Chapter 101. Lawless City (2)
“Ugh…! It won’t come out. Pavel! Come over here and help me pull this thing out!”
“Are you, seriously dead?!”
“I told you so! Come and try pulling this sword out!”
Despite being half in doubt, upon Pavel’s delayed approach, seeing the troll not even twitching, he finally grabbed the handle of the sword that was embedded in the troll’s back of the head with both hands.
“Urrgh!”
Despite gripping it tightly enough to make the veins in his neck stand out, the sword lodged in the troll’s head merely twitched slightly. Even with Pavel’s strength, which he had honed as an ambitious mercenary, the sword could not be removed. It was as if the troll’s muscles were clinging tightly, refusing to let go.
‘Could it be…?’
He had heard about it somewhere.
Troll’s regeneration ability was such that even when pierced, they could heal around the wound, causing the sword to become completely stuck if not pulled out promptly.
What’s strange is, for a troll pierced through the heart and with a sword stuck in its head to die during regeneration, could only explain this phenomenon.
“That’s odd…”
The usual way to kill a troll was either to completely sever the head from the body or to instantly kill them with overwhelming firepower that surpasses their regeneration ability.
Either option was practically impossible for ordinary mercenaries. Only knights of the Empire, swordsmen, or magicians from the Magic Tower could somewhat mimic this by using high-quality magical tools.
“It seems like someone stabbed the heart first and then shoved a sword into the back of the head and killed it…”
“That’s what it looks like to me as well.”
“That’s what’s strange. This doesn’t usually kill a troll. Especially those from the land of warriors are even more tenacious than your average troll…”
As the questions deepened, Pavel suddenly thought of the individual who could have caused this improbable situation. And the initial mistaking of the troll’s roar for a scream as well.
‘Did the troll, run away trying to avoid the owner of this sword?’
The moment he thought that far, Pavel instinctively stepped back in alarm.
Nearby, if the troll had decided to run away with the sword stuck in its back-of-the-head situation, then their owner must naturally have pursued the troll to retrieve their sword.
Wooong!
“Damn it!”
Just then, the red sword stuck in the troll’s back-of-the-head vibrated on its own. Startled by the phenomenon, Pavel tripped over his feet and fell, while Eto’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at that moment.
Above their heads, a massive shadow loomed.
“Who are you?”
Upon hearing that voice, they involuntarily looked up, drawn as if by a magnet.
“Touching someone else’s sword like that. Are you thieves?”
A barbarian, though smaller than the troll but big enough to compare with an average orc, had entered.
“A, a barbarian…?!”
Pavel gasped in shock at the appearance of a barbarian, a race only heard of in rumors.
Given the situation, it was clear that this barbarian was the very person who killed the troll. But to think it was a barbarian of all things. In some ways, weren’t they as dangerous as the greenskins…?
“A, a warrior from the Spine of the World. Are you truly a barbarian warrior from there?”
“Can’t you see?”
“I, I can see. But I heard barbarian warriors are not fluent in our language. Yet, you speak so fluently…”
“There might be barbarian who speak well. Move aside.”
Ahh!
Eto got pushed aside by the brusque barbarian, ending up beside Pavel, who had fallen flat on his back. The barbarian were said to be uncivilized and dangerous if approached recklessly…. Eto internally confirmed the truth of these rumors as his eyes widened in astonishment.
“Planning to pull out that sword? If that’s the case, I can assign more people to it. Earlier, no matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn’t budge….”
Swoosh.
It’s pulled out? Eto and Pavel’s reactions were identical, as if on cue.
How could it be otherwise, considering even Pavel, who was not weak by any means, couldn’t make it budge despite his full strength. The barbarian lightly tugged at it with one hand and it came out so easily.
“It stinks. What’s a creature without a nose complaining about?”
Grrrrrr!
“So noisy…. Stay quiet before I tuck you into my pocket.”
Grrrrrr.
However, the barbarian’s remarkable actions were far from over. Suddenly, he began speaking into thin air like a madman.
