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

Автор книги: Maruyama Kugane

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Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

“He must have served under some incredibly high ranking noble before. It wouldn’t be strange if he was the third son of some rich noble’s household.”

Even for nobles, it was common for those who could not inherit the household to become butlers or maids. The more prestigious a noble’s title, the more they wished to employ such servants. The air of elegance surrounding Sebas made others believe that he was a noble himself.

“He carried himself incredibly well.”

The group behind the counter all nodded their heads in agreement.

“I think I would definitely say yes if he asked me out for tea.”

“Yeah, I’ll go! I’ll go! Definitely!”

The girls clamored with high pitched voices. Like how he seemed to be the type to be familiar with incredibly elegant shops. How he would be the perfect escort and such. The men glanced at them from the side and held their own discussion.

“He seemed quite educated. Could he also be a magic caster?”

“Maybe, it’s possible.”

The spells that Sebas picked out were always the ones that were recently invented. That was why they could guess that he possessed ample knowledge about magic. If he were here on orders to purchase a spell, then he could simply say the name directly at the counter without going through the book. The fact that he made the selection after looking through the list meant that he himself made the judgment on what spells to purchase.

He was definitely not an ordinary old man. In other words, it was not unusual to think that he was a tutor in magic– a magic caster.

“And those glasses… didn’t they seem incredibly expensive?”

“Could it be a magic item?”

“No, isn’t it just a luxury item? Maybe a dwarf made it.”

“Right, he’s pretty incredible to own such a beautiful pair of glasses.”

“I want to see the beauty he brought with him that one time.”

The words that the man muttered almost as an afterthought was met with voices of opposition from next to him.

“What~? The only thing she had going for her was her appearance.”

“Yeah, I felt sorry Sebas-san. He’s definitely being overworked.”

“Even if she’s beautiful, she definitely has a bad personality. I didn’t like the way she looked at us. I feel sorry for Sebas-san for having to serve someone like that.”

The severe criticism on the same sex from the women caused the men to shut their mouths.

Sebas’ master possessed a beauty that would make others fall in love with her in an instant. Although the women next to them were beautiful enough to be picked as the faces of the Magician Guild, the difference was like night and day. Even though the male workers wanted to tell them not to be jealous, it was obvious what would happen if they were to do so. There was no one among them who would be that foolish. That was why—

“Hey, enough with the chitchat.”

The young man spotted an adventurer heading towards the counter and directed his voice at the group, prompting them to put on a serious expression and continue with their jobs.

♦ ♦ ♦

Having left the Magician Guild, Sebas glanced up at the sky.

Because escorting the old woman back home took longer than he expected, the sky was gradually being dyed red. Although his watch showed that it was time for curfew, he still wasn’t finished with his daily tasks. Since it wasn’t a problem, should he push back the rest for tomorrow? Or perhaps he should finish the rest of his work, even if it meant going past the allotted time.

His hesitation only lasted an instant.

Helping the old woman was his arbitrary decision, he had to take responsibility.

“—Shadow Demon.”

Twitch. Sebas felt his shadow stir.

“Please send word to Solution. Tell her that I will be a little late. That is all.”

Although there was no answer, the presence moved and became distant, as if it was moving between shadows.

“Now then…”

Sebas moved his feet.

He did not have a destination. His goal was to completely map out the geography of the capital. He wasn’t commanded to do it; rather, it was out of his own free will as part of his information gathering.

“Let us head in that direction today.”

Having muttered so, Sebas rubbed his hair back and spun the scroll he held in one hand. He was like a child enjoying himself.

He walked farther and farther out from the center of the capital, from where the public order was best.

After winding through the roads, the streets started to become dirty and a slightly foul stench began to permeate the air. It was the smell of rotten foods and sewage. Sebas walked silently through the stench that threatened to cling on to his clothes.

Sebas abruptly stopped his stride and looked around his surroundings. He appeared to have ventured into a back alleyway. The path was just barely wide enough to allow two people to pass each other.

The narrow alleyway and the setting sun, no sign of people anywhere, they made it difficult for people to take this road. But none of that posed a problem for Sebas. He walked on in silence, melting into the darkness.

