Chapter 68: Opening the Doors One by One

It had been quiet while passing through the mountain paths and forest trails, places well-suited for ambushes or concealment.

Even along the narrow paths, and the areas flanked by rivers and hills, nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

‘What in the world is this in the middle of a field….’

From across the horizon, I witnessed a scene where outlaws on horseback were attacking a group that appeared to be a merchant caravan.

The scale of the caravan consisted of four carriages and more than ten pack wagons in total.

In this era, it is not uncommon for those without means to start a trade venture with just a single pack wagon; thus, while it might not be considered a large-scale operation, it would be correct to view it as a medium-sized caravan.

Furthermore, since those leading large-scale caravans are often a conglomerate of noble households, wealthy families, or merchant organizations moving together.

If this were a private caravan, it could certainly be regarded as large-scale.

Glancing over, I saw Luirin licking his lips.

His eyes looked as if he were staring at a herd of wounded deer.

“If we turn back now, we might avoid getting entangled. Or, we could intervene and secure a generous reward. If we interrogate the bandits, we might even be able to raid their warehouse depending on the situation. Are you just going to watch?”

“…….”

His social maneuvering—or rather, his mind worked brilliantly when it came to profit.

Was this something he had desperately honed for survival… or perhaps something he had simply acquired through experience in life?

“Your conclusion is that intervening is profitable either way, right?”

“Needless to say.”

Then it was decided.

Actually, rather than jumping in for profit….

“Who goes there?!”

“What? They’re just brats?”

I hadn’t particularly intended to approach stealthily, but perhaps it was because they were monitoring all directions to prepare for sudden incidents.

Specifically, the bandits on horseback were the first to spot us; they rushed over to surround us, shouting such things.

“How dare a couple of wanderer scraps interfere in the elders’ business!”

“What’s with these kids? Are they dying of a disease that makes them want to be sold as slaves?”

“Perfect! This guy looks pretty, so I’ll play with him a bit before selling him off….”

The fact that they could afford to be so relaxed meant that their current operation was proceeding smoothly.

A livelihood, a game, and a pastime.

Hunting has always been a profession with a significant sense of achievement.

Moreover, even hunting beasts makes one’s mouth water, fills the belly, and directly contributes to the Convenience of Life.

Hides are useful in many ways and can be sold. It’s even better if one has mastered processing techniques.

“Ugh?!”

Whether Luirin had dashed forward or not, a sudden gale whipped past my side.

In the blink of an eye, a bandit—horse and all—was struck and sent flying with a whoosh.

Like a plow carving through the earth, one of the bandit gang flew through the air, leaving a massive gouge in the ground before sprawling across the field in a wretched state.

“Cough!”

“Wha- what?!”

The remaining two froze at the staggering sight.

In the time it took them to utter a few words, Luirin had already crushed one of them.

“Die already instead of flapping your gums! Hurry up and expire, you vermin who are worse than jackals! Who the hell do you think you’re mocking!”

Before he could even finish speaking, another man was knocked off his horse, caught in Luirin’s onslaught.

…It seemed Luirin had found it utterly distasteful that they had lounged around on their horses nearby, acting arrogant rather than tense upon seeing us.

From the moment we were spotted, they were in a position where they could not afford to let us go.

If we were to escape and deliver this news to a nearby village or city, a subjugation force might be formed.

For instance, the business of banditry requires a certain level of secrecy.

Depending on the situation, they might maintain a relationship of mutual courtesy with the local lord.

…Of course, most are targets for subjugation and execution, but how they are handled is usually under the lord’s jurisdiction.

Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for bandit groups from other territories to be claimed as the property of a local lord.

Whether they are treated as a liability, as potential private soldiers, or as serfs and slaves—the framework of the territorial law dispute changes completely based on that.

‘…Did I learn this during Canon Law?’

I recall learning it as the basic Canon Law that a noble should be familiar with as a matter of common sense.

…Of course, since this isn’t the Empire, the circumstances are likely very different.

Though it’s called a matter of Canon Law, is it because this is the outskirts of the Empire, making it difficult for the center to mediate or process things quickly, and thus the Church frequently handles these matters instead?

“Gah!”

While I was momentarily lost in thought, a few who had been pressing the caravan rushed toward me, and I dealt with them.

Within a few breaths, I had four of them on their knees.

I had cut them primarily around the ankles and legs, targeting vital spots so that movement would be difficult.

Fearing that some might still resist, I struck their jaws or kicked them to lay them flat and docile.

I easily dodged or deflected incoming arrows and thrown weapons.

…To begin with, the area where thrown weapons show useful efficiency is extremely limited.

Unless one is incredibly sluggish, avoiding them is not a major problem as long as you can identify where they are coming from.

…However, if one can calculate such things and employ psychological warfare to restrict and control the target’s movements.

Then, even long-range thrown weapons transform into a significant threat.

In large-scale battles or wars, as long as one can fire properly, it doesn’t matter much since range, firing arcs, and viewpoints are directed separately.

“…….”

Why am I thinking about this?

While the agile Luirin took charge of dealing with those on horseback.

