Chapter 33

Hati Seorang Pemuda

Bagian 1

Lower Fire Bulan (Bulan ke-9), Hari ke-2, 23:30

Dia melangkah keluar, dan merasa seolah sedang berjalan ke dinding panas. Ekspresi jijik melintas di wajah pria itu, tetapi musim selalu panas untuk memulai, dan tidak ada yang bisa dilakukan tentang hal itu. Sekitar periode ini, setiap tempat di Kerajaan masih lembab dan tidak menyenangkan, bahkan setelah matahari terbenam. Yang mengatakan, waktu panas yang keras hilang, dan suhu harus turun seiring berjalannya waktu.

Namun, tidak ada tanda bahwa itu berubah menjadi pendingin.

"Ah, hari ini panas juga."

"Ya. Saya mendengar bahwa itu lebih dingin di utara, dekat laut, "gerutu pria itu. Rekannya untuk malam ini menjawab:

“Kalau saja ada hujan. Itu akan menghilangkan panasnya. ”

Dia melihat ke langit ketika dia mengatakan itu. Langit cerah; tidak ada awan di langit, apalagi awan hujan. Rasi bintang itu kelihatannya luar biasa besar, tetapi itu hanyalah langit malam yang biasa.

"Ya, hujan akan baik-baik saja … Baiklah, saatnya bekerja."

Tidak tepat menggambarkan orang-orang ini sebagai penduduk desa biasa. Sebagai permulaan, mereka dipersenjatai. Mereka mengenakan baju kulit dan memiliki pedang panjang di pinggang mereka; terlalu militer untuk penjaga desa biasa. Selain itu, wajah dan tubuh mereka tidak terlihat seperti para petani, tetapi mengisyaratkan keakraban dengan kekerasan.

Mereka berdua berjalan ke desa tanpa suara.

Terselubung di malam hari, desa itu sunyi kecuali langkah kaki mereka. Mereka terus maju dengan mantap di tengah-tengah atmosfer yang menyeramkan ini, seolah-olah tidak ada yang tinggal di sini. Sikap tenang mereka memberi kesan bahwa patroli seperti ini adalah urusan sehari-hari bagi mereka.

Desa tempat mereka berjalan dikelilingi oleh tembok tinggi, dan ada enam menara pengawal yang terlihat. Mereka tampak kokoh dan kekar; bahkan desa-desa perbatasan yang sering diserang monster tidak akan memiliki menara pengawas yang tangguh.

Ini bukan desa seperti pangkalan militer.

Meski begitu, pihak ketiga mungkin hanya menganggap ini sebagai desa yang dijaga ketat. Namun, apa yang dilihat pengamat selanjutnya akan benar-benar mengerutkan alis mereka.

Dalam keadaan normal, kebanyakan orang hanya akan mengelilingi tempat tinggal dan gudang ketika membangun dinding, dan meninggalkan ladang tanaman di luar. Itu karena dinding yang cukup besar untuk memasukkan ladang akan menjadi investasi waktu dan uang yang merusak. Namun, desa ini telah melakukan hal itu, mengumpulkan ladang hijau tanaman yang bergoyang di angin malam ke dindingnya, di dalam desa. Seolah-olah dikatakan tanaman adalah emas batangan yang harus ditimbun.

Para lelaki yang berjalan melewati desa aneh ini merasakan seseorang memandangi mereka dari sebuah menara pengawas. Faktanya adalah bahwa ada orang-orang bersenjata busur di menara. Yang perlu dia lakukan adalah menaikkan lenteranya tinggi jika terjadi keadaan darurat, dan teman-temannya akan datang membantunya.

Yang mengatakan, ketika dia berpikir tentang keterampilan rekannya, pria itu tidak terlalu bersemangat karena mereka mendukungnya dengan tembakan panah. Namun, dia sangat diyakinkan oleh fakta bahwa teman-temannya dapat membangunkan semua kawan mereka dengan membunyikan bel alarm.

Rekan-rekannya – yang tidur di antara shift – akan memberinya earful jika dia mengangkat lentera karena kesalahan. Namun, pria itu bertekad untuk melambaikannya dengan tanda bahwa ada sesuatu yang salah.

Dia tidak ingin kehilangan nyawanya karena masalah kecil.

Yang mengatakan, dia tidak benar-benar berpikir hal buruk akan terjadi. Mereka telah melakukan patroli yang sama selama beberapa bulan, dan dia membayangkan bahwa patroli ini akan berlangsung selamanya.

Ketika dia memikirkan masa depannya dengan jijik, pria itu melanjutkan langkahnya yang lambat melewati desa ke rute yang sudah ditentukan.

Di tengah-tengah patroli, objek ular tiba-tiba melilit leher pria itu. Tidak – itu bukan ular. Objek yang melingkari mulutnya dan tidak melepaskannya adalah tentakel gurita.

Tepat setelah itu mengangkat dagu pria itu, rasa sakit membakar menjalar ke tenggorokannya yang terbuka. Urutan tindakan ini memakan waktu kurang dari satu detik.

Suara gemericik, seperti minuman, datang dari tenggorokannya.

Itu adalah suara terakhir yang pernah didengar pria itu dalam hidupnya.

***

Tangan yang memegang mulutnya melepaskan, mendukungnya dari belakang sehingga dia tidak akan jatuh ke tanah. Setelah memverifikasi bahwa pria itu telah benar-benar diasingkan, penyerangnya mengeluarkan Vampire Blade, senjata yang telah membunuhnya.

Makhluk yang memegang pria itu tegak adalah sosok hitam. Seluruh tubuhnya dikaburkan dalam pakaian hitam pekat kecuali matanya. Pakaian tersebut dibuat dari kain, dengan sarung tangan dan baju zirah lainnya untuk meningkatkan kemampuan bertahan. Pelat logam menutupi dadanya, tetapi menonjol, memberikan bentuk sepasang payudara feminin.

Sosok lain yang berpakaian serupa muncul dari belakang punggung pria itu. Sama seperti pasangannya, dia mengenakan pelindung dada dari logam. Yang pertama melihat ke yang kedua, dan mengangguk.

Dia memindai sekelilingnya setelah memverifikasi kematian diam-diam korbannya. Tampaknya tidak ada yang memperhatikan ini.

Di suatu tempat di sudut hatinya, dia menghela napas lega.

Lentera menerangi mereka, tetapi para pengamat dari peron di atas seharusnya tidak dapat melihat mereka, mengingat bahwa mereka ditekan dengan kuat pada kedua lelaki itu. Yang harus mereka khawatirkan adalah bahwa mereka mungkin terlihat dalam instan (Shadow Step) mereka – teleportasi jarak pendek dari satu bayangan ke yang lain – tetapi kekhawatiran itu adalah sesuatu dari masa lalu sekarang.

Dia tidak memperhatikan belati, yang rona merah cerahnya menjadi lebih bersemangat setelah mengeringkan darah, dan menopang tubuh pria itu sebelum bisa runtuh.

Dari platform pengamatan di atas, sepertinya dua orang yang berpatroli berhenti di jalur mereka. Namun, jika mereka membiarkan kedua pria itu berdiri diam atau membiarkan mereka merosot ke tanah, seseorang akan curiga.

Sesuatu harus segera dilakukan. Namun, itu bukan pekerjaan mereka.

Tiba-tiba, wanita itu merasakan tubuh lelaki lemas itu bergerak di bawah tangannya, seolah-olah seseorang telah mendorong sebuah pasak ke dalamnya. Pada saat berikutnya, dia tahu dia tidak salah; pria itu bergerak kaku.

Pria itu masih bergerak meski sudah jelas mati, tetapi wanita itu tidak khawatir. Semuanya berjalan sesuai rencana.

Dia melepaskan dan pada saat yang sama mengaktifkan keterampilan. Ini adalah teknik ninja yang telah ia pelajari, disebut (Shadow Meld). Dengan kemampuan ini, dia bisa melebur dengan bayangan apa pun dan menjadi tidak terlihat oleh mata telanjang.

Keduanya berbaur dengan bayang-bayang para lelaki, dan para lelaki itu melangkah maju, seolah-olah mereka tiba-tiba dibelenggu. Jeda dan kemudian cara mereka berjalan dengan rute patroli asli mereka tampak seperti mereka tiba-tiba ingat apa yang harus mereka lakukan. Namun, mereka bergerak perlahan dan kikuk. Luka mereka belum disembuhkan, tetapi mereka juga tidak membocorkan darah. Itu karena kata darah telah sepenuhnya terkuras dari tubuh mereka.

Kedua pria itu telah menjadi Zombi, dengan patuh mengikuti kehendak pencipta mereka. Tidak ada penjelasan lain tentang bagaimana mereka masih bisa bergerak dalam keadaan itu.

Para wanita itu bukan pencipta Zombies.

Bagi pengamat biasa, hanya ada dua pria di sini. Bahkan jika seseorang melihat kamuflase wanita, hanya akan tampak ada empat orang di sini. Namun, ada orang kelima yang hadir. Orang kelima ini adalah pencipta zombie.

