TNZKMA 127

１２７

 

 

Saine decided that we go home once to change his weapon. He left behind the big ax and cold-weather gear, and replenished his arrows. He strapped two swords to his waist and took up a spear.

[You’re bringing the spear?]

When doing guard work, Saine never brought a spear. He had said that long weapons like spears were difficult to handle in forests and mountains full of trees.

So I wondered why he had a spear. Guard work always required passing through forests or mountains, and I didn’t understand why Saine would carry a weapon that was useless in those conditions.

[In this place, a spear is more useful. The path is wide, and there are no people. Keeping your distance with a spear is safer for you than closing the gap with a sword.]

Saine left the house with the spear. I also left the house with the King’s Knife.

[You’re taking that?]

[Yeah. It’s my treasure. You never know when we’ll get back home.]

[…That’s true. In times like this, it’s better to keep things you absolutely don’t want to lose close to you.]

Saine said that and pulled me into a tight embrace.

[Never leave my side.]

[Okay.]

I nodded, rubbing my head against Saine.

[Where are we going?]

[To the guild.]

[The Guard guild? Aren’t they in the vacant lot like everyone else?]

[Not at all.]

Saine snorted and laughed.

[If monsters have really appeared, then first, it will be the Heroes and the Dauntlesses who fight.]

Saine walked quickly while keeping a wary eye on the surroundings. I followed at a brisk pace.

[How many heroes are there?]

[Seven.]

[Are there any in the East section?]

[No.]

Saine’s quick pace was making him winded. Still, I kept up.

[The place with the most heroes is the Central Plaza.]

Saine gave a sardonic smile.

[Isn’t the Central Plaza supposed to be the safest place?]

[That’s exactly why they’re there.]

Good or bad, heroes are the ones who defeat monsters. Isn’t that to protect the townspeople from them?

[If their job is to protect the townspeople, wouldn’t it be better if the heroes were on the outskirts? Like, near the houses at the edge of the East-East section. Same with the houses on the edge of the West-West, South-South, and North-North sections. The townspeople would feel safer that way, right?]

The town is square-shaped, and the East-East and West-West sections are at its corners.

[They didn’t become heroes to make the townspeople feel safe.]

[Huh? That’s weird. Heroes are like… well, heroes, right? Back in my world, a hero was someone who transformed and fought. They’d shout, ‘I’ll fight, so everyone, run!’ It was so cool.]

[Heroes existed there?]

[Only on TV, though.]

[TV?]

I tried to explain, but it was impossible to describe TV. I mean, how could anyone understand if I said there were people inside a box?

[In any case, a hero, to me, is someone who fights for others. But from what you’re saying, heroes here aren’t really like that.]

They’re starting to seem a bit like cowards.

[But even in times like this, the heroes still fight, right?]

[Depends on the reward.]

[What? Seriously?]

I couldn’t help but lower my voice.

[Heroes are expensive. What matters is how much money the government or wealthy people can offer for the town’s safety.]

[And if they can’t pay?]

[Nothing. Pleading won’t get you far. If even one hero shows up, you’d be lucky.]

So heroes are stingy cowards? I groaned, feeling my image of heroes shatter.

[Don’t be so disappointed. Heroes and the Dauntlesses are the same.]

Saine laughed and ruffled my hair.

[They’re the same?]

[Yeah. The only difference is whether they’ve been given the title. If a hero and a Dauntless fought, the Dauntless might actually be stronger.]

Saine grinned, looking a bit smug. I grinned back and nodded.

[Yeah, I think so too. I’ve never seen a hero, but Saine, you’re insanely strong. I can’t believe anyone could be stronger than you.]

Saine chuckled softly and gave my back a pat.

[Let’s hurry. We need to figure out what’s going on as soon as possible.]

Being a guard isn’t just about strength. They discuss things at the guild like whether any dangerous monsters have appeared or if monster paths have changed. You’d be surprised if you thought guards were just brutes who relied on strength.

I had to start running full speed to keep up with Saine, who had picked up his pace. It was a bit, or rather, a lot exhausting. Gasping for breath, I still kept up with him.

I was stunned when I saw that there was no one in the Southeast section market. The stalls were open, or rather, they’d been left open and abandoned.

[Looks like they fled in a hurry.]

Even in the Southeast section, the market would usually close at night. Since there wasn’t much street food, it closed earlier than the Northeast section’s market. The abandoned stalls showed no signs of closing and were clearly left behind during the day.

Saine peeked into the blacksmith’s stall. There was a fire in the back where small things could be forged, but it had completely gone out.

[Just like the old man said, this might have been left like this three days ago.]

[You mean…]

[Yeah. Around the time you fell underground.]

That explosion… was it a signal that the monsters had appeared? I shivered and grabbed Saine’s arm.

[Don’t worry. There’s no sign that this area was attacked. It’s probably… more toward the center.]

Saine said that and pulled me closer, glaring down the path ahead.