Please note, Rippi still hates being bunched together as ‘demonfolk’ but the author still uses that term.
MHDL ch11
One week has passed since the escape.
With the spiritual prowesses of [Sylphide Dagger] they managed to gain quite the distance. However, Rippi expended quite the amount of mana while Garius was fatigued. Even so, they continued to walk. Just a little bit further, approximately half a days worth and they would be within the territory of the former [Demon’s country]. As dusk approaches, they had no choice but to find a random spot in a forest and a close by stream to pass the night.
…Or so they planned.
“Looks like there’s people.” Rippi
A noisy bunch of around 50 people had occupied the riverbed. They wore light armor and with a sword strapped to their waist.
“Mountain bandits… maybe?” Rippi
“Wrong, they’re carrying a flag. Most likely a mercenary unit, but I don’t see why they’re camping out in the wild.” Garius
The battle with the [Demon Country] had already ended more than three weeks ago. They should have returned their base of operations by now. If that’s the case, then there’s only one plausible explanation.
“They were probably hired by someone for a job of some sort.” Garius
No way this would the ‘encounter’ Elzanad spoke of.
“Rippi, can you hear what they’re talking about?” Garius
Since the two were at a distance outside the mercenary unit’s perception range, the only noise that reached Garius was a garbled mess. Rippi focused his hearing in the group’s direction as his ears twitched back and forth. Right at that moment, a single member of the unit came shouting.
“Yo leader, I’m back.” Unit member
“Ou, good job. And? How was it, was it there?” Unit Leader
“Yah, it was as the information said. There’s around 20 elves, and half of them are women…heh-heh. As expected they’re on a whole ‘nother level.” Unit member
This was as much as Rippi could mutter before making a sour face. It seems like this bunch was a unit that hunts demons folks.
Originally, this area was the territory of the Kingdom but those who failed to escape back to the [Demon Country], which was just beyond a large river, stayed and formed scattered settlements.
The unit leader smiled wickedly.
“Keh, those damn [Vultures], they got lucky in finding the elves. Though we’ll be taking them for ourselves though.” Unit leader
“Those lot have yet to touch the women and they’ve already began drinking their asses off.” Unit member
“Perfect timing. Though I was planning on assaulting them during their sleep. Let’s snatch the goods before they get dirty. It’s what they say, ‘swift justice’.” Unit leader
“Hihihii, ‘Justice’ you say huh.” Unit member
“You shits! Elves can be sold from a hefty sum! But before that, they’re also women, if you know what I mean! This is payment for your ‘good deeds’!” Unit leader
“No doubt about it!”
“As expected of our leader!”
“Gyaahahaha!”
Similar vulgar laughs began to erupt one after another.
“Those bunches…” Rippi shook in a state of rage, ready to pounce at any moment.
It seems like there exists another mercenary unit already with prisoners of war, holding similar interests as the ones before them. Not only are these units trying to capture demon folks who’ve failed to escape, they’re also attacking their own kind to steal their achievements.
(Honestly. For what reason. Who was I fighting for…) Garius thought as he resented himself while anger also started to boil within him.
“Rippi, don’t move from here.” Garius
“Are you going alone? That’s too reckless. Your opponents are a group 50 you know?” Rippi
“No problem, I have this.” Garius
Garius unsheathed the [Sylphide Dagger]. Engulfed in a cloak of wind, he soared around 20 meters high into the air. No a single unit member noticed Garius who was now in the air locking in on nothing but them.
And then— Hyun~ hy-hy-hy-hy-hy-hyun!
While floating, Garius swung the short dagger left and right, sending out blades of winds with each stroke. The blades changed trajectory mid flight, striking the clueless targets on the back of their heads. Garius has lowered the power enough to not kill and only knock unconscious.
“Wha!? Y-you bastard— Kehh!” Unit member
Those who readied their bows in response to the attack also fell down. Garius thickened his armor of gale and descended slowly. With the [Sylphide dagger], he picked off the remainders one by one.
“The only one left is you” Garius stood before the leader, whos hip gave out and stumbled.
