Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Village of Fear (2)

#18

“Thank you! Really thank you. You are my life’s benefactor!”

The old man shook Bran’s hand up and down while clasping it.

Moisture formed at the corners of his wrinkled eyes. As if emotions welled up he was almost about to cry.

The wagon that had turned like being dipped in chocolate fondue and taken out was parked behind him.

“My name is Leodorn. Leodorn Belmaier. Please forgive the rudeness a moment ago.”

“I am Bran. It can happen if excited.”

The old man who introduced himself as Leodorn gladly accepted Bran’s proposal.

As expected he was a merchant based in Valkeros.

Hearing Bran’s words, Leodorn burst into a hearty laugh.

“Ohoho, a broad generosity comparable to monstrous strength! Much better than those two!”

Leodorn glared at the escorts.

They were pacing around the swamp while scratching their heads for no reason.

“If you received money you should do your worth, trying a few times and giving up when it doesn’t seem possible··· tsk!”

“Tch, a kid with thick shit once.”

The escorts grumbled while glancing at Bran.

Their face must be a mess.

A greenhorn who suddenly popped out solved a matter that couldn’t be done even with all their strength.

“How did the wagon get stuck?”

“That’s the thing. The mules suddenly changed direction as if scared. It was something I experienced for the first time too.”

Leodorn shrugged.

It seemed some external factor had acted, but he had not discovered the exact cause.

Kale let out an awkward laugh.

“Still it’s fortunate things worked out well. Bran is extremely strong.”

“Fortunate and more! Beautiful like a doll you, what is your name?”

“D-doll··· I’m Kale.”

He was already standing behind Bran.

His mouth was smiling but the fern-like hands were tightly gripping Bran’s collar.

Anyway he has a lot of fear. When will I make this into a tough guy.

“So what is your identity? Looking at the attire it doesn’t seem you’re natives of this place.”

“Just wandering mercenaries.”

“Aha, I see. I thought the body was sturdy somehow.”

Leodorn immediately accepted it.

In this world boys and girls eating sword rice was not a very rare thing.

As long as there was skill anyone regardless of gender or age could become anything.

The girl of the 7th Airborne Mobile Brigade was a representative example.

“So old man. You’re giving us a ride to Valkeros right?”

“Of course! Please become this old man’s travel companion. During the trip to Valkeros I will provide all meals and sleeping places!”

“Uwaa, really?”

Kale’s face brightened greatly.

Although he didn’t show it the journey so far seemed quite hard.

It makes sense. Doing a thousand-li march with this rat-sized body.

Leodorn said.

“Then let’s prepare to depart. It’s a very important item so handle it carefully.”

They began loading the put-down cargo back onto the wagon.

Reconnecting the mules to the wagon, and roughly wiping the mud stuck thickly.

Just as they finished the preparations and were about to depart, the escort with a scar on his face spoke.

“Old man. So which path are you going to take?”

“What?”

“Time has been delayed too so how about just taking the mountain path? The path is a bit narrow but it’s definitely a fast path.”

“Damn, why have you been singing mountain path mountain path since earlier? Leaving the convenient path.”

Leodorn frowned.

Having fixed the wagon too, even Bran thought there was no particular reason to take the mountain path.

This time the escort with a bushy beard opened his mouth.

“Ha··· I wasn’t saying it because I was worried the old man would be anxious but nothing can be done. Recently bandit groups are appearing on the main road they say.”

“B-bandit groups?”

Leodorn flinched.

The bearded escort continued while lowering his voice.

“Even not just riffraff but there’s a rumor it’s the Crow Bandit Group. You’ve at least heard the name Black Feather in Valkeros too right?”

“My god. Crows?!”

“They’re expanding their power recently anyway. I don’t want to believe it either but··· if it’s true we two can’t handle it.”

Leodorn’s face hardened.

As expected Spera was a celebrity.

To instantly intimidate an old man who seemed to have experienced all sorts of things.

The scarred escort giggled while looking at Bran.

“Even country bumpkins like you know that much right? Extremely terrifying guys.”

“Of course. I know better than anyone.”

Bran smiled.

The Crow Bandit Group had been annihilated more than fifteen days ago, even by himself, but he did not bother to point it out.

Maybe remnants really remained and were robbing peddlers.

‘These friends. They have some scheme.’

Of course the possibility it was a made-up excuse was high.

Did they smear honey on the mountain path? What’s there that they’re acting like this?

Curious Bran began to rummage his memory.

South. A mountain path on the way to Valkeros.

“Ah.”

Soon some place flitted through his mind and passed.

It was one of the candidates he would pass through while heading to Valkeros.

Looking at the terrain in reality not a game he got a bit confused.

Bran answered while holding a subtle smile.

“I also think taking the mountain path is good.”

“Uung? You think so too?”

“Yes. Bandit groups are scary.”

When even Bran answered that way Leodorn’s expression became even more serious.

In the end the group took the mountain path not the main road.

Definitely bandits are scary.

Though not compared to what they would face on the mountain path.

****

The sun set.

The wagon was advancing along the mountain path while rattling.

Leodorn was sitting on the driver’s seat.

