Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - One Who Understands Three Worlds (10)

Even for night, the village is excessively quiet. Even the windows are all tightly shut.

"Are all the children hidden?"

"Yes. But shouldn't we just pack our bags and run away?"

The villagers couldn't sleep even if they lay down due to their thumping hearts. Having lived peacefully for a long time, they couldn't believe the current situation.

"Honey, they aren't ordinary bandits. They were all on horseback. We might all die at this rate."

"Wait. It's true they aren't ordinary, but they are definitely not bandits."

The husband maintained his composure despite his wife's urging. If one went out pointlessly while everyone was holding their breath at home and caught someone's eye, they might be the representative to get stabbed.

Judging by the cavalry's equipment and manner of speech, they were far from bandits obsessed with pillaging.

Above all, those eyes glowing in the darkness! They recalled the women the monastery had paraded through the village a few days ago in a public trial.

"They won't be after us. Let's just lie low quietly."

Such was the judgment passed by the head of this household.

Of course, there were also households that couldn't contain their curiosity and tried to peek at the situation outside.

Screeech.

A window opened slowly at the sound of Eugene and Homi passing by.

"Gahhh!"

At that moment, screams and the sound of weapons clashing could be heard from the monastery.

Thud!

The window slammed shut like lightning.

"Hyahhh!"

"Yeahhh!"

Followed by cheers as well. It seemed Marcus's group, having escaped the underground dungeon, had joined up with the shield-bearers.

When Eugene and Homi reached the village entrance, two vigilantes were lying on the ground.

"Both are alive. They certainly seemed like gentlemen."

Seeing as there was no blood flowing on the ground, they seemed to have been hit by blunt weapons and knocked unconscious.

Passing even them, their feet stepped upon the wild land overgrown with weeds.

They had stepped on it countless times until now, but today it felt even more special. One could call it an entrance toward a new world.

"Doesn't even the taste of the air feel different?"

"?"

Homi looked at him with a questioning face.

"Let's return to the cabin first. There are many things too precious to leave behind."

Nod.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves was heard from behind. Without a doubt, it was Marcus's party.

The elite were indeed elite. As soon as they secured the women, they collected the forces in confrontation and made a swift exit.

Whether they dealt a heavy blow to the priests, there were no signs of pursuit. Only the shouts echoing from the monastery rang out loudly.

"Stop. They aren't enemies for now."

He restrained Homi, who was trying to pull out her crossbow and take a wary stance.

One could tell just from dealing with them briefly. They weren't scoundrels who would return a favor with a grudge.

Even if his judgment was wrong, there was no need to unnecessarily give the cavalry a reason to be wary on the plains.

"Sir Eugene."

Marcus, who was at the lead, greeted him.

"I couldn't even greet you properly earlier as I was flustered. I shall introduce myself formally. My name is Marcus, the head of the Pierce family."

"As I said, I am Eugene Mayer."

"..."

"...?"

Marcus stared blankly at him.

"Is that all?"

"It is."

"I thought that for a renowned knight of your caliber, there would be many things to introduce, such as achievements earned."

Aaron, next to Marcus, nodded as if it were natural. He seemed to have already forgotten the grudge of being struck and sent flying.

"Ah, that was it."

Knights are existences like moths flying into the flame before honor and glory. If there was even something small to decorate their name with, they would surely say it.

Among veteran knights, there are many who are embarrassed of related dark pasts.

Such as proudly introducing having caught a single goblin or kobold in their youth behind their name.

"I appreciate you evaluating me highly, but I am a novice who was knighted only a few days ago. I don't have anything worth bragging about yet."

Tap, tap.

Homi touched the back of Eugene's hand from the side.

She pushed up her nose with her finger to make a pig nose, which seemed to mean 'Why aren't you mentioning hunting the monster wild boar?'

But what could he do? There were no witnesses, and 'Wild Boar Slayer' isn't a very cool title.

"Knighted a few days ago? If so, that means you received it here."

A single name immediately surfaced in Marcus's mind.

"Can it be, you are Sir Godfrey's...?"

"So you know my master."

"Isn't that obvious! As expected, you have inherited his true legacy."

Marcus and all his subordinates looked at Eugene with faces even more full of awe.

Until now, he was a mysterious knight with monstrous strength, but now the halo of being the successor to the Prophetic Knight was added.

"Uuuuuh."

