Текст книги "Overlord - The Men in the Kingdom - Part 1"

Автор книги: Maruyama Kugane

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

Climb was a simple, ordinary person with no talent. Even so, at the end of training, he had considerable skill when compared with the other soldiers. Then would it not be better to be satisfied and stop his training here so he can serve Renner by her side just a little while longer?

However– was that truly enough?

Climb yearned for the light of the sun. That was not a lie or a misunderstanding. It was a thought born from Climb’s honest truth.

However—

“Because I’m a man.”

Climb smiled.

That’s right. Climb wanted to stand by her side. The sun shines brilliantly in the sky, a man could never stand next to it. Even so, he wanted to rise even higher so that he could become an existence that can be closer to the sun, no matter how marginal.

He did not wish to always remain as someone who had to raise his face to see her.

This was the insignificant thoughts of a boy, but well suited for a boy nonetheless.

He wanted to become a man who would suit the woman he yearned for, even if they could never be together.

These thoughts were why he was able to endure the life without comrades, the harsh training, and his studies that cut into his sleep time.

If people wanted to call him foolish and mock him, then let them.

Those who did not truly love another could never understand his feelings.

♦ ♦ ♦

Sebas narrowed his eyes as he observed his sincerity. As if he was trying to understand the myriad of meanings behind Climb’s short answer. He then nodded his head in satisfaction.

“I have decided how to train you from your reply.”

He stopped Climb as he was trying to express his gratitude.

“However, I am sorry to say that you have no talent. Training you in earnest will take quite some time, time that I do not have. I wish to train you so that the results will show quickly but… it will be very severe.”

Climb gulped loudly. The glint in Sebas’ eyes made his back shudder.

The reason he didn’t respond immediately was because he felt the power in those eyes. It was a strength that could not possibly exist, one exceeding even that of a serious Gazef.

“I will tell you honestly, you may die.”

This was not a joke.

Climb’s hunch told him that he was speaking the truth. He didn’t care whether or not he died. However, that was only the case if it was for Renner. He did not want to lose his life over a selfish matter.

It wasn’t because he grew scared. No, perhaps that really was the reason.

Climb swallowed his saliva once and then hesitated. The surroundings were dominated by a brief silence, quiet enough to hear the noises in the distance.

“Whether you survive is up to you… If you have something that you hold dear, a reason to crawl forward and cling onto your life, you will be fine.”

Was he not going to teach him about martial arts?

Despite such questions that rose to his mind, that was not the problem at hand. Understanding what Sebas’ words meant, he accepted it and gave his reply.

“I am prepared. I leave myself in your care.”

“Do you mean that you have the confidence to not die?”

Climb shook his head, that wasn’t it.

It was because in his heart, Climb always carried with him a reason to cling onto life, even if he had to crawl on the floor.

Sebas nodded deeply, as if he had read what was in Climb’s heart by looking into his eyes.

“I understand. Then I will start the training here.”

“Here?”

“Yes. It will only take a few minutes. Please raise your weapon.”

What was he trying to do? With his mind filled with anxiety and confusion over the unknown and a faint glimmer of expectation and curiosity, Climb drew his sword.

The sound of the blade sliding from its sheath rang out through the narrow alleyway.

Sebas quietly stared as Climb assumed a middle stance.

“Then I will begin. Concentrate.”

And in the next moment—

—With Sebas at the center, it seemed as if blades of ice had shot out in every direction.

Climb could no longer speak.

A vortex of bloodlust was whirling around with Sebas at the center.

Energy that was so dense that its color became visible crashed into him like a raging wave, making his heart feel as if it would explode in an instant. He thought that he heard a sound like a soul screaming as it was being crushed. It sounded as if it was coming from right by his side, a place far away, or perhaps from his own mouth.

As he was engulfed by the black stream of bloodlust, Climb felt his consciousness become dyed in white. The fear was so enormous that his mind was letting go of its consciousness in order to ignore the situation.

“…Is this all that a ‘man’ amounts to? This is only a warm-up.”

In Climb’s fading consciousness, Sebas’ disappointed voice sounded needlessly loud.

The meaning of those words lodged themselves deeply into Climb’s mind, deeper than any blade. It was enough to very briefly let him forget the fear that was crashing into him from the front.

