Episode 22: Claygate
Ten men armed with weapons like swords, spears, knives, and morning stars surrounded me, glaring menacingly. It’s quite intimidating against unarmed me, and honestly, I think it’s pretty bad. However, since there are several men wearing animal ears, I feel it somewhat lacks tension. What on earth is going on?
Fighting opponents with weapons is difficult beyond measure. Even a Hobgoblin who barely knew swordsmanship gave me trouble in a one-on-one fight, so against numerous human men with some training, I honestly think my chances of winning are low.
However, while there are bows and arrows, weapons like guns are not seen. Since they weren’t used in the fight with the Pterosaur either, they probably don’t have that kind of projectile weapon. That’s a relief, if anything.
But I’ll likely be forced to fight depending on the whims of their boss, Claygate. I don’t want to be hurt or killed just like this, so I prepare my mind to fight back. As a strategy, maybe jump behind the guy holding the morning star, snatch the weapon, and flee. That spiked iron ball looks dangerous just by looking at it.
Glancing at where Giliane was, she had retreated to the back unnoticed and was watching the situation. She doesn’t seem likely to get involved in the fight. The others are holding their breath, watching to see what happens. The armed men are waiting for Claygate’s order.
Claygate himself was glaring at me, but after a short pause, he started chuckling kukkukku.
“Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah…”
That turned into a big laugh, and he waved his hand dismissively. Although the men didn’t break the encirclement, they sheathed their weapons. I don’t know if it was just a threat, but I kept myself ready to fight at any time.
“How about it, ‘Luissa’, did it look like you could win?” “Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think I’d lose, but my back has been soaked in sweat for a while.” “Even though the opponent is alone and unarmed.” “Good grief, he’s unfathomable…”
The man called Luissa is the one standing in front of me, a size bigger than the other nine men and wearing the best equipment. Incidentally, he’s also wearing tiger ears.
These ten men are Claygate’s guards, and Luissa must be their captain. He exudes the atmosphere of a veteran warrior, but he looks relieved that Claygate didn’t order him to fight.
Honestly, I was bewildered. I didn’t do anything in particular, but am I really giving off such a dangerous vibe? Giliane was also quite afraid, but maybe it wasn’t just because she assumed I was a noble…
Claygate stepped forward. Luissa tried to stop him, but Claygate restrained him and proceeded, standing right in front of me. An imposing attitude.
“Sorry for startling you, Decade. Well, it was a little entertainment. Sorry for dragging our benefactor along.”
Saying it loudly so everyone could hear, he then muttered in a low voice only I could hear.
“Sorry, but play along. I won’t treat you badly.”
Surprised by Claygate’s sudden change in attitude, I nodded slightly. Claygate stood next to me and signaled to people who seemed to be servants.
Several servants poured drinks into wooden cups and started distributing them to everyone. By the time they finished distributing, the guards’ encirclement was dissolved, and his son Claymart was also standing next to me. Finally, a wooden cup was handed to me. The appearance and smell of the contents were almost the same as wine.
“To the members of the caravan, guards, and everyone else, I introduce a man who will become our new comrade here.”
Claygate begins a speech to the participants.
“As many of you know, our caravan was attacked by a ‘Wyvern’ and the monster ‘Leopalu’, falling into a crisis of annihilation. The one who appeared dashingly and saved us from that predicament is Decade here. He is our benefactor and hero! He defeated that Wyvern all by himself!!!” “”” Oooohhhhh!!! “””
Claygate introduced me with a voice full of dignity and resonance, and the participants responded by enthusiastically thrusting out their hands and applauding.
I see, they call that Pterosaur a Wyvern here. The leopard-print wolf seems to be called Leopalu. Cool names. But what is a monster?
Setting that aside, I vaguely started to see Claygate’s aim. Without letting my guard down, I ride the wave and watch the situation.
Just to be safe, I swapped my wooden cup with the one held by his son Claymart. Claymart looked annoyed, but Claygate gave a faint nihilistic smile. Judging by the two’s behavior, it seems poison wasn’t used. For me, this place is still like unfathomable enemy territory.
