After continuing to walk for a week, the scenery around us had changed so much that anyone could see it.
“This area is completely normal now.”
“Yeah. Well, we’ve been moving for a week, so it’s normal, right?”
As the Hero Party, we were, of course, more accustomed to traveling much longer than ordinary travelers. While time for our bodies rewinds, so our pure stamina doesn’t really matter, there’s still something like a trick to moving without getting tired, and most importantly, we can make an otherwise impossible unencumbered journey by putting almost all of our luggage in the [Stranger’s Box]
So even if we travel for about a week, the distance is considerable. It’s not so uncommon for a wilderness to become a normal plain, but… for some reason, Tia shook her head seriously.
“No, Ed. That’s not it. The area around that wilderness had an incredibly weak spirit’s power, but this area is normal. It’s not just the natural environment, but such a significant change in the power of the spirits over such a short distance is abnormal, no matter how you think about it.”
“Heh. Is that… serious?”
I can’t really understand the gravity of the situation as someone who can’t use magic and doesn’t feel the presence of spirits. But looking at Tia’s expression, I get the sense that it’s a pretty serious issue.
“It’s very serious. You see, people who can’t see spirits tend to misunderstand, but it’s not like spirits aren’t active in wastelands. For example, in the desert, wind blows, cacti grow, and snakes and scorpions live normally, right? In contrast, a weak spirit’s power means that natural activity itself has weakened. The wind doesn’t blow, the water stagnates, flowers don’t sprout, and life doesn’t arise. Even if it looks normal now, those will gradually weaken, and everything will eventually disappear. Remember Harris-san’s world? If the Demon King hadn’t blown the blizzard… wouldn’t you think that world would have been very quiet and sad enough to make you cry?”
“………………”
I involuntarily gulped down my saliva. I see, that’s pretty serious. At the same time, the words “collapsed area” that the knight mentioned crossed my mind. A place where the power of spirits is lost, and natural phenomena stop… It’s not an exaggeration to call it a “collapsed area.”
“It seems like something that destroyed that town probably also destroyed the spirit’s power, making such a clear difference, like it was carved out. I don’t know how or what could do such a thing, but…”
“We might understand a little if we hear the story in the town.”
As we conversed like that, we walked for about three more days. Then, after crossing a gentle hill, we were able to see a large town and many people gathered in front of it.
“Wow, that’s a lot of people.”
“It’s more than I expected, even though I heard about it.”
In front of the town’s magnificent wall, there were such a large number of human figures that it would be inadequate to count them as one hundred or two hundred. Simple tents and stalls were scattered around them, enough to be deemed a small village.
“So, Ed, what do we do? Should we try to enter the town too?”
“No, let’s not. It looks impossible with this atmosphere.”
The knight’s man said they were refugees, but being refugees means they lived somewhere in this world before coming here. If even such people can’t enter the town, it will be quite difficult for us, who are completely outsiders.
Of course, I can think of several ways if it’s really necessary, but that can be done after we’ve done what we need to do.
“Let’s start by casually asking around here. Fortunately, there’s a stall selling liquor.”
“Yeah. Fufu, I’ve gotten used to that too.”
Not only one’s own background, but also extracting information from a situation where even basic common sense is unknown. If one is to travel through numerous different worlds, this is an essential skill, and of course, both I and Tia have become reasonably proficient at doing such things
Well, in this place, even if we are suspected a little, we can escape quickly, and most people can be deceived with liquor and food. I separated from Tia for a while and walked to a suitable stall, casually eavesdropping on the conversation of the guys standing and drinking there.
“Really, I wonder how long this kind of life will continue… If only we could get into the town.”
“No, no, it’s not so simple. The town is full of inns and everything, and now even the slums are overflowing with people. Some people even say that it’s more comfortable outside, without the walls, since it’s more spacious.”
“Ha! Then it’s a matter of switching! If I had a bit more money, I could ride a carriage all the way to Sweden!”
“Sweden? It’s not so different from here, is it? If you really want to go, you should go to the Holy Kingdom. They say anyone can get a warm meal and blanket there.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! I’d rather die than go to the country where the ‘Winged’ were born, no matter how unrelated they claim to be!”
(…Winged?)
At first glance, it’s a trivial conversation, but there’s much to learn from it. For example, although they are refugees, they don’t seem to be in dire straits. They don’t appear to be tormented by hunger or thirst, or severely cornered. This means that there are ways to earn money here, or there might be relief measures like soup kitchens.
Also, the situation in towns other than this one likely won’t be much different. If the treatment was clearly different, they would move there even if it was a bit difficult. But if they’re content with “if only I had a little more money,” it means the treatment of refugees is roughly the same everywhere.