Mata mereka tidak dapat melihat apa-apa, tetapi salah satu keterampilan ninja yang telah mereka pelajari memungkinkan mereka untuk mendeteksi keberadaan mereka yang disembunyikan oleh sihir atau keterampilan lain, dan satu entitas semacam itu berdiri di hadapan mereka.

"Persiapan di sini sudah selesai."

"Sempurna."

Dia berbicara dengan pelan dan menerima jawaban yang sama-sama diam.

“Mm, mengerti, aku melihat semuanya. Saya akan menuju ke lokasi berikutnya. Saya perlu menangkap seseorang yang cukup penting. "

Suara wanita lain. Namun, miliknya bernada tinggi, memberikan kesan seorang gadis yang lembut.

"Kami juga akan memulai serangan kami. Bagaimana dengan dua lainnya? "

"Apakah mereka malas karena mereka tidak bisa berkontribusi?"

"Seolah-olah. Mereka bersembunyi di dekat desa dan mereka mengatur diri mereka sendiri. Dalam keadaan darurat, mereka akan meluncurkan serangan frontal yang dikoordinasikan dengan Anda untuk serangan menjepit. Baiklah, saya akan menuju Prioritas Satu. Tetap berpegang pada rencana, kalian berdua. "

Teman tersembunyi mereka melayang dengan anggun – setidaknya, mereka mendapat kesan itu – ke langit. Tampaknya konsisten dengan gerakan yang diberikan oleh mantra (Terbang).

Kehadiran semakin menjauh, sampai dia lenyap ke dalam gedung yang dia tunjuk sebagai Prioritas Satu. Ini adalah salah satu struktur dalam desa, dan titik kunci yang harus diambil.

Sebenarnya, bangunan lain seharusnya memiliki prioritas lebih tinggi, tetapi tempat ini lebih diutamakan daripada yang lain begitu masalah mantra (Pesan) mulai berlaku.

Banyak orang menganggap bahwa bentuk komunikasi magis tidak dapat diandalkan, sehingga jarang digunakan. Namun, ada orang lain yang tidak berpikir seperti itu dan memanfaatkannya. Misalnya, ada Kekaisaran dan kadernya dari para magic caster yang dilatih secara nasional, sejumlah pedagang penting yang menghargai penerimaan informasi yang cepat, dan kemudian musuh yang mengendalikan desa ini. Karena itu, prioritas utama mereka adalah menangkap personel komunikasi di dalam gedung.

Karena kolega mereka sudah dalam perjalanan, mereka harus menyembunyikan diri di dekat tujuan mereka secepat mungkin. Ini karena mereka harus bertindak secara bersamaan dan meluncurkan serangan mereka sebelum musuh menemukan keberadaan mereka.

Kedua ninja itu menghembuskan napas tiba-tiba, dan berlari.

Orang normal tidak akan bisa mengikuti cara mereka melayang dari sudut gelap ke sudut gelap. Selain itu, ketika mereka menggunakan item sihir yang ada pada mereka, bahkan petualang tingkat tinggi akan mengalami kesulitan untuk menemukannya. Dengan kata lain, tidak ada orang di desa yang bisa mendeteksi mereka.

Salah satu dari mereka memberikan serangkaian isyarat tangan kepada temannya saat mereka berlari. Meskipun itu hanya serangkaian gerakan menekuk jari, artinya segera jelas.

—Kami beruntung mereka tidak punya anjing.

Datang jawabannya: "Setuju".

Ini adalah bahasa isyarat, sejenis yang biasa digunakan oleh pembunuh. Bagi para profesional sempurna seperti mereka, isyarat tangan ini secepat ucapan biasa. Mereka juga telah mengajarkan bahasa kepada teman mereka, tetapi mengatakan bahwa kolega hanya belajar bagaimana membuat gerakan sederhana dan sinyal rahasia dasar. Sebaliknya, mereka berdua memiliki "kosakata" yang cukup luas dan kecepatan penandatanganan yang cukup untuk menggunakan bahasa isyarat itu untuk percakapan sehari-hari, dan mereka sering menyampaikan pesan rahasia satu sama lain dengan cara itu.

—Titik baik. Banyak hal lebih mudah tanpa anjing ditarik oleh aroma darah.

Jika petugas patroli membawa anjing, pembunuhan tidak akan semudah itu. Sementara mereka memiliki cara untuk berurusan dengan anjing, lebih baik tidak harus berurusan dengan hal-hal yang menyusahkan.

Setelah jawabannya, temannya dengan cepat memberi tanda:

—Lalu, saya akan menuju gedung yang ditunjuk saya.

Dia menjawab, "Mengerti", dan kemudian temannya terkelupas dan ke samping.

Ini membuatnya lari sendiri. Dia melirik ke samping ke ladang.

Ladang itu tidak menanam gandum, biji-bijian, atau sayuran hijau. Tumbuhan di sana adalah bahan baku untuk obat terlarang yang penyebarannya meningkat di seluruh Kerajaan, yang disebut "Bubuk Hitam". Ada banyak ladang seperti itu di dinding desa ini, dan mereka semua menanam tanaman yang sama. Ini membuktikan bahwa desa ini adalah pusat budidaya narkoba.

***

Obat yang dikenal sebagai Bubuk Hitam juga dikenal sebagai Bubuk Lailah. Itu adalah zat hitam, tepung yang dilarutkan ke dalam air dan diminum.

Obat ini mudah diproduksi secara massal, murah, dan memberikan penggunanya tingkat tinggi yang mudah diakses dan rasa keracunan. Jadi, itu adalah salah satu obat paling terkenal di Kerajaan. Sementara itu beracun di samping efek yang disebutkan di atas, para penggunanya sering percaya bahwa itu tidak memiliki efek samping, dan karenanya secara luas disalahgunakan.

Dia mendengus ketika memikirkan efek samping Bubuk Hitam.

Semua obat memiliki efek samping. "Aku bisa berhenti kapan saja aku mau" adalah hal yang sering dibicarakan orang gila. Setelah membedah mayat pecandu Bubuk Hitam, mereka menemukan bahwa otak mereka telah menyusut menjadi empat perlima ukuran orang normal.

Serbuk Hitam, dibuat dari ramuan tanaman liar, awalnya merupakan racun yang kuat. Siapa yang akan percaya bahwa tanaman beracun seperti itu tidak beracun?

Bubuk Hitam yang ada di mana-mana di jalanan adalah narkotika yang dibuat dari kultivar tanaman asli yang mengurangi potensi.

Meski begitu, Bubuk Hitam masih sangat beracun, dan itu hanya akan dihilangkan dari tubuh setelah waktu yang sangat lama berlalu. Akibatnya, banyak pelaku kekerasan yang berhenti menggunakan narkoba sering meminum diri mereka lagi sebelum benar-benar meninggalkan tubuh. Akibatnya, setelah mencapai tingkat kecanduan tertentu, hampir tidak mungkin bagi pengguna untuk berhenti dari kebiasaan kalkun dingin, kecuali para imam menggunakan sihir mereka untuk secara paksa membersihkan sistem obat mereka.

Bagian yang paling menyusahkan tentang narkoba seperti ini adalah tanda-tanda kecanduan mereka yang halus. Bahkan pengguna yang dalam perjalanan yang buruk tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda kekerasan fisik dan membahayakan orang lain. Dengan demikian, para petinggi di Kerajaan tidak memahami bahaya Bubuk Hitam, dan itu praktis menerima persetujuan diam-diam mereka.

Tidak mengherankan bahwa Kekaisaran telah mengajukan keluhan resmi mengenai masalah ini, dengan dugaan bahwa Kerajaan menjalankan industri bawah tanah dalam produksi Bubuk Hitam.

Sementara dia masih seorang pembunuh, dia telah menggunakan Bubuk Hitam pada kesempatan, dan organisasinya telah menumbuhkan tanaman yang diperlukan untuk membuatnya. Akibatnya, dia tidak secara pribadi menentang zat tersebut. Obat-obatan seperti itu bisa dimanfaatkan secara manjur jika diterapkan dengan benar. Faktanya adalah itu hanya ramuan obat berbahaya.

Namun, dia telah dipekerjakan untuk pekerjaan ini, dan pendapat pribadinya tidak memiliki suara di dalamnya. Masih-

… Permintaan yang tidak melalui Guild Adventurer sedikit berbahaya.

—Dia tidak sepenuhnya nyaman dengan permintaan ini.

Dia mengerutkan kening di bawah kain yang menutupi wajahnya. Penanya untuk pekerjaan ini adalah teman pemimpin timnya. Sementara dia diyakinkan bahwa pihak lain akan membayar mereka dengan tepat, tidak melalui Persekutuan dapat menyebabkan masalah. Itu benar bahkan jika mereka adalah salah satu dari dua kelompok petualang adamantite di Kerajaan.

Hm, bukankah mereka bertiga sekarang?

Ketika dia memikirkan tentang tim petualang peringkat adamantite terbaru, dia tiba di gedung yang ditunjuk No. Dua.

Tugasnya adalah memulihkan semua intelijen di dalam gedung ini, dan kemudian membakar ladang.

