◈Episode 108 To a distant land (2)
As it is a city connecting the southern east and west, the supplies gathered in Hudelen are enormous.
However, it is said that butterflies are attracted to flowers and bees are attracted to honey. There were also many thieves targeting the supplies. This was the evidence.
“Going on the road is also work.”
“This area is so… right. “Because it is at the end, there are many people who take advantage of the fact that there are fewer security guards and settle down in this alley.”
As soon as we got near Hudelen, we were attacked three times already.
Not all of them crawled out because they were struggling in poverty, but they were evildoers who only planned to make a living through looting from the beginning.
“So you always fight those people?”
“Not really, priest. “Usually, when you pass by, you pay a fee to the group with the most power and then pass.”
“The group in power…?”
“From the thieves’ point of view, if they fight with the top every time, the manpower shortage gets worse. I tend to hand it over if the toll tax is reasonable. Instead, because the amount is so high, they often fight among themselves to get it. So, the most powerful group takes it on behalf of them.”
Well, just like the gangsters who collect bribes and the martial arts group Nokrimmaeng, it seems that even such evildoers have their own way of getting through it…
“Well then, why were we attacked…?”
“Usually there is at least one group that takes the lead… but I see them sporadically attacking, so I guess the position is empty now. I don’t know if I’m lucky or not. “I think we did a great job hiring you.”
The timing was bad on both sides. We had to take out our swords, so the bandits had the misfortune of meeting strong men and losing their lives.
“Ugh, save me….”
Pow!
“We are already at a loss thanks to the lost goods, but at least we don’t have to pay transportation costs.”
But if you look at it, they brought it on themselves.
Therefore, no one bothered to spare the bandits, whether they were hired guards other than us or the guards operated by the top itself.
It would be difficult to drag them all the way to the city, and there would be little room for remorse. Crucially, they attacked first. There was no reason to keep mercy in hand.
“Why aren’t we using that technology? “If the black crab flies away, I think we’ll all die!”
…Thanks to this, I, who normally would have fought with my fists, now fight with a sword. As Berserker asked, I didn’t use any skills.
“Or did you give this opportunity to Berserk? Hahaha! thanks!”
The reason I didn’t use it for reference is absolutely not because of that.
It’s just… it’s not urgent or related to the devil, so I just wondered if there was a need to create such a tragedy.
Honestly, isn’t it a nice sight to see dozens of people cut off with a slash? Just because I can see gore doesn’t mean I’m proud of it.
“I wish I could use useful skills like a demon knight.”
“It’s definitely not worth dealing with, but I think it’s definitely convenient when killing things that need to be killed.”
“I’m not as good as those people.”
However, cruelty and usefulness are separate things, and other kids seem to envy that. I’m thankful they didn’t tell me I didn’t use it, but it feels strangely dull.
“…If I could use something like that, it would be easier to slay demons.”
Also, I’m concerned that the Inquisitor has strangely become weaker every time he fights since leaving Far Enoch!
I guess it bothered me so much that I left without being able to properly help the city people due to my lack of help…!
“That’s right, why can’t you use something like that?”
“There are a variety of reasons, but ultimately it is due to my lack of ability.”
“Uh…”
In the meantime, Dev, who had come back to life thanks to the relief from the heat, tried to make fun of the Inquisitor. This time, the Inquisitor’s honesty seems to have won rather than his sagging state.
“It is not good to be too humble, Inquisitor. “Wouldn’t it be a mistake to just treat the absence due to history related to the nature of divine power as one’s own incompetence?”
“Ah, Archmage.”
But wait a minute. After looking around, it looks like the banditry has been cleared out, so let’s get ready to leave.
My companions, including me, boarded horses that had been exchanged for camels throughout the village. Even though this is Hudelen’s territory, there is still a long way to go.
As long as you can have a conversation while you’re at it—as long as you’re wearing the guise of a concept—I won’t even be given a chance to talk, but there won’t be a problem if you speak first.
“Does divine power have properties?”
So we started again and Berserker asked brightly.
“Of course. “If you think about the efficiency of divine power and magic when performing treatment, you will understand.”
“Isn’t that just because it’s the power of God?”
“That might be why. However, whatever the reason, if the characteristic shows a consistent form, wouldn’t it be okay to define it with the word ‘character’?”
Anyway, as long as there are no thieves, all you have to do is just walk. I can’t even have friendly conversations with people at the top.
So, the Archmage took advantage of the opportunity and held a short special lecture.
This happens occasionally when I move, but for me, it was quite a welcome time. In any case, you should supplement your common sense whenever you get the chance.
“Divine power has the characteristic of forming a plane. This means that it spreads out widely and does not easily disperse. However, on the other hand, it is almost impossible to squeeze the divine power and condense it into dots or lines.”
“Is that so?”
“…Did you?”
“…? “Why don’t you know?”
“I just wrote it out of instinct, but I’ve never approached it this way before…”
It seems like I’m not the only one who needs to supplement my common sense.
“You probably don’t know because for things that already have a shape, such as a body or a weapon, the level of difficulty is the same whether you spread it with a cotton pad, put a dot, or draw a line. “That difference is only felt when it manifests itself externally.”
“okay.”
“That’s right. Well, going back to the explanation, it is easier to condense magic into dots or lines than to form a surface. Of course, if the density exceeds a certain level, this becomes tricky, but… Anyway, that’s it.”
“Ummmmmm. What does that have to do with not having any offensive skills?”
