novelraw Chapter 97 : It Might Be Better to Die Instead
Chapter 97 : It Might Be Better to Die Instead
Chapter 97: It Might Be Better to Die Instead
They had run into each other while fleeing Regiville, but this was the first time in seven years they had spoken at such close range.
He had so many things he wanted to say if they ever met again, but reuniting in such an unexpected place left him unable to find the words.
Burt swept his gaze up and down Robin and opened his mouth.
“What's with the hair.”
“Ah… I dyed it when the wanted order came down.”
Robin’s hair was dark at the roots.
The way it was split into blond and black looked ridiculous even to him.
He had a head full of questions, but he pointed out the thing that bothered him the most.
The woman who had come in while pulling a sled, floating in midair.
The woman, who looked to be in her late twenties, was completely exhausted and gasping for breath.
“That person… who is she.”
“A porter.”
“A porter can’t fly through the air. And how strong do you have to be to pull a sled like that.”
“What are you talking about. That much is basic for a porter.”
“…What?”
Burt looked at Robin as if asking something so obvious.
His common sense had just been denied.
In any case, there was something he had to be certain about before worrying about the rest.
Someone came to mind when he looked at that woman.
‘They called her Sparrow, didn’t they.’
A mysterious group that had appeared near the end of the war.
They hid themselves with masks and robes so it was impossible to identify them, but they shared the trait of walking through the air.
If Robin’s guess was correct, that woman was a dangerous individual.
“Sparrow.”
The woman who had been sprawled out turned her head.
She reacted so easily, as if she had no intention of hiding it, that it took the wind out of him.
Meeting his eyes, the woman let out a hoarse voice.
“P-please… save me.”
“…….”
“It might be better to die instead…….”
Cognitive dissonance hit him.
Thinking of the overwhelming force Sparrow had shown in the war, it was hard to believe that person and the one suffering so miserably now were the same.
He looked at Burt with the intent of demanding an answer, but Burt only snorted.
“Porters these days really have no basics.”
Robin looked over the sled and revised his thoughts.
If she had walked through the air while bearing such an absurd weight, wouldn’t even a formidable fighter end up collapsing?
“That woman, is she someone we can trust?”
“No.”
When Burt kicked the ground with his prosthetic leg, clumps of snow tumbled down onto the woman’s body.
Perhaps because her body was giving off a lot of heat, her expression looked like she had come back to life.
“A porter is a porter. As long as they do their share, that’s the end of it. What they do after that, nobody knows.”
“P-please… Sir Burt, can’t you trust me just a little?”
Burt ignored her completely and started walking.
As Robin alternated his gaze between the woman and Burt, Burt urged him on.
“What are you doing, not coming?”
Just as Robin walked up beside Burt, about to pour out his questions, Burt was faster.
“I was asked a favor.”
“Could you explain a bit more in detail?”
“I was asked to help you survive.”
“Can’t you tell me who, when, where, why, and how?”
“Someone you don’t know, a month ago, somewhere on the continent, because they wanted you to live, asked me through an artifact.”
“Who in the world is that person?”
“Jeremy’s mother.”
The unexpected answer left Robin confused.
“When she came out using that brat’s death as an excuse, it was laughable. A mother who couldn’t even protect her own child, and yet she talks.”
“Why would Jeremy’s mother do that for me…? More importantly, you’re in contact with her?”
“She’s not someone you can contact anytime. She’s looking out for you because you’re her son’s friend.”
At the words “son’s friend,” Robin’s chest felt like it was being torn apart.
He wanted to meet her if possible, but Burt’s reaction was lukewarm.
In the past, he wouldn’t even have told him this much.
Burt was telling Robin quite a lot.
Robin asked another question that had been bothering him.
“…Seven years ago. When I left Stonegoth and received escort from a mercenary band, was that also because Jeremy’s mother asked you?”
“That wasn’t it. I spent some money.”
“Why.”
“Setting aside interests, Jeremy’s death was regrettable for me too.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“The living have to live. I thought it wouldn’t be bad to give you a chance.”
Was he saying it was pure goodwill?
The questions didn’t end.
Robin’s fists trembled.
He couldn’t blame Burt for the tragedy of that day.
Even so, he couldn’t help but ask.
“If you thought that much of Jeremy… then why didn’t you save him.”
“I didn’t think I needed to step in.”