Asap tebal yang dipancarkan oleh obat-obatan yang terbakar beracun, tetapi harus dilakukan untuk menyelesaikan misi.

Sangat mungkin angin membawa asap ke arah yang akan membahayakan penduduk desa, tetapi mereka tidak punya waktu atau kemampuan untuk mengevakuasi penduduk desa.

Pengorbanan harus dilakukan.

Dengan kata-kata itu untuk dirinya sendiri, dia membuang semua pikiran tentang keselamatan penduduk desa dari benaknya.

Dia telah dilatih sebagai pembunuh sejak kecil, dan kematian jarang mengganggu hatinya. Secara khusus, dia tidak tergerak oleh nasib sedih orang asing, terlepas dari tragedi apa yang menimpa mereka. Satu-satunya hal yang tidak disukainya adalah raut wajah pemimpinnya setiap kali harus dikorbankan. Namun, dia telah mendapatkan persetujuan pemimpinnya saat menyusun rencana ini, sehingga pemikiran untuk menyelamatkan orang lain bahkan tidak terlintas di benaknya.

Lebih penting lagi, setelah serangan di sini selesai, dia perlu menggunakan sihir teleportasi untuk pindah ke desa lain dan membakarnya juga. Rencana itu memenuhi benaknya dan menghabiskan semua upayanya.

Ini bukan satu-satunya situs yang menumbuhkan bahan baku obat-obatan. Menurut penelitian mereka, ada sepuluh perkebunan skala besar di dalam Kerajaan, dan itu mungkin bahkan tidak semuanya. Kalau tidak, mereka tidak akan mampu mempertahankan jumlah besar obat-obatan yang diperdagangkan di seluruh Kerajaan.

Yang bisa kita lakukan adalah menarik gulma di tempat kita menemukannya … melelahkan, tetapi tidak ada cara lain …

Idealnya, mereka dapat menemukan pesanan tertulis di desa ini, tetapi itu tidak mungkin. Yang bisa mereka lakukan hanyalah berharap bahwa pengawas desa atau yang setara ini memiliki informasi yang sama pentingnya.

Pemimpin akan senang jika kita dapat menemukan jejak keterlibatan organisasi dalam hal ini …

Organisasi kriminal yang menanam obat-obatan ini dikenal sebagai Eight Fingers. Nama itu berasal dari Dewa Pencuri yang berjari delapan yang merupakan pengikut Dewa Bumi. Itu adalah sindikat kriminal besar yang mendominasi dunia bawah Kerajaan.

Organisasi ini dibagi menjadi delapan divisi, yang bertanggung jawab atas perdagangan budak, pembunuhan, penyelundupan, pencurian, perdagangan narkoba, keamanan, keuangan, dan perjudian. Delapan divisi ini bekerja bersama sebagai gembong kolektif dari kejahatan Kerajaan. Karena ukuran organisasi mereka, jangkauan penuh mereka terselubung dalam kerahasiaan.

Namun, ada tanda yang jelas tentang besarnya pengaruh di dalam Kerajaan. Itu adalah desa di depan matanya.

Mereka secara terbuka menanam tanaman selundupan di desa-desa. Itu saja adalah bukti bahwa tuan tanah bersekongkol dengan mereka. Namun, bahkan penyelidikan resmi tidak membuahkan hasil.

Bahkan jika Rumah Tangga Kerajaan memulai penyelidikan atau mengambil tindakan hukum, sebenarnya membawa para bangsawan ke pengadilan itu sangat sulit. Tuan tanah pasti akan berkata, "Saya tidak tahu tanaman ini adalah bahan baku obat-obatan", atau dia hanya akan membuang masalah pada penduduk desa dan mengatakan itu adalah ide mereka.

Ada batasan untuk tindakan hukum yang dapat diambil, dan bahkan jika seseorang ingin menghentikan aliran narkoba, prosesnya akan terhambat oleh bangsawan korup yang selaras dengan organisasi. Situasi telah memburuk ke titik di mana mereka yang berdiri di sisi kanan hukum tidak bisa lagi menyelesaikannya.

Oleh karena itu, mereka ditinggalkan dengan upaya terakhir menggunakan kekerasan dan membakar ladang.

Pendapatnya yang jujur ​​adalah bahwa membakar obat-obatan ini hanya mengobati gejalanya, dan bukan penyakitnya. Organisasi ilegal yang menggerogoti jantung Kerajaan terlalu kuat, dan dukungan politik mereka terlalu kuat.

"Kami hanya mengulur waktu … jika kami tidak bisa membalikkan keadaan, maka semua upaya ini akan sia-sia …"

Bagian 2

Hujan turun.

Keributan tetesan yang jatuh berdering di telinga.

Jalan-jalan di Royal Capital belum dirancang dengan drainase, terutama gang-gang kecil. Pada akhirnya, seluruh gang menjadi danau mini.

Percikan air melayang ketika hujan jatuh di permukaan air. Angin meniup riak-riak melalui cipratan tersebut, dan aroma air terasa berat di udara, membuat Ibukota Kerajaan merasa seolah-olah tenggelam di bawah air.

Ada seorang anak lelaki di dunia ini yang telah dicelup abu-abu oleh percikan air.

Dia tinggal di gubuk kumuh. Tidak, menggunakan kata gubuk akan memberikan lokasi pujian yang kurang terlayani. Bangunan itu didukung oleh balok-balok sempit selebar lengan pria. Sepotong kain usang diganti untuk atap, dan ujung-ujungnya yang terbungkus menjadi dinding.

Seorang bocah laki-laki berusia enam tahun hidup dalam kondisi ini, yang sedikit berbeda dari restoran terbuka. Dia meringkuk di sudut seperti sepotong sampah yang dibuang begitu saja, berbaring di atas kain tipis tempat dia meletakkan kepalanya.

Ketika seseorang memikirkannya, penyangga kayu dan kain lusuh yang berfungsi sebagai atap dan dinding kemungkinan besar merupakan buah dari kerja keras bocah ini – seperti seorang anak yang membangun pangkalan rahasia.

勉强 做得 出来 的 —— 就像 小孩子 游玩 建造 的 秘密 基地。

Satu-satunya kelebihan rumah ini yang tidak layak namanya adalah bahwa ia tidak secara langsung basah oleh hujan. Banjir tanpa henti membuat suhu turun seperti batu, menyelubungi bocah itu dalam dingin yang menggigil. Kondensasi dari napasnya yang pendek dan jarang adalah satu-satunya tanda bahwa ia masih hidup, dan ketika cuaca mencuri panas mereka, mereka menghilang ke udara.

Bocah itu telah direndam oleh hujan dingin jauh sebelum memasuki rumahnya, dan dia dengan cepat kehilangan panas tubuh.

Dia tidak punya cara untuk menghentikan menggigilnya.

Namun, dingin yang menusuk tulang ini menenangkan memar yang menutupi tubuhnya. Itu adalah satu-satunya hiburan baginya di tengah-tengah kondisi yang mengerikan ini.

Bocah itu tetap meringkuk di tanah ketika dia memandang ke gang yang ditinggalkan – di dunia.

Satu-satunya hal yang bisa dia dengar adalah suara hujan dan napasnya sendiri. Tidak ada yang lain dalam ketiadaan suara-suara itu, yang membuatnya berpikir bahwa dia adalah satu-satunya orang yang tersisa di dunia.

Bocah itu masih muda, tetapi dia mengerti bahwa dia akan mati.

Dia tidak takut akan hal itu karena dia masih muda, dan tidak sepenuhnya memahami konsep kematian. Selain itu, dia tidak merasa bahwa ada alasan khusus untuk terus hidup. Dia telah berpegang teguh pada kehidupan selama ini karena dia takut sakit dan melarikan diri.

Jika dia bisa mati, saat itu juga di sana, tanpa merasakan sakit apa pun – hanya angin dingin dan kelaparan menggerogoti perutnya – maka kematian bukanlah hal yang buruk.

Dia perlahan-lahan kehilangan perasaan di tubuhnya yang basah kuyup, dan pikirannya mulai memudar menjadi kabur.

Dia seharusnya menemukan tempat untuk bersembunyi dari hujan sebelum turun, tetapi dia telah bertabrakan dengan beberapa penjahat dan menerima pemukulan kejam. Cukup bagus sehingga dia berhasil kembali ke sini.

Ini adalah satu-satunya potongan sukacita yang ia pegang. Apakah itu berarti semua yang lain menderita?

Sudah biasa baginya untuk pergi dua hari tanpa makan, jadi itu sangat disayangkan. Dia tidak memiliki orang tua atau siapa pun untuk merawatnya, dan begitulah adanya, sehingga tidak memenuhi syarat sebagai kesengsaraan. Pakaiannya yang compang-camping dan bau busuk mereka adalah fakta kehidupan baginya, jadi itu bukan kesulitan baginya. Makan makanan busuk dan minum air kotor untuk mengisi perutnya adalah satu-satunya cara hidup yang dia tahu, jadi itu tidak termasuk penderitaan.

