Chapter 293: Circling Around

Upon the report from the knights who returned ahead, the village was engulfed in waves of joy.

The series of events that had long threatened the village had finally come to an end. They no longer needed to fear the shadow of the giant orc. Villagers joyously praised the names of Sir Leonard and Sir Victor, almost to the point where one might expect them to break into a celebratory dance.

The knight who came to report on the scene watched with a bitter expression. This peace hadn’t descended from the heavens; it was won through the desperate efforts of the Fourth Knight Division, resulting in many casualties. It irked him to hear innocent cheers of joy and celebration.

However, the knight didn’t say anything to them. He remembered what Commander Victor had told him beforehand.

“When they hear that the incident is over, the villagers will rejoice greatly. But don’t do anything that could dampen their spirits. Our sacrifices and their celebration of peace are completely separate matters.”

With a slightly malicious grin, he added, “Let them handle the disposal of the giant orc’s corpse. Until then, let them enjoy their happiness.”

It was their village to clean up after all; it was only natural for the villagers to work. The knight sighed, muttered “It can’t be helped,” sat down, closed his eyes lightly, and fell asleep right there. After continuous fighting and rushing back to the village to witness the joy of the villagers, it seemed the tension had finally worn him out.

Meanwhile, Karin, Leonard’s sister, was alone in the quiet chapel, covering her face with both hands and sobbing quietly as she heard the distant voices of joy from the villagers.

“Brother, it’s finally over…”

For the first time, she could cry for her brother.

And then various things happened.

After the Fourth Knight Division returned, a modest banquet was held, and after it ended, the knights slept like logs.

The next day, a temporary funeral for the fallen soldiers was held, and all bodies were cremated. In a society where burial was common, they had wanted to bring all the bodies back to the royal capital. However, the bodies were severely damaged, unfit for viewing by their families, and there was a possibility that fungi had infected them, so burning was the only option.

The villagers were instructed to dispose of the giant orc’s corpse. Reactions varied among those who feared the corpse and those eager to burn it as retaliation for all the trouble it had caused.

Dealing with fifty giant orcs was indeed unexpected, and they ran out of firewood and oil. Claudia had to order more, and this time, they decided to order from a supplier rather than having knights transport it.

With a few knights remaining, the Fourth Knight Division returned to the royal capital. Despite the honor awaiting them in reporting their victory before the king, Victor seemed unenthusiastic and weary.

“Can’t someone else go in my place?”

He asked the surrounding knights, but everyone thought he was joking and laughed, not taking him seriously. There was no way a knight wouldn’t want to go to the highest honor as a knight. Only Keith looked genuinely apologetic.

Three days after that nightmare-like battle, eight men and women gathered in the chapel.

Priest Arjan, Village Chief Muster, Karin, Leonard’s sister, and her steward, Lutz and Claudia, Gerhardt and Josel, a total of eight people.

Arjan thought casually that Lutz and the others had come to say farewell, but for Lutz and the others, this was the main event.

Their purpose wasn’t to defeat the giant orcs. It had become too important to be dismissed as just a side note.

“We appreciate your cooperation this time…”

“No, no need for such formalities.”

As the village chief tried to express his gratitude politely, Gerhardt cut him off.

“Hand over Leonard’s sword.”

“Huh?”

It was a straightforward demand without any tricks. He didn’t feel like twisting his words now. He thought he had sold his soul for a small favor.

“What’s this nonsense you’re talking? You think I’m an old man wandering around to reform the world as a hobby?”

“Something like that…”

“Is that so? I learned a thing or two. There’s no one like that.”

“But even if you suddenly say that…”

“If I ask for money instead, can you give it to me? Frankly, if we converted this job into money, it wouldn’t be enough with just a hundred or two gold coins. Besides, I have no interest in your behind.”

Caught off guard by Gerhardt’s fierce onslaught, the village chief stumbled over his words. Still, the village chief continued to struggle, saying, “But…”

“People have been exposed to the threat of giant orcs for a long time. We can’t afford to lose Leonard’s sword now.”

“We have taken care of those pigs.”

“It’s not easy to switch people’s hearts so easily. They’ll continue to fear the shadow of the orcs for a while. We need a symbol of hope that shines in their hearts.”

“Although it’s your convenience to say that, it’s like buying things at the store and then saying you don’t have money.”

“But…”

“I’ve heard enough of those ‘buts.'”

Gerhardt couldn’t back down here, nor did he intend to be lenient. He had only wanted to make enchanted armor, but he had gone around in circles so much that he doubted what he was doing.

A faint killing intent leaked out, and Karin, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Village chief, hand it over.”

“Karin-sama…?”

The village chief directed a condemning look at her. He had thought she was on their side, so why was she saying this? Karin calmly shook her head and replied.

“If you need my brother’s memento, then I’ll give you the armor I brought. Will that satisfy you?”

“Well, that…”

Once again, the village chief was at a loss for words. Could armor replace the sword? No, while the armor was indeed splendid, it seemed to lack the mystical essence held by that sword. Seeing the village chief’s hesitation, Karin continued with a gentle gaze, perhaps seeing through his dilemma.

“My brother was never someone deserving of being called a hero. He wasn’t overflowing with courage. He simply squeezed out every bit of courage he had to protect the people. If you truly admire my brother, then look at that essence. Can’t you gather your courage as well?”

“Karin-sama…”

“When you meet my brother in the afterlife, you wouldn’t want him to say you were unable to give sufficient thanks.”

Under Karin’s persuasion, the village chief hung his head in defeat. Had they been too complacent in their position as the weak? Even as weaklings, if necessary, they should summon the courage—that was Leonard’s way of life. Faced with this, they could no longer say “but…”

If they continued to make excuses here, they might truly drift far from Leonard’s legacy.

“Priest Arjan, please.”

“Village chief, are you sure?”

“I will explain to the villagers myself.”

Karin also felt reluctant to take away the villagers’ emotional support. “I’ll go too,” she added.

Facing Leonard’s armor with his own sister making the request would make it easier for the villagers to accept. The village chief gratefully nodded in response to Karin’s consideration and breathed a sigh of relief.

Arjan brought out the sword from the warehouse.

“It’s been a long journey…”

Lutz muttered quietly as he held the broken sword. Meeting Leonard and hearing his request seemed like a distant memory now.

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