Kays Translations

Chapter 2: The Village’s Changing Form

A week passed quickly, and the day came for Ren to return to his hometown.

Weiss accompanied him to the edge of Clausel, saying that he wished to see him off. Licia naturally came as well.

The three rode through town together.

“It’s still deeply frustrating,” Weiss said.

Licia tilted her head. “What is?”

“The matter of Asval. Both Lord Lessard and I regret that we can’t make the boy’s achievement public.”

Only a small number of people knew the truth about Asval: Ren, Fiona, Weiss, Licia, Lessard, Ulysses, and Edgar.

Ren had requested secrecy, and Ulysses had accepted. The Demon King cult’s involvement made careful control of the information even more important.

Everything except Asval’s appearance had been reported through official channels.

“Keeping it secret is better for both Fiona-sama and me,” Ren said.

Ulysses had hidden Fiona’s Black Shrine Maiden skill for years because of the danger it posed to her. The fact that it had caused Asval’s incomplete resurrection could never be made public.

“I understand,” Weiss said. “It’s best for both houses.”

Ren glanced between them.

“Even so, why did you believe me when I said I defeated Asval? This wasn’t a Thief Wolfen or even a Steel-Eating Gargoyle. It was a legendary dragon.”

“Because you said it,” Licia replied at once. “I have no reason to doubt you.”

Her absolute trust left Ren momentarily speechless.

Weiss gave the more ordinary answer.

“I was astonished. Lord Lessard was as well. But Lady Fiona confirmed that you saved her, and the knights and adventurers saw the flames that struck the suspension bridge. The evidence gave us no reason to reject your account.”

Those witnesses had misunderstood the cause of the disaster. They believed the Demon King cult had reactivated a dormant volcano.

That misconception offered House Clausel and House Ignat a convenient explanation that didn’t expose Asval or Fiona.

“I admit I’m curious,” Weiss continued. “What power allowed you to defeat Asval?”

“That was-“

“Weiss,” Licia interrupted. “You mustn’t ask.”

“Yes. Forgive me. I won’t force the boy to reveal anything he wishes to keep secret.”

Licia looked serious.

“Special powers attract attention. Asking too much could expose his weaknesses and place him in danger.”

They reached Clausel’s gate.

Knights assigned to accompany Ren waited beyond it with their horses.

Io, the powerful horse Ren had inherited after defeating Yelquq, looked eagerly toward the open road.

“I suppose this is goodbye for now,” Licia said, unable to hide her loneliness.

“Thank you for seeing me off, Licia-sama.”

“Be careful on the road-“

“You too. Please be careful on your journey to Elendil.”

Their warnings overlapped, and both smiled.

Ren pulled gently on Io’s reins and rode through the gate.

A wind crossed the plain beyond Clausel. He joined the waiting knights and turned his thoughts toward home.

◇ ◇ ◇

Ren didn’t travel directly to the Ashton village.

At his own suggestion, he visited several villages along the route. As Licia had done before, he regarded touring the territory as an important responsibility.

He defeated troublesome monsters and helped with heavy labor wherever it was needed.

After several days, the Ashton village drew near.

“Ren-dono, look ahead,” one of the knights said.

A broad, newly constructed road stretched across the plain and into the forest.

“Is that the road being built toward my village?”

“Yes. We’re close now.”

Roads couldn’t eliminate every danger, but they were designed and maintained to discourage monsters from approaching travelers.

The scale of the work surprised Ren.

“This looks far more expensive than I imagined.”

The knight merely smiled.

The proceeds from the Thief Wolfen materials Ren had left behind couldn’t possibly have covered everything. Lessard must have invested heavily beyond that amount.

(I need to thank him properly.)

They soon passed near the familiar Tsurugi Rock, where Ren had once fought the Thief Wolfen.

The old animal trail had become a proper road.

Then a shout came from among the trees.

“There are too many today!”

“Roy-sama, don’t overdo it!”

“I know!”

Ren recognized the voice.

“Dad?”

He urged Io forward.

The monster-blooded horse accelerated so quickly that the knights’ mounts fell behind.

Ren found Roy and two village knights surrounded by more than a dozen Little Boars.

He had never seen so many gathered in one place.

There was no time to wonder why.

Ren leapt from Io, used nearby trees as footholds, and swept through the monsters with the Iron Magic Sword.

Within seconds, every Little Boar lay defeated.

Roy and the knights blinked in stunned silence.

“Ren!”

Roy dropped his sword and ran to embrace his son.

Ren hurriedly dismissed the Iron Magic Sword before accepting the hug.

“Dad, that would have been dangerous while I was holding a sword.”

Despite his embarrassment, Ren wrapped an arm around his father’s back.

Roy wiped tears from one eye and grinned.

“Even for my own son, that’s a spectacular homecoming.”

“I’m surprised too. I didn’t expect to find so many Little Boars beside the new road.”

“Road construction often agitates nearby monsters. It can’t always be helped.”

The two village knights greeted Ren warmly.

“It’s been a long time, Ren-dono!”

“You have changed. What incredible strength!”

The knights who had accompanied Ren from Clausel finally caught up.

Before the reunion could continue, another Little Boar burst from between the trees and charged Ren’s back.

Ren and Roy both noticed it.

Neither needed to act.

Io stepped forward and kicked the monster away with casual force.

The Little Boar struck the ground and didn’t move again.

Io gave a proud neigh, then lowered her head and began eating grass.

Roy stared.

“Is that Ren’s horse?”

“Yes. She’s strong because monster blood runs through her.”

“I can see that.”

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