Disclaimer: Written by Rime. Translated by Arcana. Approved by Rime to transfer from pixiv. The characters were not owned by the writer nor the translator. Characters were borrowed from the players of MHD. To members of MHD, if there are any problems, there would be no problem in removing.
Chapter Notes: The Genealogy of Hunters 3: SideSEVEN
Theme: Written as Truth, Read as Courage
Characters: SEVEN, Ash, Nobutuna, Falt
Chapter Summary:
SEVEN loved Diablos. When he went to hunt them one day, he found someone he hadn't seen before arrived earlier than he did. When he saved the teen, he had already involved himself in an issue about drugs, and a secret group.
One must not kill a Diablos at ease. Such a tacit rule was left in the desert firmly.
The desert was wide and dried, still numerous creatures breathed quietly. The desert was said to only contain one-fifth of the creatures that lived in the reversed environments of desert and jungle. There was no water. All the reasons gathered at the same point. Without water, grass wouldn't grow, without grass, herbivores would not appear, and without the herbivores, carnivores wouldn't appear.
But this desert was richer than the other deserts in the world. The oasis was wide, an underground lake existed in the middle of the desert since ancient times. With plants, mainly Cactus, which could survive in dry and hot environments, herbivores that fed on them carried out their activities in the surroundings. By surviving with little water and plants, their bodies were many times stronger than the others. Because the environment of the desert was of coarseness, therefore the creatures lived strongly. Comparing to the forests and hills, smarter and more aggressive the creatures were living in the desert. Among them, humans that lived in the same environment were stronger. With little water, little vegetables, and little meat. Respecting everything, they lived strongly. They held more wisdom then other creatures, therefore, from old days, before the kingdom ruled the place, they held adherence towards a rule.
They called it, the Law of the Desert. One must not kill a Diablos at ease. Diablos were creatures that looked brutal, however they were herbivores. The pair of magnificent twin horns, were weapons for surviving in the harsh dessert, developed to fight in territorial disputes. Their tusks would shine sharp and bright when the mating season came. In order to survive, their hearts fought together with their weapons.
Thus, Diablos were very proud hearted. Territorial disputes must always end with the death of one side. Even when one side was defeated and escaped, it must never return to that place. They would wander endlessly in the desert until they won somewhere. When a Diablos failed to win and secure its territory continuously, they would find a place with a firm rock, and charged their horns into it. Then, slowly, they would die and fade away.
His family had told him that it was impossible for a Diablos to lose continuously. But SEVEN knew. On the rocky place where he always watched the morning sun. The hardness with very tough that even the strongest pickaxe could not dig into it. Between the shadowed gap, were two big holes. One of them was deepened by SEVEN. It took him several years to pull the buried horn out. The other one was still buried deep inside the rock. The horns of the Diablos were hard, even when their body rotted away, even when the shells were weather, like a sword sticking out of a grave, their horns would remain forever.
Because humans were humans, there were times during hunting that people entered their territories carelessly, and ended in a battle with them. At that time, one would only fight for their life. These cases of fights were called by the people of the desert as the Fight of Pride. It was because for that reason, therefore they should fight with pride.
Why must I not hunt them? Why mustn't I kill them? Towards people looking for the answer, the people of the desert would answer. Diablos are the guardian of the desert. They are the last courage of the desert.
Most of the herbivores were of quiet and gentle natures. Among them, Diablos were outstanding. They could be stronger than carnivorous wyverns. The Cephalos that swan in the sand to hunt for survival. Their predators, Genpreys were carnivores. Yet both of them were far behind Diablos. Wyverns that hunted for hunger, for example Tigrexs, were really sad trifling creatures.
Diablos was fought equal with Tigrex. They would not allow themselves to be hunted without resistance. Against elder dragons that would suddenly appear in deserts, against carnivorous wyverns, they would resist even if they were alone. It was not exaggerating to say that because of the fear towards their powers, the ecosystem of the giant carnivorous was not formed on this piece of land. As for Diablos, they usual showed no interests in creatures that would not endanger their territories and attacked them. If the Diablos were hunted, killed, and their number decreasing, more meat-eating wyverns would enter the desert. The herbivores would be hunted, water places would be destroyed, and plants would die. The desert would be ruined, and the environment would no longer be suitable for creatures to live in. Therefore, Diablos was the king of the desert, the guardian of the desert. The people in the towns called them tyrants, yet towards the people of the desert, they would be surprised.
It was because the people of the desert knew. They said, One must not kill a Diablos at ease. Only battles of pride were allowed, drawing the swords, facing with the blade.
SEVEN became impressed deeply by those beautiful twin horns wyverns, was the day that dusk was near and the desert was dyed gold. He saw one Diablos without any fear, challenging two Tigrexs that sudden appeared.
The Diablos had let its mate escaped far away, spreading its wings, it fought against the Tigrexs with scattering saliva wanting to bite their prey. With one horn broken, and its foot eaten away, it continued to lower its head and aimed for the throat of its two opponents. The sand was hollowed, the rocks cracked, by the time midnight had came, the two roaring wyverns laid dead on the ground. The winner, roared in the star night high and far, then he buried its head into the sand.
SEVEN broke its remaining horn. That was the sign of pride, he thought. He didn't want it to be buried in the sand. He carefully polished it, getting rid of the blood, till now he held it as a treasure. Since then, whenever he heard the roars of Diablos, SEVEN would head towards the direction. Therefore, it was not a coincidence that he arrived at that place.
His aimed to start a territorial dispute... ... The people of the desert called it, the Duel of the Twin Horns. ... ...Yet, there was an obstacle.
Holding onto an awfully dull sword, still with skills of using swords, a teen fought against two Diablos daringly.
(Fool from the towns again)
With a pair of cold eyes, he looked down at the scene from the top of the rock. SEVEN sighed. Recently, more rich had come. Similarly, they entered the desert without knowing anything.
(He's gonna die anyway... There's no way he could run away)
As if something was dragging him, his legs were unstable. Probably not used to the sand. Handling clumsily, dust rising up, still the teen continued to stand. He ran towards the rocky place nearby, he didn't seen to notice him. A ray of light flashed. A red orbit. He had good skills, he thought.
(What a waste)
Being able to fight like this at that age, he must be a well-known swordsman in the town. Why is he here, with that light armor, alone in that place.
