kscans

t/n: Hero here is yuusha (heroic evolution, instead of eiyuu – heroic deeds)

1

“Good luck, Uncle.” Godon said.

Bard nodded in response.

With the villagers and Godon bidding him farewell, Bard set off on his journey. Gradually, he increased the speed of his horse. It was too fast for someone who were riding on a mountain path for the first time. However, considering the child’s condition, the sooner the medicine is given, the better it is.

Perhaps Bard’s feelings were conveyed to the chestnut horse, for it thrust its head forward and kicked its legs back, rushing ahead. It didn’t mind the occasional leaf or blade of grass hitting it in the face.

Horses are timid creatures, but when the hearts of rider and horse connect, they become magnificent creatures. Bard had entrusted all his belongings to Godon, so he was now light and unburdened.

Man and horse became one, galloping down the mountain path.

2

In the village on the eastern edge of Egzera’s dominion, a rumor had spread. It was said that in a settlement beyond the northern mountains, there was an incredibly delicious dish made from Noore, a small fish found in every lake and swamp. Noore was not a tasty fish, as it had many bones and a muddy taste that left a strange aftertaste. However, it was abundant in nutrients and easy to catch, making it a common food for poor families.

Even Bard himself, had eaten it often as a child and during his time as a knight stationed near the Great Barrier during the winter. Noore was a valuable source of food in the half-frozen mud. When Bard heard that Noore could be turned into a delicious dish, he became interested.

“No matter how well it’s cooked, it’s still nothing”.

Despite Godon Zarkos’ reluctance, they headed north toward the mountains. They crossed a deep valley with a suspension bridge, and since they couldn’t leave their horses behind, they blindfolded them and led them across. “We have to cross here again on our way home,” Godon sighed. Since it was a straight road, they reached the village without getting lost, and their presence on horseback attracted attention. They were led to a small hut where they were served Noore. The villagers were polite, knowing that they could earn valuable income from the dish. An old man named Pinen cooked the meal.

“Well, you’ve come all the way to this remote place.　I’ll get the Noore now.　I don’t think there’s any sake that would suit the warrior’s taste,” while saying that, Pinen served them a white, cloudy, soft and sweet tasting grain-based alcohol. It would be a sake brewed from Pran, which grew abundantly around here. When Bard said that it was good, Godon, who was suspicious, also drank it and said “Oh, I can drink this”.

And it’s not bad. After taking two or three sips, the old man Pinen grinded up something that looked like a root and said “Don’t eat the Noore raw, because it will cause illness later”. He mixed several kinds of leaves and roots and crushed them before adding them to the Noore. He explained that Noore would cause stomach discomfort if eaten raw, and the juice would leave a bitter aftertaste. It should be boiled, never eaten raw.

When Bard finished the bowl of sake, a boy who said he was old man Pinen’s grandson gave him another bowl. After a short time, Godon also got his second serving. Meanwhile, Noore arrived in buckets, caught by the villagers, and soon filled the room. Pinen washed the Noore several times and added a mixture of roots and leaves to the bucket.

Intrigued, Bard approached and looked at the bucket. The Noore spit out something yellow.

“If you let them spit that out, there will be no side effects later,” said old man Pinen.

He explained that he had spent years finding the right mixture, and no one knew the name of the tree or the leaves. After a while, the Noore stopped secreting yellow fluid. Old man Pinen washed the Noore again and put it in a pot with two cups of the grain-based alcohol. Godon also seemed to be interested and watched intently. The pot was put on a low fire.

“Noore must be cooked in water first. If it is suddenly put into hot water, it will go wild and become coarse”.

“I’m sure it’s ready by now,” he said.

The boy ran out of the hut and went to the next one, then quickly returned with a bowl in his hand. Pinen, the old man, quietly poured the contents of the bowl into the pot.

“It’s a pudding made with Dweja bird eggs and yam. Fortunately, we had some eggs, so it turned out well.”

Gradually, the fire grew stronger. The way he handled the firewood showed his experience, skillfully adjusting the heat. The smell of the heated sake filled the hut.

Something amazing happened. The Noore, who had been swimming aimlessly in the heated sake, suddenly dove into the pudding.

