Chapter 64: Is the Journey Smooth?

Luirin simply lacked social skills; it wasn’t as if there was something fundamentally wrong with her personality.

Or perhaps, to those who prioritized social graces, there was something wrong.

In fact, just before boarding the ship, when someone tried to pick a fight, she didn’t shrink back despite the opponent being twice her size—she simply launched a kick straight into his vitals.

“Ooh!”

Every man watching flinched, instinctively clutching their own crotches.

“Captain! The course is clear.”

“Good! We move as soon as boarding is finished! What are you lot doing! When are you going to raise the anchor?! I told you to do it hours ago!”

“Wait, you just told us to do it! How is that hours ago?!”

“Don’t talk back! Unless you want to become fish food!”

I wondered if the ship was a bit too large for only six people to manage, but the amount of cargo packed inside was considerable.

I was assigned a spot in a far corner as my quarters, but staying still only made me restless.

“Instruments aside, what’s with that sword? Is it even properly inside the scabbard?”

“This? I’m planning to fix it later.”

While Elhermina’s sword was technically functional, the blade—bent as if it had been crushed by her own strength—could barely fit in its sheath.

Since the curve of the hilt was plainly visible, it wasn’t strange for her to be suspicious.

I had thought about fixing it when I had time in Kariella, but I somehow missed the opportunity.

Searching for a nearby blacksmith had led me to that small workshop, which, in hindsight, was for that very purpose.

But they told me they didn’t handle weapons, so I eventually gave up.

“You look perfectly fine and your belongings seem precious, so what kind of whim possessed you to smuggle yourself into another country?”

“Is that necessary for your commission?”

“Judge for yourself and tell me. My response will differ depending on whether this is a simple trip or a flight from pursuit.”

Kariel pondered for a moment.

“It’s a trip, but not a flight. Though someone might be chasing me… they probably won’t try to catch me unless it’s absolutely necessary. Probably.”

“I hate uncertain statements like that the most.”

Life is entirely uncertain; if even the details are vague, how is one supposed to breathe and survive?

Though she grumbled discontentedly, Luirin soon seemed to organize her thoughts and lightly gave some warnings.

“Then I should be more concerned about the people we encounter during the journey than the pursuers. Also, avoid getting caught up in unnecessary incidents. Using a Cross Sword in the Empire… are you a knight? Or an aspirant? A candidate?”

“…Think whatever you want.”

“That’s a relief.”

She said something unexpected.

“What is?”

“Because a stiff-necked knight wouldn’t use such uncertain words. Just don’t go sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong and making a scene. As long as you don’t do that, our journey should be fine unless fire falls from the sky. Ah, but they say words have power, so if a stream of fire actually poured down…”

Despite her cold tone and demeanor, once she opened her mouth, she poured out words like an Elf’s rapid-fire volley.

“It’ll be faster than walking or riding a horse, but be prepared for some boredom for a while. Do you get seasick? We’re not on the open ocean, so it should be fine, but if you’re not used to it, be careful when lying down. Since the direction is this way, if you want to lie down…”

====

By the time we disembarked, I was confused as to whether I was on land or on a deck.

Even while standing still, the ground felt as if it were bobbing.

…Since it was this bad after only a few days, I wondered how those who spend months at sea ever adapt to this.

“Let’s fill our stomachs first.”

Luirin remained unfazed.

“This place is…”

It was a Lord’s Domain with an actual fortress.

Though there was a village and a pier capable of holding a few ships outside the fortress, the scale wasn’t particularly large.

Various people were coming and going, but unlike in the Empire, a reddish-brown hue was particularly prominent to the eye…

“Unfortunately, we are inside the Dabas Kingdom. They said they couldn’t go further up the river due to certain circumstances.”

“…The reason?”

