LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 113.4
“Not eating anymore?”
“No… I’m fine.”
The meat being roasted over the campfire is from the Nudlok we hunted on the way.
We used up a lot during the recovery work, but there’s still a bit left.
Hans rejected the Nudlok meat early on, so I cut a bit of Gousas beef and offered it to him.
Then, contrary to his earlier statement, he started devouring the Gousas’ beef with great joy.
Sure, Nudlok tastes bad, but it’s not inedible.
Meals during camping are just like this.
After dinner, I tended to my Shamshir, while Hans took a break with a cup of tea.
Amidst the crackling of the campfire, Hans suddenly murmured,
“Tenko, you’re a kind person, aren’t you?”
I stopped what I was doing and looked at Hans, surprised by his remark.
Am I kind?
What a nonsensical thing to say.
I thought back over my life and shook my head.
I’ve never helped someone without a reason.
I support Ted and the others because they’re who they are.
Countless refugees are suffering similarly outside the walls.
I denied it, but Hans denied my denial.
“I was at a loss when my guards deserted me. Hiring new ones was difficult as adventurers were hesitant, and I could barely pay any advance. That’s when I remembered you, Tenko. An adventurer who challenged and eradicated the feared Soprick alone. I went to the guild and the barracks and heard various stories.”
I silently urged him to continue.
“They said you were asked to bury an adventurer you found at a landslide site. The guild receptionist was impressed. And you came to help the guard unit because a young boy asked you to.”
I fell silent, and Hans continued, “Even for your father’s treatment—”
Listening to him, I started thinking.
I couldn’t deny it. They were all true.
But that’s not my usual self.
Reflecting on the events since I took on the recovery request, I frowned.
Yes, something was off about everything.
It’s one thing to be asked to bury an adventurer, but giving gold coins to a stranger is unheard of.
Theo too. He volunteered without being asked.
And it was against a venomous monster, so I should have gathered information to see if my antidote would work.
Charging in suddenly is far too reckless.
Ignoring Hans’ ongoing praise, I kept thinking.
Even after Soprick.
If Morris had only one antidote potion ready, I should have decided calmly who would take it.
Antidote mixing doesn’t take long, but with the risk of me falling unconscious, I should’ve taken it first. If I collapsed, everyone’s lives would be in danger.
In fact, I almost died from that wrong decision.
From the start, something was strange.
Restoring the highway doesn’t finish quickly.
A few days’ delay hardly impacts the economy.
Still, I rushed to the scene, considering the landslide victims who might not even exist.
As if it were natural to do so.
“Tenko?”
Noticing something was off, Hans peered at me.
Instead of responding, I grabbed my Shamshir and released [Strong Strike] straight up.
In front of me, blood and a dark shadow fell with a thud, and Hans froze.
“Behind the big tree.”
Hans, still stiff, crawled on all fours toward the big tree.
Simultaneously, Nudloks started flying at us.
They still had their weakening magic tools equipped.
Our agility matched, but my heavy Shamshir couldn’t catch them easily.
I was bitten and clawed countless times.
In the end, everything had been off from the start.
I can’t blame Lauri.
I couldn’t even grasp my own condition, let alone others’.
Receiving Nudlok’s fangs, I laughed wryly.
Somehow, I managed to drive them off, washing my bloodied body with [Pure Water].
As I began healing with a potion, Hans finally relaxed.
Breathing heavily, he collapsed on the spot.
“That was a surprise… It happened so suddenly.”
“I thought they’d come. Gousas beef smells delicious.”
As my words sank in, Hans’ face showed shock.
“So… you roasted the Gousas to lure the monsters!?”
“If humans find it tasty, other creatures might too. I first roasted the Nudlok to attract attention. The campfire was also big. Only God knew what would come.” Hans leaned weakly against the tree, looking up at me reproachfully.
Even if he looked at me like that.
He was proudly telling my good deeds, but in the end, he wanted to exploit my kindness.
Helping with training isn’t much of a price.
By the way, Hans’ weak presence was also bait, but since I acted as the shield, he wasn’t hurt at all.
So—am I really kind?
Yes, I surely am.