Chapter 130. The Guest Who Arrived First (1)

In the story, it's known now that the 'Sword Saint's' transcendent nobility is merely an illusion crafted by the 'Player's' choice.

However, within the world of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, the Sword Saint is just another person living in this world.

He is human too.

Honest about his desires.

Chasing power.

And like me, he is a human who fears 'death'.

'But seriously... was he really like this?'

Once again, I shifted my gaze to the book authored by the 'Sword Saint'.

A book written purely to mock the opponent.

Reading it, it's both refreshing and remarkable.

"So, where should I seek the Sword Saint's teachings?"

The student of the Sword Saint is 'Yulian', not me.

My 'body' just moves instinctively, not with my intentions, which is sometimes frustrating.

That's why I tried, at least through reading, to learn by self-study.

I had one sole reason for thinking this way.

Because I felt inadequate.

Especially in battles against Kolparan's mercenaries.

There were awkward and unnatural movements, and although letting my guard down was a significant factor, I was caught off guard.

It was indeed a situation where I could have died due to magic.

After much contemplation, I realized that I needed the teachings of the Sword Saint, so I visited the library to seek his writings and study them, but...

Damn it all!

I overlooked the fact that even the Sword Saint had a youthful, naïve phase.

'It would be nice if there were traces, like where Yulian had fought.'

While I'm attempting to 'mimic,' how much difference is there in true skill?

And how different would it be?

Just as such questions were arising in my heart.

"Ah, there is."

It came to mind. That place.

'Before I came here, the place where Yulian had fought a high-rank demon.'

Back then, because 'Yulian' injured his head, he pretended to have 'amnesia', enduring a lot.

'That place still exists.'

After closing the book, I stood from my seat.

There are many things I need to organize if I'm to go there.

Oh, and as I put the book by the Sword Saint back on the shelf, I didn't forget to add a harsh word.

'Crazy bastard.'

***

In reality, I know the timing isn't right.

Leaving the capital now means I can't predict what might happen in my absence.

However, the surging desire prevented me from making rational decisions.

My yearning to quickly verify the 'traces' there was overwhelmingly large.

"Therefore, I'll be taking a leave of absence. Lady Ordwin."

I knew that Yulian always pursued what he wanted to do and that this was his principle.

But I should at least report since I'm leaving for personal matters, not a mission, right?

"... You need vacation time?"

Ordwin, sitting in the office, looked up at me with an indifferent expression.

Hey! Come on, really?

Even I want to rest when I'm exhausted and weary.

"Wasn't it always you who took a break when you wanted to and worked when you felt like it? Asking for vacation is novel."

I became acutely aware again, understanding, like always, that the vibes were 'do as you please'.

Yulian, you incorrigible bastard.

Ordwin, looking as if she'd given up, suddenly leaned her elbows on the desk, resting her chin in her hands.

"Still, I'd like to hear the reason. In case the secretariat asks, I need a good excuse."

At Ordwin's question, I pretended to ponder for a moment before giving the prepared answer.

"If I must say, it's a journey in search of 'self'."

"...... Self-reflection, Yulian? You?"

"Considering someone your age is studying how to grow taller, don't you think?"

Ordwin initially made a bewildered expression, soon glaring at me fiercely.

"Are you leaving the capital?"

"Yes."

"Your destination?"

"You're asking quite a lot. Don't I deserve some privacy?"

"... Who was it that ignored such privacy and enforced Imperial regulations?"

After deliberately brazen attempts, I eventually answered her.

"The northern part of the Empire."

"... The north?"

As I nodded, Ordwin's eyes shimmered with a peculiar glint.

"You're not going to meet the 3rd prince, are you?"

It's understandable why she reacts this way.

The north of the Empire.

That is, the Northern Front is one of the Empire's most dangerous regions.

Monsters and demons invade almost daily.

Harsh cold, constant shortages of supplies and resources.

It's also where Yulian and the Sword Saint initially had significant actions.

Now, it's a place where the 3rd prince, blinded by the throne succession, stays to seize control of the military.

"Of course not. I'm not that foolish."

"... Phew, that's a relief. 'Blind Eyes' must remain neutral. If it were a mission, it'd be different, but meeting the princes for personal matters... is not an option!"

After organizing her thoughts, Ordwin shook her head left and right.

"The one to face difficulties would be me alone, wouldn't it? Anyway, I'm just holding a hollow title of the commander."

While her words were very self-deprecating, Ordwin seemed unfazed.

"Well, lady Ordwin's 'commander' title isn't empty by name."

She was unfazed when speaking self-deprecatingly, but as soon as I affirmed her words, she seemed a little irritated.

"No, not that..."

"I'll be off now. Handle the leave well, please."

In a hurry to escape her piercing stare, I quickly left the office.

***

Since I was leaving the capital and all, I thought it wise to tell Pintel.