Behind them, a girl appeared on a horse. To be precise, her body was fixed with rope to the back of the cavalryman riding in front.

It was Maria, Marcus's younger sister and the rescue target. She shook her head, frowning as if suffering from an intense hangover.

"It seems you were sleeping soundly after a long time, so close your eyes. We will take you safely."

Even as Marcus spoke worriedly, Maria stubbornly opened her eyes.

"What an amazing mental fortitude."

"Thank you. She is my sister, but a child I am truly proud of."

Marcus rejoiced at Eugene's praise. Although his sister was a great help to the family, she was undervalued even more than himself.

But since the knight before his eyes acknowledged her, it felt as though that sorrow was being compensated.

Eugene was talking about her enduring the sleeping pills he fed her, but Marcus took it as praise for her insomnia and the arduous life as a prisoner.

"The preparation... things..."

"Yes, My Lady."

Another cavalryman led a horse by its reins and approached.

"That horse... take it."

Maria said.

The cavalryman dismounted and held out the horse's reins with both hands, but Eugene merely looked at it without reaching out.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

"A reward... for what I received."

After spitting out those words, Maria, whose head dropped as if she were about to doze off, raised it again with difficulty.

"Food for the maids, blood, help with the escape... I should give at least this much."

Thud.

Maria, who was struggling to lift her eyes, fell asleep with those final words.

"Hmm."

Honestly, it was very tempting. Wouldn't one be a true knight only after riding a horse?

The armor his master left was excellent, he had two weapons, and even an able squire was with him. The last remaining puzzle piece and the largest fragment right now was a horse.

Whether one is riding a horse or not changes the opponent's reaction in numerous encounters.

From a peddler seen on the road, to a village to escape the night dew, even to the guards guarding the entrance when entering a city.

At the very least, when selling his martial power to earn money, his market value would jump significantly.

"I heard the story from Maria. How gallantly you treated my sister and the maids, even providing a precious treat to the weakened Maria. Added to that, your mercy in not killing my subordinates and the debt of helping with the escape. Sir, you are qualified to receive that horse."

"If you go as far as to say that, I shall receive it with gratitude."

Eugene grabbed the horse's reins.

Declining once is enough. Hearing the story, it seemed he had done enough to earn the price of the horse in his own way.

Furthermore, Marcus didn't seem to be the type to act petty about such things later.

Doro-rong~.

"It's been a truly long time since I've heard my sister's snoring."

Marcus, who laughed brightly, raised his arm and ordered the withdrawal.

"That horse's name is Might. Then, Sir Eugene, may we meet again someday!"

"I am Aaron Tight. I shall look forward to the day I can honorably stand side-by-side with Sir."

Marcus, Aaron, and the soldiers left after making a mounted salute.

Eugene, left behind, stroked the horse's mane. A sturdy physique and calm eyes; its coat also had a sheen, perhaps from being well-fed. It was a guy that had received proper training and management as a warhorse.

"Master used to say it often. That there are few horses as good as the warhorses of Barcia."

Snort.

Might also seemed to like his new owner, as he let out a pleasant snort and rubbed his face against him.

Homi was standing a short distance away with her hands clasped.

"You look even happier than me."

Homi giggled. She knew how great a knight her lord was destined to be.

Every time he went around on foot, her heart always ached.

The sight of her lord overlooking the world from atop a horse would be more gallant than anyone. That was a right he deserved to enjoy. To a backwater squire and herbalist, even an ordinary horse was too expensive, much less a warhorse.

But that wish had come true.

"I shall ask you once more, will you follow me on the journey ahead?"

Instead of answering, Homi politely knelt on one knee.

Chu!

She grabbed the back of Eugene's hand and offered a deep kiss.

"I look forward to our future together."

Her thick silver tail wagged excitedly. Homi, too, was looking forward to the moment of the journey that would someday come. Because her wild nature refused to be tied down to one place.

As Eugene climbed onto the horse, Homi moved here and there, looking up at him from various angles.

"Get on quickly. Let's go to the cabin, pack our things, and leave. It'll get annoying in many ways once day breaks."

Nod.

Homi jumped up lightly and rode behind Eugene. She buried her face in his dependable back and hugged his chest.

As they headed toward the cabin together on the horse, they could see flames rising from the monastery.

"I wondered why the priests weren't pursuing, and it seems there was a reason."

It appeared Marcus's party had set fires here and there as they escaped.

Since the monastery was built loftily and isolated from the surrounding buildings, there was no possibility of the fire spreading.

