First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 80
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
(Ichiko POV)
Slightly less than three years before the present.
“An enemy attackkkkk!”
After crossing the sea, I landed on the continent of Africa. While I was there, I had adopted a kind of mercenary business as a means of obtaining traveling expenses and information, and I was now operating as a bodyguard in a certain village but…
“Ah. Not again.”
This was already the third time this week alone that the adversaries had raided the village. There were many of them. Although I was supposed to receive precious metals as a remuneration, I had a feeling that this was out of proportion to the amount of work I was required to carry out.
Nonetheless, since it was my profession, I was going into combat.
————–
“With this, I think it is settled.”
“GURU…”
I penetrated the heart of the monster that had assailed the community with the long sword in my grasp. All of the monsters that assaulted the settlement on this occasion had now succumbed.
After stripping the monsters of their usable parts, I headed for the village chief. This number of monsters was indeed out of the ordinary, so I had to inquire about the source of the phenomenon.
“Chief. I have finished defeating the monsters. But where on earth did so many monsters spring from?”
“Oh, Ichiko-dono. Thanks as always.”
“Forget thanking me; I’d like to know where they originated from.”
The village head offered his thanks, but I prompted him to explain the story.
“Oh. Even we do not understand what is going on here. For one thing, there exists no labyrinth in the vicinity. As for the monsters, we have never encountered them until now, and they have emerged out of nowhere in the past few weeks.”
However, based on the content of his reply, it seemed that the village head likewise had no grasp of the present predicament.
Nonetheless, this inception had happened within this past few weeks, so this may be a possibility. And given my precedent of transmutation to a half-Demon King, it was by no means improbable.
“Oh? Has Ichiko-dono figured out what’s going on?” the village head asked, perhaps noticing the look on my face.
I suppose I should be truthful with him.
“Yes. Though this is only a possibility.”
“Is it okay if you share it with me?”
“I don’t mind. But as I said before, it’s just a possibility.”
“I understand.”
The village head leaned forward slightly to listen to what I had to say.
“Then let me be frank with you. It is likely that a new Demon King has arisen in the vicinity of this village.”
“!? W-What does that mean…”
The village head directed a bewildered expression at me.
“It means literally what it sounds like. A new Demon King has surfaced near this village, creating monsters and invading this village for whatever reason, be it the location at hand or another reason. That is the most plausible scenario.”
“T-That’s not possible…”
With a look of incredulity on his face, the village chief opened and closed his mouth. But considering the circumstances, this was the most likely explanation.
“Unfortunately, this is the strongest likelihood. Besides, the birth of a new Demon King is by no means unprecedented; it has been confirmed several times in the past year or two.”
“Ah…”
The village head was wearing a countenance like it was the end of the world.
But well, as long as I am here, I have no intention of allowing this village to be wiped out.
“Chief.”
“What is it…”
“I’d like to discuss it with you. If it’s a newly born Demon King, maybe we can work something out?”
“Eh?”
Thus, with the village chief, I had a series of consultations with him about measures to be implemented to address the Demon King that was assaulting this village.
And what has been finalized was:
?Create weapons and armor with the materials of the monsters that attacked the village.
?Training the villagers in combat.
?Confirm the location of the dungeon.
After these three things are done, while the villagers were defending the village, I will single-handedly charge into the dungeon and subjugate the Demon King. This was the plan.
“Please, Ichiko-dono! Will you please save this village!
“I understand. Therefore, let’s first build up the strength of the entire villagers.”
With these words, the days of training had begun.
————–
Several weeks later. Following the completion of their training under my supervision, the villagers had grown strong enough to defend the village on their own. Even so, the Demon King had been sending out monsters against this village.
From my viewpoint, I had expected that after so many defenses, the Demon King would cease to play a hand, yet it seemed that the Demon King who struck this village harbored exceptionally firm feelings for this village.
However, the location of the dungeon was clear to me now, and unless they decided to stop messing around, I will simply have to subjugate them as I initially planned.
Now, first of all, let’s review the preliminary information garnered by the villagers, shall we?
?The name of the Demon King is the “Distinguishable Warrior Who Isolates the Species”.
?The name of the dungeon is “Island of the World’s Discrepancy,” and there is a kind of barrier around the dungeon.
?The main monsters that have been confirmed are deer and plants. Monsters that resemble golems and have primarily barrier and slashing skills.
?The barrier surrounding the dungeon is only lifted when the monsters within the dungeon exit it.
I see. I was right in raising the degree of expertise of the villagers for a dungeon like this. Under these conditions, the village will be attacked at least once, no matter how you look at it.
“Well then, I shall be on my way.”
And so, having prepared my equipment, I set out for “Island of the World’s Discrepancy” as well.