Chapter 35
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Killing an Orc is quite simple if you think about it.
Even though it’s classified as a monster, an orc is still a living creature, so striking vital spots like the heart or brain will kill it.
Beyond that, there are plenty of ways to take down an orc—bleeding out, dying from shock, electrocution, or burning. The list goes on.
But for a rookie like Joanie, the methods are going to be pretty basic.
“Hyah!”
Stabbing.
“Hah!”
Or slashing.
I dislike wizards, but even I can’t deny that this is why they’re valued everywhere they go. Wizards are versatile. They’re not limited like warriors, and they have numerous ways to attack and solve problems. Fire spells can burn enemies, or they can make the ground slippery, causing opponents to fall.
That being said, it’s not like warriors can’t infuse their weapons with elemental power. Once they master mana control, they can channel elements into their attacks. Even if they don’t have that skill, they can always buy an enchanted weapon—assuming they have the money for it. But for beginners just starting with weapons, that’s a long shot.
Wizards command high prices for a reason. It’s hard enough to become one without any talent for magic, and there aren’t that many of them. When you compare a beginner wizard to a beginner swordsman, the wizard is obviously more useful.
So, why am I rambling about this all of a sudden?
‘Why…?’
I clutch my head as I watch Joanie struggle against the orc.
Orc hide is pretty tough, making them difficult to fight with weapons. But it’s not like they’re so tough that an expert swordsman would struggle. If Joanie were on that level, her mana-infused swordsmanship would slice through orc hide as easily as she’d cut through a steak at breakfast.
But watching her fight right now, I can’t help but think a novice wizard would probably be more helpful.
…Wait, why should I feel bad? This isn’t my fault. If anyone should feel bad, it’s Joanie for having the skills of a beginner.
“Just… die already!”
Joanie’s sword finally pierced the orc’s neck with a fierce shout.
“Hyaaah!”
After struggling against the orc’s tough hide and bone, her sword eventually tore through its neck completely.
Despite my annoyance, I had to admit she was still better than a lot of low-rank mercenaries. But something about it still felt unsatisfactory.
“Kuuueeek!”
A mercenary, absorbed in his fight with one orc, screamed as another one closed in on him.
He couldn’t block it, nor could he dodge.
“Ugh, Aaargh!”
Schwack!
“Uh, uh…?”
“…Is this really that hard?”
I mumbled as I cleanly severed the orc’s neck, freeing the mercenary.
For something like this, basic physical enhancement is more than enough without infusing mana into my sword.
If someone has good physical abilities, they probably wouldn’t even need that.
Leaving the dazed mercenary behind, I lightly stomped the ground.
— “Th-thank you…”
— “I’m alive…!”
— “Huff, huff…”
Every time I rescued a mercenary in danger, they reacted differently.
After I dealt with an orc that was swinging an axe down at one of the mercenaries, the survivor collapsed onto the ground.
I decided to pretend I didn’t see his pants darkening due to the damp liquid.
It was only natural for him to be like that after barely returning from crossing the River Styx.
“Ugh!”
Thud!
While I was busy saving other mercenaries, Joanie took down the last remaining orc.
She charged in at high speed, piercing through the orc’s neck.
The sound of frothy blood ceasing and the light fading from the orc’s eyes confirmed it as Joanie retrieved her sword embedded in its neck.
“Ugh, gross…”
I approached Joanie, who was shaking off the fat and blood on her sword, with a disgusted expression.
“Joanie.”
“Oh, Kana. You’re back!”
“…Back?”
I hadn’t gone anywhere else.
Even while helping the mercenaries, I was keeping an eye on Joanie as she fought.
“How was I? Did I do well?”
She asked while mimicking sword swings proudly.
It seemed she was quite proud of having taken down several orcs without any help.
Considering she had defeated the most orcs, it was objectively true that she was the MVP of this battle, without a doubt.
Of course, I excluded myself from that.
An adult shouldn’t intrude when kids are playing. Kids should be left to play among themselves.
“Help me a little when it’s dangerous, like before.”
“Sweet lies or bitter truths. Which one do you want?”
“….”
Joanie’s eyes rolled around.
After a moment, she answered.
“I, I’d like sweet lies, please….”
“You’ve gotten much better than before.”
This is undeniably true.
Calling it sweet lies and yet it’s actually the truth—it’s a bit contradictory.
“…Sweet!”
“But—uhm.”