And finally, there’s the Holy Kingdom and the word “Winged.” This is the most concerning thing, but… hmm.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Huh? What is it, Brother? Need something?”
I call out cheerfully, and the man I addressed responds with suspicion. His reaction is more guarded compared to a regular tavern, but it can’t be helped considering the place and situation.
“Nah, I just overheard you two talking. I’m one of the people who had a hard time with the ‘Winged’ too. So I thought we could complain together. Oh, Pops, three ales please.”
“Aye.”
I ordered, and the stall’s old man poured ale into simple wooden mugs and handed them over. I take them and offer two to the two men in front of me.
“Here you go, as a token of our new acquaintance.”
“Oh, are you sure?”
“What’s the matter, Brother? You get it, don’t you!”
Their expressions soften in contrast to just a moment ago, and they gladly accept the drinks. Hehehe, alcohol is indeed the best and most powerful thing. It’s wonderfully convenient how, unless it’s someone shady, they never refuse if you treat them.
“Nguh, nguh… Phew! Ah, delicious! So, what was it? Complaining about the Winged?”
“Exactly, why did something like that suddenly appear? How many towns and countries were destroyed because of it…”
“I know, right? Ah, but actually, I don’t know much about the ‘Winged.’ My town was destroyed before I could learn much, and since then, it’s been one journey after another…”
“Is that so? You look young; that must have been a disaster.”
“Hahaha, thank you… But, if you don’t mind, could you tell me a little about the ‘Winged’? It feels like I can complain better if I know the enemy.”
“Gahahaha! Sure thing! Though we only know what’s been rumored in public.”
“That’s more than enough. So…”
The conversation flows smoothly, and I smile to myself. Just when I thought I’d finally get to hear the story, suddenly there’s commotion all around.
“Huh? What’s that? What’s—”
“The Winged! The Winged are coming!”
“What!? Hey, let’s run!”
Someone shouts, and everyone frantically runs towards the town. But I stand my ground, going against the flow. If the subject of my inquiry is coming to me, I have to see it for myself.
“Well, well, the so-called ‘Winged’ are… huh?”
I turn my gaze with a smirk to see a white giant, about fifteen meters tall, clad in a mysterious triangular helmet and metal armor, flapping its wings and looking down at me.
(T/N: I think author added some additional scenes in the Light novel to flesh out some scenes. I read the manga and the first arc had some changes, unless I am misremembering.)
After continuing to walk for a week, the scenery around us had changed so much that anyone could see it.
“This area is completely normal now.”
“Yeah. Well, we’ve been moving for a week, so it’s normal, right?”
As the Hero Party, we were, of course, more accustomed to traveling much longer than ordinary travelers. While time for our bodies rewinds, so our pure stamina doesn’t really matter, there’s still something like a trick to moving without getting tired, and most importantly, we can make an otherwise impossible unencumbered journey by putting almost all of our luggage in the [Stranger’s Box]
So even if we travel for about a week, the distance is considerable. It’s not so uncommon for a wilderness to become a normal plain, but… for some reason, Tia shook her head seriously.
“No, Ed. That’s not it. The area around that wilderness had an incredibly weak spirit’s power, but this area is normal. It’s not just the natural environment, but such a significant change in the power of the spirits over such a short distance is abnormal, no matter how you think about it.”
“Heh. Is that… serious?”
I can’t really understand the gravity of the situation as someone who can’t use magic and doesn’t feel the presence of spirits. But looking at Tia’s expression, I get the sense that it’s a pretty serious issue.
“It’s very serious. You see, people who can’t see spirits tend to misunderstand, but it’s not like spirits aren’t active in wastelands. For example, in the desert, wind blows, cacti grow, and snakes and scorpions live normally, right? In contrast, a weak spirit’s power means that natural activity itself has weakened. The wind doesn’t blow, the water stagnates, flowers don’t sprout, and life doesn’t arise. Even if it looks normal now, those will gradually weaken, and everything will eventually disappear. Remember Harris-san’s world? If the Demon King hadn’t blown the blizzard… wouldn’t you think that world would have been very quiet and sad enough to make you cry?”
“………………”
I involuntarily gulped down my saliva. I see, that’s pretty serious. At the same time, the words “collapsed area” that the knight mentioned crossed my mind. A place where the power of spirits is lost, and natural phenomena stop… It’s not an exaggeration to call it a “collapsed area.”
“It seems like something that destroyed that town probably also destroyed the spirit’s power, making such a clear difference, like it was carved out. I don’t know how or what could do such a thing, but…”
“We might understand a little if we hear the story in the town.”
As we conversed like that, we walked for about three more days. Then, after crossing a gentle hill, we were able to see a large town and many people gathered in front of it.
“Wow, that’s a lot of people.”