Tapi kemudian, gubuknya terkadang diambil oleh orang lain, atau dihancurkan oleh mereka yang senang merusaknya, dan dia juga dipukuli oleh orang-orang mabuk sehingga seluruh tubuhnya sakit. Apakah itu penderitaan, kalau begitu?

Tidak, bukan itu.

Bocah itu menderita, tetapi ia buta terhadap penderitaannya sendiri.

Namun, semua ini akan segera berakhir.

Kesengsaraan di mana dia sangat bodoh akan berakhir di sini.

Kematian datang tanpa membedakan orang yang beruntung dan yang tidak beruntung.

—Ya, Kematian itu mutlak.

***

Dia menutup matanya.

Tubuhnya sudah lama berhenti merasakan kedinginan, dan sekarang dia bahkan tidak memiliki kekuatan untuk membuka matanya.

Dia bisa mendengar detak jantungnya sendiri yang samar dalam kegelapan. Suara hujan menyatu dengan itu, tapi kemudian dia mendengar sesuatu yang aneh menyusup ke dunianya.

Sebuah suara menenggelamkan suara hujan. Di tengah sisa-sisa kesadarannya, bocah itu memaksa membuka matanya, tertarik oleh keingintahuan yang khas anak-anak.

"Itu" memasuki bidang sempit visinya.

Mata bocah itu yang menutup dengan cepat melebar.

Itu cantik.

Untuk sesaat, dia tidak tahu apa itu.

Deskripsi terbaik untuk itu adalah "seperti permata", atau "berkilau seperti emas". Tentu saja, seseorang seperti dia yang memakan makanan setengah busuk untuk bertahan hidup tidak dapat memikirkan hal-hal seperti itu.

Iya.

Hanya ada satu hal di benaknya.

-Seperti matahari.

Itu adalah hal yang paling jauh, tidak dapat dicapai yang bisa dia bayangkan. Kata itu muncul di benaknya.

漂亮 是 他 所 知道 最 漂亮 ， 最 伸手 不可 及 的 东西。 这个 词汇 词汇 浮现 在 在 脑中。

Hujan telah mewarnai dunia kelabu. Langit dipenuhi dengan awan hitam tebal. Mungkin matahari merasa tidak ada yang memperhatikan, jadi dia berjalan-jalan dan muncul di depannya.

Pikiran seperti itu mengalir dalam benaknya.

"Itu" mengulurkan tangan untuk membelai wajahnya. Dan sebagainya-

Bocah itu awalnya bukan manusia.

Tidak ada yang memperlakukan bocah itu sebagai manusia.

Tetapi pada hari ini, ia menjadi manusia.

♦ ♦ ♦

Bulan ke 3 Api Terbawah (9), 4:15

Ini adalah Ibukota Kerajaan Kerajaan Re-Estize. Benteng Ro-Lante berdiri di jantungnya, pekarangannya dikelilingi oleh 1.400 meter dinding gorden dengan 20 menara besar berjarak sepanjang.

Kamar ini terletak di dalam salah satu dari 20 menara itu.

Lentera berada di ruangan yang tidak terlalu luas ini, dan ada tempat tidur di sana. Seorang pria muda, di suatu tempat antara masa kanak-kanak dan remaja, berbaring di tempat tidur.

Rambut pirangnya dipotong pendek dan kulitnya kecokelatan dan tampak sehat.

Mendaki.

Dia hanya memiliki nama, tetapi tidak memiliki nama keluarga. Dia adalah seorang prajurit yang diizinkan membela wanita itu dengan gelar "Emas" – suatu kehormatan yang membuatnya iri pada banyak orang.

Dia bangun pagi-pagi, selalu sebelum matahari terbit.

Ketika dia menyadari kesadarannya telah muncul dari dunia kegelapan yang jauh, pikirannya segera pulih, dan tubuhnya hampir sepenuhnya beroperasi. Climb bangga akan kemampuannya untuk tidur dan bangun dengan cepat.

Matanya terbuka lebar, dan sebuah besi akan terbakar di dalamnya.

Dia mengupas handuk tebal yang menutupi tubuhnya – itu musim panas, tetapi malam-malam terasa dingin ketika seseorang dikelilingi oleh batu – dan Climb duduk di tempat tidurnya.

Dia menyentuh ujung jarinya ke sudut matanya. Mereka datang basah.

"… Mimpi itu lagi, ya."

Climb menyeka air matanya dengan lengan bajunya.

Hujan deras dua atau tiga hari yang lalu pasti membuatnya mengingat kembali kenangan masa mudanya.

Dia tidak menangis karena patah hati.

Berapa banyak orang yang bisa kita temui seumur hidup yang pantas dihormati? Berapa banyak tuan yang layak yang dapat dilayani, jenis yang dengannya seseorang dengan senang hati akan membuang nyawanya?

Pada hari itu, ketika Climb beruntung bertemu seorang wanita tertentu, dia memutuskan untuk memberikan hidupnya untuknya kapan saja.

Air mata yang ditumpahkannya berasal dari sukacita. Dia menangis karena rasa terima kasih atas keajaiban yang didapat dari pertemuan itu.

Wajah muda Climb dipenuhi dengan tekad yang mantap saat ia bangkit.

Tidak ada penerangan di sini. Di dunia tanpa cahaya ini, Climb berbicara, dengan suara yang serak karena terlalu banyak berlatih:

"Lampu menyala."

Lampu di langit-langit memberi penerangan putih sebagai tanggapan atas kata perintah Climb, menerangi interior ruangan. Ini adalah item sihir yang terpesona dengan mantra (Cahaya Berkelanjutan).

Sementara barang-barang seperti ini dapat dibeli di pasar, mereka tidak murah, dan Climb hanya memilikinya karena posisinya yang unik.

Menara batu seperti ini memiliki ventilasi yang buruk, dan membakar benda-benda untuk penerangan tidak aman. Oleh karena itu, hampir setiap kamar di sini dilengkapi dengan pencahayaan magis, meskipun biaya awal yang curam.

Cahaya putih mengungkapkan bahwa lantai dan dinding juga terbuat dari batu. Beberapa karpet tipis diletakkan di tanah untuk mengurangi kekerasan batu yang dingin. Selain itu, ada tempat tidur kayu yang dibuat dengan kasar, dan lemari pakaian yang sedikit lebih besar yang tampaknya cukup besar untuk menyimpan pakaiannya. Ada meja dengan laci, lalu kursi kayu dengan bantal tipis di kursinya.

Orang luar mungkin menganggap ini keras, tapi itu lebih dari yang layak, menurut pendapatnya.

Tentara reguler tidak akan dialokasikan kamar individu. Mereka akan berbagi ranjang ganda dan hidup berkelompok. Satu-satunya perabot lain yang ditugaskan di samping tempat tidur mereka adalah peti kayu yang dikunci untuk menyimpan barang-barang pribadi.

Dia kemudian melirik jas putih murni dari baju besi piring penuh di sudut ruangan. Itu sangat berkilau sehingga tampak bersinar dengan sendirinya. Seorang prajurit standar tidak akan pernah mengeluarkan baju zirah yang dibuat sedemikian indah.

Tentu saja, Climb tidak mendapatkan perlakuan khusus seperti itu melalui kemampuannya sendiri. Ini adalah hadiah dari penghubung yang Climb berutang kesetiaannya. Dengan demikian, tidak dapat dihindari bahwa orang lain akan membencinya.

Dia membuka lemari rias, dan mengambil pakaian dari dalam. Kemudian dia berpakaian sendiri ketika dia melihat gambarnya di cermin kabinet.

Pertama, dia memakai satu set pakaian tua. Mereka berbau logam, tidak peduli berapa kali dia mencucinya. Kemudian dia menyelipkan kemeja rantai di atasnya. Biasanya, dia akan mengenakan baju besinya di atas itu, tetapi tidak perlu begitu formal sekarang. Sebagai gantinya, ia mengenakan rompi berkantong banyak dan celana panjang, dan kemudian ia berpakaian. Dia memegang ember dengan kain di dalamnya.

Setelah itu, dia mengamati cermin sekali lagi, memeriksa dirinya sendiri untuk sesuatu yang tidak pada tempatnya atau keanehan dalam sikap pribadinya.

Setiap kesalahan yang dilakukan Climb akan menjadi makanan untuk serangan yang diluncurkan terhadap Putri "Emas" yang dia layani.

Karena itu, ia harus ekstra hati-hati. Dia tidak tinggal di tempat ini untuk menyebabkan masalah pada Nyonya. Dia diizinkan untuk tinggal di sini agar dirinya dapat mendedikasikan semua yang dia miliki untuknya.

Climb menutup matanya di depan cermin, dan membayangkan wajah Nyonya.

Dia adalah Putri Emas – Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself.

Seperti yang diharapkan dari garis keturunannya yang terlahir-tinggi, dia dikelilingi dalam aura sakral, seperti seorang dewi yang turun ke bumi. Dia tampak bersinar dengan belas kasih, dan pikirannya menghasilkan banyak rencana dan kebijakan yang bijaksana.

Dia adalah seorang bangsawan di antara para bangsawan, seorang putri di antara para putri. Dia adalah wanita yang sempurna.

