kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 2 Temperoid (Part 1)

1

“Wow! Look, look! The Great Barrier is so close!”

“Wow, amazing. What a majestic sight.”

“Hmm.”

As soon as they reached a slightly open pass with a good view, Carla dashed ahead, followed by Taranka and Quinta. Seeing their light, agile movements reminded Bard of the gap in their ages.

Bard is currently sixty-six years old. As for Karz, well, his age is not a concern, but Godon is around forty-six. Taranka is probably eighteen, and Quinta is about sixteen. Carla claims to be eighteen, and since there’s no point in lying about it, it must be true. Normally, Carla appears more mature. Perhaps it’s because she has been eating well since she was young, which has led to her well-developed body. Her prominent breasts and radiant skin are likely the result of regular exercise. Additionally, her thoughtful gestures and wide knowledge make her seem more mature than she actually is.

However, the way their eyes sparkled upon encountering this rare scenery was befitting of their age. One could even say they appeared younger than their years. Taranka, who usually seemed composed, and Quinta, who vigilantly surveyed their surroundings, were no different in this regard. The youthful impulse to spur their horses onward, eager to lay eyes on the spectacle as soon as possible, was evident in their actions.

As people ages, they tend to avoid sudden or unnecessary movements. They can do it, but they learn from experience that it leads to severe fatigue later. They also develop the wisdom to avoid putting strain on worn joints or damaged areas. Movements are made in consultation with the body’s condition. In return, they learn the patience to avoid harming their bodies gradually. Therefore, older individuals can perform simple tasks that cause younger people to complain for a short time over a longer period.

When young, there is less fear of injuring the body or losing physical strength. Hence, they run around, move, and express their emotions freely. And that’s perfectly fine.

Godon, on the other hand, squints as he watches the young ones, and he too quickens his pace a bit. This man, who is a solid mass of strength in his prime, also moves with composure. However, if something strange or concerning were to happen, he would act swiftly. This, too, is a characteristic of someone of his age.

As for Bard, despite the improved condition of his health due to the grace of the magic sword Stavros, he still experiences age-related back pain and creaking joints throughout his body. Pushing himself too hard leads to fatigue. Therefore, he continues to walk his beloved horse, Yueitan, while being conscious of his pace throughout the day. Traveling through the untrodden paths of the frontier district is tiring even without pushing oneself.

Karz follows behind Bard like a shadow. This has nothing to do with age or physical strength. This man’s demeanor is always unwavering. And that, too, is good.

There it is.

Indeed, this is a magnificent view. Beyond the pass, there is a narrow and deep valley, and beyond that, there are steep mountains. Along those mountains, the Great Barrier, the great wall of King Jean, runs horizontally. It seems within arm’s reach.

They had never been so close to the Great Barrier outside of Pakula territory. The more they look, the more its grandeur fills their hearts with admiration. No matter where they look, the end of the Great Barrier is nowhere in sight. This great wall completely encircles the world inhabited by humans. Moreover, it is not a creation of the gods, like the mountains, rivers, valleys, and sky. It was created by a single human, an ancient hero named Jean.

The mountain in front, when looked to the left, slopes gently downward. However, what lies beyond it cannot be seen. The Great Barrier stands in the way. In this location, even if the mountain ridge descends, the height of the Great Barrier’s peak remains unchanged. Therefore, while the usual height of the Great Barrier is about a thousand paces, here it reaches two or three thousand paces. In this position, where the other side of the wall seems visible, the Great Barrier is indeed high. It’s as if looking beyond the wall is forbidden.

Until now, they hadn’t found it particularly strange that the Great Barrier stretches between the high peaks of the mountains, or that it separates the world from its outside. They had accepted it as something natural. Of course, the Great Barrier is mysterious. However, the world is full of mysteries. Why does the water in the rivers continue to flow without interruption even in years of drought? Why do small seedlings grow into giant trees? Why does the sun god race through the sky, continuously delivering light and heat? Why do people come into this world and then depart from it? Like these numerous mysteries, the Great Barrier is also mysterious, but they had accepted it as a natural part of their world.

But now that they know the truth about the Great Barrier, that it was not something that had always existed, but rather something that was created in the middle of history, they cannot help but be curious about the world beyond it. They want to see the world beyond this wall, which was originally one with their world. Is it still the same now? Or is there a new world there that they are unaware of?

It is not the “other side” glimpsed through a gap in the Great Barrier, but a completely different world, with different landscapes and elements that shape it.

Perhaps. Yes, perhaps. If they climb Fyuza, they might be able to see the “other side.” They want to see it. Someday, they want to see the “other side.”

Godon, Karz, Taranka, Carla, and Quinta are all gazing at the Great Barrier with rapt attention. However, for Bard, while he is looking at the same thing, his eyes do not see the Great Barrier as the end of the world. He sees it as the beginning of a different world. His gaze, his fervent desire to unravel what is happening between the Great Barrier and the spirits, has set an elderly Bard on a new journey.

The apothecary Zariya was a person who housed the spirits within her. The memories of the spirits that Bard heard from Zariya revealed the truth of the world’s history to him.

Humans were not originally inhabitants of this world. This world belonged to the gods, the spirits, and the demi-humans. Humans came here. Divided into two factions, they began to fight, dragging the spirits and demi-humans into their war. Eventually, the war came to an end, but the spirits did not return. The spirits, who were supposed to have infinite life, became trapped in a fate where they would possess beasts and turn into demonic beasts each time they were revived. The Great Barrier is a wall that separates humans from the spirits. Even beyond this wall, the spirits become demonic beasts, but they live out their lives as gentle demonic beasts without going mad and seeking human blood.

