The Villains I Taught Became Heroes

It had been a couple of months since I settled in the Eastern Trading Company.

As usual, I finished training Sowol and was sipping tea upon returning when I was called by Sojung.

What could it be? Normally, Sojung doesn’t call for me directly, so it seems something’s wrong.

Huh? Could it be an event? An event?!

In games, sometimes sudden events pop up, and clearing them brings all sorts of rewards.

Thinking about that, I couldn’t let it slip, so I headed straight to Sojung.

“Master! Welcome. Haha. Would you like a cup of tea?”

He seems to have something to say but is hesitating to bring it up.

What kind of topic is he hinting at like this?

I sipped the tea he poured for me, waiting for him to speak.

Until I finished my cup, he remained silent, but finally sighed deeply and opened his mouth.

“Lord has made a request.”

“A request?”

If it’s the Lord, then it’s that guy, right? The one we worked with when we dealt with the skeleton gang.

I’ve heard Sojung is pretty close with him, making things convenient for the trading company.

“There’s been a sighting of heretics stirring within the territory.”

Indeed, it’s an event!

But heretics… This is going to be a pain.

Those heretics are annoyingly stealthy and use troublesome techniques that can be bothersome while playing.

I debated whether to let this slide or not, but still, an event is an event. Thinking of the rewards, I couldn’t just abandon it.

“Where did you get that information?”

“It was found at the skeleton gang’s hideout. Apparently, the skeleton gang was a part of the heretics.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. There were signs of offerings made to the heretic’s deity inside their hideout. Additionally, a letter found there mentioned the activities of heretics within the territory.”

Regarding heretics, this definitely must be a troubling issue for the Lord.

Heretics perform human sacrifices, lowering the public safety and the loyalty of the citizens.

Under those circumstances, having heretics operating within his territory would surely be a thorn in the Lord’s side.

“Then why did you inform the Eastern Trading Company about it?”

“During our last operation, many of the territory’s guards were injured. They lack available forces and asked for our assistance.”

“I see.”

“So, um… if it’s okay with you, could you take charge of this task, Master?”

Dealing with heretics, huh.

There are certainly items to be obtained from capturing those heretics.

Some of them could help Sowol level up, so it’d be better to grab what I can while I have the chance.

“Sure thing.”

“Thank you! Then the support…”

“I don’t need any support.”

Those pests.

I can handle them on my own.

“Master.”

Just as I was considering where to start looking upon returning to my place, Sowol, who has recently been coming to see me often, sat down in front of me and said.

“I’m supposed to go to the village. Would you like to come along?”

I was actually planning to go there anyway.

If there are rumors about heretics, I’d have to gather that information in the village.

“Alright.”

“Shouldn’t we also prepare for a drink?”

“Oh, you picked that up well.”

Recently, Sowol has been oddly nice to me.

Does she really need those compliment stickers that badly?

Yeah. It’s just a feeling.

“Ah.”

“Since you understand the heart of your Master well, here’s one compliment sticker.”

“Thank you!”

Removing the compliment sticker from her forehead, she carefully placed it in her notebook with a satisfied expression.

Meanwhile, I got up from my seat, and together we exited the trading company.

“By the way, why are you going to the village?”

“I’m bored with just training. I thought it was time to loosen up a bit… Is that a problem?”

Her beaming smile and the way she stuck her tongue out were cute.

“No, it’s good to rest when you can.”

“I thought you would say that.”

Nodding, Sowol naturally took my arm.

As we entered the village, Sowol tilted her head.

“The atmosphere in the village seems off.”

She was right. Unlike usual, the villagers were moving about less.

Even though the capture of the skeleton gang should have lifted the village’s mood, it felt stifled.

Perhaps this is also the influence of the heretics.

“Shall we head to the market first?”

“Sure.”

Upon arriving at our usual Tanghulu shop, the owner, a now-familiar face, smiled at us.

However, there was a shadow over that smile.

“I’ll have strawberries.”

“I’ll take grapes.”