Kecemerlangan emasnya – seperti batu permata yang tak bernoda – tidak bisa dirusak dengan cara apa pun.

Jika seseorang menggunakan cincin untuk perbandingan, Renner akan menjadi seperti berlian yang besar dan brilian. Adapun Climb, dia akan menjadi pengaturan yang menahan batu itu di tempatnya. Setiap kekurangan dalam pengaturan mengurangi nilai cincin itu, jadi dia tidak bisa melakukan apa pun yang mungkin merendahkannya.

Dada Climb terbakar tak terkendali saat dia memikirkan Nyonya.

Bahkan para pemohon yang paling saleh kepada para dewa tidak bisa dibandingkan dengan pengabdian Climb.

Dia memeriksa dirinya sendiri lebih lama. Setelah dia yakin bahwa dia tidak akan mempermalukan Nyonya, Climb mengangguk puas dan meninggalkan ruangan.

Bagian 3

Bulan ke 3 Api Terbawah (9), 4:35

Tujuannya adalah ruang pelatihan yang menempati seluruh lantai menara.

Biasanya, tempat ini akan dipenuhi dengan panas dan aktivitas dari para prajurit di sini. Namun, masih pagi, jadi tidak ada orang di sini. Kamar kosong itu sunyi. Lingkungan sekitar terbuat dari batu, yang membuat langkah kaki Climb bergema sangat keras.

Lampu ajaib (Cahaya Kontinu) menyalakan ruang pelatihan dengan cerah.

Di dalam aula, ada potongan baju besi yang diikat ke pilar kayu dan boneka yang terbuat dari jerami, untuk dijadikan sasaran memanah. Segala macam senjata tumpul tergantung di dinding.

Pelatihan seharusnya dilakukan di luar, tetapi ada alasan mengapa itu dilakukan di dalam ruangan.

Istana Valencia terletak di dalam Ro-Lante Keep. Oleh karena itu, memiliki tentara yang berlatih di luar, di mana duta besar dan partai diplomatik dapat melihat mereka, akan menjadi tidak sopan. Dengan demikian, beberapa ruang pelatihan dalam ruangan telah dibangun di dalam menara.

Memang, memiliki pelatihan pasukan yang bangga dan kuat di depan umum dapat digunakan untuk mengesankan rekan-rekannya selama negosiasi diplomatik, tetapi Raja tidak menyukai hal semacam itu. Baginya, Kerajaan adalah bangsa yang harus menunjukkan sisi anggun, anggun, dan mulianya kepada tamu asing.

Yang mengatakan, beberapa pelatihan masih perlu dilakukan di luar ruangan. At times like those, the soldiers had to do so secretly in corners, or in fields outside the Keep or outside the Capital entirely.

Climb quietly entered the hall, as though wading through the cold air, and began warming up in a corner.

After about half an hour of stretching, Climb’s face was an uncommon shade of red. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he exhaled puffs of smoke from his exertions.

Climb wiped his sweat away and then approached the arms racks. He picked up a heavy, blunted practice sword with a freshly blistered and callused hand. Then he felt its weight, making sure it fit well in his grip.

After that, he loaded his pockets with metal slabs and fastened them in place, lest the slabs fall out.

After being weighed down by several metal slabs, his clothes now weighed as much as a suit of full plate armor. Unenchanted full plate was sturdy, but very heavy, and the joints also restricted one’s range of movement. Therefore, Climb should have worn a set of full plate to practice, for realism’s sake.

However, Climb did not want to wear a suit of full plate armor just for regular practice. In addition, he knew that the white armor he had been awarded was not suitable for training. Therefore, he used the metal slabs as a substitute.

He tightly gripped his sword, which was larger than a greatsword, and adopted a high stance. Then Climb began to swing down, expelling his breath as he did. In the moment before the practice weapon struck the ground, he held it still, keeping it from actually striking the ground, and then brought it back up again as he inhaled. He slowly increased the speed of his swings, his eyes fixed on the air in front of him, his mind focused on his practice.

He repeated these movements around 300 times.

Climb’s face looked as though it could not possibly get any redder, and droplets of sweat flowed down his cheeks. His exhaled breath was hot, as though to vent the accumulated heat inside him.

Climb had been through harsh training as a soldier, but the weight of a greatsword was still quite heavy to him. Controlling the sword’s speed to keep it from striking the ground after swinging it down required considerable arm strength.

After the 500th repetition, Climb’s arms began to cramp up and they felt like they were crying out in pain. The sweat flooded down his face in a deluge.

Climb realised that he was at his limit. Even so, he did not intend to stop here.

Lalu-

“Don’t you think it’s time to take a break?”

—A third party called out to him. Climb hurriedly turned around to see a male figure enter his field of vision.

There was no better word to describe him than “mighty”. Indeed, he was a man who looked like a slab of forged steel. His stony face wrinkled, and the lines thus produced made him look older than his actual age. His bulging muscles proved that he was no ordinary person.

There was no soldier in the Kingdom who could not recognize him.

“—Stronoff-sama.”

He was the Kingdom’s Warrior-Captain, Gazef Stronoff. He was hailed as the mightiest man in the Kingdom, and a warrior which nobody in the nearby nations could rival.

“You’ll be overtraining if you keep it up. There’s no point forcing yourself.”

Climb lowered his sword, and looked at his arms as they trembled uncontrollably.

"Kamu benar. I might have been overdoing it.”

Gazef rounded his shoulders at Climb’s expressionless thanks.

“If you really understand, then don’t make me keep nagging you about the same old thing. How many times is this, anyway?”

“I’m very sorry.”

Gazef shrugged again as Climb bowed in apology.

This back and forth had repeated itself between them countless times. Under normal circumstances, the two of them would leave things at that and focus on their own training. However, today was different.

“How about it, Climb. Shall we go a round or two?”

Climb’s typically blank expression was thrown into disarray as he heard Gazef say those words.

They had met here in the past, but they had never crossed blades. That was an unspoken rule between them.

That was because it did them no good to practice together. Or rather; there were merits to doing so, but they were far outweighed by the demerits of doing so.

The Kingdom was now divided into the Royal Faction and the Noble Faction, the latter of which was composed of a coalition of three of the nation’s Six Great Nobles. The power struggle between them left the Kingdom’s situation in a very precarious state. Some even felt that the only reason the country had not yet fallen apart was because of its yearly wars with the Empire.

Under these circumstances, the King’s right hand man — the Warrior Captain Gazef Stronoff — could not be defeated. For instance, if he were to be beaten, it would provide the opposing Noble Faction with ample material to criticize him with.

As for Climb, suffering a grievous defeat might mean that the nobles would no longer allow him to defend Princess Renner’s body. The fact that many nobles were disgusted that a nameless soldier like Climb was actually permitted to stay by her side, being that she was a world-class beauty who was also an unmarried princess.

Due to the abovementioned circumstances, neither party could afford to lose.

More than that, they could not allow others to see their weaknesses and give their enemies an opening to exploit. Both of them were of common birth, and so they had to be very careful in everything they did, in order not to cause problems for their masters.

That being the case, why had Gazef decided to break this unspoken rule?

Climb looked around.

It could not be because there was nobody else around. The keep was a densely-populated area. Surely someone would be watching from afar or spying on them from the shadows, but he could not think of any other reason.

Climb had no idea if it was because of a good or a bad reason. He was confused and shocked, but he did not express it on his face.

However, the person before Climb was the mightiest warrior in the Kingdom. Though Climb’s momentary consternation might have gone unnoticed by an average person, the person before him picked up on it, and replied:

“Recently, I’ve begun feeling that my skills are inadequate. Therefore, I wanted to train with someone who could last a while against me.”

“You actually think that, Stronoff-sama?”

What exactly had happened to make Gazef, the Kingdom’s best warrior, doubt his own skills? Just then, Climb remembered that the unit Gazef led was short of several people.

Climb had no kin, and so he had only heard the rumors in the messhall. Apparently, the unit had been involved in a certain incident and had lost several people.

"Memang. If not for a certain compassionate magic caster who aided me against the foe, I might not be standing here today—”

Climb could no longer maintain his iron mask when he heard this. Indeed, there was nobody who would not be surprised to hear those words. Unable to restrain his curiosity, he asked:

“What sort of person was that compassionate magic caster?”

“…He called himself Ainz Ooal Gown. By my reckoning, he ought to be on par with that monster of a mage from the Empire.”

Climb had never heard that name before.

Climb worshipped heroes, and he had a secret passion for heroic sagas. His interest even crossed racial boundaries. In addition, he hungrily devoured any adventurer stories that he had come across in the neighboring countries. However, he had no memory of the person whom Gazef had mentioned.

Of course, he might have been using an alias.

“That, ah — ahem!”

Climb tamped down his curiosity.

How could I ask him excitedly about an incident where he lost his men? … That’d be terribly rude.

“I shall remember the name of that great person… then, is it really alright for me to train with you?”

“Well, it’s hardly training, just crossing blades once or twice. Whether or not you learn anything from it is all up to you. After all, you’re a first-rate warrior among the Kingdom’s soldiers. I feel more motivated when I train with you.”

