novelraw Chapter 104 : Barbarian-like
Chapter 104 : Barbarian-like
Chapter 104: Barbarian-like
A feast was held in the barbarian village.
Welcomed by the barbarians led by Sigbard, they walked into the village.
Sigbard, who had lived apart in isolation just three years ago, had become a hero.
Even before Potato was dealt with, many warriors had followed Sigbard, but they had not been able to enter the village.
Because the chieftain and the elders had opposed it.
Now, they acknowledged Sigbard as well.
Thud. Thooom. Thud.
The sound of drums echoed, and despite the late hour, fires brightly lit the village.
The monsters that had swarmed day after day disappeared without a trace.
There was no longer any need to flee from Potato.
“Make way! Food coming through!”
Warriors pushed through the boisterous crowd and brought out the feast.
Surprisingly, dishes accompanied by all kinds of vegetables and fruits kept coming out.
He had wondered how they obtained these in the snowy mountains, but the village had farmland.
Inside the building the dwarf had constructed underground, a vast stretch of land spread out.
It was a structure that could maintain a constant climate regardless of the outside temperature.
‘Sigbard’s father. He was said to be Gunrad’s companion…….’
It was puzzling how a single dwarf had created such a large-scale facility, but the question did not last long.
Sigbard dragged Robin around, showing him off everywhere.
“He’s a human who gave me great teachings.”
“A master of twin blades!”
“A genius at peeling potatoes!”
“Potato! Eat!”
The barbarians who had fought alongside them responded enthusiastically.
Having witnessed it firsthand, their gazes toward Robin were filled with goodwill.
He barely managed to stop them from trying to toss him into the air and sat down in a suitable spot.
Sigbard was pushed away by the warriors and moved farther off.
The warriors looked like they would not be satisfied unless they made a full circuit of the village.
Barbarians gathered around Robin as well, but he responded appropriately while eating.
‘Three years. That was quite long.’
He had been prepared, but it was by no means a short period.
Every night, hordes of monsters that lunged at them.
A sword swung as if striking a rock with an egg.
Sparring with Sigbard.
Days repeated uniformly while staring at an uncertain future.
A thrilling sense of fulfillment filled his entire body, as if all the hardships had been rewarded at once.
He had done it.
He had brought down something that had seemed impossible to kill.
The sense of accomplishment it brought was a greater stimulus than anything Robin had felt in his life.
It was not only Robin.
Sigbard, and the barbarian warriors who had fought together.
And even the barbarians who had not gone into battle but had cheered and watched.
When a goal everyone had wished for with one heart was achieved, that success was etched into the world.
That was what it meant to turn the impossible into the possible.
The names of Robin and Sigbard echoed without pause.
‘I can go down the mountain now.’
The ordeal that had begun in pursuit of revenge.
It could be said that he had met the minimum condition Burt had mentioned.
The revenge that had once burned like wildfire settled into calm like a quiet lake.
Robin had become at least somewhat accustomed to handling that emotion.
He would surely exact the price of sin.
However, what weighed on him was Mirian’s dying wish.
-Don’t even dream of revenge.
Until her final moment, Mirian had wished for Robin to live while pursuing happiness.
It was a question he had agonized over countless times.
Mirian’s wish would be fulfilled.
Before that…….
‘Sorry, sis. I guess I can’t.’
Robin had his own way.
Happiness was a subjective value that differed from person to person.
Therefore, Robin would pursue happiness.
It was just that a little revenge would be mixed into the process.
As murderous intent threatened to deepen, Robin steadied his breathing.
Looking around, fortunately, he had not made a mistake.
“The next chieftain is Sigbard!”
“That’s right! Sigbard should lead us!”
“Sigbard! Sigbard! Sigbard!”
The barbarian warriors who had fought together nominated Sigbard as chieftain.
After resolving the tribe’s greatest problem following Gunrad, it was only natural.
Over the past three years, Sigbard’s growth had also been dazzling.
Simply by wielding a rod that no one could easily lift, he had struck Potato’s attacks head-on.
By taking the lead more than anyone, he had naturally developed leadership as well.
The foundation supporting him had been laid.
Using the mistakes of his youth as fertilizer, he had been reborn as a reliable warrior.
Robin let out a small chuckle.
Seeing Sigbard being acknowledged pleased him.