Thump. His heartbeat grew louder.

“Haaa!!”

Climb released a large breath of air.

His eyes were wet with tears and despite being so frightened that he wanted to run, he endured. The hands grasping the sword trembled and the tip of blade shook as if it had gone insane. The trembling that ran through his whole body caused his chain shirt to clink loudly.

However, Climb gritted his rattling teeth and tried to endure Sebas’ bloodlust.

Seeing his unsightly appearance, Sebas wore a sneer and slowly formed a fist with his right hand that was right in front of Climb’s eyes. After a few blinks, the ball-like fist was completed.

Like setting an arrow to a string, the fist was slowly pulled backwards.

Even as he stood there trembling, Climb realized what was about to occur and shook his head side to side. Needless to say, his signal did not affect Sebas.

“Then… die.”

Like an arrow exploding from a taut string, Sebas’ fist flew at him with the sound of it cutting the air.

—This will be an instant death.

Climb realized this as time slowed down. It looked as if an enormous steel ball even taller than himself was hurtling towards him at a fierce speed. His mind was filled with the image of this complete, absolute death. Even if he were to raise his sword and use it as a shield, it will be easily shattered by the fist.

His body did not even budge. The enormous anxiety rendered it completely stiff.

—There was no way to escape the death in front of his eyes.

Climb gave in to his fate and at the same time, became angry with himself.

If he could not give his life for Renner, why didn’t he just die back then? It would have been better for him to die alone, shivering in the cold rain.

In his eyes, he saw Renner’s beautiful face.

It is said that when people are close to death, they see their life flash before their very eyes. It is the effect from the brain searching the past memories for a way to escape the situation. Still, he found it slightly amusing that the last thing he saw was the smile of his master whom he loved and respected.

That’s right. What Climb saw was Renner’s ‘smile’.

Soon after she saved his life, the young Renner did not show her smile. When did she start smiling?

He could not remember. However, he did recall seeing her smile shyly.

If she knew of Climb’s death, would that smile be destroyed? Like the dark clouds that block off the sun?

—Don’t make me laugh!

Anger surged from the bottom of Climb’s heart.

She was the one who saved the life that was tossed out on the side of the road. If so, his life was not his own. This body was for Renner, to grant her even the smallest form of happiness—

There has to be a way to get out of this—!

The chains of fear were shattered by the manifestation of an intense emotion.

His hands moved.

His legs moved as well.

The eyes that were about to close shut were opened wide. He tried desperately with the naked eye to detect the ultrahigh speed fist heading his way.

All of the senses in his body were pushed to their limit, to the point where he could even feel the air’s vibrations.

Like how people display superhuman strength at the scene of a fire, during an emergency, the brain releases the safety placed on the muscles and allows them to display a strength that would otherwise be impossible.

The brain secretes chemicals en masse and focuses the mind solely on survival. It quickly processes massive amounts of information and selects the most optimal action.

In this single moment, Climb had stepped foot into the world of first-rate warriors. However, even that was surpassed by the speed of Sebas’ attack. It was possible that it was already too late, that there may no longer be any time left to dodge Sebas’ fist. Even so, he had to move. How could he give up?

In that rapid compression of time, his own movements appeared to be as slow as a turtle. Despite this, Climb desperately moved his body.

And—

Boom. With a roar, Sebas’ fist passed by Climb’s face. The wind pressure from his strike ripped off a few strands of hair from his head.

He heard a quiet voice ring out.

“Congratulations. How does it feel to overcome the fear of death?”

—.

—Unable to understand what he was saying, Climb wore a stupid expression on his face.

“How did it feel to face death? And how did it feel to overcome it?”

Climb panted heavily and stared at Sebas with an absent-minded expression. His face looked as if he had a few screws loose. The bloodlust had disappeared without a trace. It was only after Sebas’ words finally entered his head that he could feel a sense of relief.

As if that intense bloodlust was all that had been holding him up, Climb collapsed like a puppet that had its strings cut.

While on his hands and knees, he indulgently sucked in the fresh air into his lungs.

“…It is fortunate that you did not die from shock. There are times when the body so strongly believes that it is dead that it forfeits its ability to sustain life.”

