Chapter 72 - From the Beginning (7)

"I was receiving a promise from the Demon Knight."

"What kind of promise?"

DeB, who had brought most of the people we saw earlier trailing behind him, asked the Inquisitor. She replied clearly.

"A promise that when I point out someone who is infected and destined to become a zombie, he will not recklessly harm them."

"... Excuse me?"

The expressions of the people trailing behind DeB, who ended up hearing this unintentionally, turned terrifying. At the same time, the atmosphere of the surrounding crowd did as well.

"Hey, does that mean they're here...?"

"They are."

"In this harbor."

"Yes. Which is why we need to resolve this as quickly as possible..."

Meanwhile, DeB's face turned pale. I felt a bit bitter because I had a good idea of what he was thinking.

'I'm sorry for ruining things when I can't even help.'

"As expected of the Temple scum—!"

Someone suddenly yelled out. Was her name Boss Lahong? She was a very old pirate. The wrinkles and scars on her face were proof of her years.

"There's nothing trustworthy about—!"

Then, she met my eyes. I wasn't thinking much of it, but Lahong terrified herself and swallowed her words.

"Y-You."

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Meanwhile, Windhand approached and asked while trembling. His hands were gripping the Inquisitor's shoulders. It was far more moderate than grabbing her by the collar.

"Those words, those words..."

"... They are not a lie. However, do not worry about that. I will not forsake a hard-earned opportunity."

'If I had heard this back during the dragon slayer incident or when we first ran into each other on this island, would I have tried to kill her on the spot?'

But Windhand had spent the past few days experiencing the person known as the Inquisitor. And to be honest, the Inquisitor was an incredibly simple person, easy enough to figure out in a single day.

"I'll believe you. I believe you."

That finally drew out a different reaction.

"So, please tell me. Who is it? Who on earth..."

"Windhand!"

"Tell me."

The Inquisitor's red eyebrows twitched once. Her green eyes seemed to roll around before soon coming to a stop in one place.

"They are standing over there."

People's gazes sharply turned. A little ways away from the shop stood a young man of the Middle race, stepping on an oak barrel.

"...?"

The young man, who suddenly became the center of attention, wore a puzzled expression.

"Um, is there a problem?"

He even whipped his head back, thinking people were looking behind him, but upon realizing they weren't, he raised a finger and pointed at himself.

Judging by his youthful face, I figured he was in his late teens or early twenties, but that gesture made him look even younger.

"Ah, wait a minute, Sir Knight—"

"Uwaak!"

'But right now, he's my lunch... No, that sounds a bit weird. My prey... My target for murder... Wait, I don't have any intention of killing him right now. Even with my demon-hating concept, it's reasonable to give him some time if he hasn't fully turned into one yet.'

In the end, I gave up on making jokes and dragged the young man's body down.

The young man, who was a full handspan shorter than me, trembled uncontrollably. My conscience was quite pricked at how he didn't even make a sound, probably out of nervousness.

"Let the kid go!"

As if making up for it, Lahong, who had been crushed by my aura, let out an angry roar.

"How dare you bastards single out my crewmate!"

'Seeing how she cowered earlier, it didn't seem like she would yell at me so easily. But a ship's captain is still a captain. She spewed fire the moment her own crewmate got involved.'

"If all of you are just going to stand there and do nothing, I'll kill those bastards with my own hands!"

"...! Wait, Lahong, stop!"

"Stop! Didn't you see them helping us!"

"You saw that battle earlier too, Boss! We can't make enemies out of them!"

"Everyone, move! You all must have heard what that bastard said!"

But my concept was all I had. Naturally, I didn't listen, and Lahong finally went as far as trying to draw her weapon.

If the others hadn't blocked her, things would have gotten a bit troublesome. Not that it wasn't troublesome right now.

"Please, can't we resolve this peacefully?!"

At the same time, DeB—who had approached and grabbed my arm around the time Lahong let out her second roar—whispered desperately.

That was not something you should say to a person who had solved everything with violence up until now. Let alone to someone who was trying to solve things with violence at this very moment.

