Gathering Companions VI
“Six months ago, our village was suddenly attacked by a horde of monsters. Everyone picked up their weapons and fought desperately, but in the end, we were exhausted by a monster the size of a mountain and a multitude of demons. They killed everyone. I was told by my brother and sister that I was the hope of our village, and they helped me escape, but I had nowhere to go and no one I could trust. I was just trying to scavenge food and water for that day when… two weeks ago, a human adorned with jewels and the demons who attacked our village surrounded me and captured me. After that, I was restrained and priced, and while I struggled to escape, one of the demons showed me your face and said, ‘Kill the hero, or you will suffer worse than death.'”
The story I gathered from Rio, a 24-year-old black lion beastkin woman, was like this. I was surprised to learn that she was four years older than me, as she had a petite and youthful appearance. However, I understood that she had been caught up in events I often encountered during my time as a hero.
I could sympathize with her, but I chose not to. In this day and age, there are many who suffer similar fates, perhaps even more. In places where no one can fight back, a single monster can attack, and everyone can be devoured without a trace. Therefore, I do not deny the feelings of sorrow, hatred, or the desire for revenge, but I also do not feel pity for those who survived, whether it is misfortune or fortune.
As for the whereabouts of Rio’s brother and sister… they are reportedly restrained in a dim underground area at the very edge of the castle town, bound by chains and collars. Based on her description, it seems to be the black market where Stella was supposed to guide me soon. I had thought it was a place that dealt in special circumstances that couldn’t be sold on the surface, and while the royal family doesn’t openly declare it, they tacitly approve of it. However, it seems something may have gone awry somewhere.
If I had the privileges of a hero, I could have launched a bold attack in broad daylight, but unfortunately, I am just a mere hero, so I found myself at a standstill. Well, that was until I remembered the connections I could quickly reach out to.
“… We can’t move yet.”
“Ah, I fully understand that. Given the fact that the king has approved it, we can’t launch an attack either, and carelessly doing so might involve innocent nobles and merchants who are just participants.”
“Indeed. So what do we do? Even if the demons are involved, they might escape while we are still investigating the facts.”
“Yes, I understand that as well.”
Thus, I was discussing this with Lyude Faritia, the Knight Commander and Fana’s father. I believe we should hold a meticulous strategy meeting, but since I have no idea how long Rio has until her task of killing me is due, time is of the essence.
So, without much time to think, I cut one of the quick methods available to us and, in the process, communicated how we could intervene publicly. The moment the populace starts to stir about what happened, we would have the knights intervene and handle the finer details. For the larger reasons, I would utilize the trust I had built up, which pains me to make public.
“We have a way to intervene publicly with our quick hand.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rio, I will have the beastkin who was tasked with killing me carry me. Of course, to make it look like a real corpse, I will need to slash my side and neck to create a bleeding state while also stopping my breathing. If I can be brought into their stronghold like that, it would be perfect. If not, I will have Fana and Stella, who will be waiting at a distance, intervene and cause a ruckus to find and destroy their stronghold.”
“… It’s rational, but can it be done?”
“I have ample experience in playing dead. As long as the one behind me isn’t a Demon Lord’s Army Executive, there shouldn’t be any issues. If it is a Demon Lord’s Army Executive, I will use the potion I have prepared, pretending that Rio took it from me, to heal and then kill them.”
“Hmm… If that’s the case, then it allows Stella and Fana to intervene since I was attacked. Furthermore, we can formally declare that you, who have done us a great favor, was nearly killed, allowing us to capture those involved.”
“Exactly. If I had a record of winning battles without getting hurt, I couldn’t pull this off, but unfortunately, I’ve been injured quite a bit… Anyone who knows me would understand.”
“That point is not an issue. In fact, the fact that you were gravely injured would tighten the resolve of the knights who might have been getting lax, thinking victory was near.”
“Is that so? Then that’s good.”
Thus, my corpse became the quick method.
Among them, the fact that I am not a hero has not yet spread, so they likely believe I am still a hero. And in this world, I am the one who has killed the most of them, making me a thorn in the side of those greedy bastards.
That’s why, if I create wounds that won’t kill me and forge my corpse, they will believe it and reveal their true nature and stronghold. Once that happens, I can resurrect and kill them all, retrieve Rio’s brother and sister, and deliver the heads to the knights, thus resolving the situation.
If they refuse to expose their stronghold, then I can rampage around that area. There was no sign of habitation, and even if there were, it would likely be those with a guilty conscience who couldn’t be in slums or impoverished areas. If I end up involving them, so be it; I will bury them respectfully and pray for their peace.
Even if I accomplish that, there are still concerns—points that cannot be completely resolved. The massive monster that dealt the final blow to Rio’s village should be nearby, but since I cannot see it, it must be hiding or still lurking in the beastkin village.
Well, I can deal with that later. If I ask Rio what she wants to do and she says she wants it dead, I will send her out. If she wants me to kill it, I will demand a reward before tracking it down and killing it.
“Then, will you relay the message?”
“Ah, leave it to me. Are you moving right away?”
“First, I’ll talk to Fana and Stella, and then I’ll inform Hermes, who made a reservation for us. I’ll probably start moving just before or right after evening.”
“Hmm… Hermes is a merchant favored by the king, right?”
“Yes, that seems to be the case.”
“Then I will handle the communication from my side. Can you write a letter?”
“… Is that alright?”
“Yes. You’re not sure what will happen to the victims, right? We have the time, so it’s better to act quickly.”