I focused on neutralizing those who were pressing, suppressing, or continuing to kill the caravan members.

It wouldn’t have mattered if I killed them, but since it was said to be more profitable this way.

If they were uncontrollable, killing them to eliminate the risk beforehand would be an excellent method.

A merchant caravan, by the mere fact of possessing the freedom of movement, could be seen as having a completely different standing than an ordinary commoner, even if they were technically the same class.

Most would consider financial power the core, but for merchants and caravans whose freedom of movement is guaranteed, financial power is… essentially guaranteed.

Or perhaps they have identified the means and methods to obtain permission from the relevant jurisdiction.

Since no one teaches this, one has to figure it out on their own; there is no other way.

‘If they know that much, they can figure out even more.’

Half of the caravan members were either bound or seriously injured, causing them to lose the will to resist.

Some who resisted violently had become corpses, spurting blood that had not yet cooled, or had reached a state where death was imminent.

Still, those who could survive, survived.

I also received news that some of the personnel had left to pursue those who fled.

“The ones who scattered will return soon.”

The fact that they had horses meant they were no ordinary band of bandits.

While emergency first aid was being administered, the Merchant Guild Master expressed gratitude along with a warning.

“Those filthy bastards. After killing and imprisoning us all, they probably intended to seize the goods and masquerade as traders themselves.”

Plundering from one village and then selling those goods or trading them while traveling between the opposite village and city.

…A method that was very common until just a hundred years ago.

Three hundred years ago, there were even those who conducted this as their main business.

…The fact that some of them are now noble households in the Empire and several other nations is a part that everyone keeps quiet about.

However, in the current Empire, such foul(?) acts are strictly forbidden, and if discovered, the involved organization is subject to execution and forced conscription into various forms of Forced Labor.

Furthermore, if the crime of murder was added, it resulted in execution or public execution without exception.

This was also something I learned at the Academy; it seems the Metran Kingdom has slightly different circumstances.

To think they would casually speak of embezzling goods to trade.

By the time things were somewhat settled, more than ten additional bandits appeared.

Five of them were likewise mounted on horses.

…If they could maintain that many horses, this might have been a bandit group of surprisingly large scale.

“There are no suitable stones.”

I pulled a sling from my inner pocket.

Luirin looked appalled.

“You used something like that?!”

“…I don’t have a bow.”

“You didn’t take it out once even when we were wandering through the forests or mountains!”

“…It wasn’t necessary then.”

In the forest, as long as I ride the wind well, I’m faster than squirrels and rabbits, so there was nothing to regret.

Above all, it doesn’t quite suit my aptitude, but it’s better than nothing.

More importantly.

If they had all rushed in at once, I wouldn’t have taken this out in the first place.

But since there was one guy openly aiming a bowstring… what choice did I have?

However, since my strength is weak, I was slightly worried if it would reach that far.

“…Do you want to just take them, Luirin?”

“You should have said so from the start!”

Then, he seemed to charge toward the oncoming bandits.

But he passed right by them.

“Huh?”

Naturally, those who intended to catch, cut, or beat him were left dumbfounded by the audacity of the brat who passed them by as if it were nothing.

Then, he turned around and charged back toward them.

“From here….”

I dealt with about two of them first with stone-throwing.

Then I rushed forward as well.

There were personnel armed and waiting behind me just in case.

But since most of the combat personnel were either lying down or dead, wouldn’t it be too cruel to dump this on the non-combatants?

“Has this brat lost all fear?!”

I wonder what kind of nerve they have to shout such things.

More importantly, who is guaranteeing them the time to chatter?

I cut their waist and kicked their knee to snap it.

As swiftly as possible.

Rather than targeting me, these are the types who would easily change their target and head for the person behind me.

The reason they didn’t start a hostage situation at the beginning was likely due to the complacency that someone like me was nothing.

Now, they would likely use any means and methods.

A fact I know, and they know.

…….

The situation was successfully resolved, and I was promised a certain reward.

After that, we reached an additional agreement for me to follow them as a temporary escort, and we picked out two horses that the bandits had been using.

Luirin, who mounted the horse with more familiarity than I, whistled and spoke.

“If you protected a caravan of this scale, your position as a teacher will likely be pinpointed to some extent. Were you okay with that?”

“…….”

No, I didn’t know that.

But thanks to Luirin, who blabbed about it.

“That’s what you were worried about, right?”

…I couldn’t bring myself to add that I hadn’t been, or that I hadn’t thought of it.

I suppose I am still ignorant of the ways of the world.

“Did you leave them alive to figure out the location of the gang’s hideout?”

“…No.”

“Then why?”

That indifference—as if he had no aversion to slaughter or murder, and hadn’t considered the hassle at all.

But perhaps to her, all of this was natural.

“The caravan can only argue their case if the scale of the attack is proven.”

“What?”

“Since this is an incident within the Lord’s Domain. Whose fault is the lack of security management? And since people died, if we want the bereaved families to receive condolence money, it’s better to inflate the incident as much as possible. That’s also why I’m handing over the criminals.”