However, there is someone who has lured the spirits inside the wall and turned them into a thousand demonic beasts. There is someone plotting something. That person disrupted the order set by King Jean, incorporating the spirits and attempting to trample the human world.

Something is happening. It is not over yet. The truly terrifying thing is that it might be about to happen. That is why Bard must know what is happening between the spirits and the demonic beasts.

The key lies with the demi-humans. Therefore, Bard intends to first visit the Misty Valley and meet with Lujura-Tiant and also intends to meet with the hero of Jameen, Yemite. Through dialogue with these demi-humans, or rather, the “original people,” something is bound to become clear.

2

“A village. There’s a village.”

Drawn by Carla’s voice, they looked ahead. Indeed, it was a village. In such a place near the Great Barrier. It must be abundant in the blessings of water and forests, and it seems to be a valley village that can withstand rain and wind. But how do they protect themselves from wild beasts? And what about salt?

As they approached, they noticed that the village had been cleverly fortified using the terrain to protect its flanks and rear, with a fairly sturdy fence in the front. They also had cultivated fields.

“Stop!”

A man working in the fields stood in their way, brandishing a wooden spear. Behind him, other men were also preparing their weapons. Bard tried to speak to the man with the wooden spear, but someone on horseback approached. It would be better to greet that man. The person who had arrived was a young knight, surprisingly. He stopped his horse in front of Bard and the others. Despite his unkempt appearance and long hair and beard, he carried himself with strength and dignity.

“I can’t believe it. Sir Bard? And Sir Godon?”

He spoke, and as Bard looked closely at his face and heard his voice, he remembered. And when he saw the sword at his waist, he knew the man’s true identity.

Garkus Ragoras. (t/n: check v1e10. wanted to rename him to Garkus Lagoras, but decided to stick with his earlier naming)

It was seven years ago. Bard, Godon, and Jurchaga were traveling together. They had met Maura of Lujura-Tiant at Lord Enzaia’s castle and had stopped at Shesa Village on their way to send Maura to the Misty Valley. The eldest son of the village lord was a young boy named Ousa. At Ousa’s request, they had faked the boy’s death. This way, his younger brother could inherit the lordship without causing any trouble. Ousa had set off on a journey alone, and the man who had joined him as an escort was this knight, Garkus Ragoras.

Bard and Godon rejoiced at the reunion with Garkus. Bard explained that they had stopped by the village on a whim during their journey. Garkus assured the others, “There’s no need to worry. These people are guests of our lord. Everyone, please return to your farming duties,” he ordered, leading the group to a house located deep within the village.

3

“Hello, Sir Bard. It’s truly a reunion. I’m glad. I apologize for my appearance. I’ve been feeling under the weather,” said Ousa, showing a weary smile. He was supposed to be nineteen now, but with his large build and firm demeanor, he looked more like twenty-four or twenty-five. Taranka and Carla were surprised to learn that he was almost the same age as them.

Seven years ago, after parting ways with Bard and the others, Ousa and Garkus arrived in this village. They stayed in the village, helping the villagers by hunting wild beasts, advising on how to build fences and prepare for wild beasts, and were eventually asked by the villagers to become their lord. He even changed his name. He is now known as Temperoid Gari. The village is called Agis.

There is a salt lake in the mountains not far from here, and salt can be obtained from its shores. Garkus goes to Krausk with furs a few times a year to obtain metal products and cloth. Life is not easy, but they manage.

The villagers are probably outcast or people who was chased away from other villages or towns. It’s common for such people to come together and create a village on the outskirts. It’s rare for a village to be so deep in the frontier. Such villages have no future. They gradually become poorer and eventually disappear for some reason. The frontier is a harsh place for people. This village is doing okay, but its future is not bright.

Bard and the others were going to stay in the village of Agis. Godon, Karz, and Quinta went hunting. They will bring back meat and fur as a token of gratitude for letting them stay. Garkus also had some business to attend to, leaving Bard, Taranka, and Carla behind to talk to Temperoid. Throughout the conversation, Carla seemed concerned about Temperoid. Finally, she said, “Excuse me,” and approached the bed to examine Temperoid. She seemed experienced. Perhaps she has some medical knowledge.

“Take a deep breath and exhale,” she said, smelling Temperoid’s breath. She frowned.

“His organs are beginning to rot. But it’s strange. His whole body is healthy, yet his organs are rotting first. It’s as if he’s been continuously drinking poison.”

Carla’s words made the atmosphere in the room tense. For a while, no one spoke. Taranka broke the silence.

“Lord Temperoid, could you tell us what you consumed yesterday?”

“Hmm. I woke up and drank water. Then I had breakfast. After that, it was dinner. Oh, and I had tea at noon and in the evening.”

“Did you prepare breakfast and dinner for multiple people at once, or was it specially made for you, Lord Temperoid?”

“About eight people eat in this house, and I prepare food for all of them together.”

“I see. Carla.”

“What?”

“If it’s poison, would he notice if it’s mixed in the water?”

“It depends on the type of poison. But it has a smell and would cause discomfort, I think.”

“Then, the tea is suspicious.”

It turns out that tea is a luxury in this village, and Temperoid drinks it every day as a substitute for medicine. Naturally, the tea is brewed in a special container, and only Temperoid drinks it. It has been the job of a certain man to brew the tea for some time now.