Chapter 39
Chapter 039. A New Destination (2)
After Sphinx had cooked a new batch of stew and everyone had eaten.
Anagin, now with new companions, stepped out of the fortress.
Once outside, it became clear why they had asked for help.
Most of the captured people had fled with the coins Sphinx had left behind, but a few were taking revenge on the Old Fortress Hunters with broken legs.
“Heh heh! Didn’t I say I’d get you?!”
“Kuaa… stop…!”
Apparently holding grudges, they stabbed and slashed at those unable to resist due to broken legs, leaving a trail of blood.
“Uh, older sister…”
Frightened, the younger girls clung to the older ones.
“Let’s go.”
Regardless, Anagin moved forward, stepping over the corpses and the vengeful survivors.
Sphinx followed, and the others trailed behind.
“…….”
Those in the midst of their revenge watched silently.
Whether due to their escape or the sight of blood, they were all agitated, though their expressions revealed a mix of wariness and suspicion.
‘Usually in times like this...’
“You… you’re the one who saved us?”
Ah, of course. Someone is trying to gauge the situation.
“Thanks for your help, my—”
“Move.”
Anagin spoke to the man who stepped forward, blocking the path.
He meant: Don’t get in the way, get lost.
The man flinched, showing both fear and anger simultaneously.
Fear of Anagin, who had eliminated all the Old Fortress Hunters, mixed with anger at being told to leave outright.
The man and Anagin met eyes briefly.
“I-I’m sorry…”
He quietly stepped aside.
Anagin continued walking, Sphinx and the others following.
“I think he was trying to say thank you. Did you really have to do that?”
Sphinx asked after passing the gate and walking a bit.
Anagin countered.
“Do you think anyone who starts with revenge the moment they’re free would stop just to say thanks?”
“Hmm…….”
Sphinx fell silent.
Normally, people would run, and if they were grateful, they would seek out Anagin first to show it.
But humans who took revenge first on someone with broken legs? The chance of pure gratitude was low. Not impossible, but unnecessary to expect.
“Doesn’t matter. I hate troublesome things.”
“Hmm….”
Sphinx glanced back at the girls following quietly.
They could hear Anagin’s words plainly, which made them even more cautious.
If he suddenly left them behind, it would be a disaster.
As they walked in awkward silence, one girl finally spoke—the black-haired girl who had taken the lead.
“Um… may I ask why you’re going to the Io Family?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Just in case we can be of any help....”
The black-haired girl said this preemptively, worried that Anagin might suddenly change his mind.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t know anything?”
Anagin’s casual remark made her lower her head again.
The atmosphere became downcast again. Anagin saw this and casually made a remark.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re going that way anyway. What happens after we arrive, I don’t know.”
A few, including the black-haired girl, lifted their heads slightly.
“But, you’re all from the same village?”
“Yes.”
“How did you get captured?”
The girl hesitated briefly before answering.
“One day, they suddenly raided our village and took us.”
“A practitioner family nearby didn’t protect you?”
“Our village is poor… we can’t pay tribute.”
Ah, understood.
They couldn’t afford protection because they couldn’t pay.
“Because of that, things like this happen often. Thieves suddenly come, or raiders attack. So....”
The girl stopped speaking mid-sentence. As she spoke, she was overcome with sadness.
“…….”
Anagin had no interest and no words of comfort. He simply walked ahead. The girls followed quietly.
After they had walked for quite a while, the youngest child appealed in a weak voice.
“Older sister… how much farther do we have to go…?”
She whined and asked how much longer they had to walk, clearly exhausted.
The child wasn't the only one who was tired. The other children were also struggling, even if they didn't speak.
The oldest black-haired girl also looked quite exhausted. Indeed, it would be strange if they weren't tired, having been suddenly freed after being imprisoned and forced to march until now.
Anagin looked up at the sky. They could walk a bit further, but…
“Stop. We’ll sleep here and leave tomorrow.”
At Anagin’s announcement, everyone involuntarily sighed in relief. They were truly exhausted.
Some collapsed on the spot, and Anagin pulled out pots, knives, cutting boards, and ingredients from his Interspatial Bag.
“Pinku-Pinku.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll cook.”
Perhaps finally accepting her duty, Sphinx prepared the cooking tools and started making dinner.
A few of the girls stood up to help.
“We’ll help too!”
They gathered twigs and lit the fire, assisting Sphinx.
Meanwhile, Anagin set up a tent and laid out several blankets.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“We’ll go straight to sleep after eating. And we’ll leave as soon as the sun rises.”
“Y-yes....”
“Decide among yourselves who will sleep in the tent.”
“……Ah, yes!”
When they offered the single tent, the black-haired girl was a beat late in expressing gratitude. She was surprised by the unexpected consideration.
Thanks to the girls, Sphinx could finally rest. She approached Anagin and nudged his side.