"Let go...!"

"Oh, Sir! You know we're all doomed if you lay a hand on them here...!"

"I-I have something to say about that part."

"What is it!"

"If it's right now, that person can be treated."

"Why are you only saying that now?!?!"

'Wait, a peaceful solution is coming out of this?'

"I-I tried to say it! But since I was warned that it was a sensitive topic, I simply couldn't speak recklessly about it!"

"No, you idiot!!"

"Do not direct such vulgar language at me!!"

"What are you talking about, you idiot!!"

'Oh, Dumpling! To think your inflexibility would cause another incident here...!'

"Wait, there's a way to treat him?"

"Did you say there's a treatment?"

"No, we don't need it! No one believes that bullshit!"

"Wait, Lahong! I told you to wait!"

'Haha, what a shitshow.'

On one side, Lahong was running wild; right in front of me, the Inquisitor, DeB, and a few others were loudly spewing out words; and the surrounding crowd was murmuring in anxiety. Watching this total clusterfuck, I slowly raised my hand.

CRASH!

Even though the ground was made of solid rock, the sword cloaked in pitch-black magic power easily pierced through it like slicing through soft tofu. The accompanying roar and vibration silenced the crowd.

"Explain it. In detail."

Out of those who had frozen stiff at my display of force, DeB was the first to move.

POKE.

When his elbow nudged the Inquisitor, she answered like an automated machine.

"If the infection and assimilation have not fully progressed, it is now possible to selectively use Purification on just the demon inside the body. However, given how much time has passed, it could become dangerous if we delay any further."

'Is that so? Doesn't that mean the problem is solved if we just purify him right now?'

"Choose."

Since a path to survival had opened for everyone, I was the first to react. Before anyone else could open their mouths to speak, I gripped the person in my hand and shook him.

The young man still caught in my grasp instinctively jolted his body.

"Will you die by my hand, or receive treatment."

"E-Excuse me?"

'Man, why is he so light even when shaking him around? Is he not done growing yet? Why is he so tiny? Does he even eat properly?'

Grumbling these words internally that would never be conveyed, I calmly continued my conceptual act.

"I will not offer twice."

"Uhk! W-Wait, wait a second. I still don't know what's going on...!"

"Sir, please. You have to explain things a bit before asking!"

"Put him down right now!"

"Look here, Lahong. She says it's possible to selectively perform Purification on just the demon inside the body, so what's the problem?"

"Everything! Everything is the problem! How can we trust the Temple's words!"

Boss Lahong screamed out her distrust as if throwing a tantrum.

"I!"

However, cutting off her words, the Inquisitor raised her hand. That instantly gathered people's attention. Her intense crimson hair swayed around her neckline.

"I know you cannot accept me. However, the moment his brain is devoured, he will be in an irreversible state."

"Shut your mouth, you Temple scum!"

"Your desire to save him might be what kills him!"

"I said shut up—!"

"Divine power!"

The Inquisitor wasn't such an easy-going Dumpling either. As Lahong's voice grew louder, the Inquisitor's voice grew louder along with it.

She wasn't screeching. She was just bellowing with the power of her diaphragm.

"The power of Purification at least does not harm the human body! If you are truly suspicious, please allow me to perform Purification just once! He will not be harmed in the slightest!"

"How can I trust you bastards to do that!"

"I am not asking for your trust! I am asking for a chance!"

'Wow, her voice is super loud. With that kind of volume, it'll not only echo throughout the entire Hidden Harbor but also reach out over the sea.'

"I am not hoping for forgiveness, I simply wish for you to give me a chance to save a dying person right now!"

At the same time, those words were genuine. For some reason, I felt like I could understand the moment when she had persuaded the people of Zakrati through conversation.

"You bastard—!"

"U-Um, S-Sir Knight."

Just as an enraged Lahong was about to pop a vein, the young man held in my hand trembled and called out to me. Having heard all of DeB's summarized explanation during that brief moment, he was in a state ready to make a decision.

"U-Um, it sounds like I'm infected, is that right?"