There was still something bitter left in Climb’s throat. This must be what death tastes like, he thought.

“Repeating this several times will allow you to overcome most fears. But you must be cautious. Fear is what triggers the survival instinct. If it becomes completely paralyzed, then you will be unable to recognize even the most obvious of dangers. You must be able to distinguish between them.”

“…T-though I am being rude, Sebas-sama, what are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“T-that bloodlust wasn’t something that a normal person could give off. Just who…”

“At the moment, I am simply an old man who is confident in his skills.”

Climb could not take his eyes off of Sebas’ smiling face. Although he seemed to be smiling gently, it also looked like the fearsome smile of an overwhelming power greatly surpassing Gazef.

He was an existence that may even be stronger than Gazef, the strongest warrior in the surrounding countries.

—Climb decided that his curiosity was satisfied with just that. He felt that no good would come from digging any deeper.

However, the one thing that burned in his mind was the question of just who this old man named Sebas actually was. He even considered the possibility that he was one of the thirteen heroes from the past.

“Then let us try it once mo—.”

“—W-wait! I have a question!”

The frightened voice of a man sounded from behind, cutting off Sebas’ words.

 

Part 4

Lower Fire Month (9th Month), Day 3, 9:42

Brain stepped out of Gazef’s residence.

He looked over his shoulder and memorized its exterior so that he could find his way back. He couldn’t remember what it looked like back when Gazef had dragged him here; his mind had been a bit hazy from hypothermia.

He at least knew the location of Gazef’s house because he had planned to pay him a visit in order to challenge him to a fight. However, since he only heard of it through word of mouth, there was a small error in the information.

“That roof doesn’t have no damn sword stuck in it.”

He closely observed the house while cursing the informant who gave him the wrong information. It was much smaller when compared to the houses that nobles lived in. If one had to compare, the house looked as if a decently wealthy citizen could live in it. Regardless, it was more than enough for three people: Gazef and the old couple working as live-in servants.

Committing it to memory, Brain resumed his walk.

He was not heading to any destination in particular.

He no longer wanted to go around looking for magic items, weapons, or armor.

“What should I do…”

His muttering disappeared into empty space.

It wouldn’t matter even if he were to just go off somewhere and disappear. Even now, his mind was strongly drawn to that idea.

Although he searched his heart for what he wanted to do, he only found an empty hole in its place. Not even the ashes of his shattered goal remained.

So then why—.

Looking down, the katana was in his right hand. Underneath his clothes, he was wearing his chain shirt.

The reason that he was gripping this katana before he arrived at the capital was fear. Even if he knew that it would do nothing to the monster called Shalltear who blocked his attack at full power with the nail of her pinky, the anxiety of being without it was too much for him to bear.

Then why was he still holding it? It wouldn’t have mattered even if he left it behind. As expected, was it because he was nervous?

Thinking it over, Brain tilted his head.

No.

However, as to what emotion prompted him to bring his katana with him, no answer came.

Brain walked while remembering the capital from back when he visited it for the first time. While buildings like the palace and the Magician’s guild were unchanged, he spotted many buildings that were new. As Brain tried to enjoy the gap in his memory, there was a commotion further down the road.

He frowned at the commotion. The sound coming from in front of him was filled with the sharp feeling of violence.

As he was about to turn to take a different path, his eyes became drawn to an old man. The old man looked as if he was slipping through the crowd as he headed deeper inside.

“…W-what? What are those movements?”

His eyes blinked several times as words involuntarily spilled out. Those movements were too unbelievable. They made him think as if he had just seen a daydream, or perhaps a result of some sort of a spell.

It was doubtful whether even Brain could follow the old man’s movements. Such technique was only possible if one could read the flow of the push and pull forces generated by both the individual and the whole crowd.

—What he saw was a mastery of the body.

His feet moved towards the old man without hesitation.

Having pushed aside the other people and arriving at the center of the crowd, what Brain saw was the moment when the old man struck the man’s chin at high speed.

Just how? That attack just now… if it was me, could I have dodged it? That might be hard. Did he trick that man’s senses? Am I just thinking too much? Anyways, that was a clean textbook strike, not a single wasted movement…

He could feel his groans of admiration spill from his mouth as he ruminated over the attack that he had just witnessed.