Sebas turned multiple corners in a direction that was more desolate than the last and suddenly, his unfaltering steps came to a halt.

Without a specific destination in mind, he had been walking to wherever his feet and whims may take him. However, he found that he had ventured quite far from the residence he had established as their base. Using his intuition, Sebas roughly perceived his current location and drew a line in his head from here to the base.

Although it was a trivial distance considering Sebas’ physical ability, that only applied when moving in a straight line. Walking normally would end up taking quite a bit of time. Since it was almost time for the curtain of night to fall, it would be prudent for him to start heading back. He did not want to worry Solution whom he was staying with. Should a strong enemy appear, both Solution and Sebas had a Shadow Demon hiding in their shadows. Using them as shields would give them ample time to retreat. However—

“… I should be heading back.”

Though honestly, he wanted to continue his walk for a bit longer. This was almost like his hobby; he would often lose track of time when it came to his outings. However, even if he had to withdraw, Sebas felt that he should at least see what was past this road and decided to continue down the narrow alleyway.

As he walked silently through the darkness, a sudden creaking noise rang out fifteen meters in front of him. A heavy iron door slowly opened up ahead, spilling its interior lights outside. Sebas stopped and quietly observed the scene in front of him.

When the door was opened all the way, a person’s face came into view. Although he could only discern the silhouette because of the backlight, it was probably a man. He appeared to examine his surroundings and, failing to notice Sebas, went back inside.

Thud. Suddenly, a heavy sack was flung out the door and crashed on to the ground. The light leaking from the door fell on the sack, and by its shape, made it apparent that something soft was being held inside.

Although the door was open, the man who threw the sack as if he was taking out the trash did not yet reappear.

For a moment, Sebas frowned then wondered whether he should walk past it or head back the way he came. He had run into quite a bothersome incident.

After a brief hesitation, he continued down the quiet and narrow path of the dark alleyway.

The mouth of the large sack split open.

The sound of Sebas’ footsteps rang through the alley and at last, the distance between him and sack shortened.

As he was about to walk past, his feet stopped.

Sebas felt something touch his pants. He lowered his gaze and there, found what he had expected to see.

Extending from the sack, an emaciated, twig-like hand holding onto the hem of his pants and the topless body of a girl.

The sack was now opened wide, fully revealing the girl from the waist up.

Her blue pupils held no strength, glossed over in a murky glint. The hair that fell down to her shoulders was withered due to a lack of nutrients. Her face was beaten, swollen like a balloon. Her dry, cracked skin was littered with countless pink spots the size of fingernails.

The scrawny body had almost no life remaining.

It was already no different from a corpse. No, it was obviously still alive. The hand grasping on to the hem of Sebas’ pants claimed as much. But could you call someone who could only just barely breathe as being alive?

“…Will you please release your hand?”

There was no response to his words. It was obvious that she wasn’t ignoring him despite hearing what he said. Past the swollen cracks of her eyelids, there was nothing reflected in her murky eyes as they stared into space.

If Sebas were to move his feet, he could easily brush aside those fingers that were thinner than tree branches. However, he did not do so and instead, asked her once more.

“…Are you in trouble? If so—“

“—Hey, old man, where’d you come from.”

A low, menacing voice interrupted Sebas.

A man appeared from the doorway. Thick chest and arms with a scar on his face, the man glared sharply at Sebas with a hostility that was plain for anyone to see. The lantern in his hand shined a red light.

“Oi, oi, oi. What’re you staring at, old man?”

The man loudly clicked his tongue and gestured with his chin.

“Get lost. If you leave now then I’ll let you go in one piece.”

Seeing that Sebas did not move even after his warning, the man took a step forward. The door behind him slammed shut with a heavy thud. Very slowly, the man menacingly set down the lantern at his feet.

“Hey gramps, you deaf?”

The man spun his shoulder, cracked his neck, and slowly raised his right fist. He obviously was not someone who would hesitate to resort to violence.

“Hmm…”

Sebas smiled, one well suited for the expression of an elderly gentleman. His smile made others feel his kindness and experience a powerful sense of relief. But for some reason, the man took a step back, as if a powerful carnivore had appeared in front of him without warning.

