Chapter 79: I Dream of Something Grabbing Me by the Scruff of My Neck

I slept in heavily.

Thanks to that, Luirin only opened her eyes just after it had become broad daylight.

She looked around briefly, but her master was nowhere to be seen.

When she asked someone she bumped into in the hallway, she was told he had gone out early in the morning.

“How diligent.”

This is when one should sleep deeply; otherwise, when would one ever get a good rest?

Nominally, the request she had taken on was essentially over the moment she arrived here.

Unless she planned to live here, it seemed most rational to take on another request if she wanted to leave this place.

In that sense, she was currently looking for a way to either follow the same route as her master when he left or simply hitch a ride.

Though it might not seem so, her master’s advice and teachings were quite substantial, and his consideration for others was exceptional.

Despite that, he possessed a thoroughness that ensured he wasn’t an easy target to be stabbed in the back.

His vigilance was no less than that of a wild animal, and his intuition was sharp.

He was ignorant of the ways of the world, but he wasn’t so naive as to blindly stumble into a trap.

“Anyway, it seems like nothing really happened.”

No matter how much one covers their mouth, when a man and woman are entwined as one, sound is bound to escape in some way.

Heat and warmth can be blocked, but sound cannot.

The stone walls are sturdy, so they must be soundproof?

Not a chance.

Whether it’s a luxurious inn or a cheap dive, if a man and woman lock themselves in a room?

Then, well, one has no choice but to treat the noises of their intimacy as a sort of lullaby.

Even if a man and woman were acceptable, witnessing burly men or fluffy, hulking figures entering a room with affectionate eyes?

…That was detrimental to one’s mental health in a different way.

And if the place is full, so you can’t even change rooms?

It’s enough to drive a person mad.

Does that mean one can’t sleep?

Not necessarily.

But that’s a different matter entirely.

“Even if it’s a knight’s training journey, isn’t abstinence from alcohol and lust another matter entirely?”

The fact that her master avoided alcohol and, moreover, didn’t get close to women despite being a noble, was—honestly, from the perspective of someone accompanying and guiding him—quite convenient.

Because there were plenty of fellows who couldn’t shake off their damn lust and inevitably caused trouble.

Furthermore, it was even more annoying when they treated her as an object of that lust and tried to hit on her.

In that sense, her master possessed high class and dignity.

He was the very embodiment of a properly raised noble Young Master.

However.

The fact that he didn’t lower his guard even in a place where one should be able to relax, just as he did outside, might be a problem.

It would make sense if he were being hunted, but there hadn’t been any particular emergencies so far.

Could it be that he was doing so to strengthen his faith as a religious person? No, that wasn’t it.

A knight with unwavering convictions?

That was even less likely.

“…I shouldn’t be idling like this.”

She needed to find work.

Otherwise, her pockets would soon become light.

Given how much she ate, the cost of food was immense.

If she had eaten as little as her master, she would have gathered enough capital to settle down somewhere long ago.

‘On the other hand, if I didn’t even have the joy of eating, what pleasure would be left in life?’

Everything is for the sake of living.

It wasn’t that Luirin avoided drinking, singing, and dancing because she was particularly young.

In the first place, were there only one or two people her age who were heavy drinkers?

Only those raised under strict parents are forced not to drink; orphans like her could drink whenever it was in front of them, whether they were three or four years old.

The question was simply what taste one sought.

Drinking heavily feels good for a moment, but it’s quickly forgotten, and one only wakes up with a headache.

Moreover, how could she guarantee what would happen if she became defenseless, even in a place where safety was guaranteed?

There isn’t a single person in this world to trust.

A damn world where even those you trust can betray you overnight.

If you don’t want to be victimized, you simply shouldn’t create a situation where it can happen.

…In that regard, her master was a textbook example.

“Hmm, hmm, hmm.”

In that sense, her master and she might actually be quite compatible as adventuring companions.

The fact that he could restrain her when she went wild was also useful.