“If you do, think about it. “Does it hurt to split the power of 10 into 10 places and get hit in 10 places, or does it hurt to get hit in one place?”
“To be cornered and beaten…?”
“Because of that, magical power developed more offensively and divine power developed defensively. “Because our temperaments are so different.”
The Archmage also told another story, saying that the reason there were no attack aircraft using divine power was because of history.
However, since it was an editorial about history that wasn’t going to be tested, the content itself wasn’t that important, although it was interesting.
Rather, as someone who secretly overheard, I was more curious about something else.
If one-shot shooting doesn’t work, can’t you just attack using the noodle itself? If you look at a blunt object like a hammer, it is an attack using the surface.
“If the characteristic of that divine power is that it forms a surface… can’t I stamp it and press it down?”
okay. As Dev said.
“That’s…”
Archmage was speechless for a moment at Dev’s words. Apart from knowing the theory, I don’t know how to handle sacred power itself, so I don’t want to discuss the possibility hastily…
“Why not?”
“…No, I don’t think it will work.”
On the contrary, the only one who knew how to use divine power stiffened.
If it were a cartoon that made people snap as if they were shocked, there would be an exclamation point effect in the background. cute and funny
“go!”
Even the fact that he stopped when he saw Dev’s face and said “Thank you…” in a small voice while trying to say thank you was really funny and cute.
“What is such a disheartening greeting?”
“This is a thank you.”
“No, you lost your strength.”
“Is there a problem?”
As the topic changed, my discouragement disappeared.
I suppressed the laughter that was about to escape and pressed on. Two bickering dumplings and a Berserker groaning because they didn’t quite understand the Archmage’s explanation passed on either side of me.
* * *
Luckily, I haven’t encountered any bandits since then. Rather, I received free escort by encountering a security guard returning from patrol.
It is a bonus that our work has been reduced as we were hired by force.
“Haha welcome to Hudelen.”
And finally, when the guard said those words at the entrance to the city.
A really large and developed city, as expected from the area connecting East and West, caught my eye.
“…Is beautiful.”
“I hear that a lot. They say it’s one of the world’s best urban landscapes.”
I think something is missing. I had that thought, but it quickly dissipated.
Instead, I swallowed my admiration at the scenery like an inquisitor would. It had to be that way.
Buildings built entirely around the mountains and cliffs behind you, a waterway flowing between them, the center of the city, and a lake stagnating at the very bottom.
When I heard that I had to take the path on the cliff to enter the city, I thought I would, but now that I saw it, it was the most fantasy world-like view.
The security guard can be proud of its beauty.
“Nothing will happen in this city, right?”
However, rather than admiring that beautiful world, Dev was wary of it. It was not an incomprehensible reaction since an accident occurred while stopping by the city.
“I wonder what kind of strong people are here!”
There’s no need to listen to Berserker’s words in the first place.
“Surely something could happen? Now, the request seems to be over, so I guess we can just report to the guild and part ways.”
Finally, the Archmage… planted a flag.
My gaze rested on her for a moment and then stopped. On the first day of arrival, I believe it will be safe and I should rest well.
“Please be sure to accept our request next time!”
We hurried across the city, going through various procedures.
As trade and subsequent requests were frequent, the adventurer’s guild was also located near the trading post, so movement routes were not wasted.
Although the locations of the most important accommodation (temple) and the magic tower were completely opposite.
“The temple is at the top and the magic tower is at the bottom. “It’s an odd location choice.”
“Templees are often located in high places.”
“Who asks that because they don’t know?”
“hmm! I think it would be good exercise to go back and forth between the temple and the magic tower a few times. “It’s a good city.”
But you connect this with exercise? Aside from being a fighting fanatic, those muscles didn’t come out for nothing.
“…I think Berserk is truly maddened in a different way.”
“Berserk didn’t go crazy.”
“I didn’t mean it that way… I apologize if I offended you.”
“good night. “I will accept your apology.”
Berserker rarely looked at the word madness with a straight face. The stinging meat dumpling immediately bowed its head. Only then did Berserker’s expression return to its usual cheerful tone.
“If you join me on the round trip to the Magic Tower tomorrow!”
“Ugh!”
On the contrary, it seems too relaxed. I ignored Berserker putting his arm around Dev’s shoulder.
I don’t wear it. Do it yourselves.
“Is it training? “I will join you.”
“Huh! good night! “You too were a warrior!”
I looked at the dizzying slope and shook my head inwardly.
It’s a city that zigzags horizontally because the stairs leading up to the front are too steep, so you’re going to go back and forth on this? It’s possible, but why do you do such a penance?
I’m the one who hates climbing slopes so much that I don’t even go hiking!
“Demon knight! “Let’s join together!”
“go away.”
Oh, I hated it so much that I answered through spinal reflex. But I won’t mince words.
Don’t make me hike.
“Why? Do you prefer a different way of training?”
No, I don’t really do any training… I practice that part occasionally to apply the skill in more detailed ways in various ways.
After the Weapon Master throws a hint that is not a hint, we are focusing on attacking that part.
But I don’t want to join that outrageous movement by saying I won’t do it. Answering before that is a joke.
I moved forward, ignoring Berserker. I’m glad that the temple is so clearly visible that I don’t have to worry about getting lost.
“Ah, demon knight. Didn’t I tell you? “You have to go to the Magic Tower today.”
…But that doesn’t change the future of having to go down there and come back.
No, why! Why!!
“Don’t be too offended. The fierce white wind called me because it wanted to check something about the sealing sphere.”
Ugh.