Chapter 76

As we retraced our steps, the sun had already set.

We returned to the tourist city of Vizer.

"First, I think we should go to the Adventurers' Guild, what do you think?"

"I agree."

Iksa nodded in response to my suggestion.

Currently, the Adventurers' Guild is receiving many capture and suppression missions related to the beastmen.

I thought it would be best to take on all the missions related to the Berserks to prevent any unnecessary trouble from arising due to their interference.

We headed straight for the Adventurers' Guild.

Upon entering and approaching one of the reception desks, the same braided receptionist from this morning was standing there.

"Oh, I apologize for this morning."

Seeing us, she bowed her head.

"Excuse me, but there's a mission we'd like to take on..."

I explained the situation to the receptionist and requested that all the missions related to the Berserks be assigned to us.

She then displayed a puzzled expression.

"Eh? Missions related to the beastmen? ...T, that is, that..."

"Is there a problem?"

I asked, seeing her anxious expression.

"Well... actually, a party has already taken on the mission to subdue the beastmen bandits."

"Eh?"

Her words left us speechless.

A subjugation mission?

That means they have already gone to harm those beastmen.

"The one who went is A-rank adventurer Silas Yellowstone, along with a few companions."

"What kind of person is this Silas?"

When Iksa asked, the receptionist hesitated, saying, "Well... "

"He wields dual swords. He recently ascended to A-rank and is a young, very aggressive adventurer."

"...That's him."

I recalled the young adventurer I saw when I visited here this morning.

The one who was determined to wipe out the beastmen, carrying dual swords.

"He seemed very enthusiastic, saying he would crush the entire village..."

"...That's very problematic."

As I muttered, everyone made grim faces.

"When did this person set out on the mission?"

"About thirty minutes ago..."

Thirty minutes?

Around the same time we left the village.

"On the way back, did you encounter such people?"

"No, I didn't see anyone."

When I asked, Uga tilted his head.

When did they...

"Um, did you all just meet the beastmen earlier?"

The receptionist, looking somewhat nervous, asked.

She might have a timid personality.

"Yes, is there something wrong?"

"Well, it might not be good to say, but... when Silas left, he said he would kill all the beastmen."

"...Can you give me a bit more information about this Silas?"

I had a bad feeling.

But first, I needed to gather more information.

"Silas is a promising young adventurer who has recently risen to prominence. He uses dual swords in combat, overwhelming enemies with power and speed. Moreover, as a member of the special Yellowston family, he can use curses."

"Curses?"

"A special kind of magic that erodes the body like a disease."

I thought she wouldn't be able to share such personal information, but the receptionist provided the details smoothly.

"Is it okay to tell me this so easily?"

"Yes... Silas himself said to spread it for publicity..."

He seems to have a high level of self-promotion.

...So, the content she just shared might be what Silas himself thought up.

Well, that doesn't matter, but from the information I've heard, he seems to be a very dangerous person.

At least, to us.

"Mako! We need to hurry back to the village!"

Maul shouted.

Yes, that's right.

We need to return to the village as soon as possible to check on the situation.

"Receptionist... um..."

"Oh, my name is Coru!"

"Thank you, Coru!"

I thanked her and, together with everyone else, rushed out of the guild.

We got on the cart pulled by Entia and Kuro and headed back to the Berserks' village, hoping for their safety...

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

"No way..."

Thanks to Entia and Kuro, we returned as quickly as possible.

However, the Berserks' village that I saw was drastically different from just an hour ago.

Black smoke rose from various parts of the village, and the houses we had repaired were once again in ruins.

Worse still, there were injured beastmen lying around everywhere.

"Hey, you guys..."

A few of the beastmen were unharmed.

One of them, the leader Bushi, noticed us and approached, holding his injured arm.

Muu, the rabbit beastman, was supporting him.

"You're back..."

"Bushi! Are you okay!?"

"My injuries are minor... more importantly, everyone else..."

"I understand! First, let's gather the injured in one place!"

At my command, everyone sprang into action.

We helped the injured Berserks, who were groaning in pain, and gathered them in one spot.

There was an open area in the center of the village.

We laid out the cloth from the cart on the ground and placed everyone on it.

"...This is terrible."

I clenched my teeth.

About thirty beastmen lived in the village.

Children and the elderly were no exception; most of them were groaning in pain.

"Only about four or five, including me, are unharmed..."