“I’m sorry, I’ll rely on you. What should I write on?”
“Use this.”
It’s Ferno Desire. I apologize for the brevity, but due to various circumstances, we will be destroying the black market that you reserved for us. I’m truly sorry.
Alright, that should do. I’ll explain the details after everything is over and make a formal apology in a proper setting. If necessary, I might even swipe a few items and secretly hand them over, promising to fulfill one request.
… Making such a promise or contract with a merchant is quite frightening, though.
“Is this good?”
“Yes, it’s fine. No problem.”
“Good. Then I’ll start moving.”
“Ah, leave it to me.”
I asked Fana and Stella for help, handed a knife to Rio, and instructed her to slash my side and neck, letting the blood splatter, and then we would move to the designated meeting point with the demons. If everyone comes, that would be perfect; if not, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to let the area with the black market be destroyed.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
“Are you ready? Fana and Stella, you can start moving once I begin to rampage. Until then, just pretend to shop on the main street.”
“Got it.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Alright. Rio, try to show as much desperation as possible, clinging to my body as if you’re throwing yourself out there to act. Also, lend me the knife.”
“Okay, understood. Here.”
“Alright.”
After explaining everything, I restrained Fana, who was about to rush in with excitement, and gave her instructions on how to move. There were questions about whether it was alright to injure myself instead of using fake blood or transfusion blood, but that was rejected for lacking authenticity.
Right now, I need to deceive the demons who attacked Rio, their accomplices, and the knights who will have to intervene without any knowledge, as well as the civilians who will be stirred up nearby. If there’s someone sharp enough to catch on, the plan could fall apart, so I must ensure the authenticity is maintained.
With that in mind, I completed the final checks in a sparsely populated alley, borrowed the knife from Rio, and plunged it into my side, slashing sideways. Ignoring the spurting blood, I pressed the knife against my neck and cut. I might have overdone it; it hurts like hell.
“I’m sorry, pass me a potion. I cut too deep.”
“That’s to be expected; that’s a death-level wound. Here.”
“Thank you… Alright, the neck is sealed. Is there any blood on the ground?”
“None is visible, but it’s flowing too much for the wound to be seen.”
“Then that’s fine. Let’s go, Rio.”
“… Are you sure about this?”
“No problem, I can fight for another ten days after this.”
“!?”
As I felt I might run low on blood, I swallowed some Blood Replenishment Medicine while walking with Rio. The place where the demons demanded a corpse was reportedly a square near the large wall that surrounds the castle town, so we headed there.
In terms of location, there’s a main street with several narrow alleys, and after passing through those, the entrance to the black market is about a three-minute walk from there. It seems that a fountain was initially planned for that area, but due to a lack of materials, time, and water channels, it was abandoned, leaving remnants of that plan. This is a story from 23 kings ago, so its truth is uncertain, but it seems to be a fact that such a tale exists, according to Stella.
“… We’re almost there.”
“Alright. I’ll fall down as planned, so drag me along.”
“… Okay. Is this much blood alright?”
“If you’re unsure, should I add a bit more?”
“It doesn’t feel like I’m resisting.”
“Then it’s fine. Those guys won’t pay attention to such details; as long as there’s blood on them and I’m not breathing, they’ll assume I’m dead.”
“… Understood.”
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
“… I’m counting on you too.”
As Rio indicated we were close, I leaned against the wall of the alley, closed my eyes, and relaxed my entire body. In that state, she grabbed the back of my collar and dragged me toward the designated location.
After being dragged for about ten minutes, I was thrown onto the ground, and I could hear Rio taking a deep breath.
“I killed… them…!”
Her voice sounded as if she was desperately squeezing out words. She might genuinely be exhausted, as her breathing was rough and short, making it feel like she had truly fought hard to kill.
As I listened, I noticed the unmistakable scent and presence of multiple demons, identical to those I had killed. There were no sounds of wings flapping, so they weren’t of the winged variety, and since I heard no footsteps, they likely teleported here. If that’s the case… I won’t be taken to their stronghold.
“Hmph, well done, beast. So even the mighty hero couldn’t react to the deadly blades from trusted citizens, huh? Ha ha ha, how delightful.”
“I killed… them! So hurry!!”
“Ah, right… then die for me.”
See?
“… What? How… is this… different from what we discussed?”
“Shut up, you worthless beast! You’re nothing but filth beneath livestock!!”
“Ugh!!”
“Different from what you expected? Of course! Because all of you will die now!!! Once the hero is gone, exterminating you will be a piece of cake!!!!”
“…”
“What’s wrong? Are you too despairing to speak? Ah, how amusing!!! You worthless scum are entertaining because of this!!! Just dangle the bait, and you move so easily!!!!”
“…”
“Well then, beast. I shall personally kill you for the achievement of slaying the hero.”
It’s time; let’s kill them.
“Then, I’ll—”
“Shut up!”
I interrupted, and the demons froze in shock.
“Can you track their location?”
“Leave it to me.”
“Then track it; I’ll take care of these guys.”
“Understood.”
I crushed the long-winded demon while instructing Rio, who was pretending to crumble from despair, to search for the location where her brother and sister were being held captive.
Then, I locked eyes with the demons who had just recognized my survival and began to flee, stepping forward with a heavy stomp that shook the ground, clenching my fists and swinging with all my might.
A thunderous roar and the sound of destruction.
I obliterated the bodies of the fleeing demons, along with the walls that surrounded the castle town.
This was the signal for Fana and Stella to commence the battle.