Vol 1 Chapter 14 – Arrival at the Village【Vol 1: The Beastkin Hero Arc】

The Kingdom of Riguacqua, also known as the Country of Water, was a mid-tier nation ruled by a human king.

Facing the ocean, it boasted abundant seafood and highly developed shipbuilding technology. Furthermore, the world’s largest lake lay within its borders.

Because Leonhardt had quickly slain the leader of the insect-type magical beasts attacking that country—an Eight Demon General named 【Flavorus the Parasitic Eater】—the internal damage was much lighter compared to other nations.

Allen had no personal connection to the place whatsoever, but that also meant he wasn’t likely to run into anyone he knew — it might just be the perfect country to settle down in.

“Sir Noir! You should settle down in my home village! The World Knights slew the Demon Lord, and the Demon Lord’s Army has collapsed! That is a wonderful thing, but it seems far more remnants have fled to the frontiers than expected! I am starting to worry if I can protect the village all by myself! Having another skilled fighter around would surely put everyone at ease!!”

Branford had invited him along, but Allen found the sheer presence of the man in front of him stressful, so he was hesitating on what to do. Anyway, his voice was just too loud.

“…I don’t even know if everyone in the village will accept me to begin with. I want to see how the villagers act and make my final decision then.”

“I see, I see! I happen to be childhood friends with Eamon, the village chief! Allow me to do everything in my meager power to ensure you are welcomed!”

“…I’d appreciate that.”

He wasn’t a bad person at all, but being around him was exhausting — the man who had become his traveling companion was exactly that sort of person.

“Hey, Branford, was it? More importantly, isn’t there any interesting news? We have been away from the capital for quite some time, you see. We are sorely lacking in information.”

Walking beside Allen, Asmodeus asked about the state of the world.

“…Hmm, interesting news, you ask. No, nothing in particular! Even though we won the war, the knowledge that Allen-sama has passed away has spread deep sorrow even here in Riguacqua…”

For the first time since they had met, Branford’s voice grew quiet.

“I see.”

Allen clenched his fist where it couldn’t be seen — he was relieved that his death had been publicly announced, rejoicing quietly to himself. It didn’t seem like search parties were scouring the world looking for him.

“This is just a rumor, but it seems the World Knights are also in an unstable situation! The Sixth Seat who saved my homeland, the Hero of National Salvation, 【Knight of the Falling Star】 Leonhardt-sama, has shut herself away in a tower, and the Second Seat, the 【Omnipotent Knight】 Eufaria-sama, has shockingly gone missing. It seems the other World Knights are also refraining from taking on missions for now.”

Allen was genuinely shocked by the news that his beloved disciple had become a shut-in and the fairy princess he thought of as a little sister had vanished — so much so that he unconsciously stopped walking.

“Hm, what’s wrong, Big Brother?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Allen started walking again.

With a faint smile, Asmodeus muttered in amusement.

“But still, it makes sense. The death of the World Knight Commander inflicted deep emotional scars on the other World Knights. Even heroes are only human, after all.”

“…”

From behind his mask, Allen shot a deadpan glare at the little girl walking beside him.

“Of course, I understand how they feel! I shed tears myself when I heard the news! Allen-sama was the idol of knights in every nation! He was a symbol of hope for people all over the world! But there’s no point in moping around forever! For the sake of Allen-sama, who threw his life away to protect us, we must live our lives to the fullest in this peaceful world! I’m sure the peerless heroes that are the World Knights will eventually come to terms with it and dedicate themselves to the world once more!”

“Exactly. That’s exactly right.”

Allen nodded emphatically in agreement, and this time, it was Asmodeus who looked up at him with a deadpan glare.

“The nations of the world are currently busy with reconstruction efforts! There isn’t much uplifting news, but come to think of it, I did hear that a World Council will be held soon!”

“…Oh?”

The World Council was an important meeting where the kings of the nations on the Human Continent gathered to discuss various agendas. Perhaps they would be selecting a successor to the First Seat, Allen — a new World Knight for the human race.

“…Also, there’s a rumor that Gavreel-sama suddenly visited the port town of Roldo!”

“Gavreel…-sama did?”

Allen tilted his head in confusion.

The port town of Roldo was definitely Riguacqua’s largest port, so for what purpose would he, a hero of the giant race, visit such a place?

Did he just want to eat some fresh seafood?

(…That must be it. The war is over, so things should be getting more and more peaceful from here on out. It’s a good idea to take a trip and rest his mind and body when he doesn’t have any missions.)

Gavreel seemed to be doing fine. The only ones to worry about were the younger girls, Eufaria and Leonhardt, and even that should be resolved with time.

While gathering information from Branford, Allen thought about it with carefree optimism.

“——Oh, while we were talking, Log Village has come into view!”

Branford narrowed his eyes nostalgically, and just as he said, a wooden gate appeared in their line of sight.

Beyond it lay a peaceful, idyllic village dotted with fields and wooden cabins.

Despite the large number of insect-type magical beasts on the road nearby, the village itself appeared undamaged. On top of a watchtower near the gate stood a young man with one eye covered in bandages.

“H-Halt right there! What business do you have in this village?!”

The young man’s complexion was terribly pale as he leaned over the watchtower and shouted down at them. Both Branford and Allen were armed with swords, so it seemed they were being treated with caution.

“Could it be… are you the son of Bernas the blacksmith?!”

“…Eh? You know my dad?”

Looking up at the watchtower, Branford nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, Bernas is a childhood friend of mine — we grew up together in this village! I am Branford, formerly of the Azure Sword Knight Order! I came after seeing the recruitment flyer for guards at the Work Guild in the capital!!”

“…T-The Knight Order…”

The young man widened his one good eye.

“…Thank goodness! God hasn’t abandoned us yet! Maybe if it’s you guys, you can even defeat the demons—”

Mid-sentence, the young man’s face suddenly twitched unnaturally.

The expression that had been alive with overwhelming joy shifted into a complete blank, and he began speaking stiffly, almost as though he were a completely different person.

“…The Demon Lord has been slain, and peace is coming. By the village chief’s intentions, the village’s defense budget is to be cut. Therefore, there will be no talk of guards or anything of the sort.”

“…Huh?”

Such a drastic transformation — it was hard to believe this was the same person.

“Leave at once. The village has no need for guards.”

“N-No, even if you tell me to leave… this is technically my home village, you know?!”

“…Leave at once.”

The young man readied his bow from atop the watchtower. It seemed they wouldn’t even be permitted to set foot inside the village.

Allen stared at Branford with a deadpan expression.

“…Could it be that you were actually a massive nuisance in this village?”

“N-No, that’s not true! I’m pretty much the only person from this village who ever made it into the Knight Order! I was the star of hope, everyone’s goal, so to speak! I have no recollection of ever being alienated?!”

Despite his desperate defense, the young man kept his bow drawn with a totally emotionless face.

It seemed Branford’s booming voice had carried throughout the entire village. Other villagers opened the doors of their homes and began gathering near the gate with the shambling steps of ghosts.

“…W-What’s wrong, everyone? What happened…?”

Almost all of the villagers were missing a hand, an ear, a leg — some part of their bodies had been severed. Just like the young man on the watchtower, blood was seeping through their bandages.

They gripped farming tools, kitchen knives, short swords, spears — anything that could be used as a weapon — and pointed them in their direction.

“…This isn’t normal. Just being hated doesn’t explain this.”

“A-Anyway, let’s fall back for now!”

“…I agree.”

Intimidated by the villagers who looked ready to attack at any moment, the three of them decided to distance themselves from the village for the time being.