Chapter 19: Talk in town

6 HOURS AGO 1 COMMENT

Translator: Soafp

　After walking for a while from the boss’s domain, I kicked around a number of demons that did not look particularly different from the ones I had seen before.

　At the end of the road, there was a town in sight.

　It seemed to be Ribrum, the second town.

　The town exists as if it were directly on top of the road.

　In short, it is an inn town for those who use the road.

“Since you had not yet left the Fauskatze, I will explain it to you in short.”

“Oh?　Yeah, I don’t understand, but please.”

“In truth, Hisana probably would have wanted to teach you. ……”

　I wasn’t sure about what Eleanor muttered with a sigh, but I listened anyway.

　I guess it is common knowledge about this game. It would be good to know.

　Fortunately, I have encountered few demons since I got on the street. It seems that the game is set up so that demons are not encountered when walking along the streets.

　Now, it would be less dangerous to talk leisurely.

“First of all, as far as the town is concerned,……, we haven’t defeated the second boss yet, so that place is practically the front line. There are quite a few players there.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true. I assume that Hisana and the others are usually over there, too?”

“Yes, that’s right. Be aware that MMOs are fundamentally competitive. There are plenty of players out there who will try every trick in the book to get ahead of you.”

“Fumu… ……, you mean I might get tangled up with those kinds of people?”

“Even so, Hisana is attracting a lot of attention because you are her teacher. If you do something unusual, the word will spread very fast.”

　I don’t really feel it myself, but it is the word of Eleanor, who is a well-informed person, so I guess I can’t ignore it.

　Well, that said, if I was involved, I would just respond accordingly.

　If I am already in the spotlight, it’s too late to stand out.

“You are rather careless about your surroundings, aren’t you?”

“Oh?”

“No, I don’t mind. In your case, it would be better to be free of your surroundings. So, next. As you can see, this town is built to be ridden on a street. It is said that the next town is at the end of this road. ……”

“But first, the boss is there.”

　The second boss, which has yet to be defeated.

　If the opponent were as simple as that wolf, it would be strange that they are struggling so much.

　Somehow, he must be a troublesome opponent.

　Perhaps sensing my inner thoughts, Eleanor lightly shrugged her shoulders and continued.

“This is also a troublesome opponent. As soon as the battle begins, it applies a huge debuff to us. Then, when our actions are blocked, he will bring his undead upon us.”

“On top of the action impediment, he is attacking with numbers. That makes sense, but it will certainly be difficult to attack.”

　I don’t know what kind of inhibition is involved, but both the restriction of action and the violence of numbers are powerful forces.

　No wonder they will be overrun if firm countermeasures are not implemented.

　But–

“It’s been a fair amount of time, hasn’t it?　Shouldn’t we have established countermeasures by now?”

“Right…… I have some idea of what to expect.

“What do you mean?”

“There is one small village to the east and west of that town. The eastern village has a small dungeon where you can get items like amulets.”

“Hmm, so there is a key item.”

　I don’t know the theory behind these things, but it makes sense that there are clues in the vicinity.

　I nodded my head in agreement, but Yakumo, walking next to me, contradicted everything.

“But, on the other hand, even with the amulet equipped, it did not prevent the debuff at all. I heard that it did produce some sort of effect, so it’s not like it doesn’t have any effect.”

“Fumu… So that means there might be something in the other village to the west.”

“Well, that’s what we think, but we haven’t found anything over there yet,”

　I raise my eyebrows at his words.

　Perhaps there is nothing to say that there is not. But I don’t understand why it hasn’t been found.

　Well, whatever the case, I guess we are stuck in the end.

“The village to the west. Let’s take a little peek.”

“Yes, I agree. We already have enough amulets in circulation in the east, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble to get that one.”

　Nodding at Eleanor’s words, I turn my gaze toward the approaching town.

　In a few more minutes, we would reach the gate. That would be the end of our work this time.

　After that —-well, let’s just go around the town as long as we see fit.

“Quon, when you get to the town, check the stone monument in the center.”

“Hmm?　Is there something there?”

“If you register for the stone monuments, you can warp between them. That means you can go back and forth to Fauskatze at any time.”

“I see, that’s important.”

　This would be especially important for Eleanor, who has a base on that side.

　Even though I am planning to move ahead, I can’t stay here all the time.

　Once I’ve done that and received my reward, I’ll be free to do whatever I want.

　After registering the monument and seeing Eleanor and the others off back to Fauskatze, I let out a small sigh.

　For now, I am free to do my own thing, but what should I do now?

　From what I have heard, there is no way to win if we challenge the boss out of the blue.

　However, our goal is to defeat the boss. If that is the case, I should be working to lead to that goal now.

　Then, should I go to the east or the west first?

“I heard that the east has already been explored, so let’s go west…”

“….Oi, you!”