“Even humans seek shade or go inside when the sun is hot,” the old man explained.

I see. But shouldn’t the pudding be hot too?

“The yam cools it down. So, the pudding is just a little bit warmer than the boiling sake.”

Some of the Noore peeked out from the pudding, but quickly went back in. The pudding was shaking. The Noore were causing a commotion inside. Eventually, the pudding stopped shaking. Pinen lowered the heat and continued to cook the pudding. He watched the pot intently. His unwavering profile was like that of a wise sage. Just as Bard thought that, the old man muttered, “All right,” and took the pot from the fire. He skillfully cut the pudding in half and served it in bowls on the table.

“Please enjoy,” the old man said as Bard and Godon took their seats. They scooped up the pudding with wooden spoons. Steam rose from it. They blew on it to cool it down before taking a bite.

“This pudding is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before,” Bard said. “I thought it would be chewy from being cooked for so long, but it’s completely different. It’s soft and fluffy, yet has a strong presence.”

After savoring the taste on his tongue, Bard swallowed the rest of the pudding into his mouth.

“Wow,” he exclaimed. “The texture is indescribable. My mouth and tongue are experiencing a new sensation. My throat demands more, so I swallowed the rest of the pudding. It has a mellow aftertaste and a rich aroma. Is this the flavor of the Noore that has seeped into the pudding?”

Bard boldly inserted his spoon into the pudding and scooped out a generous portion with Noore in it. He blew on it to cool it down before putting it in his mouth.

“It’s sweet! What a sweetness!” Bard exclaimed.

The slimy texture unique to Noore was nowhere to be found. The flesh was soft and cooked to perfection, with the rough tongue feel characteristic of the finest fish. Even the tiny bones melted on his tongue, adding an accent to the flavor. It was a bundle of umami. When he chewed it well and swallowed it, he was surprised by the volume. And the unpleasant aftertaste never came. When he scooped up the broth and drank it, there was no smell of alcohol, and it had become the best soup, absorbing the flavor of Noore. Drinking it with Pran sake, a cloudy sake, made it even better. This dish and this sake complemented each other very well. (t/n: yeah, pran shiyu of prev chapter is clear and transparent, maybe a different brew).

Bard looked at Pinen, the old man. Watching his behavior, he couldn’t believe that he had been born and raised in the countryside. He was a person who knew the wide world and had accumulated deep wisdom. He was also familiar with the refined cuisine and etiquette of the city. That’s how he seemed to Bard.

This village was probably a village of “outsiders.” Families of those who committed crimes or those who were injured were banished from the village life. Such “outsiders” sometimes gathered together to form a settlement. By being isolated, they could avoid discrimination. What kind of life did Pinen lead?

3

Two incidents happened. The suspension bridge broke. It broke as soon as they put a cart loaded with luggage on it. Fortunately, no one was hurt. And Pinen’s grandson was bitten by a poisonous snake. Bard didn’t have the medicine on hand. It wasn’t fatal for adults, but it was life-threatening for children.

If they went to the village, they could get the medicine. But the suspension bridge to the village was unusable. They could walk down the valley, but it would take a long time. Fortunately, Bard and Godon had horses. They asked if there was a road, even if it was a detour, and they were told there was only one. It was the eastern road. But that was Jameen’s territory.

Jameen was small even among the demi-humans. They had a figure that looked more like an ape than a human. Some people looked down on them and called them “insect eaters,” because they ate tree bark and insects. Because their ethics and lifestyle were different from humans, contact often led to conflict. It was surprising to find a Jameen’s territory so close to a human village or settlement.

The Jameens were all masters of the bow. If they noticed that humans had entered their territory, they would attack. It was impossible to avoid the arrows raining down from all directions. But if they wanted to save this child, there was no other way. Bard volunteered to go to the village to get the medicine.

4

They entered the forest where the trees were dense. The chestnut horse showed no signs of fatigue. They raced through the forest at a fantastic speed.

Bard sensed something in the trees above and ahead of him. He drew his ancient sword. An arrow flew at him. He deflected it with his sword.

They are here.

The Jameen were in the trees. They had no time to escape before they were surrounded. Arrows flew at them from the right and left. The arrow that hit Bard’s left shoulder didn’t go deep because it was protected by his shoulder armor.