“It’s none of our business. It’s a common occurrence. No one risks their life on a pointless adventure. But don’t worry. There’s always a way. Before that, let’s eat. If we miss this chance, when will we eat again? And we should buy things we’ll need for the move. If we aren’t riding horses, we’ll have to walk, so the journey will be longer… Ah, you said you’re good at mountain paths, right? So we’ll set the route that way…”

“I get it, let’s just go.”

She simply lacked social skills, but she certainly talked a lot.

Her first impression was somewhat blunt, or perhaps fierce. If one were fooled by her indifferent and cold attitude, they would never see this side of her.

Unless the other person’s guard dropped, she usually ended her sentences with short, clipped answers.

And if the other person still didn’t understand? Her word count would increase slightly, and if the opponent still didn’t show a reaction of understanding?

Her hand would fly out immediately.

Just like now.

“Ugh, aaagh!”

“Do you want your wrist snapped, or are you going to hand over everything you have? Where do you think you’re going, eyeing someone else’s pocket?”

The man caught by Luirin was stripped of everything he owned and thrown aside, clutching his twisted wrist.

Luirin gave the meager coin purse a quick glance.

Keeping her eyes fixed on the purse, she asked.

“Are you good at fighting, customer?”

“Why?”

“Because a way to make money has appeared. And we need to eat… we can’t just run away because we’re afraid of a few flies buzzing around, right?”

“……”

“In a place like this, guys like that usually have an organization behind them. They won’t leave it alone if an individual messes with the flow. Even beggars these days need permits and separate emblems; can you imagine? Do you know that begging is illegal without a permit? So the conclusion is that they are all connected. They even pay taxes! Do you know that pickpocketing syndicates pay bribes to the Lord as taxes?”

“……”

That was a first for me.

Is it because it’s not the Empire, or is it a unique collection system of the Dabas Kingdom?

…Or maybe the Empire does this too, and I just didn’t know?

I followed Luirin to a restaurant and filled my stomach moderately.

“Which fearless piece of shit! Who touched our Al?!”

Just as Luirin predicted, several hulking figures arrived.

“Here they are.”

Grinning, Luirin immediately rose from her chair.

“It’s me, you pig!”

And then.

She threw a dagger.

Thwack!

“This crazy brat?!”

Perhaps it was because the dagger had embedded itself right next to his shoe.

The moment his gaze shifted there, she lunged forward like an arrow and launched herself at the opponent.

Then, she drove her knee straight into the face of the man she had called a pig.

Slam!

“?!”

That wasn’t the end.

In that state, she gripped the face of the opponent who was trying to recoil and held him tight with one hand.

She raised her right arm high.

And then, toward the man’s eye.

She slammed her elbow down with full force.

Crunch!

“Huh?!”

While the men standing beside him were frozen in shock.

The moment she landed, Luirin slid to the right.

Before anyone knew it, she had snatched the leg of a man standing next to her, and he was slammed face-first into the wooden floor.

Boom!

“B-Brother?!”

Even this reaction was too slow.

Luirin immediately slammed her heel down onto the ankle of another guy nearby.

Like a thoroughbred horse kicking back.

Crack!

“Aaaaagh—!”

Since the heels of Luirin’s boots were made of iron, it must have hurt immensely.

“Hand over everything you have! Otherwise, I’ll chop off every wrist and ankle you’ve got!”

She had produced a knife at some point.

The end was bent at a right angle, reminiscent of a guillotine used to cut medicinal herbs.

What is that? Was it one of those used for clearing brush in the jungle?

I had seen them a few times, but seeing her wield it so menacingly made it look terrifying.

Indeed, as several fingers and the iron rings attached to them flew through the air, sliced as if by a blow, a desperate scream erupted.

“Kyaaaah! My hand! My hand!”

“It’s just fingers, you idiot! Did I cut off your whole hand?! Huh?! You want me to? I’ll do it! Come here! Come here! Come here now! Come!”

She went berserk.

…She’s practically a butcher.

“That’s enough.”

“What the fuck—?!”

