Episode 18: An Abnormal Situation

After that, we didn’t encounter any monsters at all along the way.

It might be because we took a relatively open and safe path, but even so, I hardly sensed any presences.

Did the guards exterminate them all?

I did tell them to at least leave some small fry monsters, keeping in mind the purpose of the trial ceremony.

Well, I suppose I should think of it as not having to waste stamina or nerves unnecessarily.

So that’s how we proceeded without any obstacles and reached the Sacred Rock, the objective of the trial.

In the middle of the dense forest, just when I thought we’d come out to an unnaturally open space, what was there was a gigantic monolith that covered the entire field of vision.

“…This is the Sacred Rock… isn’t it?”

“Indeed. It’s larger than I’d heard.”

From the name, I thought it would be more like a stone monument, but who knew it would be such a ridiculously huge plain rock.

I don’t know where the sacred element is, but well, there must be some kind of legend or something. It being this big is abnormal.

“If we chip this off and bring it back, the trial is complete.”

“I see… it’s finally over…”

Eleanore stroked her chest with an exhausted expression.

There were no monsters along the way, but she was constantly frightened.

I was also on edge wondering when I’d be wandering between life and death, but I think Eleanore was worn down even more than that.

“Once we collect a fragment, shall we rest for a bit?”

“—Yes.”

She smiled bitterly and agreed to my proposal.

Well, we’ve been walking continuously for two to three hours.

I’m tired too, so let’s rejuvenate ourselves a bit.

***

While its size was impressive, when I tried chipping and taking some, it turned out to be a surprisingly ordinary stone.

It’s not like the cross-section sparkled like a diamond or emitted magical power.

I wonder if you could get away with taking a random stone from somewhere else and submitting it. Well, there aren’t any stones like that lying around here, and there’s only fertile soil on the ground.

We were resting in the shadow of the rock.

While conversing, we put the light meal we brought into our stomachs for now.

Eleanore seemed to have recovered quite a bit, as color had returned to her previously exhausted expression.

She must have gotten quite used to the forest, so that’s good, that’s good.

However, I still hadn’t let my guard down.

I must stay vigilant so I’m ready for anything.

I should also check in with the guards later.

Just as I was thinking that.

“Ahhh!”

A voice that could be called a shout rang out.

When I turned my gaze there wondering what was going on, there was the figure of an innocent-looking boy with his mouth wide open.

“There’s someone here earlier than us!”

“Ehhh! I totally thought we’d be first!”

“It’s because you got us lost back there!”

“Hah? It’s not my fault!”

Other boys appeared one after another from behind him, making a ruckus with their yelling.

Somehow, I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve heard conversations between kids like this…

It reminds me of my orphanage days.

“What are those people…?”

“Most likely, they’re commoners also undergoing the trial.”

I think commoners are also doing the ceremony at a different location.

Since the destination is the same, they’d run into each other like this.

Ah, then I might meet acquaintances from my orphanage days too.

The distance to this forest is probably about the same from both Egenhardt and the village where I lived.

“Ah! I know that guy! The one the moms liked!”

“Whoa! I got scolded because of you!”

Some of the boys directed angry rebukes toward us!!

…Eh.

Well, I do have some interactions with the townspeople…

What do they mean I got them scolded?

I often heard things like “be like him!” when I was in the village… maybe they mean that?

If so, well, all I can say is that’s unfortunate.

I wasn’t particularly hurt, so I was letting the children’s commotion pass when…

“Ah, I’ve seen that black one too!”

“Really! Isn’t that the crow woman Mom was talking about?!”

With a twitch, she stirred next to me.

“Whoa, so they’re nobles then!”

“We’re actually first then! Don’t get cocky!”

“Actually!”

“The black one’s gonna eat you!”

Cackling like monkeys, they ran off behind the rock.

…Those brats.

Their words and actions were quite fearless, but wouldn’t Adalbert be furious if they said that to him?

Well… he doesn’t care about status differences so he’d probably let it go. No, maybe it’s different when it comes to his daughter.

…However, while it was terrible abuse, it’s true that this is also the sentiment of the townspeople.

The prejudice against Eleanore still hasn’t stopped. The parents’ ideology must be passed down to the children too.

Given the nature of her power, is it difficult for her to be completely accepted…?

“Eleanore-sama,”

She was hurt by the birthday party incident too.

After all, if she received that much abuse this time as well…

While thinking that and looking at Eleanore’s face, I felt a bit taken aback… or rather, surprised.

“…Did you think I was hurt?”

“—Yes. A little.”

“Fufu. …Don’t worry. I’m used to this sort of thing now.”

With a nonchalant attitude, she showed a smile.

She didn’t seem hurt. It wasn’t like she was putting on a brave face either.

…I see.

Eleanore is getting stronger too.

I might have been underestimating her a bit.

Well, knowing she’d fall into darkness if I died, I’ve become overly protective, so it can’t be helped… is what I’d like to say.

However, if she can maintain a resolute attitude like this, even my death might not lead to her falling into darkness—

“Besides, if Arcs affirms me, that’s enough.”

…

She is getting stronger, right?

That way of saying it makes me a bit anxious though…

…I’ll retract that earlier thought.

I really mustn’t die after all.

***

“—Shall we get going soon?”

“Yes. We’ve rested plenty.”

At my suggestion, she slowly stands up.

We’d been resting for a while after that, but children continued to arrive at this large rock.

