Chapter 62 - If There Is a God (5)

Unlike the severity of the situation, things improved in just two and a half days.

Honestly, I felt like yesterday would have been enough, but Windhand clung to me, begging to stay and observe the progress for just one more day.

For the sake of my concept, I would have wanted to immediately go kill the demons on the other islands, but unfortunately, I didn't know how to sail a ship. And Windhand, who could operate the ship, had the opposite stance as me.

At the same time, the situation wasn't exactly favorable for finding a different captain or crew other than Windhand's.

With no other choice, I worked my ass off for a day and spent the rest of the time on semi-standby. From my actual self's perspective, it was incredibly satisfying.

Since there was barely anything left to do from the third day onward, I even got rid of all my fatigue. Uhahaha.

"It seems all the zombies have been killed. However, just in case, we have quarantined the areas where the zombies appeared, and those who were bitten but haven't shown symptoms yet are being monitored with gags in their mouths."

Anyway, the people who had been directing the situation while communicating with folks all over the place brightened up upon hearing the report.

Of course, anyone would be overjoyed at successfully defending against a massive ordeal like a zombie outbreak. Even if dark shadows of exhaustion hung over their eyes and their limbs drooped from the weight of fatigue.

"The captured pirates are currently being interrogated... and, thanks to that adventurer stepping up, we found out a few things. Ah, they also found several hidden spies. That person did."

"... It feels really weird being called 'that person'."

Meanwhile, it was my first time hearing that DeB had actually done something. I had wondered why he was wandering off on his own, but it turned out he was helping gather information and root out enemies. Good job, meat dumpling.

"According to the information we uncovered, the demon worshipers and Bipurit have joined hands."

The person giving the report kept glancing at DeB, but their expression hardened seriously when they got into the proper report.

"They said that spreading the zombies on the island and bringing in the demons were the work of the demon worshipers who allied with Bipurit."

"What!"

"That mad dog actually did it!"

As the reporter's words continued, the faces of the attendees took on similar shades of shock and anger.

"Furthermore... because of that, Montata Island seems to have fallen into a very, very horrific situation."

"... The people who went to check on the situation in Montata had completely lost contact. It's highly likely that this is the reason."

"It seems... that would be the case."

The Lord, who was the only one to keep her expression in check, gestured with her hand.

"Is there no news about them?"

"As for that, not yet... Ah, there was talk of someone seeing the Outlaw in Ayu Hin."

"Is that so. Then again, they had a stronger obsession with survival than anyone else. Good. Besides that... what is the current situation in Montata? Is Ayu Hin still holding out? What about the cities occupied by Bipurit?"

"They don't know what happened to Ayu Hin. And as for the places Bipurit occupied... many of the humans in the cities have become zombies, and the survivors have been captured and turned into pirate slaves or are being offered as sacrifices."

"And?"

"The castles are packed with the executives of the Bipurit gang and those presumed to be demon worshipers... They are supposedly using the sacrificed residents to summon demons or conduct some sort of ritual."

The reporter added one more sentence to those words.

"It seems the demon used to attack Zakrati was also summoned through that."

The meeting room instantly erupted like an active volcano.

"These sons of bitches!"

"They're not even human! How could they bring demons into this land when they remember what happened 40 years ago!"

"Cutting off his limbs and severing his head to display it for a hundred years wouldn't be enough for that bastard!"

The person who doesn't know about that incident 40 years ago feels left out right now, though...

I narrowed my eyes. With no one to ask and no position to do so anyway, I had no choice but to piece things together with the clues given. Still, it's a good thing I'm quick on the uptake.

"Naturally, they would be. Demons are wicked entities whose traces were never meant to be seen on this land."

"We must kill him immediately!"

"Do not state the obvious as if it were some brilliant opinion. And you. Did you hear what their objective is?"

"That is..."

"Why, did they say it was to rule the island?"

"... Yes."

"Hah, they joined hands with demons just to claim a single piece of land? I wonder just how far they intend to fall..."

The Lord fiercely furrowed her elegant brow. Her long hair was swept back by her hand, then held firmly in place by a tight grip.

A pitch-black flame seemed to flicker within her dark eyes.

"You."

Right then, the Lord looked my way without having fully suppressed her anger.

She was the one who had gone out of her way to invite me to this meeting even though I wasn't an official party, and since her aura was far from ordinary, I put strength into my gaze as if striking back.

"I heard you plan to depart for Montata Island today if possible. That you will advance starting from Garorimnyang."

Montata Island was the island controlled by the Bipurit gang, and Garorimnyang was the place we supposedly had to break through to receive support from other cities, so...

Right. It would probably go exactly as the Lord said. I hadn't heard anything about the plans changing.

And it was also true that we were departing today if possible. Windhand had told me right before the meeting that we would set sail as soon as the city's situation was declared stable.

"I'm told the expeditionary force will be the same group that arrived here, is that correct?"

Aside from that, this isn't my department, so I don't know the answer even if you ask me... Please ask Windhand, not me...

"I see you only took three days' worth of rations. Are you really sure that will be enough? If there is anything you need, do not worry about our situation and just tell me. I will provide you with maximum support."

