47 – Savior Ninja (10)
After arriving at Sangrokso Village, well, things moved quickly.
“After thoroughly investigating since last night, we have found the residence of the Wild Tribe. Unfortunately or fortunately, they have already left. You can rest assured.”
Following my orders, the Wild Tribe took care of their belongings before leaving for the sacred altar.
Since we obtained the desired relic, there will be no need to go back there again.
“I see… That’s a relief. Is the location marked on that?”
The village representative, Amy, pointed at the paper I was holding in my right hand.
It was a map that Sanceriff had drawn for me.
I handed it over with a proud expression, just like I had done it myself.
“Yes, that’s correct. Take it. When you have time, go and confirm it with the Hongyeom Dragon Knights or the Black Cloak Warriors.”
“The Black Cloak Warriors? Ah, you mean the Reincarnation Brigade.”
Their name was the Reincarnation Brigade.
I briefly saw them moving when I escaped the spiderweb of the illusion, and their completely lifeless eyes left a deep impression on me.
I thought the brave warriors would be fighting against bee yokai, but I was a bit disappointed to find out that wasn’t the case.
“Now that the request is finished, I want to go home and rest.”
“You must be tired. I’ve been keeping you for too long. I understand. The carriage is coming tomorrow. Please relax until then. Thank you very much.”
So it’s coming. I already feel like I’ve arrived at Neo-Solitron.
Do I have enough money to buy a house? Orpheus managed the finances well, so there shouldn’t be a problem, right?
I’m tired of living as a wanderer with no home.
I need a place to store the equipment that keeps piling up as the days go by.
“The dream of having my own home.”
Arriving at the inn with great anticipation for a settled life, I entered a room.
I wonder if Orpheus and Diana’s reactions will be better than Treebo, the scrap robot?
I knocked on the door and used the key given by the innkeeper to go inside.
“Dad’s here.”
Diana was learning letters from Teacher Orphe, while Tribow was crouched in the corner.
Why is Tribow here? Is it because he’s a robot and feels safe?
It seems like a form optimized for having male human friends.
“Robin.”
Orphe greeted with a slight smile.
It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the Ice Witch Orphe smile even a little.
Diana, with her chubby cheeks plump and rosy, gave me a suspicious look as if she missed me.
“…He’s not our dad.”
“I know, silly.”
Did I really have to say that? It’s evidence of a lack of empathy.
If someone comes in feeling good, you should greet them warmly and match their mood.
I decided to overlook the ignorant little monster.
Patience.
[What did the Yain tribe do? …Did they kill them all?]
This little Tribow seems to think of me as some kind of murder weapon.
Honestly, he’s right.
“I went with that intention, but it turned out differently when I actually met them.”
“What happened? I want to hear the details.”
“You’re curious, aren’t you? Dying to know?”
“…Yes. I’m very curious.”
Only Orphe can match my rhythm, even if it’s just a little.
Am I the only ‘person’ among the group? People truly are the only hope.
“To talk about that story, I first need to explain from when I put on the ninja suit…”
The Baby-Slayer in the lead. The pitiful Beastmen. The busy bees. The Queen Bee with the relic. The intrusion of the Dark Swords. The runaway ninja who won the battle for souls.
As I excitedly kept talking, it was suddenly evening.
Diana is sleeping again.
If I had snored, it would have been a perfect night.
[Relics… is that what they call the abilities gained through contracts with spirits? Interesting.]
Mountain spirits, Treebo mentioned something like that before.
“Both Queen Virex and the Dark Swords were threatening opponents. I was really lucky.”
“Wouldn’t you say it’s skill, not luck?”
Luck is part of skill, but being called skilled sounds better.
[Communicating with the Beastmen, retrieving the relics, and rescuing the kidnapped people from the cursed inhabitants of the other world.]
“It’s what I always do. Including the victory in the full-scale battle against the Dark Swords.”
Even the new student Treebo seems to have realized that I am a righteous runaway ninja now.
“I told you, there’s no need to change.”
Orphe confidently speaks as if it’s his own business.
Change? Change what?
I was about to ask, but Treebo beat me to it.
[…Although I didn’t see it with my own eyes. Still, I want to believe. That my thoughts were wrong.]
What kind of words were exchanged when I wasn’t there?
Grrr.
It probably wasn’t anything important. I should eat first, regardless.
I skipped lunch and fought, so I’m really hungry.
“Let’s go eat meat. I’ll treat.”
“Meat?!”
The moment I shook the coins Amy gave me, Diana, who had been sitting up, lit up her eyes.
Who taught her this kind of behavior? Ramina, could it be you?
I’ve made up my mind. Until we depart for Neo-Solitron tomorrow, it will be a full lecture on “Human Lessons.”
I have to forcibly cram morality, etiquette, and principles into my brain.
***
My plans were ruined the next morning by the interference of Kate.
If you have plans, forget about it. The world filled with chaos doesn’t accept them.
“Robin and Orphe. Master Yookumgyeong wants to see the two of you.”
I heard the news during dinner that Yookumgyeong, who defeated the honey bee monster, had returned to the village.
Why did they have to detain me on the day I was planning to go? They couldn’t have figured out my true identity, right?
“Let’s go. It’s probably nothing.”
Perhaps reading my worries, Orphe gently placed his hand on my shoulder.
He wasn’t the type to engage in physical contact. It’s as if he changed overnight.