She scoured the Edenlevan Regiment branch for long-term requests or dispatch and expedition-level missions, but nothing special turned up.

The only things that involved going far, rather than nearby requests, were mere merchant caravan escorts.

Even those had various schedules, so it seemed some coordination was necessary.

“It’s impossible for now.”

More importantly, she was hungry.

She headed toward the dining area and ate her fill of what was called a “light meal,” causing the surrounding glances to become unusual.

Perhaps it was because she devoured everything, even though it was just hard bread, a bit of cheese, and milk.

Rather, since there was no soup to soften the bread or anything of the sort, she spent a long time chewing thoroughly and soaking the bread in milk. Consequently, the meal took a while, but not much actually made it into her stomach.

“…….”

She craved meat.

Leaving the branch building, Luirin didn’t go out of her way to look for Kariel.

She wasn’t some hatchling bird crying out for its mother.

Thus, she spent a long time listening habitually while looking around the First Layer to gather information and scout for potential work.

“Hmm.”

Though few in number, there were more armed people than yesterday.

And all of them were in light armor.

Rather than merchant caravans, escorts, travelers, or pilgrims… how should she put it?

“Come to think of it, this is a pilgrimage site too.”

In the Metran Kingdom, the existence of Grandeus was a monumental figure, with rumors spreading that he had even faced and defeated Lueld.

Furthermore, the most outstanding knight and Hero in the land of knights had been struck down by a foreign knight heavily armored in noble chivalry, using a knight’s sword?

…It was enough to feel pride in.

Though she wasn’t actually interested.

She had been here several times, but yesterday was the first time she had actually held a sword.

To that extent, symbols and monumental things felt completely useless to Luirin.

“They say graves are for the living.”

If so, what about those who died without a grave and became food for beasts?

And those who rotted away, given to the earth—does that mean they are burdened with misfortune, crushed by race, status, and the gap between wealth and poverty even in death?

“That makes no sense.”

A good person is just a corpse when they die.

A bad person is also just a corpse when they die.

Death should be the only thing that is equal.

Yet, the fickle atrocities of the living make even death unequal.

However, the deceased themselves say nothing.

In the end, the living simply use the corpses of the dead as they please.

The teachings of her elderly master, who wasn’t a sage but was knowledgeable, had taught her that there was no value in pondering the mysteries of life and death.

Instead, he told her to train well and earn money quickly, right?

“Huh?”

Among the bustling merchants, she spotted Leo and Luciri and instinctively turned toward them.

“Hello?”

“Eh?”

The two were in the middle of a conversation with a tall, bearded young man.

As Luirin approached and greeted them, the man’s eyes sparkled with a welcoming expression.

“Who is this pretty little lady?”

Brown hair grown in a disorderly fashion.

The bearded man, who wore a wide-brimmed black hat pulled low, immediately showed interest in the girl who had just made her presence known.

His deep blue eyes were brimming with goodwill.

It wasn’t baseless goodwill.

That was…

The kind of interest where a man becomes exceptionally kind specifically toward women.

Luirin’s silver eyes showed a sense of acceptance, as if she were used to it.

“This is Luirin. And… Luirin, did nothing happen yesterday? Ah, this is our companion, Deike. You’ve never met him, right?”

As Leo laid the groundwork for the introduction, the two were able to introduce themselves lightly.

“Your expressions don’t look great; is something bothering you?”

“Hmm? Was it that obvious?”

As the man named Deike scratched his beard and questioned with an exaggerated tone, Luciri kicked his calf, as if it were a habit.

“Agh! This damn witch girl! If only your looks were as hideous as your personality, I would have retaliated immediately!”

“What can I do if I was born pretty?”

“Can’t you speak politely for once!”

Luciri crossed her arms triumphantly toward Deike, who was grumbling with a mix of joke and sincerity.

“Ah, my throat is dry. Is there a good pub around here? Let’s finish our conversation and catch up there.”

