The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 65: Reward and Report

Episode 65: Reward and Report

I pass through the forest and return to the highway. The evening light dyes the western sky. And shadows crawl long across the ground.

The aftertaste of battle still remains in my body. The solid response I felt each time I swung my sword, and the sense of strangeness.

(That odd movement… it really wasn’t a mistake.)

The monsters that attacked in a pack. Surrounding their prey, working together to kill it—their movements were far too organized.

Rather than natural hunting, it felt closer to the driving tactics humans learn in military training. The way they closed the distance, cut off retreat, and timed their combined strikes. That could not be coincidence.

Was it really a coincidence that Reinart and the knight order were moving there at that exact time…?

(No… the moment that man moves, the word “coincidence” becomes hollow.)

I mutter that inside my chest. I  then quicken my pace toward the town. I cut off the lingering feelings.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Using this time, I push off my feet and run. It’s to train the “Dash” skill even a little.

The level-up condition for this skill after acquiring it is simply “the accumulated time spent running continuously.” That is why I run, to make good use of it.

After about several dozen minutes, when the town comes into view. I stop running and switch to walking. Unless it’s an emergency, running inside town stands out too much. So I refrain.

As I approach the guild at dusk, the voices of adventurers mix together. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, the savory scent teases my nose and a flood of voices rushes into my ears.

At the reception counter, the usual receptionist was processing papers with her steady posture.

“Good work, Alphonse-san.”

When our eyes meet, she sets her pen down and straightens her back slightly.

“This is your report of a completed request, correct?”

I nod and place the materials obtained from the monsters on the desk. She carefully inspects them and begins her appraisal. For some reason, waiting during this time creates a kind of quiet tension.

“Thank you for waiting. As for your reward this time—the base reward is eight silver coins. The material appraisal is eight silver coins and thirty-two copper coins. It makes a total of sixteen silver coins and thirty-two copper coins.”

With a *clink*, a small pouch is placed on the counter. As I take it in my hand, the heavy weight of metal presses into my palm.

“Thank you very much.”

While tying the pouch’s mouth, I adjust my breath slightly. As expected of C rank—the reward is far better compared to E rank. Of course the difficulty rises along with it. But for me right now, it is about the right level.

Then, something to report suddenly passes through my mind.

“…There’s one thing I’d like to report.”

She tilts her head slightly and fixes her gaze on me.

“The monsters I encountered today—their movements were strange.”

“Strange, how?”

“The entire pack seemed to coordinate like soldiers trained in military tactics… I doubt that was the behavior of natural monsters.”

A short silence falls. The air across the counter feels slightly tense.

Soon, the receptionist sets aside her report paper and replies in a low voice.

“About that matter… other parties have submitted similar reports.”

(So, that sense of strangeness really wasn’t mistaken.)

“However, the cause has not been identified. It may be related to the unnatural bias in monster distribution… headquarters is currently considering whether to issue an investigation request.”

When I first accepted this request, I was told that monster distribution was unnaturally biased. Looking at it now, the strange bias and the odd movements of the monsters do seem related.

“If there is any progress, the guild will issue an official report.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

The receptionist lowers her head with an apologetic expression.

I bow lightly in return and confirm the pouch’s weight in my palm.

――The matter of the knight order, I should not mention yet.

If I speak of something uncertain, it will only cause needless speculation and ripples. And the other party is the captain of the royal capital’s knight order—not a name to mention lightly.

The necessary information should be conveyed in the proper way at the proper time. That is the best I can do now.

Retightening the pouch’s mouth, I turn my back. From the hall, the voices of adventurers resound as always. ――But today, that clamor felt a little distant.

◆

The stone pavement of the street was faintly dyed by the evening light. In the western sky, a gradation spread from orange to deep blue. The edges of the clouds were rimmed with gold. The bustle of the daytime slowly settled down. And the sounds of shops closing mixed into the air.

A wind carrying the mixed scent of oil and spices drifted from deep inside the street. Customers lined up for grilled skewers. While children chased each other in the alleys. The tension of the battlefield slowly dissolved into these smells and voices of daily life.

(…But, the memory of battle is still vivid.)

The movements of those monsters were indeed strange. Not just moving as a herd, but coordinating with precision. They were like humans. Was it coincidence, or orders from someone?

But it would not be wise to say too much at the guild. Spreading uncertain speculation only causes needless confusion. Right now, instead of increasing information, it is the time to prioritize observation.

Suddenly, the image of Reinhardt floats in my mind. His posture with sword raised, his overwhelming presence on the battlefield. Just remembering it makes my chest stir.

――I cannot win. Not yet. But those words always carry a “yet.” And that is why he has value as a wall to be surpassed.

While thinking such things, a small commotion arises at the end of the street. A drunken man is harassing a young traveling merchant. It looks like a fight may break out any moment.

For an instant I hesitate whether to stop, but… quickly shake my head.

(Avoid needless attention. That is my choice now.)

I pass by and keep walking. My steps are firm on the stone pavement.

As I reach the front of the inn, I notice a figure standing by the entrance. With the moonlight at her back, she silently watches over the people passing by the street.

――It is Linea.

Noticing me, she tightens her expression for just a moment. She then approaches without hesitation.

“Um… Alphonse-san… could I have a little of your time?”

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you very much for reading until the end!!

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