WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Natty

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◈ The Regressor and the Blind Saintess ◈

Chapter 63: Demon Sword - 2

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Vera had come to the smithy early that morning and was discussing swords with Dovan when he suddenly raised his head at a voice from outside.

“It seems we have another guest.”

“...No.”

“Pardon?”

At the firm denial, Vera looked at Dovan.

Dovan was openly showing displeasure, their expression twisted into a deep frown.

“A nuisance has come. Could you wait a moment? I’ll drive them off quickly.”

“I’ll come with you. There is no reason for me to remain here alone.”

“...I’m sorry you may have to see an ugly sight.”

“It is nothing.”

Creak. Dovan’s wheelchair began to move.

Vera followed Dovan outside, then frowned at the figures beyond the main gate.

‘An army?’

The uninvited visitors Dovan had mentioned were an army of around thirty, all wearing matching armor.

Like Dovan, they were bear beastfolk.

Most had imposing builds, but one person in particular stood out. They stood at the very front, alone in armor different from the rest.

Black fur and bronze skin. An especially powerful presence came from the bear beastfolk in dark armor.

‘General-class.’

At the very least, that was the force they exuded.

Every one of them looked fierce and overbearing.

Vera immediately realized that the atmosphere surrounding them was not natural, but deliberately created to provoke the other party.

Of course, Vera thought.

Was it not obvious? Dovan was a craftsman who would receive the highest treatment anywhere on the continent. Naturally, there would be groups wishing to recruit them.

It was not strange at all for an organized army like this, led by someone with general-class strength, to come looking for Dovan.

Vera looked back at Dovan.

‘A nuisance...’

If he had to guess, Dovan did not wish to belong to any organization.

As Vera’s thoughts continued, Dovan shouted with a fierce expression.

“Go away! I clearly told you I have no intention of doing so!”

“This cannot be settled through stubbornness! How long do you intend to abandon your duty?”

As though this was far from their first encounter, the general spoke in the same tone Dovan had used.

“Must we not put an end to this chaotic political situation? Enough with your personal desires! How long do you think we can keep tolerating this? Should you not think of the greater cause? The greater cause!”

“Your desires are the only selfish ones here! And the greater cause? What greater cause is there in your greed? Do you think those are words to be thrown around so carelessly?”

Their voices rose. The atmosphere was heated enough to explode at any moment.

Amid it all, Vera sensed people approaching from the backyard and turned his head. Rene and Aisha were coming toward them.

Vera quietly let out a breath, then looked forward again and spoke to Dovan.

“May I handle this?”

It was not a sight he wanted Rene to see. At his words, Dovan looked at Vera.

Holding Dovan’s gaze, Vera added an explanation.

“It seems to be something I can resolve.”

He did not say it idly. Vera had a card that could end this situation.

Seeing the certainty on Vera’s face, Dovan gave a low groan before replying.

“...You keep taking on trouble because of me.”

“Think of it as an investment.”

With that, Vera walked toward the general.

The general’s expression slightly darkened at the sight of Vera approaching.

“Who are you?”

Vera tilted his head upward. It was inevitable, given the difference in their sizes.

Bear beastfolk were far larger than humans, and the general was especially large. Vera rummaged through his clothes, took out his rosary, held it toward the general, and spoke.

“This is a delegation from the Holy Kingdom. Is there a problem?”

“S...!”

“Shh.”

Vera placed an index finger before his lips, then continued.

“It would be troublesome if you raised your voice.”

Alarm appeared on the general’s face.

Looking at the deeply flustered general, Vera was relieved that the general at least seemed capable of thought.

The card Vera held was his position as an Apostle of the Holy Kingdom.

‘The beastfolk cannot oppose the Holy Kingdom.’

Even if they wished to resist, they could not show it.

Vargo had shattered the skull of Haman, the Tiger King who had oppressed and exploited them, and placed freedom in their hands.

Watching the tense general’s eyes dart about, Vera spoke once more.

“His Holiness entrusted me with a task, which is why I have come here. I would appreciate it if you left for today.”

Grit.

The general ground their teeth, but Vera did not point it out.

No matter what they thought inside, no matter what they did behind his back, they could never oppose the Holy Kingdom openly.

This platinum rosary reminded them whose grace allowed them to live as they did.

So long as Vargo lived, the Alliance of Kingdoms of the beastfolk had to maintain a submissive attitude toward the Holy Kingdom.

If they did not wish to be left behind by the continent’s political order, if they did not wish to be branded as ungrateful scoundrels, it was an absolute imperative they had to uphold.

Fortunately, the bear beastfolk general understood the meaning of that imperative well.

“...We are always grateful for His Holiness’s grace.”

With a grim expression, the general turned away and departed with the army.

Vera watched the army leave, then turned to Dovan, Rene, and Aisha.

“I am glad it was resolved through conversation.”

His tone was as blunt as ever.

* * *

The forest around the smithy.

