Chapter 24

Jae looked at the girl who fell right back to sleep and thought to himself.

...So, what do I do with her?

He briefly contemplated bringing her back with him to the dungeon, but then he wouldn't be any different to the kidnappers. On top of that, the dungeon is pretty dangerous and quite damn terrifying, especially for the case of a small, 4-year-old child like this.

Ideally, I'd like to return her home, but there is nowhere near that seems related. Those kidnappers must've come quite a long ways from her home...

Jae then thought of the village. It wasn't Rena's home, since it appears to just be a simple human village, but it was the only place around here for a little girl to live comfortably; he didn't want her to stay in this forest for too long. If Jae just wanted to quickly find a place for her to stay until he figures out where she came from, it'd probably be his best bet. After that, he can bring her home.

There is the matter about her race, and there's a high chance of racial discrimination, but...

He sighed lightly.

Well, I'll talk to them and see if something can be done about it. If I judge them to be of suitable character, then she can stay, and I'll come to pick her up when I find her real home. Otherwise, all I'd be able to do is bring her with me until we find her home. If it's possible, I don't want to have to do that though...

Caring for a child alone was difficult, but it's especially the case if there is no home for them and only one parent. The decision was swiftly made, so Jae walked to the village as he carried the very fragile Rena―delicately, to not disturb her peaceful slumber.

Upon his arrival at the village, which took almost an entire day because he had to walk there carefully with a sleeping girl in his arms, all the while getting rid of attacking monsters by using magic, Jae took a look around.

....Huh. It's really as I expected.

A small, yet pleasant-looking village, located in a clearing within the forest. It was currently evening, so there was no one out.

"Stop right there. Are you looking to enter the village? Please show your identity and reason for wanting to enter the village at this time."

"Yeah, who the hell are you huh?"

―Except for the village guards, that is.

"Robin, be quiet."

"Huaah? But--"

"I told you to be quiet."

With a clearly frustrated look on his face, the younger of the two guards scowled at Jae angrily as he gripped his spear and stepped back to position himself―a kind of battle stance, it seems. They were most likely on guard after seeing Jae's mysterious and rather scary appearance.

"...."

Jae silently watched the two guards on their night shift―they appeared to be brothers―when the older one began questioning him.

"Show your Status. Are you an adventurer? There haven't been any quests submitted to the Guild recently, so what brings you here? A traveller, perhaps? Though you carry no belongings aside from that large white thing... What exactly is that? You also came from the same direction as the large monster that has recently been spotted. Were you there, or did you see it? And then, what is that girl? Why is a girl of the Demon race here?"

There were many questions asked. In truth, a request has been sent to the guild to subdue the monster that was mentioned, but the time between the request being sent and Jae's arrival was too short. The guard was being heavily cautious, and rightfully so.

Meanwhile, Jae had let Rena's horns show on purpose, meaning that the guards could clearly see that Rena was a demon child. He did it to gauge their reaction. Fortunately, it looks like discrimination against the Demon race isn't complete common sense in this world since they didn't seem much bothered by it. This was good news for Jae.

Hm. From what the guy from back then said though, the demons were something to be despised and condemned... Interesting.

Ignoring the guard's demand for Jae to present his Status Menu, he looked at their souls with「Envy」.

The older brother, 'Reddek's' Soul State is definitely higher when compared to the Hobgoblin from way back if I recall. Is that impressive? I'm not sure. The younger brother.... appears to be an amateur. He's probably with the senior as a trainee. Reddek seems to be a respectable guy, while his younger brother is still immature. I suppose it'd be beneficial to speak honestly to these people if I want Rena to live well.

Jae opened his mouth.

"―This girl needs a home."

To this, the brothers showed slight hesitation. Their alertness began to dissipate and they stared at the pair in minor bewilderment. Despite this sudden confusion, however, the elder brother smoothly regained his senses and asked Jae.

"By any chance, are you... Father and Daughter?"

"No."

Reddek nodded in confirmation after a quick glance to Jae's forehead, empty of horns.

"I see. Although there are no orphanages in this village, I am sure some households are willing to take in a child, especially as some are unable to conceive children as of now, like the older couples. Although... Whether they'd be willing to take in a demon child... It's another story altogether... Is this all you came for?"

Hm...

"If it's possible, could I talk to the chief of this village? I would like to confirm some things."

