Episode 23: Suspicion

Claygate’s words were gentle, but the atmosphere he emitted was filled with killing intent.

Indeed, I can understand that now. Beasts in this world are too vicious. They attack when they see humans, and once they start fighting, they don’t stop until death. Walking around such a place alone is nothing short of suicide. Thinking normally, one would assume there are other companions. Claygate seems to suspect I am part of a group intending harm to the caravan.

“You might not… believe me… but when I realized it… I was alone in the mountains… being attacked by a Bear-Ous.” “What…” “Hah!?”

I judged it better to speak honestly to some extent. However, maybe I should keep quiet about the personality swap and the laboratory-like place.

“I barely escaped with my life… ran away, and since then… I’ve been wandering in the forest… all this time.” “……” “There’s no way that’s true! There’s no way you could be alive! If you’re going to lie, come up with a better one!”

Well, normally one would think so. That said, this guard captain called Luissa is excessively belligerent. Whether it was the Field Wall or whatever, he seems not to like me since that incident. I think he should take off those fake tiger ears already. Compared to him, Claygate is calm. Rational. Except for the killing intent.

“What were you doing before being attacked by the Bear-Ous?” “I can’t remember. Why I was… in such a place, even I find it strange… and can’t help it.” “You… cut it out! Who would believe such a thing…” “Luissa! Be quiet for a moment.” “Y-yes, sorry Boss.”

Luissa seems to have considerable martial prowess, but his personality is too impulsive. He’s probably in his mid-30s, but he’s the type called a “muscle-brain.” I think it’s a stroke of luck that this kind of person isn’t at the top.

“Decade, do you remember what happened after defeating the Wyvern?”

Claygate peered into my eyes with a probing gaze, then shifted his gaze to Giliane. Receiving the gaze, Giliane blushed, looked away, closed her eyes, and looked down. What is it? Is there some meaning to Giliane’s attitude? While feeling suspicious, I try to recall what happened after defeating the Wyvern.

“No, I can’t remember… Did something happen?” “Apparently so, Giliane.” “……”

Claygate looked at Giliane while grinning. Giliane is bright red and trembling. Did I do something? I must have, guessing from the surrounding attitudes…

“Decade, do you often lose memories like that?” “No, such a thing hardly happens but…”

Claygate stares at me intently as if probing my true intentions.

“Claymart, do you know of such symptoms?” “Hmm, I recall hearing about it at the Academy. Humans might lose memories when receiving a strong shock or something…” “Hoh, such things happen… Come to think of it, there were a few guys like that in the past.”

Claygate is nodding as if convinced of something. In a world where these vicious beasts exist, there must be those who get PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) from being attacked or lose memories due to shock.

However, there is an Academy, and Claygate’s son seems to have attended it. There are educational institutions in this world, and Claymart, likely a commoner, seems to have completed a course. He looks to be in his mid-20s, but exudes an intellectual atmosphere.

From the conversation, I’m gradually understanding things about this world. Wait, now isn’t the time for that. I have to clear the suspicion on me even a little.

“You seem to have been wandering in the forest, but didn’t ‘Monsters’ attack you?” “Monsters? You mean beasts? Various kinds… attacked me one after another.” “Oi oi, don’t you even know what Monsters are! Playing dumb is… sorry Boss!”

Luissa, who had been silent, interjected again but shut up when glared at by Claygate. This guy seems to have quite an intrusive personality. Can he really serve as guard captain with that?

“Right, Monsters are vicious beasts. Judging by this, I think Decade was doing work as an ‘Adventurer’.”

Claygate spread many Telekinetic Stones on the table. Those are the things I extracted from beasts and collected.

“Sorry, but we took the liberty of examining Decade’s belongings.” “Whoa! Amazing, seriously…” “This is…”

Luissa and Claymart open their eyes wide.

“If you fought alone and obtained these, that’s considerable.” “If so, defeating a Wyvern alone is somewhat understandable…” “There are several I’m seeing for the first time. Interesting…”

I was collecting them just because I got somewhat interested, but they seem to be more valuable than I thought. But what is an “Adventurer”? Someone who fights Monsters and collects Telekinetic Stones?

“What ‘Magic Stone’ is this?”

His son Claymart asks. Hmm. It seems these Telekinetic Stones are called Magic Stones. Is it because they are stones inside Monsters?

