Chapter 184

Chapter 184

TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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In the Empire, wizards were seen as unpredictable.

A wizard destroyed everything nearby, like a raging inferno.

But on the flip side, if you kept your distance, they could protect people from darkness, cold, and beasts.

That's why the villagers clung to Ian.

"Don't cry. Tell me one at a time," Ian said, calmly soothing the villagers.

Having become so accustomed to wizard-behavior, Ian's skill in handling crowds was almost supernatural.

Salvador watched Ian, his eyes shining.

Reassured by Ian's kind voice, the people spoke up.

"Not long ago, some knights came in the Count's name!"

"... Knights?" Ian exchanged glances with Salvador.

It seemed there were other knights besides Ian's group trying to get a ship here.

"But we can't launch any ships now!"

"What do you mean you can't launch ships?"

"It's because of the monster!"

Ian let out a hollow laugh.

The terrible medieval communication network made it impossible to know why a fishing village couldn't launch boats.

The plan to take a ship from this village was flawed from the start.

"Have you sent anyone to the Count?"

"We did! That's why we thought those knights were sent to help us at first!"

"..."

Ian suddenly felt the back of his neck go cold...

This felt so damn medieval.

"Please continue."

"Yes! We treated those knights like royalty! But then suddenly, they said they needed to take a boat out to the river!"

"They didn't go to fight the monster?"

At Ian's question, the villager shuddered and cried out.

"No! As soon as the monster appeared, they ran away as fast as they could! Only the young men who volunteered to help the knights became monster food!"

To summarize:

A monster appeared in the river, making it difficult to launch boats.

So they requested help from the Count, and knights soon arrived.

The villagers thought the knights would defeat the monster...

But as soon as the monster appeared, they fled at lightning speed, disappearing to who knows where.

Given that the boats hadn't returned, they were either defeated by the monster or by the knights.

And the latter possibility was overwhelmingly higher.

Knights were originally just thugs with swords, after all.

"What kind of monster is it?"

"It looks like a stingray, but it's as big as a fishing boat! It punches holes in ships with its tail and eats people who fall into the water!"

Ian and Salvador spoke almost simultaneously.

"It's a Hunter Stingray."

"Sounds like a Hunter Stingray."

Ian had originally learned all sorts of trivia from Eredith, the Wikipedia wizard.

Salvador had the knowledge gained from a lifetime of sword-fighting.

"Well... this is quite an unpleasant situation," Salvador said, stroking his chin.

"All monsters become dangerous once they taste human flesh."

"There's no prey as delicious and easy as humans."

In nature, humans are surprisingly large.

If a hunt is successful, you get 60-70kg of meat right there, abundant in number, and ridiculously easy to hunt.

The monster that occupied the river, the Hunter Stingray, must have given human meat a 5-star rating the moment it tasted it.

'Wow! Easy-to-eat packaged food comes every day~! Will order again~'

Of course, if you repeat this behavior, humans with sharp weapons will come rushing in.

But stupid monsters don't know that.

There's immediately delicious and easy prey right in front of them, so they just swallow first and think later.

That's why monsters that develop a taste for human flesh had to be killed immediately.

A righteous? and just young man?

Ian wondered if Salvador had gone senile, but he just let it slide.

It would be crazy to shout 'No way! I'm a selfish and dirty bastard~ Kekeke...!'

"I've heard a lot about you from Sir Dehitri! Sir Ian!"

"It's an honor to witness your amazing magical skills firsthand!"

"But we won't be pushovers either!"

"Since it's come to this, how about we bet on who takes down the monster!"

Hahaha!

The Knights of Santiago burst into laughter, finding something terribly amusing.

Ian was dumbfounded.

Is this how you react right before fighting a monster?

Even the northern barbarians would be much more subdued!

'As expected. Imperials really are descendants of barbarians.'

Ian was freshly reminded of the fact that the Holy Empire's people were descendants of barbarians.

"We'll take care of the monster for you."

"R-really?!"

"Of course. Let's launch the boat as soon as we're ready."

"Wizard...!"

As soon as Ian offered to help, the villagers choked up with emotion.

They had no choice but to desperately believe in Ian.

Surely they wouldn't get eaten and run on (round 2)!

But the villagers' worries vanished completely when the Santiago Knights' expedition ceremony began.

"Knights of Santiago!" Salvador shouted in a firm voice.

"Guardians of travelers and people! We must now slay a great beast! Death-bringing threats may follow, and torture-like pain may threaten you!"

"Ooh!"

"But all we'll gain is the gratitude of families with children! Even so! Are there any here who will fight with me, where neither gold coins nor titles can be guaranteed!"

"We'll fight with you! Sir Salvador!"

"We'll gladly join you! Sir Salvador!"

"Excellent! Swords of Santiago! Those with the courage to advance, follow me!"

"Ooooh!"

When Salvador drew his sword, the knights roared.

It was an overwhelming sight that left the villagers awestruck.

"I'll join too!!!" Belenka shouted excitedly.

Ian's ears were ringing.

'This isn't a concert hall...'

"But Belenka. Are you really going to fight without gold coins?"

Ian asked out of curiosity.

As far as Ian knew, Belenka smiled brightest when receiving gold coins or gifts.

Belenka answered shamelessly.

"No? Why would I? I'm a free knight. I have the right to receive fair compensation according to the contract."

Ian stared blankly at Belenka.

Wait, didn't you just say you'd gladly join a fight without gold coins...

"You're taking care of my salary anyway, Ian. I can't demand anything from Sir Salvador."

"..."

So, she meant she could fight for free 'specifically' for Sir Salvador.

Ian nodded.

It's special, but Belenka fighting without pay... She must really respect Sir Salvador.

"It's a fight alongside Sir Salvador. We'll send that pig stingray to the fish market."

Belenka smiled and patted Ian's shoulder.

Ian felt just as reassured.

With a solid vanguard, he couldn't be happier.

'Traveling with the knights really is sweet.'

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