“Who the hell are you….” Unit leader
“You’re in no position to ask questions. I’ll have you tell me the current location of the [Vultures] or whatnot and the captive elves.” Garius
Garius swung the dagger in an arc. A blade of wind rushed past the Unit leader, slicing the bolder behind him in half and leaving a small graze mark on the Unit leader’s cheek. With his teeth clattering, the Unit leader spewed out everything he knew. After confirming the location, Garius knocked out the Unit leader as well.
“It’s all right now, Rippi” Garius
Rippi who was taken aback, popped out from a distance shrub and rushed towards Garius.
“Amazing… You really took them all out alone. Ehm…. are they dead?” Rippi
“No, I didn’t go that far.” Garius
Rippi sighed in relief. It was strange how he was so riled up just from eavesdropping on the Unit leader earlier. But now is not the time to take things leisurely.
“Let’s take that carriage over there.” Garius
“If we’re just mobilizing, isn’t taking just the horse a better choice?” Rippi
“We’re taking the provisions with us.” Garius
“Eh? Why? Even if it’s a long journey, Fifty people’s worth of food for just the two of us is way too… Ah! I see!” Rippi
Garius nodded his head.
“Up ahead is around twenty captive demi-humans. I’m thinking of the aftermath after we’ve successfully rescue them.” Garius
“But if we take it all, the people here will be troubled…” Rippi glanced at all the unconscious people spread around them.
While gathering anything that looked remotely like food, Garius tossed it in the carriage while throwing a question at Rippi.
“But weren’t you angry just a while ago? Are you pitying these bunch now?” Garius
“It’s not exactly pity… How should I put it? Even though they’re bad people, taking their lives is a bit… Bah, who am I to say when I tried to kill the hero.” Rippi replied as he started gathering food as well.
(TN: Jered = prince = ‘current hero’)
Garius reminisced the scene when Rippi failed to assassinate Jered. He knew now, but back then it was strange. Given his abilities and the power of the [Sylphide Dagger], he should have easily finished the job. Most likely somewhere deep in his heart, Rippi hesitated. This ware-cat was just too pure. Even for himself, Garius was not fond of heartlessly killing. This time around his opponents carried no real threat, thus there was no need to kill. However, when a push becomes a shove he will not hesitate, since holding back may end with regret or losing something important.
“Mah, at least we have a reason to take the food.” Garius
With a unit this big, there’s a limit to how much they could sustain by gathering supplies from the forest alone. Thus meaning, there is no choice but to return to their contractor to resupply. During that time, they will not be able to hunt down any fugitives. Truly, this will become the saving grace for the demi-humans who failed to escape.
Even if they had the national treasure dagger, with just the two of them it is impossible to save everyone. As long as their exact locations are not know, there is a limit to how long the guerilla warfare will continue. Right now, saving those within their current grasp is good enough. Aiming any higher would be reckless and haughty.
“Okay, it should be fine with this much.” Garius lead two horses to the carriage and strapped on their harnesses.
“You be the coachman. Can you do it?” Garius
“Ah, yes. I can do it but, aren’t you more suitable for the job?” Rippi
“I’m tired, even if it’s a little I want to rest for a bit.” Garius
Garius had wielded the special effects of the [Sylphide Dagger] up until their encounter with the mercenary unit. On Top of that, he engaged a battle with it. Along with a slight headache, Garius was rather fatigued. He laid on his back in the fully loaded carriage alongside with all the food.
“Ah, I see. Thanks for the hard work. Rest up well. But isn’t there another group of human around? Will they notice a carriage like this approaching them?” Rippi
It was as Rippi said, one of their key weapons right now is the element of surprise. If it’s possible, approaching their opponents like earlier and initiating the fight would be better.
“Let me confirm one thing… Are there any small birds flocking over here?” Garius
“Eh? Ah, No, I haven’t seen any though?” Rippi
“I see. Mah, It should be fine. I’ll let you know when we get near our destination. At that point, try to comfort the horses so they don’t neigh and stop the carriage.” Garius
“Okay, got it.” Rippi replied and signaled the horses to move.
Garius peered at the small golden bird that perched on his knee out of nowhere.
“There you have it. I’ll be in your care.” Garius spoke in a soft tone and the tiny bird chirped happily in return.
『Eeh, I don’t mind. Since it’s something I’ve proposed, you can leave it me.』 El-chan
Didn’t you say you were only watching? Garius refrained from asking such a pointless question and closed his eyes—
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