No, seeing his gaze directed at the red sword, it seemed as if he was conversing with the sword. Either way, he didn’t seem sane.
“Th-Thank you. I could have suffered greatly at the hands of a troll….”
“I didn’t do anything worth your thanks.”
“We wouldn’t have been able to defeat the troll with our strength alone. Thanks to you, we’re alive, aren’t we?”
“If that guy hadn’t run away after taking a hit from me, we wouldn’t have encountered each other in the first place.”
“Ha. Is that so? Well, if fleeing led to our meeting, it implies we might have coincidentally bumped into each other while wandering around. Allow me the courtesy of saying thanks.”
“What a simpleton.”
The barbarian heard Eto’s words of gratitude with an indifferent tone, then cast his gaze behind him.
“So. Are you a merchant? You seem to have quite a number of people with you…. What happened to your carriage?”
“Ah, well, you see….”
Eto briefly explained his situation.
Originally, he had gone on a business trip to the northern part of the Argon Kingdom, which was suffering from a resource shortage within the Renford Kingdom, but due to a rebellion, plans fell through. Instead, he decided to cross the Potsral Mountains and sell goods in Bates, only for his carriage to break down.
“Luck’s not on your side.”
“Being alive is what matters. In any case, all the workers are alive, that’s what matters. The goods too….”
Eto laughed as he looked back at the workers, who had stopped dead in their tracks in awkward positions while they fled.
“Though it was thrown on the ground, nothing was lost.”
“What goods are you selling?”
“Ah, interested? I can give you a good deal, given you just saved our lives.”
“Let’s see the goods first.”
“Hey! Don’t just stand there, come show our guest what we have!”
The workers, looking embarrassed, hurriedly gathered their wares and brought a portion of their packs to lay out before the barbarian. When the barbarian showed deep interest in the contents, Eto explained with a pleased expression.
“How is it? The quality is undoubtedly premium. They are selected items that only a few merchant guilds in the Renford Kingdom can trade in.”
As if sharing a secret with those around him, Eto whispered grandly, though the goods indeed justified such a presentation.
“Spices?”
“Ha! Indeed. Especially chosen for their ability to extend the shelf life of ingredients and stimulate appetite with their unique aroma. The northern part of the Argon Kingdom doesn’t usually consume meat unless it’s well-preserved, right?”
“They’ll sell well in Bates. A lot of people go from place to place.”
“Oh? You seem to have a decent eye for things. That’s why I chose Bates as my second option. Plus, proper spices are rare over there. If I could sell them, the price could jump to several times more than in the northern Argon.”
Eto, who had been excitedly chattering, suddenly collected himself with a realization.
“Oh dear, I’ve been rambling too much in front of a guest. So, what do you think? Interested?”
“I’ll buy it.”
“Great! Then the price is…”
“However, I’ll make the payment elsewhere. I’ve passed my purse to my subordinate. Since we need to pass by Bates anyway, there’s no need to turn back.”
“Fine! Then, let’s quickly prepare.”
*
*
*
‘Is this guy really a merchant?’
Khan glanced sideways at the young merchant named Eto, wondering inwardly. He didn’t quite look the part.
Displaying precious spices so openly in front of a barbarian who had slain a troll warrior wasn’t something one would do under normal circumstances.
‘Normally, one would worry about being looted first.’
Yet, this guy, seemingly thrilled about something, followed Khan around like a puppy wagging its tail. Meanwhile, Pavel, the hired mercenary guard, still hadn’t let down his vigilant gaze…
“Hmm. But you seem quite familiar with the Renford Kingdom’s language. Where did you learn it?”
“Briefly in the past.”
“I see. Well, it’s a large enough domain outside the empire. Learning it wouldn’t hurt. But what brings you to the Potsral Mountains…”
“I was on my way to Bates.”
“Oh! This feels like fate. The warrior who saved my life is heading in the same direction. Don’t tell me, did you also start from Renford like me?”
This guy, why does he talk so much?
Khan, internally drained by his chatter that made one think of someone with a foolish face, answered curtly.
“Argon.”
