.]
[However, when I feel the voices, sounds, and shadows of monsters coming from all directions, I become paralyzed.]
[…]
[I’m sorry, I must’ve bothered you by asking all of this.]
Yes, that’s right.
[…Well, I guess it’s natural for your mind and body to lose balance after a painful experience.]
[Is that so?]
[Yes. Maybe it’s better if you don’t place too high of an expectation on yourself.]
[Expectation?]
[People like me think of ourselves as outcasts. We run away before our bodies give way. That’s a problem in its own way. But in the case of Aawinda-sama, that won’t happen because you have a strong heart. Everything is about balance. It’s frustrating, but maybe it’s time to relax.]
It may have been a spur of the moment thing, but I was able to say something similar to that. Yeah.
It seems like there are a lot of strict people around Aawinda-sama, including Callwing, and I get the feeling that she herself is very conscious of it. The fact that there are people like me is a learning experience… maybe?
There was silence for a while.
[Yoyo-san, are you going to return to Slurge?]
[No. I originally planned to do that, but now I’m at loss.]
[Pray tell?]
[I’ll probably have no choice but to hunt goblins again if I return to Slurge. Now that I’ve come all the way here, I thought I’d try something new.]
[I can arrange for Yoyo-san to work at our store, if you are willing?]
[That’s good to hear, but I’m not exactly suited for organization.]
[I see.]
I appreciate the offer though.
But if I were to keep working under Callwing, I fear that I would collapse from high blood pressure.
Let’s try not to get too involved for each other’s sake.
[If there’s any interesting place, I’d like to go there.]
[A place where you can hunt monsters, correct?]
[That will do too.]
[Hmm, I hear that there is a sacred ground for monster hunting in the area south of Port Cures.]
[Sacred ground?]
[It used to be the land of some great noble, but it became a royal territory because they couldn’t deal with the monsters. It seems like the country is managing it and supporting monster hunting.]
[I see.]
[The monsters that appear differ depending on the location, and some places are quite dangerous, while others only have goblins.]
[Sounds like an interesting place alright.]
[It’s convenient for monster hunters, and that’s why it’s called the sacred ground for monster hunting.]
[Is it far?]
[I wonder… I’ve only heard some stories about it myself.]
[Alright. Looks like it’s worth investigating.]
Aawinda-sama was looking outward again. I also looked outside next to her. Well, all I could see was darkness and stars.
[I heard that Yoyo-san can be reckless at times. Please take care of yourself.]
[Yeah.]
[You have Sasha-san too. I think none of us want her to be lost in the middle of nowhere.]
[….yeah. I do notice that my vision tends to become tunneled while I’m fighting. It’s a little worrying, actually.]
[Ara.]
[I wonder how I can fix that.]
[I guess it comes as we gain more experience?]
[That’s what I’m missing the most!]
[Fufufu.]
Perhaps she understood the joke, Aawinda-sama chuckled.
In order to deal with my tunnel vision habit, I wonder if it would be a good idea to focus on practicing magic and use it as the main rear guard.
I made a mental note to look into magic when I arrived at Port Cures.
[It’s going to be a while, but thank you for your help.]
[Yes, I’ll do my best, Ojousama.]
The night breeze caressed my cheek.
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