Another arrow hit his back where there was no armor. It wasn’t a wound that would stop him from moving. But in the next moment, his body suddenly became hot, and his vision became distorted.

“Poison!”

He held on desperately to the reins, but soon Bard’s consciousness slipped into darkness.

5

Bard woke up with a bitter taste in his mouth. Someone must have forced some crushed herbs into his mouth. He was lying on his back, unable to move due to being tied up. A number of Jameens surrounded him, discussing one thing or another. Their voices were high-pitched and very loud. Suddenly, they fell silent.

“You walked a path you shouldn’t have,” said a slightly larger Jameen, speaking in human language. His pronunciation was hard to understand. Bard replied, “I apologize for setting foot on your land. I had no choice but to save the life of a child”. However, the other party either didn’t understand his words very well or didn’t want to listen.

“The ancient spirits will judge you,” he said, and Bard was ordered to stand up. Surrounded by spears and arrows from all sides, he was led to a square surrounded by a wooden fence. The area was covered with trees, and there were a surprising number of Jameen around them, looking down on Bard. They returned the ancient sword that had been taken from him, and the Jameen cheered. As he looked around, something was being brought up on the other side of the square.

Bard could not believe his eyes. It was a demonic beast. A Yelger (blue panther) demon beast. Six Jameen were prodding it with a stick-like object, leading it. “How foolish. Don’t you think this demonic beast will eat the Jameen? Do the Jameen have the ability to control demonic beasts?” The ends of the sticks held something blue. The six who were guiding the demonic beast continued to point the sticks at it and moved away to the edge of the square. The demonic beast, which had been silent until then, let out a low growl. The Jameen’s intentions were clear. This square was an arena. They intended to make the demonic beast and Bard fight.

6

Bard’s head was still hazy. His whole body felt heavy. But, he forced himself into a fighting stance. He drank the bitter herbs that remained in his mouth, took off his cloak, and wrapped it around his left hand. He took a deep breath and lit a flame in his heart. Immediately, his head cleared, and he no longer felt the pain in his shoulders and waist. His nerves became sharp, and his body temperature rose slightly.

The demonic beast was still growling low. Its growl gradually took on a threatening tone.

“To fight a blue panther demonic beast alone, without a shield or armor. I’ve fought many battles, but this is the first time I’ve faced such a hopeless battle.” If the ancient sword could give him some mysterious power, he would have a slight chance of winning. However, it was difficult to attack the demonic beast with a sword, and it was even more difficult to avoid its attacks. The blue panther had three eyes, like a river bear. The skin of the three-eyed beasts was tough and resistant to blows. One blow couldn’t kill the blue panther, but the blue panther could kill him with one blow.

“Remember. Remember what I did the first time?” The demonic beast lunged at him again. It covered a distance of fourteen or fifteen paces in an instant. Bard tried to aim the ancient sword at the blue panther’s eyes, but the enemy was too fast, and the sword was too short. Before he could swing the sword, the blue panther leapt onto Bard’s chest. He twisted his body and avoided the blow to his face, but the blue panther’s right front paw grazed his right chest.

Perhaps because it had accelerated too much, the blue panther landed quite far from Bard. It ran a little farther and turned around, then accelerated again and charged. Bard’s breastplate was torn apart by the demonic beast’s claws, but he dodged the attack and continued to think.

“What did I do the first time?” The demonic beast attacked again. Bard swung the ancient sword at the blue panther’s nose, but it didn’t even make the demonic beast flinch. The demonic beast’s front paws landed on Bard’s shoulders, and he fell backward. Fortunately, the demonic beast couldn’t stop its momentum and passed over Bard, tearing off his leather hat. Bard’s white hair was tousled by the wind kicked up by the demonic beast. He tried to get up immediately, but he couldn’t move for a moment because he had hit the back of his head. He could hear the sound of the demonic beast’s footsteps as it turned around and attacked again.

He heard the sound of his dead horse, Stavros, coming to take him from the land of the dead. Unconsciously, Bard called out his name in his heart, and the magic sword in his right hand emitted a blue-green phosphorescence. The heat from the sword sent vitality into Bard’s body. As the demonic beast lunged at his throat again, Bard slashed at it with the ancient sword.

