Chapter 14: Drunken Mule (3)


    Early the next morning, Ka knocked on Dales door.


    Dale who was polishing his weapons opened the door.


    Ka gracefully bowed her head.


    This girl greets Sir Dale on this fine morning.


    That way of speaking is strange. And arent you a bit old to be calling yourself a girl?


    Im twenty years old, you know. Its not like you can say anything to a maiden in her prime.


    Ka pouted and grumbled under her breath.


    Dale asked her,


    Why have youe?


    A tiny gnome child came looking for Sir Dale. He looked quite cute.


    Hes probably at least ten years older than you.


    Oh, really?


    Gnomes looked younger than their actual age due to their racial characteristics. Ka who didnt know that fact was surprised.


    Dale promptly went downstairs.


    Ka must have cleaned all night as the first floor was rtively tidy.


    However, the broken furniture, which she couldnt deal with, was piled up in one corner.


    Leon was sitting in one of the few remaining chairs while looking around the interior of the inn. Dale called out to him.


    Leon.


    Ah, Sir Dale.


    Leons face lit up with a pleased expression.


    Its good you managed to find an inn. But did anything happen yesterday? The tables and chairs are all broken.


    It was nothing serious.


    Is that so?


    Leon tilted his head in confusion.


    However, he soon remembered the purpose of his visit and pulled out a bundle of papers from his pocket.


    They were cheap, yellowish papers.


    First, Ill teach you the basics of reading. Learn how to pronounce the words, and then we can start with some simple books.


    Understood.


    As Leon took out paper and an ink pen, Ka also showed interest.


    Are you learning to read?


    Yes.


    Thats unexpected. Dont knights usually learn all that in their families?


    Would I have be a dark knight if I were an ordinary knight?


    Ah, I see.


    Ka was convinced. Then Leon turned to her with a question.


    Miss Ka


    Just call me Ka.


    Do you know how to read?


    I can write numbers. I use them for keeping the ledger.


    Would you like to learn along with us?


    Really? Can I?


    Leon nodded enthusiastically.


    Of course. Learning is more fun with more people around.


    Leons dream was to open a school. Teaching a group like this was closer to his vision than one-on-one tutoring.


    He began by exining the basics.


    First, the imperial script is divided into consonants and vowels


    Dale listened intently and he tried tomit every word Leon exined to memory.


    He found it somewhat fun as well.


    <em>How long has it been since I studied like this?</em>


    It was a pleasure he hadnt experienced since arriving in this world.


    As Dale and Ka concentrated on the lesson, Leons enthusiasm grew and he taught with even greater zeal.


    Moreover, Dale proved to be an exceptional student.


    Why is it pronounced e here? Shouldnt it be eu as you mentioned earlier?


    Ah, its usually eu, but there are a few exceptions


    Dale was quick to understand, remembered well, and never hesitated to ask questions until he understood.


    He was the kind of student that teachers would love the most.


    Leon himself found great joy in teaching Dale.


    <em>Really, if all students were like this, how happy and fulfilling would life as a teacher be?</em>


    During a brief break, Leon showered Dale with praise.


    You learn incredibly fast, Sir Dale. Its iparable to when I first started learning! At this rate, it wont take many days, will it?


    Its because you teach well.


    It wasnt an emptypliment. Leon turned out to be a better teacher than expected.


    Leon scratched the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed.


    Hehe, is that so?


    Then, Leon noticed Kas gloomy face.


    Compared to Dale, Ka was learning at a slower pace. In truth, Ka was normal; it was just that Dale was exceptionally fast in learning.


    Its okay, Ka. Its not that you are slow; its just that Sir Dale is very fast.


    You dont need tofort me.


    Ka sighed deeply and looked towards Dale.


    Why are you learning so earnestly, Sir Dale? Wouldnt it be okay to just bring along a squire or servant who knows how to read?


    In fact, many sessful mercenaries did just that.


    Why bother reading uninteresting texts in such times?


    Dale thought for a moment and replied.


    Not knowing how to read can lead to many disadvantages. Theres no need to live at a loss.


    Leon and Ka exchanged nces and nodded at the same time.


    Thats true.


    Learning can never be a bad thing.


    Afterward, the three of them continued to focus intensely on their studies of the letters.


    Whether it was fortunate or not, not a single guest arrived at the inn so their concentration was never broken.


    Before they knew it, it waste at night and Leon went back home. Still, Dale didnt stop reviewing what he learned even while hey in bed.


    The night was too long for the sleepless half-undead.


    Having something to upy his time like this was genuinely gratifying.


    However, at some point, Dale stopped his revision.


    He dreamed, or rather, vividly recalled an old memory.


    His grandfather appeared in it.


    His grandfather, gently stroking young Dales head, had said,


    One must know how to read. Being close to words and books makes one a better person.


    His grandfather wore a kind smile.


    Dale wanted to speak to him and to seek his advice on one matter.


    <em>I killed people again recently. Six of them. But I felt nothing.</em>


    Dales action of killing Miles and hispanions was justified. They deserved it.


    But theck of any emotional response tomitting murder raised a question: wasnt this a problem for someone who was a human?


    It was fear.


    The fear of bing something non-human.


    Yet he couldnt share these feelings with anyone.


    Strictly speaking, this wasnt a dream but a reminiscence of the past.


    His grandfather simply wore his usual kind and gentle smile.


    ***


    Dale headed to the mercenary guild.


    To be stronger than he was now, he needed to hunt more enemies.


    There was no time to rest.


    The guild was bustling in the morning. The interior was filled with clients seeking to assign requests and mercenaries looking for work.


