ALL NOVEL Chapter 125
Chapter 125. Three Companion And Helping People
“Akira, you did well.”
“The practice at the castle was helpful. If this had been my first battle, I would have been paralyzed and unable to move.”
Sitting on a convenient rock and smoking a cigarette, the blonde dreadlocked elf and the muscular bearded dwarf approached. Remember this, you guys.
“Thanks to you, it was surprisingly easy.”
“Well, Akira, you’re stronger than an average person.”
“Indeed. However, compared to those who live in the city, merchants traveling outside still need a lot more training.”
“You guys… don’t you think I might collapse from exhaustion or something?”
“That should be alright. You’ve picked up quite a good sense of the aura.”
“I can’t tell myself. I still can’t beat Hagg or Yaralai.”
“If you can beat us, then you’re pretty strong. You’d be scouted as a mercenary level.”
“…I don’t really get your standard for strength…”
Honestly, I thought Hagg and Yaralai were among the strongest in this world, but since they can’t handle Faf, maybe they’re not that impressive after all?
No, if this was normal, it would be weird. They were unstoppable even at the castle.
The more I think about it, the less I understand.
And when it’s useless to ponder, I stick to my principle of giving up decisively. Let’s stop thinking too deeply.
That incomprehensible horned girl Faf seems to be with the young people at the camper. It might be a precautionary measure for security.
Yaralai and Hagg efficiently finished off the goblins with broken bones and severe injuries. I’m glad I wasn’t told to do it.
For now, I guide everyone to the camper.
I handed out water from a PET bottle to the elderly people who were on the verge of heatstroke (they looked quite puzzled, but thanked me repeatedly) and carried the incapacitated humans with help.
“For now, I will treat the injured. Yaralai, please help.”
“Yeah.”
I guide only those in bad condition and the injured into the cabin of the car. At first, they hesitated thinking it was a noble’s carriage, but when they realized it was a merchant’s, they started groveling about not having money.
“Well… I’ll make an exception and let it be free today.”
“No… but…”
The reason for their unusually high-handed attitude is because no merchant would typically help someone without money, even if their lives were at stake. I thought they might be convinced by acting high-handedly, but it didn’t quite work.
“…The elves and dwarves there dislike goblins and are in a good mood for having defeated the pests. Think of it as their whim.”
The injured looked at each other and nodded.
“Understood. We’ll make sure to express our gratitude when we return to the village.”
“That promise is enough. …Yaralai, is the disinfection done?”
“Just as you said.”
“U-uh, if you don’t want to answer, you can ignore me, but what exactly is this carriage? Water comes out of that silver tube, and these comfortable seats are a first for me.”
“Ittchel, this is a special type of chair called a sofa.”
“Elder. Have you finally regained your strength?”
“Who’s dead? I was just too tired to speak. More importantly, we deeply thank you for your help.”
The oldest man, who had been sipping water and salt with heavy breaths until just a moment ago, finally spoke up.
He had the dry hands of someone living in the wilderness.
“It was just a matter of course. Thanks to you, I’ve learned a lot.”
When I glared at the half-naked elf with resentment, he naturally averted his gaze.
“By the way, you’re the elder, right? If you don’t mind, could you tell me the details?”
“Hmm. It’s not particularly unusual. There’s a town called Hansion about a day’s journey by carriage or a day and a half to two days on foot from our village. It should have around 100 to 200 residents. However, since it lacks proper city walls, it’s not recognized as a city or country.”
I see. I’m starting to understand the local situation. On the contrary, if they built a decent city wall, they could claim to be a country, right?
But I won’t do it.
“And then?”
“Well, it seems goblins have taken up residence near that Hansion town.”
“That’s a common occurrence, right? A town of that scale would have around ten guards, and they could hire mercenaries or travelers like us.”
“That’s right. Initially, they tried that. But those who went out to exterminate them were half-destroyed, and even those who returned were in terrible shape.”
“Hm… Was there no one stronger?”
Hagg rubbed his chin in wonder.
Indeed, goblins look quite fearsome, but they shouldn’t be opponents one would lose to unless it’s a first battle like mine. At least if one has weapons, training, or combat experience.
Wait? Why am I being made to face them barehanded?
“No, it seems that a pair of lizard warriors happened to pass by, named Shell… Mora… something like that.”
“Oh? Could it be Shurla and Leemo?”
“Yes! That’s the name!”
“That… I can’t believe it, but…”
“Yes. According to the survivors, it seems they have formed a colony…”
“‘‘!’’”