“Look at this!”
Claygate regained his composure, took out something like a small box, and started fiddling with it. Then, a red light like a laser beam shot out and started running. The red light began to draw a shape, forming the shape of a Wyvern. The next moment, the red light in the shape of a Wyvern became a real Wyvern.
“”” Oooooohhhhhhh!!!!! “””
Everyone was surprised, and I was surprised too. Since the wings are folded, it doesn’t feel that big, but it’s still about the size of a wagon. Wait, that’s not it.
Is this some kind of magic! What does it mean for an object to suddenly appear in front of my eyes!
Touching it, there is certainly a sensation, so it’s definitely a physical object. Moreover, there is a hole in the chest, proof that I defeated it. While watching in surprise, blood started spurting from the hole in the chest.
“Oops, no good. That’s enough.”
When Claygate fiddled with the small box again, this time the Wyvern glowed blue, and as if the light melted, it was stored into the small box. Truly surprising. Is it magic after all? I can only think of it as magic, but…
Looking at the construction of the wagons and people’s attire, I can’t imagine there is such tremendous scientific technology. Come to think of it, the “Spirit of Flowers” also produced a stove and meat from nowhere; is it the same principle? Suddenly, something snagged in my head. Decade’s memory…
“Seeing that, you understand. Defeating such a monster alone is impossible! Decade did it. He is truly a hero among heroes!” “”” Uoooooooohhhhhhhh!!!! “””
I almost remembered something, but it was drowned out by the cheers. Even so, Claygate is lifting me up quite a bit.
“Seeing him perform work worthy of a hero, I initially thought he was a noble. As some of you may know, unlike us commoners, nobles possess some special power. It’s unavoidable to think so.”
Heh, is that so. Do nobles possess special powers? Looking at the fight with the Wyvern, there seemed to be no one with abilities like mine, but do nobles possess such abilities?
“However, happily, Decade says he is not a noble. He is a true strongman who showed such a fight while being of the same status as us commoners! He is our hope!!” “”” Uoooooooohhhhhhhh!!!! “””
The people turned into a mob are wrapped in enthusiasm.
“His courage is as you all have seen. Even though unarmed, he remained calm and even showed composure when surrounded by ten armed men. Though, since he boldly confronted a Wyvern, that is natural in a way. Moreover, he possesses the humor to go along with the entertainment I devised.”
The men listening to Claygate cast looks of respect at me, saying things like “Amazing” or “That’s something.”
“I want to welcome that Decade as a comrade. We lost many comrades in the fierce battle with the Wyvern, but if Decade joins, the combat power will be supplemented more than the empty holes. Even if a Wyvern attacks again, if Decade is here, he will surely repel it.”
Claygate lifts my arm high.
“Now everyone, praise the hero Decade! Fight together with Decade!” “”” Uoooooooohhhhhhhh!!!! “”” “To Decade!” “”” To Decade! “””
Starting with Claygate, everyone tilts their wooden cups at once and drinks the wine-like substance. I tried a sip too. The taste is exactly like strong astringent wine. It’s the first time in this body, but drinking alcohol after a long time feels like burning my throat and stomach, spreading through my whole body as an indescribably moderate stimulation.
His son Claymart opened a barrel and told everyone to drink. Immediately, the place reached peak excitement.
“”” Decade! Decade! Decade! ……… “””
Everyone shouts and chants Decade’s name. The place is excited, but it doesn’t really click for me, and I became a bystander. Although I named myself Decade, I still don’t have the self-awareness that it’s my name, so I had absolutely no feeling that I was being praised.
I watched the scene of people enjoying alcohol for a while, but Claygate invited me to his tent along with his son and guards. Well, with this, we avoided a volatile crisis in front of everyone while keeping face for both me and Claygate. To everyone, it must have looked like me and Claygate became comrades.
I thought Claygate seems to be quite a tactician. It was a farce caused by the misunderstanding about being a noble, but with quick wit, Claygate set me up while behaving as if his position was higher, settling the situation.