“Wait! I didn’t order bitter truths!”
As I tried to point out the problem, Joanie seemed to sense it and quickly covered my mouth.
Anyway, that’s the problem with kids these days.
They only want to hear nice things. No wonder they can’t improve.
“Um….”
Just as I was looking at her with disapproval, someone approached and spoke.
Honestly, I already knew they were coming.
When I turned my head, the nearby mercenaries all bowed their heads.
—”Thank you for your help!”
—”Thanks to you, we survived…!”
Hearing the words of gratitude, I nodded indifferently.
I wasn’t particularly pleased that the mercenaries were happy about it, so this level of response felt appropriate.
“Ha ha ha.”
Joanie laughed cheerfully.
I was the one being thanked, yet it was Joanie who looked happy.
I considered correcting the misunderstanding but decided it was too bothersome to do so.
If I said something, it would feel like I was boasting.
—”I didn’t expect to encounter a horde of orcs in a place like this… Thanks to you two, I’m alive…!”
Once the mercenaries stepped back, traders came up to express their gratitude.
I could understand the mercenaries since they were in the same situation, but the traders—well, they could be grateful, but…
Aren’t they being overly thankful for something they hired us to do in the first place?
Hmm… I don’t know.
For someone like me, who hasn’t really been thanked much in my life, it was a complicated issue.
So, rather than thinking about that, I shifted my attention elsewhere.
So, surrounded by the scattered corpses of the orcs.
“…Do you want to eat?”
— “….”
If we’re considering whether I want to eat or not, I guess I do, but it’s not because I’m seeing them now.
It’s not like I’m some glutton obsessed with food, right?
I sat silently, sulking, while Joanie asked the merchant.
“What do you do with the loot or byproducts?”
— “Usually, we assess the value and then purchase them, but for an Apostle like you, that wouldn’t be necessary, right?”
“Eh? Why wouldn’t an Apostle need to?”
— “Apostles have their own pocket dimensions, so you don’t have to worry about your luggage increasing. When we buy from you, we typically offer a lower price…”
“Oh, I see…. But can you say that out loud?”
— “It’s a consensus among the mercenaries, so it’s not a problem. It’s just a way to spare you the hassle of carrying everything. Of course, if you prefer, we can set aside a portion for you to carry, but that’s quite rare. So, what would you like to do?”
“Um… please handle it for me. Oh, but could you give me a little bit of the meat?”
— “The byproducts of the orc are mostly meat, which would lower the price considerably. Are you okay with that?”
“Sure. My little sister loves orc meat.”
— “Ah….”
The merchant’s gaze shifted towards me.
— “If that’s the case, we’ll purchase it as agreed, but we’ll also treat you to orc meat for dinner tonight.”
“Oh, no… you really don’t have to do that…!”
— “You don’t have to decline. After all, if it weren’t for you two, we wouldn’t have been able to handle so many orcs without any damage. To be honest, I’m a merchant focused on profit, so I can’t give you much, but please accept this as a token of gratitude.”
“I’m really saying you don’t need to repay me!”
— “My goodness, you’re so humble…! You’re truly a role model for the Apostles.”
“I’m seriously going crazy.”
Joanie said with a quivering voice.
Regardless of that, I stared blankly at the orc corpses, lost in thought.
‘It’s not unusual for orcs to gather in groups….’
They breed quickly, so even a pair can multiply rapidly.
However, it’s rare for a group of orcs to roam around in this scale.
Usually, they leave some behind to guard their territory and only a few wander.
When they move around in such large numbers, it’s almost always when they’re invading human or other monsters’ territories.
“…Well, it doesn’t matter.”
Even if they increased in number and tried to expand their territory, we’ve already killed them all anyway.
There might be a few left in the area, but since we’ve wiped them out like this, they won’t be active for a while.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
For some reason, Joanie, who was deep in despair, lifted her head and responded to my mumbling.
“Is something happening?”
“Not really.”
No matter what, free food falling into my lap is a good thing.
Just like freshly caught pork tastes delicious, orc meat is freshest and tastiest right after being caught.
Being outdoors, I can’t expect a well-prepared meal like breakfast, but this has its own flavor.
It’s like the difference between camping and a restaurant.
I swallowed as I thought that if things go south, I might have to pay for the meat.
“See? You do want to eat, after all.”
“…No.”
I do want to eat, but that’s not really why I was lost in thought.
…Really.
—
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