“Heh, you have a surprisingly warm side… I wish you’d shown it to me too.”
“Pinku-Pinku.”
“Why? Embarrassed?”
“Go cook.”
“…….”
* * *
After that, not much happened.
Sphinx cooked meals, everyone ate heartily, and then Sphinx and the girls did the dishes while Anagin offered his 'encouragement.'
After the dishes were done, everyone fell asleep. When the sun rose, they woke up again, Sphinx cooked the meal, and after eating it, they did the dishes, received 'encouragement,' and packed up the tent.
“This is bad. I think I’m starting to regret traveling with you.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine.”
“I said it’s fine.”
“…Can I get angry?”
Before setting out, Anagin and Sphinx had this conversation, and a few of the girls giggled.
Thanks to that, the atmosphere loosened, and the conversation flowed naturally.
“Is there anything you can tell me about the village?”
“Well, not particularly……”
“I figured.”
“...Actually, a few outsiders visited the village shortly before we were kidnapped.”
“Outsiders?”
“It wasn’t just one or two, but many, though I don’t know the exact details. They seemed to say they would offer protection, but it didn’t sound like a good deal. The adults were so worried that they held meetings multiple times.”
It sounded like some outsiders had recently visited Pond Village.
Apparently, it wasn’t extremely rare.
In Anapik, where unclaimed lands were common, there were quite a few people who came to extort villages.
Somewhat understandable—cities like Dysis Polis had also been at the mercy of the Bender caravan.
“But this seemed different. They didn’t just demand grains or livestock for protection—they required cooperation as well.”
Anagin didn't know the specifics, but he thought whatever 'cooperation' was, it would be as bad as, or worse than, handing over livestock and grain.
‘Well, probably doesn’t concern me…’
Anagin decided it wasn’t a big deal.
After all, this was just an intermediate stop. Not something deeply connected to him.
With that settled, the village appeared.
“There! There it is!”
The girls, seeing the village nestled between the forest and the pond, ran ahead excitedly.
It was a small, poor village, smaller than imagined. As the girls entered, commotion quickly followed.
It was natural, daughters they thought they’d never see again had returned.
“That person helped us!”
Once some initial greetings were exchanged, the black-haired girl pointed to Anagin, making it clear he was the one who rescued them.
The villagers all looked at Anagin, and he looked back at them.
Now he understood why the children had been kidnapped.
Not only were the village men incompetent, but most also seemed utterly clueless. They gave off the kind of vibe where a single smack might set them straight.
Not exactly Anagin’s type.
“Why that look?”
“…Nothing. Just never seen a village poorer than ours.”
He couldn’t exactly call the villagers idiots, so he hedged his words—but he meant it.
Most places Anagin had been—Ruin Village, Dolos Village, even Dysis Polis—were wealthier than his hometown. Even the witch’s territory.
He had assumed the outside world was all wealthy, so Pond Village was a surprise. Its atmosphere was gloomy too.
“This is normal.”
“Really?”
“Why did you think it’d be different?”
Sphinx helped Anagin shed the unconscious prejudice he held. She suggested that while she didn't know where Anagin’s hometown was, people's lives were all generally similar.
“Welcome, Hero. I’ve heard the story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving our children.”
An elderly man, seemingly the village chief, stepped forward respectfully. His gaze had some strength, befitting his position.
“The village is poor, so we can’t offer much, but please allow us the chance to repay your kindness.”
Anagin didn’t reply, simply looked the chief over, then surveyed the village.
“Hero?”
“I’m not a hero.”
To avoid misunderstandings, Anagin clarified immediately. No need for unnecessary expectations.
“Smashing the fortress people was personal. Guiding the children back is just to show the way. I have business to take care of.”
“What business do you have in our village?”
“I’m not interested in this village. My business is with a practitioner family above this village, called the Io Family.”
“If it’s not too rude, may I ask what it is?”
“I need them to lift a bounty on me.”
“…A bounty?”
“They put a bounty on me. Calling me the Practitioner Killer.”
* * *
Contrary to expectations, the village chief of Pond Village wasn’t overly fearful when Anagin revealed he was the Practitioner Killer.
Ironically, having been exposed to numerous threats and dangers, he wasn’t swayed by rumors.
What mattered more to him was what was right in front of his eyes.
To the chief, the fact that Anagin had saved the children was more important than the fearsome title of Practitioner Killer.
“Is the meal to your liking?”
So the chief invited Anagin into his home and offered him food.
Though it was nothing more than thin soup, coarse bread, and some scrawny chicken.
“…It’s good.”
Truthfully, it wasn’t particularly tasty or filling, but Anagin lied. Anyone who had invited him into their home and shared food deserved that respect, regardless of the quality.
The chief nodded in relief.