There might be incidents in my absence.

"The north, you say!? Suddenly, for what reason...?"

"I have something to find."

Technically, it's to recall the teachings of the 'Sword Saint', but since it's hard to explain, I gave a vague answer.

"Then I shall accompany you!"

Ah, figured he'd say that.

He started insisting, flaring up about how he couldn't let me go alone to such dangerous places and so forth.

Trying to ease the pounding headache, I gently coax him.

"It's fine. You have tasks here, don't you?"

"... Tasks, you say?"

"For our cause, you need to stay."

'For the cause.'

That word seemed to strike a chord with Pintel, who quickly showed a moved expression.

"... If Sir Yulian insists, I understand."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"Th-then how about at least taking some guards with you!?"

Why would I take guards, you idiot!

Are you planning to announce everywhere that I'm not in the capital?

Though it wasn't something to be irked about, I felt unreasonably irritated.

"Do you not trust me?"

"... Not at all. I apologize if I offended you."

At my cold response, Pintel immediately lowered his head, apologizing.

"But if something happens to Sir Yulian, all plans will go up in smoke. Now... those gathered for the rebellion, including Lady Eleanor the Archbishop, they all believe in Sir Yulian."

Pintel was determined this time, showing a face that said he couldn't back down on this.

"A messenger, at least, you should take one. On this, I too... cannot relent."

Resolved words from Pintel.

Hearing his firm tone, I couldn't help but sigh internally.

'Anyone seeing this would think I'm the High Pontiff.'

Not yet, but that seems to be the case in Pintel's mind.

I neither wish to nor want to be.

***

"Is that why I'm here now?"

A blunt voice came from behind, prompting me to turn my gaze.

There stood a burly man with a scarred eye.

Once known as 'Strong Arm Felkhor', he sat on a horse, looking at me with a grouchy expression.

"Yes, indeed. It's naturally the monsignor's duty to protect a bishop, right?"

"That's true, but why me..."

Why indeed, it was a trap.

Felkhor was the one Pintel forced me to take with me.

The other 'Monsignors' of the Dawn Society aren't in my grasp or Pintel's sphere of influence yet.

But this guy was relatively easy to manage and had ties with me, which led Pintel to proceed in this manner.

"So, where in the north are you headed? Surely not the Northern Front..."

"Correct, it's not the Northern Front. It's the Firente Gorge before reaching it."

"Firente Gorge... Isn't that where Sir Yulian previously exterminated a demon? Where you lost your memory due to a head injury..."

He seems surprisingly well-informed.

Mentioning the place brought out information from him effortlessly, slightly surprising me.

Ah! Come to think of it, this guy.

He was once burning with revenge against me, wasn't he?

So that's why he knows so much detailed information about me.

"In that case, we could arrive by tomorrow. Do we have to camp along the way? There are no villages from the capital to Firente Gorge, are there?"

Felkhor grimaced at the thought of camping.

Understandable, I dislike it too.

But fortunately.

"No, we don't have to camp. There's a village before we reach the gorge."

"... A village? To my knowledge, the villages closer to the gorge are nearer to the Northern Front."

Exactly.

In this world setting, villages without 'resonance stones' can't be easily formed.

But very small villages can, even without 'resonance stones'.

The residual thoughts of demons are indeed drawn to places where 'humans' gather, but if the numbers are small, they sometimes simply ignore them.

'As long as it's just a non-cognizant demon, soldiers with a fair amount of experience should be able to handle it to some extent.'

Thanks to that, small settlements exist that are not formally recognized by the Empire.

I too... in which playthrough was it?

I barely discovered it after clearing the game a few hundred times; it's understandable that those living there wouldn't know.

"There's a village not marked on the map."

"Doesn't that mean... it could be filled with shady people?"

Of course.

Having soldiers powerful enough to fend off 'demons' but not recognized by the Emperor means they're no ordinary folks.

"Not at all. It's a decent place."

***

Embarking on a journey to find the place where Yulian once battled a 'demon', I didn't expect to end up here.

No, I somewhat expected it. I don't want to camp out, after all.

'The Village of the Vagabonds.'

It's a settlement created by soldiers who fled from the Northern Front and couldn't enter any cities.

Although it was formed by 'vagabond' soldiers who were once regular soldiers, considering the things they did to make a living...

It's no exaggeration to call them 'felons'.

"Ha ha ha, I never imagined a 'guest' would walk here on their own!"

Upon entering the village of the vagabonds, a man with a rough, even grotesque appearance, greeted us with loud laughter.

Turning my head, I saw Felkhor looking around warily.

He suddenly approached me with quick steps and quietly whispered.

"Is this a fine place?"

He seemed slightly nervous, given how unusual the behavior of those who came out to greet us was.

"It's fine. These people just have a 'special' profession; they have their methods of making a living."

"... Special?"

"Yes, they are bandits."

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