This was high praise, but Climb could only take it as standard courtesy.

It was not that Climb was very strong, but that the standards by which he was judged were too low. The average Royal Army soldier was little better than the average man, and far weaker than the Imperial Army’s professional Knights. Virtually none of them were famed for their martial skill throughout the surrounding nations like Gazef was. While Gazef’s direct subordinates were excellent soldiers, they were still a notch beneath Climb.

Among the adventurers’ rankings of copper, iron, silver, gold, platinum, mithril, orichalcum and adamantite, Climb himself would be gold-ranked at best. He was not weak, but there were many others who were stronger than himself.

Could a bit player like himself really motivate Gazef — who was adamantite-ranked in adventurer terms?

Climb chased away those weak-minded thoughts of his.

Having the Kingdom’s strongest man train with him was a rare opportunity. He would not regret it, even if Gazef ended up disappointed by the end of their session.

“Then, I pray you will exchange a few blows with me.”

Gazef smiled thinly, and bowed.

The two of them went for the weapons cabinet and picked out weapons suited for themselves. Gazef selected a bastard sword, while Climb selected a small shield and a broadsword.

After that, Climb removed the metal slabs from his pockets. It would be terribly disrespectful to wear them while fighting someone stronger than himself. In addition, he had to give this battle his all, otherwise he would not be able to grow.

His foe was the mightiest warrior in the Kingdom. He had to focus all his energies and experience the power of mighty wall before him with all his strength.

After Climb was ready, Gazef asked:

“Are your arms alright? Are they still stiff?”

“Yes, they’re fine. They’re still a little hot, but it doesn’t affect my grip or anything.”

Climb waved his arms. Gazef saw his movements and nodded, knowing that he was not lying.

“Is that so… though in a sense, it’s a bit of a shame. In actual combat, it’s very rare that one will be able to fight in tip-top condition. If your grip is affected, you’ll need to think of a way to fight that compensates for it. Have you learned anything like that?”

“No, no, I haven’t. Would you like me to swing again—”

“Ah, no, there’s no need to go that far. I’m just saying, you’ll need to protect Her Highness at all times. You should practice fighting styles which can be used when you’re attacked where swords can’t be borne, or perhaps practice using various forms of weapons in battle. It won’t hurt.”

"Iya!"

“…Swords, shields, spears, axes, daggers, gauntlets, bows, clubs and thrown weapons. The use of these weapons are known as the Nine Arts, and they are the foundation of all armed combat… however, if you try and learn too much, you’ll end up spreading yourself too thin. I’d suggest picking two or three and training with them. Alright, I’ve babbled enough.”

“Please don’t say that, Stronoff-sama. Thank you for the lecture!”

Gazef grinned, and waved away Climb’s thanks.

“Then, let’s start once you’re ready. Start by giving me your best shot in your current condition. After that, depending on the time… Well, I might not be able to put you through your paces, but I’ll find a chance to explain the Nine Arts and the secrets of fighting with other weapons.”

"Iya. I pray you will teach me unreservedly.”

"Sangat baik. However, I’m not treating this as practice. Come at me like this was a real battle.”

Climb slowly brought his sword down to a low stance, obliquing his body so his left side faced Gazef from behind his shield. The look in Climb’s eyes was razor-keen, indicating that he no longer treated this as a training bout. Similarly, Gazef’s stance spoke of battle-readiness.

The two of them locked eyes, but Climb could not bring himself to make the first move.

It was much easier to move now that he had removed the metal slabs, but still, he did not think he could beat Gazef. The other man was far superior to him in terms of physical ability and experience.

Stepping carelessly into his reach would only invite a counterattack. Gazef was a better warrior than he was, so perhaps it could not be helped. However, if this were a real battle, did that mean he should simply throw his life away because “it could not be helped”?

If not, then what should he do?

The answer was: he had to attack the weaknesses in Gazef’s stance.

Climb was his inferior in physical parameters, experience and spirit; all the qualities a warrior required. If there was any way to address this disparity, it would be through their respective armament.

Gazef used a bastard sword. In comparison, Climb was using a broadsword and a small shield. Perhaps if his equipment was enchanted, he might be able to compensate, but these were practice arms, so their weapons were fundamentally the same.

However, Gazef only had one weapon, while Climb had two — after all, a shield could be used as a weapon. It was weaker, but it gave him more options.

—He would deflect a blow with his shield and then strike with his sword. Either that, or use his sword to make an opening and then bash with his shield.

Climb decided on his strategy, which was to take advantage of opportunities to riposte. Then, he carefully studied Gazef’s movements.

After several seconds. Gazef chuckled.

“Not coming? Then, maybe I should go to you — are you ready?”

Gazef raised his sword in a casual manner. He lowered his stance, gathering strength like a coiling spring. Climb too began suffusing his body with might, ready to deflect any attack which might come.

Then, Gazef stepped forward, swinging his sword at the shield.

—So fast!

Climb immediately abandoned the idea of deflecting that blow. He turned all his energies to defense, in order to endure that hit.

And in the next moment — a startling impact exploded on his shield.

So mighty was the blow that Climb wondered if the shield had splintered. It had been so strong that Climb’s shield hand had gone numb. There was no way to avoid it without using his body’s entire strength.

To think I actually wanted to deflect it! What kind of timing would you need to exploit a weakness in that technique? At the very least, I need to endure that blow!

Climb grunted at his naivete, and then another impact blossomed on his gut.

“Guwaargh!”

Climb’s body flew through the air. His back thumped heavily on the stone floor, knocking the wind out of him. When he looked at Gazef, he immediately realised what had happened to him.

Gazef was retracting the leg which had sent Climb flying with a vicious kick.

他正好在收回猛力踹飞克莱姆的那只脚。

“…You focused on my hands because I was only holding a sword. Itu tidak baik. You might end up taking a kick like just now. While I aimed for your belly just now, I should have been aiming for somewhere with thinner protection, like trying to break the kneecaps or something. Also… even with a cup, being kicked in the groin with a metal boot might break something if you’re unlucky, no? You need to keep an eye on your opponent’s entire body and study his every move.”

“..Yes.”

Climb slowly rose to his feet, gritting his teeth against the throbbing pain coming from his belly.

Gazef was the Kingdom’s mightiest warrior, and his physical strength matched his reputation. If Gazef had been serious, he could have easily broken Climb’s ribs through his chain shirt or otherwise left him unable to fight. The fact that Climb had not suffered such a fate was probably because Gazef had not been fighting in earnest. Instead, he had merely picked out a target with his foot and then applied a bit of force, so all he had done was send Climb flying.

So it was training after all… thank you very much.

As he savored the taste of being personally tutored by the greatest warrior in the Kingdom, Climb raised his sword again, his heart brimming with gratitude.

This was a priceless period of time. He had to be careful not to let it run out too soon.

Climb covered himself up with his shield again. He inched towards Gazef, who studied Climb in silence. If this kept up, he would only be make the same old mistakes again. As Climb closed in, he was forced to reconsider his tactics.

Gazef placidly awaited his oncoming foe, a look of fearsome calm on his face. It would seem Climb could not force Gazef to use the full measure of his abilities.

However, agonizing over that fact would be a form of arrogance.

Climb was nearing his limit. Though he woke early to practice every day, his rate of growth was slower than an old cow ambling down the road. He had made far too little progress ever since he had started learning the sword. While he might be able to improve his speed and strength by training his body, he might not be able to master special abilities like martial arts and the like.

It would be terribly rude for someone like Climb to grumble about not being able to force a gifted individual to use his true abilities. Rather, he should blame his own lack of talent for not being able to make his opponent go all-out.

In all likelihood, when Gazef told him to treat this as a real battle instead of simple training, he was telling Climb to “fight like you want to take my life, otherwise you are not worthy to be my opponent.”

Climb gnashed his teeth quietly.

He despised his weakness. If only he were stronger, he could be more useful. He could become the Princess’ sword and directly confront the villains plaguing the Kingdom’s people.

He felt guilty that the Princess’ sole sword was so weak that it had to be gingerly wielded.

However, Climb immediately shook off his guilt. He should not be wallowing in self-pity right now, but using all his might to contend with the powerful foe before him, in the hopes of growing, if only a little.

There was only one thought within his heart.

That was to lend his strength to the Princess.

***

“Hoh,” Gazef exhaled, and the expression on his face changed somewhat.

That was because the young man before him had a different look on his own face. Until just now, he looked like a starstruck lad, eager and nervous. But with a simple kick, that annoying mood was gone, and now he looked like a proper warrior.

Gazef raised his alertness level by a notch.

Gazef thought better of Climb than the lad himself did. What he appreciated most was Climb’s hunger for strength, as well as loyalty which bordered on zealotry. Next was his sword skills.

Climb had not learned from a master, but observed others and cobbled his insights into a self-taught style. His technique was not elegant and had a lot of wasteful movements. However, it was different from styles learned through rote lessons. He carefully considered every stroke he made, forming a style that was ideal for practical combat, or to put it more bluntly, for murder.

