ALL NOVEL Chapter 118
Chapter 118. Three Companions And Highway Gossip
The road to Lakecler basically stretches along the Liberi River. However, sticking entirely to the riverbank is impossible, so the road winds considerably.
It seems this village is a post town built near a spot where the Liberi River comes close.
We’re in a quaint village tavern.
Dwarf Hagg and Elf Yaralai are familiar faces, but there’s also a black-silver-haired girl with us. She’s an unfamiliar race with two horns on her head that look like accessories. Other than that, she’s just a beautiful girl. Well, her reptilian slit-pupil golden eyes are unique.
Being stared at by those eyes makes me feel like I’ll be eaten alive. After all, this is the person who lightly defeated Hagg and Yaralai when they were serious. The world is vast.
So, this is our new mixed group, and we’re currently having dinner in the village tavern.
My menu is grilled river fish. Luckily, it’s made from fresh fish, not salted ones, and it’s tastier than I thought. Though, considering the market price, it’s a bit high.
As we chat while eating, rumors from another table naturally reach our ears. Thinking information gathering is important, I listened closely.
“——What is it?”
“Heh, so there really are vermin appearing?”
“Yeah. It’s quite a big problem, and they’re considering calling for help from Sebitus.”
“Hey, hey, if they call in the army, won’t the town go bankrupt from the expedition costs, even if they deal with the vermin?”
“That’s how urgent the situation is. I ran here as fast as I could, but I didn’t feel safe while walking.”
Hmm, interesting conversation. Listening further, it seems that on the way to Sebitus, a city-state we’re heading to, there’s a reasonably large town suffering from vermin damage.
“Hey, what’s a vermin? Something like a stray buffalo?”
“Hmm? That is indeed a type of vermin. They call those large vermin, I think.”
“Yes, classified as large vermin.”
So they don’t call them monsters. But it’s doubtful that they’re just regular wild animals.
“So, the vermin they’re talking about are small?”
“Generally, they shouldn’t be that big. It’s a vague term, so I’m not sure.”
“If they’re about two to three times the size of a person, they’re classified as large.”
“I see.”
“Hehehe…”
“Hey, are there any other strange creatures besides vermin? Like griffins or flying animals?”
“I don’t know much about that.”
“Hehehe, I shall explain… Vermin are classified into four types: vermin, dangerous vermin, large vermin, and large dangerous vermin.”
“You know a lot.”
“Hehehe. That Elf there probably knows a lot too, but his explanations are long-winded. The four types apply to animal-based ones. There’s also a category called monsters.”
“Monsters?”
What is that? Did they mutate gigantically from radiation or something?
“I think griffins are classified as monsters too?”
“Hehehe. Indeed. I think vermin is sufficient, but that’s a minor point. Monsters are also classified into four types: monsters, dangerous monsters, large monsters, and large dangerous monsters.”
“Large dangerous monsters… Just hearing that sounds terrifying. What kind of monsters are they? Dragons?”
“Oh? Do dragons exist in your world too?”
“No, no, no, they don’t. They’re fictional creatures. As I said before, Elves and Dwarves also appeared in stories for some reason.”
When I reflexively denied it, Faf laughed softly.
“Hehehe. An interesting tale. It’s as if you’re from another world.”
(Oh no!)
Not only me, but Hagg also smacked his forehead.
Yaralai sighed and shook his head from side to side.
“Hehehe, I’d love to hear more…”
“……Uh, ……It’s a secret.”
“Hehehe. Well, that’s fine. In due time.”
“I’ll do my best…”
Darn it. I’ve stepped on a landmine… Or rather, it’s a time bomb that could go off anytime. Hagg is mainly to blame, but I’m also at fault for going along. It’s the worst.
“Ah… So, is the large dangerous monster a dragon?”
“Y-Yes. That’s not wrong, but dragons are in a different league.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re dubious if they can even be called life forms. They’re already in the realm of gods. It’s said there’s only one true dragon on this continent… If such a thing appeared, I’d run away with all my might.”
“Even you, Hagg?”
“Yes. I’d rather challenge a god.”
“Hehehe.”
What is that, some kind of legend?
“Long ago, during the Great Midal era, it appeared several times, apparently. The disappearance of Midal is also said to be related.”
“Hehehe.”
“Is it invincible?”
“I’d like to challenge it, but… it’s probably impossible.”
“Even you, Yaralai…”
For these two muscleheads to say that, it must be something formidable.
“Hehehe. Besides monsters, there are also apparitions. These are only classified as apparitions and dangerous apparitions. Mostly zombies and spirits.”
“What?! There are spirits too?!”
“Yes. There are many dangerous ones.”
“Can you defeat them?”
“They’re strong foes.”
It seems Yaralai has defeated them before.
“Hmph. As long as I have silver weapons, I can handle them.”
“That’s an excuse.”
“What did you say…?!”
“That’s enough for today.”
“……Hmph.”
“……Ha.”
The usual routine is fine, but it gets tiring if it’s too frequent, you two.
By the way, silver weapons work against them, huh? Maybe I’ll keep a silver spoon as a charm.
“By the way, Faf, you sure know a lot.”
“Hehehe… You can praise me more?”
“…I’ll pass.”
She’s indeed a mysterious woman. Her age is unknown too.
“Hehehe. You were thinking about my age just now, weren’t you?”
“Eh?!”
What?! Did she read my mind?! Is it psychic power, magic, or a gift?!
“Hehehe… It’s written all over your face. It’s rude to ask a woman her age… Well, I live longer than that Elf over there.”
“Really?”
“Hehehe.”
Speaking of which, how old is Yaralai? I’ve vaguely heard that Elves live long. I’ll ask next time.
That Elf is now glaring sharply at Faf. Hagg, while gulping down his drink, also glanced at Faf. Is something bothering them?
No way, are they in love… No, it’s not that kind of look.
“Anyway, back to the vermin, what are they?”
“Hehehe, around here, they’re probably goblins or stone coyotes.”
Goblins… They exist, huh? They’re familiar with light novels. Stone coyotes must be a type of coyote.
“Hmph. If I find goblins, I’ll kill them all.”
“Yes. Annihilate.”
“That’s extreme!”
“Hmph. There’s a reason. Goblins, kobolds, and orcs live in colonies… They abduct people.”
“What?”
I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at Hagg’s unexpected words. Hagg continued with a spit.
“They have a peculiar trait of rarely giving birth to females. Even so, they shouldn’t have trouble surviving… But they use humans… In this case, humans, dwarves, and elves as hosts!!”
Bang!
Hagg slammed the table with his large fist.