158 Glasses Boy Sees a Horse in the Forge
—To summarize it,
“The role of a [Hunter] is different around here.”
After listening to Cherry’s explanation, I arrived to that conclusion.
At first, I thought hunter as in someone who hunted animals other than monsters.
To be precise, someone who hunted animals and forage plants necessary to sustain a living.
However, monsters were always present in hunting grounds, which couldn’t just be ignored.
So, my masted taught me that hunting edible monsters was also part of a hunter’s job, while keeping in mind that monsters played a role in exterminating dangerous predators.
—Apparently, being a [Hunter] in this city was the same as being an ordinary adventurer.
“I think it’s good to have that kind of recognition. Although Eil also hunts ordinary animals, it seems that in this city, the hunters would hunt monsters.”
As for adventurer, their job would include escorting and foraging, in addition to subjugating monsters.
A [Hunter] in this town literally translated to ‘the one who hunted monsters.’
“In other words, Chace becomes a monsters hunter as soon as he arrived in Krozheit.”
That much should be true.
I guess there was no adventurer’s guild here.
Perhaps, that was why those who assumed the role became known as [Hunters].
“Well, I can see that happening.”
“That’s right. It’s just a rumor, but I heard that he’s better than the hunters in this city. Chace sure is strong.”
Uh-huh, Chace is strong indeed.
If there’s a monster in the area, he usually can take care of it on his own.
Once he hit the vital point with a surprise strike from a moderate distance, that should be it. Chace, who’d undergone rigorous training, should be able to do it easily.
As expected, [Fast Boots] are handy.
Although, even without his [Knowledge], he was already pretty strong.
“But why did Chace choose to become a hunter?”
“So far, I haven’t met him in person.”
Is that so? Well, I can see why.
Chace wasn’t the type to open his heart to someone he barely knew. He was probably keeping it to himself to prevent rumors from spreading.
“However, because of the maintenance of their weapons, it seems that many hunters live around the blacksmith district. In the blacksmith district, they’d receive support, hence it became a hunter’s territory.”
…I see.
“The blacksmith district has a fighting force.”
“Do you think so, too?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s quite obvious.”
The blacksmith district defended itself by sheltering hunters like that.
Of course, by sending things like food and furs to the town, the hunters also established their positions.
It seemed that Adyll and Beckenberg were doing their best to protect their territories.
It was likely that the blacksmith district wasn’t governed by anyone, at least on the surface.
Aside from blacksmithing, the blacksmith district was necessary to procure food and other miscellaneous goods.
—That’s why it can’t be crushed.
Besides, there were many hunters, so any disturbance would be dealt with immediately.
Also, they probably didn’t think about expanding into other territories because they could make profit effortlessly through mutual cooperation.
—In other words, those around them weren’t even considered a threat.
With the blacksmith district as it was, only foolish people would try to cause problems there, when it was more profitable to leave the district alone.
Or rather, I didn’t want to make an enemy out of it.
Come to think of it, during my night surveillance, I didn’t encounter anyone in that area.
Even though some mansions in the Glory District are guarded by some gatekeepers…
Perhaps, the place simply didn’t need such a thing.
—Isn’t that convenient?
I’d need to take a little detour, but I was planning to visit the blacksmith district.
Perhaps, I’d learn something about Chace there.
“Let’s get back to the topic a bit, but I think you can discover something about Chace if you ask around in the blacksmith district. No, he might live there.”
I was just thinking about the same thing…
Well, based on Cherry’s story, I’d learned that he was safe and sound, so I didn’t think there was any reason to go out of my way to find him.
I didn’t know about Lisse, but the only way to deny Beckenberg’s lie that ‘everyone’s dead’ was to confirm everyone’s safety.
No matter how unlikely the possibility was, it’d remain as such until I confirmed it.
I couldn’t help but worry.
No matter how unlikely it was, I couldn’t help but feel curious.
I coincidentally stumbled across Cherry, but I was able to confirm everyone’s safety.
That’s enough for now.
“By the way, what are you going to do now, Eil?”
Hm?
“What do you mean? I already told you.”
I answered while wondering what kind of question was that—but that’s right.
“Would you like to join us? I think Flo will be happy, too.”
Yes, that’d be a natural option.
