Chapter 61


    The vige they called the ce next to therge boulder was located deep within the forest. The people there made a living by collecting the forest resources and exporting to cities like Confosse.


    The forests here were dense and inhabited by various wild animals and contained a variety of natural resources. Of course, there were monsters, but they usually stayed at a distance. The two groups lived in uneasy harmony by avoiding each others territories. Though the vige wasnt spectacr, it was quiet and peaceft least there wasnt anything particrly wrong with the ce.


    However, about a month ago, the viges peace was broken. One day, a giant centipede burrowed here and began to live in the forest. No one knew where it came from or why it settled here. Suddenlylike a bolt from the bluewithout anyones notice, it began living in this forest. They said that it began to devour living organisms with its vigorous appetitepeople, animals, and other monsters.


    That thing was truly a monster. No des worked on it at all. And it was so tremendously big The vigers lost their motivation due to the giant centipedes power and its terrible, unsightly appearance. They couldnt even dream of eradicating it. Even with all their gathered strength, fences, and advantageous terrain, they were only able to prevent it from entering the vige. The vige people hid in their homes, pierced by fear. They couldnt dare confront the centipede.


    You couldnt ask Confosse or the ruling Lord for help?


    Even if we wanted to do that, wed need to be able to leave the vige. That thing was so perceptive


    No matter how cautiously they moved, the giant centipede extraordinarily noticed them and moved to attack them. It was as if the centipede had eyes everywhere in the forest. At first, they had sent several people to ask for help, but all the messengers were eaten by the centipede.


    Therefore, no one wants to step foot outside the vige boundaries anymore. Were simply eating what we stored for winter Actually, we were incredibly worried as to whether or not we could withstand theing cold season, one man said.


    On my way here, my mind was gued by many thoughts. What if that monster was still alive? What if an even more frightening monster had appeared? another continued.


    The giant centipedes screeches were too terrible. The sound seemed to rip through and scratch at their ear canals. As they approached, they thought they would die today. But, when they finally came upon the scene, they had discovered the monsters corpse and a human standing above it.


    In fact, if Carlton stood there alone, they would have turned their backs and ran away immediately. How could they deal with a man who could confront the giant centipede alone ande out of the battle without a single scratch? That person couldnt be ordinary. However, since a pilgrim was with him, they had judged that the two werent dangerous and mustered up their courage to start a conversation.


    While listening to the vigers exnation, Luisen asked something he had been curious about. Confosses guard captain said he had sent several messengers. Have you seen any of them?


    No outsiders havee by our viger in the past month.


    Just as the centipede attacked Luisen and Carlton, the monster would have probably attacked those messengers. In that case, it would have been difficult for those people to escape with their lives.


    Thats why all lines ofmunication have beenpletely cut. Hearing their circumstances, it was easy to understand their predicament. The giant centipede who killed indiscriminately was at fault.


    It wasnt even their intent, but it seems that Luisen and Carlton had unexpectedly solved their problems.


    After roughly hearing the whole story, Luisen scooched over and stered himself against the mercenarys side. When the two of them made it obvious that they had things to discuss, the vigers quietly took the hint, walked up front, and widened their lead. Luisen pulled at the mercenarys arm; the mercenary bent his waist in order to listen. Careful to lower his voice and keep quiet from those ahead, the young lord whispered, It seemswe sorted everything out?


    We didnt mean to, but it ended well, Carlton whispered back quietly. Our business has be simple. Lets just go to the vige, deliver the letter to the captains wife, and return.


    I suppose we should, Luisen answered listlessly.


    Carlton perceived the change in mood and continued, We should have a quick meal before we leave.


    Thatd be great. The young lord nodded his head up and down to convey his anticipation. He was looking forward to eating the rest of the bread he had brought from Confosse.


    As they conversed, the vige soon appeared before them. A huge boulder stood high towards the back; a brick fence surrounded the vige. Something felt strangethe fence was far too sloppy and short to block the centipede from crossing over.


    As they neared, there were countless people gathered at the entrance. It seemed that every able-bodied viger hade out.


    What happened? Who are these people? The vigers faces were wary. In a situation where they were already frightened by the giant monster, a strangers appearance made them uneasy and fussy.


    This revered pilgrim here hase to help our vige on behalf of Confosses guard captain.


    Luisen tantly showcased the pilgrims pass. Because the silver in the pass sparkled brilliantly and refracted light, those in the back could see the characteristic shine. Some of the religious folk bowed with their hands sped together. Luisen received their greetings modestly without seeming submissive or reluctant.