The red-haired dashed through the shadow of the wyvern. SEVEN looked up. He could hear a dreadful shriek. Then, something dropped onto the ground.
"...He cut it...!"
His voice raised without knowing. He leaned forward. The Diablos howled lowly. The red shadow turned around with his sword.
"..."
He was laughing.
The roars of the Diablos echoed through the air. It was rare for two Diablos to roar at the same time. It was the teen that became threatened completely. SEVEN shivered.
He recalled the time when a Diablos fought alone against two Tigrexs.
Facing two Diablos alone, still facing with his sword, who was him.
A sound from the blade, he jumped off the rocky place. He understood that he was smiling. Turning towards the chin, he struck at the throat, his sword broke with a cracking sound. SEVEN bended his body and took out his lance. He kicked the ground. He headed towards the falling shadow of the Diablos, as swift as the wind.
"Come on come on come on!"
He jumped up, towards the other side of the dropping shadow. He stabbed his lance out towards the wounded Diablos. SEVEN knew every details of its fighting style. The times that he invaded their territories just to see them, was more than the number of stars. Though, he rarely killed them, it couldn't be helped this time.
(Let's do it)
Because even he who was unfamiliar fought that far.
"Let me be your opponent! Dia!"
The short battle heated up.
When he carried him up, a chill ran down his back. He was of high temperature. His delirious face looked awful without moving. He was breathing, yet he was as heavy as a corpse.
(...Did I hit the wrong place?)
SEVEN checked his wounds immediately, the mark left by the lance wasn't too deep. He took off the broken vambrace, damaged by the Diablos. His left arm was swelled and became purple. Throwing the emergency kit onto the sand, he took out a small small knife. He surged the festered blood, the swelling started to fade. Then he pressed a cloth against it strongly. Anyway, he needed to secure a place. Carrying him up again, he thought of the nearest place. There should be an old tent. Even though it was no longer used, no monsters had approached. There would be fine.
Raising him to his right shoulder, he pulled him. Klan, a dry sound rang, an item pack dropped. It belonged to the guy he was carrying.
"...What?"
Rolling out of the pack, was an empty bottle. He picked up the pack full of wonders. It was heavy, yet he couldn't hear any wobbling sound of liquid. He opened the pack. Inside was piled with empty bottles, stuffing the pack full.
"...What's with this guy..."
Did he come to die.
Piles of died broad leaves was left in the tent. There was only one type of broad leaves in the desert. Who collected them, but lucky. He collected a few of them, placing a piece of cloth on them, he laid his body there. Taking off the rest of the armor, wiping the blood with the cloth in his hand, performing hemostatic. When the bleeding stopped, he coated the medicine he just combined, and wrapped bandages around it. Night turned to midnight. The desert was different from the mountains, the dry absolute zero came. If heat escaped from the wounds, it would be very dangerous. If the heat continued to be taken away by the air, he would be weakened and might die.
(He hasn't drink any cool drink)
He really came to die.
He would leave it later. SEVEN crushed the possibility with no more discussion. He had decided to help him. Nothing would change no matter what he said. This has nothing to do with you. It is none of your business. SEVEN let what he thought was right existed as the right opinions of others would be influence him.
His fever would not drop. It would be dangerous.
He crushed some parashroom in the medicine bowl. It was a rare item in the desert, but it didn't matter now. If the pain disappeared, then temperature could also be forgot. Squeezing the juice onto the wrapped bandage, he repeated the steps again and again. By the time his work finished, the moon already hanged highly up in the sky.
"...Still what a"
Neutral face. Parts of a beauty were included. His eye lashes were long, his growing face looked gentle and childish.
(Eighty-nine of of hundred percent, that he came from the town. By eating some good food, one's body will be like this, then maybe if he got married, his child will be similar...?...)
His eyes opened. He drew back. A bottle behind him tilted over. SEVEN stuffed the bottle immediately into the the item pack of that teen, and threw it far away.
A blink. He looked quietly. A blink again.
Their eyes met. How is it. Is he alright. Hiding his anxiety and worry inside his heart, he stared. He returned him a stare.
It was a pair of clear red eyes that could make people sad.
Blinking twice more, he was convinced.
"You're alive!"
He felt relieved. He felt something in his heart. SEVEN hated seeing the death of a person. He wasn't good with it.
On the lands connecting to death, he was somebody quite different.
"I thought you are killed!"
He said as he drew back, taking out a water bottle from his luggage. Taking the opportunity, he picked up a bottle of potion and threw it at him. The wobbling sound. The sound of the bottle. At the same moment, he was filled with some uneasiness.
(The empty bottles)
"Drink it! And sleep awhile more!"
"...?"
"I'm gonna get some water! You must be thirsty, right?"
He paused before nodding, his eyes were spacing out. Waving his hands, he dashed out.
(The empty bottles)
No matter how hard he thought, he found it weird. He looked into his own item bag. It was filled with items needed in battles and some daily necessities. ... If it was in the desert, then cool drinks would be needed. For fighting then whetstones and a few paintballs. However, it was weird... It was weird that neither potions for recovery, items that raised ones status, nor materials for combinations were put inside that pack.
(Did he come to die)
No matter what he said, it wouldn't change any of SEVEN's actions. But he held doubts. If he came to do, then, why.
(Why did he fight?)
The two Diablos. Even a well-experienced warrior, or a hunter, would be sent to the other world easily when facing them. Pierced through by those horns, the organs flying out along with the heart, it would only take a second to die. If he said really that he came to die, then he picked the right partner. If it was a Rathian, he would be bring back alive to its children, letting them played you around before killing him. If it was the ferocious Tigrex, it would tear off all his limbs and hid him among bushes as a storage of food. The pain could only be longed.
But, he fought.
Laughing as he fought.
"I don't get it... What a weird person"
The water flooded the bottle. The water in the desert was freezing cold. He breathed into his fingers, and turned around.
Passing through cloth that covered the opening of the tent, he could see him drinking the potion with an unwilling face. Ah, he thought. He did not seem to be someone that came to die.
(...Then, why)
Why is that item pack filled with empty bottles.
"Hey hey I'm back, sorry to keep ya waiting~"
"...You saved me?"
"Mm? Hmm, yeah, you could say so."
He would never say that he actually sent the nuisance flying so that he could dance a dusk rondo with the Diablos. He would never tell him. It was shallow, but the wound left on the side of his waist was definitely the work of SEVEN's charge. With another few centimeters, he could probably reach his flesh.