It didn’t occur to me at first, but Cherry already considered it.
—That’s why she joined Florentine.
Certainly, it’d be more convenient for us to team up.
There were quite a few enemies around me, and a lot of incidents, to boot. The notion of having someone I could trust by my side was very appealing.
—But I still had business with Sorichika.
I could contact them, but I was forbidden from joining them.
Furthermore, I understood the purpose behind the assignment, so I had no intention of joining from the beginning.
“Just like how you met someone, I also met someone. I think it’s better for us to stay separate.”
There were several rulers in this city.
Just like how I met Adyll, Cherry and Florentine must’ve met someone.
In fact, Lisse did, and I was sure Chace would too, eventually.
The encounter with the ruler, and the experience after meeting.
I was sure that was why I was thrown into Krozheit.
“Encounter, huh? Now that you mention it, it might be a chance encounter.”
Let’s ask who Cherry and the others met.
“I’ll tell you just in case, but let’s meet at the Tower of Bryne next.”
Just in case something happened, I told Cherry where I was and left the orphanage after making contact.
—I was also interested in Zett-related stuff, but in the end I didn’t ask about the details.
With Cherry around, she should be safe.
At first, I was worried about leaving Florentine alone, but with those two, anything should be possible. Perhaps, Lisse would team up with them as well.
I wouldn’t get involved in this dispute unless I was called.
—Honestly, I didn’t want to see Zett again.
***
Leaving the slums, I went to the blacksmith district once again.
The smoke of burning metal billowed here and there, along with the clanking sound of striking metal.
The faint smell of blood soaked into the ground reminded me of my master’s house in Albat village, and it was somewhat nostalgic.
Somewhere around here, monsters were being dismantled
It was a blacksmith district, so there were many blacksmiths.
The district seemed so different from its nighttime counterpart, when there was no people, and was bustling.
—And, as expected, or just as I had imagined, there were many burly, well-armed people.
They were the so-called hunters of this town.
Somehow…
Somehow, casually, or maybe unconsciously—…
…Perhaps driven by nostalgia, I followed the faint scent of blood, and stumbled into a building that seemed like a huge livestock barn.
I was shocked.
A gigantic black horse that I’d never seen before was lying dead on its side.
Then, the acrid smell of blood must be because they were draining its blood.
It’s so big.
If it stood up, it should be able to carry five adults on its back.
Even when it was lying on its side, the thickness alone almost matched my height. I’d have to look up if it did stand up.
Oh, and its forehead…
It had a large, twisted horn that matched its size.
Then, it wasn’t a normal horse, but a monster.
…Ah, I see.
Isn’t this the monster referred to as [King Horse]? I’ve heard of it.
A horse monster that lived in the vicinity of Krozheit, and seemed to be the main source of meat for this city.
In other words, it was a major prey for hunters.
The other day, I was taken to a yakiniku restaurant by Seviarow, and when I asked, ‘What kind of meat is this?’ The name King Horse came up.
Due to the subtle odor and fat, the meat was popular. Even more so when aged, because it’d then transform into a juicy, red meat that could be boiled or grilled. Some parts could even be half-cooked.
Well, it sure was delicious.
“—Amazing, right?”
Oh.
I knew there was someone nearby. As I watched the horse with curiosity, the person calmly called out to me, without yelling or driving me away.
He was an old man in his forties, wearing work clothes that resembled a monk’s robe. Judging from how taut and muscular his body was, he was probably a blacksmith.
“In the last few years, it’s the biggest and most ferocious horse I’d ever seen in the hunter’s area. She was called Queen. Yes, it’s a mare. I can’t even count the number of victims who died from being stomped or hit by her.”
Oh, so not all King Horses are of this size? She must be gigantic.
“No matter how many times I tried to hunt it, I always failed. It’s nimble and fast, and everyone soon gave up. But look, we finally did it.”
Yeah, it sure is amazing.
It might be smaller than Obsidian wolf, but it seemed more intimidating because of the horn.
“Well, we got help from a stranger.”
…
“Does he have blue hair?”
“That’s right. Did you come because you’ve heard of his rumors and want a sneak peek of the man himself?”
I see…
…If it’s Chace, it’s no wonder. After all, he’s strong.