Bushi said, but even those who were unharmed had some injuries.

Muu also had cuts in various places.

'Ponpon...'

At Muu's feet, Pocota, the raccoon, was weakly whimpering.

"Is this one okay?"

"...He bit one of the adventurers and got kicked."

Muu's voice was hoarse as he looked at the lying Pocota.

'Korya!'

Chibi, who was in my clothes, hurriedly flew out and went to Pocota's side.

'Ponpon...'

'Korya! Korya!'

The two, who had been fighting earlier, were now desperately trying to cheer up the battered Pocota.

...I think.

It's unclear if they were actually communicating.

"We need to call a doctor right away!"

"A doctor is only in the city..."

Leyle, who was anxious, shouted, but Bushi responded with a somber voice.

I looked at the injured beastmen lying on the ground.

None of them seemed to have fatal injuries.

However, many of them wouldn't last long in this state.

If we left them for even a few more minutes, it would be dangerous.

Moreover...

"Ugh..."

One of the relatively less injured beastmen was groaning, and there were black marks on his body.

It might be...

"That's a curse."

While tightly binding the injured beastman's wound, Garai said.

"A special kind of magic that causes mental pain without physical damage... It's probably the work of that A-rank adventurer."

"That seems to be the case."

Garai had been involved in the underworld.

He might have seen or heard about such curses many times... or even experienced them himself.

"To remove the curse, we need a magician who can perform dispelling."

"Then we need to bring a doctor and a magician who can dispel curses."

While saying this calmly, I had concerns.

Would we make it in time?

It had been thirty minutes so far.

A round trip would take an hour.

Would it be possible to keep them alive during that time?

"There's a shortcut..."

Bushi, as if reading my mind, said.

"The road to the city isn't the only one... The adventurers also used this road to attack our village."

I see, that's why.

That's why we didn't encounter Silas's group on the way to the village or on the way back.

They were using a different route.

"Cross the forest, cross the bridge over the river, and you'll reach the city gate. Using this shortcut, you can reach the city in one-third of the time."

"Really? Then let's use that—"

"But it's impossible!"

Bushi punched the ground in frustration.

"Those adventurers are occupying that road!"

"You mean Silas and his group are waiting on the shortcut to the city?"

"They didn't just come to wipe us out! Some of the injuries are relatively minor, and the effects of the curse are delayed! They intentionally left some of us able to move!"

Bushi shouted.

"If they leave some of us able to move, we'll definitely go to the city for help! That's their plan! They're waiting for us near the city! They want to bring us to the front of the city and then subdue us! That way, they can be seen as heroes defending the city from the enraged beastmen who attacked it!"

"...Heroes?"

I couldn't help but react to the word Bushi blurted out.

"You understand well, Bushi."

I stood up.

"I will definitely save everyone!"

I shouted to the Berserks, including Bushi, who had almost given up.

"Huh?"

"Maul, Meala, Uga! Take care of everyone's condition!"

Surprised, they opened their eyes wide as I gave instructions to my companions.

"Leyle! Delphi! Burning or freezing the wounds might help as a temporary measure!"

"Got it."

"Mako! What about you!?"

Leyle asked, and I answered.

"I'm going to the city to bring a doctor and a magician who can dispel curses!"

"What? Didn't you hear what I said!?"

Bushi, confused by my statement, stood up.

"It takes almost thirty minutes to get to the city from here!"

"Don't worry! If Entia and Kuro take the shortcut, it will only take a few minutes!"

"The shortcut is occupied by them!"

Bushi seemed to be struggling to understand my words.

"They're strong! We couldn't stand a chance against them! It's a party of about ten, with the A-rank leader and most of his companions being B-rank. Some of them can use magic!"

"I'll take care of those adventurers."

Bushi was speechless at my words.

"What... are you saying?"

"I'll instantly kill Silas and his group, and then Garai will blow up the city gate. We'll find a doctor and a few magicians at the Adventurers' Guild and bring them to the village. Until then, take care of everyone's injuries. Bushi, please guide us to the shortcut."

I quickly said this and started walking, pulling Bushi's hand, who was still in shock.

Time was precious.

We needed to act quickly.

"Let's go."

At my words, Garai and Iksa stood up.

We were limited in the number of people who could move because we needed to take care of the injured.

"Entia!"

'All set, boss!'

I got on the cart pulled by Entia and ran towards the city.