Could it be because of the power-up event?
“Well, I suppose so. Let’s go.”
They followed Kate’s tail and arrived at the makeshift tent outside the village.
“Have you arrived?”
A dark-haired man with a bandage on his left shoulder was lying on the bed.
The dark circles under his eyes seemed to indicate a lack of sleep. The pain of defeat was bitter.
“Captain, Vice Captain, I will go now.”
“Kate, well done.”
“Go inside.”
A woman referred to as the Vice Captain was sitting on a chair next to the bed.
It was the first time they had seen her face, but she seemed calm and composed, like Orpheus.
“Robin. You worked hard for the village. It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I believe it to be true. Thank you. It’s all thanks to you that the people of the village could rest comfortably yesterday.”
The dark-haired man, standing tall with the support of the Vice Captain, spoke up.
From Noble mtl dot com
“It was something I had to do. But still, I’m glad to receive your thanks.”
“You’re honest. I like that. It’s a shame you can’t join our knights because you’re a man. It can’t be helped… Orpheus.”
The weakened gaze of the dark-haired man turned towards Orpheus.
“I heard that you had a duel with Kate.”
“That’s correct.”
A power-up event. It’s real.
“They said that even though you didn’t receive knight training, you had skilled movements and judgment. Kate, who is so strict, praised you until her mouth went dry.”
“That day, I was feeling fine, nothing more.”
“Our knights don’t exaggerate. Adventurer Orphe.”
Yu Geomgyeong, who was examining Orphe slowly, suddenly lowered her voice.
“You could become a knight and make a name for yourself in the Crimson Flame Dragon Knights, couldn’t you?”
Orphe’s eyes widened at the sudden scouting offer. Well, he was good enough to receive it.
Even now, as a knight still in the midst of growth, he could easily defeat opponents who were half-hearted knights.
Orphe turned his head and met her gaze. It seemed like he was asking what he should do.
I shrugged my shoulders, unable to say anything. I wanted to do as she wished.
I’m not the type to hold onto someone who wants to leave.
“To become a knight officially, it will take time, but we can cover the training costs. All you need is determination. What do you think?”
Lost in thought, Orphe closed his eyes. Was he activating his brain?
…
A few seconds passed. Her eyes and mouth opened simultaneously.
“It’s not the right position for me, so I’ll decline. I’m sorry.”
Seems like my straightforwardness suits her more than Yu Geomgyeong’s style.
Does she want to learn from someone stronger? If so, it’s the right decision.
When I have time, I should pass down the Nolbu Sin-gwon technique, which sends Yu Geomgyeong flying with a single blow.
“…Well, there’s nothing I can do. It wasn’t coercion, so don’t hold it against yourself.”
Yu Geomgyeong forced a smile and raised the cup brought by the assistant leader with one hand.
She gulped down all the water in one mouthful and opened her mouth again.
“Agatha Gumbleton. That’s my name. Remember them both.”
“Sure.”
The words “My name is Shin Nobin” rose to the tip of my tongue and got stuck there.
It’s a side effect of having received such thorough home education from my mother.
I wonder if Mother is doing well.
– Yeah… Our son, stay strong… Mom believes in you…
– Let’s definitely look for a job today… She’s always been supportive…
I hope you’re doing well. I believe you will.
“If we live with conviction, we will meet again someday. Wait for that day. You must be tired now. You can go.”
Yoo Geomgyeong, who spoke those cool words, slowly collapsed.
How thoughtless. They should have quickly stopped the bleeding and fallen down. Why did they have to linger?
Anyway, it’s not my fault.
I left the tent with Orphe and headed to the inn.
“Welcome! I’ve been waiting for you!”
Muka, carrying a bundle, greeted us.
Muka’s presence was so overwhelming that Treebo and Diana next to me seemed relatively small.
“I’ve secured the carriage! Treebo has taken care of all the luggage! Let’s depart right away!”
“You did a great job.”
And so, we boarded the four-person carriage.
I was worried that the carriage might not be able to move because of Treebo, who is as heavy as a barrel, but luckily, it started moving.
[Curious? The weight can be adjusted to some extent. My body is made of a special material…]
“Who asked?”
[Understood.]
Perhaps the other robots couldn’t bear the noise and threw Trivo into the underground.
This explains why Trivo suffered from amnesia.
It was such a shocking memory that was forced to be forgotten.
“Isn’t it too much between friends~?”
“I enjoy being ignored. It’s just my nature.”
“Wow~!”
Muka giggles, finding it amusing for some reason.
I’m afraid she might start singing naturally.
I avoided Muka’s eyes and looked at the other members of the group.
“…Sniff.”
Diana was sitting on Orphe’s lap, fast asleep.
Sleeping this much is not good for her health.
A sleepyhead can’t become a mutant ninja dinosaur.
To give her a little pinch, I reached out my hand, but Orphe caught it before it could touch Diana’s body.
“Everything will be fine.”
Orphe said, holding my hand gently.
“Of course.”
I didn’t reach out my hand to shake hands, but I shook her hand because I thought she might feel embarrassed.
A considerate sweet ninja.
“You’re finally going to Neo-Solitron~! Shall we play a lively tune?”
“Diana is sleeping. Please calm down.”
Muka quickly dried her hair.
Anyway, now I’m going. To Neo-Solitron.
The adventure of the runaway ninja who serves and protects the innocent people continues.