Towards the water bottle held out, without considering whether poison was put in, he drank it with an innocent expression. What is it. SEVEN looked puzzled. He could see any wariness from him.
"You, I can't believe that you got to finish the Diablos in that state."
"...Killed?"
A strange voice dropped.
He receiving the water bottle back with a humph.
"You were fighting two of them. But, it's a great thing. With that wimpish weapon and under such a high fever. It's really mysterious that you were still able to move."
"...High fever?"
A voice filled with wonder from the bottom of his heart. What is this. An unpleasant feeling widen in his heart, unconsciously hiding his real expression, SEVEN picked his words.
(What if encountering Diablos was something expected?)
The chance of encountering monsters when traveling through the desert was high. By using the paths made by humans, that possibility would become zero. He didn't travel along that path. Did he go onto the wrong path?
Still, the reason why his pack was filled with empty bottles was still a mystery.
"You haven't drunk any cool drink right."
He tried hooking him.
"...No, I did drink it."
An unexpected answer.
"You're lying. The fever is really high, and hot. Crossing the desert without drinks, I thought you're some kind of suicide volunteer."
He looked shock towards his words, shaking his red hair, he touched his throat, as if to feel the leftover heat. He thought of something and without looking depressing, he sighed. This is getting weirder and weirder.
Yet, he became more interested in it.
Wetting his lips, guessing what his reaction would be, he tried to prevent himself from sounding too demanding. He said brightly.
"I didn't pick up your broken sword. Anyway, your luggage is here. I haven't touched them so relax."
He looked up aimlessly. Flipping off the belt, his white fingers entered the bag. SEVEN knowing what was inside, said nothing. He only watched in silence.
(This guy)
What is he doing alone in the desert?
"..."
His red eyes opened widely. He stopped breathing. Empty bottles rolling out. Ah, he didn't know about it. Seeing his expression, he was finally convinced. He didn't know.
Finding time to use items in fights with Diablos was hard. Unless one was used to it, there would no chance one could open his pack. Diablos wouldn't tolerate with them. Lowering its head, it would disturb in full speed. He did not think that he was able to open his pack during the fight.
He didn't know.
(...Why?)
Why did he not know what is inside his item pack?
Why.
"...You... Why do you come to the desert...?"
His words were an opportunity, he saw his throat trembling slowly. As if his body broke, he covered his eyes with his hand. His breath rubbed against each other. With a low low voice, as if something was held up as an object of ridicule, his back shivered. Something struck him yet, it was neither anger nor hatred. What would that be.
"...Hey, are you alright."
Something fell. SEVEN forced himself to remain silent.
(...Why?)
As tears sliding down his face, a laughter echoed through the place.
(...Why do you cry, here...)
Because, doesn't people cry in tears only when they are sad?
"I was being betrayed."
The words were not something he heard often, he thought. Betrayed. He repeated without permission. Ash said nothing further. As if his crying was just a lie, he looked straight ahead. Therefore, he wasn't sure where he was looking at.
The sun had completely rose high, there was an abnormal feeling of heat shone onto their backs. Let's go and see it, SEVEN skipped the subject on purpose, still it was able to draw his interest and followed himself. He was unable to leave him with those aimless eyes, he thought,
Towards what he sought earlier, it didn't matter anymore now.
"It's just that I was too lenient. It's my bad."
"...Is that so?"
"Yeah. That's it."
"Isn't that wrong?"
Ash looked at him. Towards the offended expression, SEVEN frowned. Wrong. Because he had been convinced, therefore he said it aloud.
Surely, Ash is not bad.
"No. You, have done nothing wrong."
"It's not something that you can say, you know nothing."
"Still you are not bad to blame on"
"... Upon what circumstances are you able to say so... What an in-comprehensive guy."
Towards himself being found annoying, a strange anger uproar inside his chest.
"Didn't you say that you are being betrayed?"
"...Yeah"
"Then, no matter how hard I think, shouldn't the betrayer be the bad guy."
"By it's me that didn't see it coming. To begin with, I know of the possibility... ... I should have been prepared."
"Why did that possibility existed. Did you do something to earn such hatred. Are your characters, bad?"
"Maybe- really-bad"
"You are trying to make me believe with that perverse actions, I knew it!"
Damn, and he pinched Ash. Still Ash looked straight ahead.
He would take his sword and try to live even at the edge of precipice and near the state of death.
He faced the two Diablos without showing any fear.
(Just like the Diablos standing against the two Tigrexs)
He recalled the dusk of gold. In the middle of the desert, the survival of fittest was strongly rooted, resisting against the providence of nature, was a wyvern.
The Diablos had let its black companion escaped far away, spreading its wings, it fought against the Tigrexs with scattering saliva wanting to bite their prey. With one horn broken, and its foot eaten away, it continued to lower its head and aimed for the throat of its two opponents. That was the battle between herbivores and carnivores . He believed it to be a terrible fight. The sand was hollowed, the rocks cracked, by the time midnight had came, the two roaring wyverns laid dead on the ground. The winner, roared in the star night high and far, then he buried its head into the sand.
Was it bad.
(It wasn't)
That was because the Diablos had fought. It was simple.
(It is obvious, because it wanted to live.)
Because it wanted to live, it resisted.
Even Ash did, therefore he grasped onto his sword.
Such people that could looked forward and took care one's life properly, was very rare among the townsfolk.
"Till the last, I don't think you are bad."
"..."
Opening his eyes, he looked down with an expression of a young child. Ah, did I just say something embarrassing? He raised his voice trying to hide what he had said.
"You look completely like an idiot but you don't look like an evil guy!"
"Hah..."
"You look like that your brain was thoroughly slow but you don't like a bad guy! Although you look like you have given up completely, but you actually did not and fought with Dia! Even though you tried to pretend to be a self-important adult but you're just the same year as me! Now that I think of the fellow that ditched a kid like you in this desert should be the evil one!"
"... ..."
"You are not bad right! Be proud!"
"...I, I am"
"You are precipitated like an idiot that's why you are not bad! No idiot is bad! I am an idiot also but I am not bad! Wait what am I saying!"
"...Erm"
"Who cares as long as you're not bad! I believe I have made myself clear!"
"...O, Okay"
"Response once only! Clearly!"
"Ye, Yes!"
"Good!"