Gazef felt that this was a good thing.

Swords were ultimately murder weapons. Sword skills learned as a form of recreation were not useful on the field of battle. Their users would not be able to defend those they wanted to protect, and they could not save those they wanted to rescue. The only thing they could do was wait to be hacked down by the enemy.

However, Climb was different. Gazef was sure that he could slay his foes and safeguard the people who were important to him.

Yet—

“You’ve changed your attitude, but I’m still far superior to you. What will you do now?”

Frankly speaking, Climb had no talent. However hard he worked, however hard he trained his body, he would never be able to reach the zenith of swordsmanship without talent. He was as dust compared to people like Gazef or Brain Unglaus.

Climb’s desire to become stronger than anyone else was nothing more than a dream or fantasy.

Even so, why did Gazef wish to help train Climb? Would it not be more beneficial to spend his time on someone better?

The answer was simple enough; Gazef could not overlook Climb’s unwavering diligence, however useless it was. If every man had their own personal limits, then one could say that Gazef pitied the fact that Climb hurled himself bodily against the wall of his own limits.

Therefore, he wanted to teach Climb something else.

He felt that there was a limit to one’s abilities, but not limit to one’s experience.

In addition, there was one more reason. He felt a deep-seated pity for the tragic state of his greatest rival.

So I’m using him as a substitute, huh… I’m doing Climb a disservice… but I doubt sparring with me will do him any harm.

“—Come at me, Climb.”

He received a strident answer to his self-directed mumbling.

"Iya!"

***

As he answered, Climb planted his foot firmly on the ground and soared forward.

Unlike just now, Gazef’s expression was stern as he raised his sword into a high stance.

He would hack down from above.

If Climb blocked with his shield, he would be stopped in his tracks. If he blocked it with his sword, his weapon would be knocked away. That attack essentially made his defense meaningless. Blocking it was a poor move, but Climb was using a broadsword, compared to Gazef’s bastard sword.

All he could do was rush into Gazef’s reach. Gazef knew this and squared himself to meet the charge.

It was like running into a tiger’s maw — but Climb only hesitated for a moment.

He plunged into the attack range of Gazef’s sword.

Gazef was waiting for him, and when he swung down, Climb blocked it with his shield. The awesome impact was greater than the one he had felt just now. Climb grimaced as pain worked its way down his arm.

"Sayang sekali. To think history would repeat itself.”

There was some disappointment on Gazef’s face as he aimed his foot at Climb’s belly, and then—

“(Fortress)!”

—The look on Gazef’s face changed to one of shock as he heard Climb shout.

The martial art (Fortress) did not require a shield or sword to be used. If desired, one could activate it with one’s armor or even bare hands. Of course, most people would use it when blocking with one’s weapon or shield because the timing had to be exact. When using it with armor, a miscalculation would result in one being left defenseless before the foes. Therefore, most people would rather use it with a shield or weapon. It was common sense.

However, Climb knew that Gazef would go for a kick, so he did not have to worry about that.

“Were you aiming for this?!”

"Ya pak!"

The force of Gazef’s kick seemed to fade away, as though absorbed by something soft. Gazef could not put any strength into his extended leg and thus he was forced to regain his uneven footing. Seeing how he was off balance, Climb swung down on him.

“(Slash)!”

He brought his sword up after initiating the maneuver, and then swung it down in an overhand chop.

You need to develop a technique that you can deploy with confidence.

After heeding the advice of a certain warrior, the untalented Climb had worked body and soul to produce this move, a strike that came from above.

Climb’s body was not sheathed in muscles. He had been born with an average physique, and building muscle was difficult. Neither was he gifted with dexterity, allowing him to move as he willed even with a musclebound body.

Because of that, he had honed a specialized muscle structure in himself after nigh-endless training.

The fruit of that was this downwards stroke. It was a high-speed slashing attack that had been refined to extraordinary levels, a flash of steel followed by a mighty wind.

That strike bore down on Gazef’s head.

It would be fatal if it connected, but Climb was not thinking about that. His trust in Gazef was absolute. He had only used this move because he was certain that the mighty Gazef would not be done in by an attack of that level.

There was a crisp ringing of metal, and the broadsword collided with the raised bastard sword.

All this was still within his expectations.

Climb focused the full extent of his strength in an attempt to throw Gazef off balance.

However, Gazef remained as motionless as a mountain.

It was difficult to maintain one’s balance on one foot, yet Gazef had easily blocked that strike made with Climb’s full strength. It was as though he were rooted into the very earth itself.

Climb had struck his mightiest blow with all the strength he could muster. Yet even the combination of these two factors could not shake Gazef standing on one foot. This fact shocked Climb to the core, and his eyes went to his belly.

He had to close in to strike with his broadsword. That meant Gazef might be able to kick his gut once more.

As Climb leapt away, said kick struck Climb’s body.

There was a faint, throbbing pain. After that, both of them staggered several paces apart.

Gazef lowered his eyes and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

It was a smile, but not one that caused displeasure. It clearly displayed his good humor. Climb was a little uncomfortable in the face of that smile, which was like a father watching his son grow.

“Very well done. Therefore, I shall get a little serious now.”

Gazef’s face changed.

A thrill of terror ran through Climb’s body. That was because his instincts told him that the Kingdom’s strongest fighter now stood before him.

“Actually, I’ve got a potion with me. It should be able to mend broken bones, so don’t worry.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Climb’s heart lurched as he heard his opponent imply that he would be taking a fracture. While he was used to being hurt, it did not mean that he enjoyed it.

Gazef took a step forward, twice as fast as Climb stepping in.

The tip of the bastard sword pointed to the ground, tracing a low path that came at Climb’s legs. The sheer speed of the attack panicked Climb, and he planted his sword on the ground, preparing to protect his legs.

There was a fierce clash. Just as Climb realized it, Gazef’s sword bounced up. The bastard sword travelled along the body of the broadsword in an upwards slash.

“Oog!”

Climb threw his face — and the rest of his body — backward, and the bastard sword zipped past his body. Several strands of severed hair fell in the wake of the swing.

Filled with fear at how Gazef had overwhelmed him in an instant, Climb cast his eyes toward the tip of the sword. Then, to his horror, he saw the bastard sword suddenly halt, and then turn.

His body was moving before his mind could think.

As though driven by a basic survival instinct, he stuck out his small shield, which collided with the bastard sword and produced a ringing sound of metal.

And then —

“—Ah!”

There was a surge of pain, and then Climb was sent flying across the room. He struck the ground rolling, and the impact jarred his sword loose from his grip.

It would seem the bastard sword had immediately changed direction into a horizontal sweep after bouncing off the shield, and it had savagely struck Climb’s side, which he had left exposed.

“Flow from move to move. Do not think of attack and defense as separate things. Every movement must be made in order to launch the next attack. Think of your defense as a way of setting up an attack.”

Climb picked up his fallen sword and grabbed at his waist as he struggled to his feet.

“I didn’t use too much force to spare you a fracture, so you should be able to fight, right? How do you feel?”

Climb’s breathing was ragged from tension and pain, in contrast to Gazef’s even, regular breaths.

He was only wasting Gazef’s time if he could not even take a few hits. That said, Climb still wanted to become as strong as possible.

He nodded to Gazef, and raised his sword.

"Baik. Then let’s continue.”

"Iya!"

With that hoarse cry, Climb broke into a run.

He was struck, he was knocked back, he was even bodily beaten. Climb crumpled to the stone floor over and over again. The cool slabs drained the heat from his body through his clothes and chain shirt, and it felt very comfortable.

“Huuu… huu… huu…”

He did not wipe his sweat away. More precisely, he lacked the strength to do so.

As pain flooded into his mind from all over his body, his whole body was gripped in a sudden surge of fatigue, and his eyes closed lightly.

“You did well. I tried to avoid breaking or splintering your bones while swinging. How do you feel?”

"…"

Still on the ground, Climb moved his hands to feel up the places which hurt.

Then he opened his eyes.

“No problems here. It hurts, but those are just bumps and bruises.”

The waves of pain were quite light. They would not affect his duties of protecting the Princess.

“Is that so… then we won’t need to use the potion.”

"Mm. Besides, using it carelessly will remove the effects of muscle training.”

“Well, it’s meant to provide rapid healing, but the effect of the magic also reverts the muscle to its original state. Just as well. You’ll be going to bodyguard the Princess after this, am I right?”

"Iya."

“Take it, then. Just in case. Use it if anything comes up.”

The medicine bottle clinked as Gazef set it down by Climb’s side.

"Terima kasih banyak."

He sat up, looking at Gazef. He looked upon the man whose swordplay he could not hope to match.

The unscathed man found it strange, and asked:

"Apa yang salah?"

“It’s nothing… I just thought you’re really amazing.”

Gazef’s forehead was devoid of sweat. His breathing was calm and regular. Was this the difference between Climb, sprawled on the ground, and the strongest man in the Kingdom?

Climb sighed, but he was satisfied with this outcome.

Gazef, on the other hand, seemed to be grinning.

