Raising Paladins

Episode 123. Rodim Researcher and Black Fang (2)

“How?! The fact that there is a chief in the Rodaim tribe is something that only professional monster scholars don’t know about?”

“I am a Research Fuse. We are studying monsters that are rare and harmless to humans.”

Of course it’s a lie.

In his previous life, Carl traveled all over the empire and performed sacred policing duties.

In the process, I faced a lot of monsters.

Some of them are very ferocious, attacking people as soon as they see them, or preying on humans, but there are others like Rodaim who are docile and easily get along with people.

So Carl was well aware of the characteristics of the Rhodaim race and the structure of the village.

To the point where I could have a conversation with someone who had studied monsters professionally.

Of course, the reason for this lie was simple.

Because I still can’t fully trust this man.

What if this man is a disguised spy sent by the Harpy Pirates?

Then there will be a big problem in the operation process.

“That’s right! Well, if you’re a monster research priest, you’ll know enough about the fact that the docile monster Rodaim lives here in the Pinas Archipelago! I’m really happy with this!”

The man quickly held out his hand.

At first, he was very suspicious of the knife.

However, when the words ‘Chief Rodim’ came out of Carl’s mouth, his attitude changed.

“I am also a scholar who studies monsters! Of course, I didn’t study Rodim from the beginning, but… … .”

“How did you come here? Is it for the purpose of researching Rhodaim?”

“Hmm… … It wasn’t like that.”

The man was lost in old memories for a while.

“My hometown is a place called Langfleur. It’s nicknamed the ‘City of Lakes’.”

“I know. Isn’t it the home of the ‘Fish Knight’, a loyal knight of the great Paladin?”

“Right there! It’s so nice to meet someone from another country who knows his hometown. really… … .”

A small emotion flashed in the man’s eyes.

“Lampler is an inland area near the capital. The Pinas Islands are the outskirts connecting the eastern and southern parts of the empire. It is also in the middle of the sea.”

“You may be wondering, why did I, a Ramplerite, come to live on a remote island in the Pinas Archipelago? I never expected my life to turn out like this either. It must have been fate that brought me here… … .”

The man looked out the window with sad eyes.

“I wanted to make a name for myself by discovering new monsters in regions beyond the Empire. So I spent a lot of money and got on a boat that goes far away. But on the way, I met a big wave and the boat was destroyed… … When I opened my eyes, I was at the beach of this island. Everyone else seemed dead.”

“Sorry.”

“When I opened my eyes, I was stunned. Because there were people I had never seen before in my life, all around me.”

“Are they Rodaim?”

“It was. Cute little guys were staring at me as I collapsed with curious eyes. It seems like the guys are seeing people for the first time. Of course, I’m saying this because I know Rodaim’s temperament well now. Even though I knew that a monster called Rodim existed on the beach and on the island, it was the first time I had actually seen it. Besides, I was shipwrecked and lost my mind… … .”

The man smiled as if he remembered that time.

“Look at my mind! You’re the first guest at my cabin, and I couldn’t even entertain you. Try some fruit.”

Fresh fruits placed in abundance inside the cabin.

It looked appetizing to look at, but Carl refused saying it was okay.

It was because I had already eaten a few while waiting for the fainting man to wake up.

“Excuse me. I was hungry, so I ate a few.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. If it’s fruit, it’s because there’s a really huge amount. Since this island is summer all year round, it is a place where all kinds of fruits grow indefinitely. If it wasn’t for the Rodims, this island would have become full of fruits long ago. Then I’ll make you a cup of hot tea.”

“Thank you.”

A man guided Carl out of the cabin.

The two sat in front of the stove, where traces of a fire had been left.

Tack, Tack.

A man who skillfully saved the fire.

Soon after, thin twigs were poured over the embers and the flames were raised.

He put a teapot on it and said.

“I can’t come now because of the f*cking harpy pirates, but in the old days there were people on the islands who brought me necessities. The kettle you got from them.”

“I see. If you don’t mind, could you continue what you were talking about?”

Carl came to see Chief Rodim.

Apparently, this man seemed to have a good relationship with Rodim.

“Are you talking about the wreck? Got it. It’s been a while since I met someone and I’m excited.”

the man spoke

“When I showed no hostility, the Rhodaims brought me fruit. Even dried fish or edible plant roots. There are many plant roots on this island that taste like potatoes or sweet potatoes. It was a very grateful thing. I ate it and came to my senses. I recovered for a few days like that.”

“Rodigm has been kind to you.”

“Yes, they are very docile and kind animals. They are good guys who do nothing to harm humans, except for eating a lot of fruit. His intelligence is quite high.”

“Did you come to live here because of the Rodims?”

“You could say that. The reason why I became interested in monster research in the first place was because I was fed up with the human world. Aren’t people constantly jealous of each other and trying to deprive others of what they have? But Rodim is not like that. They are a kind people who are willing to give what they have. Besides, he saved me from almost dying. So I decided to settle down here. I have some knowledge about monsters in my own way.”

A cry could be heard in the forest far away.

It was a cute cry that sounded like a cat or a puppy.

When the man heard it, he was delighted.

“It looks like the Rhodaims have come.”

“Do you come to the cabin too?”

“Sure, I go inside and sleep. But there seems to be a stranger, so he can’t come close. I’ll be gone for a while.”