Not only was he unable to see it clearly, it was very difficult to compare a swordsman and a martial artist using the same unit of measurement. However, even that short amount of time was more than enough to understand that the old man was considerably powerful.

The old man may even be stronger than him.

While biting down on his lips, Brain compared the side of the old man’s face with the data of skilled opponents that he had in memory. However, he was different from all of them.

Just who is he?

In the blink of an eye, the old man moved out of the crowd. A boy walked away, as if to follow him. Acting on impulse, like he was being drawn in, Brain began to follow the boy.

It felt as if the old man had eyes on his back, making it hard for Brain to follow him closely. But with the boy, that was not a concern. And even if the boy was found out, Brain himself would still be safe.

Shortly after he started to tail them, Brain detected the presence of several other followers. However, whether they were following the old man or the boy was none of his concern.

Eventually, the two turned a corner and their path continued to grow darker. Brain felt nervous, it was like he was being lured out.

Does the boy not think it’s suspicious? Just as Brain began to wonder, the boy spoke to the old man.

Because they had just turned a corner, Brain was able to hide in the alley and listen in.

To sum up their conversation, the boy wanted to study under him.

What nonsense. That old man won’t accept a greenhorn like him as a disciple.

When comparing the abilities of the two, if the boy was a pebble, then the old man was like an enormous gem. They lived in completely different worlds.

…How pitiful. I didn’t think that not knowing the difference in skill between you and others could be this pitiful. That’s enough, kid.

Brain thought to himself without saying it out loud.

While he meant it for the boy, it was also directed at his past self who was foolish enough to believe that he was the strongest.

As he continued to eavesdrop– he didn’t pay much attention to the bit about brothels– it seemed to have been decided that the old man would train him maybe once or twice. An old man of that caliber, to a boy like him, Brain could think of nothing that would be worth teaching.

What’s going on? Did my eyes get hazy again? No, that’s not it. That kid’s skills aren’t anything special and he doesn’t even have any talent!

Just what sort of training was he going to give him? But from this position, he could only hear, not see. Unable to resist his curiosity, Brain killed his presence and slowly moved to try and peer over the corner. At that moment—

A terrifying energy pierced his entire body.

His scream could not be described in words.

His whole body froze solid.

It felt as if a giant carnivore was breathing inches from his nose. The world was dyed in overwhelming bloodlust, rendering him unable to even blink, let alone move. It made him wonder whether even his heart had stopped beating.

This presence may even rival that of Shalltear Bloodfallen, Brain thought, the one he believed to be the strongest being in this world.

If the person was weak of mind, their heart would have stopped for real. His legs shaking, he dropped to the ground with a thud.

If I’m like this, could that kid be dead?

If he was lucky, then he would have fainted.

Bent over, trembling as he supported himself with his arms, Brain searched for the presence of the two people– and witnessed an impossible scene. Although it was only for an instant, the shock made him completely forget his fear.

The boy was standing.

Like Brain, his two legs were shaking in terror. Despite this, he was still standing.

W-What’s going on? How can a kid like that stay standing?

He could not understand how the boy could be standing while he himself was on his hands and knees in disgrace.

Did the boy have a magic item that blocks fear or knew a martial art to that effect? Or did he possess some special talent?

He could not say for certain that the possibility did not exist. However, while staring at the boy’s unreliable back, Brain knew intuitively that that was not the case. Although impossible, it was the only thing he could think of.

The boy was stronger than Brain.

Ridiculous! How’s that possible!

Although it looked like he trained his body, he still lacked volume. From watching how he moved his feet and body while following him, the boy didn’t look to have much talent. Even though it was like that, the result was different.

W-What’s going on? Am I that weak?

His sight grew dim.

Brain knew that tears were falling from his eyes. However, he could not summon the energy to wipe them away.

”Uuu, ugh… kuh…”

He tried his best to not cry out loud. Even so, his tears flowed endlessly.

“Wh…y… why.”

Brain grasped the dirt on the ground and focused his strength in order to stand. But the bloodlust that was crashing into this body made him unable to move an inch. As if he was being controlled by someone else, his legs did not budge. The best he could manage was to raise his face and look at the boy and the old man.

He saw his back.

Even now, the boy was still standing.

