Black Cat Chapter 32: The End

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　It was an orc general and eleven orcs that attacked us.

　When the carriage ran out of control after the pincer attack, Mr. Zeol gave up on retreating and made up his mind to take them down.

　It jumped into the attacking herd of orcs, aimed at the four orcs in the center, slowed them down by inflicting serious wounds, and faced a one-on-one duel with the Orc General.

　A group led by a general is troublesome because it acts systematically, but conversely, it is said that it will become confused and weakened if there is no instruction from the general.

“I understand that people who have been living selfishly are restrained by force and deprived of the ability to think for themselves.” (Zeol)

“I see, this side can move in an organized manner through daily training, and by blocking the general’s instructions, they have increased their chances of winning.” (Nyango)

“Still, Nyango, if it weren’t for your efforts, it would have been quite dangerous. If we had been attacked from behind by the three smart ones like that, our coordination might have collapsed.” (Zeol)

“No, I was completely absorbed in it, and my previous experience fighting orcs was just useful.” (Nyango)

　In fact, after being struck unexpectedly from behind, I did not have time to look around until I had finished with the three orcs.

　In this subjugation, we were able to exterminate the herd of orcs, but we didn’t end up unscathed either.

　Almost everyone, including myself, was wounded, and four of us had broken bones, two of which appeared to have suffered comminuted fractures.

“The report was that there were three orcs, so we were prepared to deal with them even if there were six, which is twice as many, but we didn’t think there would be this many…” (Zeol)

　Mr. Zeol also didn’t rule out the possibility that there was an Orc General, but it seems that he misread the numbers because the only casualties in the first attack were one horse and a driver.

“It is possible that the orc general joined up with them after yesterday’s attack, but… Whatever the case, it doesn’t change the fact that I misread the numbers.” (Zeol)

　Medical care is not as advanced in this world as it is in modern Japan.

　X-rays don’t exist, so the only way to fix a broken bone is to look at the fracture from the outside, straighten it as much as possible, and fix it with a splint.

　If it is a simple fracture, the aftereffects may be limited, but if it is a comminuted fracture around a joint, the patient has no choice but to resign himself to the fact that he will not be able to move as before.

　The two people who are thought to have suffered comminuted this time will probably suffer from the aftereffects as well.

　If they are treated with healing magic, the fractures can be restored to their original state, but there are few people with the light attribute, and they are only found in large towns.

　In the vicinity of Atsuka village, there are healers in the town of Ibouro, but the cost of treatment is too high for the average citizen to abandon the idea except in a life-threatening situation.

　After finishing defeating the orcs, they borrowed a wagon from those from the village of Kidai, who arrived late, and are now on their way to the village of Atsuka.

　Inside the wagon, the air is heavy and somber, although there is none of the tense feelings we had when we arrived.

“Mr. Zeol, please don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s true that I was beaten up severely, but it doesn’t mean that I lost my life.” (Nyango)

　Mr. Membrane, one of the men with crushed fractures, was Horacio’s uncle, and he was determined not to be outdone by Horacio in today’s battle. [T/N: Yep it’s Membrane (メンブレン).]

　Mr. Membrane was apparently caught in the rain-softened soil and was hit in the left knee with an orc club.

“But, Membrane…” (Zeol)

“That would have crippled me a bit, but I wouldn’t have been able to fight the orcs like that if Mr. Zeol hadn’t been instructing me. In today’s situation, it wouldn’t be strange for us to be annihilated. Hey, right, everyone?!” (Membrane)

“That’s right. It’s thanks to Mr. Zeol that we were able to win today.” (Villager)

“Membrane’s leg would be healed if he eats a lot of orc flesh.” (Villager)

“Yes, yes, I’m going to drink a lot with orc meat as a side dish!” (Membrane)

“You guys… Thank you.” (Zeol)

　We got the magic stone, although some people were injured, and some of the orcs we killed were taken over by the village of Kidai, so we will be getting the money for them as well.

　Above all, the safety of the highway was restored, so it wasn’t all bad news.

　When we returned to Atsuka village, the sun had already set, but the adults who had joined us began to feast at the village chief’s house.