How generous. But I'm telling you, this isn't my department.

"Discuss that with Windhand."

I pawned the task off onto Windhand, who for some reason was always restless whenever he stood in front of the Lord.

In exchange, Windhand glared at me as if looking at a traitor, but...

No, what did I do wrong? Hey, you're the leader! I'm just the troll who ignores the leader's words and recklessly charges in! But a troll who strangely manages to carry because he actually has the skills!

"... Do you truly desire nothing? The variable of demons has been introduced, so perhaps an additional contract regarding that..."

Meanwhile, the Lord also looked at me with a peculiar expression—well, I say peculiar, but if she hadn't managed her expression, it probably would have been one of sheer disbelief.

"If you prepare a ship right this instant so I can kill those fucking demon bastards, that would suffice."

But? I genuinely didn't want anything other than this. Ta-da.

"... You truly are a fascinating adventurer."

The Lord let out a hollow chuckle.

"Then, what must I give you in order to entrust you with a task?"

... Man, and here I was thinking she was just generously supporting us and comparing her to a certain other Lord, but that wasn't it at all.

Good grief, I was debating whether or not to ask for a good longsword, but it's a good thing I didn't. Otherwise, I would have been scammed in broad daylight.

I praised my own choices and stared coldly at the stingy Lord.

"That depends on what you are asking."

"That is true."

The Lord lightly agreed with my words, then took a brief breath. A single inhale and exhale occurred at a slow tempo, before she held out a piece of paper.

In the center of the paper, which had fold marks, was a portrait that looked quite similar to the Lord yet had a strangely different impression. Below it was a large set of characters that seemed to be a name.

"My Lord!"

"That's...!"

The people gasped in shock upon seeing the paper, and the Lord raised her hand. The room fell silent in an instant.

"The bounty on that head is ten million gal. Since he caused such an incident, the amount will inevitably jump even higher, and since he has joined hands with demons, his vitality will be tougher than an iron hide."

I pushed my back off the wall and approached the table. A sound somewhere between a rustle and a flutter echoed from the paper, allowing me to see the portrait better.

Bipurit. The word written below it read just that.

"But I can wait no longer. So tell me, what do you need? What more must I add for you to ensure that you bring me that man's head?"

So, this means she wants me to kill Bipurit, right?

「❖ The Fangs Aiming at Zakrati

∎ Destroy the Bipurit gang's stronghold

∎ Bonus: Kill Bipurit」

Right on cue, the quest window updated, confirming my certainty. The Lord Piuon had decided to kill her brother who had crossed the line.

"This is a separate request from driving Zakrati's enemies out of this land. So tell me. What is it that you desire? What must I stake for you to accept this request?"

But there was one problem.

So, is she going to give me the bounty or not?

I fell into thought even as I meticulously engraved Bipurit's portrait into my brain.

Sss. If she just paid out the bounty, I would have yelled "Deal!" without asking any questions, but her wording was so vague that whether or not the bounty was included was unclear.

Judging by the nuance, it sounded like she was asking me to name my price on top of the bounty, but...

Thinking about it that way, the city's situation was what it was.

How was she going to pay ten million gal? That's not exactly an amount you can pay out of pocket, is it?

Even if she had it, it would probably be better to use it for restoration costs rather than giving it to me...

"There must be a blacksmith in this city who crafts swords."

Hmm. Ah, whatever. There's no need for me to refuse something she's offering to give.

As for my certainty on whether I'd get the bounty or not, well, I was going to kill him anyway. It would be nice if I got it, but if I didn't, I'd just have to accept it.

"Of course there are. Do you need an artisan?"

I set the paper down and grabbed my inventory bag. Lifting the bag over the table, I flipped it upside down and shook it, spitting out a few things with a thump thump.

"Wait, sir, that's!"

"... Aren't those its scales?"

"Have a sword forged for me by the time I return."

I left a few pieces of dragon scales and teeth tossed on the table and retrieved my inventory.

If the artisan's level is too low, even good materials will end up ruined, you ask? That was for the Lord to solve. Hey, the Lord was the one who told me to ask for what I wanted.

"... This is?"

The Lord, who hadn't yet figured out what I had dropped, picked up a piece of the scales and turned it this way and that.

"Hm, understood for now. Is there nothing else?"

You're going to regret those words.

However, since I wouldn't be the one regretting it, instead of adding to my demands, I verified the conditions a bit more.

"I assume the head doesn't need to be intact."

"... As long as you can provide certainty that the dead man is Bipurit."

"Confirmed."

I wanted to... draft a contract, but since it wasn't a word I could bring up first due to the pride of my concept, I swallowed my tears and gave up.

I was hoarding money for the sake of my pride, I wasn't going to throw away my pride for the sake of money...!

"Then is this the end of your business with me."

"It is, but..."

"Then there is no reason for me to stay any longer."

"Wait, are those all your conditions?"

If it's a condition where I'm practically giving it away, they should just think 'Hell yeah, my gain', so why do these people keep asking me again?