“Uhh, uh, uh, wha—“

Pressed back by Sebas’ smile, the man uttered incoherently. Without even realizing that his breathing grew harsh, the man tried to retreat back farther.

Sebas fastened the scroll he had been holding in his hand until now to his belt, the one he bought from the Magician’s Guild. He took exactly one step forward in order to close the distance between him and the man and stretched out his hand. The man could not even react to that movement. The hand that was grasping onto the hem of Sebas’ pants fell to the ground without a sound.

As if that was the signal, the outstretched hand grabbed the man’s throat and– too easily, his body was lifted into the air.

When comparing Sebas with the man based solely on their outer appearance, Sebas had no chance of victory. Age, thickness of the chest, arms, height, weight, and the smell of violence that their bodies exuded, Sebas could not beat him in anything.

That old gentleman had lifted the powerful heavyweight of a man into the air with one hand—

—No, that wasn’t the case. If there was a third party present, that person may be able to keenly sense the ‘difference’ between the two men. Humans possessed the senses of living creatures– even if they were duller than that of wild animals, would they not realize it if such a clear distinction was placed before them?

The ‘difference’ between Sebas and the man was—

—the difference between the strongest and the weakest.

Now completely off the ground, the man thrashed his feet about and twisted his body. As he tried to grab Sebas’ arm with his hands, his eyes filled with terror, as if he had come to a realization.

The man had just managed to figure out that the old man in front of him was an existence completely at odds with his outer appearance. Useless retaliation would only serve to further anger the monster in front of him.

“That girl, ‘what’ is she?”

A quiet voice flowed into the man who had stiffened up with fear.

His voice flowed quietly, like clear water. The stark contrast with how he was easily holding the man in the air with one hand only served to terrify him further.

“S-She’s our employee.”

The man responded desperately, his voice etched in fear.

“I asked ‘what’ she was. Are you replying to my question by saying that she is an ‘employee’?”

The man wondered if he had given the wrong answer. But was that not the most correct reply in this situation? His wide eyes looked about frantically, moving around like the eyes of a scared animal.

“Ah, there are some among my comrades who also treat humans like objects. I ventured to guess whether or not you also fall under that category. If you saw humans as objects, then you would not feel any remorse. But you replied by referring to her as an employee. Then you have done what you did while recognizing her as a human, correct? I will ask you again. What were you going to do with her?”

The man thought briefly. However—

A sound like something being crushed rang out.

Strength went into Sebas’ arm, instantly making it painful for the man to breathe.

“—Urrkgahhh!”

The man screamed with a bizarre noise as Sebas channeled strength into his hand, making it even more difficult for him to breathe. ‘I will not give you the time to ponder, answer immediately.’ His message was clear.

“S-She’s sick. I was taking her to the temp—“

“—I do not like lies.”

“Gaaghhah!”

The strength in Sebas’ arm grew even stronger and the man’s face became dyed completely red as he screamed out once more. Even if he could suspend all disbelief and acknowledge that putting her into a sack to transport her to the temple was a possibility, Sebas could not sense even a shred of concern from the man towards the girl when that same sack was dashed against the ground, like he was throwing out the trash.

“Stop…Gaah.”

With his air escaping him, the man’s life was in danger. He started to flail his legs, unable to think of anything else.

Sebas easily blocked the fist heading for his face with one hand. Although the man’s flailing legs slammed into his body and dirtied his clothes, Sebas did not budge.

—It was obvious. A normal human cannot move a giant block of steel with their feet.

Although he was kicked by a pair of thick legs, Sebas calmly continued to speak, as if he wasn’t even in pain.

“I recommend that you speak truthfully.”

“Urk—“

With the man no longer able to breathe, Sebas narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the man’s reddened face. He aimed for the moment just before he lost consciousness and released him.

The man rolled onto the floor with a loud noise.

“Uugh, haa, haa, haa.”

He expelled the last of the air that remained in his lungs with a scream and greedily gasped for breath. Sebas looked down at him in silence. He then reached once more for the man’s throat.

“W-wait, h-hold on!”

With fear piercing his body, he painfully stumbled on the floor, away from Sebas’ hand.

“T-T-Temple! I was going to take her to the temple!”

