A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - CH 54

It had been over two hours since our protagonists went back on track.

Seto, Satis, and Chiyome, a blind wandering shrine maiden whose motto was “In traveling, a companion ; and in life, sympathy”, continued on their way.

As they proceeded north, the scenery around them differed greatly from the road they had taken so far.

The greenery looked duller, and the clear brown color was now as noticeable as in the wilderness.

A dry wind was blowing, occasionally creating small sandstorms in the distance.

[This landscape looks completely different from earlier. So much so that it feels a bit desolate.] (Satis)

[I guess so. …That thing up in the sky looks like a black kite. …Or maybe not. Is it a condor?] (Seto)

[A-A condor? That’s a bird, isn’t it?! Is it going to swoop down on us and attack…?] (Chiyome)

Chiyome asked while looking a bit frightened, moving her face right and left as she looked up with her eyes still closed.

According to her, she was once attacked by what seemed to be a flock of birds while she was eating.

[Everything’s fine. If it tries anything, I will chase it away.] (Satis)

[Ahaha… My apologies for this. I’m not really good with birds. Especially crows, they come at you while screaming and cawing.] (Chiyome)

[Well, if anything happens, the two of us will take care of it. …I’m pretty confident in my skills, though only a little.] (Seto)

[Ohhh? A little, you say…] (Chiyome)

Chiyome nodded in assent with a smile on her face, and dexterously shook her cane on the ground to keep up with the duo’s pace.

Seeing her walking so adroitly, one could incidentally wonder if she was actually able to see.

After a while, they came across a series of Rocky mountains that formed a canyon, with the road continuing through it.

This place was called Katajita. The history of Hopi Mesa had been connected to this land for tens of thousands of years, and it was adored by the locals.

They could hear the wind blowing through the rocks and boulders.

It gently caressed their cheeks, and at the same time, it echoed beautifully in their eardrums.

All kinds of echoing and amplified sounds passed through the rocks along with the wind.

[This place is so strange… There’s nothing but rocks and wind, yet I find it “beautiful” for some reason. It feels desolate compared to Benjamin Village and Ulaine Donagh, but there’s something about it that touches my heart.] (Seto)

[This is how deep the history that has taken form between nature and human beings is. The mystery of the land and life, I suppose.] (Satis)

[All I can perceive is the wind and the sounds, but… I can imagine how great this place must be based on your reactions…] (Chiyome)

[Okay, let’s keep going. According to this sign planted here, let’s see… Looks like Hopi Mesa is just beyond Katajita road.] (Seto)

After reading the words inscribed on the old sign, they learned that their destination was close.

This, combined with the fact that this meant the continuation of their sightseeing trip, made it hard for our travelers to contain their elation.

As the three of them walked side by side along Katajita road, the magnificence of the sunlit rock surface burned into their vision.

Chiyome, feeling the wilderness with her ears and skin, was now on the same page as the other two.

Satis envisioned the history of Hopi Mesa as she observed the scenery of Katajita, and walked around with a twinkle on her glasses.

After merrily walking for a while, they arrived at a wide open space.

There was a modest resting area with a couple of worn-out benches.

Just as they were about to take a short break, a loud voice suddenly rang out along with the wind.

[HOLD IT…!!] (???)

It was a deep voice that seemed to echo from the depths of the earth.

Someone was standing on the rock wall.

The sunlight made it difficult to identify them, and before they could take a good look, the trio was instantly surrounded by a mysterious group.

These men, licking their own lips with weapons in hand while smiling vulgarly, were bandits.

Then, what came down from the top of the rocky cliff and made the earth tremble upon impact was an astonishing individual.

And as a matter of fact, it was someone Satis knew very well.

[Gahahaha! It’s been a long time, Satis! I never thought you’d be wandering around here!] (???)

[Y… You’re…!? The Orc King!?] (Satis)

[Indeed! I’m the one and only Orc King! Gahahahaha!] (??? —> Orc King)

They used to be fellow army executives.

Though Satis was unaware of it, this officer from the Demon King’s army abandoned his monster soldiers and fled immediately after suffering defeat at a certain battlefield.

[Why are you here!? None of my intel said anything about the Demon King’s army advancing this far!] (Satis)

[Hmm? Why am I here, you ask? Hahahaha! Not so sharp for a so-called strategist, huh!? I’ll tell you, then!] (Orc King)

After saying that, the Orc King approached the trio while rocking his massive body.

He was holding a huge axe in his right hand, and wearing jewelled rings on his left hand.

He spoke up with a smirk full of self-confidence.