“Gyaah!”

The demonic beast screamed and jumped back. Bard stood up and knelt down, swinging the ancient sword down at the demon beast’s skull. The sword sank halfway into the beast’s skull. The demonic beast fell slowly, never to rise again.

Bard remained on both knees, looking up at the Jameens. One of them was making a lot of noise. Bard realized that the Jameen was speaking human language in an agitated tone. The Jameens were all pointed their bows at Bard, ready to shoot him.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out. Bard could not understand the words because they were not in human language. However, the owner of the voice ran up to Bard and stood protectively in front of him, and said something else. It was a large Jameen, a head taller than the others. When the other Jameens heard what the large Jameen said, they lowered their bows. Finally, the large Jameen pointed his bow at the Jameen who had spoken human language and said something in a strong tone. The Jameen who had been spoken to hung his head.

“Human. I never thought you would defeat the spirit beast, let alone the spirit beast of the blue panther. You are an incredible hero. I am Yemite, the hero of the Tessler tribe. Tell me your name.”

The large Jameen warrior looked up at Bard and spoke in a strange but firm human language. Bard introduced himself.

“I am Bard Rowen, a human hero. I’ve just returned and don’t know what’s going on. Why did you fight against the spirit beast of my tribe?”

Bard briefly explained the situation.

“So you passed through here to save the grandson of an old man named Pinen who lives in the western mountains. What a surprise. What is your relationship with Aura(sage) Pinen?”

Bard replied that he had been received some delicious Noore cuisine. Hero Yemite looked at Bard with a strange expression and said, “We owe a debt to Aura Pinen. Had we known your purpose, we would have allowed you to pass. But, since you threatened our home without revealing your intentions, the village chief was right to have you judged by the ancient spirits. But it was a mistake for the chief to try to kill you after the spirits recognized you. You are allowed to go to the human village and return through here. Take this as proof.”

The item handed to Bard was an arrow. It was much larger than those used by the ordinary Jameens. The feathers were designed elaborately. It must be a pass.

The chestnut horse was also returned.

Bard thanked the hero of Jameen and hurried on.

7

The village shared their medicine after hearing the situation. They also offered to help repair the suspension bridge. Bard hurried back to the western mountain. The medicine arrived in time, and the boy was saved. Bard paid Pinen well for the food, but he refused to accept it. It was clear from the initial welcome that the people of this village were looking forward to cash income.

Under the pretext of returning the arrow, Bard and Godon visited the hero Yemite. There were many things they wanted to ask. Yemite did not answer all their questions, but he did teach them many things.

The Jameens who lived here belonged to the Tessler Clan. The Tessler clan was divided into seven villages. Each village had a village chief and six “blue stones.” Blue stones had the power to subdue and control “demonic beasts” as humans called them. They were the most important treasure and were never sold or lent to humans.

According to the Jameen belief, animals possessed by ancient spirits became “demonic beasts”. Each Jameen village captured one “demonic beast” and worshipped it as a “spirit beast.” When the “spirit beast” died, the spirit inside became free and entered a new beast.

When asked why Pinen was called an Aura(sage), Yemite simply said that he was a sage to them. The strongest and bravest person in all seven villages became the hero. Since the hero was the representative of the entire clan, he learned not only the human language but also the language of all demi-humans.

After a short stay, Bard and Godon left the Jameen village.

Bard felt a strange sense of comfort. Demi-humans were suppposed to be incompatible with humans, uncivilized and cruel. But Engdahl of Gerkaast and Yemite of Jameen, the only two demi-humans Bard had come to know, were both honorable warriors who knew loyalty and pride. They were far more trustworthy than any mediocre human. You can’t understand things until you see them with your own eyes.

Further east of the Tessler Clan’s residential area were other demi-human residential areas. In this area, the space between the “Great Barrier” and the Ova River was much larger than the area Bard’s used to live in. The appearance of “demonic beasts” was not so rare. They were looking for the next “spirit beast” that would be guardian god of the village.

When you travel, you will realize your own ignorance. Bard thought this was a good thing.

Even so, his armor was already in tatters and there’s nothing he could do about it. He would have to get new armor in the next town.