"...Sorry, but I cannot allow that, sir. Although you certainly don't seem to hold any hostility, and, while I'm sure you really would only like to ask a couple of questions, under no circumstances can a village guard allow a complete stranger into the village unannounced, and lead him to the chief's home without special permission. And, before I can let you into the village, I need you to show your Status. It's all for security purposes. As you can imagine, there have been some... incidents, in the past. My apologies, but if you'd like to speak to the chief in person, you will have to wait until tomorrow."

Hm. I'm not going to show you my Status though. Anyway, I suppose I'll keep Rena with me for now, since that'll be safer. Well, that shouldn't be a problem.

"No need to apologise, you did nothing wrong. You want security. The situation is understandable, so I'll just wait out here with her until the chief is available."

Just after saying that, Jae turned around but immediately stopped when someone called out from behind the guards.

"There will be no need for that."

...Finally decided to come out, huh.

Jae had been waiting for this the entire time.

""Chief!""

The brothers simultaneously called out, alarmed at a middle-aged man's sudden appearance.

"What are you doing here, Chief?", Reddek asked, seemingly unaware of the Chief's plans. In fact, the Chief had been hiding and observing the encounter since the very beginning, though it seems nobody except Jae knew. The Chief spoke to the two dumbfounded guards.

"Reddek, Robin, I will be speaking to this man in my home."

"B-But Chief...!"

"That's enough. Of course, being as much of a worrywart as I am, I couldn't catch a wink of sleep after hearing about the monster sightings. I've seen everything, and I myself have some questions to ask this man... You two can be at ease."

"Ar... Hum! Very well, Chief."

"..."

The chief spoke to Jae with a smile.

"Then, please follow me."

Within the village's largest house.

Jae sat on a piece of furniture made out of wood, that used straw as cushioning and leather as cover. He had left his great-sword by the front door since it was too big to have it with him comfortably.

Using his own lap as a pillow was the sleeping Rena, who of course was still wrapped in the fur blanket. 'Since she's been sleeping for the entire day, she really must've been tired', Jae thought. It's understandable. After all, Rena probably couldn't dare sleep while kidnapped, due to feelings of great anxiety and fear, so when she finally did manage it, she had a lot to catch up on.

Ahead of Jae was a short yet sturdy wooden table, where two liquid-filled cups were placed. On the other side was furniture identical to the one he sat on, and sitting there was the Chief.

"―Well then.", the man who looked to be in his 50s or 60s spoke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am the Chief of this Bahgwud Village, Gadeun. May I enquire as to what business you have with my village, at this time?"

He spoke with a subtle, yet sharp gaze that seemed to be directed at the little girl for a second. Jae stared straight back while gently stroking Rena's head with his right hand. Of course, he didn't do it only because her hair felt nice. There was also the effect of gradually reducing the severity of the status condition, [Nightmare], that Rena was currently afflicted with.

Jae was thinking. Unlike the guards, the chief didn't ask Jae to show him his Status. Was it to build trust, or something else? Slowly picking up the wooden cup on the table with his left hand, Jae replied.

"Likewise, Gadeun. My name is Jae. Like you 'overheard' earlier, I aim to find a suitable home for this one.", he lightly patted Rena's head, upon which she quietly groaned.

"Nnh..."

Holding back a smile at the cute action, Jae moved the cup in a circular motion, causing the contents within to swirl around. However, Jae thought that something was strange. Gadeun seemed to flinch slightly when Jae introduced himself, though he tried his best to hide it.

I wasn't too rude, was I? No, he doesn't seem the type to care too much about things like that. What was it then? I didn't think my name was that strange, is it...?

It was a small but odd thing. It shouldn't be something that bad, and yet... Jae was getting an uncomfortable feeling about it somehow. Nevertheless, he didn't let it show, and continued.

"―If possible, a pleasant place to grow up in. A household without discrimination against demons would be ideal. There are no villages close to here that I could find, and she was only discovered in the morning, so this is the first shot. And..."

Jae shot a piercing look at Gadeun and said in an ominous tone.

"I'd like it to be the last."

A bead of cold sweat ran down Gadeun's neck as he gulped. The chief clearly understood what that sentence implied: If this village discriminated against demons and attacked the girl, then Jae might end up killing them all. He doesn't want to do that, apparently, and only wants the girl to get a good home without injustice, pain, or issue. That's why he'd rather have the first place he tries, be the best place for her.

However, Gadeun simply smiled after regaining his confidence, I was right.