“That was, I think, a pseudo-boar.” “Pseudo-boar?” “Yeah, a guy with a triangular nose… facing front… running straight… and charging.” “Do you mean ‘Grosanglier’? For a ‘Sanglier’ Magic Stone, the color is quite greenish. Was this a big one?” “Yeah, about half… of this tent, maybe.” “That much…” “Oi oi, there’s no way such a huge one exists… no, maybe not impossible…”

Luissa is glared at even by Claymart and becomes dejected. Claymart seems knowledgeable about Magic Stones and can roughly tell which Magic Stone belongs to which Monster. However, since every Magic Stone seemed larger than usual or slightly different in color, he conducted a hearing for confirmation.

“Lastly, this Magic Stone is amazing, I’m seeing it for the first time. Though, it’s a shame it’s broken.” “That belongs to a Sabertooth Tiger.” “Sabertooth Tiger?” “A giant tiger ‘Tiegel’… with fangs… this huge. It’s broken because… I stabbed a spear into its nape to kill it.”

I spread my hands to show the size of the fangs. I almost said about 50cm and panicked. Saying units from Earth wouldn’t be understood and would only invite strange suspicion.

“Ah, I see, that makes sense. Probably, that’s a ‘Legiontiegel’. It’s a phantom one considered the strongest among ‘Tiegels’. So it really existed.” “If that’s true, it would have been worth 30 gold coins if not broken.”

Phew~… Luissa whistles in surprise. This guy just wants to assert himself no matter what.

The parent and child Claygate and Claymart are nodding to each other. They must have reached some agreement between them. Claygate looks at me with sharp eyes.

“Decade, I understand your claim. I can’t be certain you were alone, but it seems certain you were wandering in the forest. Your clothes, shoes, and other belongings also seem to support that to some extent. Also, judging from calling Monsters by different names, you don’t seem to be a person of this country.”

They really investigated various things. The Tasmanian tiger fur I wore has traces of fighting many times, bathed in spurting blood and such. Even the handmade shoes have traces of wear from wandering around forests and mountains. Not something made with a little craft.

Also, the Tasmanian tiger seems to be called ‘Sidtiegel’. However, they say nothing about the “Magic Blanket.” Is it not particularly rare?

“It seems you were wandering in the ‘Forest of Monsters’. And you survived, that’s quite something.” “Forest of Monsters?” “Places where humans haven’t stepped foot yet. This world is filled with Monsters. Places where humans operate are limited, after all. Unexplored lands are called Forest of Monsters, Mountain of Monsters, Land of Monsters, and so on.”

Is that so? My deduction seems to have been correct. That’s why there were no traces of people even though I walked around searching that much.

“However, it is said that in the distant ancient times, beings called ‘Demigods and Heroes’, considered ancestors of us humans, existed and built a civilization prosperous with magic all over the world.”

What, suddenly it became an amazing story like a myth. Both Claymart and Luissa are listening while nodding.

“The proof of that is the ‘Heavenly Pillar’ that still towers supporting the heavens.” “Could that be that black pillar?” “That’s right.” “Oi oi, did you forget even that?”

“Besides that, various magical structures and items created by ‘Demigods and Heroes’ are buried as ‘Sacred Ruins’ all over the world. There are high-ranking contractors called ‘Adventurers’ who make a living investigating and excavating them. Decade might be a survivor of those ‘Adventurers’.” “Ah, is that it? So you lost your memory due to being attacked by Monsters at that time. As expected of Boss.” “Indeed, if he’s an ‘Adventurer’, it makes sense he’s exceptionally skilled.”

Luissa is thoroughly impressed by the answer Claygate derived. Claymart is also nodding repeatedly. I see, I heard an interesting story.

Casually hearing about that black pillar is the best part, but “Demigods and Heroes,” huh… I see. Then, does the laboratory-like place where I woke up also count as a magical structure? That instantaneous movement certainly seems like magic.

However, Claygate constructed a deduction well based on my story about why I wandered in the forest. His story-making when he realized I wasn’t a noble earlier was also skillful; I guess that’s a capable merchant for you.

Though, while those around seem convinced, the speaker Claygate himself is not convinced at all. As proof, he is observing my reaction while staring into my eyes.

During my salaryman days, there was such a crafty old man among business partners too. Bring up a story that seems logical at a glance, observe the partner’s reaction, and draw out true intentions.

