Volume 3 Chapter 2 Breaking Through The Eighth Encirclement!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The burial of the corpses by the villagers was conducted smoothly before sunset.
It seems there were 7 victims, including the daughter and son-in-law of the Village Head Akebus.
At that point, only 4 bodies could be recovered, so the remaining 3 were likely devoured by the Black Dog, leaving no remnants.
”Lady Miriallia, Lord Kent. Thank you very much for defeating the monster.”
After finishing the recovery and burial of the victims, the Village Head Akebus came to thank us again, waiting in a carriage.
For Godard village, which has a population of less than 100, having 7 victims in this incident is a major event.
The faces of the villagers around us also showed signs of anxiety.
”No, it wasn’t anything worthy of thanks. However, I must say it’s difficult to believe that the current facilities in Godard village can prevent further monsters.”
Milly was pointing out to the village head what she had felt about this village.
”Lady Miriallia, we understand that more than anyone. However, we are those who have been exiled from Abyss Vena. We have worked hard to clear this land, cultivate fields, build houses, and finally reach this point.”
I learned for the first time that most of the people living in this village, including the Village Head Akebus, are tattooed and have been banished from Abyss Vena.
In other words, the Godard village was a penal colony for criminals.
According to Milly, the people of Abyss Vena fear this banishment more than they fear the death penalty.
Because if you were sentenced to death you would be able to have a happy life, but if you were sentenced to banishment you would be sent alone to a penal colony in the southern region where monsters roam, and you would never be able to enter Abyss Vena again.
I heard that the first time Arbalest issued an exile sentence was against Gruza, the main perpetrator of the Silver Wolf incident, and I learned that exile is a rarely applied punishment.
Therefore, those with weak spirits quickly fall into despair and commit suicide in their place of exile, and even those with combat skills will eventually become monster fodder if they face monsters without a safe place to sleep or weapons and armor.
I was amazed by Village Head Akebus, who managed to develop such a desolate place and establish a village on their own.
”I also know about the founding of Godard village from what I heard from my uncle.”
”Our family was exiled from Abyss Vena ten years ago, and we lost dozens of people just to make this Godard a place to live. Some were eaten in battles against monsters, some fell ill, and others died of starvation. But, we have no choice but to live here.”
I don’t know what the Village Head Akebus’s family has done, but if situations like today continue, this village will eventually be crushed by monsters and disappear.
”However, I understand that if you leave the current status unchecked now that monster activity has begun to rise, it will endanger the lives of everyone in this village.”
Milly was pressuring Akebus with a serious expression.
Seeing her serious attitude, along with the hectic departure in the morning, I thought that maybe Milly was asked for something by Arbalest.
But it seems I have been left out of the loop.
Then, I think it must either be a private matter among relatives or a political discussion.
”We also humbly approached Lord Arbalest, pleading for help to defeat the monsters, but we never intended to trouble you with village affairs!”
Akebus’ calm attitude changed and he became angry after hearing Milly’s words.
”But…Village Head Akebus”
Just as Milly was about to press on, she heard a familiar howl from the forest surrounding the village.
Howoooo… awooooon.
From various places in the forest, howls answered back.
The source of the howls is the Black Dog.
From the sound of it, there seems to be a significant number lurking in the forest.
”Manon! Beatrice! How many Black Dogs do you think are hiding in the forest? Just give me a rough estimate.”
I asked the two scouts nearby about the number of enemies.
I could tell from the voices that the numbers were too high to simply order them to scout, so I didn’t give any instructions.
Manon and Beatrice climbed a large tree in the center of the village and started to focus their eyes on the surrounding forest.
After a while, Manon and the others came down from the tree and reported to me in trembling voices.
”K-Kent, you said a rough estimate was fine, so I estimate there are at least around 200 Black Dogs surrounding the village-nya.”
”Kent, Bea’s opinion is the same as Non-Non’s. At least 2 hundred… There might even be some high-ranking ones mixed in. The ones we just hunted might have been the advance party of the pack.”
Beatrice also seems to understand the situation and is feeling tense.
Hearing their report, I became convinced that this village would become prey for the Black Dogs.
They would likely trample over the pitiful fence of this village and attack and devour the people nearby.