Claygate seems to be a merchant, but looking at his stance, I thought he was like a politician. He grasped the listeners’ hearts well and guided them; he seems skilled in the art of manipulating people. Well, he’s doing business leading this many people. In Japan, he would be the president of a reasonable company. This level of talent must be necessary. Completely different from me, who only became a section chief due to age.
Entering Claygate’s tent, it was like an office. There were an assembly desk and table, a reception set, making it a place where small meetings and consultations could be held. Since there would be business negotiations at destinations, he must have prepared so that such things could be done.
Sitting on the sofa of honor, Claygate encouraged me to sit on the opposite sofa while loosening the collar of his long blazer.
“This noble attire is too stiff and stifling, it’s suffocating.”
Following his father, his son Claymart also sat next to him and loosened his collar.
“Decade, you can make yourself comfortable too.” “Ah, I’ll do that.”
I sit on the sofa while loosening my collar too. Certainly, this outfit is too much in appearance, stiff, and hard to move in.
When we sat facing each other, the tent entrance was closed. Two guards stood outside and inside the entrance, three stood behind Claygate, and two stood behind me.
Luissa sits next to Claygate. This man seems to be Claygate’s right-hand man. Good grief, there is a limit to being heavily guarded. This is completely like being abducted. Giliane brewed something like tea, placed it on the table, and retreated to the corner of the room.
Now, the real discussion starts from here. Depending on the result of the discussion, I might have to fight, so I check the exit and look for things that could be weapons in preparation.
“In this situation, it can’t be helped to be on guard, but can’t you suppress that Pressure a little? If things go wrong, my subordinates might explode.”
Luissa glares at me and warns while pointing at the man behind me. Looking back, the man had his hand on his sword and was rattling with tremors. Even if you say that… I haven’t done anything. Not knowing what he means, I shrug my shoulders, but Luissa snorts Hmph.
He slowly takes out a coin and throws it at me. The coin diverted course in front of me and flew behind. The others are dumbfounded.
“That’s it, that! The Field Wall surrounding you is emitting intense Pressure!”
Being told Field Wall, I somewhat understood. This is that. The curtain of the Field stretched unconsciously to divert attacks from leeches and bees in the forest.
In this world, it’s recognized by the name Field Wall. Since I’ve been stretching it without consciousness until now, it’s difficult even if told to erase it. Even if I say it’s impossible because I’m doing it unconsciously, Luissa doesn’t believe me.
“Enough, the talk won’t progress like this.” “But Boss, if he keeps the Field Wall up, our attacks will hardly work!” “It can’t be helped. It’s natural for Decade to defend himself in such a bed of thorns situation.”
At Claygate’s persuasion, Luissa reluctantly backs down. Luissa orders his subordinate behind me.
“Oi, take your hand off the sword. Make sure not to move on your own.” “Sorry, Luissa is just doing his job faithfully as a guard.” “Well, I guess so.”
Although I answered so, I was bewildered while looking at the glaring Luissa. He says Luissa and the others’ attacks won’t work because of the Field Wall stretched around me. Is this thing that powerful?
I only thought of it as insect repellent at best, and the beasts I fought so far landed attacks naturally.
Come to think of it, among the three men fighting ten leopard-print wolves, two were injured. Could it be that humans in this world are very weak? I’ve just been fighting desperately with beasts to survive until now, but is that baseline strange in the first place? Come to think of it, when I was in Japan, I was afraid even of such small Asian black bears.
“Decade.”
Claygate called out to me lost in thought and stood up, and following that, his son and Luissa also stood up.
“First, let me thank you again for saving my trading company’s wagon train. Thank you, you saved us.” “Ah, no, I won’t say… it was natural, but… I think it was good… I could defeat it well.”
I was surprised because I didn’t think Claygate would take such an admirable attitude. Involuntarily gave a strange reply, but his son and Luissa are also surprised. The two also hurriedly bowed their heads.
Giliane is covering her mouth with her hand in the corner of the room, surprised. It must be a very rare sight. Claygate sat back on the sofa and looked straight at me.
