CH 129

Chapter 129 – Glasses boy is given three tasks

“Ain’t this a great treat? You can watch where you’re going from here on out.” Krav told us.

Then, while we looked around for a bit, Krav descended from the dragon.

“So, we’ll leave one alone here, right? You done with the explanation?” Krav asked Sorichika.

Sorichika nodded, “Lisse, you stay.”

“Oh, me?” Lisse said.

She did say we’d be dropped off separately, so I guess Lisse is the first we’ll say goodbye to.

“I’ll be waiting for you at the tower of Bryne.” Sorichika told her.

Sorichika removed the lifeline rope that was tying Lisse to the wooden board.

Meanwhile, Krav was unloading Lisse’s luggage from the dragon’s back.

“If you have a visible sword, you’re gonna get tangled with people who brag about their skills. If you don’t like this kind of thing, you better hide it somewhere.” Krav told Lisse.

Lisse grinned after hearing Krav’s words. I’m not sure if she thought of it as a joke, or a taunt from him.

“That’s irrelevant, for it’s impossible for me to lose. A swordswoman will never throw away her sword.” Lisse replied.

What a cocky statement.

Though it is true that Lisse is the strongest of us in direct combat.

She may be even stronger when fighting Demon Beasts, but she’s still a great swordswoman in general.

She’s also quick to think and she makes good judgements usually.

… Well, that’s probably why she was dropped off first.

The first person who is dropped off doesn’t have any way of knowing where the others were left at.

Lisse would be able to immediately join other people if she knew where they were dropped off, so this decision was probably made to stop her from doing that.

Then, while Lisse was putting her luggage on her back, and her sword on her waist, Sorichika stated, “Prioritize not dying. Every few years, at least one person dies as soon as they arrive at the city.”

Ooh…?

Suddenly, some terrifying information was told to us. And it’s definitely not something I can simply ignore.

“Huh…? Just who do you think I am?” Lisse replied after a very short pause.

Well, I don’t want my acquaintances to die, so… I hope she’s careful while she’s there.

“… She was cheeky, but she was a nice person…” Chace commented.

“… You’re right. I never liked her, but now I realize that I didn’t really wish for her to be gone… It’s always like this. We only realize the important things when it’s far too late.” Florentine commented.

“Why are you talking about me as if I’m dead!? I’m still alive, you know!? I’m right here!” Lisse exclaimed.

She seemed to be particularly irritated by Florentine’s long ‘mourning’ statement, so she was glaring directly at her from up close, with a demonic expression.

“Shouldn’t you feel like I’m at least somewhat important!? I gave you a decent amount of meat, didn’t I!?” Lisse asked Florentine.

However, Florentine turned her head away and completely ignored Lisse… Truly, that was quite impressive. Florentine has learned well.

Me and Cherry had yet to say anything, and perhaps we should tell her something.

After all, this might be the last time we talk.

… But I don’t think this is what will happen, so there is no need to say anything.

Lisse will be fine. I know how strong she is.

She’s not the kind of person who will die in a place like this. And since we’ll meet up at the Tower of Bryne, then I have no reason to tell her anything.

“Won’t you say anything?” I asked Cherry.

I already made my decision, but I was unsure if Cherry reached the same conclusion.

Or rather, she seemed to want to say something.

… However, Cherry shook off that hesitant look from her face, then stated clearly, “No. We’ll meet up at the Tower of Bryne anyways, so there is no reason in telling it to her now.”

Oh, got it.

“I feel the same way.” I told Cherry.

We’ll meet at the Tower of Bryne.

We’ll arrive there safely.

While making this kind of prayer, I decided to not say goodbye.

With Lisse being left here, the dragon started flying again, and we started heading to the next drop-off spot.

******

The short flight was, surprisingly, absolutely terrifying.

The dragon started descending as we got close to the next spot though.

… Flying may be amazing, but it’s also really scary.

Even though I knew I had a lifeline rope keeping me safe, I was still terrified.

I held on to it tightly many times, as I thought I was going to be thrown away from the dragon by a strong wind.

… It was really nice to have that cloth protecting us.

I’d much rather feel anxious about being unable to see my surroundings, than feel worried about the fact I would definitely die if I fell.

That lifeline rope was truly our lifeline. I held it really tightly this time around.

… And we had to fly while helplessly sitting on an unstable wooden board instead of in something that feels safer, like a chair…

“How was it? Did you enjoy the view?” Krav asked as he descended from the dragon’s back.

I didn’t have time to enjoy the scenery at all.

“Chace, you get off here.” Sorichika stated.

“O… Okay.” Chace muttered.