Even now, the boy was standing face to face with the old man and his bloodlust. The back that he had thought was weak seemed incredibly far away.

“Was I…”

Always this weak?

He felt angry with himself, for even after the bloodlust had dissipated, the best he could manage was to stand.

Their training looked as if it was still going to continue. Unable to endure it any longer, Brain squeezed out his courage and shouted as he jumped out of his corner.

“—W-wait! I have a question!”

He no longer had the luxury of thinking that he shouldn’t interfere with their training or that he should find the right timing to appear.

The boy’s shoulders jumped as the desperate voice caused him to turn around, revealing his surprised expression. If their positions had been reversed, Brain too, would have shown the same reaction.

“First, I sincerely apologize for interrupting you two. Forgive me. I couldn’t bear to wait any longer.”

“…Is he someone you know, Sebas-sama?”

“No, he is not. I see, so you do not know him either…”

They looked at him with suspicion. However, that was something he had already predicted.

“First and foremost, my name is Brain Unglaus. Once again, allow me to express my apologies for interrupting you two. I’m truly sorry.”

He bowed deeper than before. He could feel the two moving slightly.

After what he deemed long enough to express his sincerity, Brain raised his face and saw that their expressions contained less suspicion than before.

“And what is your business with us?”

From the old man’s question, Brain glanced at the boy.

“What is it?”

As the boy pondered, Brain asked him a question, like coughing up blood.

“Why… how can you remain standing after receiving that bloodlust?”

The boy’s eyes widened slightly. Because his face was expressionless, such a slight movement felt like a large change in his emotions.

“I’d like to hear it. That bloodlust was beyond what a normal person could endure. Even this body of mine… excuse me, even I couldn’t endure it. But you were different, you endured it. You were standing. How were you able to do it?! How is something like that possible?!”

He could not talk like he usually did because of his excitement. However, it was difficult to suppress it. He who succumbed to his fear and ran in the face of Shalltear Bloodfallen’s overwhelming strength, and the boy who received a bloodlust that was on par with her and remained standing, just where did that difference come from?

He had to know no matter what.

As if these thoughts were transmitted to him, although the boy appeared to be at a loss, he thought about it in earnest and replied.

“…I don’t know. In that whirlwind filled with that much bloodlust, I have no idea how I was able to endure it. But perhaps… it may have been because I was thinking of my master.”

“…Master?”

“Yes. When I thought of the person I serve… strength rose up inside of me.”

How do you endure with something like that?

Although Brain wanted to shout that out, before he could do so, the old man quietly spoke.

“It means that his loyalty was greater than his fear. Unglaus-sama, humans are able to display an incredible power if it is for those who are important to them. Like how a mother raises a pillar to save her child trapped in a house, like how a husband supports his wife with one hand when she is about to fall, I believe that is the strength of humans. This person here as well, he displayed that strength. And he is not alone in this. If you have something that you would not trade for anything, then Unglaus-sama will be able to display a power greater than what you have come to expect from yourself.”

Brain could not bring himself to believe him. The thing that he would not trade for anything, his ‘desire for strength’ ended up being meaningless. Too easily, it was destroyed. Did he not grow frightened and flee?

As his expression gradually darkened and his face headed downward, the following words of the old man brought his face upright.

“…What is raised alone will be weak. After all, it will be over once you yourself are broken. Instead, if you build yourself up with another, if you can give your all for someone else, then even if you are broken you will not fall.”

Brain thought to himself. Did he have that something?

However, there was nothing. He had thrown them aside, thinking them to be useless and unnecessary for his pursuit of strength. It turned out that they were what were truly important.

Brain laughed out loud. His life was filled with nothing but mistakes. Before he knew it, words spilled from his mouth like a confession.

“I’ve thrown it all away. Is it too late for me to try again?”

“It will be fine. Even someone like me with no talent was able to do it. If it’s Unglaus-sama, I have no doubt that you will be able to pull through! It’s definitely not too late!”

The boy’s words had no proof. However, strangely enough, Brain felt a warm sensation spread through his heart.

“You are kind and strong… I’m sorry.”

The boy fell into a flutter from the sudden apology. Someone with this much courage, he had mocked him and called him a kid.