Still with the lies, his willpower is unexpectedly strong…

He had expected the man to break under the pain and the fear of death. However, despite being frightened, he showed no signs of spilling the truth. The danger of leaking information rivaled the danger that Sebas posed.

Sebas considered changing his approach. In some sense, this place was enemy territory.

The reason the man did not call for help from beyond the door was because he did not expect any of his allies to respond immediately. Regardless, staying any longer will cause the situation to become more bothersome.

He did not receive any orders to cause trouble for his master, only to keep himself hidden and quietly collect information.

“If that is what you were planning then there will not be a problem even if I am the one to take her. I will make sure that she recovers.”

The man’s surprised eyes shook side-to-side. He then desperately squeezed out his next words.

“… There’s no guarantee that you’ll take her there.”

“Then how about if you accompany me?”

“I’m busy right now so I can’t. I’m going to take her later.”

Sensing something in Sebas’ expression, the man quickly continued on.

“That’s legally ours. If you’re going to put your hands on other people’s property, then you’re breaking the law! If you take her with you then it’s kidnapping!”

Sebas froze abruptly and furrowed his brows for the first time.

The man attacked where it hurt the most.

Although his master had said that it was okay to stand out to a certain extent, that only applied when it was necessary for their disguises as a rich family’s daughter and her butler.

If he broke the law and invited the hand of the judiciaries, there was a possibility that their cover could be blown. In other words, it could lead to a huge uproar and become exactly the type of conspicuous incident that his master did not want.

Although it was hard to imagine that this rugged, crude looking man was educated, his tone was still confident. He must have heard it from someone who was knowledgeable about the law. Then there was a high possibility that his claim held true.

With no witnesses in sight, the answer was simple. He could simply end it through force. All that would leave behind was a corpse with a broken neck.

But that was only when it was absolutely necessary. It was a final, last-ditch method to be used only when it coincided with his master’s objective. It could not be used for the sake of this unknown girl whom he had just met.

Then was abandoning the girl the right choice?

Sebas felt his irritation rise at the man’s crude smile.

“Can a great, gentlemanly butler like you cause trouble for your master behind their back?”

The man was grinning now, seeing how Sebas’ frown became more obvious, he must have realized that he had a hold on the butler’s weakness.

“I don’t know which noble you serve, but won’t you be harming your master if you cause trouble? Ahn? And who knows, that noble might have a good relationship with us. Won’t you get scolded?”

“…Did you think that my master was someone who could not handle the law? Rules were made to be broken by the strong.”

As if he hit a nerve, the man looked momentarily frightened but immediately regained his confidence.

“...So how about you try it then?”

“……Hmm.”

The man showed no signs of falling for Sebas’ bluff. The one backing him must be quite an influential figure indeed. Concluding that attacking from this direction was ineffective, Sebas decided to approach from a different angle.

“… You may be right. A run-in with the law may indeed prove quite troublesome. However, there is also a law stating that a person may rescue another by force should they request it. I am merely following the law and providing her with assistance. First and foremost, since she appears to be unconscious, I believe she should be brought to the temple for treatment. Do you not agree?”

“Uh… no… that’s…”

The man seemed to be at a loss for words.

His mask was undone.

Sebas felt relieved that the man was a poor actor and a dim-witted fool. He had lied. Since the other party mentioned the law, Sebas simply opted to do the same.

Sebas, being unfamiliar with this country’s laws, would have had no way to respond if the man had rebuked him once more with another law; even if the man had been lying. The man ended up in this position because he only knew the law by ear and did not bother to study it.

Because his knowledge of the law was what he had heard off hand, it would come back to bite him should his opponent opt for a legal debate. And the man was most likely a low-ranking member of his organization. He was not used to a position where he had to make his own decisions.

Sebas turned his eyes away from the man and brought the girl’s head close.

“Do you want me to help you?”

Sebas asked her. He leaned his ear towards the girl’s cracked, rustling lips.

The sound of faint breathing flowed into his ears. No, could it even be called as such? It was like the sound of the final remaining air escaping from a balloon.

There was no response. Sebas slightly turned his head and asked once more.

“Do you want me to help you?”

