724 – Meeting Comrades

I return to Harenae by flight. Seeing it again, the fissures in the earth and the ruined houses left by the taotie’s rampage are awful to look at.

I’d hoped to gather some information, but…

“That monster’s returned!”
“Why couldn’t they have killed each other!?!”
“We’re stuck with another awful monster! Harenae’s finished for sure this time!”

The Harenae citizens point up at me and scream in despair. Some are shouting in rage, while others have broken down crying.

…Well, this much is to be expected. Long ago I’d gotten sentimental seeing such things, but lately I’ve become used to it. Even if they were to throw stones at me, it’s not like I’d feel any pain…

When I first struck the taotie, I saw Volk’s figure for a moment. He had probably pursued it all the way to Harenae and had been battling it. If I can only find Volk, I might be able to ask him to mediate between myself and the townsfolk.

As I return to the place where the taotie had set up camp, I notice a congregation of people nearby in something like an outdoors refuge. It seems like they’re gathering the injured and treating them. I can see Volk’s figure among the people there. Right next to him are atlach and magiatite-jii, too.

For the time being, I’m relieved that I’m able to meet up with those that I’d left behind in this world. There was a possibility that everyone had been killed by the [Spirit Servants] right away. I don’t see the black lizard or Umukahime around anywhere, so maybe they’re currently on their way here?

“Make me your disciple, Dragon Hunter-sama! My great na-… no, my name is Dylan! I’ve been on a journey to refine my swordsmanship, aiming to be like you!”

…A strange burly man is bowing deeply to Volk. With a troubled expression, Volk looks at the one-armed man who seems to be of the same group.

“Oi, what’s with this guy?”

“Sorry, Dragon Hunter-dono. He’s not a bad person though…”

The one-armed man scratches his head.

『Oi―, Volk…!』

“The dragon’s come hereee!”

Screams ring out in the shelter as I approach. Those who can move flee as fast as their legs can carry them.

“N-no, that dragon is…”

Even as Volk tries to come to my defence, nobody is in the mind to pay him any attention. The man who was pleading with Volk to make him his disciple tried to escape while he was still bowed, and ended up pitching forward and collapsing to the ground.

I-It looks like I’ve done something bad…

“Don’t tell me, to think that I’ll have to use this right arm of mine again…! Dragon Hunter-dono, apologies but I’ll only be able to serve as a decoy!”

The one-armed man levels his sword at me, then his expression changes.

“Hm? Could it be…”

His face crinkles in curiosity as he looks at me. I, too, remember that man’s face.

『Adofu…?』

For the time being, I land with [Humanisation Technique]. I pull out my clothes from [Dimension] and clad myself in them.

“Oh, ohh, those features when transformed into a human… There’s no doubt! It really is you, Irushia! I didn’t think we’d ever have a chance to meet again!”

Adofu lowers his sword and rushes over to me.

“What are you doing in Harenae? Didn’t you say you were leaving this country…”

“I left for a while, but I’d heard various incoherent rumours about Harenae from outside. I ended up wanting to return to check it out for myself, and in doing so, it turned out like this.”

With a bitter smile, Adofu swings his armless left sleeve. It looks like he’d lost it while fighting the taotie.

“Well… Now that I’m like this, I probably won’t be told to get reinstated as Harenae’s knight any longer. It’s not exactly what I would have wanted as a retirement gift, though.”

In the past, Adofu had mentioned that he had lost the use of his right arm in the fight with the red ants. With this, he’s ended up losing function in both arms.

However, there’s a skill I gained as an [Ouroboros].

【Normal skill [Ligne]】
【Missing body parts are regenerated, and HP is restored.】
【The MP consumption is considerably greater than [Rest].】

I should be able to restore both of his arms this way.

“[Ligne].”

I hold my hand out towards Adofu.

“What are…”

The light of healing passes through Adofu’s body, and the left arm that he lost turns back to normal. The bandages covering it fall smoothly to the floor.

“I-Impossible. Such a thing…!”

Adofu looks at his own arm with wide open eyes. He moves it around as if in disbelief.

“Your right shoulder should be healed, too. Looks like you don’t get to retire as a swordsman just yet.”

I joke a little at Adofu’s expense.

“I-I’ve heard rumours about this, but Irushia, to think that you can actually perform such a thing now. Hah, haha, there’s no way I can set aside being a swordsman now.”

Adofu says while patting his right arm in amazement.

“Since the monster born from that Hero is gone, it’s clear that you’ve won, Irushia. What happened after that God’s Voice thing took you away?”

Volk asks me.

“I want to speak about that too but… First, could you help to clear up the misunderstanding with the Harenae people? Sorry for creating a mess of the shelter. Also, it’d be good if you could gather up the injured so I can heal them.”

I say to Volk as I scratch my head.

Volk and Adofu then help to clear up the confusion and bring back those who fled. Most of them are still cautious of me, but it looks like word has spread that I’m able to use [Ligne]. I go around the injured and cast [Ligne] on them.

“On top of subduing that monster, to think that you would even come and treat us to full health. Our sincere gratitude, Dragon-sama…!”
“Please allow us to host you here as thanks!”

The Harenae citizens express their gratitude towards me.

“I-it’s fine, don’t worry about it. Also… Sorry, but I can’t afford to stay here too long.”

“It’s rare that you get thanked… You’re blushing.”

Atlach quips from the side.

“It can’t be helped… I-I’m not used to it, being treated like this. More than that, what happened to you guys after that bit in the Easternmost Strange Land?”

“After those four rampaged for a while in the Strange Land… They moved in separate directions. We split up as Umukahime suggested and chased after them. Lecherta flew after the woman, and Umukahime went after the spider monster by herself, towards the Kingdom of Ardesia.”

Volk answers my question.

The woman… That must be Saint Jornes. I didn’t manage to meet the black lizard, but it looks like I either wasn’t able to find her, or she ended up arriving after everything was over. The spider monster must be Demon Lord Baal.

The final two… Most likely, Magic Beast King has gone to Noah’s Forest, and Demon Lord Baal has gone to Ardesia.

The image of Aro and treant heading for Noah’s Forest flash through my mind. Frankly speaking, I want to chase after them.

However, seeing as I’ve come as far as Harenae, I have to prioritise the closer Ardesia.

“It’s up to you… Aro, Treant. But, definitely don’t get reckless, you hear?”

I bite my lip as I mutter.

They’re only buying time… But, it’s clear from Saint Jornes’ and Hero Ares’ strength that that won’t be easy to do.

AN:【Publication Information】
“Reincarnated Heavy Knight vol. 1” (June 2nd) and “DoraTama vol. 16” (June 6th) are going on sale in the same month!
Also, the manga adaptation of “Reincarnated Heavy Knight” is getting a volume release on June 6th, so please check that out, too!
＊I had made a mistake in DoraTama’s sale date. My apologies. (I’ve corrected it!)