“Argon, you say…? Did you come passing through the north of Argon by any chance?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, wow. That place is in such chaos right now! Do you know anything about what’s happening there? Like, how the rebellion is going…”
“The rebellion has ended. Completely.”
“Is that true?”
Eto asked, taken aback and curious, bombarding with questions while Khan waved his hand dismissively, signaling to ask later.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Eh? Already?”
Eto responded with surprise, looking around.
Not far from where they encountered the troll, the spot where Khan’s group was supposed to be waiting was devoid of any human presence. Only the dense forests of the Potsral Mountains, as could be seen anywhere around, filled the view…
“Have you arrived?”
Just then, a woman emerged from between the trees, bowing her head.
Her tone was polite, as if attending to her master. However, her entire body was soaked as if bathed in blood, and pieces of some creature’s flesh clung to her hands.
“What happened? Why do you look like that?”
“I had to deal with some trolls…”
“Ah, right. Well done.”
“Yes.”
The exchange of words passed so swiftly that there was a delayed reaction. Eto widened his eyes upon realizing that besides the troll they had encountered, there were other trolls inside.
“Surely, you didn’t. How many trolls did you kill?”
“Well, I didn’t count them all.”
“Four. Including the one that fled, that makes five.”
“Five? Are you telling me the two of you killed five troll champions?”
It was Pavel who had kept his mouth shut during their journey.
“That’s unbelievable…”
“Maya. Pull out the purse. There are things to buy.”
“Yes.”
The barbarian and the spear-wielding woman, the actual parties involved, did not even react to Pavel’s skepticism. As if it was so obvious, it wasn’t even worth responding to.
Regardless of Pavel’s suspicious gaze, Eto and Khan completed their transactions, exchanging gold and spices. Even though he had handed over goods that would fetch many times their value in Bates, Eto seemed perfectly content, showing no sign of regret.
‘This guy, what a sucker.’
Khan couldn’t help but silently laugh, realizing that Eto’s expression of satisfaction wasn’t an act but genuine.
Is this nobleman’s son doing business as a hobby? But the goods are too premium for that – Moreover, the Renford Kingdom is an important area that even appears in the main quest. The massive trading company based there has enormous financial power, enough to influence the empire, making it a target coveted by the elves of paradise. This led to conflicts that escalated into main quests.
‘Now that I think about it, one of the primary goods they dealt with was top-grade spices…’
Just like the item Eto had handed over to Khan.
Khan’s gaze naturally drifted towards the spices he had purchased from Eto. Those spices are one of the main sources of income for that trading company, and it was known through quests that the state secretly regulates the uncontrolled exportation of them. But how on earth did this guy…
“What’s the matter?”
As if snapping him out of his thoughts, Eto spoke with a teasing smile, prompting Khan to shake his head.
‘Such a sucker can’t possibly be related to that trading company.’
It was hard to believe that someone they had just encountered on their way to the destination could be connected to a force involved in the main quest. It seemed more plausible to believe in a benevolent and kind elf encountered by chance.
‘No, maybe not…’
However, one thing was certain. His misfortune detector, honed by facing the worst situations, was sounding the alarm.
‘Getting involved with this guy spells trouble.’
They had bought everything they needed and had no further business there.
“Well then, I’ll be off…”
“Ah. You’re going to Bates, right? I was just wondering, are you also after the legendary artifact rumored to be up for auction in the black market?”
“Artifact?”
“Yes, the artifact. Didn’t you know? There’s a rumor that an artifact containing the power to manipulate space will be up for auction…”
“I’m aware of it.”
‘In the game, it’s the artifact stolen by demon worshippers.’
The demon worshippers who stole the artifact later make a contract with a demon to become a named boss blocking the player’s way. Khan knew this information thanks to the boasting story of success the named boss had shared.
He hadn’t been sure of the exact timing, but with auction information obtained through the White Crow’s Raven, Khan knew it was now.
‘Naturally, the demon worshippers would be on the move too.’
Regrettably for that named boss, Khan was determined to acquire the artifact from the black market. Because-
‘It was created by the being who devised the Soul Altar of Alpha.’