I have no intention of allowing that, but the Black Dogs are, in fact, a significant threat to those who lack sufficient combat abilities.
Originally, the only settlements south of Abyss Vena, where monsters roam, were the Ghost Clan’s Village and Godard Village, which continue to live independently, and the only other settlements were the vanguard base at Abyss Gate, Fort Felward, I’ve heard.
This is not a place for people to live.
”Mr. Akebus! We will hold off Black Dog. So, in the meantime, gather up the villagers and prepare to leave. I don’t say I understand why Mr. Akebus and his people are so attached to this village! But there’s no use in dying.”
”Lord Kent… You’re telling us to abandon the village… That’s the same as telling us to die after losing our home. Then it would be better to fight the monsters here and die together with my grandson.”
The head village Akebus glared at me sharply.
That face wasn’t that of a tired, aging old man, but of a keen warrior.
”Kent…”
”You’d rather die with your grandson… Did Reinhardt say that? Did your grandson really say he should be eaten by monsters and die? What is it?”
”I didn’t say such a thing, but it can’t be helped if that happens! We cannot leave this place!”
I felt angry at Akebus’s self-righteousness and it made me frustrated.
Bang!
The door of the village head’s mansion opened.
Reinhardt burst out from inside.
”Grandpa. I don’t want to die! I will become a hunter and hunt the guys who killed my mom and dad. So I can’t die now, I can’t die!”
It seemed Akebus had already told Reinhardt about his parents.
With tears welling in his eyes, Reinhardt was staring intently at Akebus.
”Reinhardt. You don’t want to die, do you? To survive, you’re going to have to abandon the village, is that right?”
I decided to listen to Reinhardt’s resolve.
”Yes! If it means surviving, I will abandon this village where my parents rest! Because I think if I survive and become a Monster Hunter and grow stronger, I can reclaim it someday.”
Reinhardt wiped away the tears from his eyes and looked back at me.
He’s ten years old, but he’s much more courageous than me.
To reward his courageous decision, I decided to make a decision as well.
I felt bad about making this decision without consulting Milly, but since the lives and deaths of nearly 90 people depended on it, there was no time to hesitate.
”Understood. I’ll do everything I can to ensure Reinhardt survives. Village Head Akebus! From now on, I will employ all the villagers of this Godard as servants of the Blackdagger family. We’ll discuss the details like salary later, but I will make sure they can live. And regarding the exile sentence, I, Kent Blackdagger, promise to obtain a special pardon from the lord! So please, abandon the village and flee to Abyss Vena!”
After hearing my decision, Milly rushed over.
”K-Kent! Are you serious?”
”Yeah, I’m serious. I’ve already formed some bonds with these people. If they die without help, I won’t be able to sleep well. I’m sorry, Milly, but I won’t go back on this decision. I’m a wasteful fiancé who spends my fiancée’s assets like water. I would appreciate it if you could bear with me, thinking you’ve gotten stuck with a bad man.”
”The money is all Kent’s anyway… but in exchange, once this matter is settled, I’ll officially pass on the title to Kent and make you the true head of the Blackdagger family in name and reality. And I will become Kent’s wife.”
”Ah, got it! Sure, Milly.”
Akebus, who had been stunned by my proposal, finally recovered.
”K-Kent. Did you really just say you would employ the entire village… from infants to those aged 50? And you’re asking the lord for a special pardon? Do you have that much power?”
”The current lord, Arbalest Heidou, is my wife Miriallia Blackdagger’s uncle. Plus, I have a favor with the lord that he can’t refuse. I should be able to secure some residence for them too.”
”Lord Kent… why would you go this far for us, complete strangers? It seems there is no benefit for you, Lord Kent.”
”I can’t help it. Someone close to me is dying, and I have the power to help them. So I help them. There’s a benefit to it. It helps me to calm my mind.”
Here, I have no choice but to follow through on my own selfish way. If I give in here, Akebus will choose to stay in the village.
I quickly propose a transaction to Akebus.
”I’m doing this for my own mental stability, but I won’t do it for free. Of course, I know that Akebus and the others have no money. So, bring me 3 single women to take care of my needs. That will really boost my motivation.”