“…I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to blame you.”
It was something he had already come to terms with long ago.
He calmed the emotions that were surging up.
“Now that I’ve confirmed you’re alive, I should hear your plans going forward.”
“First, we need to get down this mountain.”
“And after that?”
“I’ll let it be known that I’m alive…….”
Burt cocked his chin as if telling him to continue.
“I’ll make them pay for their sins.”
“So you’re talking about revenge.”
Mirian had hoped that Robin wouldn’t be bound by revenge, but Robin thought differently.
“But do you have the strength to take revenge?”
“That’s…….”
“If you want, I can take you outside even now.”
At Burt’s words, the woman pulling the sled behind them flinched.
“But if you want to grow stronger, stay here.”
“Are you telling me to train alone?”
“That would be training if you call it training. Do you know what kind of place this is?”
Robin shook his head.
The northern mountain range of Runeberg.
The land of the Barbarian Tribe.
That was all he knew.
“The Demon Realm. Territory of the Demon Tribe.”
At the mention of the Demon Tribe, Robin clenched his teeth.
“But I haven’t seen a single Demon Tribe member.”
“To be precise, it’s a forsaken land that even the Demon Tribe doesn’t come to.”
As Burt continued speaking, the questions about him only deepened.
He had noticed long ago that Burt wasn’t an ordinary general store owner, but coming all the way to the Demon Realm—
And what was with the woman following behind Burt?
“You’ll probably see a gigantic monster tomorrow or the day after.”
“How gigantic are we talking?”
“Hmm. It’s been a long time since I last saw it, so it’s hazy, but it’s probably about the size of an average noble fortress.”
“That’s big enough to put dragons to shame.”
“Old dragons are even bigger than that.”
Robin couldn’t tell whether Burt was joking or serious.
“Try hunting that monster. Then at the very least, you could say you’re prepared.”
“You want me to hunt a monster the size of a fortress?”
“I’ve heard the story. Don’t you hold a grudge against the Demon Tribe. If you want to hunt the Demon Tribe, you need to be at least that strong.”
The Demon Tribe who fought mercenary bands were powerful.
Even if the monster was huge, wouldn’t it be more manageable than a Demon Tribe that used magic?
He couldn’t make a rash judgment without seeing it for himself.
“I want to become strong enough to face knights as well, not just the Demon Tribe.”
“Don’t worry. If you can hunt that monster, an ordinary knight won’t even be worth facing.”
“And by any chance, do you know anything about those people who wore white masks and cloaks? I need to go find them too.”
The woman pulling the sled flinched once again.
Burt spoke calmly.
“Why don’t you ask the porter about that.”
“As expected… may I ask one more thing?”
“What is it.”
“Shop owner Burt, what exactly are you.”
It was the most important question.
The general store owner who had taken Robin in during his childhood and given him a place to belong.
A man strong enough that he couldn’t be considered ordinary.
Yet Robin didn’t actually know much about Burt.
“You know that I was once an adventurer.”
“Do you really think that alone explains all of this?”
“Why wouldn’t it.”
“Fine. It’ll be faster to ask that woman over there.”
The woman had already steadied her breathing.
She had also taken out long-sleeved clothing and put it on, adding warmth to what had been a sleeveless outfit.
As Robin approached, she put on a smile that pretended to be friendly.
“You’re Sparrow, right?”
‘You,’ you say. Please call me Emily casually.”
“And your answer?”
“Calling a person Sparrow—how amusing.”
Robin restrained himself from drawing his sword on the spot.
Even setting aside the difference in skill, she was Burt’s porter.
He swallowed his anger and continued speaking.
“The ten or so masked figures who appeared at the Runeberg territorial battle. You were among them.”
“Hmm, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“That footwear. It’s an artifact, right?”
Emily raised her eyebrows and lifted her shoe.
On the battlefield where rain had poured down, Robin had carefully observed Sparrow’s shoes.
Unless she was a Demon Tribe worshipper, she would have been using an artifact.
Sparrow’s shoes and Emily’s shoes were the same.
“I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding you’re under, but identifying someone based on a single pair of shoes isn’t that a stretch?”
“Then how did you fly up into the sky.”
“Haha. That’s a trade secret.”
Robin subtly let killing intent leak out.
Burt immediately turned around.
“Stop.”