I tackled Luirin, who was rampaging without distinguishing friend from foe, knocking her over.

“Huh? Uh… eh!”

Luirin sat there, half-reclined in a graceful posture, looking puzzled as to why she had fallen.

Her silver eyes widened significantly, and Kariel could clearly feel her trying to comprehend the current situation.

“I mean, why…”

More importantly.

“My knife! When did you take that?”

“This?”

I replied by spinning the knife Luirin had been holding several times using my fingers and wrist, as if performing a trick.

“Just now.”

“But why interfere with someone’s work?”

“Work?”

Kariel looked around.

It hadn’t even been a few minutes; he had only stunned them for a moment.

“Isn’t it basically over by now?”

“I haven’t even taken their wrists, let alone their necks.”

However, it seemed her standards and Kariel’s were starkly different.

Gurgle!

H-help—!

Gurgle—glug!

Blood was everywhere.

There were even chunks of flesh scattered here and there.

Moreover, those guys weren’t dead yet, but if left as they were, they really might die.

“……”

“……”

As expected.

She is an unusual one.

====

As it turned out, she had been commissioned to clear out some of those thugs.

In exchange, she intended to not only exit the area safely but also secure some information and a commission fee.

“If you didn’t receive it directly, is there some kind of brokerage where you get these kinds of tasks at the right time?”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

He hadn’t been spying on her, but since he had never seen Luirin receive a commission while watching her, he had made an educated guess.

The method of receiving orders was likely something secretive that ordinary people wouldn’t know about.

“I have to work hard to make a living. Especially considering how much I eat.”

“……”

That was true.

He had worried she might rob his pockets if things went wrong, but she claimed she had already received payment for that.

If she had pretended not to know and suddenly told Kariel to pay for the meals, saying “pay for me,” then…

…He might have pondered it for a long time.

“Normally that’s how it is, but this time the client specifically requested that I not do anything unnecessary.”

“That includes appealing to you, right?”

“You’re quick on the uptake. It means they showed that much sincerity. You’re being respected.”

Between throwing in services to leave a good impression on the client and her behavior…

Perhaps she was quite old despite her appearance?

By human standards, she might be a child, but what if she wasn’t human?

“I am human. Ah, but I’m not pure-blooded. I’m a half.”

“Half what?”

“If you knew, you’d probably loathe me.”

“Do I look like a racial discriminator to you?”

“What if it’s a bloodline that makes even those who aren’t discriminators do so?”

“…I get what you mean.”

“How do you know? I didn’t even say it.”

“……”

It was probably that.

The blood of the Demon Race.

He didn’t think so just because she became his guide through connections with the Edenlevan Regiment, but…

“I don’t particularly care.”

“…You’re a strange customer.”

Are you any less strange than me?

Kariel, carrying the moderately increased luggage, left the entrance of the village in front of the Lord’s Domain.

There were separate wagons near the entrance that moved to the next village, and he intended to hitch a ride.

“The forests and mountains get cold at night; will you be okay in that outfit?”

“As long as it’s not winter, I’m fine.”

“This is why Magic Tools are a cheat.”

I spoke while stroking the small piece of fur attached to my hood.

“Indeed.”

Agreeing wholeheartedly.

By the way.

The display of skill just now was likely intended to appeal to me regarding her usefulness.

Whether it was her intention.

Or the intention of the organization behind her, he didn’t know.

But he realized that their system was quite sophisticated.

…It wouldn’t hurt to keep this kind of thoroughness in mind.

Not to brag, but if someone were as perceptive and quick-witted as Kariel, they would naturally realize through this incident that she and her backers were extraordinary.

And even if they couldn’t grasp such things.

He believed that the display of skill Luirin showed was enough to build trust.

Depending on the person, it could also work as a way to force compliance through accompanying threats.

He recalled something the Demon King had told him before.

That in this world, there are developments where one simply has to suffer because of their ignorance.

…He felt that it was roughly like that.