Probably, Claygate doesn’t think I lost my memory. Well naturally, since I said at the start I’m neither a noble nor a person of this country. Tch, quite a sharp, balding old man.

Can’t be helped. Ideally, I wanted to hear more stories and get information about this world, but I guess I’ll play a card from my side too. For Claygate, it should be enough if he is convinced I’m not an existence that harms this caravan.

“Since we’re at it, I’ll say it clearly: I have no interest in this caravan, and I have no business with the cargo the Wyvern was targeting.” “Hoh…”

Claygate’s look became grim, emitting a chilling gaze. As I thought. What Claygate fears most is having that cargo stolen.

When I climbed onto the wagon trying to fight the Wyvern, Claygate was shouting something. I didn’t understand at that time, but now I know what he was saying. <Get away from that wagon! Don’t touch that!> Claygate was shouting that in a panic. And after the battle, I learned the cargo loaded on that wagon was a Wyvern chick.

“Decade, you know the contents of that cargo, don’t you.”

Claygate’s killing intent swells greatly. When I nodded kokuri, the guards readied their weapons all at once and aimed at me. Luissa’s movement was the fastest, trying to thrust his sword tip at my neck. But I caught that sword with my fingers and sealed its movement.

“W-what is this guy! The sword won’t move!” “I want to have a discussion, though.”

I glare at Luissa and threaten him. But in reality, my heart is pounding so hard I feel like fainting. True, Luissa’s movement was reasonably fast, but compared to the beasts I fought in the forest, it looked like slow motion. That’s how much difference in power there is between beasts called Monsters and humans.

That’s why I could pull off such a stunt on the spur of the moment, but getting killed by humans is no joke. Earlier, they said attacks wouldn’t pass if there was a Field Wall, but since I have no certainty against swords, I can’t rely on such a thing.

“You guys, ki…” “Oi, sto…”

Luissa tried to order his subordinates to kill me, but Claygate tried to stop it. I released Pressure faster than both of them.

“”” Guooohhh!!! “””

Everyone became paralyzed and couldn’t move. Guards foamed at the mouth one after another, fainted, and fell. Luissa, who remained until the last, tried to resist stubbornly, but when I strengthened the Pressure further, he finally fainted. It’s Pressure that would only make weak beasts unable to move, but humans seem unable to endure even that.

I sat back on the sofa and turned my face to the Claygate parent and child. Since I wanted to continue talking with the two, I weakened the Pressure so they wouldn’t faint.

What surprised me was Giliane. Even though I applied Pressure to Giliane normally, she only lost strength in her legs but kept consciousness. It seems she really isn’t just a mere slave and prostitute.

“Now we can continue the discussion.” “A-ah, right…”

Claygate was dumbfounded, and the killing intent he was scattering had dispersed. Claymart is nodding his head vertically like a clockwork doll.

Whew…

Good grief, my heart is still pounding. I responded because the other side launched an attack, but originally I’m a petty human who just apologizes verbally and lets it pass even when scolded by a boss. Basically, I’m not suited for rough stuff, and I haven’t even had a fight since becoming an adult.

Since coming to this world, I fought beasts unavoidably to survive, but I’m a pacifist who thinks it’s better if trouble can be avoided if possible. So, I want to deal with Claygate peacefully.

Claygate exhaled deeply. Claymart is also looking down and trembling.

“Good grief… I never thought there was this much difference in ability. Total defeat.” “No, I don’t particularly intend to challenge you to a fight.” “Indeed. With Decade’s ability, you could have defeated us without question and achieved your goal. It must be true that you have no business with the cargo.”

Claygate relaxed as if saying good grief. His face changed from a boss leading an organization to a merchant’s face. In the end, it came to exercising force, but it seems he understood I have no malice toward the caravan. Though, in terms of danger, I became an even more person of interest… Ah~, this isn’t my character, this kind of thing.

“Mr. Claygate.”

When I addressed him with an honorific, Claygate looked at me with a slightly surprised face.

“As I said at first, I am neither a noble nor a person of this country. It is also a fact that I was wandering in the forest. And it is true that I have no place to return to anymore.” “I see. You don’t seem to be lying.”

From his experience, Claygate seems able to detect most lies just by looking at the opponent’s eyes. I fully understood that from the exchange with me since earlier.

