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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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One of the most useful lessons I learned during my mercenary days was that violence was the most effective solution in most situations. And a fist was an excellent tool for communication.
I had given up on reasoning with them. These thugs weren’t reasonable people. Fortunately, we were in a small inn room, not an ideal place to swing a weapon.
Moreover, there were seven of them. Confident in their numbers, they were completely off guard.
My surprise attack was extremely effective.
Thud.
The leader, his nose broken, collapsed without a sound. His subordinates, suddenly leaderless, were too stunned to react.
The first who strikes wins. A universal law, applicable even on Earth.
I followed up with another punch, hitting the next man on the jaw, and then kicked the man beside him, who was holding an axe, in the shin. Their faces contorted in pain.
“Gah!”
“Hey! What are you doing?! Kill him!”
Only after three of them were down did the remaining mercenaries realize what was happening, but it was too late. It took me less than ten seconds to take down the other four.
Seven mercenaries lay scattered across the inn room, groaning in pain, clutching their broken noses and twisted limbs. I hadn’t killed them. That would only complicate things.
“….”
I flexed my hand, enjoying the tingling sensation. It had been a while since I had punched someone with full force. I hadn’t had the opportunity since becoming a paladin.
My “training” sessions with Ophelia hadn’t involved any real force. I caught my breath and shrugged, looking at Ophelia.
“Was it similar?”
“Huh?”
Seven men down in an instant. Ophelia stared at the scene in disbelief.
“I asked if it was similar to the cheap novels you read.”
“Well, that’s…”
“Why that expression? Did you see a ghost?”
“….”
Ophelia touched her cheek and averted her gaze.
“Is something wrong?”
“N-no, it’s nothing…”
Ophelia’s reaction was strange, but this wasn’t the time to pry. We needed to leave after causing such a commotion.
I hadn’t used my sword to avoid bloodshed, but I had beaten up the local protectors.
“Let’s move.”
“O-okay.”
Ophelia nodded absently.
There was only one inn in the village. The commotion we had caused had a significant impact.
Ophelia and I decided to move to the next village before the guards arrived.
We walked along a bumpy path, chewing on cheap jerky we had bought at the market for lunch. Ophelia, her usual mischievous smile replacing the strange expression from earlier, caught up to me.
“Not bad with your fists, I see.”
“Well, I’m not exactly the type to just let myself get pushed around.”
“So, a knight’s weapon of choice is now his fists?”
“There wasn’t enough space to swing a sword in that small room. And I didn’t want you getting caught in the crossfire.”
“….”
She didn’t respond, so I looked over at her. Ophelia blinked, her eyes wide, as if surprised.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just… find it… fascinating?”
“There’s nothing fascinating about it. When I was a rookie mercenary, they didn’t give us weapons. Or if they did, it was a dull axe or a flimsy wooden stick that would break after one swing. I had to use my fists to survive.”
The memory was unpleasant. An environment where you were grateful to simply survive each day.
Ophelia listened to my story, then spoke thoughtfully,
“Come to think of it, I don’t know much about your past.”
“It’s nothing special. Just a commoner knight with no backing, as you said. Probably.”
“What’s with the ‘probably’?”
“It’s just as I said. I was a mercenary, then I became a paladin. That’s all.”
“You’ve told me that countless times. I’m asking about what you did before you became a mercenary.”
“….”
I closed my mouth. Honestly, I didn’t know. I had been transported to this world right after joining the mercenary group.
All I knew was that this body’s name was Elliot, and that I was destined to be cannon fodder.
I foud myself as part of the Black Eagle Mercenary Group, though “suicide squad” would have been a more accurate name.
The recruiter had told me that it didn’t matter who I was or where I came from. It wasn’t important.
The mercenary group was full of people with tragic backstories, and in the lands beyond the Wall, such stories were buried under the northern snow every single day.
“Hmm…”
I hesitated for a moment, then smiled wryly. I couldn’t tell her about Earth.
“Everyone has a past they’d rather forget.”
I said vaguely. Ophelia looked at me with a curious expression. She wanted to ask more, but I didn’t give her a chance.
I quickened my pace, walking ahead of her.
The next village was about two hours away on foot. If we hurried, we could reach it before nightfall. However…
“…What’s with them?”
Ophelia muttered, looking ahead. Three figures blocked our path. Just three, but they seemed as imposing as mountains.
I reflexively pulled Ophelia behind me.
These weren’t ordinary mercenaries like the ones I had beaten up earlier. Their armor was different. Not the crude leather armor reinforced with metal scraps, but chainmail covering most of their upper bodies, and helmets adorned with light blue feathers.
“Guards…?”
Ophelia muttered. Had the city guard been notified and were waiting for us? The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it.
How many guards could there be in such a remote village? With cheap mercenaries maintaining order, the city guard would be practically useless.
“They look like… knights.”
Moreover, their equipment was too good for ordinary city guards.
“What? Knights in a backwater village like this? Is the Empire that well-off?”
“I doubt it. They must be here for us.”
I didn’t know why, but it wasn’t a good sign. I unbuckled my sword and placed it in my bag, then raised my hands to show that I had no intention of resisting.
“….”
Clank. As Ophelia and I approached, the knights straightened up. They weren’t going to let us pass. I sighed softly.
“If you’re here because of the fight at the inn… it was self-defense.”
“….”
