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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Goblins, Demons, Children (1)
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Duncan was in dire straits in every sense of the word.
Having a travel companion was a good thing. He'd already felt it was too risky to traverse the imperial territory alone. Now, pathetic monsters or roadside bandits didn't scare him one bit.
The problem was the very companion he'd picked up.
He wasn't afraid of monsters or bandits because the barbarian terrified him far more. How could any sane person not fear someone who devoured demon flesh and single-handedly slaughtered dozens?
Duncan lived in constant dread of offending the barbarian's sensibilities. He spent every moment on edge, carefully choosing his words.
"W-Would you like something to eat, my lord? I have jerky and dried potatoes."
"Shall I prepare a spot for you to lie down here, my lord? I-I'll get a warm fire going."
"B-But, my lord, how did you end up in the imperial territory...? Ah, I understand. I'll be quiet."
It wasn't easy. No matter how hard he scrutinized, he couldn't read the barbarian's intentions. The man only allowed questions when absolutely necessary. There was no room to relax or curry favor.
He barely spoke and exuded a faint but constant killing intent. He was less a man and more a wild beast. Every day felt like shoving his head into a lion's maw and performing tricks. Duncan's eyes grew more hollow with each passing day from nervous exhaustion.
But if that were the only issue, he might have endured.
The real problem was the barbarian's absurd marching speed.
Duncan's profession was merchant. That meant his legs were swift and tireless, rarely bested by others. But compared to this barbarian, he was like a toddler just learning to walk.
Tell him the direction, and the barbarian would already be far ahead. Catch up, and he'd toss out a curt word before moving again.
"Go."
"Let's go."
"Slow."
"Hah, huff, haaah, haaaah..."
The barbarian would then stare until Duncan arrived, as if threatening to crush his skull for tardiness.
Thank goodness Duncan was the guide. If the barbarian had been in charge, they'd be dozens of kilometers apart by now. Watching the tireless man, the merchant stuck out his tongue in awe.
'Oh man, this is killing me... No, are his legs made of steel or what?'
He lacked the courage to ask him to slow down. The grueling pace, combined with dirty looks, turned Duncan into a wreck in mere days.
Duncan made up his mind. To survive, he had to escape soon. He needed to bide his time for a chance.
And the opportunity came sooner than expected.
A night where thick clouds swallowed the moonlight, leaving only dying embers. The barbarian had rolled over toward a log. Before sleep, Duncan had ground herbs into his spear wound, but he showed no pain and slept soundly.
Duncan held his breath, watching for about half a watch. No stirring—he was deep asleep. Now was the perfect chance to flee.
'Hmm...'
His eyes lingered on the large bag by the log.
It held nearly his entire fortune. Oil lamps, wool blankets, flint, soap, dried rations, silver mirrors, antique rings... Enough to set up a street stall in a city.
But not worth more than his life. Approaching the log might wake the sleeping beast. Duncan abandoned the bag cleanly.
Crouching low, he swept aside fallen leaves and crawled. Reaching grass, he staggered to his feet. Picking up speed to a brisk walk, then bolting once out of the forest.
Under the dim sky, darkness everywhere. Eyes open or shut, same void. Blind sprint with no sense of direction. Duncan just charged forward blindly.
Sweat dripped down his neck, lungs swelling to burst. Heart pounding like an angry intruder, joints creaking in agony. Too weak to close his mouth, drool trickled from his chin.
"Huff, huff, huff... Ack, hack, haaah..."
How long had he run?
Bent over, hands on knees, Duncan thought: This should be far enough. No idea which way, so tracking would take time. He was free now.
Premature delusion.
"Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"
A deep voice yanked his ankles. Duncan staggered as if his legs had snapped. A chill slithered up his spine.
Turning, a menacing silhouette emerged from the dark.
'N-No way... How?'
It made no sense. He'd fled so fast—how had he caught up? In this pitch black? Had he flown like an owl piercing the night?
Pointless questions now that he was caught. Suppressing nausea, Duncan forced words out.
"Huff, urk, n-no, it's, uh... I..."
"Trying to run? Why?"
"Hah, huff, m-my lord, it's not..."
"Don't need the promised pay anymore?"
Clouds parted, moonlight spilling like translucent silk. The blade at the barbarian's waist gleamed coldly, reminding Duncan his life wasn't fully his own.
Duncan stifled the urge to vomit and prostrated on the dirt.
"S-Sorry, my lord! I committed a grave sin! I shouldn't have forgotten your life-saving grace, foolish me acting so recklessly..."
Kadim squatted to eye level, cutting him off.
"No, I don't want an apology. I want the reason. Fix that, or you'll run again. Explain. Why'd you flee?"
Duncan hesitated, then spilled the truth.
"I-It's... your pace is too fast for me to keep up, my lord... I felt like I'd collapse soon..."
"..."
Kadim fell silent. Duncan squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the blade.