Like me, Chace must have been scared of the flight, for he was looking a bit pale.

Though he also seemed to be relieved.

Most likely because he won’t need to fly again… I’m jealous.

“You’ll probably fit in easily, so don’t worry too much. Just don’t forget your purpose here.” Sorichika told him.

Krav gave Chace his luggage, and Sorichika gave him advice.

Chace received both, and stared at Sorichika with a puzzled look, “I may have done some bad things, but I’ve never done anything that would be bad enough to fit in with a lawless country…”

“I know, but that’s not what I’m saying. You’ll understand the meaning of these words later, so just remember them.” Sorichika told him.

“… Oh, alright. Got it.” Chace nodded.

I don’t get what Sorichika’s words meant at all.

But well, Chace may be stupid, but he has the flexibility to adapt to different situations easily.

The air he gave off has truly changed a lot from the time when he swinged a wooden sword around thoughtlessly. It’s almost hard to believe that he is that same person.

“Hey, thug, will you be okay by yourself?” Florentine asked.

“I’m more worried about you. If you think it’s dangerous, you can look for me.

“You may shout for me and search for me openly, alright? I’ll fly to you right away.” Chace replied.

“That’s my line! Don’t you dare die in a place where I can’t find you! Absolutely not! If you’re going to die, you’re gonna have to die right in front of me!

“… Or rather, no! Don’t die! Don’t die until I kill you!” Florentine exclaimed.

“I’m the one who will kill you!” Chace replied.

“I’ll absolutely be the one who kills you!” Florentine exclaimed again.

“What a bold statement!” Chace exclaimed.

Before I realized it, Chace and Florentine ended up becoming pretty good friends, even if their relationship was quite shaky at the start.

Or well, I suppose Chace is surprisingly good at taking care of others.

He seems to be the kind of person that doesn’t let others get close to him too easily, but once someone does enter his heart, he starts thoroughly cherishing that person.

“Chace. Let’s meet at the Tower of Bryne.” Cherry clearly stated.

“Got it.” Chace replied.

This time she said it openly… I suppose she still feels a bit distant to Lisse, so she was unable to say it to her, even if she said it to Chace.

Then, things went silent.

… Whoa. Chace is staring directly at me… I wonder why.

“… Hey, Glasses. What do you have to say to me?” Chace asked me.

Huh? He is waiting for my words?

“Nothing in particular?” I told him honestly.

“Hey, you should at least try saying goodbye in case I die. Something like that.” Chace replied.

There’s no reason to do that.

I’m sure we’ll meet at the Tower of Bryne.

… Though well, we certainly can’t know when and where something might happen.

“Then, scavenge food in moderation, alright?” I told him.

“I didn’t do anything like that!

“… Huh!? That’s it!? Those are your parting words!?” Chace asked.

Yes, that’s correct. I have nothing more to say.

And so, just like it happened with Lisse, now that Chace was dropped off, we headed to the next location.

******

“Cherry, you’re next.” Sorichika announced as the dragon started descending.

“Oh, alright.” Cherry replied.

Then, as soon as the dragon landed, Krav said, “Come on, get off, get off.” and started handing over Cherry’s luggage to her in a hurry, “Sorry, but hurry up. The sky is getting brighter, and it’s annoying when the people in town see me.”

The city is still quite far, but they can probably see something as big as a dragon flying around.

I suppose Krav’s fear is that they’ll notice that what they’re seeing is a dragon. I don’t know where this underdeveloped land is located, but it must be rare for dragons to appear here.

“Cherry… I don’t need to worry much about her.” Florentine stated.

“I feel the same.” I nodded.

Cherry may be a bit inconspicuous, but she is someone who can handle anything that comes her way with ease.

She never stands out much, but she rarely lags behind others.

“I-is that so? I’m a bit nervous…” Cherry muttered.

Me and Florentine were pretty calm as we saw her off, but it seems like Cherry herself didn’t feel this way.

“What you lack is confidence.” Sorichika told her, “You’re a model child who knows what you can and can’t do, so just do what you think you should, within the range of what you think is possible.

“Don’t go overboard, don’t overdo it. Just keep that in mind, and you’ll be fine, Cherry.”

“O-okay…

“… This is the first time you’ve said something that made you feel like an instructor, miss Sorichika.” Cherry replied.

“How rude. I’m always speaking like a proper instructor.” Sorichika said.

That’s a lie.

And if it’s not a lie, then Sorichika is a terrible instructor.

After this, me and Florentine flew to the next location.

******

I’m still scared, but I’ve started getting used to it.

And because I got used to it, I was finally able to relax a bit and start taking in the scenery.