    The guild served as an intermediary between the two.


    When Dale entered, all eyes momentarily focused on him.


    People whispered among themselves upon seeing him.


    Thats the guy who went against the church


    Why isnt he on the front lines but doing mercenary work instead?


    Heard he single-handedly killed Miles team. Must have made a tidy sum selling their gear.


    As long as he makes good money, who cares? Maybe we should offer him to join our party?


    No matter what, dealing with a heretic is a bit much.


    Fear, caution, and curiosity.


    The gazes he received were a mix of various emotions.


    Dale didnt pay them any mind.


    At least the mercenaries didnt openly show hostility.


    After all, in a field where all sorts of peoplee and go, as long as one has proven skills, issues like personality or social status are often overlooked.


    On the other hand, the mercenaries despised those whocked skill and failed to fulfill their roles.


    As people cleared a path, Dale was able to easily get to the reception desk.


    The receptionist he had met previously greeted him.


    The signs of tension were still evident on her face.


    We-wee, Sir Dale.


    Do you have any suitable tasks for me?


    To Dales inquiry, the receptionist responded in a business-like manner.


    Do you have a specific field you prefer? Mercenaries usually specialize in different areas.


    Guarding, hunting, gathering, escorting, warfare. There were various fields, and most mercenaries focused on one or two to build their careers.


    It was a better way to gain trust and earn money.


    But that didnt apply to Dale. He wasnt in a position to be picky.


    Anything I can do is fine.


    Then, Ill take a look.


    The receptionist busily rummaged through a pile of documents, but suddenly, her hands stopped.


    Dale looked at the receptionist silently.


    The receptionist also pursed her lips and looked down.


    Dale opened his mouth.


    It seems theres nothing.


    Theres yet to be anyone who has entrusted a request for you, Sir Dale.


    There were still no clients willing to entrust their requests to a heretic.


    Dale asked again for confirmation.


    I dont mind if its dangerous or dirty work. The pay isnt much of a concern either.


    I-Im sorry.


    Hmm.


    Dale scratched his head in frustration. This was the penalty of being a dark knight.


    <em>I avoided ying as a dark knight in games for this very reason.</em>


    Maybe he should leave like the other dark knights and start roaming the frontlines?


    Then he wouldnt have been in this predicament of having no work. The front lines were teeming with enemies.


    But the front lines were also very dangerous.


    Even in ces deemed safe, one could never predict when a capricious demon might appear.


    Dale couldnt face a demon with his current strength. In fact, it would be difficult even to flee.


    He couldnt live with such constant risks.


    .


    While Dale was lost in thought, the receptionist misunderstood his silence for anger and she broke into a cold sweat.


    Tears even started to well up in her eyes.


    She looked ready to scream and flee at any moment.


    Right then, a voice from above came for the rescue.


    Sir Dale! Youvee at just the right time!


    Branch guild master Gand was waving his hand from the staircase.


    The attention of the people shifted to Gand. The mercenaries, almost tripping over each other, hurried to greet him.


    Ah, its Mr. Gand.


    Good morning, Mr. Gand!


    Gand responded with a smile and then climbed the stairs as if running away. He then gestured for Dale to follow him with his eyes.


    <em>Come upstairs.</em>


    Dale nodded and trailed behind Gand.


    The receptionist let out a sigh of relief and slumped to the floor.


    ***


    Gand offered Dale a steaming cup of tea. It was ck tea, brewed by Gand himself.


    Do you like tea?


    I can drink it.


    Dale took the cup and downed the hot tea in one gulp.


    Gand, momentarily taken aback by Dales action of swallowing the hot tea in one gulp,posed himself and started the conversation.


    May I get straight to the point of why I called for you, Sir Dale?


    Id appreciate that.


    Gand pulled out several documents from a desk drawer and started exining.


    Recently, there have been some unusual signs in the vicinity.


    Unusual signs?


    Yes. After the request youpleted, we sent a team to investigate the vige harmed by Miles. As expected, they found the bodies of the vigers.


    Dale nodded his head.


    And Gand continued his story.


    However, we also found the carcass of an owlbear in the vicinity. Surprisingly, it was 1.5 timesrger than a normal owlbear. It was big enough to be considered a variant owlbear.


    Perhaps Miless words werent entirely false.


    Dale looked at Gand, signaling him to continue.


    The problem starts here. Owlbears are territorial creatures. They dont leave their territory unless they are defeated by another creature. But isnt it strange? A creature 1.5 timesrger than a regr owlbear being defeated and moving on?


    That is indeed strange.


    Thats not all. There have been sightings of a pack of one-eyes near the road to Irene. You know about that, right?


    Of course, he knew.


    It was Dale who had encountered and obliterated that pack.


    The one-eyes, like the owlbear, are also territorial creatures.


    But they left their territory.


    Yes. Furthermore, our investigations suggest that the owlbear and the one-eye pack were living rtively close to each other.


    Basically, Gands words implied that these two monsters had fled their territories.


    There was only one reason for such a situation.


    Doesnt this mean a stronger creature appeared nearby? Forcing them to flee for their lives?


    Yes. Thats our conjecture.


    And the investigation team?


    We sent one. It was a party that included two mercenaries with bronze badges.


    From Gands choice of words, Dale guessed the fate of that party.


    Gand spoke calmly.


    Its been quite some time since the party left. But none have returned. We are currently unaware of their situation. We dont know if theyre dead, captured, or even what kind of monster they encountered.


    Gand lifted his head and met Dales gaze.


    Gand then asked Dale, who seemed to have already anticipated his next words.


    Would Sir Dale be willing to help us with this task?