Since I’m helping Akebus, I suggested they provide women.
From Akebus’s perspective, this must seem like a ridiculous transaction, but to welcome Akebus’s family as my relatives and gain a special pardon from Arbalest, this is a necessary step.
If I can’t have 3 women provided, one will do. If it comes to it, I could even make Reinhardt my adopted son.
In short, I’ve only given Akebus a reason to give up on the village and make a decisive move.
Originally, since Akebus was the one who established the penal colony as a village, I believe he is not without capability, so I’m sure he is calculating intensely even now.
”So, what will it be? Will you survive? Will you stay here? Which will it be?”
”Lord Kent, is it possible for the women offered to gain the status of concubines for the Blackdagger family? I can’t make a decision without that guarantee.”
”Ah, I promise. If they have children, they will be treated as children of the Blackdagger family. Miriallia has also agreed to this.”
Akebus sighed upon hearing my words.
”If you are willing to go that far, then my family will now serve as retainers to the Blackdagger family. We will obey your commands.”
Akebus knelt down and posed in a respectful manner, waiting for my instructions.
Reinhardt and villagers around also knelt and followed Akebus’s lead.
”Thank you. Well then, let’s prepare to escape from here. We’ll escape with everyone, women and children. All you need to take is yourself. I’ll prepare everything for Abyss Vena! Those with weak legs and women and children can ride in the hunting carriage. It’s packed, but you’ll have to wait until you get to Abyss Vena. Akebus, how many men are qualified as fighters?”
”Haha! My family served the previous lord with bows, so apart from the elderly, about 40 of us have the [Hunter] or [Archer] skills and can fight.”
I caught a glimpse of part of the reason Akebus was able to establish a village in the penal colony.
Most of the village men can kill monsters from a distance.
If that’s the case, they could probably deal with weaker monsters or a small number of them.
However, this time there are too many.
”Understood. Let’s get the fighters ready; we will rush to Abyss Vena”
”Yes! I’ve received your orders”
As I gave the orders, Akebus directed the villagers in the square.
The villagers scattered like spiderlings and began to run toward their homes.
It seems Akebus had significantly shortened the evacuation time.
”Kent… are you really going to evacuate everyone from Godard village?”
”Yeah, we’re going as the rear guard. If we don’t draw the Black Dog’s eyes and ears to us, there’s no way to avoid having the carts attacked. It turned into quite a troublesome quest, but Mr. Arbalest won’t skimp on the quest reward, right?”
”Uncle is quite stingy. Even excluding infants and children, with nearly 70 people to establish a livelihood and earn wages, we’ll need to bring a considerable amount of funds.”
”Sorry, I’ll work hard to earn it.”
”And for housing… I wonder if there’s a large vacant lot or an empty house around…”
Milly was already thinking about what to do after we arrived to deal with the consequences of my selfishness.
I decided to focus my efforts on improving the current situation.
To better understand the situation, I climbed a tree with Manon and Beatrice.
”Sir Kent, I can sense the presence of monsters to the north, south, east and west-nya. There seem to be fewer in the northeast on the Abyss Vena side.-nya”
”What are they waiting for? Why don’t they attack?”
Even though I don’t have any scouting skills, I could tell from the cries and rustling of the trees that there were quite a few monsters lurking.
”Kent, the Black Dogs are waiting for the night. They plan to hide in the darkness and avoid the bows, and to approach quickly.”
When Beatrice pointed out that I was waiting for night, I looked around.
The sun was already setting, and night was beginning to fall.
”Tsk, what a smart dog”
”The Black Dog was originally a hunting dog, but after being exposed to magic elements, it became a monster and started to breed, so its intelligence is quite high-nya.”
”It’s best to escape quickly. The longer we wait, the more advantageous it will be for the Black Dogs.”
When I climbed down from the tree, Akebus informed me that they were ready.
Behind him were men armed with bows.
The carriage was already carrying those with weakened legs and women and children.
It seems they are truly coming to Abyss Vena with nothing in their possession, having discarded everything.
I thought the villagers would cause more of a fuss, but having lived in the southern region for ten years, they have a deep-rooted fear of monsters, which likely led to this quick decision.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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