Hero's Coffin Chapter 71

Chapter 71

However, not just for these reasons, but because he couldn't understand their decision at all, he asked,

"If they're forming a subjugation team, it won't be just one or two mercenaries gathering, so you're going there? How will you hide your swords or abilities? Moreover, they say even the temple is sending search parties to find the hero, wouldn't it be better to stay quietly hidden? Or escape during this opportunity?"

It was 50% true that he was asking out of a desire to rest, but he thought his words weren't wrong. It seemed the best option would be to escape while the city's forces were focused on subjugating the monsters.

However, despite his point, Noi answered as if it were obvious.

"Since the search has begun, we should hide among the gathered mercenaries. We need to move covertly, so we can't use regular routes, and the search will likely focus on side paths. But if we complete a request stamped with the lord's seal, the mercenary group's credibility will increase, making it much easier to move around! If we achieve great merit, we might even receive warp passes!"

"But this is too dangerous..."

"And the lord of this city is desperate to form a close relationship with the temple. It was burdensome when we visited with Haren last year, but anyway, even if monsters have appeared, he won't completely give up on tracking you. In fact, the city's entry and exit security is still stringent."

In other words, since they were tied to the city anyway, it was better to blend in with the mercenaries. And incidentally obtain a certificate to make future covert movements easier.

Considering the items he had seen on display at the venue last time, he could sympathize with Noi's judgment about the lord's obsession, but he was a person who shuddered at just the word 'demon'. He absolutely didn't want to get close to a place where they might appear...

However Noi interpreted his complex expression, he clapped his hands cheerfully.

"But I agree that we need to hide well. So, let's all prepare!"

***

Noi's 'preparation' meant full-fledged disguise.

Everyone equipped themselves with more ordinary combat gear rather than uniforms, and even bought new, unremarkable swords. Since they absolutely couldn't draw the holy sword in crowded places, while Harenir was getting a spare sword, the other knights also prepared new ones.

Noi said he planned to disguise himself as a mage and even bought a staff diligently. Saying he would do it properly since they were at it, he memorized how to draw magic circles and all sorts of strange incantations. It was surprising how enthusiastically he wanted to help with the monster subjugation.

Thinking it was quite interesting, he casually asked Noi,

"What about me? I won't be able to use necromancy there either."

He had said his energy was a wicked power rare in the Holy Empire. So he couldn't disguise himself as a mage either, could he? Since the city's vigilance against suspicious beings had increased anyway, wouldn't it be better to quietly stay behind?

Half wanting to get closer to rest, half wanting to distance himself from demons, he asked, and Noi smiled brightly.

"Although they're gathering mercenaries on a large scale to join the monster subjugation, we won't all move together in the forest. It's a vast forest, so we'll naturally scatter."

"...Huh?"

"It means there's a low chance of being discovered if you summon just a few undead when we're away from other mercenaries. Demonic energy will be spread throughout the forest anyway!"

He just blinked at Noi's exclamation. But he couldn't summon just a few undead? He had given up before because he didn't know how to control his ability, fearing he might summon them in hordes...

Suddenly, a blue window appeared before his eyes.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now possible.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is this?

While he was bewildered by the suddenly given information, he was puzzled by the word 'now'. As he turned his head, he saw En following, making a "Meow" sound. Did it mean it was impossible before due to low skill proficiency, but now it was possible?

Meanwhile, Noi's explanation continued.

"Or you could assist by detaching souls like you did to the succubus before! That doesn't even look like regular necromancy..."

"Well, or you could just rest if you want."

As Noi was enthusiastically encouraging his labor, no, participation, Harenir suddenly interjected.

"We're not aiming to make a big impact here, just to help moderately. There's no need for you to step forward and invite unnecessary suspicion."

It was a very nonchalant continuation, but the content was quite surprising. It sounded like a warning to behave from now on, saying the previous disturbance was enough, but if that was the intention, wasn't it unnecessary to mention 'rest' first?

Moreover, the blue eyes now scanning him were tinged with an energy that seemed almost worried.

"And you're not feeling well right now..."

"...?"

"Shouldn't you recover well before we reach the next Encroachment Zone?"

Just as he was surprised, wondering if he was really worried, Harenir said with a gentle smile. Ah, he meant to focus only on resolving the curse now, since he would have to struggle plenty in the next Encroachment Zone anyway, even if he didn't suffer here.

Harenir's wounds had almost all healed now, and only the curse remained.

It was shocking that he would participate in monster subjugation at this point when he wasn't fully healed, but it seemed he didn't plan to take a major role, so that was somewhat fortunate.

***

The northern ramparts were full of people.

They weren't departing right away today; first, they would assess the personnel, then form a strategy together and enter the forest tomorrow morning. The lord's castle had one main castle in the city center, and an annex here, and everyone had gathered in the backyard of the annex.

The monster subjugation pay was said to be high, so there were a great many mercenaries gathered. The lord's servants directly checked the mercenary badges and guided them to the yard.

"Yes, members of the Hero's Light mercenary group. Thank you for joining the subjugation. Please come this way."

He, who had only now properly heard the mercenary group's name, was disgusted, but for some reason, the companions' faces were filled with excitement. Kalterik, looking around at the mercenaries gathered in the yard, whispered in a tone that couldn't hide his excitement,

"This is kind of fun, isn't it? We'll get a chance to see how other mercenaries hunt, and we can hang back and then swoop in to help when things get dangerous!"

Ah, it seemed he was hoping for a moment to show off.

Well, for holy knights who had been professionally subjugating monsters, the current situation might feel like a dungeon for beginners. Holy knights usually dealt with 1st to 2nd rank monsters, but the monsters sighted in the city now were said to be 3rd to 4th rank. These four had swept away over a hundred monsters on the sky island.

Having moved with just five people until now, they seemed to find the situation of fighting covertly among numerous combatants novel. Noi also said in a joyful voice,

"Ooh, we're already getting competitive looks!"

"Hahaha, as expected, they must sense an aura that can't be hidden no matter how we try!"

That's probably because you're as big as a bear...

He looked incredulously at Kalterik's back, who seemed to have already forgotten they needed to hide their identities, and then checked his surroundings. Since there had been an announcement that additional pay would be given according to achievements in monster subjugation, there was indeed competition in the backyard.

"The monster I took down in the last request was as big as a house–"

"Ha! I fought an acid-spitting one and got a scar on this arm–"

Even the words they casually threw out as if boasting to each other were like that. Noi and Kalterik also seemed to want to participate, asking "What story should we tell?!", and Mela, who seemed to be quiet, subtly suggested, "Say we swept away a hundred monsters."

Harenir didn't impose any particular restrictions. Perhaps he thought that participating in this ridiculous show of force might make them look more like ordinary mercenaries.

However, he wanted to distance himself greatly from this game and took a few steps back. If he could just retreat a couple of steps to not look like part of the group...

Thud, he collided with someone's shoulder and fell forward.

"What the–"

His paper doll-like body couldn't withstand the strong collision and fell as if almost flying. Did he really just float in the air? It felt like he was in the air for a moment; how far would this body continue to surprise him?

As he lay crumpled on the ground, clutching the grass in shame, he heard a mocking laugh from above.

"Ha, how can you hope to face monsters if you're this weak?"

It would be proper to apologize after knocking someone down, but the other person didn't. Instead, they even dusted off their arms as if they had touched something very unpleasant.

"Tsk, to think a mere street mercenary would block the path of the noble Sidon."