Kays Translations

Chapter 210: The Conclusion of Revenge

They had entered the labyrinth quite early in the morning, but the schedule of reaching the fifth underground floor and returning was too ambitious. By the time they escaped, the moon had already appeared in the sky.

"I like the winter moon. It somehow looks transparent," 

Kasim made an elegant statement that didn't match his appearance, but the other three didn't tease him. After successfully defeating a formidable enemy and safely escaping, they all felt a bit sentimental.

On this winter night, they breathed in the chilly air, trying to replace the stench of the labyrinth. The refreshing coldness felt pleasant now.

After discussing, the group decided to spend the night in the lumberjack village before parting ways. Lutz, as a husband, would have preferred to return quickly and bury his face in his beloved wife Claudia's ample bosom or perhaps her buttocks to sleep, but his fatigued body didn't allow it. He had to compromise with the shaking knees due to extreme fatigue.

If they tried to force their way through the nighttime highway, they might collapse and fall asleep on the way. Being stripped of their belongings by bandits while sleeping and freezing to death in the morning would be too embarrassing for heroes who had successfully defeated a monster.

As they approached the village, torchlight came towards them. The man, around thirty years old, had facial features similar to Kevin's upon closer inspection.

"Dad, you're safe!"

The man expressed relief with a mixture of amazement and anger. It seemed like he had been anxiously waiting, constantly worrying about his eccentric father.

Kevin, seemingly carefree, responded.

"What's up, Bario? It's bedtime for good kids, you know?"

"...Your sense of humor is as terrible as ever."

As if he had worried for nothing, Bario, who was burdened with the role of the head of the village assigned by his eccentric father, shook his head.

"Anyway, you stopped the reckless act of monster subjugation and came back. That's a relief."

"Huh? Don't say stupid things. Once a man decides to do something, there are only two options: do it or die trying."

While saying such things, Kevin casually unloaded the baggage he had been carrying and took out something heavy with both hands.

"Here you go, a present from Daddy."

Casually pulled out, it was a skull. Not a human one, not an animal's. It was an eerie object that made one feel uneasy just by looking at it.

Why was this damn father presenting something like this with a full smile? Bario couldn't understand at all. The relationship between him and his father had generally been like this since he was a child.

Even the three who knew this was the skull of a monster couldn't help but make faces that said, "There must be a better way to put it."

"What, be happy! I'm telling you, I killed the monster. This is its skull."

Bario, who seemed to have no idea what was being said, shook his head. He, too, had fought when attacked by the monster and had been instilled with fear. It was hard to believe that such a terrifying existence could be killed.

"Wait, wait, Dad. Do you have any proof that this is really the monster’s skull!?"

"Even if you say that, there's no name written on the skull, you know."

Despite bringing it with great effort, Kevin seemed dissatisfied as he looked at the skull from various angles, finding no distinctive features other than its large and eerie appearance.

To help, Lutz stepped forward, grabbed a huge gem from his pouch, and showed it. Illuminated by the torch, the gem, as red as flowing blood and as beautiful as flickering flames, caught everyone's attention. Bario's gaze was fixated on it for a moment, and he seemed to be at a loss for words.

"It came out of the monster’s body after killing it."

The gem had convincing power. For such a formidable monster, it wouldn't be strange for a core, a magic item, to come out.

Also, Lutz wouldn't have gone through the trouble of preparing such an item just to deceive Bario.

"Did you really, really defeat it...?"

"That's what I've been saying since earlier."

To Bario's trembling voice, Kevin responded somewhat reluctantly.

"I’m going to let everyone know. Dad and the others should be in the square!"

After shouting this, Bario ran away without waiting for an answer.

"Well, we want to rest soon... Oh, he's already gone. Sorry, my stupid son," 

Kevin said, bowing lightly. The three nodded, smiling kindly.

In the small square at the center of the village, memories came flooding back to Lutz as he recalled the time when he came here for on-site sharpening. Amidst the gathering villagers, Bario, holding a torch to illuminate the monster’s skull, was desperately shouting. His speech was chaotic, and it couldn't be called a speech, but at least the message that the demon had been defeated seemed to have reached everyone.

Instead of the joyous cheers and the beginning of a celebration that they expected, what they heard from the surroundings were stifled sobs.

"Oh..."

Kevin realized his misunderstanding and wore a bitter expression.

They had all lost someone important. Fathers, sons, brothers—taken away without any warning by unjust violence. The news of defeating the monster brought not joy but prayers for the repose of their families.

Revenge is not a festival; it's not something glamorous. It is more like a funeral, meant for those left behind to find closure.

Kevin didn't quite understand that. Wasn't there a part of him feeling elated? However, he realized that he lacked the qualifications to be the head, after all. Even if recognized by others, he couldn't forgive himself.

"...Let's go."

Kevin turned his back on the residents and headed towards a storage shed. Although the four could have stayed in the villagers' houses, he wanted to give people time to mourn with their families.

Also, he felt like resting with just his companions.

"Dad!"

A voice called from behind. When he turned around, Bario, holding a torch, ran up to him, breathing heavily.

"Um, well, how should I put it... thank you."

"I just did whatever I wanted. There's no need to thank me."

In response to Kevin's words, Bario slowly shook his head.

"It won't happen right away, but I think everyone can switch their feelings and move forward with this. So, I'm really grateful to you, Dad."

"...Is that so? Thanks for saying that."

His son, whom he had always thought of as a child, understood the feelings of the people and came to express gratitude on their behalf. Kevin felt proud and a little lonely.

"With this, I guess I'm relieved of my duties as acting head."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Acting head or whatever, you're officially the head now. I don't care anymore."

"What do you mean by 'I don't care'..."

"Regardless of the reasoning, I once left the village. You've been the one protecting everyone all this time. Have confidence, and keep protecting everyone in the future."

"What are you planning to do from now on, Dad...?"

With a hint of anxiety, Bario asked, and after a brief consideration, Kevin responded with a mischievous grin.

"Well, I might become an adventurer or something."

"Consider your age; you're already over fifty!"

"It's never too late to start something new. After all, I'm still alive."

"I get what you're saying, but adventurer, really? Out of all things. How irresponsible can my damn father be!"

"Hahaha, that damn father is your papa!"

As the father-son quarrel or banter seemed likely to continue, the three walked ahead towards the storage shed.

"It's a good relationship."

Lutz commented, and Ricardo and Kasim nodded.

With the voices of friendly arguments behind them, the realization that the battle had finally ended began to sink in.

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