After the army left, Rene had belatedly heard a rough account of what had happened. While they were taking a walk, a question came to mind, and she asked Vera.

“How did you make that army leave?”

Vera looked around to ensure nobody was nearby, then answered quietly.

“I showed them the rosary. It seemed much better than causing unnecessary friction.”

Rene flinched at those words, her shoulders trembling.

“I-Is that all right? Um, my whereabouts and things like that...”

Rene knew how much effort the Holy Kingdom had gone to in order to conceal her whereabouts.

More importantly, had Vera not suffered the most for it? Worried that he might have exposed the disguise he had worked so hard to maintain because he feared for her safety, she asked. Vera answered calmly.

“It is fine. Anyone familiar with the matter knows that Apostles travel incognito. Above all, it is not publicly known that I am assigned to escort the Saintess, so nobody will connect me to you.”

“Ah, right.”

Only then did Rene remember that this was the first time she and Vera had gone out together. She let out a breath of relief.

Seeing Rene relax and exhale, Vera recalled the conversation between Dovan and the general.

‘It was not a simple recruitment offer.’

The general had clearly used the words “duty” and “greater cause.”

Dovan had immediately denied them, but Vera did not think they were words one would use merely to recruit a blacksmith.

No matter how accomplished someone was, they were still a blacksmith.

A few well-forged weapons and pieces of equipment did not hold such great meaning in war.

Of course, it would be different if Dovan’s masterpiece, the Demon Sword, were completed, but the Demon Sword had not yet been properly completed.

‘There is something going on.’

Vera sensed that this was connected to the event needed to complete the Demon Sword that he had thought of the day before.

If he thought about it, this was something he could simply ignore. He could leave after commissioning the sword and head to their next destination. The specifications of the sword he wished to commission would be roughly settled today.

Whatever kind of person Dovan was, however the Demon Sword was completed, it was not Vera’s business.

In the end, the Demon Sword would be made because of this, and Aisha would use it to fight the Demon King. There was not the slightest reason for it to harm him.

So he could have simply let it pass, but for some reason, it bothered Vera.

Frustration rose within him.

It was only a personal feeling.

For Rene’s sake, it might be better to leave quickly after finishing the commission, but it was not easy to do that. Vera slightly furrowed his brow, clenched and unclenched his fist, then spoke to Rene.

“...Saintess.”

“Ah, yes.”

Vera hesitated once more.

How should he say this?

How could he say that he felt uneasy about simply leaving after commissioning the sword, that perhaps they should stay and help Dovan with this matter?

When Vera fell silent because he could not organize his thoughts, Rene tilted her head.

“Is something wrong?”

At Rene’s question, Vera deeply lowered his head as he answered.

“...Yes. I do not think it would be right to leave like this.”

“Um... Is it related to that army from earlier?”

“Yes. They must be entangled with Dovan in an unpleasant way, and to turn away from it...”

Vera’s brows drew together.

He felt that what he was saying did not sound logical, no matter how he thought about it.

“...It makes me uncomfortable.”

It felt as though he was speaking only from an emotional judgment.

Rene heard Vera’s words, understood the feelings within them, and smiled.

“You had the same thought as me?”

Vera raised his head.

“...Yes?”

“I had a similar thought. Aisha told me those people had been bothering Dovan.”

Rene felt a warm, ticklish feeling at the rare realization that she and Vera, who had never understood her feelings, were of one mind.

Furthermore, in the Great Forest, Vera had thought only of her safety. This time, he had thought of others and acted first, and that made her happy.

With an even brighter smile, Rene turned her face toward where Vera stood and added in a slightly playful tone.

“If someone is in trouble, it is only natural to help them, right?”

“We must uphold principle.”

At those words, Vera’s eyes widened slightly.

His reply carried a hint of emotion.

“Yes, that is indeed so.”

A small smile rested on Vera’s lips as he spoke.

* * *

The smithy’s reception room.

Rene sat across from Dovan, took out the platinum rosary she carried, and spoke.

“Is there anything we can do to help?”

It was something she and Vera had discussed.

How could they hear the details of what had happened to Dovan?

After all, this was Dovan’s personal matter, something Dovan would never answer if they simply asked about it.

As guests who had merely come to commission a weapon, asking would be rude.

So they had thought of this.

Before asking about Dovan, they would honestly reveal their own identities.

This platinum rosary carried special meaning for beastfolk, so showing it proved that their words were not empty.

Rene held out the rosary and waited for Dovan’s answer.

Dovan stared in shock at the rosary before them and at Rene’s words. Faced with the identities of guests they had never expected, they could only open and close their mouth, unable to choose their words.

Aisha beside Dovan was the same.

Looking at the rosary, and finally learning the identity of the “woman with a hurting heart,” Aisha began to regret what she had said that morning.

“Are you some kind of religious nut?”

Aisha’s face turned pale. Her ears pricked up, and her tail slipped between her legs.

‘T-This is bad...!’

Aisha began to gauge the right moment to fall to her knees.

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