Episode 58: The Rescued Young Man
“Ugh… guh!”
“Oh, he’s awake.”
“Claffy-sama, please remain vigilant.”
The man grimaced, still wary of us.
“This smell…”
“It’s the smell of burning thieves. Can’t say it’s a pleasant aroma.”
“We did burn quite a few other things as well.”
“Thieves… That’s right. Lion Fang’s!”
“We wiped them out. This used to be their base. You were being held captive, but why?”
“…I… I see, so I wasn’t killed.”
“Don’t just go figuring things out on your own. I used a valuable healing potion on you, you know.”
“My injuries! So, I was saved… Thank you.”
Barbatos, who had been silently on guard until now, finally released her grip on the saber’s hilt. Though she was still cautious.
“Finally, words of gratitude.”
“Ah! I’m truly ashamed. I’m really grateful for the help.”
He bowed deeply.
He was probably still exhausted, but it seemed like we could talk to him. I poured water into a cup and handed it to him. He immediately drained it, so I poured him another.
“If you’re feeling alright, we should move. This much blood will attract Monsters.”
“Ride the Kamoshika. I’ll lead it.”
“I’m grateful for everything. What about my weapons?”
“We recovered what we believe are yours. But I can’t return them just yet.”
“…I understand. Understood.”
He seemed willing to follow instructions, so he mounted the Kamoshika.
I also got on a Kamoshika, and Barbatos led his Kamoshika, as he was still exhausted.
We moved while keeping an eye out for nocturnal Monsters. I knew the surrounding terrain, so we moved to a place suitable for camping.
We prepared the area so we could rest properly.
“This is amazing.”
“I have a Magic Bag, you see.”
I set up Monster Repellent Sachets and pitched a tent. I started a fire, warmed up a frying pan, and prepared a light meal.
I was more accustomed to this kind of work than Barbatos, the Knight.
“May I ask your name?”
“…Krimlock, a Fourth-Rank Adventurer.”
“I am Barbatos. And that is Claffy-sama.”
“…Claffy-sama? Is he a noble or something?”
“Let’s just say it’s a secret.”
I wished Barbatos could drop the “-sama” and the polite language, but it didn’t seem likely. Trying to cover it up would only make things more conspicuous, so I decided to leave it as it was. ‘My Lord’ would have been worse. It was fortunate that I didn’t have any acquaintances here.
“So, why were you captured?”
“…Glaive is my father.”
“Oh?”
Oh?
“Well, I didn’t know until recently, but I found out during an investigation for the Lord… My mother confirmed it too. And then she told me, ‘If you don’t want to become a Bounty Head yourself, bring me your father’s head.'”
“Wow.”
“To think such a person is a Lord.”
I listened to their conversation while stir-frying vegetables in the frying pan. After seasoning them lightly with salt, I added the meat.
“My mother and comrades were taken hostage. I had no choice but to come to Glaive’s place, and that’s what happened. Apparently, he recognized me as his son, so he didn’t kill me, but it was probably only a matter of time.”
I transferred the stir-fried vegetables and meat to a pot and added water. I was using charcoal instead of firewood, so it would take a while.
“Did you take his head?”
“Yes.”
“In that case, may I accompany you when you submit it to the Guild? After that, we’ll go to the Lord’s mansion.”
“…That means we’ll have to go to the Guild in the capital.”
“Ah, that’s right. Is it far?”
“Don’t you know?”
“I just got here.”
“It took me two days alone on horseback… without sleeping.”
He must have been in a hurry.
“The horse ran away.”
“They’re afraid of Kamoshika.”
Actually, I brought it back to the base.
“I see, well, it can’t be helped. I’ll run.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m trained.”
Was he sure, considering he was recovering from his injuries? Healing the wounds didn’t replenish the lost blood.
“Well then, eat well and get some rest. If solid food is too much, just drink the soup.”
“Thank you. It looks delicious.”
After that, I had him rest in the tent. Barbatos, Houryuu hiding in the shadows, and I kept watch.
I also needed to return to the other side to gather information.
I wondered if he had been able to talk honestly.
“Thank you so much for everything! I’m so grateful!”
“It’s alright. I’m glad your mother and comrades are safe.”
“I’m so relieved.”
“It’s all thanks to the Guild’s actions.”
“Indeed. It’s good to know that being serious pays off.”
Before we arrived in the capital, Krimlock’s mother and her two companions had already been taken into protective custody by the Adventurer’s Guild.
They had apparently been motivated by the fact that Krimlock was young, serious about completing requests, and well-regarded by those around him, and they couldn’t allow him to become a Bounty Head.
As if that wasn’t enough, various rumors, including evidence of the Lord and his family’s past misdeeds and the truth about the ongoing mistreatment of Krimlock, were circulating in the capital and in every town and village within the domain.
This is what it means to make an enemy of the Adventurer’s Guild. Eventually, this Lord would be replaced.
“It’s all thanks to Barbatos-san for defeating him.”
“Ho ho ho, but I was scolded for it in return.”
“Haha, well… that’s to be expected.”
He was a newly registered Adventurer, and even though he had skipped ranks, he was still only an Eighth-Rank Adventurer. There was no way he could have defeated someone who was a former Third-Rank Adventurer and had nearly 40 mercenaries under his command.
That was a job for the top Adventurers, First or Second Rank. The bounty was cheap for that, but that was a problem for the country or Lord who had offered the reward.
In fact, Barbatos’s Adventurer Rank was raised to Fifth Rank. She had been made to spar a little at the Guild for the rank promotion. Of course, she had won.
Moreover, there were opinions that her actual strength was even higher, but she was a man who had only delivered an Armor Bear once and had no other achievements. They couldn’t raise his rank that drastically.
“I was fascinated by the wonderful swordsmanship I saw at the Guild! I would love to ask you to teach me!”
“Ho ho ho, I don’t have anything worth teaching. You already have your own sword, don’t you? Learning my sword now would only make you mediocre.”
“I see, is that so? But! At least a mock battle!”
Hmm, he wouldn’t back down.
“Well then, how about I teach that little boy over there magic? In exchange, Barbatos-san can be Krimlock’s sword sparring partner?”
“Me?”
“Yes. Amazing Magical Power! You definitely have talent!”
Hey, don’t burst out laughing, Barbatos.
“…I see. Well, that’s fine. I don’t have much time.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m used to using magic.”
“There are limits to self-study, you know? Well, I can’t force you.”
As she said that, the female magician narrowed her eyes. She didn’t have magic eyes at the level of a Magic Eye, but she probably had eyes that could sense Magical Power.
“Then we’ll be going now. We’ll be in the capital for a while, but we’ll be moving soon.”
“Yeah.”
Thanks to the information we were able to obtain, our next goal was decided.
Now, let’s buy some slaves!