"■■■■ ■■ ■■■"

A few priests ran out and were shouting something, but the residents still seemed frightened, as they kept their doors locked and didn't come out.

Tending to the groaning wounded, drawing water and splashing it—the priests must be having a hellish time, but it wasn't his business.

Thanks to that, he could climb toward the cabin while appreciating the bonfire with a pleasant heart.

* * *

Arriving, the two quickly packed their things. They had pre-sorted what was necessary, so preparation was over in an instant.

First was wealth.

He steadfastly refused the money his master tried to give earlier.

-Your master has collected a lot during his days as a knight, even if it might not look like it. So without declining...

-Homi and I have healthy bodies and are good at both hunting and gathering. There will be plenty of ways to earn money in the future, so please take good care of your own body, Master. Please eat lots of good things and sleep in a comfortable and warm place.

-Do you think a comfortable pilgrimage makes sense?

-Why shouldn't it? Without a disciple to nurse you, it will be a big problem if arthritis hits.

-Listen to you talk.

Eugene also had spoils obtained from receiving various requests or repelling bandits. Homi, too, had collected money through hunting and gathering.

Added to that, they packed high-grade herbs that were easy to preserve for long periods and good for cashing out.

Powder with an awakening effect, hemostatic agents, medicine to repel pests—all travel essentials went into Homi's pack.

Food for a reasonably long time, such as rabbit, wild bird, and roe deer jerky, dried fruit, dried rations, and rock salt, was also there.

Prepared like a squire, Homi helped Eugene into his armor and draped a cloak to block the cold and dew; preparation was finished.

Completing the task, the two stepped out of the cabin.

"It is a true farewell now."

Eugene looked alternately at the cabin filled with memories, the monastery still burning fiercely, and the direction where his mother's remains were buried before climbing onto his horse.

'Where shall we go?'

Homi asked in sign language.

"Well, I suppose we should head east?"

Kingdom's End is at the southern tip of the Gord Kingdom, a nation of warriors, and on the southwestern side of the continent.

To the west from here was out of the question, as lush and dangerous forests stretched endlessly. The monster wild boar they faced a few days ago was also an uninvited guest from there.

To the south and southeast was where the Samur desert had established its presence. They would get lost and die of dehydration before reaching the trade routes where caravans pass.

To the north was Homi's gathering site, where a massive mountain range stood.

If they went straight up, the territory of Gord would appear, but crossing the mountain range in this state was no different from madness.

In the end, only the east remained. Godfrey and Marcus's party must have come and gone through there as well. A backwater is, after all, a backwater because it is surrounded by rough terrain on all sides.

"Let's go! To Bonyard City."

If they followed the eastern road, Bonyard, a historic free city and the bridgehead to move toward the center of the continent, would appear.

Thus, the knight and squire left their hometown, Kingdom's End.

* * *

Four days of traveling along the road. At this speed, it seemed they would arrive at the city in three more days.

'Could the priests be pursuing us? Should we increase our speed more?'

Homi asked in sign language.

"There's no need to worry. They must be exhausted from fighting and firefighting; would they even care about the likes of us? They'll just be trembling in rage at the unidentified enemies."

'I suppose so.'

Eugene stroked his chin.

"If possible, I'd like the Sealed Chamber to have burned down completely as well."

Homi giggled and laughed.

It seemed Marcus's party had left the road and traveled secretly through the forest. Homi had smelled the horse dung left in the grass, so it was certain.

"I was tense thinking it would be a struggle, but it's becoming a smooth journey thanks to you."

Homi, walking beside the horse, smiled brightly.

Even when standing watch at night, the difference between doing it alone and sharing it with two people was as vast as heaven and earth.

"Tell me whenever you are tired. I will let you ride and I will get down."

Homi shook her head.

Perhaps because she had inherited the thick blood of a Beastkin, her physical strength was good, so she had no problem matching the pace of the mounted Eugene.

Walking with her tail wagging was like taking a puppy for a walk.

Stop!

That tail suddenly stopped. Because people resting in the distance had appeared.

"They aren't merchants."

There were no carts or wagons loaded with goods.

'They aren't herbalists or hunters either.'

Homi said in sign language.

If they were going to gather or hunt, they would operate near Bonyard; there was no reason to come deep into a backwater like Kingdom's End.

Above all, they were armed. Though from afar, it seemed to be a pitiful level.