Chapter 197 ~ Respite in Carne

Chapter 197 ~ Respite in Carne

The following travels went peacefully without any other encounters with monsters.

Before even the sun began to set, they could see tall, wooden fences with sharpened peaks in the distance, signifying civilization. And the only civilization they knew would be within their vicinity, if they did not somehow go the opposite way, would be Carne Village.

However, the sight caught Nfirea, the one who knew of Carne Village the most, by surprise.

“Eh...? That’s...”

“What’s wrong?”

Peter asked, and Nfirea responded with half doubt.

“Those tall wooden walls... I don’t recall Carne Village having them. It is supposed to be a very small, rural village...”

Lukrut focused his eyes at the distant view of the village.

“Hm... They seemed to be built quite sturdily. They even sharpened the top of each stake. For a rural village, that’s quite impressive.

“Maybe they just built it recently?”

“...”

Nfirea didn’t want to simply brush off Ninya’s words, as there might be some truth to it. However, he knew more than anyone here how limited the resources Carne Village had in their possessions, may it be in building material or human resources.

Unless a generous and rich merchant or noble somehow decided to help such a small village with building such defensive structures out of nowhere, it’d be impossible for Carne Village to acquire such tall walls.

However, without any other plausible answer, Nfirea stayed silent and continued making his way to the village.

Upon arriving closer, the sight of the tall and thick wooden stakes firmly buried to the ground and connected with thick hemp ropes became even more impressive, considering it was a small, rural village. While it may not be that effective against a group of bandits or large, powerful monsters, it was sufficient to deter groups of goblins or wolf packs that seeked to attack the village.

The raised, rocky ground to the side of the road with tall grasses and shrubberies were also details Nfirea hadn’t seen before.

But what caught his and everyone else’s attention wasn’t the structure that was only impressive for a village, but the group of goblins, much more muscular and armed with steel weapons and leather armors, standing by the gates, as if guarding it.

“Are those goblins...?!”

Lukrut, being the first one to see the group of goblins, quickly drew his bow and knocked an arrow to its string.

Peter and the rest of the Swords of Darkness similarly went into formation, surrounding Nfirea who sat on the head of the carriage.

“Who the hell are you guys?!”

One of the goblins drew his own bow and arrow. And the moment he did, a number of goblins appeared from between the tall grasses and shrubberies around them, immediately surrounding them.

The sight of these many goblins, armed with weapons, sent Peter and the rest into high alert.

These were clearly not ordinary goblins. One was even capable of speaking, which proved how different they were from the mindless, savage goblins they encountered just the day before.

Moreover, with such numbers, Peter didn’t know if they would be able to defeat them, if not for Alexander and his party.

But just as he was calculating on what to do, another goblin, the one wielding a broadsword, spoke up.

“Hey guys, we don’t want to fight if we don’t have to. Especially that full-plated guy! You give off a real dangerous feeling!”

The goblin pointed its sword at Alexander, who was standing silently, not drawing his sword.

Yuuji, Aika, and Momonga knew who these goblins were, and knew they were not hostile. While Lupu, seeing as her masters did not make a move, also stood silently.

Of course, although she could easily decimate the small group of goblins easily, she did not lower her guard entirely. After all, if something were to somehow happen to her masters, no matter how small or insignificant, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

Hearing the words of the goblin, Peter became just as conflicted as he was confused.

Being outnumbered while having a bunch of weapons pointed at them by goblins was something he registered as a threat based on his experience.

The goblins had said that it didn’t wish to fight for fear of Alexander. However, he still couldn’t let his guard down, as they might still attack when he did.

Yuuji tilted his head and rested it on Aika as the two silently enjoyed the gently blowing winds and fresh, natural air untainted by pollution and dust.

In the distance, Momonga watched them with a small smile on his face.

Seeing the two people he considered his little brother and sister, though they were both much more capable and smarter than him, so close warmth his heart. A warmth he wouldn't have been able to feel in his overlord form filled his chest and beating heart.

A warmth he hadn't felt for years... perhaps, decades. The warmth of a family.

Solitary had always been the only companion Satoru had since... as far as he could remember.

Although he had parents, their presence and attention, or lack thereof, only served to accentuate his loneliness.

He was alone in his school. And loneliness continued to follow him to his workplace.

The only time he wasn't on his own was when he's within Yggdrasil. That was the only time he had ever felt alive.

But, even that came to an end.

The pain he felt... And the realization that loneliness had never truly left him.

Perhaps, it would've hurt less if he never knew such a life in the first place, if only to have it robbed from him once more.

But then... a miracle came.

People from beyond his own world came to his life, connected by an "App" beyond comprehension.

And for the first time, he saw yet another light at the end of the dark, long, lonely tunnel.

Apprehension, stemming from his fear of loss, closed his heart to them for a time.

But these people... They knew him. They knew how he felt, his true feelings, his pain, his loneliness...

And despite knowing all of that, they still chose to befriend him. To rid him off his loneliness. To be with him.

They quickly get to know each other more, and grew closer. And they get to find out things even their "stories" didn't get to tell.

Their bonds grew as they went through missions. They taught him how it felt to be cared for.

The warmth of a family.

And before he knew it... he had considered all of them his little brothers and sisters.

"Hah... But those lovebirds should learn the time and place for such pda..."

He shook his head with a helpless smile.

Just then, Momonga noticed his shadow shifting and began to ripple.

"What is it?"

A telepathic message came into his mind as the deep, wispy voice of a Shadow Demon resounded within.

"Momonga-sama... I have come to report."

"Tell me."

"We have spotted two beings within the crypt near E-Rantel accumulating a great amount of negative energy. It is as you have foretold, my lord."

The shadow demon lowered his head in deep reverence over the omniscience his lord seemed to wield. Truly, it was the joy of his life to be of service to someone so great and wise as him.

"I see. Continue to monitor the situation within the crypt. Also, have the other shadow demon follow the golden-haired woman. Tell me if she comes to E-Rantel."

"As you command."

Momonga let out a sigh as he thought of the busy next few days, when they will be hailed as heroes and move on to the next phase of the plan.