“That’s fortunate. I was worried we wouldn’t have enough to serve you… Thank you for saying so.”
“Now that I’ve expressed thanks, can you tell me about the Io Family?”
After the meal, Anagin got straight to the point. He hadn’t come to rest.
The chief explained willingly.
If you follow the main road north before reaching the village, you’ll come to Io Village. On the highest hill stands the mansion of the Io Family.
It seemed that practitioner families liked high places.
“To be honest, I don’t know much. I’ve never had any dealings with the Io Family.”
Not surprising.
Unable to pay tribute, unable to receive protection. It made sense that he wouldn’t have met them.
Still, living nearby, the chief knew their numbers and general traits.
“They’re not Gigants?”
“No… as far as I know, they’re not Gigants. Only blessed by the gods.”
“Hmm… interesting.”
“It’s a female-centered family. Most are referred to as madam—big madam, small madam, and young ladies.”
“How many?”
“Quite a few. One big madam, three small madams, and I heard there are seven young ladies…”
Interestingly, all of the Io Family’s combatants seemed to be women. An unexpected composition, which intrigued Anagin.
If they’re women, maybe they’ll be easier to reason with.
He considered the possibility. Women were less likely to flaunt unnecessary pride compared to men—at least based on Anagin’s experience.
“…If things don’t go smoothly, what will you do?”
“That is not for you to worry about...”
Anagin stopped mid-sentence. Since he had visited this place, perhaps it wasn't entirely irrelevant? Hmm...
“...I will make sure no harm comes to your village.”
“……”
“Or I can leave right now.”
“That’s not why I asked. I’m just curious.”
‘Seems like that’s not it…’
Anagin’s suspicious gaze prompted the chief to soon confess.
“Actually, I do have a favor to ask.”
“Sorry, that might be difficult.”
Before the chief could finish speaking, Anagin preemptively expressed doubt.
Still, the chief pleaded earnestly.
“…Couldn’t you at least hear me out?”
“Isn’t it because of those outsiders? They’ve been causing trouble?”
The chief fell silent, surprised.
“I heard a bit along the way. Sorry, but I don’t have time for that. There are many other places I need to visit.”
Many practitioner families had placed bounties on Anagin, and beyond those, there were quite a few individual practitioners.
Sorting all of that out would take significant time. He didn’t want to waste it elsewhere.
Moreover, even if he helped now, considering the village’s state, it would only matter for that moment. Similar troubles would inevitably occur again. In short, it would be futile.
If it were his own village, that would be different. But for a completely unknown village, he didn’t want to waste effort on such futility.
“I see…”
Seeing Anagin’s stance, the chief quickly abandoned his request.
That ended the conversation.
Anagin rose and went to the guest room, followed by the robed woman. The chief’s house had only one guest room, so they had no choice but to share it.
“Mister.”
“The discussion is over. Unless you plan to sleep outside, we are sleeping together.”
“That’s not it…”
Sphinx sighed once, then continued.
“Can’t you just listen a little?”
“Listen to what?”
“The request for help. You could at least hear what they’re asking for, right?”
“Giving false hope isn’t my style. Too much trouble anyway.”
“What if they report us? People harbor grudges if they don’t get what they want, even if they’ve already received one favor.”
“You view people cynically, huh?”
“Hearing that from you, mister, I’m honestly hurt.”
“It doesn’t matter if they report us. Then we fight here, simple as that.”
A simple conclusion. Only a confident Gigant could make such a decision.
Sphinx seemed accustomed to it now and said no more.
“We’ll leave after breakfast tomorrow, right?”
“No, no breakfast. It’s clear they barely have enough food for themselves. Eating one of their few chickens was enough.”
“……”
“Why are you looking at me like that? I notice these things too.”
“Who said anything? I was just thinking about tomorrow.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“Once we reach the Io Family, it’s obvious. We’ll fight, just like with the Dolos Family, right?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Which insane practitioner family would release a bounty just because the wanted person showed up?”
“Couldn’t I just explain things well?”
“You, mister? ...Even if you explain well, it won’t be easy. This is a matter of pride. A practitioner needs a plausible justification to retract what they’ve done. Otherwise, they look ridiculous.”
“Being a practitioner sure is complicated.”
Anagin, having become a practitioner himself, still didn’t fully understand what it meant. Originally, he never intended to become one anyway.
“Anyway, they won’t back down from mister’s words, absolutely not. In fact, they’ll be even less likely to back down because of them. They won't want to look scared.”
“I don’t think so.”
Anagin disagreed with Sphinx.
“Why not?”
“There’s no such thing as absolute.”
And that turned out to be true.
The next morning, Anagin didn’t have to fight the Io Family.
A member of the bandit coalition, ‘Forest Brotherhood’, visited the village.
“Everyone come out and look at this!”
Holding the head of the Io Family.
“Now, you are free!”