Since they’re commoners, they probably don’t have many guards, so I think it’s impressive.

Well, it’s also that nobles are just overprotective.

I inspect my sword and tools, making sure I can enter combat mode at any time.

I can’t let my guard down on the way back either.

“Then, let’s depart—”

At that moment.

“Someone, someone!!”

I hear a child’s scream-like shout.

It’s from behind this rock.

“Ah, you came in last.”

“You’re so slow.”

“Punishment game later~”

There’s a noisy commotion behind us. Are they not taking that scream seriously?

“That’s not it! This is really serious!!”

A voice crying out desperately.

Perhaps overwhelmed by this, the mocking behavior subsides.

…What?

What’s happening?

“Did something happen?”

Before I knew it, Eleanore’s figure wasn’t beside me.

It seems she had intervened in the middle of the commotion.

“Uh, um. My friend disappeared—”

Toward Eleanore, the boy shows a momentarily startled expression, but bit by bit begins to explain what happened.

“We entered the forest together… we were together until just now. But then, suddenly, he started muttering weird things… and that creeped me out so I ran away…”

“Weird things?”

“Yeah… something about going back, going back…”

…What’s that about?

Was he cursed or something? But there shouldn’t be any monsters in this forest that use curses…

“So… I ran away, but I was still worried… I went back. Then, …then—he was being attacked by an armored monster!”

Perhaps the fear resurfaced as he remembered, as the boy’s body was trembling violently and his voice was strangely high-pitched.

…An armored monster?

A Living Armor?

Or maybe a Killer Mail… an Executioner…

But none of those exist in a forest like this.

In the first place, only beast-type monsters appear here.

Monsters with artificial things like armor only appear in dungeons or ruined buildings.

…But it doesn’t seem like his words are a lie either.

Then, what’s the true identity of that monster…?

“…”

Eleanore glances at me.

An expression asking if I can do something.

Searching for a missing child, and moreover, there’s a possibility they’re being attacked by a monster…

Honestly, I don’t want to take this on.

Since I don’t know the monster’s identity, carelessly accepting could be fatal.

But I also can’t just abandon them like this.

I think Eleanore definitely wouldn’t allow it.

“…I have a lead, so I’ll check it out. Eleanore-sama… and everyone else, please wait here.”

Even if I go, it’s dangerous.

Then, I should entrust this to the professional adults.

I go into the bushes and come to a place where Eleanore and the others probably can’t hear my voice.

“Everyone! Guards! Please come out!”

I call out to my only lead.

There are over ten guards. With that many people, they should be able to handle most monsters adequately.

When it comes to searching for a child too, the more hands the better.

…

But there’s no response.

They don’t show themselves either.

“…? It’s Arcs, guards, please respond immediately!!”

Still, no response.

Just my shout being absorbed by the trees.

What the hell, what are they doing?

It can’t possibly be… dereliction of duty.

They’re knights who’ve sworn loyalty to the count’s family, right?

Maybe if they were cheap mercenaries, but there’s no way people with noble titles would do such a thing, supposedly.

However, in reality, they don’t appear.

I should assume something has happened.

…Damn, this has become troublesome.

“Guards!! Um… lost person!! If you’re there, please respond!!”

While advancing cautiously, I shout again.

In this case, I should have asked for the missing person’s name.

If they’re being attacked by a monster, there’s a high possibility they can’t respond though.

But even so, I proceeded through the forest while shouting.

Making sure to secure my retreat route so I can withdraw at any time.

“If anyone’s there, respond—”

Eventually, something unfamiliar appeared in my view.

Not plants and trees, something else.

Iron armor.

The Anciness family crest was engraved on the arm, making it clear at a glance that it was a guard.

“—I finally found you… What exactly are you doing there?”

But that atmosphere was clearly not that of a guard.

How should I put it, it was bizarre.

Like the existence was hazy, or distorted.

When I tried to look closely, I couldn’t quite grasp it.

Moreover, the posture was strange too.

Standing still in the middle of nowhere, not gripping a sword, just standing there.

But apparently… it wasn’t empty-handed.

“…”

Without saying anything, the armor looked at me.

Its posture changed, and through that angle, what happened to the left hand that couldn’t be seen became clear.

In that hand was a small, human, head.

No, it’s not a severed head. It has a body properly attached.

But that’s all.

It’s not moving at all. Is it alive?

I can’t tell if it’s alive or dead just by looking from here.

But, either way.

“What the hell are you doing!!”

I didn’t hesitate.

I thrust out my left hand and instantly charged it with magical power.

Light converges in a spiral in front of my hand, forming a sphere.

“[Smash]!!”

Trailing a sparkling tail, it was fired at ultra-high speed.

The size itself is small, but I blasted out everything in an instant.

It’s probably the impact of a truck at top speed.

The armor… or whatever that thing is that I don’t even know if it’s human anymore, didn’t even try to dodge and took a direct hit.

The child being held was thrown aside, and the armor was slammed into a large tree.

The point of impact is badly dented.

If there was a person inside, their internal organs would have burst, wouldn’t they?

…Is it dead?

It wasn’t carelessness, exactly.

However, it’s also true that I couldn’t predict the next movement.

“—”

Its arm moved sluggishly.

The gauntlet is gone.

The bare hand is exposed, and it’s long and flexible, like a black whip.

That arm blurs in an instant.

The next moment, my vision was covered by a black sword flash.