The next day, I was repairing the village by myself, just like always.
Agnes had trouble waking up early in the morning, and she didn't have the strength for shoveling anyway, so I left meals and chores to her.
After about two hours of work, I spotted a fully armed cavalry unit of around ten riders galloping toward the village from afar.
I didn't go on alert.
They were definitely humans, and the knight at the front was someone I knew well.
"Ferio, you're late. The village chief and I already cleaned everything up."
By the way, she'd asked me not to use her name in front of others. It was too embarrassing.
I still found "village chief" more comfortable anyway.
Ferio spotted me, reined in her horse, and stared. But her face looked like she'd seen a ghost.
"Captain? No enemies in sight. What are your orders?"
One of the knight subordinates asked for new instructions, but Ferio looked completely out of it.
"Captain???"
"...Ah. Sorry. Scout the area and check the bodies. Gather anything worth reporting as spoils. I'll stay here with the village chief and survivors to gather intel for my report."
The knights behind her started searching for bodies, so I pointed out where I'd buried the enemies.
I mentioned that their leader, Katona, was there too, and their eyes went wide.
Then Ferio and I headed into a nearby empty house for her questioning.
The moment we stepped inside.
"Wha—?!"
Ferio hugged me fiercely, like she needed to confirm with her whole body that I was unharmed.
"...You were really worried, huh. As you can see, I'm fine enough to be working."
"..."
No answer when I asked, just a faint sniffle, so I stayed quiet too.
Knowing someone worried about me this much made my nose tingle unexpectedly.
For now, I just held her warmly.
Once her emotions settled, Ferio started the actual questioning.
First up: hearing my account, since I was at the center of the whole incident.
"Hold on, Kirgil. Don't joke around. How could you have taken down Katona?"
"Was he that famous?"
"The guy's said to swing a greatsword as big as a man, have skin like iron plate armor, and run faster than a wolf. He's a notorious demon general. Kingdom knight orders gave up chasing him and his men after countless villages got raided. He cleaved a knight captain and his horse in two trying to intercept his unit."
"Yeah, he was tough. Your gifted magic sword even bounced off. But the one I borrowed from Kras stuck. That's how I got him. Oh, right—I forgot to pull your sword out of his fist. Sorry for leaving your gift like that. Been so hectic these past few days, it slipped my mind."
"..."
Her face screamed utter disbelief. I get it. I really do.
I knew he was some demon who could fight, but not that famous. First demon I'd ever faced, after all.
"I know you're not the type to lie about something like this. But who would believe it? Hell, even I trust you, and I'm not sure how to process it."
Bang bang bang!!
Urgent knocking interrupted us.
"Captain!! Captain!! We found it!!"
"What is it? Come in and report."
The knight burst in like he'd fled from a ghost, ignoring all protocol toward his superior as he hoisted up Katona's head.
"It's Katona's head!! No doubt about it!!"
Ferio stared at me again, shocked anew despite my earlier words. Seeing the real thing must've hit different.
They also dug up the sword deeply embedded in Katona's fist, further backing my story.
"What is this racket? Such rudeness!!"
That's when the village's owner finally appeared.
"Village chief, sorry we couldn't greet you properly."
"Ferio, is it? I can forgive you. You must be glad to see Kirgil. But these children of yours are awfully rude."
She pointed her staff at the soldiers blocking her path.
"What are you doing?! This is the great archmage Agnes! Move aside!! Now!!"
At Ferio's sharp command, the soldiers startled and stepped back.
"Ferio, since you're here after so long, don't stay out there—come to my house. We have much to discuss."
Ferio ordered her men to investigate the spoils thoroughly, then headed with me to the village chief's house.
Great. Now I'd have to refill those graves tomorrow after they dug them up. Work never ends.
Poor subordinates rummaging through corpses. That's army life, I guess.
At the chief's house, we explained everything that happened in the village—but I skipped my abilities. Not because I didn't trust Ferio, but because I didn't know who'd read her report.
Agnes would poke me if I slipped and almost mentioned them, signaling to keep it from Ferio.
Ferio shared news of the villagers.
The ones who'd joined the garrison fled straight to Prosek Castle, as expected, but kept getting ambushed by pursuing orcs and goblins from the shadows.
Civilians couldn't move fast, so they nearly got surrounded—until wolf howls echoed from the forest, followed by orc and goblin screams for several minutes.
