Year 135_Keireki Era_Winter/04
The negotiations for the mounts seemed to be taking a while, so I was given some free time.
Though it’s a shift system with the other guard, so I doubt I’ll have much time.
Might as well fill my stomach while I’m at it.
I had received a little pocket money from the Boss, so I decided to look for food.
The food court was bustling.
There were all sorts of unrecognizable seafood, mysterious kebabs, and peculiar drinks.
The selection was vast, but nothing really caught my eye.
The most popular dish seemed to be grilled beetles. I’ll pass on that.
“This haul’s a bit underwhelming.”
“Indeed. I had heard the area around Biumode was fairly prosperous, though.”
As I grew tired of searching, I ordered a random skewer and some alcohol, taking a seat.
Next to me, a red-haired man with unruly hair was grumbling, and an elderly gentleman was patiently listening to his complaints.
The two had a certain air of distinction, unusual for bandits.
“The western side might just be bleak overall. Plus... I hear there are quite a few guardian knights around here, so it can’t be helped.”
“Perhaps the wealthy ones have already earned their fill and moved elsewhere.”
“Probably.”
A dull lot, with nothing but petty merchants around. The redhead downed his drink, looking thoroughly bored.
“Hey there, kid. You’ve got quite the sour look on your face. Drinking aimlessly will leave you with a nasty hangover, you know.”
Bored out of my mind, I decided to strike up a conversation.
Sliding my plate of skewers in his direction as an icebreaker.
“Eh? Oh... you’ve got a point.”
“Cheers,” he said, grabbing a skewer.
He bit into it and washed it down with a swig of alcohol.
“You one of the bandits around here?”
“Yeah, usually holed up in a cave somewhere. But the Boss is after some mounts, so we’ve come out for the first time in a while. No clue what he plans to do with them.”
When I asked him the same question, he replied, “I’m from Meibara.”
Red hair.
The color of a setting sun...
Wait, no way.
“You’ve got some guts talking to me.”
“The name ‘Altia of the Sunlit Hair’ may not be known to all in these parts.”
Sunlit Hair... something or other...
Oh no. Did I just offer a skewer to someone seriously out of my league?
Well, no turning back now.
“Oh, I know who you are. I just wanted to chat with someone who lives in a world far removed from mine.”
“You knew and still approached me?”
He let out a hearty laugh.
“You’re a funny one,” he said, seemingly amused. At least I managed to gain his favor.
His laughter had a magnetic charm... difficult to describe, but undeniably captivating.
Perhaps this is what people call charisma.
“Our worlds aren’t so different. We’re all just surviving by preying on others.”
He poured more alcohol into my empty mug.
“Consider it thanks for the skewer.”
“Much appreciated.”
“You’ve got some nerve, kid.”
If this interaction went south, I’d only end up dead anyway.
“Pops, I’ve checked around the stalls. Nothing seems amiss.”
Just as I was about to take a sip, a red-haired girl approached Altia with a report.
“Good work.”
“And who’s that?”
“She’s my daughter. Looks just like me, doesn’t she?”
Altia’s face, though rugged, was undeniably handsome. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, though he might’ve been older and simply youthful-looking.
The girl, on the other hand, seemed around ten. She had a strong-willed gaze, much like her father’s, exuding a mischievous air.
“Nice to meet you. My name’s Haltia.”
Surprisingly polite.
“No need for such formalities; he’s just another bandit.”
“Oh, I thought he might be someone important since you were talking to him.”
I take that back.
“Well, I’m—”
Before I could finish, a chorus of screams and death cries erupted.
And then, a chilling announcement:
“Guardian knights are here!!”
The Guardian Knights. Guards.
The very embodiment of death for us bandits.
An elite group of knights, they wield not only physical prowess but also the power of pacts—using the subjugation curse in its proper form, as a pledge rather than a taboo.
Their armor and weapons, granted through their vows, are enchanted with tremendous power. Their shields are said to withstand even siege weapons.
If restoring order was their mission, it made sense for them to attack this market.
The screams came from the main gate.
If that’s where they were coming from, we needed to find another escape route.
“We need to evacuate, Lord Altia.”
At the elder’s words, they began to move.
I decided to tag along for now.
If they told me to scram, I’d figure out my next move then.
“This way, to the back exit.”
As we ran, someone gave directions.
However, the back exit was clogged with people. It didn’t seem like we could get through easily.
And then, their voices echoed:
“We are the Sentinel Knights, armed and armored to uphold the warning!”
Here they go again.
“May the desolate paradise rest in peace.”
There it is.
I don’t know what it means, but I’m sure it’s their way of telling us to die.
Before us stood a sentinel knight.
Full armor, a great shield, and a weapon—this one wielded a greatsword.
The standard type of knight.
No time for idle observation.
In the distance, blood and flesh sprayed as the greatsword tore through the crowd of bandits.
The throng ahead was quickly reduced to bloodshed, clearing the path.
But advancing forward was impossible.
Why? Because the knight stood in the way.
The knight paused for a moment, considering.
The red-haired man, the elder, the girl, or me.
Who to target?
I moved before he could decide.
I grabbed the girl and hurled her toward her group.
“Catch, buddy!”
They immediately understood my intentions.
Grabbing her, they dashed down another path.
The knight turned to face me as I threw a knife at his joints.
A sharp clang resounded, but it had no effect.
The knight’s gaze seemed to say, “Foolish.”
I agreed.
Still, targeting a child first is just wrong.
I grabbed a shard of debris created from earlier carnage.
Channeling all my spirit into it, I hurled the shard.
With a shout, it flew, striking the knight.
A loud sound rang out, but it caused no harm.
Of course not. If knights were so easily defeated, they wouldn’t be called death incarnate.
The knight advanced without a word, and before I realized it, I was cut down.
The last thing I saw was Altia and the others escaping through the back exit.
At least this was fine.
Seeing a child die is something I could never stomach.
What do you think about this chapter?