‘If he can react even to something this faint, his perception isn’t bad…….’
Robin left Emily behind and walked beside Burt.
Neither the general store owner nor the porter had any intention of revealing their identities.
He let out a sigh and changed the subject.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“Isn’t there a Barbarian who built a hut and lives away from the village.”
“That’s right. He’s a Barbarian named Sigbard, and I’m currently staying with him.”
“To that guy’s place.”
“You know Sigbard?”
“I do. I once received help from that guy’s father.”
At this point, Robin stopped digging into Burt’s past.
What had he done while working as an adventurer in his younger days?
The one-legged middle-aged man pressed forward through the snowy field.
When Robin, who had said he would go look around, appeared together with Burt and Emily, Sigbard was slightly surprised.
Seeing that they were indeed acquainted with Burt, Sigbard welcomed the three of them.
“You learned the Empire’s common tongue? Gunrad will be proud.”
“Robin, help.”
Sigbard presented the monster meat he and Robin had caught.
It was meat familiar to Robin, but Emily took spices out of the sled.
Sprinkling on a simple seasoning that removed the gamey smell and enhanced the savory flavor made the taste come alive.
It was a satisfying meal.
“Porter, pitch the tent.”
“Yesss.”
Emily took out the camping gear from the sled without complaint.
While a large tent was being set up beside the hut, Burt spoke.
It was the language of the Barbarian Tribe.
Robin was surprised that Burt spoke the Barbarian tongue, but Sigbard listened silently as if it were only natural.
After exchanging a few words, the two turned their heads toward Robin at the same time.
“I explained your situation to Sigbard.”
“That’s what it was? It’s not really a story worth spreading around.”
“Not that. I told him you’d be hunting a gigantic monster.”
“What did Sigbard say?”
“He says he’ll join you.”
Sigbard nodded with a resolute expression.
Robin was moved that someone would walk the path of hardship together with him.
Not only had this Barbarian saved someone like him, a complete stranger, but the kindness he had shown was no small thing.
“Sigbard has been wary of that monster for a long time.”
“When you say a long time, since when?”
“Probably over twenty years now, right?”
Sigbard nodded in agreement.
“The reason Sigbard was exiled from the tribe was also because many tribesmen died while trying to hunt that monster.”
“I didn’t know there was such a story behind it.”
Before they knew it, the sun had set.
The crackling campfire illuminated the surroundings.
Lights flickered here and there in the village beyond the wooden fence.
It stood in contrast to Sigbard’s solitary hut.
“Sir Burt, the sleeping arrangements are ready!”
“Good work.”
“It’s time to wrap up a long day.”
“There’s one more thing you need to do.”
Emily forced a smile while hiding her unease.
“Go to the village and tell everyone who has time tomorrow to come watch.”
“Sir Burt……? I don’t know the Barbarian language…….”
“Also tell them that if they keep turning away from reality, only extinction awaits them.”
“Are you listening to me……?”
“What are you doing, hurry up and go.”
A crack formed in Emily’s smile.
She recalled her superior’s words.
He’s strict, but he’s not a bad person.
He was a respected superior, but this time, he was wrong.
Being strict and having a bad personality meant the same thing.
Grinding her teeth to suppress her anger, she spoke.
“Quickly. I’ll be back…….”
Bang! With that sound, Emily disappeared.
Sigbard’s eyes widened, and he demanded an explanation from Burt.
Why someone so quick and capable would be acting as a porter.
Burt tossed a few words at Sigbard in the Barbarian language.
Robin couldn’t understand the meaning, but he inferred it from the tone and expression.
‘She’s just an ordinary porter. Something like that, maybe.’
Sigbard sucked in a hollow breath and nodded.
“The meal’s finished, so let’s head in first.”
Burt went into the tent as if Emily didn’t even exist to him.
“Let’s go in too.”
“Alright.”
Sigbard and Robin also went into the hut.
Some time later.
Emily looked at the now-empty area in front of the hut and spoke to the air.
“Um? Where did everyone go?”
“…….”
“This is a joke, right? It is, right?”
There was no reply.
She didn’t dare touch the tent where Burt was sleeping.
She tried to open the hut door, but it was firmly shut.
“Geez… where am I supposed to sleep.”
The snowstorm of the snowy mountains howled fiercely.
With a tearful expression, Emily opened the sled door and lay down inside.