Contrary to his appearance, he was simple and warm-hearted.
‘He looks relieved.’
Sigbard, smiling brightly, made a round of the village and came back.
He sat beside Robin, who was putting fruit into his mouth, and set down a cup with a thud.
“Robin, let’s have a drink.”
“No. Alcohol doesn’t suit me.”
“It’s only like that at first. You get used to it if you keep drinking.”
“Drink! Drink! Drink!”
Unable to refuse the surrounding warriors’ urging, he raised the cup.
Clang.
They clinked cups, and Robin gulped down the drink.
Sigbard, not wanting to lose, drank it all in one go as well.
“Haha! You drink well. How does it taste?”
“It tastes like urine.”
At the honest assessment, the surrounding barbarians burst into laughter.
Sigbard tried to refill his cup, but Robin blocked him with his hand.
Smacking his lips, Sigbard filled his own cup.
“So. What are you going to do now.”
“First, I have to go down this mountain.”
“And after that?”
“Well. I’m thinking of looking for the Wilcock family. I don’t know if they’ll remember me, but there’s money I need to receive.”
Robin had no money.
Literally penniless.
Among the items Burt had left behind, there was nothing that could be used as currency.
“And I want to visit the graves of the people who died.”
“I see. After getting the money and honoring the departed souls, then what?”
Sigbard asked persistently.
Robin pondered for a moment.
He had sworn revenge, but he had no concrete plan.
Imelda, Serena, and Theodric came to mind, but he did not want to involve them.
The road ahead was dangerous.
‘If I can meet them, I’ll see them. If not, I’ll write a letter.’
That was enough.
“I’ll go to the Adventurers’ Guild and register.”
“So you’re heading to uncharted regions. Your destination is the Demon Realm, right?”
“Yes. It won’t be easy, but I have to go.”
“Is it because of revenge.”
“That’s right. To reach the Demon Realm, I have to pass through it anyway, don’t I? And I have an old promise.”
Robin fidgeted with the locket he kept in his bosom.
Though the silver pocket watch had been taken, the locket was in Robin’s possession.
‘There’s a lot to do.’
Sigbard glanced sideways and continued.
“When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow, as soon as day breaks.”
“Wouldn’t it be fine to stay a little longer?”
“I’ve already imposed on you enough.”
Robin straightened his posture and bowed his head toward Sigbard.
“Thank you. If it hadn’t been you that day, I would have died in the snow. Giving me food and lodging, becoming my companion, agreeing to spar with me, all of it……. I can’t put it into words, but thank you.”
Sigbard replied while tearing into some meat.
“You’re stubborn in your own way.”
“Please see it as having good execution.”
“Alright. Tomorrow morning, then… are you finished preparing?”
Robin nodded.
Even though he had packed only what was necessary, his backpack was stuffed to the point of bursting.
‘I’ve grown attached to this place in its own way. It’s a shame.’
“Sigbard, can I come visit again sometime later?”
“Of course. If it’s you, you’re welcome anytime.”
At the next chieftain’s assurance, the corners of Robin’s mouth lifted.
When all his journeys were over, he would stop by at least once.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Drumbeats that showed no sign of stopping, and a banquet that kept coming without end.
Warriors drinking as if they would live only for today.
The joyful night passed.
After the feast ended, Robin busied himself with preparations to leave from early morning.
He hadn’t slept much after being dragged around until late at night, but it was no problem.
Robin was someone who had endured three years fending off monster attacks.
When attacks were frequent, there had even been times he went three days without sleep.
Compared to that, his physical condition was good.
Creeeak.
When he opened the door and stepped out, a vermilion sun was rising at the edge of a cloudless sky.
It was a rare clear day in the high-altitude snowy mountains.
After lighting a fire at the campfire in front of the hut, he boiled water.
Listening to the bubbling sound, he dismantled the tent.
The camping tools Burt had left behind would be used often in the future as well.
After reducing the volume as much as possible, he ate breakfast.
Unlike usual, Robin was alone.
Sigbard had not slept in the hut.
He was probably sprawled somewhere in the village, drunk.
‘I wanted to say goodbye.’
He had said for a while that he would be going down the snowy mountains, but before leaving, he had wanted to see him and say goodbye.