What was that, Ash rolled his eyes and avoided their eyes meeting. That is totally going make to me angry without an end. Let alone potions, he didn't bring spare drinks too, what on earth is he thinking of. Packed it with empty bottles like sarcasm.
"Besides you should confirm the contents! There has to something missing! Or do you think that medical herbs will grow in this places that got nothing?"
"...My"
"Aah?"
"It were my brothers, that prepared the bag for me"
His voice was low. SEVEN opened his eyes widely.
He thought of his brothers and sisters. If it was them that prepared for him, then maybe, he wouldn't think of confirming it also.
"I wanted to believe in them... I felt that there's something that I shouldn't look"
"..."
"That's why I didn't check... Therefore, it's, my...bad"
"..."
He bit his tongue. He turned around and met again with the walks of reckless. Aren't this stupid? Aren't this stupid? He repeated many times inside his heart.
(Why did people betray each other)
Even Diablos or Tigrex wouldn't do something that stupid.
Groups known as secret groups, would not share the same aim as legal guilds. They were distanced from the similar.
There were many types of guild. Guild that supported selling of items, guilds created by dancers, poets or felyines also existed, and there were also guilds about scientists and mercenaries. Secret Guilds were combination parts that existed among various guilds. They were the guilds that acted secretly in the front guilds.
The content of the works varied between different guilds. By calling them secret, most of the works could not be done publicly. For example, assassinating people that might endanger their businesses, smugglers selling forbidden items, or also called as poachers by the Hunters Guild, anyway people warned by the Secret Guilds were mainly slave-sellers, murderers, and designers of dangerous weapons. They were sometimes called as the Killer Guild.
Therefore, those who belonged to the Secret Guild must break off all their relationships with the outside world, it was a assembly of people that obeyed strength only. This was the reason that many people were detached from the Secret Guild of the Hunters Guild to the other Secret Guilds. Among all the Secret Guilds, the Secret Guild of the Hunters Guild surely had top-class powers.
The Hunters Guild called their Secret Guild, Order of the Black Beast. The Order was established in the sea of trees where Nargacugas inhabited in, their instantaneous power and the certainty in completely quests, had earned them the place in no time. They often wore armor parts of Nargacugas that were said to be an illusion by the world, by wearing the armor parts it was said that the wearer's body would lighten, and would take swift actions of the black beast unconsciously.
Fighting was very crucial. Falt had said.
"Because they were accepting good and bad quests as the same ratio, they acquired a tacit understanding with the guild... ... It's a bad one this time I guess "
"... Now that I think of, most of my missions seemed to be the bad ones."
"That's because Nobutuna's character isn't suitable for the Secret Guild. If you want, you can go to the front and be a hunter honestly."
"It would be good if I can."
"But, comparing to the past hasn't it already became reconciled?"
"Maybe"
The relationship between the Hunters Guild and its Secret Guild, wasn't something that could be cut.
The Order of the Black Beast broke the rules of the Hunters Guild forbidding poaching easily. They hunted monsters that shouldn't be hunted unconcernedly. They bootlegged rare items they collected. They sold materials they carved in the black market in a doubled price. They doings had become too remarkable that the Hunters Guild could no longer remained silent. They became against each other.
But not even the Secret Guild, but rules-breakers also existed in the respectable Hunters Guild. To those who committed crime without any know-how, the Hunters Guild would deprive their hunter qualifications immediately, and forbidden them from keeping weapons for hunting. Still if they could escape, they could easily turn monsters into tools of making money.
The Secret Guild was requested to hunt down these illegal hunters by the Hunters Guild. These duties were called as man-hunting quests.
This was the reason that the Order had put most focuses on assassinations. Because it was battles between hunter and hunter, it may be more difficult than fighting an elder dragon if lack of skills. Especially against G-rank illegal hunters, they were wanted for considerably high prices, thus completing the quest would be more difficult.
Falt mainly undertook hunting of these G-rank hunters, he was an elite hunter in the Secret Guild. There were extremely few hunters that could continue equipping normal armors in the Order.
The Hunters Guild would never allow killing of another person. It was written on the first line of the guild rules. "Thou, living as a hunter, must never point your weapon at another human to kill."
Hunters that hunted humans where not hunters. They were just a murderer. Therefore, the Secret Guild existed for times when it wasn't used.
There were many perfect crimes that couldn't be judged in the kingdom. Even though the footwork of the kingdom was heavy, they still failed to important evidences.
"So, why did you come over? It's a quest that is totally different to your ability."
"That's because I heard that, Nobutuna- had once again did something and was down ranked. I was worried."
"It's none of your concern"
"Ahahaha."
Falt was covered by a dark armor, his face couldn't be seen. The same usual mask. Nobutuna bit his lips bitterly.
"It's just a diversionary mission. Even I can do it."
"It won't harm once in a while. There are times that I miss lower rank missions."
"That's bad."
"In order to not forget, it's a must to remember, about reality."
The Order of the Black Beast owned many ways of earning large incomes, illicit sales of medicines were one of them.
The world was strangely wide.
Unknown plants died and were born everyday. The types of medicines used by hunters had increased. With the institute of the kingdom as the main, the plants study society that held an agreement with the Hunters Guild, and the insects study society, they had made many fruitful contributions. Returning the amnesty granted by the world, scientists started specializing mainly in medical researches. At the same time, large-scale weapons with fire powers, like explosives and cannonballs, had also became important products. All of these were developed to protect citizens from the enormous creatures.
On the other side, dangerous poison and drugs were sold too. There were thousands of people selling lethal poison made intentionally or as a failure in order to earn funds for their researches. People that circulated them for earnings also existed.
The Order was a part of it. They controlled many routes and markets, and made profits from them to be used as the rewards for the secret hunters. In order to avoid having any connections with the kingdom's court, the secret hunters were sometimes punished as criminals, the reward of bearing the risk would be of very great quantity.
Nobutuna also thought that moneys were a burden.
So, the quest this time was diversion towards a certain man. It could also be said as, to threaten.
In the markets managed by the Secret Guild, there were many important rules. One of them was that the price of the medicines must not be changed due to the decision of an individual. By comparing with the demands, the prices that would be updated once a week, were by all means, decided by the board during meetings. In particular, the types of drugs were always large. In order to prevent the mixing method from out-flowing, the number of users should be as few as possible. And with the prices as high as possible to earn more profits. Thus through the Order and the researchers, they became a feed back towards the medical technology towards the honest citizens that wouldn't buy medicines. The world was formed skillfully.