The circumstances revolving around aiding this girl and the old woman from before were completely different. Although Sebas did desire to help others in need, there was a high possibility that helping this girl will lead to no small amount of trouble. Sebas felt as if a chilling wind was passing through his heart. He worried whether or not the Supreme Being would permit such actions, about how this may betray a higher objective.

As expected, there was no reply.

The man’s face slowly broke out into a crude smile.

For someone who was familiar with her hell-like environment, it was obvious that she would not even have the energy to speak. Otherwise, he would not have pulled her out to dispose of her in the first place.

A stroke of luck does not occur in succession. If it were so frequent, then it would not be called luck in the first place.

That’s right. If the hand that grasped the hem of Sebas’ pants was a stroke of good fortune, there would not be a second time.

—Her luck had run out the moment Sebas stepped foot in this place. Everything that would follow after was the result of her will to live.

That– would never be because of luck.

—Slightly.

—Ever so slightly, her mouth moved. Her voice did not flow naturally like how one would breathe. They contained a clear, distinct will.

“—.”

Hearing those words, Sebas gave a single nod.

“…I have no intention of saving those who only pray for others to extend a helping hand, like plants waiting for the rain. However… if they themselves fight to survive…”

Sebas covered the girl’s eyes with his hand.

“Do not be frightened, rest now. I will place you under my protection.”

Clinging onto some soft, warm sensation, the girl closed her murky eyes.

The man was in disbelief and tried to voice his obvious response.

“You’re ly…”

The rest could not be heard. The man’s body froze, his voice dying in his throat.

“Did you just say that I am lying?”

Before anyone had noticed, Sebas stood up, piercing the man with his gaze.

His eyes were terrifying.

The man’s breath was cut short by the sensation of his heart on the verge of exploding.

“Are you claiming that I would lie to the likes of you?”

“Uh, n…no…”

Gulp. The man’s throat moved as he swallowed the large amount of saliva that had gathered in his mouth. His eyes became nailed to Sebas’ arm. The fear that he had foolishly forgotten from not knowing his place had returned.

“Then I will be taking her with me.”

“Y-you can’t! No, no, sir, you can’t!”

Sebas glanced over at the man who had raised his voice.

“Do you still have something to say? Are you trying to buy time?”

“N-no sir, that’s not it. I’m telling you that it’s going to be a huge problem if you take that girl, to you and your master both. Eight Fingers, don’t you know them?”

Sebas had heard of them from his information gathering. They were a criminal organization that operated from the Kingdom’s shadow.

“You understand, right? Please sir, just pretend that you didn’t see anything. If you take her then they’re going to punish me for screwing up.”

The man had realized that he could not win with strength and adopted a flattering demeanor. Sebas looked at him coldly and spoke in an equally cold voice.

“I will take her with me.”

“Spare me, I’m begging you! I’ll be a dead man!”

Perhaps I should kill him right here.

Sebas fell into thought. He could hear the man crying even while weighing the positive and negative consequences of killing him.

Although he thought that the man could be trying to buy time for his allies to arrive, he ruled out that possibility from seeing his behavior.

“Why do you not call for help?”

The man blinked and replied immediately.

According to him, if he were to lose them while he looked for help, the fact that he made a critical mistake would become known to his allies. He also did not think it likely that they could win in a fight, even with more people. That was why he was trying to convince Sebas to change his mind.

Seeing such woefully pathetic behavior, Sebas felt the tension leave his body. His killing intent had all but vanished. Although, with that said, he had no intention of handing the girl over to the man. If so—

“…Then how about you flee?”

“That’s impossible sir. I don’t have the money for that.”

“Though I do not think it would be more expensive than your life… I will provide you with the funds.”

The light returned to the man’s face from Sebas’ words.

Although it may be safer to kill him, if he desperately escaped then it may at least buy some time. Meanwhile, he can treat her wounds and move her somewhere safe.

And if he were to kill the man here, there was a good chance that they would search for the girl who immediately went missing.

Similar to how the circumstances leading up to the girl ending up in her current situation were unknown, he could not rule out the possibility of this harming her acquaintances and family.

Sebas was troubled. Why was he going so far as to take on all of these risks?