Hagg and Yaralai simultaneously exuded murderous intent.
The villagers almost fainted in fear.
“…Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. We won’t do anything to you.”
“Agreed. I also apologize.”
As the two apologized simultaneously, the villagers, who were panicking, managed to regain their composure.
There are still a few things that concern me.
“Hagg. First, do you know about these lizard warriors?”
“Hmm. I’ve heard about them a few times in taverns related to merchant requests. They are a good couple for lizards.”
“A couple?”
“Yes. Lizard female warriors are rare, but even rarer is that the male is under the thumb of the female. They travel to take on extermination requests from the merchant guild. That’s why they sometimes meet in big towns.”
“I see. So, are those warrior couples strong?”
“Hmm… They are stronger if it’s barehanded combat.”
“Oh, they’re not that impressive?”
“Fool, they are not opponents for regular soldiers.”
…Huh?
Does that mean I’m as strong as a regular soldier now?
No good. It’s getting even more confusing…
“Well, is it safe to say they’re much stronger than goblins?”
“That’s right. They’re not the kind to lose to a normal group. Especially if there were other soldiers.”
“Ah. For example, there’s no chance they were trapped by someone with a bias against lizards, right?”
“There’s a possibility, but biases against lizards are rare around here. It should be fine. I’ve heard that lizards living in marshlands are hated because of their fearsome strength.”
“Marshlands, swamps, muddy rivers, even I struggle.”
I see, so it’s a species with a distinct habitat.
“Another thing about the colony is…”
I can guess, but I can’t avoid asking.
Hagg’s gaze intensifies as he answers.
“Hmm… I told you before! They call a village where they gather like that… But more importantly, it usually refers to cases where they explosively increase after acquiring a host! …Village chief, is that almost certainly the case?”
“O…oh yes. Just as a carriage carrying a messenger from Hansion arrived, I heard the details. The villagers were discussing whether to abandon the village and escape… Then, the goblins appeared from a corner of the village.”
After that, they said they first escaped with the help of the villagers staying at the village and the young ones as guides, and we encountered them while they were delaying with the slower people.
Fortunately, no one died. They thanked us repeatedly, but I responded rather perfunctorily in the latter half.
The bearded old man had the worst injuries.
It seems he was once a wanderer accepting merchant guild requests. Is that the same as Yaralai?
The more I hear, the more it resembles the “adventurers” from games. Well, whatever.
Now, the worst injury on the old man needed stitching, but there was a dispute about it.
“Old man. This wound needs to be stitched, and we have the tools and medicine. But we don’t have a doctor.”
“Ah. There are no doctors in the village either.”
“So, after some discussion, it was decided that I’ll be the one to stitch it. You have no complaints about that, right?”
“None. In fact, you’re going to use precious medicine, right? Even if I die, it’s fine.”
“No, no, no! I’m treating you so that won’t happen! But, there are various issues.”
“…What is it? I know the money is… insufficient, but I’ll give what I have. Even if I say it’s hidden at home, I don’t think you’ll trust me—”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
I kicked everyone except me, the old man, and Yaralai out of the cabin and thoroughly cleaned the interior with cleaning tools. Of course, the sand was already expelled outside. The air conditioning should have a simple filter, so it’s currently running at full blast.
I cleaned it well and arranged tweezers and stitching needles on a plate disinfected with alcohol.
“I’m not a professional, so the stitches might end up crooked, leading to pain or even infection. It might get worse if it festers. I could stab something badly and cause extreme pain. I know blood vessels to some extent, so I think it will be okay, but if I hit an artery, it could be serious. Is it still alright for me to proceed with the treatment?”
The bearded man took a deep breath and nodded.
“Isn’t that your product? If you’re using such a precious thing, I have no complaints. Please do your best.”
Looking at the outstretched arm, blood was already oozing out.
I can only hope the artery hasn’t been cut.
“Alright. Yaralai, keep wiping the blood with the cotton. I’ll start stitching.”
“Got it.”
Yaralai and I put on disposable rubber gloves and began the treatment.
Fortunately, the surgery went well.
There might be various issues later due to my inexperience, but that’s a matter for a professional doctor.
The purchased items were: suture needles with thread (10 sets) = 6,300 yen. This was necessary, so I bought it. And cephalosporin antibiotics (10 tablets x 5 sheets) = 11,200 yen. The remaining amount was enough with the remaining contents of the first-aid kit.
Remaining balance: 252,439 yen.