　As I was about to head west to the village, I decided to talk to some locals in the area first, when I suddenly heard a voice from the side of the road.

　I turned my head to see what was going on, and there was the swordsman I had fought right after I started playing this game.

　As I recall, he was…

“Ah…… Claude, was it?”

“It’s Freed!”

　Oops, I guess I forgot because the interrogation I received immediately afterwards from Hisana was so much more impressive.

　I apologized lightly, but he did not seem at all convinced.

　While I was wondering what to do, a man approached him from behind.

“I told you to stop bothering people.”

“But!”

“There is no but. You’re just one-sidedly causin’ him to do it!　Damn …… sorry, Quon-san.”

“I don’t mind,……but who might you be?”

“My name is Shuren. I am sorry to trouble you, but I am the leader of the party he belongs to.”

　Schuren bowing his head as he says this conveys a truly apologetic intent.

　Apparently, he is having a very hard time with the Freed matter.

　Well, as far as I’m concerned, there is nothing to be concerned about.

　In fact, I am grateful to him for giving me such a large sum of money. It made it easier for me to buy the equipment from Fino and the others.

　I lightly shrugged my shoulders and called out to Shuren, who was bowing his head.

“Well, as I said before, you don’t have to worry about it. You didn’t cause us any trouble.”

Ha-hahaha …… By the way, isn’t Hisana-san with you?”

“I guess we’re separated right now. I mean, it’s not like we’re always working together, you know?　If she wants to do something else, she can do it.”

“I see. I thought you were supposed to be partnered with Hisana-san. ……”

“Well, she’s the only one who can match me, …… but if that idiot disciple wants to train on her own, so be it.

　Well, if she wants me to watch her training, I’m willing to do so.

　But, well, it’s not like she can’t take care of herself. If I am not there, she will do something about it.

　Freed smiled, as if he was in a better mood for some reason.

“I see. …… I’m sorry for the trouble I caused you. Well, I’ll leave you alone!”

“O-oi, Freed!　…… sorry, Quon-san.”

“No need to apologize. …… Oh right, I have one question.”

“Yes, what is it?”

　I was going to hear it from the guy around the corner anyway. It wouldn’t be a problem to hear it from this guy.

　So I asked Shuren what he had to say about the village to the west.

“I’m thinking of going to the West Village, but how do I get there?”

“The village to the west?　Then just go straight west from the stone monument to the outside, and the road will lead you there. Follow the road and you should not get lost.”

“I see. Thanks for the info. I’ll take the nuisance fee off your tab.”

“Oh, …… yes, thank you!　Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

　Bowing one last time, Shuren follows Freed.

　But well, …… he looks like he’s having a very hard time, that man.

　Well, I guess that’s factored in as well, and that’s why he’s keeping company with that little guy. I’d say good luck there.

“Now, ……. was it straight west from here?”

　As Shuren said, I begin walking west from the stone monument.

　Ribrum is an inn town, but as is its nature, all the main facilities are located along the road that runs north-south.

　In short, there is not much thickness from east to west.

　Perhaps because of this, I reached the gate on the west side without much walking.

　In front of the open gate, a soldier, who appeared to be a local, was standing with a listless look on his face.

“Yoo, good job.”

“Hmm?　Oh. Are you going to the village to the west?”

“Yeah, just go straight here, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. If you follow this road, you won’t get lost.”

　Looking down at my feet, I see a well-trodden dirt path leading to a series of paths.

　If I follow this path, I will be able to reach the village to the west.

　Well, it is good to be able to follow without getting lost. Let’s take it easy and keep going.

　And – right, there was one thing I was wondering about.

“I remembered that the north road is blocked by demons and undead.”

“Yeah, that’s right. For crying out loud, what with the demon ……”

　The complaining soldier frowns, not hiding his disgust for demons.

　Apparently, the demon is an entity that even the locals should treat as an enemy.

　The question is, though, why is such a being blocking the road?

“Do you know anything about them?”

“No, I’m not familiar with demons. Maybe the priest in the cathedral in the western village might know something.”

“Hoo?　Do people in the church know much about demons?”

“Well I guess so, considering they’re an exorcism expert. I told this story to the knights who came before. ……The undead that the demons are carrying may be the result of those people. ……”

　Muttering this, the soldier lowers his gaze with a somber expression on his face.

　Does this mean that the knight may have challenged and defeated the demon, and is now being used as an undead person?

　I wonder how good the knight who has become undead really is —- well, before worrying about that, I must find a way to prevent the action from being interfered with.

“That was helpful. Then, I’ll be off.”

“Yeah, we close the gates at night, so if you’re coming back, come back early.”

“Roger that. See you then.”

　With a wave of my hand, I stepped out of the gate.

　Now, I wonder if I will be able to find anything at all. …… For now, it will be interesting just to talk to the priest himself.

　With some anticipation in my heart, I made my way to the village on the west side of the road.