The certain man had brought up all the drugs at a time, and sold them off at a special price. He had caused himself to break intentionally in order to be able to sell them. Upon being incomprehensible, it was not a joke towards the Secret Guild. Even though the profits were large for selling the medicine, but as a result the damages could be big if the existence became known to normal citizens and the kingdom. Towards those who made their living secretly, it would become a nuisance if those things were done in publicity.
"...What do you think?"
"I don't know. Maybe it wasn't for money."
"Then what does he want?"
"That dealer was a knight, right? Maybe he let his members of the Chivalric Order use them to raise their fighting power, so that he could achieve more merits? It is that type of medicine."
"... That means the party that received the medicine at a bargain price from that man, their chance of not even knowing about effect of the medicine is high..."
It could raise your stamina and your attack. Don't worry, I got them in a legal way. The subordinates could only follow the words of their boss. He heard that the Chivalric Order was such a place.
"Wow-, it's rotten-. That's the reality-"
Falt's tone was as usual, heavy yet light. Nobutuna sighed.
"...I have specially prepared a way for the disposal of the medicines for all that. I haven't heard at all that you will usurp it."
"Leave it to me Nobu-chan. Cause I'm a pro in distant-supporting. I'm sure I can finish it easily than you do."
"I'll be looking forward to it. Don't you destroy my fine plan."
"Got it."
That should be more desirable way for the people. Falt whispered in a murmur, putting on a vambrace with the emblem of the Chivalric Order on it. He turned his back. His baldric fluttered lightly. His regularly used light bowgun was on his waist. He did not look back and went. It was a usual thing, but he couldn't become used to it after all.
"...This is really, nauseating..."
Why am I here in this place. Becoming irritated and emptied, he took out a cigarette. It took him a while before he could light it. The flintstone wouldn't work properly.
(Ah, damn)
Without doubt, Falt would slaughter those beautiful wyverns without hesitation. Like a machine pulling triggers continuously.
(Why did you come over)
(It's a must to remember, about reality.)
"Ah, damn"
He exclaimed.
He really was not suitable for these jobs.
SEVEN was abandoned in the desert when he was three.
He was culled. He couldn't remember how many brothers he got. He couldn't remember the faces of his father and mother also. His oldest memory was the beautiful night of the desert. The blue moon waved, pale stars expanding through the sky. It was such a night.
He remembered that he had thought of freezing to death in his childish heart and closed his eyes. His breathe was white, his body shivered uncontrollable as his senses disappeared. He felt like floating in the sky. When he came to, placing her hands on his forehead patiently was the girl that became his eldest sister.
All men of the village became his brothers, and all women became his sisters. He was the seventh child taken over by the head, and he was named as it was. Surrounding by older young brothers and younger big sisters, his heart became calm and strong, he was brought up to be rough and straight. All of the villagers were his families, with a respectable father and a mother that he looked up to.
Therefore, the Diablos that protected all was equal as god to him. It was a distant guardian. Probably the villagers would agree with him as well. Diablos was the last courage of the desert. He was touched by the phrase of the head, and he repeated it many times.
No matter how elegant towns were, no matter how rich the forests were, he held pride in living in the ruined desert. Deep inside his head, something red split opened.
"... What the hell is this..."
His voice trembled. The depth of his eyes became hot. It was only few hours after bidding farewell with Ash. The teen he saved on a whim, was more interesting than he thought, and sorrower than he thought, but also stronger than he thought. Because he shattered tears for being touched by the sun raise, he must be a good guy, SEVEN thought.
People began betraying each other. Then they began humans that cry. Though he had only saved him whimsically, he had no idea how keen and endowed he felt now. Even if he ran out of money and were troubled by the insufficient amount of food, his family would never abandon him. He would never abandon his family also. The villagers were his family. Therefore they lived together. It was natural towards SEVEN, hence he learned a sense of incongruity towards Ash being easily left in the middle of the desert.
(He must be having the same face as me when I was being abandoned. )
Since he had said that his brothers prepared the bag full of empty bottles. He had said that because he didn't want to doubt them therefore he didn't check.
Why could such an innocent heart and trust be betrayed easily. Because he knew of this strange anger that's why he asked Ash. Are you really fine. He answered. It was an unexpectedly bright smile. I'm good. Then, straightly and sharply, he bowed at him. Thank you, he said.
SEVEN nodded honestly towards his gratitude. With the meaning of you're welcome, he called him friend. It was something natural in the desert. He would tell him that because they were a family. Everything could end perfectly. Yet.
"What the hell is this!"
On top of a pile of dead bodies, sticking on the eye of the uppermost Diablos, was the crest of the Chivalric Order.
It was unusual for Diablos to group together. They were turf-conscious. The only time they would take actions together, between males and females, was their mating season arrived. It was impossible for several ten to appear at the same. Then, what had happened.
It was simple. Using their characteristic of turf-consciousness, they were lured out at the same time.
"...That bastard"
The horns of the Diablos were not broken, their tails were still intact. There were no wounds on them. Then why were they killed. It must be poison. However, they weren't weak creatures that could be hurt by poison. Then what. SEVEN looked in the mouth of one dead Diablos.
His skin trembled.
The inside of its mouth had changed into purple.
"..."
Holding onto its tongue, he cut it. It wasn't blood that bled out, but a different weird liquid. The blood was changing. As soon as it dropped onto the ground, with a mild sound, it vanished into vapor. What the hell are these. He touched it with his fingertip. A heat that caused him to retreat unintentionally ran through his fingertip, a festering wound appeared. It was not just poison, but deadly poison. Even though SEVEN held little knowledge of pharmacy, it was too abnormal that he could understand.
As if it was mocking him, the crest stuck out from the middle of the eyeball. Climbing onto its back he finally understood, there was a big hole on the back. From there, he could see something overflowing. It must be shoot into by something similar to a bowgun. As if they reached deep into the spine, traces of intensive aiming were left.
"Did Ash... do this...?"
It was impossible. His brain denied immediately. It was impossible with those legs and that body.
"He did say that... he was betrayed... by his comrades... his team..."
Their goal. The meaning of their actions.
Ah, he was boiling. He was so stirred up. As if everything in front of him was shaking, he was boiled up rage.
