Published: September 4, 2025
※2016/4/3 Typo corrections made.
This is Satou. There are many stories revolving around revenge, but perhaps because of the theme, few of them end with a happy ending. People tend to shout things like "Tenfold revenge!" to vent, but I hope no one takes it too seriously.
◇
“I'm telling you, just wait! That person is also a noble! He’s not someone who does bad things!”
“Move aside, Kon.”
“Yeah, just joining the tavern’s siege gets you one silver coin, you know?”
“Right, right, do you know how many goblins that’s worth?”
“Even a good-for-nothing like you can earn that! Missing this chance would be foolish.”
That was the conversation overheard from the tavern where the Demon Hunters gathered.
That arson noble, is he still planning something?
I checked the map and saw about twenty Demon Hunters gathered in a vacant lot near the lord’s manor. There were also about the same number of young human men and women, so it seems that non-Demon Hunter outlaws are being assembled as well. Since no guards were present, it looks like baronet Poton, the guardian, is not involved this time.
There are 42 people in total, but none with magic skills—only warrior and thief types. Their levels range from 2 to 7, so even just my comrades aside from me seem like fodder that could be easily defeated.
The arson noble remains in the baronet’s manor without moving. I had expected this since the priests and alchemists in this city are low level, but it seems his health has only recovered to about 30% of maximum—probably due to severe fractures that keep him from moving even if he wants to.
Right in front of the tavern are Kon, the one-armed Demon Hunter boy, four female Demon Hunters who operate with him, and about eight beast tribe Demon Hunters. These beastmen, called Ordo, are among the stronger Demon Hunters, levels 7 to 9. The rest are similar to those in the vacant lot, levels 2 to 7.
“Come on, Ordo, stop drinking and stop the sisters already.”
“Let them go, will ya?”
“Hey, Ordo!”
It seems the beast tribe is neutral and won't support Kon.
“If you don’t move soon, fists won’t be enough.”
“Please, sister.”
“Kena’s not stopping, though.”
“What’s the matter, Ordo? Going against other Demon Hunter groups isn’t like you.”
“It’s not an opinion, it’s a warning. We’re siding with the tavern nobles. Besides owing a favor to Bo Shu’s sister, we’ve been asked by the beastmen’s council to protect the tavern nobles.”
Hmm? Maybe as thanks for healing burns. I don’t know who Bo Shu’s sister is, but she must be among those who were healed.
Had I not overheard this, I might have fallen victim to the arson noble’s hired men and their ranged magic.
Well, no point eavesdropping forever.
“Seriously? Ordo, I know you’re strong, but the enemy isn’t only those 20+ Demon Hunters. There are over 50 guardian guards too.”
“No worries. The guards won’t come out.”
“Who told you that? Your mother? Just stay out of it!”
I interrupted the conversation between the one-eyed large rabbit tribe man (Ordo) and the female leader (Kena). Kena hissed at me without turning around. Maybe she mistook me for one of the Demon Hunters?
“Baronet Poton sealed it using his connections in the Duke’s Capital. Unless he’s a nihilist or an unbelievably foolish warrior, he won’t send troops.”
Kena and her group turned at Ordo’s glance. Seeing me armed, one of Kena’s female companions stood up and reached for her sword’s hilt.
Waving to Kon, who was being trampled at Kena’s feet, I introduced myself.
“Hello, nice to meet you. I am Baron Satou Pendragon.”
While introducing myself, I casually surveyed the tavern to confirm the consistency with the information I gathered from the map.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard. You there—Miss Kena, right? If possible, could you and your group just enjoy a drinking party here for now?”
“A drinking party? Aren’t you here to recruit allies?”
“No, I came to gather the latest information from the remotest village to the mountain range.”