    What about the centipede? What happened to it? they asked.


    This person, the private mercenary thats guarding the pilgrim, killed the monster! The mans words caused a great stir amongst the masses.


    Truly?! That thing is dead?


    That person alone? That makes no sense!


    However, I saw it with my own eyes. Itid there dead, belly-up. They even set fire to its corpse.


    Really? That man killed it?


    Its true. Why would I lie? The men who guided Luisen and Carlton to the viged began to exin what they saw. The vigers rid themselves of suspicion and celebrated the death of the giant centipede. Some shouted; some wept, crying that they were saved. Some people rushed to tell this news to their families back home.


    In this happy pandemonium, the young lord and mercenary quickly became saviors of the town; gratitude poured forth from all quarters. Luisen gave all credit to hispanionhe said that Carlton noticed the centipedes approach and had even saved his life. The pilgrims humble attitude further encouraged the vigers joy.


    A child rushed forth and handed Carlton a present. It was only a few small acorns, but their heart was in that gesture. Carlton stared nkly at the childs outstretched hand.


    "


    "


    Acorns? What do they want me to do with this?


    Luisen, who couldnt endure that sight anymore, stabbed Carlton in the ribs with his arm. Startled, Carlton picked them up. The child bowed deeply with gratitude, almost bending in half, and then ran to their mother.


    Looking at Carltons furrowed brows, the young lord asked, Whats wrong? Are you upset that you received mere acorns?


    Do you really think I wouldve expected to get a gold bar in a ce like this?


    Then, why is your expression like that?


    Just because Contrary to his outward expression, Carlton felt incredibly awkward.


    Humans were scared of unfamiliar things. They were even more reluctant to approach unfamiliar beings if theyre far stronger than they are. Therefore, the more Carlton showcased his strength and danced with his de, the more people feared him. If Carlton were a knight or perhaps some aristocrats ve, they might not be so reluctant to approach, but his status as a mercenary made others even more ufortable.


    Of course, the mercenary was used to such treatment; besides, he intentionally acted crueller in order to garner more hostility and stoke anger. He shouldnt be upset with that. It was better to cause fear than to be considered a pushover.


    However, it felt strange to hear such gratitude and to receive small gifts. He had never felt so awkward and embarrassed. Carlton stuffed the acorns into his pocket with a sullen expression.


    With how you took care to store those acorns, it doesnt seem like you hate itrx your face. That childs getting scared. Luisen giggled beside him. Hispanion got acorns as a gift from a child! Its so funny, I mightugh to death. Carltons men need to see this!


    For a long while, the vigers enthusiasm didnt cool off. After a while, waiting for the buzzing energy to subside, the vige chief ran barefoot over to the two after hearing the news. Thank you so much for saving our vige. You two are our saviors.


    After spouting out a deluge of thanks, he calmly invited Luisen and Carlton into his house. The man presented himself with mature dignitythough he may not have been wearing shoes. Luisen nced at the chiefs bare feet from time to time as they walked alongside the older man.


    By the way, Mark No, the guard captain, requested you toe here?


    He said he had grown up in this vige.


    Thats right. Hes the most sessful person from our town. 1 Anna is also from our vigeoh, Anna is the name of Marks wife. He must have sent someone because he lost all contact with our vige. Hes a very attentive man. The chief seemed very proud that his small vige produced someone that went on to be a guard captain.


    Theres thatbut we were also incredibly worried about his wife. Come to think of it, where is she? Id like to give her her husbands greetings and hand her his letter. Luisen looked around at the vigers. He couldnt see a pregnant woman or a swollen stomach anywhere. Was she not well enough to walk around outside? The young lord began to worry whether or not the vige was able to endure the troubles the giant centipede had inflicted.


    But the chief suddenly stopped and urgently asked, Anna? He said that Anna was currently in our vige? Didnt Anna return to Confosse?


    What was he saying?


    Luisen and Carlton also stopped. The chiefs face turned starkly pale. How ominous.


    TL: Carltons very emotionally constipatedbut in a moe way.<ol><li> The text uses the word , which means friend. This doesnt necessarily mean that the old man considers our guard captain a friend. The word could mean someone youre friendly with, someone whos the same age as you, or someone that youre aligned with. In this case, I bet the captain is saying that the guard captain is someone they are well acquainted with and is therefore using the word friend because they are from the same vige. This could be both affectionate, familial, and distant at the same time. Either way, its hard to put all that nuance into text, so I localized it with a bit more impersonal person. </li></ol>