The two escorts were each riding horses and escorting the rear and side of the wagon.

Seeing they had their own horses they did not seem as mediocre as thought.

Bran was riding in the cargo area with Kale.

“Ehehe, thanks to Bran we’re going comfortably. Really goodaa···.”

Kale who had been rolling left and right smiled foolishly.

The space was not that wide, but since there were walls and a ceiling it was incomparably comfortable compared to camping.

Bran said.

“Rest when you can rest. You’re praying steadily right?”

“Yes. I haven’t missed a day since the day Bran said.”

Kale nodded.

It was referring to the prayer toward Rawiena.

Suddenly the expression of the confident Kale darkened rapidly.

“But still no answer. Am I really a person of the Astraea family?”

“Hmm··· think again. Did you do something that would earn the goddess’s grudge?”

“Grudge? Uuuuum···.”

Kale dragged out the end of his words.

It seemed there was nothing he could guess.

Really strange. What’s the problem.

“Well, anyway don’t worry too much. This time we should be able to resolve it to some extent.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’ll know soon. It’s fortunate we met Uncle Leodorn. Sometimes I think I’m lucky?”

“Uung?”

Kale’s eyes narrowed.

Just as he was about to ask again.

Rumble-!

Suddenly, a roar rang out from outside the wagon.

“Hiiik!”

Kale hunched his shoulders.

It was untimely thunder.

Boooom!

Before they could react rain began to pour.

“Damn. Why is the rain suddenly pouring like this.”

Leodorn spat out a curse.

It’s a tremendous downpour. The sound of raindrops pounding the roof was ringing out fiercely.

It was the southern squall that Bran and Kale had experienced several times.

“I can’t go at all. We need to find a place to avoid the rain.”

Leodorn clicked his tongue.

The wagon that had been advancing precariously stopped.

Because of the rain it was to the point the front could not be seen.

The problem was where to avoid the rain in this kind of wild mountain.

Just as he was anxiously worrying if a landslide would occur.

“Look there, it’s a light!”

One of the escorts shouted.

Everyone’s gaze focused on the direction he pointed.

Indeed lights were gathered closely below the mountain.

A small-scale village that seemed whether the population was a hundred.

“Ooh, god is helping us!”

Leodorn sighed in relief.

Fortunately one side path was connected toward the village.

It was a width just enough for one wagon to pass.

The path was slippery, but the mules passed the side path safely with expert footwork.

Whether they valued security thoroughly a high wooden fence was surrounding the village.

Stopping the wagon in front of the gate, Leodorn shouted loudly.

“Is no one there?! A traveler passing by!”

“···Coming··· coming···!”

Buried in the rain sound but a reply definitely returned.

Clunk. The sound of lifting the latch was heard.

Soon the gate opened slightly, and a man wearing a raincoat stuck his face out.

“Guests coming on a night like this. What’s the matter?”

“Excuse me but is there an inn where we can stay one night? The rain is fierce so we can’t cross the mountain path at all.”

“My, you were trying to pass the mountain path in this weather?! Of course there is!”

The gate opened wide.

“Please come in quickly! Warm fire of course, and meals are available right away.”

The man welcomed them kindly.

The smiling appearance was so pure that most of the group ended up bursting into laughter along.

The only one who did not smile was Bran.

He asked the man.

“Does this kind of thing happen often?”

“Yes?”

“You opened without even confirming who we are. What if we were a bandit group.”

For a moment the man’s face hardened.

But the silence was brief, he smoothly brushed off Bran’s question.

“···Haha, you’re quick-witted. Actually this kind of case is not once or twice. Originally the reason a village was formed here is because there are many travelers passing the mountain path.”

“Aha. That kind of setting.”

Bran admired.

The improvisation skill was not ordinary.

Well this much is needed to make a living.

“Wahaha!”

“Let’s drink more!”

It was then.

Laughter rang out from somewhere piercing the rain.

Turning in the direction the sound came from there was one large building.

Judging by the shape it seemed like a village hall or something.

“Hmm? It’s noisy somehow.”

“Haha. Actually a festival is happening right now.”

“Festival? In the middle of the night?”

“It’s a bit special festival. If you’re interested you can enjoy it together as much as you want. Shall I guide you?”

“Uum··· festival.”

Leodorn blinked.

After pondering for a moment he turned to Bran.

“How about we rest freely and gather in the morning? You seem the age to enjoy festivals and such.”

“We’re fine, but what about the elder?”

“I just want to rest right away. Can’t hide age.”

Leodorn shook his head.

As he said the face was soaked in fatigue.

Just as exchanging gazes with Kale, the escorts approached and patted their chests.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be by the side.”

“Kids should play like kids and come.”

Unusually adult-like aspects.

Bran decided not to refuse the proposal.

The two who parted from Leodorn’s group headed straight to the village hall.

Creeak.

The moment the door opened, bright light poured out like a tide.

“I told you! You can’t do that there!”

“Not long ago Hans said he saw the White Sword Unit’s airship. What kind of lie is that.”

“Give more beer here!”

The characteristic noisiness of a festival too.

As the man said a festival was happening.

