New chapter of Reincarnated Hero is out! (4/10 chapters)

 

 

We Are Not the Ones to Be Lured

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Thank you very much for everything. Please do come again, not just for the curry, but to visit us anytime. We may not be able to offer much hospitality, though…” (Rabito)

The next day, Leon and the others left the village, seeing off the village chief and the villagers. The curry they had served yesterday must have been really delicious, as everyone looked reluctant to part.

“Let me eat it again!” (Child)

“Curry! Curry!” (Children)

The children shamelessly begged for more.

“All right, all right. I’ll come again…” (Leon)

Leon managed to pull the children away one by one and finally departed from the village. They could have stayed longer, but the village chief had told them it would be better to go to the city if they wanted to meet the Catkin. At the same time, Leon had heard a somewhat concerning story.

“The Catkin, you say… Actually, the ones ruling this country are those Catkin. They look down on all other races, and they impose harsh oppression.” (Village Chief)

Apparently, the dire situation of this village was due to the Catkin’s tyrannical rule. That was why the villagers had been afraid of the Catkin twins at first.

(I need to confirm this for myself.) (Leon)

Of course, Leon had heard this from the village chief when the twins were not around. He had not told them yet. If the twins’ own kind truly were the oppressive rulers the chief described, Leon thought it might be better to leave the country before they became disillusioned. As they sailed the dirt boat in the direction the village chief had pointed out, a town came into view. There was said to be the manor of the lord who governed this entire area.

After disembarking, as they approached the town entrance, they were stopped by guards. They were beastkin with round ears and different skin color around their eyes, perhaps Raccoonkin.

“What business do humans and elves have here?” (Guard)

“W-wait, those children…” (Guard)

At first, they questioned them harshly, but as soon as they noticed the twins, their attitude changed abruptly, and they bowed deeply.

“I-I’m sorry! Please, go through!” (Guard)

Taking their words, Leon and the group passed through the gate and entered the town. It seemed certain that the Catkin were part of the ruling class of this country.

“Hehehe, it seems they are quite feared.” (Meltera)

““?”” (Arc/Iris)

The twins seemed not to understand this well, and Meltera’s teasing made them tilt their heads. The town could hardly be called lively. There were few passersby, and the beastkin running the shops looked listless. Here and there were people who looked like homeless wanderers who had lost their homes. For a town directly governed by the lord, it was surprisingly rundown.

““Hmm.”” (Arc/Iris)

“…Ah.” (Leon)

After walking around the town for a while, they sensed someone following them.

“Should we possess someone and take them along?” (Iris)

“Hmm… they might just be curious and following us, so let’s watch for a while. For now, pretend not to notice.” (Leon)

““Understood.”” (Arc/Iris)

“Got it.” (Meltera)

They continued walking randomly through the town, but the feeling of being followed did not disappear. On the contrary, the number of followers gradually increased. Eventually, Leon and the others wandered into a particularly shabby area. It could be called a slum.

Then, the multiple presences following them made a move.

“Hey, stop right there!” (Dogkin Leader)

Emerging from behind a building, a dog beastman, the Dogkin, ordered them to halt. More Dogkin appeared one after another, surrounding them.

“What do you want?” (Leon)

“We don’t want anything from you. We want those Catkin brats.” (Dogkin Leader)

““…”” (Twins)

It seemed their target was the twins, Arc and Iris. They were likely hostile to the Catkin.

“If you hand them over quietly, we won’t harm you humans and elves.” (Dogkin Leader)

“And if we refuse?” (Leon)

“…Too bad. You’ll probably have to endure some pain.” (Dogkin Leader)

The Dogkin lowered their stance, ready to pounce. But Leon shook his head.

“Sorry, but I can’t agree to that.” (Leon)

“Tch, don’t say I didn’t warn you!” (Dogkin Leader)

The leader spat, and all of them moved at once to attack. However, they were clearly inexperienced fighters compared to the Rabbitkin from the village, and the skinny Dogkin were no match for Leon’s group.

“Gyaah!?” (Dogkin)

“Bark!?” (Dogkin)

“Kuun…” (Dogkin)

Despite being outnumbered more than two to one, the battle ended in seconds. The defeated Dogkin lying around growled in disbelief.

“W-what the hell are they…?” (Dogkin)

“They’re just kids…” (Dogkin)

Leon asked them.

“So, what’s your purpose?” (Leon)

“““…””” (Dogkin)

They apparently had no intention to talk.

“Hmm. I see. If you talked properly, I would feed this to you.” (Leon)

Leon took out thick slices of marbled meat.

“““!?””” (Dogkin)

The Dogkin’s eyes widened.

“C-could it be…” (Dogkin)

“Orc meat!?” (Dogkin)

“No, it’s High Orc meat.” (Leon)

“““!?””” (Dogkin)

Leon began to grill the meat in front of them, as if to flaunt it. The delicious smell spread around.

“If you talk, I’ll let you eat.” (Leon)

“…T-that trick… no way! N-no…” (Dogkin)

“Right! We are not the ones to be lured by mere food!” (Dogkin)

They desperately resisted, but their bodies betrayed them. They could not stop the drool from spilling from their mouths.

““Slurp…”” (Arc/Iris)

Even the twins were no exception.

 

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