Chapter 85 - A New Journey and New Companions
The walls surrounding Nielen faded into the distance. Once again, I found myself a passenger on a carriage, this time traveling through a vast grassland that stretched on even after we passed through wheat fields and crossed countless hills. I took out my phone and looked at a photo I had taken just before we left.
It was a picture of me and Hyakka. She was smiling brightly, a finger pressed against her cheek. When she had pestered me into taking it, Fam, Mizuki, Maira, Cecily, and Aira had noticed and demanded pictures of their own. We ended up taking a group photo that included Karpana and Chihiro, who had been watching from nearby.
The next time this group would be together was in the city of Migul. That was still a long way off.
My thoughts turned to Riley. I wondered if she had been freed from Ito's slavery. I had expected her to follow us right away. Where could she be now? It was frustrating not being able to contact her easily.
The caravan pressed on, heading for our next destination: the city of Flucht.
I had been sitting in the rear, but I left the watch to Maira and Aira and went back inside the carriage.
Inside were Fam and Mizuki, along with Fang and Doris, whom we had collected from the jail that morning. Since the two of them belonged to Avea's party, Altair, their designated spot was in the lead carriage. However, to get information about Isaac, we had them ride with us at the very back of the procession.
In their place, Cecily was on horseback, keeping watch near the front.
Doris was now my slave, and Fang was Mizuki's. Doris sat with her shoulders hunched, looking uncomfortable, while Fang sat with his legs spread wide and arms crossed, leaning back as if he owned the caravan.
Mizuki and Fam sat on the opposite side. I took a seat between them.
"Mizuki, do something about Fang's arrogant attitude," I whispered to her.
"Eh? I think it's fine, isn't it?"
I'd been hearing Mizuki and Fang talking for a while now. The sound of Mizuki's occasional laughter told me they were already getting along well. Her communication skills were truly impressive. I just wished she'd use them on me.
"Doris, you were Isaac's slave, right?"
I directed my question to Doris.
"Before that," Fang interrupted.
"What is it?"
"If you hadn't stepped in, we would've been executed along with Mii and Kei. I wanted to thank you."
Fang bowed his head. Seeing him, Doris hurriedly followed suit. If that's how they felt, I wish they'd shown a more humble attitude when we met in the dungeon. I hadn't witnessed Mii and Kei's execution, but after a token trial in a few days, they would be publicly executed. The city could have been overrun by monsters because of them. It couldn't be helped.
"It's like I said in the dungeon. You two aren't responsible. But I want to avoid any unnecessary trouble. Please don't ever set foot in that city again."
Fang nodded at my words.
"We want to repay you. I'd like to invite you to the Werewolf Race's village sometime."
"Wait, were you also kidnapped and enslaved?"
"That's right. We move between several villages, a lifestyle of constant travel and hunting. One of those villages was attacked. Task and I fought to help the others escape, and we were captured."
"...By a group wearing crimson hoods?"
"Yes. The Crimson Brigade."
That was the same group that had attacked Fam's village. I wondered what kind of expression she was making, but I didn't want to draw everyone's attention to her. As I was thinking this, Fam's hand came to rest on mine. I looked down at her small hand, and a simmering rage began to boil within me.
"In our village, we have a ritual dedicated to our guardian deity. I'd like the members of Levante to participate."
"...A guardian deity? Is it really okay for outsiders to join in?"
Another guardian deity. I had the impression that such rituals were usually exclusive and secretive.
"Oh, it's a ritual, but it's more like a festival game. To put it simply, the participants become 'villagers' of a certain werewolf village. However, terrifying 'humans' have secretly infiltrated their ranks. These 'humans' attack one innocent 'villager' each night without anyone knowing. During the day, the 'villagers' discuss and vote to exile one person they believe to be a 'human.' This repeats, day and night. If the number of 'villagers' and 'humans' becomes equal, the 'humans' win. If all the 'humans' are exiled, the 'villagers' win."
"...That's just the Werewolf Game, isn't it?"
Mizuki murmured, looking at me. The roles of humans and werewolves were reversed, but it was definitely the Werewolf Game. I wasn't sure what kind of joke this was, but it seemed a game left behind by a transfer had survived as a ritual of the Werewolf Race.
"We'll definitely go," Mizuki answered. Was she a fan of the game? Fang looked at her and nodded in satisfaction.
I brought the conversation back on track.
"So, you and Task were being sold as slaves when Mii and Kei bought you."
"That's right. About six months ago, in a city called Heilong. After that, we spent our time exploring dungeons in the city of Flucht."
Heilong was downriver from Flucht by boat. They had essentially traveled the reverse of the route we were planning to take.
"That's where we met Isaac, and he proposed the idea of attacking the church in Nielen."
So it was Isaac who initiated it.
"Do you know anything about Isaac's past?" I turned my gaze to Doris. She shook her head.
"I was bought by Isaac half a month ago."
"In the city east of Nielen, right?"
Doris nodded.
"Yes, and then we headed for Flucht."
"You didn't know anything about Isaac before that?"
"The party I belonged to was traveling from the eastern kingdom, heading for the Demon Kingdom."
"The Demon Kingdom? What for?"