“…No, why does Teacher care about someone else’s caravan? Whether they go bankrupt or barely scrape by is their business, isn’t it?”

“If you’re going to grant a favor, it’s better to do it thoroughly. You should know that well, shouldn’t you?”

“Well… that’s true, but.”

“And at this scale, they must have been notorious in the vicinity. Only if this is resolved and the severity of the scale is highlighted… will the lord’s side try to handle it properly. The people will also feel a bit more at ease.”

“Then you’re saying we should hand over all the treasures in their hideout to them?”

Hmm.

…Of course, she’s talking about that.

I actually intended to make them greedy for it, inducing the lord to handle the remnants on his own.

“Having enough to hold in both hands is sufficient. Do not confuse possession with chaos. Gold and silver treasures that cannot be held in one’s hands are greed and chaos.”

“I can carry it all, though?”

“…….”

Hmm.

When you put it that way, I have nothing to say.

“I admire how you don’t want to waste time here and pursue that—that damn ‘greater cause’ of contributing to the peace of the people by eliminating the notoriety of bandits spread across the domain rather than Greed for Wealth. It’s truly wonderful. But you have to live like a philistine to keep your belly full… Ah, right, you were a noble. You’ve always been full, so you don’t know what’s important. To be so relaxed in life that you’d stake your life on loyalty and honor! What a wonderful act, truly fitting of a great noble!”

“…….”

“A fallen noble wouldn’t even be in the ballpark. Seeing that your lack of obsession with wealth isn’t some innate nobility, you must have had so much property from the start that you had nothing to envy, right?”

“……Think whatever you want.”

For the record, both of my parents were people who showered wealth generously where it was needed.

However, in terms of Convenience of Life, both were severe ascetics.

…With two such people above me, would I have ever squandered wealth recklessly to the point of having nothing to envy?

“…….”

But if I spoke this aloud, it would sound like an excuse.

Therefore, Kariel kept his mouth firmly shut.

“Wow~ A child of a great noble indeed, through and through! I’m so envious! I want to be Teacher’s maid in the future! No, Teacher’s son? Daughter? I’ll be the maid for those two….”

Watching Luirin continue her endless flattery and sarcasm, pretending to be sincere while having no such intention.

Kariel dropped a flick on Luirin’s forehead.

====

Stone walls.

A barren space where everything, including the ceiling and floor, was composed of heavy stone.

Since there wasn’t even an open window, except for a small flickering candle.

The interior was infinitely dry and dark.

There.

Leaning against a wooden chair and desk.

A man, who had been carving letters onto yellow parchment with a small quill.

Stared blankly at the burning candle for a while.

Sharp, snake-like eyes.

Pale pupils that looked as if a black slash and a split moon had been deliberately glued together.

There were some wrinkles on his skin, but his appearance was handsome.

Only because of his expression did his impression seem very desolate.

In contrast to his appearance, which recalled a mid-career scholar, he had long, faded white hair; despite wearing a monk’s habit, he did not look like a normal clergyman at all.

The fabric, dyed a deep reddish-brown, cast a dark light in the glow of the candle, but even that gave him no particular emotion.

Clang!

As if a metal lock were being released, a heavy and crude sound of metal friction echoed.

Screeeech!

The iron bars of the gate opened with an unpleasant sound effect.

“Rupert. My old brother. I have come.”

A man in the same attire, carrying a cloth-wrapped basket, spoke again.

A protruding belly that could not be hidden by clothes.

A man with a clean chin but an exceptionally lush mustache.

Resembling a neighbor or an uncle one might find anywhere, only his dark gray eyebrows stood out.

His half-receded gray hair looked gloomy in the candlelight, but there was no one here to rebuke or point it out.

He spoke again.

“The time you predicted is upon us.”

“…….”

The silent man, the one called Rupert, put down his quill.

His pale eyes indifferently pierced through the darkness.

“Truly. That a Demon King will be born in the Middle Realm, not the Demon Realm. That he will be resurrected… do you truly believe that? And of all places, where the Sword of Grandeus is embedded.”

As he placed the basket on the narrow desk.

The candle flickered precariously.

He pulled back the cloth and took out a leather pouch.

Then, he took out a silver cup, set it down, and poured wine from the leather pouch into it without reserve. Even then.

The man with pale eyes showed no particular reaction.

“Drink. It has been a while.”

“Usurf. As always, my… prophecy will not change. The interpretation may be wrong, but the content remains the same. Just as before.”

The man with pale eyes.

His Snake Eye suddenly wavered.

“The moment the sword is drawn, we shall witness it.”

That day.

“The Hero, and the Demon King…. At that place, at that time. Yes. They shall all be born together in the same place.”

The man called Usurf tilted the cup to his lips first.

However, Rupert, as if possessed, continued to whisper and chant.

“One who speaks the language of the end shall come. He is the Savior of the End. The Guide of Destruction. By speaking the end, he shall finally terminate the final days. Only such a person shall be the Lord, the Master, and the Monarch for us all….”

They shall encounter it.

A trial like no other.

The hill of wailing and pain.

…O you who were blinded by a momentary peace and tranquility.

Your end.

Is finally. In sight.