33 – Chapter 33. Sleeping with the enemy? (1)
“How come there isn’t a single carriage passing by.”
That’s why I’ve been walking for three whole days.
It’s been two weeks since we captured the underground country’s enemy and the Yakuza.
Did all the carriage drivers starve to death?
“Maybe the news hasn’t spread to the remote areas yet? They might be keeping an eye on each other. They won’t come unless it’s proven to be safe.”
Well, it’s funny how taxi drivers immediately resume business upon hearing the rumor that the war is over.
“Sigh.”
There’s another reason that’s irritating me.
Whirr-clank. Whirr-clank.
That dreadful mechanical sound.
It moved slowly, and I watched it passively, but it was gradually closing the distance while our group was sleeping.
It’s about time to deal with it.
I glanced at Muka and stepped back slightly, sticking close to Orphe.
“Why, why?”
Orpheus stepped back in surprise.
His reaction was like that of a rookie.
“Orpheus. Since leaving Goldon, the scrap metal has been following me.”
“Scrap metal? A metal humanoid?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking about getting rid of it. Can you take care of Muka for me?”
“Will Muka listen to me?”
I really don’t know about that.
“What are you two doing behind us~! An intimate act~?!”
Muka became interested as the whispering continued. His meddling ability is SSS-class.
“But Diana is here too, so that’s not allowed~!”
Diana? A brilliant idea flashed through my mind for a moment.
It’s an idea that would be impossible if I weren’t Shin Nobeen.
“Oh dear? I slipped- Oops!”
Feigning imbalance, I “lightly” grabbed Diana’s leg.
“Ouch!”
“Oh~! Are you okay~?”
Muka supported Diana, whose knee was “lightly” scraped, as she “lightly” fell.
It’s just “lightly,” so it’s definitely not child abuse.
“Hmm…”
Dianna cried in distress. But there was no way the monster could shed tears.
“Is this really a big deal? Don’t worry. I’ll go find some herbs. Mukka, please take care of Dianna’s wounds! That’s all for now!”
And with that, he quickly left.
Dianna! I’m sorry! I’ll make it up to you by treating you to lots of delicious food later!
Since it’s a monster, the wounds will heal quickly!
“Wow…”
Orphe’s admiration could be heard from behind.
Damn, learn from watching.
This is what they call an “expert”.
“Nin-nin.”
Pretending to run slowly, as soon as he was out of Mukka’s sight, he sped up at full speed.
Hop, hop!
Using ninja techniques, he jumped several times and the guy was immediately in sight.
“Do you really want to die? Why do you keep following me like a scaredy-cat?”
Normally, if it were a monster, I wouldn’t hesitate to kill it.
But I decided that those who have been enslaved or turned into humans, like Lamina’s case, don’t need to be killed.
The reason I spared this guy?
His quick wit made me think he had learned some human lessons.
But you shouldn’t betray kindness like this.
“This is your last warning. If I spared you, you better leave quietly.”
It seems like there’s a misunderstanding between us. I’m not an enemy. I want to have a good relationship.
“Enough. What are you holding in your hand?”
Gochul was holding a bag full of stuff. It couldn’t be a bomb, right?
“I gathered some nutritious plants while coming here. Eat them with me. They are rich in nutrients. It’s especially good for young dragons.”
He had a bag full of vegetables in his outstretched hand.
“…”
It’s a bit embarrassing to come back after giving Diana a “hint” just now.
“Thank you for this. Cyber-yokai. Why are you going this far?”
First of all, I received a bribe because my heart was brave.
It looks delicious, so I should eat about half of it.
This body, 567, is in its growth stage.
Probably.
From Noble mtl dot com
[Yokai… You really are a human from Earth. A being with the soul of a human from Earth. I’m not a yokai, I’m a member of the Gogmagog tribe. My race stood against the Guardians with the warriors. So we are not enemies. We can consider each other as comrades.]
The claim that he’s not a yokai.
Considering that he brought vegetables for Diana, it could be true.
A being called a yokai cannot perform such actions without “consideration” and “empathy.”
Did I have prejudice because of the threat to kill me?
He did explain that it was because his brain was damaged.
Let’s think that it’s just a momentary dementia from living too long.
Our grandfather also claimed that he heard the voice of the devil Satan in his ears and scribbled all over the house.
When I woke up in the morning and saw that my entire room was painted red, I was a bit surprised. I was too lazy to say anything, so I just went back to sleep.
It was mostly my younger sister who screamed.
“Yeah. Let’s just assume it’s not a monster for now.”
I didn’t really care about what a hero or a guardian was, so I just moved on.
“But still, you’re not a comrade. How do you know about Earth?”
[The knowledge entered by the hero is stored. Even if my memory is damaged, the knowledge remains intact. There is currently no information about the continent.]
Knowledge? Information?
“Do you know about Tree Wiki?”
[The collective intelligence-encyclopedia of Earth. A similar function is inherent within me. Our species shares knowledge.]
“So, you’re a comrade then?”
Suddenly, I feel a liking for them?
Lately, Orphe’s ability to explain things has been deteriorating.