"The Demon Kingdom wasn't our goal. We were trying to see the eastern edge of the world. But we ran out of money. We tried to earn some by exploring a dungeon, but to make matters worse, two of my companions fell ill. As a result of drawing straws, I was the one to be sold off as a slave."
Was that really a reason to become a slave? It felt far too casual. Especially after hearing Fam's and Fang's stories, I found it hard to believe.
"...If we ever run out of money, we'll just sell Mizuki."
"Mmph!"
I was only joking, but Mizuki pinched my side for real. Ouch.
"So, Isaac was the one who bought you?"
"Yes. That's why I don't know much about him either."
"You say you don't know, but he must have done lewd things to you, right?"
Doris blushed and looked down. I got pinched by Mizuki again.
"Well, whatever. Fang, Doris, if you think of anything about Mii's group or Isaac, let me know."
"Wait," Fang stopped me as I tried to end the conversation.
"You doubted Doris's story about being sold, didn't you?"
"I just thought it was too flippant."
"Why not use the slave crest to confirm the facts? It's faster and more reliable."
Fang had a point. I didn't want to use it, but Hyakka and the others, who were pursuing our targets, could be in danger. If I had doubts, I needed to clear them up. It would be better for Doris, too. I looked at her, and she gave a resigned nod.
"I command you. Doris, tell me about your past experiences with men and in how much detail you can describe the lewd things you did with Isaac."
"Hey!" "Master..."
Mizuki flared up, and Fam gave me an exasperated look.
"Don't interfere. Mizuki, this is important. You want to know too, don't you? Next, I'll ask about the number of times she's pleasured herself."
"Are you an idiot?!" Mizuki shouted.
"...Should I answer?" Doris asked timidly.
"You don't have to answer a question like that!"
"Tch, that Mizuki..."
Perhaps because Mizuki had intervened, Doris didn't speak about her experiences. I didn't feel the effect of the slave crest.
"You own a slave, but you've never used the crest to give a command? If you want to make them obey, don't give vague orders. And set a penalty for breaking the command."
"...Like, 'die if you don't obey'?"
That just reinforced my aversion. It was better not to use it.
"That's the idea, but 'die' is too severe. If she actually died, you'd be the one in trouble."
"I see. Finding the right balance is tricky."
I turned to face Doris again.
"Mash, if you give another weird order like that, I'm leaving the party. I'll go join Hyakka."
"Master, please give an exceptionally naughty command. Let's drive Mizuki out!"
"Fam? Hey, what are you saying? I feel like you've been cold to me lately."
Mizuki and Fam started bickering. I really couldn't afford to have Mizuki leave.
"...Doris, tell me if Isaac had any companions besides Mii's group. Answer whether he was a transfer, or if you saw any other transfers. If you lie to me, you have to..."
I was about to say show me your boobs, but I noticed Mizuki glaring at me.
"...shout 'oppa' one hundred times."
"I don't know if Isaac was a transfer. I also don't know if he had any companions other than the men in black. And I don't know of any other transfers... I'm sorry."
Were they trying to leave no trace, planning to use them as disposable pawns from the start? Did Isaac possess the kind of wealth, like Reed, that allowed him to treat people as expendable?
Just then, the sound of a warning whistle echoed from the front of the caravan.
The carriage came to a halt. As we got out, Maira and Aira, who had been on watch at the rear, joined us.
"The front is being attacked by a horde of goblins!"
It seemed they had been lying in wait in the grasslands. The battle had already begun. I could see Cecily casting magic from horseback.
"Cecily!"
Aira shouted and ran toward the front.
Then, where Maira was pointing, goblin archers rose to their feet and began loosing arrows.
"Weren't monsters supposed to avoid large groups?"
"It's likely the effect of the Big Hoppers. A swarm of Big Hoppers will destroy the entire ecosystem in its path."
"I see. A desperate move."
Should we go to their aid, or should we remain on guard at the rear? As I debated, Fam drew her sword and Fang raised his battle-axe.
"Master. There are more nearby."
Before Fam could finish, nearly ten goblins with spears leaped out from the tall grass. One of their spears lunged toward me.
I dodged, drawing my sword and cutting the goblin down.
While Fam and Fang fought, Mizuki and Maira grabbed their weapons and joined the fray. Our levels had increased. We should be able to make short work of them. Doris stood back a step, ready to provide support.
Looking around, I saw goblins emerging from the grass in other places and starting their charge. The drivers took up their own weapons to defend themselves. The goblin horde seemed to have a plan, but their movements lacked coordination. If they had attacked all at once, we would have been in serious trouble. We needed to have been more vigilant.
The rear seemed secure for now. We needed to protect Claire and the horses. As I was thinking that, another group of goblins emerged from the grass. Archers. They began firing arrows indiscriminately, as if they didn't care if they hit their own allies.
The goblins that had charged with spears switched to daggers, and the fight devolved into a chaotic melee.
I fell back, switched to my bow, and took aim at the archers in the rear. An arrow flew from my bow and pierced a goblin.
Thank you for reading. To those who have liked, bookmarked, and rated this story, thank you very much. Your support is a great encouragement. I will do my best. Thank you for pointing out the typos.