“…Really now. Baik…"

“Why—”

“—If you want to ask why I’m so strong, I can’t rightfully give you an answer. Basically, I was talented. Incidentally, I learned how to fight as a mercenary. The nobles call my habit of kicking people crude, but I learned it during that time too. There was no secret to becoming strong,” Gazef concluded. Climb had thought that repeating the same practice over and over would eventually make him a little stronger, but that had been rejected in an instant.

“In that sense, you’re quite suited for my style of fighting with fists and feet, Climb.”

“Is… that so?”

"Oh ya. You haven’t been trained as a swordsman or a soldier, but that has its good points too. Once one picks up a sword, it’s only natural to focus on using it… but I don’t think that’s a good thing. I feel that the sword should only be an attack method, alongside punching and kicking and so on. That’s a practical fighting style; or a dirty… an adventurer’s fighting style.”

Climb’s face was no longer its usual blank slate. There was a smile there now. To think the mightiest man in the Kingdom would actually praise his haphazard, slapdash sword skills!

He was delighted that his swordsmanship — which the aristocrats scorned — had received such accolades.

“Alright, we’ll stop training here. I should go. I need to meet the king in time to for his breakfast. Don’t you need to hurry to the Princess’ side?”

“No, because the Princess has a guest today.”

“A guest? Which noble is that?”

To think that Princess would have a caller. Gazef was quite surprised, and then Climb answered:

“Yes, Aindra-sama.”

“Aindra? Oh! …Which Aindra is it? From Blue… or is it Red?”

“That would be Aindra-sama of Blue Rose.”

Gazef sighed in visible relief.

“I see… so that was it… so if a friend’s come, that means…”

Gazef had guessed that Renner had barred Climb from her side because she had a friend over, but the truth was that Climb had gently refused the invitation.

While he and the Princess had a relationship where they did not need to quibble about trivialities, even Gazef would frown in disapproval if he learned that Climb had refused the invitation of a member of the Royal Household. Therefore, he did not state the truth, but let Gazef draw his own conclusions.

Climb had met Aindra through Renner, and Aindra thought well of him. Surely she would not reject Climb like the other nobles if he were to join them at a dinner party.

However, Climb had considered that his mistress (Renner) had almost no friends of the same sex, and he felt that if he, as a man, were not around, the two ladies would be able to speak about personal things they could not normally utter.

“Thank you very much for today, Gazef-sama.”

“Please, don’t stand on ceremony. I had a good time too.”

“…If it pleases you, could I ask for your guidance again, like today?”

Gazef could not answer for a moment. Climb saw his reaction and began to apologize, but Gazef spoke first.

"Tidak apa-apa. As long as there’s nobody else around, of course.”

Climb keenly understood Gazef’s reluctance, and so he did not say much. He forced his sore aching body to his feet and spoke his heartfelt feelings.

"Terima kasih banyak!"

Gazef waved back grandly, and strode forth.

“Then please tidy up here. It would be terrible if I could not meet the King for his morning meal… oh yes, that downward slash of yours was pretty good. However, you need to think about what comes after that. Consider what you’d do if your strike was dodged or blocked.”

"Iya!"

Part 4

3rd Day of the Lower Fire (9th) Month, 6:22

After bidding farewell to Gazef, Climb wiped off his sweat with a damp towel and headed to a place that was drastically different from the training hall of just now.

This room was around the same size as the training hall in question. It was filled with many long tables and benches, packed with people chatting happily away. A delicious fragrance filled the warm air of the room.

This was the dining hall.

After entering the room, Climb passed through the hubbub of humanity and joined the back of the line.

Much like the people in front of him, Climb had several stacked containers in front of him. There was a tray, a wooden dish, a wooden spoon, and finally a wooden cup.

He collected his meal in the appropriate order.

One slightly-larger-than-usual steamed potato with brown bread, a thick white stew laden with ingredients, pickled cabbage and a sausage. To Climb, this was a sumptuous meal.

The dishes smelled fragrant on his tray. Climb looked around the dining hall as the smell prickled at his gut.

The noisy soldiers were currently eating. They sat with their friends and as they ate, they talked about what they would do on their next leave, the food, their families, and other light topics. This was standard fare.

Climb spotted an empty seat and wound through the din as he headed for it.

He stepped over the bench and took a seat. There were soldiers on either side of him, chatting heartily with their friends. As Climb sat down, they turned to look at him, but then they immediately lost interest and turned their eyes elsewhere.

It was as though Climb sat in the eye of the storm.

An onlooker might think this was quite creepy.

Though there was cheery conversation all around him, nobody sought out Climb to speak to him. While it was true that nobody would chat up a stranger, they were all soldiers, serving in the same location, and they might need to depend on each other in times of mortal danger. From that point of view, their attitude was quite strange.

It was as though Climb did not exist to them.

On his part, Climb did not plan to speak to anyone else, because he clearly understood his position.

The guards in Ro-Lante Keep were not mere soldiers.

Soldiers in the Royal Army included conscripts armed and outfitted by the lords of various domains, mercenaries hired by the cities, guards tasked with patrolling the cities, and so on. However, the one thing they had in common was that they were all of low birth.

Of course, allowing commoners of uncertain provenance to approach the Royal Household and the Palace, with its many secrets, would cause a lot of problems.

Therefore, the guards of Ro-Lante Keep had to be recommended by a noble. If the guards caused any problems, their sponsoring noble would bear the blame for them. Therefore, all the candidates were pure and upstanding citizens.

However, this practice led to a certain phenomenon.

That was “factionalization”.

All the sponsoring nobles belonged to one faction or another. The troops they recommended would naturally join their masters’ factions. Since anybody who opposed the nobles had no chance of being picked at all, it was hardly a leap to say that all the soldiers here were affiliated with one faction or another.

It sounded purely disadvantageous, but it had a benefit in that the soldiers constantly honed their skills lest they be drawn into a factional conflict. While they were still nowhere near the level of the Imperial Knights, the Keep’s guards had some measure of skill.

Of course, Climb was much more skilled than them, but the nobles had managed to find fault even with that. After all, he was stronger than the troops which the nobles themselves had put forward.

While it was true that the sponsoring nobles might not belong to a faction, under the current circumstances, the Kingdom was split into the Noble and the Royal Faction. Under these circumstances, there was only one noble who could flit between both sides like a bat.

There was a similar individual among the serried ranks of hand-picked troops.

That individual was Climb.

Climb was in a very awkward position.

Originally, someone like Climb could not possibly hope to stand by Renner’s side. As one of common birth, he would never be entrusted with the weighty task of defending royalty. It had always been that only nobles could protect the Royal Household.

However, there were exceptions, in the form of Gazef Stronoff — the Kingdom’s strongest soldier — and the elite troops under his command. And then, almost nobody could publicly object to Princess Renner’s fervent wish. Perhaps a member of the Royal Household could gainsay her, but since the King, the highest authority in the land, had given his approval, nobody else could object to it.

Climb had a personal room due to this awkward position of his.

Renner’s word had given him a room of his own. But at the same time, it separated him from the others. After all, Climb was not affiliated with any faction and was uncomfortable in either camp, so he was like a hot potato.

Given Climb’s situation and background, he should have been a member of the Royal Faction. However, the Royal Faction were a group of nobles who had sworn their loyalty to the King, and they did not welcome Climb, whose origins were unknown.

In the end, Climb had become a very prickly being to take into their fold. Instead, they chose to leave him alone and wait for him to volunteer to help of his own accord. On the other hand, the Noble faction felt that drawing Climb in would have benefits, but it would also be like letting a wolf into their own homes.

However, the factions were made of many nobles, and not all of them were of one mind. The factions were ultimately organizations formed for profit. That being, the case while some members of the Royal Faction gave him the stink-eye — because he was a mere commoner who had been allowed to be the closest person to the Golden Princess — others also wanted Climb on their side.

In any case, nobody had been careless enough to risk splintering their faction for Climb.

In conclusion, both of them considered Climb an asset that neither of them wanted, but which neither of them wanted to surrender to their rivals.

That was why nobody spoke to him, and he was left to eat by himself.

He did not talk to anyone either, and he paid their business no heed. He simply ate, and finished HIS breakfast within 10 minutes.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Sated, he mumbled to himself — a practice picked up from long hours of solitude. Just as he was about to stand up, he bumped into a passing soldier.

Climb’s face was impassive as an elbow struck the place where he had been hurt while sparring with Gazef, but he froze from the pain.

The soldier who had hit him said nothing, just carried on. The soldiers around him kept silent too. Several people furrowed their brows as they saw this, but nobody said anything.

Climb sighed deeply, and headed out with his bowl and plate.

This much was par for the course. He was simply glad that there was no hot stew in the bowl at that time.

Nearly being tripped by an extended foot. People running into him under the pretense of an accident. He was used to these things. However —

—So what?

Climb continued forward. They could not do anything more to him — not in a public place like the dining hall.

Climb kept his chin up throughout. His eyes were fixed forward and he would not waver.

If he showed any sign of unseemly behavior, it would cause problems for his mistress Renner. After all, every move Climb made reflected directly on the reputation of Renner — the woman to whom he owed his loyalty.