“If possible, I want to discard my past and build myself up from scratch in this country.” “Hoh, you say you saved this caravan from crisis for that purpose?” “I guess it turned out that way. The truth is simply that I couldn’t bear the loneliness, so I didn’t want to lose the humans I saw for the first time in a while.” “I see, loneliness was painful enough to make you think of confronting a Wyvern…”

Claygate stares at me with a solemn face. Becoming this situation, he finally accepts my story without prejudice.

People can become strong when they have something to protect, but bias is applied to thinking by that much. Getting older makes one even more stubborn and unwilling to accept people’s stories or opinions. The so-called stubborn old man. Actually, I was becoming like that too.

For Claygate, protecting the cargo of a Wyvern chick is an important matter to prioritize above all else. He must have been thinking with the premise that all unfathomable humans come to steal that cargo.

“I see, to live in a new country with no relatives or connections, you need some kind of backing.” “Certainly, it would be reassuring if I had that, but even if not that far, I would appreciate advice to live. After all, I don’t know left from right about this country.”

Receiving my words, Claygate showed a gesture of thinking for a short while.

“Then Decade, why don’t you try working as a guard in this caravan for a short while?” “Guard?” “Right. This caravan is heading to the city of ‘Elevet’, the royal brother city of the ‘Kingdom of Eleveto’, but there are still about 3 days of journey left. Monsters will attack during that time too. I want you to repel them.” “I see.” “Our combat power went down considerably in this battle. I want you to work by all means to supplement that. As I said before everyone earlier, it’s true I wanted you to become a comrade. I intended to propose it if suspicion was cleared. Well, the power relationship turned out different from the initial plan, though.”

Claygate gave a bitter smile. Since it’s not a bad story, I decided to accept it. Even if just for a few days, I get clothing, food, and shelter with this. Finally, I can say goodbye to the primitive wandering life. The old man evolves further.

During the discussion with Claygate, I was asked about my ability too, so I spoke within the range I could answer. That ability to move thrown stones freely.

My ability basically combines Telekinesis and Field to move objects or stop opponent’s movements, but in this world, Telekinesis seems to be called Sense and Field is called Field.

I see, those are words that came up in the conversation between the original Decade and his father in the dream. It seems they are understood as is. I will also use those words from now on.

So, it seems many nobles can use that ability to some extent, but among commoners and slaves, extremely few can use it. Is that what it means that nobles possess special powers?

Since general people like Claygate and Claymart naturally can’t use that ability, they don’t seem able to understand the specific workings of the power. Also, few general people even have that knowledge.

However, since “Adventurers” are premised on using that ability, they initially thought I was a noble, and after realizing I wasn’t, they seemed to think I was an “Adventurer.” In that sense, the idea that I’m not a noble probably hasn’t been completely dispelled yet.

So, I ended up guarding this caravan. They say they will pay 10 times the usual guard fee considering my ability and strength. Generous, Claygate. Since he says he will become a backing depending on my work, I intend to do my best. Actually, to live in a human society of a completely unknown world, I don’t even know if I can live decently without backing.

The only trouble is that in doing guard work, I enter under the command of Luissa, the guard captain. I feel heavy-hearted since I don’t have a good impression of him. Well, if he gives unreasonable orders, I’ll ignore them.

That guy was thoroughly scolded by Claygate after waking up. He tried to kill me without the order of his boss Claygate. Serves him right. Maybe demotion. Hahaha…

Also. Claygate assigned Giliane exclusively as a caretaker cum educator. He says to learn about this country from Giliane.

And. And, since Giliane is also a prostitute, she will take care of me at night too. Seriously! Awesome!! Claygate is super ultra supremely generous!!!

Well, actually she’s probably my watcher. Or maybe a honey trap? Anyway, I have to be careful not to be stabbed in the back while sleeping. It’s clear Giliane isn’t just a mere slave or prostitute.

Whew………

There were various twists and turns, but finally, really finally, I reached a place with humans and was accepted. Finally, I was released from that loneliness hell.

I will be rubbed by human relationships from now on, encounter painful things, and have unpleasant thoughts, but thinking of the suffering of that absolute loneliness, I can overcome it.

Lusine…

If possible, I wanted to bring you along. I swore to myself I would definitely take you to a place with humans, but I couldn’t fulfill it.

“…Lawenzy…”

Your last words. Now I understand the meaning of those words.

“…Thank you…”

It is I who should say Lawenzy. I was truly saved by you. I can only say clichés, but I will live in this world for your share too. This time, I will show I can keep this oath.

Lusine… rest in peace.