"No, it's not, Rianti! Do not be deceived by their words. You are...!"

"Then I'll try receiving it. That treatment."

"Rianti!"

"Eek, Captain."

It seemed the young man's name was Rianti. At Lahong's call, the young man jolted once again.

"U-Um, Captain! I know you hate the Temple, and I don't like them either, but...! If I really am infected, it'll cause harm to other people too. So, just once... shouldn't it be fine! They say I won't get hurt during the examination anyway. Would the people who saved our harbor really lie?"

I couldn't tell if he was a coward or surprisingly brave. Even while reading Lahong's mood, the young man clearly expressed his opinion.

At that, Lahong's face, along with the faces of quite a few others, morphed into expressions of shock. For the most part, they were of the Slender race or people who appeared older.

"They are the Temple."

"Y-Yeah. They look like it."

"I said they're the Temple."

"... R-Right?"

"So how can you say we should give them a chance."

"B-But our lives are on the line."

Around that point, a sudden realization dawned on me.

Going by face value, Lahong looked to be at least over fifty. In contrast, this young man was in his late twenties at most.

Of course, considering the incident occurred forty years ago and the parties involved were still scattered about, it wasn't as if the next generation lacked animosity...

But those directly involved and those who only heard about it through stories were bound to be different in the end. Let alone when not only did they care about their comrades, but their own lives were at stake.

"U-Um, it-it won't hurt, right?"

"Depending on how far the infection has progressed, you might feel a bit dizzy."

"How dizzy?"

"A lot, if it has started devouring your brain? Otherwise, just enough to make your stomach slightly nauseous? Ah, depending on the amount of brain devoured, there could be side effects."

"... Could you please do it quickly for me?"

"Rianti!"

"Eek."

"How, how could you!"

"I-I'm sorry! But Captain, I don't want to become a demon! I hate the idea of my brain getting eaten, and I hate the idea of attacking my comrades even more!"

"What...!"

"I-I want to survive and return to my hometown...! You said you'd help me do that, Captain."

The Outlaw's subordinate let go of the young man's arm. There was no longer any need to hold him.

"So, please let it slide just this once. Please."

Instead, Lahong collapsed to her knees.

* * *

"Boss!"

"B-Boss!"

Looking at the kneeling figure, Windhand felt as if his heart was being sliced to pieces.

It couldn't be helped. Lahong's knees were not hers alone. They were knees that represented him, them, and everyone who shared that moment.

Pirates, city guards, civilians. Regardless of profession, gender, or age, she was the person who cried out in this place on behalf of the pent-up anger of everyone who remembered that day.

"... How, how could you..."

"... Boss."

"How could he trust the Temple."

"... He's young, isn't he."

"But, but after what the Temple did to us!"

Her vivid wail was like a dagger, piercing the hearts of those who had endured those same years.

Yes, it only pierced the hearts of those from the same generation.

It was a fact one could discern just by looking at the faces of those who deeply empathized with Lahong's cry and the faces of those who did not.

"... Yes. That's true. But he's only sixteen now. He's a kid born twenty-four years after that incident."

"..."

Our long-standing hatred has now become ours alone.

"You know that kids who haven't experienced that incident... will find it hard to hate the Temple the same way we do."

'But, but...'

Just as he smelled the scent of ash from that day in a pile of charcoal, while kids young enough to be his children only thought of it as something to play and doodle with.

"Lahong."

"Windhand, even you. Have even you forgotten? How could even you..."

"As if I could forget. Look here, just because my face is young doesn't erase the fact that I've lived just as long as you, alright?"

"Then, how..."

"Fuck, it's shit. It's so fucking shit. The hatred is still alive and breathing in this chest, but as the years go by, the bastards who remember it are all dying off. Even with just a little trigger, I still burn up, completely swallowed by the memories of that day, but these damn brats just look at me like I'm crazy."

"Then, then why..."

"Goddammit, but we can't lose our families again!"

Windhand quietly knelt in front of Lahong.

Their touching foreheads brought back the warmth of that era, that burning era. The days when they had clung to total strangers, screaming desperately for them all to survive together.

