Chapter 77.6 – Bakotsu, Part Two

「This meat… This is extremely good meat. Does the Holy Knight Order get supplied with things like this?」

「Once you go beyond the thorns surrounding the village, the number of wild animals and monsters increases. This is meat from a two-headed cow we captured during today’s investigation.」

As its name suggested, a two-headed cow was a bovine monster with two heads. It was considered one of the more delicious edible monsters, but its temperament made domestication impossible, so hunted meat was sold on the market as a luxury product.

Besides subjugating monsters, adventurers also hunted monsters for which there was demand like this, so they understood very well how difficult they were to capture or kill.

Because the two-headed cow had two heads, even while one head rested, the other remained vigilant. In other words, it never stopped, never slept, and never left itself vulnerable. Its cry had the ability to inspire terror and freeze the body, after which it would charge with its massive weight. Despite being large and heavy, it was fast, and even a moment of paralysis could prove fatal. …Worse still, they usually moved in herds, charging one after another while bellowing. The voice of a two-headed cow was a kind of curse, and while those with resistance could endure it, it was not unusual for those without resistance to be gored to death while unable to move.

「Wasn’t that… dangerous…?」

「No. …Witch-dono’s familiar had already captured them, so there was no danger. All we had to do was finish off the immobilized two-headed cows, so it was simple. …That esteemed person protects not only the village, but even us knights.」

The expression Leonhart wore as he answered Bakotsu was extremely gentle, seemingly filled from the bottom of his heart with gratitude and reverence for the witch. Yet in the blink of an eye, it vanished and changed into a somewhat artificial smile. The contrast momentarily caught Bakotsu off guard.

「Therefore… the Order is also thoroughly committed to ensuring that Witch-dono is never inconvenienced.」

「…Ha ha…」

Aware that they had only just caused trouble during the day, the adventurers reacted to Leonhart’s words in various ways. Some gave dry laughs, some quietly looked away, and others pretended to focus on tasks such as cutting up the meat.

Bakotsu himself had gradually begun to realize it. Leonhart had not come merely to introduce himself. He had come to issue a warning.

「As for tomorrow’s work, I thought we might begin with joint training. Things will go more smoothly if we have some idea of each other’s abilities, won’t they? I am planning one-on-one mock battles in the form of matches.」

「That certainly makes sense. …None of you have any objections, right?」

「Heh, now I’m itching to get started.」

「Yeah, it’s not often you get the chance to spar with knights.」

Everyone nodded at Dari’s words, and Bakotsu had no reason to object either. He had no reason to object, yet something about it felt as though it caught in his mind. There was no way he would not be excited to spar with the Holy Knights he admired, so why did he feel this way?

「…Then I look forward to working with you tomorrow.」

Leaving those words behind, Leonhart departed. They would be able to test their skills against knights. While watching the other adventurers grow excited, Bakotsu felt something faintly resembling a chill.

(What is it… I’ve got a bad feeling about this…)

Rather than an adventurer’s intuition, it was a sense of unease that Bakotsu noticed precisely because he had long admired the Holy Knights and knew Leonhart’s image as the ideal knight. …And unfortunately, that premonition did not prove wrong.

The next day, beneath a clear autumn sky and pleasantly cool air, the adventurers summoned by the Order made their way to the central square of the village.

For some reason, however, many villagers had gathered there, and even the merchant Irai was bustling around at the edge of the square, making the place extremely lively.

「Why are there so many villagers here…?」

「Good morning, everyone. Today’s training will be open to the public.」

「Open… training…?」

Before the confused adventurers appeared a smiling Leonhart accompanied by several other knights. Today as well, he looked as bright and cheerful as the cloudless sky.

「Yes. There are young people in the village who volunteer for defensive duties, after all. In that case, it would be best for everyone to watch and gain an understanding of your abilities. We will also allow anyone who wishes to participate in a match to join on the spot. This village has few people and apparently does not have many events… so while we have the opportunity, I thought everyone might get excited together and enjoy themselves.」

「That’s… well, a good thing.」

「Yeah, true enough… All right, let’s show them what we can do and liven things up.」

This was a village beside the Demon Realm. He likely wanted to turn it into a small event that would blow away the atmosphere that could so easily become gloomy. It was exactly the kind of proposal one would expect from Leonhart, a knight who walked the righteous path, and there was nothing strange about it. …Although the people of this village had never seemed gloomy to begin with.

「Huh? That cat woman isn’t here…」

「Miriya-dono has gone to invite Witch-dono. Today, I would very much like Witch-dono to watch as well.」

「Oh, I see. …Having Witch-sama watching should really fire us up, right, Bakotsu?」

「Mm, well… yeah.」

「Maybe Witch-sama will even fall for me, ha!」

While replying to the man who had spoken to him, Bakotsu felt his own motivation rising inwardly as well. If a beautiful woman was watching, naturally he wanted to look impressive, and it made him feel more enthusiastic.

It was a chance to show the witch how strong they were and how useful they could be in protecting the village.

(Whoa… Wh-What was that? I thought I felt a chill… Was it my imagination?)

For an instant, he thought he had sensed something like killing intent or hostility. But when he looked around, there was nothing except villagers eagerly waiting for the matches to begin, knights making preparations, and a stall from which the pleasant smell of roasting sugarcane had begun to drift. Leonhart in front of him still wore the same smile as ever, merely listening quietly to the adventurers’ foolish banter.

(Is this a sign I’m about to get sick…? I’d better stay sharp.)