“So. I intend to pay 20 gold coins as a reward for this incident; is that okay? I think it’s a reasonable amount.” “Ah, yeah, enough…”
I have no idea how much value 20 gold coins have, but since I didn’t jump in to help for money originally, it should be enough. Well, since they are called gold coins, they must have reasonable value.
More than that, the coins piled in front of me were exquisitely made after all. Similar to the ones picked up in the Goblin nest, I don’t think they match the standard of Claygate and the humans’ civilization.
Speaking of which, the small box that put in and out the Wyvern earlier is also like that. That is an existence deviant enough not to be expressed by the level of civilization. A truly strange world.
“Also, I want to have a business negotiation, is that okay?” “Business negotiation?” “Yeah, I definitely want to buy the Wyvern Decade defeated. How about it?” “I don’t mind, but…”
When I answered so, Claygate gave a grin. Completely changing from the previous cool-headed atmosphere, he became the face of an old man enjoying gambling. This is the face of a merchant. This must be Claygate’s true face.
I accepted the amount Claygate presented as is. After all, I have absolutely no idea about the value or market price of things, so I can’t consider it. Besides, if he doesn’t buy it, I have no choice but to leave it like the beasts I fought so far. I’m grateful just that it becomes money.
Claygate seemed to want to enjoy negotiating the price, but nodded satisfied with the conclusion of the business negotiation. The price is 80 gold coins including 9 Leopalu (leopard-print wolves).
Luissa and Giliane were also surprised by this, so it must be a considerable amount. It’s four times the amount for saving this wagon train, but that Wyvern seems to be that valuable.
Claygate, having finished writing the deed, looked very pleased. Initially, he tried to hand over gold coins, but 100 gold coins are extremely heavy. Not a weight one can carry around easily. I was at a loss with no wallet or safe.
Claygate offered to write a deed, so I decided to follow that. Apparently, Claygate Trading Company has a main store in the city “Elevet” where this caravan is heading, so if I bring the deed there, they will exchange it for cash.
It might be a lie, but as far as reading the deed, the content seems okay, so I received only 20 gold coins in cash and decided that was fine. Even if worst comes to worst and I’m deceived, I felt I could manage somehow with 20 gold coins.
By the way, it’s subtle whether I should say the characters of this world are easy to read or hard to read. According to Decade’s memory, there are several types of original characters. Applying to Japanese, it’s like Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana.
However, the characters in this deed are all written in characters equivalent to Katakana, making it hard to read and difficult to understand. Well, if characters equivalent to Kanji were used abundantly, conversely, I think it would be too difficult for current me to understand, so maybe that was good.
I wondered why it’s like this, but more than that, Claygate and the others were surprised that I could read characters. It seems only the privileged class like nobles and those close to them, and merchants and the wealthy class can read and write characters in this world.
Such nonsense, I think. In Decade’s memory, everyone should have understood all characters as a matter of course. Yet, the literacy rate here is abnormally low, and that seems to be common sense. Maybe I caused unnecessary suspicion.
Since memories aren’t properly organized yet, I can’t say for sure, but I feel the world in Decade’s memory and the current world are quite divergent. Could it be a different world? Whatever I do, only doubts follow.
“Alright, with this the business negotiation is safely over.”
Finishing saying that, Claygate’s atmosphere changed again, becoming like a cold-headed Yakuza boss from a merchant. At the boss’s attitude, the surrounding guards also switched their slightly relaxed expressions to those of ruthless men.
It seems comical, but unavoidably, I also brace myself following that. Claygate glared strongly enough to make me think he could kill with just a look.
“Now, onto the main subject. Decade, who are you?”
Since we did business negotiations, it became vague unnoticed, but originally he should have invited me into the tent and put me in a state close to confinement to probe that.
Well, Claygate must have wanted to obtain the Wyvern that much above all else. It’s carrying a chick that Wyvern seemed to have come to retrieve. In this world, Wyverns might have value beyond my imagination.
It looks like it will be a long talk. I sighed in my heart.