The man disappeared into the woods.

Soon after, he appeared with both hands full of food.

Fruit, dried seaweed, plump caterpillars, and so on.

“The Rhodaims provide me with this kind of food in abundance. In return, I take care of the injured or sick Rhodaim. Would you like to join me?”

Carl looked at the basket with a slightly uneasy look.

***

After a while.

The two sat around the campfire and finished their meal.

“… … I ate well.”

“Why, why don’t you pay more?”

The man held out a bowl of grilled caterpillars.

Carl quickly shook his hand and declined.

“it’s okay. I am full.”

“Because it looks like this, grilled caterpillars are so delicious.”

“… … yes.”

The man’s name is Seamus.

He enjoyed the grilled caterpillars.

The two of them ate together, talked, and became quite close.

“But why do you want to meet Chief Rodim?”

“I have a favor to ask the chief.”

“ask… … ? May I ask you something?”

“… … .”

Carl hesitated to answer, but Seamus nodded.

“Well, it wouldn’t be good to ask questions that were too deep when we first met. Anyway, let me meet the chief.”

“Is that true?”

The knife was flattering.

“I didn’t even tell you why I had to meet the chief?”

“I trust my intuition.”

“intuition… … ?”

“exactly. My intuition is telling me you’re a good person. It’s a feeling that has never been wrong.”

I woke up tapping my stomach as Seamus called.

“It’s time to go to the doctor, so let’s go together.”

Carl nodded.

***

The road to Rodim Village.

Tropical bushes rose to their shoulders.

It was full of unfamiliar plants that Carl had never seen before.

The strangely shaped mushroom spewed purple spores, and the ‘Mosquitoean’, a mosquito monster the size of a human fist, flew around.

“This is like a place that preserves an ancient ecosystem. Isn’t it amazing?”

“… … okay.”

It was Seamus who looked at Mosquitian with a hearty smile if he clung to it.

“Hundreds of years ago, the soldiers and battle priests of the Empire drove most of the continent’s monsters, didn’t they? In particular, after the battle between the Paladin of the Great Dawn and the Lich King 200 years ago, it is said that monsters that harm people are almost extinct. But this island is special. Dozens of monsters form an ecosystem. Of course, there are dangerous ones. Like a canine puma.”

“A canine puma?”

“It looks like a puma, but it’s much bigger and faster. It’s called so because its terrifying fangs stick out all the way down its chin. He is a very dangerous guy who preys on rodims and is one of the representative predators on this island.”

“Does that canine puma only hunt rodim?”

“Nothing like that. It is a predatory carnivorous monster that will eat any animal it can eat. He probably likes human meat too. Fortunately, I haven’t been eaten yet.”

Carl glared at Seamus.

The figure of him without any weapon.

Then Seamus understood Carl’s gaze.

“hahahaha! This road is safe. Do you see those purple spores over there?”

“… … ?”

Carl looked at the mushroom.

“That purple spore is very much hated by the canine puma. That’s why I and Rodim use this road. It is safe because there are spore mushrooms all the way from the hut to Rodim Village.”

“I see.”

Raising my head, I saw a lot of Rodims climbing trees.

Seeing that, Seamus said.

“Look over there. Isn’t Daddy Rodaim teaching the baby Rodaim how to climb a tree? Proof that this road is safe thanks to the spores.”

A group of Rhodaim that look like a family.

The little baby Rodaim climbs the tree with all his might, following his big father, Rodaim.

at that moment.

Baby Rodaim’s hand slipped and fell down.

After bumping into a tree branch a few times, the baby Rodaim rolled on the floor.

However, the place where it fell was outside the range of the spore mushroom.

“Kreureung… … .”

I heard a cry from somewhere.

A quadrupedal monster with a sleek body appeared.

The long fangs stretched down, like the canine puma that Seamus had mentioned earlier.

“I-why is he here!”

Embarrassed Seamus.

Carl, who was watching the scene from the side, had an absurd face.

“… … They say it’s safe because they didn’t show up here.”

“That, that… … ! I don’t know either! Canine cougars definitely don’t come near the spore road!”

A baby Rhodaim that seems to have been injured somewhere in the process of falling.

The father, Rodim, quickly came down and stood in front of the cub.

But the snarling canine puma was too big.

To the extent that it is several times more than his father, Rodim.

If left alone like this, it seemed that not only the cub but also the father Rodaim would be a delicious meal for the canine cougar.

“I-what about this… … Go away, go! Hey!”

Seamus threw a rock into the spore path.

A very passive attack.

His face was also pale, and anyone could see that he had a scholarly (?) appearance.

Carl shook his head and stepped forward.

“Hey, look! Dangerous! Come inside the spores!”

“… … it’s okay.”

Sreureung-!

Carl drew his longsword.

The canine puma, instinctively feeling the danger, ran towards the knife, leaving Rhodaim behind.

The sight of a huge beast leaping up and attacking me made it seem like the knife would soon turn into a clot of blood.

but.

Skan-!

The sword’s longsword gently cut through the air.

The canine puma’s body jumped in and fell apart, split exactly in half.

such an amazing sight.

Silence flows in the middle of a tropical jungle.

“what… … ?!”

Saliva dripped from Seamus’ open mouth.