The Guild Master Whose Hobby Was Helping People Found Himself Surrounded by the Strongest, Overly Attached Members - 18

Chapter 18: Question

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“―And then, when I woke up, I was here. …If only I had been stronger, I could have defeated the monster, that man. I wouldn’t have put Iris in danger…”

Leon clenched his fist, speaking through gritted teeth. He sat hunched forward on the church pew, paying no mind to his injured body. Iris was seated beside him, but she made no move to stop her big brother’s words. Instead, her hand quietly grasped the sleeve of his robe.

“But because you didn’t give up, Iris-san is alive.”

“…Thank you… Very much.”

Leon’s shoulders trembled faintly.

“And we also learned that the monster’s weakness is light.”

“And that physical attacks don’t work well, too.”

Sera added onto my words. Especially the fact that physical attacks didn’t work—that information alone would give us a massive advantage.

Normally, we fought under the assumption that our strikes would land and dealt our blows with full force. But if a sword simply cut through empty air, it would shake both mind and body, leaving us fatally exposed. It was the kind of thing designed to kill on first encounter. We still didn’t know the monster’s full trick, but one more risk of death had been pushed aside.

“…He also said he would destroy the surrounding villages.”

I exchanged a look with Ragnar. Behind his calm eyes burned a clear flame of anger.

“There are other villages nearby?”

“Yes. To the north from here, there’s a small village called Wasarabi.” 

Iris answered. Her voice was hoarse, but it carried a firm clarity.

“It’s caught between the forest and the mountains… The roads in and out are limited. The population is small, and it’s far from the royal capital… So if that man appears there…”

Her words faltered painfully.

“It’s going to be dangerous.”

I answered immediately.

Lisette swiftly spread out a map, marking it with a small red sign. Without a word, she confirmed the village’s location against our past records.

“Let’s go. The more time passes, the greater the damage may be.”

As I stood, Leon and Iris both moved to rise as well.

“I’ll go too. If that monster shows up again—”

“I will as well—”

“No.”

I declared it firmly.

“…Neither of you are in any condition to move. You were on the brink of death just moments ago. Trying to rush off now will only make you a burden.”

Leon bit his lip in frustration.

“I know that. But still…”

“I appreciate the sentiment. But for now, focus on recovery.”

“…Understood.”

We exchanged nods. After confirming our gear, we left the church behind.

Our next destination was Wasarabi Village. Departing from Envel Village, we set out north.

Wasarabi—on the map, was a small settlement encircled by mountains and forest. To reach it, we needed to cross a narrow mountain trail that carriages could not pass. The main road had been blocked by a landslide, but we discovered what looked like a beast path used by the villagers and chose to take it.

And then, when we finally reached the entrance to Wasarabi Village—everyone’s feet stopped at once.

“…No way.”

Sera’s voice shook. The village that should have stood before us—was gone.

No, the shape remained. But all that was left were ruins. The blackened frames of burned-out houses. Charred streaks trailing across the ground. The little stream that once ran through the center of the village was now layered with ash, and in the muddy sludge, a torn scrap of a shoe lay half-buried.

“This… In just one night…?”

I couldn’t believe it. Wasarabi Village had been completely silenced. No trace of life remained. No birdsong, no insect wings—no people.

“…There are corpses.”

At Lisette’s voice, I turned. She was pointing toward the remains of the central square. There, beyond the scorched earth, several blackened human shapes lay scattered. Faces unrecognizable. Age and sex indistinguishable. Burned, torn apart, stripped away.

Ragnar’s fist trembled at his side. He only exhaled deeply, lowering his gaze to the ground.

We walked silently through the village. With each step, charred rubble crumbled beneath our feet. On house walls were black smears shaped like handprints. At the forest exit were massive gouges, as though something had raked through with claws.

“…We didn’t make it in time.”

The words were for no one in particular. Yet, everyone acknowledged them in silence. Even so—

“There might still be something left.”

I murmured. Lisette nodded.

“Even if no witnesses remain, there may be traces… Something we can learn.”

“Master, I’ll check that building over there.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Sera dashed off, while the rest of us began to search around the square. Footprints left in burned soil. A pot left toppled. Signs of escape. Tracks that ended mid-scream. The only thing clear was that the villagers had struggled desperately until the end.

But within me, a single question persisted.

The number of corpses doesn’t add up.

That man had said: “You’ll be the last ones I kill.” But killing was not his true purpose.

I stopped walking and surveyed the village once more. Burned roofs, collapsed walls. A village buried in corpses and ash. And yet, something about it was wrong. Terrifying, yes—but wrong.

For a village of this size, there should have been far more people. The number of houses, the spread of land. From its layout, there had to be at least thirty, maybe forty inhabitants. But the bodies we found didn’t even reach twenty.

“…Could some have escaped?”

I voiced the thought, but it didn’t fit.

The village had too few roads leading outward. Even the mountain path we came through had forced us into a detour. It was far too difficult a place from which to escape pursuers. And besides, we hadn’t run into anyone on the way here. There were no traces of flight anywhere.

At my side, Lisette spoke softly.

“…Many of these remains resemble animal bones more than human burn victims.”

“What do you mean?”

She fell silent briefly, choosing her words carefully—then spoke quietly.

“In other words… It’s more reasonable to conclude they were eaten.”

“Fed to monsters…”

The answer was painfully simple.

I recalled Leon’s account. When the monster appeared before him and Iris, it had deliberately avoided fatal blows. Not killing—wounding. Not letting them escape—ensuring they could not move. And in the end, devouring them.

“…It’s raising them.”

By feeding on humans, the monster grew stronger. That was why such care was taken. But why save the siblings for last? Even after being wounded, killing them on the spot would have been easy.

In that choice alone, I sensed the intent of the monster’s master. Not efficiency, but self-indulgence. The sick delight of someone who found pleasure in others’ suffering.

“Lisette. There aren’t any other villages nearby, are there?”

“None.”

“…Then we need to return to Envel Village immediately.”

Lisette packed up at once. The other two, realizing what that meant, hurried back as well. There was no one left in the burned village. Etching that silence into our hearts, we turned on our heels.

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