Unexpectedly, Kadim didn't berate him. After a thoughtful pause, he simply said,
"Let's head back. I'll walk slower from now on."
"...!"
Conversation over.
Kadim turned back under the moonlight. Duncan stared blankly for a moment. As clouds reclaimed the moon, he snapped to and chased the barbarian's broad back.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
His baseline emotion was impatience. The brisk pace was a habit from his first playthrough.
In the barren, hostile demon realm, food and water never lasted. Drinking demon blood gradually eroded his mind too.
Rest and leisure were distant luxuries. Delay meant doom. Unsure when madness would consume him, Kadim and his comrades hurried even during meals and sleep.
But not now.
'...Hoo.'
Kadim took a deep breath, calming body and mind.
The area wasn't dangerous. Supplies were ample. Madness might recur someday, but not now.
And there was reason to slow: the merchant made a decent guide.
Kadim had a detailed continent map in his head, but from 300 years ago. Time enough for the landscape to change thirty times over. Without a skilled guide, navigation was impossible.
Kadim matched the merchant's pace. Duncan finally breathed easy. Soon, he even had leisure to check the map and offer suggestions.
"The imperial and alliance border sees frequent skirmishes, my lord. Risk of running into Knights of Elga. To avoid wrongful capture... how about a detour through a laxer guarded path?"
Knights of Elga arrested heretics on sight, apparently. Only in Free City Alliance lands could a barbarian stretch out freely.
'Elga's Church wasn't like this 300 years ago...'
He felt out of step with the times again. He wanted the fastest route, but no choice. Kadim clicked his tongue softly and nodded.
Kadim and Duncan headed south. They were lucky. No need to draw weapons for days.
Few clashes meant few soldiers, meaning poor security. Duncan smiled in relief, calling it a miracle no fights.
Kadim saw it differently. Gazing at the hardening blood clots in his leather waterskin, he dropped his eyes in regret.
'This blood won't last. Need fresh demon blood just in case...'
Demons rampant across the continent? Not easy to encounter. Duncan explained: zealous Knights of Elga purging nearby ones for merits. Kadim smacked his lips shortly.
The journey continued. Crossing blue plains and dense woods, dusk fell. Amid violet wildflowers, a small stream appeared. At its end, modest huts clustered.
First village since departure. Duncan unfolded his crumpled map, stroking his goatee.
"Hmm, not on the map... Looks like frontier settlers. Best to ask for food and lodging there tonight, my lord."
Better than bug-infested ruins or dew-soaked camping. Duncan smiled at the thought of dry sleep.
But the barbarian's instincts sensed wrongness. Kadim narrowed his eyes, no excitement.
"No fires anywhere."
"...Pardon?"
"It's evening, but no house has a fire going."
True enough.
A dozen chimneys amid crude roofs, yet no smoke. Impossible if people lived normally.
Duncan's smile faded.
"...Abandoned village, my lord?"
"Don't know. Until we check."
"Y-You're going? Monsters or demons might've scared them off...?"
The barbarian bared his teeth fiercely.
"Good news, then."
A smile to chill hearts. No time to dissuade. Kadim strode toward the silent village, back to the stunned merchant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Up close, it was clearer: something was off.
Eerie silence. No human shadows. But pitchforks and hoes in front yards weren't rusted. Fresh footprints on weed-cleared paths. Proof people lived here, recently.
'No bodies. Not massacred by monsters... Fled after sensing attack?'
Maybe periodic raids. Frontier settlers moved every few years. Easy to encroach on monster turf unwittingly.
Then, a faint sound from a hut.
– Kieek... Kiii...
Familiar cry. Large hand gripped sword hilt. Drawing blade, Kadim entered without hesitation.
A short figure lunged to his waist.
– Kieeeek!!
Clumsy slash flew. Kadim stayed calm—expected ambush on entry. Flicked his sword up from waist, deflecting the rusted blade.
Ching—!
– Kiik!?
Light counter to Kadim, heavy to the goblin. Reeling from recoil, it staggered. Kadim cleaved down vertically.
Kwajik—
No death cry. The blade bisected the head in one stroke. Excessive force crushed the cross-section oddly, like pressed from above.
Green dwarf twitched on the floor. Halved face muscles twisted independently. Blood and brains seeped through floor gaps.
Kadim let out a short, hollow chuckle. A goblin, how timely. Yes, the first monster on any journey should always be a goblin.
But... odd, on second thought.
This world's goblins weren't as savage as in countless media. Timid as birds, wary. They fled at infants' cries, folklore said.
Raiding homes and striking first? Unheard of.
Such impossibilities meant 'something' intervened.
Red-tinged goblin eyes. Another telltale sign. Influenced by that being, monsters' eyes always turned that hue.
Grip tightened on the sword.
'...Ha, perfect timing.'
Chance for fresh demon blood curved the barbarian's lips into a gentle arc.