[I deserted the Demon King’s army! You hear that? I’ve forsaken the Demon King of my very own volition! Gahahaha!] (Orc King)

The Orc King laughed hysterically as he bent his huge body backwards.

As a follow-up to this fit of laughter, the bandits all around cackled as well.

[Satis, who’s this guy…?] (Seto)

[The Orc King. One of the top executives of the Demon King’s army, like I used to be.] (Satis)

Satis wore a serious expression on her face, and even showed a hint of hostility, as she gave him a simple explanation.

She had endless questions about the particulars of his desertion from the Demon King’s army, why he was leading a gang of bandits, and what he was doing in this canyon.

Satis took a step forward while sorting through these questions swirling inside her head.

[Orc King, what do you mean you’ve forsaken “the Demon King”? Even though among the other generals, you possessed outstanding power. The Demon King put so much trust in you, and when it came to close quarters combat, you were one of his top class champions. …So why did you choose to be the leader of a gang of human bandits instead? No matter how you look at it, you’ve lost your status in the army, haven’t you? Could it be that you’ve failed your last mission, as I did?] (Satis)

[Sh… SHUT UP! I have my own projects! All of these felons agree with my ambitions and adore me for my abilities. They may be humans as you can see, but they insisted time and again, so I generously kept them as my retainers. …And then, I will build my own kingdom and rule it as king!!] (Orc King)

He chortled loudly again after saying that.

Upon hearing this, Satis sighed in exasperation.

Seto tilted his head, seemingly not quite grasping the situation, and Chiyome was silently looking down and holding her cane with both hands as if to cherish it.

[Hey, Satis. …What’s actually going on in the Demon King’s army? Is it that easy for a general to quit?] (Seto)

[No, that one is quite narcissistic and likes to make himself out to be a bigger deal than he actually is… My guess is that he failed some mission and couldn’t bring himself to return to the Demon King’s side. He was probably too afraid of being subjected to the same awful punishments I went through. He can’t go back, but he doesn’t want to feel as if he was incompetent, so he surrounded himself with individuals weaker than him to feel superior.] (Satis)

The Orc King froze completely upon hearing Satis’ harsh remarks.

His face showed a great deal of impatience, as if someone had seen through him and revealed his true nature.

[D-Don’t spout speculations as if they were the truth, you insolent wretch!] (Orc King)

[No, I’m just wondering if there’s any other explanation to this.] (Satis)

[What did you say…!? …Hmph, I thought I’d make you one of my retainers since we already knew each other, yet you’ve done nothing but disrespect me…!] (Orc King)

[No, thank you. I absolutely refuse.] (Satis)

[Shut it! But, out of the two of us, aren’t you the one who lost her status? Back when you were an executive, you used to spout so much flattery to the Demon King and behave all seductively. Now look at you. All you’ve got is a brat and some weird girl for company. What a sad, miserable excuse for a life you’re leading, Satis! GAHAHAHA! …Enough now. All of you! Cut down these fools! GAAAHAHAHAHAHA!] (Orc King)

The Orc King’s cackling resonated with the round of laughter from the surrounding bandits.

With their weapons glinting, they closed in on the trio.

[……] (Satis)

For Satis, the Orc King’s words were an insulting denial of who she was now, and her face was brimming with anger.

[Satis, we gotta kick those guys’ asses, right? …I’ll deal with them while you look after Chiyome and-] (Seto)

As he was about to finish his sentence, Satis gently stopped him.

[It’s all right, Seto. …I will take down the Orc King.] (Satis)

[Eh? But… You can’t fight-] (Seto)

[I can’t remain so spineless anymore. …That guy insulted me. For being who I am now. You’ve accepted me for who I was, and he dared to mock me for it…! …And perhaps it’s only by winning this battle that I will be able to surpass the woman I was when I was an executive. If so, then I have to make a stand! …Please look after Chiyome-san in the meantime.] (Satis)

[…Got it.] (Seto)

[Oh ho, so you want to fight me? You may be a demon, but you’re still the spellcasting type. You can’t fire any flashy spells in such a narrow canyon. Besides, I clearly have an overwhelming advantage in close quarters combat. This ought to be fun. …Men! Kill the brat and the girl! I’ll take care of Satis.] (Orc King)

As soon as he said that, each of the bandits started to move, and Seto and Chiyome were now surrounded.

The Orc King and Satis faced and glared at each other.

[Let’s go! I’m going to show you how superior I am as a monster, and carve it into your body!] (Orc King)

[Fine by me. …I’ll make you understand firsthand what happens when you make me mad!] (Satis)