While waiting for our usual order, I casually asked while looking at the Tanghulu decorations.

“Business been good lately?”

“Oh dear, it’s a disaster, an absolute disaster!”

“What’s going on?”

“There’s been a string of disappearances these past few days!”

Handing Sowol her Tanghulu, he sighed heavily as if the ground were sinking beneath him.

“Disappearances?”

“Ugh, yes! People of all ages are vanishing in pairs or threes, so folks aren’t coming out much anymore. That’s why business is suffering. Normally, by now, I would’ve sold at least twenty, but you two are my third customers today.”

Listening to him, I looked around the market area.

It felt like the usual crowd had been halved.

“Also, there are rumors of a ghost appearing at night. They say it drags people who wander outside, so now no one even dares to think about night markets. The harvest festival is coming soon, and what are we going to do… Tsk tsk.”

Once again sighing deeply, he handed me my Tanghulu.

As I ate it, Sowol and I wandered around the market.

“Other shops seem to have similar stories.”

“Indeed.”

Crunching on the Tanghulu, I headed toward the tavern with Sowol.

“Master!”

At that moment, a voice brimmed with excitement called out.

Turning around, I saw a knight in armor running toward us with soldiers.

“Uh… was it Anne?”

“Yes! You remembered me!”

She wasn’t freckled or scrawny, but I remembered her red hair.

She’s one of the knights from the territory who participated in the last operation against the skeleton gang.

“Sowol, it’s been a long time…”

“Yes, it has.”

The way Anne looked at Sowol wasn’t too friendly.

Sowol felt the same.

Perhaps it was the tense atmosphere between the two women?

The already heavy mood became even heavier.

“So what’s going on? Dressed up in armor and all. Going out on a mission or something?”

To break the silence, I said something, and Anne let out a small sigh with a bitter expression.

“Recently, there have been many unsettling rumors circulating within the territory. Are you aware of them, Master?”

“I’m aware of the disappearances.”

“That’s not all. While investigating the skeleton gang…”

“I’ve heard that the skeleton gang is connected to the heretics.”

“I see! As expected of you, Master!”

It’s not that big of a deal, really.

Anne, who was looking at me with sparkling eyes, slyly turned her gaze to Sowol.

“Then may I ask if you came to the village to solve that matter, Master?”

“Can’t say I didn’t. The Lord asked the Eastern Trading Company for direct help, so I’m lending a hand.”

“I see! This is perfect! I’m also investigating that matter, so if it’s alright, how about we work together?”

Together? Do we really need to?

I looked at the soldiers behind her and shook my head.

There’s no need for too many people for this job.

No need to share rewards with a big crowd.

“…I see. Then will you be taking on this task with Sowol?”

“I’d say that’s accurate.”

I get the item, and Sowol gains experience.

For us, it’s basically the best kind of event, and I can’t afford to let that opportunity slip away.

“…Why…?”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing. Anyway, if Master is resolving this, then it’s good news. I suppose there’s no need to worry.”

With an awkward smile, she nodded to me and turned away.

As she walked away with her soldiers, Sowol lightly tugged at my sleeve.

“That girl seems to be hostile toward me.”

“That seems likely.”

“Do you know why?”

It was something that happened a while ago.

A few days after we dealt with the skeleton gang, Anne came looking for me directly.

Overflowing with pride after earning her knighthood at a young age, she requested a duel with me.

Since it’s polite to accept a challenge, I went easy on her, but the next day she came to ask to become my disciple.

Naturally, I refused.

With her level of talent, reaching the level I desire for her would be difficult.

She’s not lacking in talent, but it was just slightly above average.

What I want is beyond that.

“…I see.”

Hearing my explanation, Sowol smiled brightly. Does she seem happy about this?

Thinking about it, it makes sense she’d feel good.

I acknowledged the significant difference in talent.

“Then I’m the only disciple of the Master, right?”

“For now, that’s correct.”

At my answer, Sowol’s smile deepened even more.

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