Chapter 140 (1/2)
A loud snoring sound echoed through Metheus Village. If someone heard it then they might feel out of breath. A cold winter breeze swept through the village and Kerenos, the snorer, was slapped on the cheeks.
“Captain.”
“Um.”
“Captain, if you sleep here then your mouth will turn. Get up.”
The vice-captain of the Sylphid Knights, Becker, slapped Kerenos hard on the cheeks. However, the captain showed no signs of waking up. Why did he drink so much alcohol when he couldn’t even drink? Becker regarded abstinence as an iron-clad rule so he didn’t know how to drink. Based on what he heard, the money that the captain earned from gambling had flown away.
“Hrmm. Then it can’t be helped.” Becker had carried Kerenos on his shoulder multiple times over the years. His weight combined with the armor was quite heavy but it was still bearable. “Phew. Please stop drinking, Captain.”
It had been a long time since the captain drank enough to fall unconscious. Perhaps the last time was when he drank with his teacher Mugen. Kerenos used to only drink when he was in a good mood but today it was the opposite. “My moneeeey. Damnnnn.”
Was money so good? Well, a knight’s salary was a bit small. It was because they were knights that valued honor and money could encourage luxury. This was a tradition that had been passed down from generation to generation and knights made a living on a small salary. Well, there were other benefits.
“Um... You...”
“It’s Becker, Captain.”
“Ah, Becker...” Kerenos exhaled like there was still alcohol remaining. He sat up and spoke, “Hooooo. Where are the others? Did everyone get home safely?”
“Ah, that...” Becker started to tell the long story. It was about what happened while Kerenos was drunk and asleep. There was a woman called Helena from Garbage Village and left in a group. He reported it all to Kerenos.
“What?!” Kerenos shouted and removed himself from Becker’s shoulder. Then he scrambled around and started to look for his spear. “My spear... where is my spear?!”
Becker handed Kerenos the spear that had been placed in a corner. Kerenos hiccuped while stumbling. “Hiccup. Thank you. H-Hiccup!”
“Are you going to follow them?”
“Uh... Hooooo. Yes, this is my mission.”
“Mission?”
“Punghee is the future of Windia... hiccup!”
Becker nodded as if he understood. Kerenos was such a man. He thought about Windia the moment he woke up. There might be Jackson but Kerenos had been the guardian of Windia since he was born.
“Do you know where they went?”
“Kuoooh. I know. Garbage Village...”
It was a famous place so it was impossible for him to not know it. Kerenos’ magic power was seething. It was the precursor to the wind magic, Haste. Light green magic power dwelled in his feet. He pointed his spear at the ground and spoke, “Sigh. Please look after this place, Becker.”
“Be careful.”
“Yes. Ahh, there is one thing after another.”
Kerenos stumbled once again.
Becker thought, ‘I’m a bit uneasy about this.’
He didn’t know if it would be dangerous. An unknown anxiety wrapped around Becker’s entire body.
“Do you want some medicine to sober you up?”
“Uh... give me one if you have it.”
Becker always carried a medicine to sober up. It was a habit from being around Kerenos for a long time. He pulled out a small bottle and Kerenos swallowed it.
“Puhaaa. My nose is dead.”
“I’m glad it worked.”
“Then I’ll be going, Becker.”
“Yes, I wish you luck.”
The wind swept away and Kerenos was no longer present. Becker looked in the direction he had gone.
“...That is the opposite direction.”
It seemed that Kerenos was still a bit drunk.
* * *
“Chief? The chief of the area next door...?”
“Yes. This guy.” Aidan heard my words and laughed. He seemed to find it ridiculous. “Ha! It is absurd. A chief stopping me, Aidan...? Attendant! Let that old man sit down before me!”
“Yes!”
The loud voices of the soldiers rang in my ears. They started to surround me. According to Joseph, they were probably paid and hired by Aidan. Fortren’s system really was capitalism. By the way, where did Joseph go? He was invisible.
I summoned Solar.
“Hehe! Master, we meet again! It is nice to see you!”
“This is a battle.”
“I see. Understood! Hufff!”
[The sun elemental ‘Solar’ is proclaiming the curse of the sun.]
I suddenly felt the heat around me rise. The soldiers who surrounded me started to sweat.
“Hey, isn’t it becoming hotter?”
“Isn’t it winter?”
“What is this...”
Meanwhile, I sent a whisper to Kim Sujeong.
-Jackson: Do Firefly Concerto on the count of three.
-Crystal: I understand. I’ll be ready.
She fought a lot so I didn’t need to tell her many words. I took advantage of the soldiers’ carelessness to fire cobwebs at Kis and the old man in front of Aidan.
“Three!”
I quickly called out three without any signal. Their expressions were confused for a moment before they soon calmed down. It was due to the cushion I had made out of cobwebs.
“Firefly Concerto!”
A widespread fluorescent shield wrapped around the party, including me. The fl.u.s.tered soldiers struck with their swords but it wasn’t easily broken.
“W-What is this?”
“Who the hell are these people?”
“What are you? Get lost!”
Many soldiers started to strike at the shield but it was strong and showed no signs of breaking. There was just one problem.
“Over there! Aim for those who remain over there!”