"...This is bad... It's been long since I became truly angry..."
He laughed slightly. His head was aching. His eyes turned, the ground and sky reversed, the feeling as if he was being replaced.
Without stopping, he headed towards the place he went earlier. Under the sun and anger, he could feel all his blood boiling.
The affinity between the kingdom and the desert was basically bad. They couldn't get along. Towards the kingdom targeting the jungles ahead, the desert was uncooperative. Gaining control would be no problem, but as the kingdom hoped on building a new village, there was no help but to admit the residence of the villagers of the desert. Recognizing would be fine, but the people of the desert didn't live there originally, there was nothing to be admitted. They were living their lives with all there was and kept regional. On the contrary, the kingdom imposed heavy tax willfully, causing their lives to be harder.
Thus, the relation was treacherous. The people of the desert often revolted, and it was said that the knights were not able to treat them. They weren't armed with strong weapons, but with unusual physical ability. They survived in inferior environments that knights brought up in the convenient and comfortable town, couldn't imagine.
It was unpleasant and disagreeable towards the knights. This was the reason that the people didn't enjoy visiting the town. Even if they came to the town, they would only be treated with sights of contempt.
Welcoming the angered SEVEN, was of course, those sights. It didn't matter. Picking the road that led directly to the military office. Wearing the nights of desert on his feeling, he chose his question calmly inside his head. He could see the entrance of the military office.
Glaring straight into the eyes of the knight there, he said.
"Who were the guys that came to the desert the other day"
The knight must notice that SEVEN was a people from the desert from his usage of words. Making a suspicious face, the knight turned his eyes away unexpectedly. He decided to ignore. SEVEN rose an eyebrow. His nerves rubbing up the wrong direction, he could feel his anger running through his whole body.
He reached for his lance on the back. Pointing the blade towards the knight, he asked once more.
"Who were the guys that came to the desert the other day"
"... It's nothing of your concern"
"Who were the guys, that came to the desert the other day"
"... What's with you"
"Who are the ones that came to the desert the other day, and killed the Diablos!"
His voice rang through the air, people passing by stopped. The knight on duties frown in irritation.
"Who are the fools that violated the rule of the desert! Are those supposed to be actions taken by knights! What was with that, those poison! Aren't those drugs!"
"...What"
"Are you guys taking them! Because you are troubled by the punishment that's why you shot them at the wyverns! Is the Chivalric Order a gather of criminals?"
Something was moving inside the office. People were coming out. An amount that could form a crowd. SEVEN was not scared. With the lance in his hand, he scowled straight at the knights.
"The inviolability of the desert was decided on the agreement! Those who violated it should be of grave offense! Who was the one... ... Who was the one that stuck that weird crest onto the eye of the Dia!"
"How dare you mocked the Chivalric Order!"
"It was you that mocked us in the first place!"
Anger accelerated as he raised his voice. The rustling outskirts echoed through his ears.
Who is it? He could hear the sounds of his blood boiling inside his heart. Who is it, who was the one that slaughtered the guardian of the desert, the Courage of the Desert!
"Come out here criminal! Let me send that trippy addictor flying!"
"Somebody, stop him! Don't let him speak further!"
The voice came from the other side. Drawing golden arcs, his eyes shone. By the commands of the upper class man, several ten knights drew out their swords and pointed at him.
(Now that I think of, pointing a sword against knights in the town was banned)
Who cares. This wasn't a sword anyway. SEVEN charged with his lance. Making the sounds of a squeezed frog, the guarding knight in front of him crouched. He swung his right arm greatly. Towards the approaching knights, he stepped one step forward.
Many knights tried stabbing from left to right. Surrounded with many blunt swords, he couldn't find any real sword among them. If blood were spilt in the town, the military office would need to take responsibility. He didn't care.
(It was them first, that mocked Dia, mocked their way of living)
With determination, the lance danced. Still, SEVEN had avoided all his attacks from lethal points. One must not kill. All people of the desert are a family, and all in the world are friends. He respected the words of his father. Even if they were offending bastards, still they had a place to stay.
A dull pain ran through his back.. Nearly falling over, he circled around forcibly and stroked there. Another dull pain ran through his back. It seemed like that knights liked to aim people's back very much. Blinded by the raising anger, he wielded his weapon in pain. His face was punched, and his head shuddered. He held onto his lance. Pain came from his back again. This time his legs couldn't withstand. How many people are there, the moment he looked up, a shadow stood in front of him.
A fist swung down, and the stars scattered. His knee rested upon the ground. In an instant, a gouge feeling penetrated through his stomach, he felt nauseous. He could sense a foot treading over him, restraining him from the back.. Turning around, brushing the foot off, his other hand grasping onto the lance was kicked with force. Numbness passed through his hand, this is bad, he thought as acute pain ran through his fingers. Suppressing his shout, he looked for a field of vision. He could see his hand being treading onto.
A falling sound came from the back of his head. Pain. Groaning as he touched his lance with force. It responded. As he tried to stand on his knees, he was stroked from the back again. His breathing was blocked deep inside his throat. He received a terrible blow at his stomach again. Bearing the sickness, he glared in front. The moment he fixed his grasp on the lance, his bones reverberated. The feeling disappeared from his upper arm, klan, the lance dropped.
Damn!Before he could think, he arms were raised highly. His emptied stomach, his chest, his back, his legs, was wrested.
(I will not lose,)
Blood was mixed in his coughing. He twisted around trying to free his arms. To take the lance. He would not forgive them.
(The Courage of the Desert)
He would not let anyone dirtied them.
Shahn, a sharp sound echoed. As he raised his head, he could see flashes of silver.
"SEVEN!"
He remembered hearing it somewhere, the tone that was a little to high for a man. A sharp and bright voice.
It was all within an instant.
His body became light, thinking that he was freed from restraints, something white flashed across his eyes. He saw in slow motion, white fingers, and embroideries of gold and silver. The crest of the Chivalric Order. Something dropped at the edge of his view. He turned towards it unconsciously. Something red. Gore.
"Please, hold back, your sword."
A racked voice. He looked up once again. What? What is this?
Who? He knew. It was the voice accompanying him till yesterday. The voice that said, Thank you, with a straight bow.
"... ... I cannot! That bastard suddenly came to the security office and started attacking us! This is the holy military office, shallow actions would not be allowed!"