"We can't make our families go through an experience like ours again..."

He felt an immeasurable sorrow.

"Look here, Lahong. Let's endure it just this once. Fuck, even if it's hard to endure, let's just bear it. We might live forever on top of those burnt ashes, but they shouldn't have to."

It was so deeply sorrowful...

"Us living this shitty life is more than enough."

* * *

The cold meal tasted horribly bad. But since I needed to fill my stomach to survive and gather the strength to press forward, I had to eat it.

"Uh, I brought back the information you requested."

I greeted DeB while stuffing wilted leaves into my mouth. Thanks to the consideration of the harbor's administrators, the tavern had become our exclusive dining and resting area during our stay.

"The documents."

"Yessir."

I placed the stack of papers DeB brought back on the table. A world without Excel was so terribly inconvenient; once again, I had to read through lines of raw text just to grasp the contents.

"Anyway, how did the treatment go?"

"If you mean that, it ended well."

While I was staring at the documents as if my eyes would pop out, the Inquisitor answered in between frantically shoveling stew into her mouth.

'It looked like there were potatoes, meat, and a bunch of other things in her mouth. She impressively managed to swallow it all in one gulp.'

"What about the results of the harbor search?"

"That went fine as well."

For the record, right after treating that young man earlier, the Inquisitor and I scoured the entire harbor just in case. We wanted to see if there were any others whose infections were progressing.

"We found dozens more, but I treated all of them."

"Dozens of them, you say?"

"Someone supplied ingredients containing the parasites to this place. Those who ate them were infected."

"... A traitor?"

"Nothing has been revealed yet."

"What about the source of the provisions?"

"For now, they've gathered everyone with access to the food storage and are interrogating them. However, since the provisions themselves were procured from the outside..."

"Catching the culprit is going to be tricky. Man, the situation sure is complicated."

'Things are really going to shit,' I thought, though the situation was already so terrible to begin with.

Whether it was a traitor, a spy, or even just a mistake. It was a structure where anything could happen, so I didn't have much to say. The problem was what would happen after we left.

"It's not like you're the type to stick around until the traitor is revealed, either, Sir."

That was also true. Unless a quest to find the traitor was formally and mandatorily given to me, I had little reason to stay behind and help.

Unlike DeB, neither the Inquisitor nor I were particularly helpful when it came to hunting down traitors.

Besides, even if we held out here, we were the only ones who would be put at a growing disadvantage.

Staying behind to defend the area would be helpful in the short term, but it would just be giving the enemy more time. I wanted to avoid giving them time to summon some bizarre, hideous demon as much as possible.

I was going to leave this place as quickly as possible and sprint toward the finale of this quest.

"You can afford to worry a little less about this place. There is a Mage who came here for research and ended up staying due to the incident, so we decided to relay the message to the main force through him."

"Ah, I heard about that. Zakrati actually managed to request aid all the way from the mainland Temple. Thanks to that, this place can receive reinforcements right away."

"... I am simply grateful for the opportunity."

'Ah, then there won't be any major problems even if we leave. Once the reinforcements arrive right away, they'll at least be prepared.'

'Or they could always transport the people to the rear.'

'Thank goodness.'

"Then the issues on this side are at least temporarily settled. It seems there won't be any more conflict with the Temple, either. Is catching Bipurit all that's left?"

'Exactly. Our immediate goal is to strike the Bipurit gang's stronghold, but the ultimate objective is Bipurit's neck.'

"... You aren't going right away, are you?"

'What, am I going to strike the stronghold right away? My fatigue is teetering on the edge, so I'm going to rest a bit before going.'

I reflected on whether I had really been acting that recklessly—though I had no intention of fixing it—and flipped through the documents.

Immediately after, I finally—probably—correctly understood the words DeB had said, which I had misunderstood earlier because he had omitted the subject.

The map precisely marked the castle where Bipurit was located. It was a different place from the one Windhand knew.

「❖ The Fangs Aiming at Zakrati

∎ Move to Ayu Hin occupied by the enemy

∎ Bonus: Kill Bipurit」