Foolish. I was so, so foolish…

“But if you say that you’re Brain Unglaus… could you be the one who fought against Stronoff-sama in the past?”

“…So you remember… Did you perhaps watch the fight?”

“Ah, I wasn’t able to see it. I merely heard of it from someone who did. That person said that Unglaus-sama was an incredible swordsman and that people with his skill in the Kingdom could be counted with one hand. Now that I’ve seen your posture and how you maintain your center of gravity as you move, I know that the person was speaking the truth!”

Pushed back by his genuine compliments, Brain stammered out a reply.

“…Erm, th-thanks. I-I don’t really think I’m that great, but… I’m a bit happy that you’re giving me so much praise.”

“Hmm… Unglaus-sama.”

“Elder, just call me Unglaus. I’m not worthy to be referred with honorifics by someone like you, elder!”

“Then since my name is Sebas Tian, please call me Sebas. …Then Unglaus-kun.”

Although he felt a bit awkward at having ‘kun’ attached to his name, it wasn’t strange when considering the difference in their ages.

“How about you were to teach the sword to Climb-kun here? I believe that it will prove beneficial to Unglaus-kun as well.”

“Ah, I apologize! My name is Climb, Unglaus-sama.”

“Then elder …excuse me, will Sebas-sama not be the one to teach him? It seemed you were discussing that before I interrupted.”

“Yes, that was what I intended initially. But I felt that it was necessary that I deal with my guests– ah, here they are. It seems they were busy donning their equipment.”

Brain belatedly turned his eyes in the direction that Sebas was looking.

Three men showed themselves. They each wore a chain shirt and held a bladed weapon in their thick leather gloves.

They clearly gave off a killing intent that surpassed mere hostility. Although their bloodlust was only directed at the old man, they did not seem to be the type to have mercy and spare witnesses.

Seeing the men, Brain unwittingly spoke out in a shrill voice filled with surprise.

“No way! They’re coming this way even after receiving that bloodlust? Are they that strong?!”

Then he could only imagine that each one of them was as skilled– no, even stronger than Brain himself. Was the reason that their shadowing was sloppy because they focused on perfecting their warrior skills instead?

However, Brain’s fears were rejected by Sebas.

“The bloodlust from earlier was only directed at you two.”

“…What?”

Even Brain thought that his own voice sounded stunned.

“For Climb, it was to train him. For you, because you seemed to have no intention of showing your face, I sent it to try and drag you out and to root out any hostility you might have along with your will to fight. I did not do it to those men because I knew that they were enemies from the beginning. It would be troublesome for me if they were to grow frightened by my bloodlust and flee, after all.”

Sebas had sneaked in something terrifying in his explanation. Brain could not even bring himself to be surprised. To think that he could control bloodlust of that scale with such precision, that was no longer something that could be understood within the confines of common sense.

“I-I see. Then do you know the identity of those men?”

“I could venture a guess but am not certain. That is why I intend to capture one or two for information. However—.”

Sebas bowed his head.

“I do not wish for the two of you to be dragged into this. Will you not leave this place immediately?”

Hearing his words, Climb asked him.

“Before that, I have a question that I’d like to ask you. Those men… are they criminals?”

“…It seems that way. I don’t think they’re the type of people who’ve led proper lives.”

Having heard Brain’s answer, fire burned in Climb’s eyes.

“Though I may only be in the way, I want to fight as well. As someone who protects the capital’s peace, it’s obvious that I must protect the citizens.”

In his mind, Brain thought that there was no guarantee that Sebas was the just one in this situation. Well, no doubt that anyone who compares the men who just appeared with Sebas who gave off the impression of integrity would believe him to be the good side. But even so, there was no guarantee.

A greenhorn…

However, he sympathized with him. When comparing the one who saved that child from the drunkards with these men, it was certain which side Brain would take.

“Though you probably won’t need any help… Sebas-sama, I will lend a hand as well.”

Brain stood next to Climb. Sebas would not need any assistance… no, there would not even be any meaning in them being here. However, in order to try and imitate Climb who was fighting for the sake of someone else, Brain chose an answer that his past self would not. Even if the boy’s heart was strong, his skill with the sword was lacking. He would protect him.

Brain glanced at the weapons the men were holding and frowned.