The knights remained silent. The atmosphere was tense. I quickly added,
“I might have… overdone it a bit.”
“….”
“A bit too much…”
Ophelia looked at me, dumbfounded. Were they not going to listen? Or were they simply waiting for orders from their superior? I shrugged and took a few steps back.
What now? As I was trying to come up with a new excuse…
“…Self-defense, you say? You certainly did overdo it, breaking all seven of their legs.”
A familiar voice. I saw the person who emerged from between the knights, and I realized I didn’t need an excuse.
“It seems we can close the investigation as a simple case of robbery.”
“…You’re…”
“It’s been a while, Saintess. And Sir Elliot.”
A red-haired woman, Evangeline, stood there, a smirk on her face.
“Evangeline.”
“Oh, there’s no need to be so wary. I’m not here to arrest esteemed guests of the Empire for beating up a few thugs.”
“Then what do you want?”
“I’d like to have a chat.”
Evangeline shrugged. Ophelia clicked her tongue, but Evangeline ignored her and gestured with her chin. The knights behind her moved in unison.
“There’s a safe house nearby. Shall we have some tea there?”
The atmosphere made it impossible to refuse.
“How long have you been following us?”
“Since your carriage crossed the border.”
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue. They had been watching us from the beginning. I had anticipated this and traveled on foot after crossing the border, but it seemed I couldn’t fool the Imperial Intelligence.
“Don’t take it personally. I needed to know your route since the Saintess of the Holy City and her escort knight were visiting the Empire. Just like I was monitored when I visited the Holy City.”
Evangeline said, sipping her tea.
Ophelia glared at her and muttered,
“You snake.”
“My, have you given up on pretending to be nice?”
“Elliot, can I hit her?”
“Would that be appropriate? You’re visiting the Empire as the Saintess. Please behave accordingly.”
“Ugh.”
Ignoring Ophelia’s gagging sounds, I looked at Evangeline.
Evangeline, a high-ranking administrator. We had become somewhat acquainted after her several visits to the Holy City regarding the Alliance.
But why was she here, so far from the Imperial Capital?
“Ah, congratulations on becoming a Holy Knight. I haven’t had a chance to say it properly.”
“It’s nothing special.”
“I believe you’re the first paladin to be appointed as a Holy Knight in just three years.”
“You flatter me.”
Evangeline smiled faintly at my nonchalant response.
“So, what brings you to the Empire?”
“We’re here for sightseeing. Got a problem with that?”
“It’s rare for esteemed guests to visit the Empire in disguise.”
Evangeline, despite being an administrator, had close ties to the Intelligence. From our previous conversations, I knew she was meticulous and cautious, a perfectionist who couldn’t tolerate any variables.
For Ophelia, one of the most recognizable women in the world, to travel through the Empire dressed as a commoner… it would be a major concern for her.
Moreover, Evangeline was well aware of Ophelia’s volatile personality. So, I tried to reassure her.
“We don’t intend to cause any trouble.”
“You already have.”
“That was self-defense.”
“Of course. That bastard tried to rip us off. He should be grateful we didn’t kill him.”
I wanted to smack Ophelia for her smug remark, but I refrained from doing so in front of Evangeline. She sighed and placed her teacup on the table.
“So, what’s your real purpose?”
“The Holy City released an official statement. We’re on a pilgrimage to find the hero’s Mark.”
“All the way out here?”
“Sightseeing as well.”
“Then the Empire will gladly assist you with your sightseeing. It would be beneficial for us if the Saintess has a positive impression of the Empire.”
We couldn’t refuse. This was the Empire’s territory; we were merely visitors.
“…Hmm.”
The Imperial Intelligence had access to a vast amount of information.
Since we had been discovered, it might be better to accept their assistance.
“Are you familiar with the Empire’s geography, Evangeline?”
“Sir Elliot, I was born and raised in the Empire. Moreover, geography is one of the highest-scoring subjects on the Intelligence exam.”
“Then do you know of a small village called Loren?”
Loren. The village from Sword & Magic Chronicle. The place where the hero received the Goddess’s Mark and her revelation.
The starting village, the tutorial area, where the hero defeated goblins and set off for the Imperial Capital.
It was an insignificant, remote village that the Empire wouldn’t normally pay attention to. So, I didn’t expect her to know about it.
However, Evangeline’s reaction was unexpected. She took off her glasses and frowned.
“You’re going to Loren? Why?”
“Well, I know the place… and it’s famous for its fertile fields and apples. I have a fondness for fruit, despite my appearance.”
“….”
My vague answer made Evangeline’s frown deepen.
“Why?”
“Do you really not know?”
Evangeline asked. I tilted my head.
“What do you mean?”
“Since you seem genuinely unaware, I’ll tell you.”
Evangeline sighed softly and spoke in a calm voice.
“Loren… is currently inaccessible.”
“…Why?”
“It was devastated by a monster attack a few years ago.”
“….”
“The villagers were all killed. The Viscount’s forces, responsible for the territory, were also annihilated. We sent an investigation team, but they found nothing. The official conclusion was that it was either a natural occurrence or the work of a dark mage.”
It felt like I had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.
I was speechless.
Loren? A monster attack? Devastated? The village was gone?
What about the people who lived there? More importantly, what about the person who was supposed to live there?
“Then…”
…the hero?
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m still new to translating as this is my second novel to pick up, so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
Need more…