Meanwhile, Jae stopped the hand moving the cup. A sweet smell wafted out. Intaking it, Jae's face relaxed a little.

Ordinary sweet drink. Tea? Unexpectedly, it's not poisoned. Actually, it smells a bit like Coke. Huh.

"...It's Moiya Tea, created with a special recipe of mine. A beverage unique to our very own Bahgwud Village that I am deeply proud of."

So it is tea.

Jae took a sip of the tea after hearing Gadeun's boasting.

Mm. Sweet, as expected. Doesn't really taste like Coke, but it smells of it? Well, it is tea. Except, something like fruit and sugar was added to a mix.

It was the first time Jae drank something made by other people in years. Of course, it could be improved, but for a homemade recipe, it was alright. Anyway, for someone born in this fantasy world, a sweet drink like this is probably incredibly rare, and a delicacy―completely unlike someone from the modern world who'd be used to things like artificial flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and other sugary drinks and treats.

Clearly, it'd be a famous drink in this world if a business was created that based itself around the drink's production and sale.

In that case, why isn't it sold?

"It's good. Why don't you form a business with this product as a face? Surely it would sell quite well."

It'd be just like Coke in that case, wouldn't it?

Perhaps Jae was reminiscing of the Earth food he hasn't tasted in so long... To his words, Gadeun laughed softly.

"Ahaha... I'm grateful for the praise, but you jest. Certainly, I am aware of the profits it may bring, but it is personal greed of mine to not sell it, you see. It's a selfish desire, indeed, and I'm also aware that once I'm gone, someone else will just begin to sell it for coin themselves. Even so, while I'm alive at least, I'd like to be the sole Village Chief in the world who is able to drink such a wonderful thing... It's such an insignificant feeling of superiority, don't you agree?"

"...Well, I wonder."

Gadeun had a lonely look on his face. Jae placed the now half-empty cup down on the table.

"I don't think that anyone's desires can be laughed at for being insignificant. After all, what is insignificant to one person could be the very meaning to another's life. 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' and all that, right?"

"Oh, indeed. I like that philosophy. Young man, you are quite the sophisticated one, aren't you? You don't seem to avoid responsibility, nor do you discriminate against the Demon race, either. An unusual thing, that."

This...

"I could say the same about you."

Gadeun chuckled.

"Haha, I suppose so! There aren't many types like us in this world.", he then gestured to Rena, "That girl, too―From what you said earlier, she was probably a victim of kidnapping before you rescued her, right? Demons are extremely high-value slaves, after all, if you can tame them. Children even more so, because it's easier to brainwash or raise however one likes. Truly, an awful thing."

Jae lightly frowned, As I thought.

"Right. Well, the place I've been living... It's not a place fit for a child."

"Mmm. As was told by your earlier line, "a suitable home". I had guessed from your appearance, too, that you wouldn't have been living in such a pleasant place up until now."

He glanced at the giant tooth that'd be bold to call a sword pressed up against the wall as he said that.

"Before today, I didn't even know creatures of that size existed."

...He's quite the perceptive old man, huh. From the looks of it, he isn't racist for some reason, unlike most people in this world. And he isn't the type to move for money either. An overall good person, I guess, though there was that thing earlier...

"Is it dragon bone, perhaps? I've hears from many visitors that high-rank adventurers like to aim for rare materials like those since they fetch a good price and make for good equipment."

....What?

Jae doubted his ears for a moment.

"Wait, hold on. Did you say 'dragon'?"

But Aphy said there are none... It must be a misunderstanding. I know how strong dragons really are. If there truly was a dragon on this side, then a disaster--No, it'd be worse than a catastrophe. Countries would be obliterated, at minimum, while trying to subjugate it. It has to be something different.

"Hm? Yes. Oh, is it not dragon bone, but something different?"

...Uh...

"N-no, it's dragon bone..."

It's real dragon bone, yeah. The things he's talking about have to be different monsters. Probably just a mutated wyvern, or drake or something.

Suddenly, Jae recalled the hesitation when he spoke his name. The bad feeling he had―it grew stronger. Not noticing the disquieted Jae, Gadeun began to speak.

"Anyway, Jae. About your request... I--"

But Jae interrupted him.

"―Hold on a moment."

He had to. He felt that, if he didn't, it'd be too late.

"Yes....?", Gadeun asked.