It’s not Orphe’s fault.
It’s just that a lot of strange things have been happening even by the standards of this place.
Can this scrap metal become the Tree Wiki of this world?
[Do you consider me a comrade? That’s fortunate. I have something to discuss with you and the blue-haired girl. I want to join your group.]
Even if it’s divided into six parts, I won’t die, so it should buy time for the people to evacuate, right?
Comrade. I should keep an eye on them, but for now, let’s help. Just a few questions.
“But first, answer my question. How did you follow me all the way here?”
I move with stored solar energy. Unlike ordinary organisms, I have no need for rest or sleep. I continued to walk, following your footsteps.
An environmentally friendly robot equipped with tracking capabilities.
“How did you wake up underground? There’s no sun.”
One of your group must have tampered with my external temporary power source. It wasn’t originally mine, but after many years-
“Enough. I get it.”
Was it what Diana stepped on?
Since it’s an old one, could it be?
“Is it Delamion?”
“Delamion. One of the dragon warriors. According to the stored knowledge, he was also a counterpart to the Observer. Is he still alive?”
“Not anymore. I killed him.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he was a monster who engaged in cannibalism, just like the residents of the monster village.”
“Cannibalism? The dragons? It’s confusing. What happened while I was frozen?”
This guy keeps deflecting questions with more questions.
“I don’t know. Ask Orpheus or find a book and read it.”
He hesitates for a moment.
“Can I join your group?”
“Sure.”
Tree Wiki, who doesn’t sleep or rest.
This is precious labor.
I know you hate being asked questions. Can I ask just one?
“Go ahead.”
The Gogumag tribe can sense souls through their second sight. It seems that the souls of the observer are bound to two entities or to you. What method did you use?
Two entities? Could it be that they call the spirit-torturing monster an observer?
“It entered my brain, so I killed it.”
It was like a palace or something, but the situation was so chaotic that I didn’t remember it well.
Honestly, the guy who talks while fighting is weird.
“It’s incomprehensible. That the observers have started interfering again, that there is someone who has harvested their souls. But… perhaps… you might be the solution.”
He’s muttering like crazy, seriously.
“Now the questions are over. Follow me.”
Gochul was wearing a mysterious iron mask, with a large robe on top.
His voice sounds human, so there’s no problem. I can just introduce him as someone who covers his face and body because they’re injured, right?
He turned back to the group.
“Say hello. This is my old friend. I happened to meet him again while looking for herbs. It turns out that he has a lot of herbs and vegetables. It should be good to feed Diana. From now on, we’ll be together. Don’t be curious about what he looks like, because he was beaten up and his face and body are all swollen when he was young.”
Perfect explanation.
Asking or mentioning the scars that were caused by bullying, ostracism, and group violence is an act that insults the victim’s dignity, so if you’re a normal person, you won’t bother asking.
When I say “violence,” I think of the guy who used to stigmatize me as a “mentally ill person” when I was young.
I couldn’t bear that insult because I was destructive and violent back then.
Jimin, are you doing well?
Are you still grateful to the Buddha for saving your life with five teeth?
You could have died back then.
Anyway, school violence is not allowed.
[Nice to meet you.]
Gochul waved his hand slightly to the group.
His movements were more stern than an ordinary adult male, but not unfamiliar.
He gestured vaguely to Orphe and Diana. It seemed like they understood, nodding slightly.
“Nice to meet you~! I’m Muka~! What’s your name?”
Muka is weirdly sociable, but that’s not a problem.
[Name…]
Ah, did he say he forgot his name because of a brain injury?
I have to come up with a name for him. Tree Wiki and Robot…
“This friend’s name is ‘Treebo’.”
[Understood. I’ll count on you.]
“Yes~! Mr. Treebo~! As a celebration of becoming friends, shall I sing you a song?”
“If you don’t want to see me go crazy, we’ll do that later.”
“Robin is secretly mischievous~! Got it~!”
The devil’s tongue that provokes homicidal impulses.
Could Muka be one of the daughters of the pig demon who disturbed the Buddha’s enlightenment?
Step by step.
After everyone finished greeting each other like that, they walked diligently.
According to the childish doodle-like map that Muka has, there should be a village soon.
First, I’ll take a break there and try to find out about the carriage.
It’s crazy to walk all the way to Neo-Solitron.
Wing-chung, wing-chung.
It’s really bothering me.
“Orphe. Don’t you hear a strange sound? Like wing-chung.”
“I don’t hear anything.”
Am I the only one who hears it? Is it because my hearing is too good?
Sadly, in the world of the blind, having two good eyes is only painful.
– Welcome! Beautiful Evergreen Village is right ahead!
Finally.
“There’s a signpost! We’re almost there!”
“Let’s not stand out in the village. It would be better if we didn’t pretend to know anything.”
“Yes! Take your time to rest!”
Just as we were about to finish this torturous journey.
“Stop!”
Three women in red armor blocked our path.
Have they been waiting in this alley for a while?
I didn’t hear any special sound.
“Robin. They’re the personal guards of the Black Sword Order.”
Orpheus’s eyes sharpened.