"Please, brother, retreat... ...Even though it may be, shallow, but it's wrong, to draw your sword, suddenly."
(Brother?)
Ash. That person.
(That person mocked the Courage of the Desert)
"Move out of the way, Ash!"
"I won't move... ... You're wrong, my brother!"
Instantly, he could tell that forces were acted on the body standing in front him. He fought. Something. Blood fell in front of his eyes again.
He could not see. He could not see anything. He would not be able to see anything from his position.
The trembling right shoulder was shivering distortedly.
(You can't,)
A warning sounded deep in his head. He clutched onto the hem of the white coat without thinking.
"Are you saying that you will not listen to the words of your brother!"
The words fell and echoed. Brother. Brother?
(Didn't you say that, you, were betrayed by your older brothers?)
Didn't you say that you wanted to believe in them?
As if he was walking on cloud, he stepped forward. He was walking forward. Moans came from his throat. I don't like this. The feeling of irritation welling up, turned into cold sweats that streamed down his back. The unpleasant sound of phlegmatic temperament.
Why are you here. Why did you protect me. Why.
(Aren't you a knight also)
Aren't you supposed to be their comrades.
Blood dripped again, landing onto the same area. The dripping sound echoed. Something formed a shadow above his head. He looked up. Something warm dropped onto his cheek. Along with the touch was the smell of blood. He looked at the sky. The blade of the sword was shining in the light. Blood was dripping from there.
"Draw back, your sword!"
The roar of anger paralyzed his body. Furthermore towards the body that continued to proceed, he called out in a husky voice. Stop it, Ash. But the words didn't reach him, the bleeding would not stop. It was warm.
Why.
(Why do you still continue to proceed forward!)
"He saved my life... ... ! Brother, please... ... draw back your sword... ...!"
He felt punched by the words of entreat. It was supposed to be on a whim. It was just be chance. It was just a coincident.
(He,)
With the right shoulder pierced through by his brother, still he faced the sword, enduring the pain and violence, still he protected others.
He heard an unpleasant sound, the shadow disappeared. Towards the trembling coat, he stood up reflectively. A wound. His left shoulder was already wounded by the Diablos, now even his right shoulder was hurt.
"What the hell are you doing... ...!"
"That's what I wanted to ask, why, are you here."
"... ... ..."
His glance was as he thought, a pair of sad transparent red eyes.
(Oh, this guy,)
Without a doubt, he knew nothing.
Knowing nothing is a fault.
Someone had told him that ignorance was a crime. He couldn't remember who that someone was. However, someone said that without knowing anything, and didn't try to learn about it, it was a crime. At that time, he thought that it was right.
(…It's wrong,)
Without knowing what should be known, without knowing what should not be known. In the end, hiding the fact that wanted to know the truth, with his live almost be taken away, still he continued to look forward. He filled his hand with power. Looking upwards, as to silence him for trying to say anything, he told him first.
"It's not your bad."
So, just look ahead.
He did not resist. Even though he was being dragged away, his eyes had not left Ash who turned around trying to say something.
Do not come. Now. It is not the right time yet.
(He will come if he wants to know)
If he really wanted to know the truth he would come. He would continue to look forward. He would not turn away, and closed his eyes towards it.
Just the way he was when he stood in from of the two Diablos with fear.
Their eyes engaged. Ash's eyes were always in a clear sadden red. However, his eyes now were in a clear strong crimson red.
"Why is Ash alive"
SEVEN opened his eyes when he heard the voice. There was nothing inside the prison, only coldness and darkness. There weren't any sound. He looked up. A man looking similar to Ash but with eyes awfully muddy, was looking down at him. It was the man whom Ash called brother. Straining his golden eyes, he scowled at him silently.
"… He said you saved his life."
"…He looked like an abandoned kid"
"Doing unnecessary things…"
"Unnecessary? Isn't he your brother?"
He's your brother, right? Your family, right? What the hell are you saying. The man stared but at him, with an eccentric laugh.
He wondered why did he think that he resembled Ash, it was a smile so strange and different.
"The problem would be settled if that died. The drugs, were also disposed from the inside."
"… That? You don't mean,"
"Diablos are herbivores. The medicine should work well. It would be better if they could purified it inside their bodies, it wasn't such a trifling quantity to begin with."
Who was the team leader. SEVEN bore his breathing with eyes opening wide. It was he of the same age as himself, which went to the desert as the team leader. This fellow was trying to blame everything onto Ash. He was trying to end everything with the death of Ash. Although he was his brother?
(Ah, so that's why, those empty bottles)
"Since the Secret Guild had sniffed it out, this no need for the medicine anymore. My success was decided already. Thanks to those medicine, I have now got myself a good achievement."
"The strength was acquired from the medicines, what the meaning does it have…!"
"You could say whatever you like. There is no need for a younger brother better than the older ones."
By making Ash the source of the drug, all he needed to do was to act as a loyal knight of the kingdom that punished the criminal who happened to be his brother. By acting as a tragedy that was forced to kill his family, everything would end.
(He is rotten)
Ash said that he wanted to believe in him.
He blamed himself even if he was betrayed.
He knew nothing at all.
(He still, know nothing)
A knight passed by the laughing man who turned his back. Lowering his head, the knight brought a tray of meal in his hands. Plain bread and water. SEVEN turned his face. There was no meaning in rampaging with anger in this place.
(Ash will come)
If he didn't come, then he would just be a man of that level. But, there was no such thing. Ash would come. Without any proofs, he believed in him.
(This is weird. Why did I still intended to believe in him after all this)
Why?
A silver tray was put in front of him. He scanned through it and turned his eyes away immediately. Poison added inside.
"…The large world"
"…?"
"Did you ever thinking of seeing it"
In a small, soft voice. SEVEN looked at the face of the knight in puzzled. The hood he wore was blocking his sight, even the eyes could not be seen clearly.
"You have a pair of good eyes."
"…"
"You could surely become a good hunter"
"What are you, talking about…?"
"You're good. And that little brother, he's good too. What a waste, hmm, what should I do"
The knight had a bounding voice. Somewhere in his voice was youth. He nodded as if he was satisfied with something or other, taking up the piece of bread, he turned towards another sets of bars nearby… and threw it inside through the window. He watched. Crouching down, his eyes matched with SEVEN's. He could see silver eyelashes from the gaps. He had the same eye color as he had, a pair of golden eyes.