He did not understand where the stirring in his heart to save this girl came from. Other denizens of Nazarick would have ignored it, saying that they couldn’t be bothered. They would have shaken her hand loose and walked off.

—One must help others in need.

Sebas responded to the man, setting aside the swaying of his heart that even he himself could not explain. Now was not the time for such thoughts.

“Use this money to hire an adventurer and do everything you can to escape.”

As Sebas took out a leather pouch, the man’s eyes filled with doubt. The amount of money that could fit inside a small pouch would not be enough.

However, in the next moment, the man’s eyes became glued to the coins that were tossed onto the ground. The silver-like glint was that of the platinum used when dealing with trade between countries. Worth ten times more than gold, ten of such coins were scattered about.

“Everything, do you understand? I also have a few questions. How much time do you have to answer?”

“Uh, we’re good for time. Getting rid… um, no, I told them that I would be leaving to take her to the temple so I can be a little late.”

“I see. Then let us be off.”

Keeping his words brief, Sebas motioned for the man to follow him with his chin and walked on with the girl in his arms.

 

Part 2

Mid Fire Month ( 8th Month ), Day 26, 18:58

The current house where Sebas resided was in an affluent neighborhood with high public order, even by the capital’s standards.

Although the size paled in comparison to the neighboring houses, it looked to be built so that two generations of families and their servants could live together. For only Sebas and Solution, the space was simply too large.

Needless to say, they had a reason for renting such a large mansion. As long as they were disguised as the family of a wealthy merchant from a far-off land, they could not live in a shabby residence. That was why, with zero connections and credibility, they had to put up with paying for the entirety of the lease at several times the market price.

Having arrived at such a residence and entering through the front door, there was someone who was there to welcome him. Wearing a white dress, it was battle maid Solution Epsilon under Sebas’ direct command. Although there were other inhabitants like the Shadow Demon and Gargoyle, they did not come to receive him because they were placed as guards.

“Welcome ba—“

Solution’s words stopped along with her head in mid bow. Her eyes were colder than usual as she stared at what was in Sebas’ arms.

“…Sebas-sama. What is that?”

“I’ve picked her up.”

Solution did not say anything to his short reply. However, the atmosphere grew heavy.

“…Is that so. Though it does not look to be a present for me, what are you planning to do with it?”

“I’m uncertain. Could you first treat her wounds?”

“Wounds you say…”

After looking over the girl’s condition, Solution nodded her head as if convinced and stared at Sebas.

“Then could you not have dropped her off at the temple?”

“…But of course. Truly, the thought must have escaped me.”

Solution narrowed her eyes and stared coldly at Sebas who would not even give an inch. For the briefest of moments, their eyes locked, and the one who looked away first was Solution.

“Shall I throw it out?”

“No. Since I already went through the trouble of bringing her here, we may as well come up with a way to put her to good use.”

“…Understood.”

Solution was never one for many expressions, but her current face was truly like that of a mask.

Even Sebas could not recognize the emotion that was filling her eyes. Only that she did not at all welcome the current situation. It was so obvious that you could almost touch with your hands.

“First, could you perform a diagnosis of her physical condition?”

“Understood, I will do so immediately.”

“No, right here is a bit…”

Although Solution may deem it trivial, it probably should not be done near the entrance.

“We have an empty room so may I ask you to perform it there?”

Solution nodded without a word.

There were no words spoken between them as the girl was moved from the entrance to the guest room. Although neither Solution nor Sebas were the type to partake in needless chatter, even more so, an ambiguous atmosphere flowed between them.

Solution opened the guest room door since Sebas was using both hands to carry the girl.

Despite the thick curtain darkening the room, the air did not feel stuffy in the least. The air was fresh because the door had been opened many times and the interior was kept immaculate.

Sebas stepped inside, small rays of moonlight shining through the slips in the curtains. He laid the girl on top of the bed’s clean sheets.

Although he tried his best to heal her by pouring in his Ki, the unmoving body looked like a corpse.

“Then.”

Solution nonchalantly tore off the cloth wrapped around the girl, revealing her ragged limbs.

Though it was a cruel appearance that should have invited pity, there was no change in Solution’s expression. Her eyes reflected nothing but dull indifference.

“…Solution, I will leave the rest to you.”