That was why he had deliberately dawdled, but Sigbard did not appear.
He went into the village to look, but the barbarians were sleeping, so drunk they didn’t even know their mouths were hanging open.
Even the warriors who were relatively clear-headed did not know Sigbard’s whereabouts.
“Barbarian-like.”
In the end, Robin came out of the hut with his backpack slung over his shoulders.
Leaving behind the dwelling he had lived in for three years, he took a step forward.
A few warriors waved their hands at the village entrance to see him off.
“Robin! Farewell!”
“I won’t forget you!”
“Come visit again!”
He waved back.
Until they became dots and could no longer be seen.
Crunch. Crunch.
Only the sound of snow being stepped on remained by Robin’s side.
The scenery of the snowy mountains without a blizzard was spectacular.
So much so that he wondered why the scenery was only now coming into view.
How long had it been since he set out.
As he was about to sit on a suitable rock to quench his thirst for a moment, a white bear appeared far in the distance.
Something was riding on top of the bear.
“Sigbard?”
The bear that spotted Robin came running over in a flurry.
As he stared blankly, it was clear that it was Sigbard.
The white bear that stopped in front of Robin rubbed its cheek against him.
“How did you get here?”
He was glad to see him, but he couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
Because the distance Robin had come down was quite far from the village.
Sigbard swept his nose with a snort and spoke.
“Ah. Somehow, this way seems to fit better after all.”
“What does?”
“I’ll follow you.”
Sigbard grinned and slung his rod over his shoulder.
“You said I was your benefactor, but you are my benefactor too.”
“I’m grateful you say that, but what about the tribe?”
“It’ll run fine even without me. Hasn’t it done well up to now?”
“You’re saying you’ll come down the mountain to help me?”
Sigbard nodded and continued.
“I think it’ll be fun if I follow you.”
“If it’s with such a light mindset, I’ll have to decline…….”
“It’s not light.”
Sigbard hardened his expression and spoke in a serious voice.
“I will become a great warrior.”
“A great warrior? What’s that?”
“I’ll see the world my father talked about with my own eyes.”
Sigbard, speaking while radiating pure zeal, reminded him of an old friend.
A child who had once said they would explore an unknown world together someday.
“…….”
“What is it? Is there a problem.”
“If you’re offering to help, it’d be ridiculous for me to refuse given my situation.”
Robin held out his hand.
Sigbard’s thick hand clasped it.
“I’ll be in your care.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
Sigbard then pulled Robin straight up onto the bear.
There was quite a lot of luggage, and most of it consisted of things Robin had never seen before.
“What are these?”
“I brought things that might be worth money.”
“…These?”
“They’re monster corpses I dried over time.”
“How does that become money?”
At Robin’s counterquestion, Sigbard flustered.
Clearing his throat, he explained the other items.
“There’s also a ladle and pots passed down in my family for generations.”
The tableware was shiny and well maintained, but that was all.
“Aren’t there any jewels or crafted goods?”
“There aren’t.”
Looking closely, it was a collection of household tools an ordinary barbarian might use.
Most of them were large and unsuitable for carrying around.
When Robin’s expression stiffened, Sigbard hurriedly continued.
“How about this! It’s a map showing the route from around here to human lands.”
When he unfolded the thick paper, a large map appeared.
It was a precisely drawn map.
“This will be quite helpful.”
“I figured it would.”
“As for the rest, we’ll get rid of it after going down. We won’t get much, but we can’t keep carrying it around. More importantly, where did all this come from?”
“I looted the chieftain’s house.”
“What?”
“I won’t be coming back for a while anyway, so I took everything that looked useful.”
It was Sigbard’s small revenge.
The chieftain hadn’t particularly done anything wrong, but from Sigbard’s perspective, having been ostracized, there must have been some lingering resentment.
He looked pleased for some reason.
“There’s probably an uproar by now.”
“This 정도 isn’t something they can’t overlook, so why?”
“I peed all over the chieftain’s weapon! Hahahaha!”
“…….”
To barbarians who cherished their weapons, this was a tremendous insult.
Sigbard laughed heartily.
“Can you handle it?”
“Of course! When I return, I’ll be a great warrior!”
At the innocent smile, Robin couldn’t help but let out a small laugh as well.
Sigbard’s laughter spread far into the distance.