“How can I find a good place in a spot like this? We just go to whatever is available.”

Luirin asked, pointing to herself.

“Uh, but Deike-oppa? Is it okay for me to join a gathering of three people catching up?”

“A connection with a pretty lady with a guaranteed future is always welcome. More importantly, ‘oppa’… that has a very pleasant ring to it!”

“Deike….”

Leo gave him a look of pathetic disbelief, but he didn’t care.

“And it’s not that secret of a story, is it? If strict confidentiality were essential, I’m sure you two would have stopped her. Right?”

“That’s….”

Luciri’s face stiffened slightly as she looked back and forth between Leo and Deike.

Deike continued to speak in a teasing tone.

“Ah, your names are similar, yet you can’t even get along? You’d be perfect as a younger sister.”

“I’m hundreds of times closer to her than you are! R-right, Luirin?”

“Of course! Sister and I have a close relationship where we could live under one roof anytime!”

At that, the man named Deike clicked his tongue in exaggeration.

“What? You two are already in that kind of relationship? Don’t tell me you’re long-lost biological sisters?”

“Luciri? You’re amazing. When did you get that close?”

“…Leo? Why are you the one acting impressed?”

There were two inns, but only one place that could be called a pub in the village.

Naturally, the four moved to the place that served as both a pub and a restaurant, sitting around a secluded circular table.

“What about Sejina and Ribain?”

When Leo asked, Deike simply shook his head.

“If you don’t know, I don’t either. I came here immediately after finishing the task I was assigned.”

“We don’t know much either since they haven’t joined us yet.”

Then Deike grumbled.

“Well. Finding an unknown Hero isn’t exactly an easy task.”

“Hero?”

As Luirin expressed her question with her eyes toward the three, Deike asked the other two.

“Did you not tell our little lady anything?”

“We only met for the first time yesterday.”

As if adding a supplementary explanation to Luciri’s answer, Leo briefly explained the circumstances of yesterday.

“It’s not even the size of a city. There’s such a shady organization even in a village of this scale?”

“Don’t underestimate it. If it grew just a bit more, this place would strictly be a small town.”

“How much bigger? Twice? Three times? If that were the case, wouldn’t there be checkpoints in the area as well as a trading post?”

If it were city-scale, would the local lord, the Jarl, have left it alone?

The fact that the village head openly manages the village’s affairs is only possible because of its scale.

Naturally, this is not their private land or owned property.

Also, if it were a city, a governor or mayor would be sitting there as a deputy or agent for the lord of the small town.

“More importantly, Leo. Did you find out anything about the Demon King?”

“Nothing at all.”

“The Elder told you to go here and ask someone, didn’t he?”

“So I’m asking, but they aren’t cooperating.”

“Who is it?”

“A sword.”

“I heard this last time, but why is the name like that?”

“I’m not talking about a name like ‘Sword,’ I mean an actual sword. A sword. The sword that was swung.”

“What?”

Deike’s eyes widened, wondering if he had misheard.

And then he said:

“A real sword? What kind of joke is that? Luciri? Is what Leo is saying actually true?”

“…How should I know.”

“You’re a great witch, aren’t you?”

“Does a witch have to know everything? I am great, but still.”

As Luirin also tilted her head, not knowing what was going on, Leo held his temples, feeling inwardly wronged.

“Why does nobody believe me? I’ve told you several times!”

“No, but even so, that’s just weird.”

“I told you the same thing last time! The Elder told me to go here and ask the sword!”

“Back then, you said to ask someone with that name! But you mean I should actually ask a piece of metal? How is that any different from saying the word ‘horse’ means both the animal you ride and the act of talking?”

“…Sigh. You’re not listening to a word I say.”

“That’s not it. Rather, you should have spoken accurately! You were unsure yourself, weren’t you? You said you got confirmation after coming here. More importantly, Luciri? With him saying that, did you not hear anything?”

“……Hmph!”

