Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 29: Strange Events in the North (1)
“Gilbert, do you know what that smoke signal means?”
Dolph asked as he held the reins in the driver’s seat of the swaying carriage. After a nod, Gilbert replied with a grim expression.
“…The Royal Order commonly uses it, but territorial armies and mercenaries also understand the signal. Magical luminous powder has been added to show that it isn’t a request for reinforcements. It means a coordinated attack has begun from that location—or that the front line has advanced there…”
Dolph frowned.
“You mean something serious enough to require that signal has happened?”
“Probably. The question is whether stray beasts are merely attacking the town, or whether…”
Dolph glanced at Gilbert, who hesitated to say more, then looked toward the town ahead.
“Gilbert, whatever happens, do nothing reckless. We have no holy water. If the creatures are undead, we must obtain some from the town’s church first.”
“Yeah… that’s right…”
Gilbert tightened his hand around the haft of his battle-axe.
“We’re already near the former northern front. If we intend to catch up, Lionel shouldn’t be far away.”
“You think Lionel’s up there?”
“I don’t know. But it’s quite possible.”
Dolph stared ahead, considered for a moment, then spoke.
“Barbara, Flora, gather the pieces you’ve been working on.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Listening to the three of them, Gilbert stared at the steadily growing town walls and the smoke signals beyond.
We reached a small town surrounding an old castle. Numerous clergy had raised barriers along the walls and were tending the wounded.
After passing through the gate, our wagon continued toward the central square. A grim-faced man who appeared to be the local lord was speaking with several soldiers from his private army.
As soon as he noticed us, he came running over.
“That battle-axe—are you a mercenary? Forgive me, but we desperately need help. I’ll pay you. Please assist us!”
“We’ll help if we can. First of all, can you tell us what happened?”
Dolph stopped Gilbert from answering and replied for the group.
“An undead beast appeared in a nearby forest early this morning… The Royal Order was recalled far too soon. What could His Majesty have been thinking?”
Bitterness filled the lord’s face. Dolph calmly questioned him.
“So it’s undead beasts after all. We could see the smoke signals from a distance. Have you finished exterminating them?”
“…No. Our private army already had its hands full. Fortunately, clergy who remained in the north were here, and former Commander Lionel came to our aid.”
At Lionel’s name, Gilbert jumped from the wagon and hurried to the lord.
“If he isn’t here, then he must be near the smoke signal, correct?”
“Yes. He’s been drawing the creatures away from the town. The situation is rather difficult…”
The lord wrinkled his brow and let out a heavy sigh.
“There was only one large beast, which we managed to defeat. Immediately afterward, however, a great swarm of smaller creatures appeared. We haven’t counted them, but they’re numerous.”
“Smaller ones? You mean the undead beasts are swarming?”
Gilbert asked, and the lord nodded with a grim look on his face.
“Yes. Ordinarily, most small animals and beasts die before they can become undead beasts. I’ve never heard of so many appearing at once…”
In this northern town, isolated undead beasts appeared perhaps once or twice a year. The residents therefore knew how to handle them.
“Even during the recent campaign against the mass outbreak, swarms on the front generally consisted of ten or twelve medium-sized beasts. Far more attacked this town today than anyone could count.”
Both Dolph and Gilbert’s expressions twisted in confusion.
“Could we’ve come all this way only to encounter some mutant variety…?”
Large beasts were normally more troublesome, but because undead beasts were so difficult to exterminate, sheer numbers posed the greater danger.
Their heads had to be removed with weapons purified in holy water. Because the water’s blessing faded quickly, each weapon needed repeated purification, consuming precious time.
“May I have some holy water?”
Eager to hurry to Lionel, Gilbert asked, but the lord shook his head.
“We ran out a short while ago. The clergy are making more.”
“I see. ……”
Gilbert bowed his head and clenched his trembling fists.
Watching him from the side, Dolph asked the lord another question.
“Is Lionel alone?”
“No. Several high-ranking clergy and skilled members of our private army accompany him. Once they draw the creatures far enough away, they plan to contain them temporarily behind barriers. If everything goes well, the party should return before sunset.”
Dolph nodded and encouraged Gilbert with a hand on his shoulder.
“Then we must prepare for what comes next.”