Kays Translations

Chapter 17: On His First Trip Away in Some Time

Several days passed, yet the excitement surrounding the Steel-Eating Gargoyles showed no sign of fading. Inside the Adventurers’ Guild, the story was already being retold like a heroic legend.

Whenever Ren visited, he endured the praise with an embarrassed smile and escaped into the forest to hunt as soon as possible.

A few days later, he finally left Clausel on the territorial tour.

He rode along the highway beneath a clear sky, traveling farther from town than he had since the spring incident. The group had departed at dawn, and more than six hours had already passed.

The scenery had changed to broad, peaceful plains divided by the road. Merchants rested their horses along the shoulder, while adventurers sat in the grass and ate their midday meals.

Ren leaned forward and spoke to his mount.

“You really have become attached to me. Are you certain you chose the right person?”

The horse answered with a cheerful neigh.

It was one of the animals that had pulled Yelquq’s carriage and the same horse Ren and Licia had ridden during their escape. Licia was not sharing the saddle today; she traveled in the carriage following behind.

Ren stroked the carefully brushed mane. The horse snorted contentedly.

“Well, as long as you’re happy.”

“It seems he has accepted you as his master,” Weiss said from the horse beside him. “Compatibility between rider and mount is important. You have gained a fine partner.”

Weiss’s warhorse had powerful legs and the build of a trained military animal. Ren’s horse was younger, but its glossy dark-chestnut coat resembled silk, and its frame promised comparable strength once fully grown.

“He carries monster blood, just as my horse does,” Weiss continued. “Before long, he will surpass an ordinary trained warhorse.”

“But I’m still young. Won’t he grow old long before I do?”

“Do not worry. Horses descended from monsters remain in their prime much longer and also live longer. He should serve as your companion for decades.”

Ren had not known that. The animals of this world could differ greatly from those in his previous life.

He stroked the mane again, receiving another pleased neigh.

(I should finally give him a name.)

Lessard had formally granted Ren ownership of the horse, and Ren had begun paying its upkeep. There was no reason to continue thinking of it merely as “the horse.”

But finding the right name would take thought.

“By the way,” Weiss said, changing the subject, “after everything that happened, you have decided to remain in Clausel for a while longer, correct?”

“Yes. That is my current plan.”

Ren might stay until his village was rebuilt, or until he became strong enough to face future dangers with confidence. He had not set a precise date for returning home.

“The young lady was delighted,” Weiss said. “One of the servants heard her say that you might attend the party.”

“Party?”

“Her birthday celebration. I believe a servant mentioned it before.”

Ren’s mind went blank.

Licia’s birthday was in summer. July was already nearing its end, which meant the celebration would be held the following month.

“I forgot.”

He lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Thank you for reminding me. I’ll prepare a present as soon as we return.”

He had recently given Licia the white dress. She had worn it several times at the manor, and it suited her even better than he had imagined. Her beauty made the simple design appear elegant.

But that gift had been repayment for the clothes she bought him. A birthday present was a separate matter.

(What should I give her?)

He would need to consider it carefully.

Weiss laughed when he saw Ren’s serious expression.

“So you will attend.”

“Of course, provided Lady Licia and Lord Lessard permit it.”

“No one will object. You will be welcomed.”

The road soon revealed their destination.

“We will stay in that village tonight,” Weiss said. “It is still early afternoon, but reaching the next settlement will require several more days. We will rest here and begin camping tomorrow.”

The village grew larger as they approached. Unlike Ren’s frontier home, its streets and buildings resembled a smaller version of Clausel. It was plainly prosperous and well developed.

(Someday, my village could become like this.)

He wanted the settlement where he had been born to enjoy the same growth. Helping make that possible was another reason to work hard in Clausel.

His horse gave a short neigh, as though agreeing.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The knight responsible for the village housed the party in his residence. The building was newer than the Ashton manor had been before the fire, and its interior was bright and clean.

Ren received a guest room. In the evening, after finishing her formal discussion with the village knight, Licia visited him.

“I have some time before dinner. Keep me company.”

Ren invited her inside.

Licia placed a rolled sheet of parchment on the table and spread it open. It was a map of Clausel territory.

“We’re here,” she said, pointing to the village. “Tomorrow we follow this road and continue north through these settlements.”

Her finger moved along the route.

Ren noticed a familiar landmark nearby.

“Are those the Baldor Mountains?”

“Yes. The same mountains we passed during our escape.”

Lord Lessard had warned him that the tour would pass near them, but the map showed that the route came closer than Ren had expected.

His tension did not come from their ordinary condition. Under normal circumstances, the Baldor Mountains were not especially dangerous. Most of the monsters there were only F-rank, with E-rank creatures appearing at most.

The problem was what Ren remembered from the game.

In Legend of the Seven Heroes I, Marquis Ignat transformed the mountains while attempting to destroy the Leomel Empire. At the center of that disaster was a magic stone belonging to an ancient monster.

Asval, the Red Dragon.

The dragon had once made the Baldor Mountains its home. Every reason the game’s final stage took place there could be traced back to Asval.

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