"Before anything is said, I'd like us both to be honest. Previously, you looked weird when I introduced myself; as if you were wary of my name. Until now, you've tried to hide it, but what was that about? If I'm correct, you aren't the type to mind someone's introductory manners, and it's not like my name is so unusual that you'd react so strongly as to flinch. What's the issue here, exactly?"

"Ah......."

Gadeun was quiet. He formed a troubled expression.

"Don't get me wrong. I won't kill you if you don't answer me―I'm not a murderer. I just want to know. I need to trust you, and I can't leave the child here, in this place, when I'm still worried about what might happen. I'm sure you'd like to clear up everything too. Or am I wrong?"

For a while, they stared each other down, before Gadeun pitifully lowered his head and gaze.

"...You have a good heart. I can clearly see that you aren't lying, and you are, in fact, correct. However... You truly do not know?"

"Tell me."

What happened. I want to know.

Gadeun lightly sighed with an expression that said 'it can't be helped'.

"...I see. Please give me a moment to fetch something."

With that, he got up and walked into another room.

"Sure..."

*click*

At the sound of the door closing, it felt like Jae's mind was as clear as a lake. As he calmed, a great sense of relief rushed over him for some reason, as if he just defused a bomb.

Something I must see? What could it be...

".....Mmh..."

Looking down towards the girl making strange noises, Jae thought it was funny. How much easier would it be if he could just bring her back with him to the dungeon? Well, he could certainly do that, but Jae just didn't feel right about it―it was kidnapping after all, so it couldn't really be helped. At the very least, Gadeun seemed to be a good man and cooperative. Soon, he returned holding a scroll made from something similar to papyrus.

"First of all, let me say this: I don't know what you have done, or if you are even aware of this, however... Jae, you seem to have become the target of something extremely dangerous."

...What? I haven't even done anything since I arrived in this world. Why would anyone be after me now-- .....Ohhh... There was that, wasn't there? ....Right... Ah, shit... But that wasn't even my fault, so why...

Anxiously, Jae unfurled the scroll and gazed over it.

☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩

《 BOUNTY REQUEST 》

- - - WANTED ALIVE - - -

- NAME: Jae Kang -

- RACE: Human / Demon -

- REWARD : 100 White-Gold Royal Coins -

- - REQUESTED BY : Official Seronian Royal Family - -

☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩―☩

...Ahhhh, what a pain in the ass... Fucking royalty.

"Tch."

Jae clicked his tongue. At the very least, there was no drawn illustration of him, so those who hadn't seen him in person wouldn't know his appearance.

Even if someone I know did see me, they wouldn't think it's actually me because three and a half years have passed, But still, the fact that they really went so far as to place a bounty on me... Just for escaping, too... Was it that Princess again? Bitch...

A clearly unhappy expression quietly formed on his face. Gadeun then spoke to him.

"From the looks of it, you have an idea of what you might've done to incur their wrath, however, you didn't know there was a bounty request put out. Am I correct?"

...He really is perceptive, isn't he. Well, whatever. It's not like it's a secret at this point.

"...Yeah. Though, it's not like I really did anything to anyone. How long has this been out?"

"Our Bahgwud Village had received the request a few weeks ago. Considering that we are pretty far out in the country, I'd bet that this has already spread prominently throughout all major cities in Seronia."

"...So pretty much everyone already knows about it, huh."

These bastards...

Jae put a hand to his chin and thought.

Seriously, I have a bounty on my head now... Ah, wait.

"What is this reward? 100 White-Gold Royals, is it... How much money is that?"

If it's only something small, then I don't have to worry too much. 100 coins shouldn't be too much, right?

To this question, Gadeun's expression hardened and became a little dark.

"That amount of money... It would allow for a man to live a few lifetimes in relative comfort, and then with some to spare."

Eh? It's really that much...? But...

"If you know this, why do you not chase after the bounty? As village chief, you'd want money to make this village--Bahgwud prosper, right? Even if you, yourself, aren't interested in the money, surely you would think about it if it's that much, no?"

There's no way someone as good as you exists, especially in a world as shit as this.

"So tell me. Why do you not go for it and inform me instead?"

"...Well it's too late now, anyway, isn't it? Since you'd just kill me if I tried to do anything. But, very well. If you want to know, I'll tell you. However, for context, I'll need to tell you a little about my life first. It won't be long, so please listen to my story."

Hm.

"Alright."

And so, Gadeun's storytelling began.