158 Glasses Boy Sees a Horse in the Forge
—To summarize it,
“The role of a [Hunter] is different around here.”
After listening to Cherry’s explanation, I arrived to that conclusion.
At first, I thought hunter as in someone who hunted animals other than monsters.
To be precise, someone who hunted animals and forage plants necessary to sustain a living.
However, monsters were always present in hunting grounds, which couldn’t just be ignored.
So, my masted taught me that hunting edible monsters was also part of a hunter’s job, while keeping in mind that monsters played a role in exterminating dangerous predators.
—Apparently, being a [Hunter] in this city was the same as being an ordinary adventurer.
“I think it’s good to have that kind of recognition. Although Eil also hunts ordinary animals, it seems that in this city, the hunters would hunt monsters.”
As for adventurer, their job would include escorting and foraging, in addition to subjugating monsters.
A [Hunter] in this town literally translated to ‘the one who hunted monsters.’
“In other words, Chace becomes a monsters hunter as soon as he arrived in Krozheit.”
That much should be true.
I guess there was no adventurer’s guild here.
Perhaps, that was why those who assumed the role became known as [Hunters].
“Well, I can see that happening.”
“That’s right. It’s just a rumor, but I heard that he’s better than the hunters in this city. Chace sure is strong.”
Uh-huh, Chace is strong indeed.
If there’s a monster in the area, he usually can take care of it on his own.
Once he hit the vital point with a surprise strike from a moderate distance, that should be it. Chace, who’d undergone rigorous training, should be able to do it easily.
As expected, [Fast Boots] are handy.
Although, even without his [Knowledge], he was already pretty strong.
“But why did Chace choose to become a hunter?”
“So far, I haven’t met him in person.”
Is that so? Well, I can see why.
Chace wasn’t the type to open his heart to someone he barely knew. He was probably keeping it to himself to prevent rumors from spreading.
“However, because of the maintenance of their weapons, it seems that many hunters live around the blacksmith district. In the blacksmith district, they’d receive support, hence it became a hunter’s territory.”
…I see.
“The blacksmith district has a fighting force.”
“Do you think so, too?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s quite obvious.”
The blacksmith district defended itself by sheltering hunters like that.
Of course, by sending things like food and furs to the town, the hunters also established their positions.
It seemed that Adyll and Beckenberg were doing their best to protect their territories.
It was likely that the blacksmith district wasn’t governed by anyone, at least on the surface.
Aside from blacksmithing, the blacksmith district was necessary to procure food and other miscellaneous goods.
—That’s why it can’t be crushed.
Besides, there were many hunters, so any disturbance would be dealt with immediately.
Also, they probably didn’t think about expanding into other territories because they could make profit effortlessly through mutual cooperation.
—In other words, those around them weren’t even considered a threat.
With the blacksmith district as it was, only foolish people would try to cause problems there, when it was more profitable to leave the district alone.
Or rather, I didn’t want to make an enemy out of it.
Come to think of it, during my night surveillance, I didn’t encounter anyone in that area.
Even though some mansions in the Glory District are guarded by some gatekeepers…
Perhaps, the place simply didn’t need such a thing.
—Isn’t that convenient?
I’d need to take a little detour, but I was planning to visit the blacksmith district.
Perhaps, I’d learn something about Chace there.
“Let’s get back to the topic a bit, but I think you can discover something about Chace if you ask around in the blacksmith district. No, he might live there.”
I was just thinking about the same thing…
Well, based on Cherry’s story, I’d learned that he was safe and sound, so I didn’t think there was any reason to go out of my way to find him.
I didn’t know about Lisse, but the only way to deny Beckenberg’s lie that ‘everyone’s dead’ was to confirm everyone’s safety.
No matter how unlikely the possibility was, it’d remain as such until I confirmed it.
I couldn’t help but worry.
No matter how unlikely it was, I couldn’t help but feel curious.
I coincidentally stumbled across Cherry, but I was able to confirm everyone’s safety.
That’s enough for now.
“By the way, what are you going to do now, Eil?”
Hm?
“What do you mean? I already told you.”
I answered while wondering what kind of question was that—but that’s right.
“Would you like to join us? I think Flo will be happy, too.”
Yes, that’d be a natural option.