“It’s more than I expected, even though I heard about it.”
In front of the town’s magnificent wall, there were such a large number of human figures that it would be inadequate to count them as one hundred or two hundred. Simple tents and stalls were scattered around them, enough to be deemed a small village.
“So, Ed, what do we do? Should we try to enter the town too?”
“No, let’s not. It looks impossible with this atmosphere.”
The knight’s man said they were refugees, but being refugees means they lived somewhere in this world before coming here. If even such people can’t enter the town, it will be quite difficult for us, who are completely outsiders.
Of course, I can think of several ways if it’s really necessary, but that can be done after we’ve done what we need to do.
“Let’s start by casually asking around here. Fortunately, there’s a stall selling liquor.”
“Yeah. Fufu, I’ve gotten used to that too.”
Not only one’s own background, but also extracting information from a situation where even basic common sense is unknown. If one is to travel through numerous different worlds, this is an essential skill, and of course, both I and Tia have become reasonably proficient at doing such things
Well, in this place, even if we are suspected a little, we can escape quickly, and most people can be deceived with liquor and food. I separated from Tia for a while and walked to a suitable stall, casually eavesdropping on the conversation of the guys standing and drinking there.
“Really, I wonder how long this kind of life will continue… If only we could get into the town.”
“No, no, it’s not so simple. The town is full of inns and everything, and now even the slums are overflowing with people. Some people even say that it’s more comfortable outside, without the walls, since it’s more spacious.”
“Ha! Then it’s a matter of switching! If I had a bit more money, I could ride a carriage all the way to Sweden!”
“Sweden? It’s not so different from here, is it? If you really want to go, you should go to the Holy Kingdom. They say anyone can get a warm meal and blanket there.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! I’d rather die than go to the country where the ‘Winged’ were born, no matter how unrelated they claim to be!”
(…Winged?)
At first glance, it’s a trivial conversation, but there’s much to learn from it. For example, although they are refugees, they don’t seem to be in dire straits. They don’t appear to be tormented by hunger or thirst, or severely cornered. This means that there are ways to earn money here, or there might be relief measures like soup kitchens.
Also, the situation in towns other than this one likely won’t be much different. If the treatment was clearly different, they would move there even if it was a bit difficult. But if they’re content with “if only I had a little more money,” it means the treatment of refugees is roughly the same everywhere.
And finally, there’s the Holy Kingdom and the word “Winged.” This is the most concerning thing, but… hmm.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Huh? What is it, Brother? Need something?”
I call out cheerfully, and the man I addressed responds with suspicion. His reaction is more guarded compared to a regular tavern, but it can’t be helped considering the place and situation.
“Nah, I just overheard you two talking. I’m one of the people who had a hard time with the ‘Winged’ too. So I thought we could complain together. Oh, Pops, three ales please.”
“Aye.”
I ordered, and the stall’s old man poured ale into simple wooden mugs and handed them over. I take them and offer two to the two men in front of me.
“Here you go, as a token of our new acquaintance.”
“Oh, are you sure?”
“What’s the matter, Brother? You get it, don’t you!”
Their expressions soften in contrast to just a moment ago, and they gladly accept the drinks. Hehehe, alcohol is indeed the best and most powerful thing. It’s wonderfully convenient how, unless it’s someone shady, they never refuse if you treat them.
“Nguh, nguh… Phew! Ah, delicious! So, what was it? Complaining about the Winged?”
“Exactly, why did something like that suddenly appear? How many towns and countries were destroyed because of it…”
“I know, right? Ah, but actually, I don’t know much about the ‘Winged.’ My town was destroyed before I could learn much, and since then, it’s been one journey after another…”
“Is that so? You look young; that must have been a disaster.”
“Hahaha, thank you… But, if you don’t mind, could you tell me a little about the ‘Winged’? It feels like I can complain better if I know the enemy.”
“Gahahaha! Sure thing! Though we only know what’s been rumored in public.”
“That’s more than enough. So…”
The conversation flows smoothly, and I smile to myself. Just when I thought I’d finally get to hear the story, suddenly there’s commotion all around.
“Huh? What’s that? What’s—”
“The Winged! The Winged are coming!”
“What!? Hey, let’s run!”
Someone shouts, and everyone frantically runs towards the town. But I stand my ground, going against the flow. If the subject of my inquiry is coming to me, I have to see it for myself.
“Well, well, the so-called ‘Winged’ are… huh?”
I turn my gaze with a smirk to see a white giant, about fifteen meters tall, clad in a mysterious triangular helmet and metal armor, flapping its wings and looking down at me.
(T/N: I think author added some additional scenes in the Light novel to flesh out some scenes. I read the manga and the first arc had some changes, unless I am misremembering.)
