Chapter 3: Beyond Cruel! It’s the Darkness of Llinger!
More than one month had passed since Rose made me join the rescue team. In that short span of time, my body had drastically changed.
First, I became incredibly strong. That much I knew. My hellish, intensive training had finally borne fruit. Over time I mastered running, push-ups, and weight lifting. In other words, I was now a lean, mean fighting machine. My body would have never changed so radically if I were back home.
According to Rose, the reason our training was so intensive was to make sure we could escape quickly from the battlefield. Her motto was basically: The faster we run, the sooner we can save lives. The mission of the rescue team—and the healers who belonged to it—was to save those who were hurt or closest to death. We were told to heal anyone we could. But doing so was incredibly tough. We literally had to carry wounded men, who had been abandoned on the battlefield, to safety. Without courage and strength, it wasn’t even worth trying.
I couldn’t help but think, “Can a guy like me really do something that crazy?”
But I didn’t want to bear the burden of being a hero—of being tasked to save the country like Inukami or Kazuki. I wanted to help them, but I still didn’t know how I would do it. I wasn’t ready for what lay ahead. No matter how strong I became, I just couldn’t imagine being thrown onto the battlefield.
Every morning, I would wake up and sigh. I would always feel so insecure before training. But then I would move my body and see the training was clearly working. Even so, I still doubted that I had the mental fortitude to match the strength I had gained.
Realizing how pathetic I sounded, I slapped myself in the face.
“Worrying won’t solve anything. I just have to keep trying,” I said.
Today I had training, just like I did the day before. I could see that it was working and I was full of motivation.
All right. I’ll think about mental fortitude and all that stuff later. Nothing’s gonna change if I sit here worrying after all.
I got out of bed, changed my clothes, then opened the door to my room.
So, what kinda training will we have today?
“We’re going out,” Rose stated.
What? No training? Then give me back my motivation!
The sad truth was that the only places I knew about in this new world were confined to the inside of the rescue team’s training grounds (since I’d been kidnapped the day I was summoned and all). I didn’t know what Rose was planning, but I followed her anyway. The other members had mandatory training, so they didn’t come with us.
Sucks for them. Bahaha.
“Carry this,” Rose commanded.
She handed me a backpack that was practically as tall as me. Without a word, she left and started heading to town.
Hm? What’s wrong, Tong? Why do you look as if you’re watching a soldier march to his death? If there’s nothing to worry about, then whatever.
“What’s the hold up? Get over here,” she said impatiently.
Rose was waiting for me by the entrance to the castle town. I had a bad feeling about this. A really bad feeling. But resisting her would just cause trouble, so I quietly followed her lead. Still carrying the big backpack, I ran after Rose.
When I finally caught up, I started walking a few paces behind her, taking in the view that had shifted from a lush, vivid forest to a bustling town. It was my first time in the castle town and it was invigorating to say the least. The town didn’t have the same devices or scientific advancements we had back on Earth. If anything, it reminded me of a quaint marketplace I once visited when I was a kid.
“Llinger Kingdom is a flourishing center of trade. Many come here from other countries to work,” Rose said.
“I see. Huh?” I noticed something unusual.
A fox-eared girl was tending a shop that sold pointy fruits, but something about the way she moved seemed suspicious. I figured that she must be a beastkin. In any case, seeing one for the very first time left me speechless.
“Quit staring at the beastkin, you idiot. I know you’ve never seen one before, but it just makes ’em uncomfortable,” Rose nagged.
“Oh, sorry.” I quickly apologized.
She’s not a freak show or something, so I should stop looking unless I wanna be rude.
I attempted to look away from the girl, but our eyes suddenly met. She was staring right at me with a blank expression on her face.
I don’t know what she’s thinking, but. . .
“Cute girls make everything better” I said.
“What’re you sayin’? You a pervert or somethin’?” Rose quipped.
No way! I can do without the insults, you know. Actually, why is she the only beastkin girl around here?
“If people come here from other countries to work, I don’t see why there shouldn’t be more demihumans or beastkin around,” I noted.
“This country lets in demihumans pretty easily. Mainly ’cause His Majesty’s got a kind heart. It’s the road here that’s trouble. Scum like thieves, kidnappers, and assassins target ’em. Some demihumans, especially beastkin, possess valuable powers. Since they look so demure, they’re often sold as slaves for a hefty profit,” she explained.
“Slaves?” I stammered.
“This country doesn’t have a system of institutionalized slavery, but there are places that use slaves. Know what I mean?” she continued.
“Yeah, I guess,” I answered solemnly.
I understood what she meant, but it just didn’t feel right. It was too disturbing for an ordinary guy like me to accept.
I looked at a world map the other day. From what I remember, the beastkin country is far away from Llinger Kingdom.
“Did they risk their lives to come here?” I asked.
“Yeah. Anyway, on to the next place,” Rose said curtly.
I had no idea where she was going, but that was nothing new.
When I looked back at the fox girl, she was staring right at me. She just kept staring, and staring . . .
That’s kinda creepy. Time to pick up the pace.
I followed Rose through the town without looking back. I was so absorbed in my surroundings, and busy wondering where we were going, that I hardly noticed when we ended up arriving at a large door on the outskirts of town.
Huh. Must be another town through that door. They must make their towns right next to each other. No, wait. This isn’t the exit to the town . . . it’s the exit to the kingdom itself!
A guard was standing in front of the door.
In the past month, I’d noticed that Rose stared people down as she spoke. She was already staring down the guard and he seemed pretty shaken.
“Yo,” Rose said. “Been a while, Thomas.”
“R-Rose-san! H-How can I h-help you today?!” the man stammered.
“Gonna show my trainee the outdoors,” Rose answered.
What she really meant by that was “open the damn door.” That was Rose for you. Her presence alone made gatekeepers shake in their boots.
“I-I’ll open it now!” he exclaimed.
“Thanks,” she said.
I decided to butt in.
“Spoken like a true mobster, Rose-san. Er, ya know what? Never mind.”
We’d been together for a whole month, so I knew how to avoid setting her off. The light faded from the guard’s eyes as he opened the door. I felt bad for the gloomy gatekeeper as I bowed to him and walked toward the door.
Rose and I passed through the doorway together.
“Where are we going, Rose-san?” I asked.
“To a forest filled with monsters,” she said casually.
“What?” I was taken aback.
“Should be a few hours from here,” she noted.
Excuse me! What are you talking about? Wait . . . is this backpack a freaking tent?! Are you making me stay in a forest packed with prowling monsters? What a damn ruthless ogre!
My eyes flitted back and forth nervously, but Rose just ignored me and quickly picked up the pace.
Wait. She didn’t say I had to stay here, so maybe it’s all in my head.
C’mon, me. We can’t give up hope yet.