Chapter 5 |
Side Story 2 Chapter 5: Surprise Attack
Allen and I had arrived in a village that was near the royal capital. Allen, who had agreed to accompany me on my journey to find what I was searching for, asked to return home first.
“Welcome back, Allen.”
“I’m home, Mom.”
We were greeted by Allen’s mother at the house. According to what I had been told, Allen’s family consisted of his father, mother and Allen himself—a family of three. Although his parents had opposed his decision to become an exterminator, which involved hunting dangerous monsters, Allen had still insisted on pursuing that path.
His reason was that he wanted to become famous as it’s natural for a man to want to make a name for himself—that was Allen's reasoning.
“It’s good to have you back, Allen.”
“I’m home, Dad.”
Allen’s father emerged from the back of the house. They were ordinary parents, but it was clear they loved their son and Allen’s expression softened in their presence.
“Oh, um…”
“I’m known as Silver. Allen has been of great help to me and I wanted to greet his parents to express my gratitude. You have raised a fine son.”
After I bowed and said this, Allen’s mother broke into a broad smile. She whispered to her husband.
“Dear! He’s definitely someone of noble birth! He must be wearing that mask because he can’t reveal his true identity! I’ve never seen such an elegant bow!”
“Yes, that must be it! Honey, let’s serve him our finest tea!”
“Dear! People like him don’t remove their masks in front of others!”
“I-Is that so…”
Sigh
“They’re quite the lively parents.”
“They’re just too carefree…”
Allen said as he sighed, but even so, he seemed pleased. What we saw here was the kind of happiness that is simple and commonplace. It doesn’t change, no matter the continent.
This is just the daily life of a family and while it’s nothing particularly special, it’s yet so incredibly important.
People live to protect that kind of life.
“Hey, Silver.”
“What is it?”
“Your family…”
“I have one. I left them far away, so I need to return to them quickly.”
“Is it your blood relatives? Or… a lover?”
“What are you trying to ask?”
“Well, I was just wondering… does someone like you, a man who wears a mask, have a lover?”
“I don’t have that kind of partner, but… there are many beautiful women around me.”
“That sounds suspicious…”
“If that’s what you want to believe, then feel free to do so.”
As we had this conversation, I was invited into Allen’s home.
__________
The next morning, after spending the night at Allen’s house, we set out toward the western part of the kingdom after bidding farewell to Allen’s parents.
“Take care!”
“Be careful out there!”
Allen’s parents saw us off as we embarked on our journey.
The teleportation device I was searching for was located further west, far beyond the current kingdom's borders. Within the kingdom, we could travel freely thanks to the travel pass that Wilfred had provided, but once we left the kingdom, we would be in another nation’s territory. Flying into their lands would likely draw unwanted attention, so we traveled quietly in the carriage that Wilfred had arranged for us.
“Are we really heading west?”
“Yes, that’s what I said.”
“But… the west…”
“What is it? You don’t sound too sure.”
“The location that you indicated… It's where the Elven kingdom is. The Elves are known to be isolationists and strict with other races. I doubt that they’ll let us through easily…”
“I’ve spoken with a few Elves before. As long as we mind our manners, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Manners, huh?”
Allen looked at me skeptically, as if questioning whether I had any manners at all.
“What?”
“No, nothing… Just… Please don’t resort to violence if things go wrong, okay? Elves live for a long time. So if you make an enemy of them, it’ll last a lifetime.”
“Which means, if you gain their favor, it’ll also last a lifetime.”
“If you manage to win their favor, that is.”
Allen seemed rather pessimistic. It’s good to be cautious, but constantly expecting the worst isn’t helpful.
“Try to think more positively.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Just the other day, I was a mere exterminator and now I’m accompanying someone who could be mistaken for a Demon King…”
“Who’s the Demon King?”
“You are! Even if it’s a misunderstanding, you’re still like a Demon King, right?”
“I’m not a Demon King.”
“Then what are you?”
What am I? That’s not an easy question to answer. I could just say “Silver,” but that’s not really what he’s asking.
“I’m a mage. If you must give me a title, you may call me the Magic King.” (TL: The pun here is that Magic King and Demon King basically sound the same in Japanese haha)
“That’s not much different…”
“There is a difference, at least there is to me.”
As we talked, a group of horsemen suddenly appeared ahead of us.
“Move aside, carriage! Clear the way!”
“What’s going on…?”
Allen, who was handling the carriage, obediently pulled it to the side. The group of horsemen, there were quite a number of them, rushed past us.
“What’s happening?”
“This is not something for commoners like you to know.”
“I’m not a commoner.”
I showed the horseman the travel pass that Wilfred had given me. It bore the royal crest, indicating a connection to the royal family.
“The royal crest!? My apologies!”
“What’s going on?”
“Sir! The Kingdom of Raun has launched a surprise attack from the east and broke through our national border! Their vanguard is already approaching the vicinity of the royal capital!”
“So they’re near the capital…”
“What’s their strength?”
“Approximately seventy thousand. Prince Wilfred has ordered all our forces to gather! Now, if you’ll excuse me!” With that, the horsemen sped off in the direction from which we had come.
“The Kingdom of Raun is a major power… They’ll definitely keep sending troops…”
“Wilfred is fairly capable. He should have already evacuated the citizens that are near the capital.”
“Even so! If we lose the battle, it’s over!”
With that, Allen mounted the horse that had been pulling the carriage.
“What are you going to do?”
“Sorry, but you’ll have to head west on your own! I’m going back! My family… they’re still over there!!”