… It’s big.

Seen from the sky, I could see that the lawless country, Krozheit, was huge.

It might be as large as the royal capital of the Nastiara Kingdom.

… A country, huh?

Well, it’s more like a city.

But when we talk about Krozheit, we talk about the lawless country.

It’s not a country though, because it doesn’t function like one.

It’s just a really big city… But well, when it’s this big, I guess I can understand why it’s referred to as a country.

I guess the way it is referred to might not really matter.

Some people might prefer calling it a country, while others may prefer calling it a city.

******

“Florentine, you get off here.” Sorichika said as the dragon descended.

Then, it seems like I’ll be the last one.

“Florentine.” I called out to her.

“Mmm?” She muttered.

Coming to think of it, Florentine didn’t seem to be particularly troubled by the flight.

Somehow… She seems to be the most courageous one out of us.

She may feel difficult to approach, but she is actually quite gentle and doesn’t reject people’s good intentions.

The words that come out of her mouth may be bad, but she’s the one that cares the most about the people around her.

… And she also likes meat way too much, to the point that it’s troublesome.

“I’m not Chace, but if something happens, you can look for me. I’ll be there for you.” I told her.

“You’re always way too sweet to me.” She replied.

I know. She’s aware of it too.

I was raised while being told that I had to take care of the younger ones.

I was raised by older people who took care of me, so I just think it’s right for me to do the same.

“But that’s exactly why I don’t want you to spoil me.

“If I’m by your side, then I’ll have less things to do. I can’t rely more on you than I rely on that thug.” Florentine replied.

… Oh, I see?

Sorry for spoiling you then.

“But, as the Meat Guy, do you wanna give me some meat before leaving?” She asked me.

“Goodbye. Take care of yourself.” I replied.

“… At least treat me the same as Lisse. It hurts to hear you talk like that…” Florentine said.

No can do. I treat Lisse more coldly than that.

******

After parting with Lisse, Chace, Cherry and Florentine, the dragon finally arrived at its final destination.

After removing the lifeline rope that was wrapped around me, Sorichika called out to me, “Eil.

“Do you know why you were kept for last?”

Why I was kept for last?

“… To keep everyone from knowing where I would be dropped off?” I asked.

“Correct.” Sorichika replied.

Oh, that was really it?

“Because this task is too easy for you.” Sorichika stated.

… Huh?

“Can you really say that?” I asked.

“There’s no reason to hide it. I’m sure you’ll be able to find the Tower of Bryne by the end of the day.

“You’ll face no hardships, no obstacles.

“But that would teach you too little.

“So, I would like to give you a special assignment. You’ll have three restrictions while you’re searching for the Tower of Bryne.” Sorichika replied.

… Hey, hold on a second.

“Are you restricting my actions within the lawless country?” I asked.

“Because you’re my disciple. That’s why I give you special treatment.” Sorichika said.

It’s special treatment that doesn’t make me happy though.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to abide to it though. I don’t want you to die, but I don’t think you’ll die even with these restrictions.” Sorichika told me.

I see…

“Can I hear what the restrictions are?” I asked.

Sorichika then stared at me with her usual blank eyes, “First, the use of bows is prohibited.

“Second, don’t rendezvous with your friends.

“Third, be the last of the five to arrive at the Tower of Bryne.

“Those are the restrictions.”

I see… That’s interesting alright.

“Ban the weapon I’m best at. Don’t join up with everyone. Be the last to arrive at the tower.” I repeated the conditions of the assignment.

“Yes. How about it? Do you want to do it?” Sorichika asked me.

“… Alright. I’ll do it, because I think it’s important.” I decided.

I may have my doubts about the teaching methods of the instructors, Sorichika included, but not once did I wish that I hadn’t gone through training with them.

If it’s an assignment that my master gave me, even if I can’t understand why it was given, then it should be something positive, overall.

I trust her enough, so I believe that.

“I’ll say it again though. If you don’t feel like doing it any longer, then you can give up on these restrictions.

“If you have to weight your life against the assignment, don’t hesitate to prioritize your life.” Sorichika stated.

“Of course.” I nodded.

I’m not gonna lose my goal there.

The first priority is to protect myself. The assignment is secondary.

******

After entrusting my bow and arrows to Sorichika; Krav, Sorichika and the dragon flew away.

With this, I was left mostly unarmed, having only a dismantling knife with me.

Moreover, bows are prohibited.

I’m not allowed to get a new one in town, so it seems like I won’t be able to shoot any arrow for a while.

… Well, I think it will work out in one way or another.

And so, I started walking towards the lawless country.