Residents wearing simple clothes were holding a drinking party.

Turning his head at the delicious smell, a whole roasted wild boar cooking in the brazier in the middle of the hall came into view.

“Uwaa···!”

“Quite decent.”

Kale admired.

Bran also whistled lowly.

It was a luxury he had not seen while experiencing slave life.

Then, an old man with a generous build approached the two.

“Nice to meet you. I am the elder of this village.”

The old man who introduced himself as the elder smiled.

Like the man met at the gate he was an old man with a really good impression.

“Thank you for stopping by Delheim. Eat and drink as much as you want so enjoy the festival comfortably and go.”

“What kind of festival is it?”

“Ooh, you asked well.”

Hearing Kale’s question the elder smiled.

“Our village serves the God of Silence. Once a month, from midnight until the sun rises we offer that silence to the god without saying any words.”

“Waa, offering silence. A wondrous festival.”

“Hehe, because it’s an act the god rejoices more than anything. Anyway since we can’t speak from midnight, the custom of laughing and chatting as much as possible until then developed into a festival.”

It was definitely an interesting story.

A pendulum clock presumed for the purpose of announcing midnight was attached to the wall.

The two sat in the upper seats guided by the elder.

Village women flocked as if they had been waiting.

“Oh my, so cute!”

“Is that a real sword? Can I touch it?”

“Yes? Yees?”

They were women who had been watching the two from the moment they entered the village hall.

Perhaps because they were from the south their figures were strongly self-assertive.

Even everyone was wearing clothes with deeply cut fronts.

Traditional attire? A very correctly done tradition.

Glancing at the women, Kale gauged Bran’s eyes.

“B-Bran··· shall we go rest too?”

“No? It’s good why.”

“Ek.”

“Haha, outsiders are always welcomed. Play comfortably and go.”

The elder laughed.

Bran began to play in earnest as he said.

Emptying beer glasses in succession, and finishing meat as soon as it was picked up by hand.

Since it was food he couldn’t eat usually it seemed to permeate the body the moment he swallowed.

Clang!

Putting the glass down vigorously, Bran unfolded his heroic tale while gesturing.

“So I planted a fist in that mean guy’s belly. When I fed him one he screamed like a girl.”

“Waa, really? Please tell more stories!”

“Ahaha, you really talk well.”

Every time Bran said a word the women shrieked.

Kale was watching Bran’s entertainment while pouting his mouth.

“······Too close.”

Crunch. Biting the rim of the glass a wood taste came.

It seemed the first time he saw Bran laughing so excitedly.

He doesn’t know why but his chest is stuffy.

If a friend is happy it’s a good thing so why is he annoyed.

“Puha!”

Unable to bear it Kale downed the beer in one go.

Quite strong. The tipsy energy was already slowly rising.

It wasn’t a feeling he liked, but today he wanted to get a bit drunk.

The moment he put the glass down the women approached.

“Why are you alone like that? Play with us.”

“···Ah, it’s fine. I’m a bit tired.”

Kale waved his hand while avoiding his gaze.

My friend will be tired too so please keep a little distance.

And you know. I’m originally not a man···

Just as the tipsy alcohol was about to pull out words he shouldn’t say.

Ding-!

Ding-!

Ding-!

The pendulum clock of the village hall cried out.

It was the notification announcing that midnight had come.

The lowly echoing sound gradually subsided.

“Startled. The sound is bigger than expected···”

Just as Kale was about to continue the words he gasped.

Silence was covering the village hall.

It was unbelievable that they had been laughing and chatting until a moment ago.

The man grilling meat, the woman clinging to Bran while acting cute, even the elder.

Nearly a hundred people were all closing their mouths and making serious faces.

“······ne.”

Goosebumps rose along the nape.

Not a single person was making a sound.

Only the sound of the tracking rain was heard from beyond the wall.

The gazes of the residents staying in the air were empty like shark eyes.

“······.”

Kale swallowed.

It was a quietness closer to corpses in a morgue than meditating believers.

Even knowing it was a ritual the unpleasantness did not subside.

Do they maintain this state until the sun rises?

Just as Kale was paralyzed by indescribable eeriness then.

“Ah, the mood is all broken.”

Bran muttered in a thoroughly twisted voice.

Flash!

All the residents looked at Bran at the same time.

“Hik.”

Kale froze.

The movement unified to a bizarre degree was like theatrical puppets rather than humans.

But whether they did or not, Bran did not mind.

“God of Silence my ass. Even showing off should be in moderation.”

“B-Bran?”

“Hey, if you’re not playing more then move.”

“Kyaak!”

Pak! Shaking off the woman, Bran poured all the remaining beer in the glass into his mouth.

“Support me a bit Kale. Uhu, maybe because I drank after a long time I’m too drunk.”

“What is this··· ah, okay. Wait a minute!”

The staggering Bran caught his balance only after leaning on Kale.

The half-loose eyes informed that he was dead drunk.

Right before exiting the village hall, Bran who turned to the residents smiled crookedly.

“Really today··· keuk, I think I’ll sleep so deeply that even if someone kidnaps me I won’t know.”