“Why? Are you annoyed that Leo heard it and you didn’t?”

“I am not! Who are you treating like a narrow-minded woman?!”

Leo felt wronged inwardly, but since Deike’s words weren’t entirely wrong, he remained silent.

How was I supposed to know I actually had to ask a sword?

Since it was a peculiar name, I thought I’d find out quickly if I asked, but I was so flustered when they said there was no such person.

So, I just thought ‘whatever’ and went to see the sword that was stuck there.

“Anyway, the sword told me to get lost, and I heard that clearly. And if the sword spoke, that means I can talk to it, right? Isn’t that so?”

“…….”

“…….”

Luciri and Deike shook their heads in unison.

“You must be very tired.”

“Indeed. Being summoned here and there for nearly a year without a day’s rest, it’s only natural for one’s mind to go strange… Ah, perhaps it’s even more so because the Witch of the West Wind is right next to him?”

“You’re bringing me into this?!”

Luirin focused on something else.

“Witch of the West Wind?”

“Oh, you didn’t know? Our little lady?”

“…She never told me. She never revealed it.”

“You learned how to introduce yourself backward.”

“It’s not something to reveal boastfully, is it? When people hear ‘witch,’ those who don’t know treat them all as wicked witches. Do you think I’m not aggrieved?”

Her words were filled with a palpable sense of sorrow.

Perhaps that was why, as if acknowledging that grievance, Deike nodded his head vigorously.

“That’s true. Although we know better than anyone how wicked and spiteful you are….”

Bam!

“Gugh!”

The table jolted once, and Deike’s upper body collapsed.

“Deike. Let’s speak truthfully.”

“I only speak the truth….”

Bam!

“Gueeek.”

He was nearly dead.

Just then, various screams erupted from other parts of the pub.

“Aaaagh!”

“Kyaa!”

“What the hell, why are there so many rats!”

As soon as the commotion broke out across the room.

“Kyaak!”

Thanks to a swarm of rats that rushed over here, Luciri pulled both legs up onto her chair and let out a shrill scream.

“Why! Why are there rats!”

Not just one, but over a dozen.

They scurried across the pub floor in an instant and then suddenly disappeared through the walls, ceiling, and crevices.

…Even though it was a short time of less than a minute, the interior of the pub was left stunned by the aftermath.

Of course, there were quite a few people who seemed indifferent or found such movements tedious.

Among them, there was a burly man who perhaps had a rat run up his leg and into his pants; he jumped up and danced frantically with high-pitched screams, which suddenly triggered bursts of laughter.

And one more incident was added to this side.

“What a lovely sight.”

“I-I’ll kill you?!”

Luciri had unconsciously thrown herself into Leo’s arms.

Realizing her unsightly behavior belatedly, her face quickly turned red as a carrot.

“Why is a witch afraid of rats?”

“Deike! Why can’t you just keep your mouth shut for one second?! Do you have some terrible disease where you’ll die if you don’t speak?!”

“No. But I do have a disease where I wither if I don’t see a pretty woman.”

“…….”

The atmosphere turned cold for a moment.

“Still, only someone like me or Leo puts up with your foul temperament, yet instead of being grateful—”

The table jolted again, and Deike slammed his face onto the table with a look of impending death.

“…That’s roughly the kind of relationship we have.”

At Leo’s words, Luirin nodded in agreement, feeling at ease.

“You all get along interestingly.”

“What ‘interestingly’!” “Where do you see that?!”

Luirin clapped her hands as if it were fascinating at the simultaneous reactions.

Leo asked again.

“By the way, where is Riel-nim?”

“I heard my master went out since dawn.”

“Really?”

Unless the village was very large, he could be found quickly if they looked.

…To do that, they would first have to think of a reason to find or join him.

Before that, let’s clarify one thing.

“You mentioned the Demon King earlier. What did you mean by that?“

For something she had overheard in passing, it smelled like money?

Anyway, it was a lead that reeked of something far more dangerous.