The villagers stayed calm, bellies full and not panicking, keeping watch just in case.
Once things quieted, a white wolf emerged from the dark, and they cheered to greet it. That's when it set down Reshi and left with the other wolves.
"Once I report back to the castle that things are safe here, the villagers will all return. With Katona dead, it's secure."
Thank goodness. Now the village could return to normal.
"Honestly, the wolf report sounds like a fairy tale to outsiders, but I've petted Baetgi myself."
Yeah. The first time she petted Baetgi, she was uncharacteristically scared but managed it somehow.
Anyone would fear a wolf that big. And watching from the side, I thought it was hilarious.
"With Katona confirmed, the chief's testimony, and solid evidence, it'll be easy to prove. But..."
"But?"
"He showed up out of nowhere in this village with no reputation. I'm worried they won't buy that you took him down, Kirgil."
"Yeah, fair. Just say the village chief got him. She's already famous."
"Kirgil, I won't allow that. Ferio, do you want Kirgil disrespected? Ask if they dare ignore my testimony on Agnes's name. That empty-headed fool might not think straight, but she'll count the gains on her abacus."
Sounded like they were talking about someone only Ferio and Agnes knew. Maybe convincing other officials besides the lord?
"Whether she'd budge on that..."
"Do you want Kirgil scorned by all? Ignore the injustice of the most honorable being shunned?"
"No, ma'am. I'll report this properly. I'll stake my honor to make sure it's accepted. That's my wish."
"Ahem... Good. I knew you'd say that, Ferio. Need more medicine today?"
"...Y-Yes. Th-that."
Ferio's face turned beet red.
Oh. Agnes had made a naughty jab.
She wasn't usually like this—what got into her? Should I pinch her on the sly?
"N-No, that's not it!! Duty first—excuse me."
Ferio shot up and hurried to the door. Then...
"I'll come back as soon as I can!"
She said that looking right at me. Guess I'd better prepare my heart for her return.
Agnes had chased her off on purpose. That cheeky look—perfect timing for a pinch.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇The next day, I went to fix the graves the soldiers had dug up yesterday.
Enemy graves—I figured they'd been sloppy, half-assed about it. At least cover them neatly. Sheesh.
Grabbing my shovel, I headed there and found someone already present.
Hood covering their whole body—no idea who. Definitely not a villager.
Best to greet unknowns in quiet spots to signal no hostility.
"Excuse me. I'm about to cover the graves with dirt—might kick up dust."
Stating my business hints I'm not some dangerous bandit.
"Did you make these?"
Female voice. But her speech was archaic, almost like Agnes's.
The deeply hooded woman stared at the inscription I'd carved into the ground, without turning.
"Yeah. Enemy or ally, giving the dead a resting place is the courtesy I was taught."
Not courtesy from this world. But since it was my solo project, no big deal.
"You're very wise."
"Wise?"
"Their kingdom finds stability through strength and vengeance. They console fallen subordinates with revenge, solidifying rule. Yet even their king wouldn't burn a place where his men rest peacefully. That would be killing loyal followers twice over—a foolish act."
Archaic and needlessly lofty. And an assessment I disagreed with.
I gripped my shovel and started work, replying.
"Wise or not, I don't know. Enemy or ally, they might be someone precious to remember and confirm for others. That's how I see it, at least."
"..."
She went silent for a while—I couldn't tell if she agreed.
I ignored her and kept at my task.
"...I see. I... no, I seem to have learned much from you."
"You pick up new things meeting new people or places. Thanks to you, I learned about their king for the first time. A kingdom built on strength and revenge... That throne must get lonely, ruling through fear."
Dictators from my world flashed in my mind. Stalin was the poster boy. Weird way he went in the end.
"...Perhaps. But someone must hold that seat... Or maybe it truly is."
"Anyway, you look like an adventurer. Big fight here recently—village's empty now. Better head to the next village or castle. Follow the road, and you'll reach somewhere before sunset."
"Thank you. What's your name?"
"Kirgil. You?"
"Pa... Pana."
That stutter screamed fake name. No need to pry into a passing stranger's shell.
"Road's that way. Watch for debris—haven't cleared it all."
"Tha— Whoa!"
She tripped on flat ground. Clumsy adventurer.
Stumbled but didn't fall—should be fine.
Back to my work.
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