"…That medicine, was brought by a certain man through a certain route."
"…What?"
"He then sold then off at a special price. The money he used probably belonged to the Clan of the Fire Wyverns. I was shocked, the knight living in the center of such kingdom, could do something like that… … I heard that the Clan was suffering from deficit financing. I think that was the cause was the medicines."
"What did you know"
"His aim was for honor and achievements. He said that earlier anyway. His younger brother had just become the leader, it was unbelievable fast for something at his age. He must felt threaten… … There is no need for a younger brother better than the older ones, seriously, what class was that"
Pouring the water on the floor, he put his hand into his pocket. A bottle was taken out. The green of potion.
"The price of the medicine should not be changed due to personable reasons. He broke that rule, he must have tasted bashings from the head of the route. Throwing the medicines in a rush, pretending that nothing had happened. In addition, making his brother bear the punishment for him, gaining the trust from the Clan. The fact the he used a large amount of money without permission, would also become a crime of his brother. If it became a public news, the foray would become impossible to the hidden world. Didn't think that he will know so far. Well, he's clever, but too silly. "
The bottle was placed in front of him. SEVEN looked at it without moving. It was something he needed most right now.
The eyes drew a cold sharp arc.
" 'Our world' is not so sweet to let him do as he want."
He could feel horror running through his fingertips. He drew back unintentionally. The man looked like as if he was grinning.
"…Bring him along. I don't want to kill you. Bring that youngest brother with you as well."
"What, are you,"
"The world is wide… One day we might meet again."
"Wait!"
The teen waved his hand, and walked on the stone paths without a sound. He didn't plan on answering any question. His steps were singing.
"What's with that… Damn it"
He became irritated towards himself for not being able to do anything. Ash still knew nothing.
Surely he would come. Because, he had eyes that looked straight ahead.
However, if this went on, he would lost the place to return.
"…Bring him along… Will I be able to do it…"
"You can"
The voice answered from far away. Looking up, he could see the man looking at him as if he was singing.
"Because you have such eyes. Different from me"
"…"
Let's see, what shall I do now. Must apologize to him. The teen disappeared as he complained.
In the end, SEVEN had not tell Ash anything.
The teen he saved accidentally was more fun that he thought, unexpectedly sad and strong at the same time. Because he was so impressed by the morning sun that tears dropped, he must be a good guy. Although it was just an impression, yet he knew he could not abandon him. Friend, he called him, and he answered him in a slender voice. Okay, a single word, his voice sounded as if he wanted to cry.
Ash changed his sword. Heavy weapons are good, he thought. Something like that. He said as he pointed at his lance. SEVEN felt only embarrassed, but still he was glad.
He never expected the day that he would trust in people outside of his family, would come.
"Diablos again. Can you go for Los for a while"
"No way I just went on three missions continuously with you. Accompany me for a period"
"If this goes on we are never going to be able to accept G rank quests…"
"Who cares. We have a lot of time"
Yes, they have plenty of time. Freedom is always prepared for hunters. Even though this is a need to carry an amount of responsibilities, but still they were better than those tight ones of the Chivalric Order. Ash had laughed more. He had talked more. At the same time, he had become stronger. He thought so.
He was satisfied. Ash didn't question about the incident at that time. SEVEN also wouldn't talk about it. It would be fine to continue knowing nothing. This measurement probably existed in the world somewhere.
"Fine then Dia… But don't you retire again in the middle"
"I'll think about it-"
"Think seriously! Seriously, just because you like them, aren't hunting them down without questioning the main job of hunters?"
"I believe love is important also."
"…Oh really. I see I see. Haha."
Like that, they would waste time together. Laughing as he waved, SEVEN waited in the seat. The smell of steam and trees. The air of liquor. Daily lives in a relaxed mood.
(I, did it)
Just as that unknown teen said so, he succeeded in bringing him along. To him, it was quite a price.
SEVEN left the desert and started traveling. Even though returning home had become rare, he gained the qualification as a hunter, his weapon was recorded legal, and the comfort and instability to walk alone, was tasted to the bone till now. It was fun but uneasy. He was glad but scared. Certainly, he wouldn't be bored in this situation. Whenever he hunted with Ash, he would play him and play with him as he liked.
"Yo."
He raised his head towards the voice. An unknown man stood there. It was a voice he heard the first time. He wondered.
Recently, being called out by unknown hunters in the guild had became frequent. It must be because we have became strong, Ash claimed with pride. Even so, who was this man.
"You haven't talk to him about it"
He frowned towards the whispering words. But as the words continued, his back froze.
"Seems like he still know nothing."
"…"
"Then let it be. Never talk about it. Bring it to the grave. Got it… Because he saved you, he got locked up."
"…What"
"Don't tell anyone that you have seen both of us. Forget about the medicines. It would still take a few months for that town to recover. When you returned there, you will know everything… of course except the unnecessary ones"
The backlight had prevented him from seeing the face. His eyes were only able to spot a strange light. The equipments of Nargacuga that he had never seen before. The abominable long sword he carried on his back.
"… That time, I should have killed you"
"…..!"
"I sometimes do thought so. Now."
Bye, he muttered and turned his back. A cold sweat streamed down his back. What. What was that just now.
The armor part of Nargacuga.
(The Secret Guild?)
"SEVEN? What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
"We're going right?"
With a great sword on his back. Yeah. He raised his answer. SEVEN stood up. Holding onto his lance and breathed deeply. Taking his rhythm back didn't take long, this must be a sign that he had grown up.
(Even if I am asked to, I will not say anything)
Thinking that if Ash knew how himself almost killed by his family.
(I will not tell)
Because, SEVEN couldn't help being glad that his family increased.
Someone muttered in a distance.
"Ahhh. … … Falt, why do you always think about others… …?"
Just as he thought, the flintstone weren't working properly.
Author's Note:
This chapter is linked with chapter 2. It's better to read the chapter before first. When I knew that Diablos are actually herbivores, I was furiously touched! Don't casually doubt the client of the request! Thanks for reading
Translator's Note:
How's the translation? Is it still okay? Here's a little elaboration about the Order of the Black Beast. About the members of the Order, they wear either the whole set or certain parts of Narga armors. Nobutuna's is the Narga Mail. Of course there's exceptions. It is not a must for them to wear it. Falt is an example, he goes with the normal armors. Normal hunters wear Narga armors too. Thanks for reading~!