Or are they just doubting it first? Well, that's not a bad approach. When a deal is too good, it's more often a scam than the other party just being a pushover.

"Add 'stop holding me back' to the conditions."

However, I'm the pushover here. So rip me off all you want. Though you'll have to deal with my temper in return!

SLAM.

Judging that I had heard all I needed to hear, I boldly escaped the meeting room. It wasn't exactly proper behavior in front of a Lord, but no one said a word.

"... Uh, we've thought this through and prepared on our end as well, so we don't need any further support. So we'll be heading out now."

"Wait, Suri—."

"Let's go!"

"Stop grabbing me by the scruff of the neck!"

Rather, Windhand, who had been glancing around nervously, grabbed DeB and quickly followed me. It was downright ghostly timing. If he hadn't escaped now, he would have had to wait until the meeting ended!

"Uuuugh. Hey, are you really taking that request?"

"That is none of your business."

"Damn it... Even I don't have ten million gal!"

"Were you planning to pay that money for him too?"

"... Hey, I'll somehow scrape together ten million gal, so can you not take it from the Lord?"

"He's really trying to pay it instead."

Did DeB read my mind? How did he say exactly what I was thinking without missing a single beat?

"I'll add it to my previous request, so—."

Jokes aside, this was a bit much.

I drew the scimitar I had been using well since I picked it up and placed it right below Windhand's neck. Windhand's hands reflexively shot up, taking a posture of surrender.

The sharp blade very slightly nicked Windhand's skin, letting a single drop of blood fall.

"The direction of your devotion and sacrifice is none of my business. However, you had better stop testing my patience by babbling to me what you should be saying to someone else."

I muttered this as ominously as possible, acting like I was somewhat pissed off.

I wondered if it was a bit much, but figured my concept would naturally act this way, so I threw away my hesitation. Above all, Windhand was the one who crossed the line first.

"Keep in mind that you are not the only captain who can sail to Montata."

I withdrew the scimitar slowly, then gradually faster, and sheathed it again. Flap. The hem of my coat fluttered heavily in time with my movements.

"This time, Mr. Windhand was in the wrong."

"... It seems so."

"Enough of that, let's just hurry up and go. If we make Sir Knight wait any longer, we'll get sliced up before the demons even get to us."

"... Right."

Truly, it was our first deployment in quite a while.

* * *

The Inquisitor stroked her mace as she watched the island slowly approaching from the horizon—though in reality, it was the ship she was on that was moving.

The remnants of demonic energy that had not yet been purified transmitted vividly from the island.

"Ships!"

Just then, several ships began to depart from the port. Those ships were unmistakably heading toward the vessel she was on.

"Raise the white flags and send a signal."

At the captain's order, the crew began to move busily. Signs declaring that they had no intention to fight were desperately hoisted all over the ship.

And finally, when the ships that departed from Zakrati's port closed the distance with theirs, negotiations began.

"We are reinforcements dispatched to fulfill a contract with Windhand."

The one who stepped forward to speak on behalf of everyone on the ship was the Archmage. As he spoke, she presented the contract drafted with Windhand, and upon seeing the Adventurer's Guild seal stamped at the bottom, the personnel from Zakrati softened their expressions slightly.

While they couldn't rule out the possibility of forgery, the seal of the Adventurer's Guild held enough value to put them somewhat at ease.

"Are you really a Great Sage of the Magic Tower?"

However, the other party wasn't that easygoing. A particularly sharp wariness poured over the gunwales.

"I am."

"Then what about the people in white clothes behind you? Unless my eyes are deceiving me, no matter how I look at them, they seem to be people from the Temple?"

"... That is also correct."

The Archmage admitted with difficulty. The next moment, the chilling sound of drawing blades echoed over the sea. The sounds all rang out from the Zakrati ships.

"With what nerve does the Temple try to set foot on this land! Piss off at once!"

The pouring hostility was sharper than any blade.

The Inquisitor clenched her fists at the hostility that was even fiercer than she had expected. The handle of her mace was gripped tightly in her hand.

"Piss off right now!"

"Leave this sea before we kill you!"

"I said get lost!"

However, she must not draw her weapon. She could not draw it. Because she would never repeat the events of the past.

"Just once!"

Therefore, the Inquisitor let go of her mace and stepped forward. Although she did not bear the crest of the Temple, her appearance, which screamed that she was a servant of God more than anyone else, made the atmosphere grow even more vicious.

"Please, listen to what we have to say just once!"

Yet she staunchly continued her words. It wasn't even difficult.

The Inquisitor was aware of what she had to atone for, but she was not so soft as to wallow in guilt and cower.

If she had been that sort of person in the first place, she wouldn't have abruptly apologized during her third encounter with the Demon Knight, nor would she have clung to him asking to be taught tolerance.

"We have nothing to hear from the likes of you!"

"I know. But just once is all we need!"

She lacked tact and was foolishly honest. That was a flaw in many situations, but even so, very occasionally, it became a strength.

"I said we don't need to!"

"Please, just listen to us once!"

And that moment was right now.

"Please give me, give us, just one chance!"

Her green eyes, which might break but would never bend, shone brightly.