It didn’t occur to me at first, but Cherry already considered it.
—That’s why she joined Florentine.
Certainly, it’d be more convenient for us to team up.
There were quite a few enemies around me, and a lot of incidents, to boot. The notion of having someone I could trust by my side was very appealing.
—But I still had business with Sorichika.
I could contact them, but I was forbidden from joining them.
Furthermore, I understood the purpose behind the assignment, so I had no intention of joining from the beginning.
“Just like how you met someone, I also met someone. I think it’s better for us to stay separate.”
There were several rulers in this city.
Just like how I met Adyll, Cherry and Florentine must’ve met someone.
In fact, Lisse did, and I was sure Chace would too, eventually.
The encounter with the ruler, and the experience after meeting.
I was sure that was why I was thrown into Krozheit.
“Encounter, huh? Now that you mention it, it might be a chance encounter.”
Let’s ask who Cherry and the others met.
“I’ll tell you just in case, but let’s meet at the Tower of Bryne next.”
Just in case something happened, I told Cherry where I was and left the orphanage after making contact.
—I was also interested in Zett-related stuff, but in the end I didn’t ask about the details.
With Cherry around, she should be safe.
At first, I was worried about leaving Florentine alone, but with those two, anything should be possible. Perhaps, Lisse would team up with them as well.
I wouldn’t get involved in this dispute unless I was called.
—Honestly, I didn’t want to see Zett again.
***
Leaving the slums, I went to the blacksmith district once again.
The smoke of burning metal billowed here and there, along with the clanking sound of striking metal.
The faint smell of blood soaked into the ground reminded me of my master’s house in Albat village, and it was somewhat nostalgic.
Somewhere around here, monsters were being dismantled
It was a blacksmith district, so there were many blacksmiths.
The district seemed so different from its nighttime counterpart, when there was no people, and was bustling.
—And, as expected, or just as I had imagined, there were many burly, well-armed people.
They were the so-called hunters of this town.
Somehow…
Somehow, casually, or maybe unconsciously—…
…Perhaps driven by nostalgia, I followed the faint scent of blood, and stumbled into a building that seemed like a huge livestock barn.
I was shocked.
A gigantic black horse that I’d never seen before was lying dead on its side.
Then, the acrid smell of blood must be because they were draining its blood.
It’s so big.
If it stood up, it should be able to carry five adults on its back.
Even when it was lying on its side, the thickness alone almost matched my height. I’d have to look up if it did stand up.
Oh, and its forehead…
It had a large, twisted horn that matched its size.
Then, it wasn’t a normal horse, but a monster.
…Ah, I see.
Isn’t this the monster referred to as [King Horse]? I’ve heard of it.
A horse monster that lived in the vicinity of Krozheit, and seemed to be the main source of meat for this city.
In other words, it was a major prey for hunters.
The other day, I was taken to a yakiniku restaurant by Seviarow, and when I asked, ‘What kind of meat is this?’ The name King Horse came up.
Due to the subtle odor and fat, the meat was popular. Even more so when aged, because it’d then transform into a juicy, red meat that could be boiled or grilled. Some parts could even be half-cooked.
Well, it sure was delicious.
“—Amazing, right?”
Oh.
I knew there was someone nearby. As I watched the horse with curiosity, the person calmly called out to me, without yelling or driving me away.
He was an old man in his forties, wearing work clothes that resembled a monk’s robe. Judging from how taut and muscular his body was, he was probably a blacksmith.
“In the last few years, it’s the biggest and most ferocious horse I’d ever seen in the hunter’s area. She was called Queen. Yes, it’s a mare. I can’t even count the number of victims who died from being stomped or hit by her.”
Oh, so not all King Horses are of this size? She must be gigantic.
“No matter how many times I tried to hunt it, I always failed. It’s nimble and fast, and everyone soon gave up. But look, we finally did it.”
Yeah, it sure is amazing.
It might be smaller than Obsidian wolf, but it seemed more intimidating because of the horn.
“Well, we got help from a stranger.”
…
“Does he have blue hair?”
“That’s right. Did you come because you’ve heard of his rumors and want a sneak peek of the man himself?”
I see…
…If it’s Chace, it’s no wonder. After all, he’s strong.
