WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator: Abood
Editor: Ryuu
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 19: Crossing a Mountain
"Could it be... you're under a spirit's protection?"
Wil asked.
"......"
I kept silent.
To be exact, it was Pya, a Sacred Beast, not some mere spirit. But since the creature excelled at hiding its form, perhaps the distinction mattered little. Though "protection" struck me as a poor choice of words.
"Armor, ring, sword... When blessed by spirits, such items become one with their bearer. Inseparable, they say..."
Wil sank into contemplation.
His phrasing made it sound like I was wearing Pya as damned equipment. Troublesome to correct, though. If the lad couldn't be bothered to listen proper, I saw no need to explain myself further. My patience has its limits.
"Ohhh... So that's how it is. My memories painted you one way, but this presence... ah yes, unmistakably yours. No wonder you slipped through my searching..."
Elaine mused, her voice like honey dripping from a comb. Her eyes crinkled as if savoring some private jest.
Elaine couldn’t find me either, huh? Seems she stopped by the temple. Guess she used Marius as her marker this time.
"Lord Shinju is mighty, but delicate. Those not deeply acquainted with him should keep their distance."
Marius urged his horse between Elaine and me as he spoke.
Now hold on, you've barely known him yourself. Not that I'm one to talk.
"And you, avoid any jostling rides."
His hand went to my demon horse's bridle, not to me.
Damn nuisance. ‘Don't shake it’? A horse's gait isn't some smooth carriage ride! Fine - I'll ride ahead and warn the town about those bandits.
A sharp click of my tongue, and the beast surged forward.
Still taking it slow.
"Ah! Lord Hidden Child!"
With Elm's voice calling that name at my back, I galloped down the mountain path.
...Maybe that was a bit too deliberate?
I could hear Elaine and Marius saying something behind me, but I didn't look back as I rode on. Once past the winding section of road, I urged my demon horse into a true sprint.
Marius had touched my demon horse earlier to cast some enhancement magic, it seems. I'd suspected as much, and apparently guessed right. He must've felt responsible for inviting those two troublesome people.
Those two pretended to act on personal will, but they're from the temple… no wait, Elm serves the state while Wil belongs to the temple. I dislike noble interactions, but I make sure to remember the faces of strategically important nobles. Elm bears a striking resemblance to one of Lord Chatillon's retainers.
So even in its aged state, the kingdom wouldn't simply let someone connected to the Hero walk free, after all. What a pain.
The enhanced demon horse ran like the wind itself. I sped past the gates of the next town without stopping, pushing further ahead.
"Pyaa~"
"Give it up, horses are meant to shake!"
I ignored Pya's complaints from my back.
Leaving the main road behind, I entered a steeper mountain path than before, carefully erasing all hoofprints and any traces of the demon horse's passage. This was the place where, about three years ago, monsters had appeared, mowing down trees as they descended.
It had been the largest monster outbreak near towns since the Demon King's disappearance. After sightings in the mountains, knights from the capital and Marius had rushed here, eliminating the threat before it could reach the town.
Having previously visited the site out of curiosity proved fortunate now. Though grass had regrown and surrounding trees stretched their branches triumphantly, at a glance one wouldn't notice the straight path devoid of thick trees that still remained.
The path grew even rougher than the lumber trail, with nearby tree branches scraping against the horse's body, yet the demon horse paid them no mind.
“I’m counting on you, I'll give you dried grapes later."
"Pya—"
"Not you."
As we ventured deeper into the mountains, small monsters began appearing. With the Demon King gone, none could grow into powerful threats these days.
Perhaps due to the demon horse's size, few approached directly, I simply cut down those attacking from the trees while mounted. Ground-based ones got trampled underhoof.
"Best get through before Marius's enhancement wears off."
I paused to let the demon horse drink, then pressed onward through the mountains until reaching our immediate destination, the ruins of the village destroyed by those very monsters. Investigations revealed they'd attacked this village first before crossing the mountains toward town.
"You've earned this."
True to my word, I gave the demon horse some dried grapes and wiped down its sweaty coat.
"Pyaa~"
With a sigh, I tossed Pyaa some grapes over my shoulder.
Is this creature really a Sacred Beast? I mused, feeling the faint munching movements against my back as I looked around the ruined village.
The demon horse happily grazed on the young grass growing wild among the ruins. Time for me to prepare my own meal.
The neglected well had accumulated considerable silt, but there was still enough water for my needs. Unfortunately, the bucket's broken bottom made drawing water impossible.
I found three cooking pots in what was left of a kitchen. Tied a rope to one and used it to pull up water, then poured it into a bigger pot to wash my face and hands.
"Water's here."
I brought the last pot of water into one of the less broken-down houses for the demon horse.
I scavenged some half-wild vegetables from the overgrown field, pulling them from the weeds. I tossed broken floorboards into the least damaged stove and lit a fire. These untended vegetables weren't great, the leafy ones were tough and fibrous and the root vegetables small and shriveled, but once chopped and cooked, they'd do just fine.
I diced some salted meat and threw it in the pot, gave it a quick fry, then added water. While waiting for the stew to boil, I dunked the rock-hard travel bread in water and shoved it near the stove's hot coals to warm up.
A sprinkle of garlic powder over the bread, some melted cheese on top, and dinner was ready.
“Pya—”
"...Don't drop this."
Even as I said it, I knew it was hopeless. Still, I broke the cheese-topped bread in half and held a piece out behind me.
Maybe this glutton's just got a bottomless stomach? Most Sacred Beasts were offered fancy fruits or prime cuts of meat, but this one would eat anything.
Hmph. Could use some olive oil on this bread... Not that I was complaining, both the stew and bread tasted plenty good as is.
Now then, which town was closest to this village again? It wasn't my planned route, but no reason I couldn't enjoy some decent food along the way.
Footnotes:
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