　I had been using magic all the way there, on the way back, and during the subjugation, so I went home, took a bath, and went to bed.

　The next morning, I woke up, but my body was so ragged that I couldn’t move.

　It seemed that the damage from the previous day’s bruises had appeared today.

　Apparently, most of the adults who had participated in the fight were in the same condition.

　I had to crawl to the bathroom, and even though I used body enhancement magic to promote recovery, it was three days later before I was able to move properly.

　In the morning, I lightly practiced staff arts to loosen up my body, and in the afternoon, I went to see Mr. Zeol.

“Oh, Nyango. Can you move now?” (Zeol)

“Yes, somehow…” (Nyango)

“How about a match?” (Zeol)

“Maybe the day after tomorrow or…” (Nyango)

“Okay, come on in and sit down.” (Zeol)

　Mr. Zeol put a leather bag on the table as he lit the stove to boil water.

“Nyango, you get your share. You couldn’t bring back the meat, so you’ll have to give that up.” Zeol

　Inside the leather bag were three orc magic stones.

“I thought we were going to split the results of the subjugation?” (Nyango)

“Sometimes that happens, but this time it was definitely you who killed the three orcs, and the first logs and stones. And since it was you who prevented the first log and stone, and you also served as a shelter from the rain, I think it should be more than it should be, but…” (Zeol)

“No, this is fine. Some of us were badly injured, and I have no complaints.” (Nyango)

“Still, I’m sorry.” (Zeol)

　The orc magic stone will be worth about seven large silver coins if brought to the guild in Ibouro, but it is difficult for the village to buy it for the same amount of money, I heard.

　Even if the village buys them, there is little demand for them in the village, so they end up being sold outside.

　Those with sales channels, such as guilds, can buy them at the market price of seven large silver coins, but villages without sales channels will lose money at the same price.

　The adults in the village who participated in the subjugation were given a lump sum of money, and the rest would be paid in installments after the sale of the magic stone.

“Well, it means that the others and you will get a larger share if you keep the magic stone.” (Zeol)

“How many days can I stay in Ibouro with one Orc magic stone, Mr. Zeol?” (Nyango)

“Removing the cost of food and drink and the cost of a place to stay, you could stay there for two months.” (Zeol)

“Then, if I have an orc stone, I can live for about a month, right?” (Nyango)

“Well, as long as you don’t spend extravagantly, you should be able to afford it.” (Zeol)

　I have four orc magic stones, one goblin magic stone, three large silver coins, and two large silver coins worth of copper coins.

　If I save my money, I should be able to live for about six months.

　However, if we move our base to Ibouro, we want to be able to earn a steady income.

　There are many farms near the town of Ibouro, and there have been many requests to kill monsters, so I should have no trouble finding work, but at present, there is no way to bring back the monsters I have killed.

　In the case of orcs, the value of the meat is higher than the price of the magic stone, so it would be a waste to throw it away every time.

“If you don’t have the means to transport it yourself, you’ll have to form a party. (Zeol)

“I see, so I should be looking for a companion to help me with the transportation.” (Nyango)

“That’s right Nyango… However, it might be difficult for you.” (Zeol)

“Eh, oh… because you’re I am catkin, right?” (Nyango)

　Mr. Zeol nodded silently.

　The adventurers are more than ninety percent of a large-bodied race.

　The reason is that a catkin like me is considered inferior in both physical and magical combat, so people won’t see the advantage of becoming their companion.

“I see, if I were of a different race and a catkin asked me to join them, I’d probably refuse.” (Nyango)

“Don’t get me wrong, Nyango. Though, I can see you have the potential to become a good adventurer, but the disadvantage of being small is something that inevitably follows you.” (Zeol)

“I see. It’s not that I’m going to go to town and become an adventurer right now, so I’ll have to think of some more countermeasures. In fact, if I can figure out a way to carry the orcs on my own, I should have no problem at all. ” (Nyango)

“Hahaha, you’re right. With your magic, I’m sure you can figure out something better, right?” (Zeol)

“Oh, yes. I’ll think of something.” (Nyango)

　The subjugation of the orcs has come to an end, leaving me with solid confidence and readiness to face new challenges.

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