The Last-Seat Hero Has Returned

89. A Common Occurrence (1)

The Empire’s Outskirts.

A single carriage sped down a rural road strewn with foliage and stone fragments.

Brrrrrrr.

Though it was called a carriage, it was not the kind pulled by horses as in days of old.

Its official name was a magic-powered carriage.

Crafted with the Republic’s technology, this carriage utilized magic stones as its power source instead of relying on the strength of horses—a kind of magical tool.

When it was first developed, its exorbitant price meant that only a handful of noble families from the Empire, high-ranking priests from the Holy Kingdom, or tycoons from the Republic could afford to use it. However, as the mass production of magic stones became feasible, it evolved into one of the most popular means of transportation, alongside warp gates.

Of course.

For those who could not even be considered part of that “popular” class, the magic-powered carriage was nothing less than an alien contraption.

“Ugh. Driving on these country roads is no easy feat.”

Professor Elisha, seated in the driver’s seat, squinted as he flicked the ash from his cigarette out the window.

In the capital or larger cities of the Empire, smooth paved roads made driving a breeze, but on rural paths like this, every jolt and bump was felt throughout the body, second by second.

“Would you like me to drive if it’s too much for you?”

“Hmm? Do you have a magic-powered carriage license?”

“…Ah.”

Thinking back, he realized he had no license during his candidate days.

He had been so broke that he could barely afford to split a snack from the vending machine, let alone think about getting a magic-powered carriage license.

It was long after graduation that he finally obtained one.

‘Back then, the mercenary captain forced me to drive, and I had to get it just to comply.’

In any case.

At this moment, I had neither a license nor even a hint of a driving test in my possession.

“I may not have a license, but I know how to drive.”

“That’s a remarkably trustworthy statement.”

“Really, I can do it.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, but I must decline. We’re not far from the village now.”

At Professor Elisha’s words, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Well, at this pace, we should arrive in about two to three hours.”

“Yes. That should be enough time… hmm?”

Professor Elisha turned to me, tilting his head, his eyes clouded with curiosity.

“Wasn’t Candidate Dale from the Republic?”

“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”

“But how do you know how long it takes to drive in a backwater of the Empire like this?”

“…….”

At his pointed question, I firmly sealed my lips.

‘How could I, a Republic native, possibly know the geography of this Empire backwater?’

Having roamed the continent for thousands of years in search of the primordial fire, surely there couldn’t be a place—be it a rural village of the Empire or a sanctuary of the Holy Kingdom—that I didn’t know.

Of course.

That was not something I could share with Professor Elisha.

“I studied hard in my first-year geography class.”

“Considering that, your grades… ahem. Well, it’s not important.”

Seemingly satisfied with that, Professor Elisha shifted his gaze out the window.

A typical country road, with bushes swaying in the wind and the gentle sound of water trickling nearby.

“…….”

As he gazed at the unremarkable scenery, Professor Elisha wore a distant look, as if lost in some memory.

“By the way, you mentioned you’re from a rural village too, Professor Elisha?”

“Well… yes.”

He nodded.

“I come from one of those small, common villages found anywhere on the Empire’s fringes.”

Was he reminiscing about his childhood?

Professor Elisha slowed the vehicle, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“A place where, if you gathered all the villagers, you wouldn’t even reach a hundred, surviving on farming and hunting… that’s what it was.”

“Isn’t the place we’re heading to similar?”

“Indeed.”

Elisha, the professor, slowly reduced the speed of the car before coming to a stop by the roadside.

“Let’s have a simple meal here before we go.”

“Hmm? Aren’t we arriving in the village soon anyway?”

In just two to three hours, we would reach the village, so there was no real need to eat on this roadside.

“That may be true, but…”

Elisha smiled bitterly and continued.

“The people in these small villages tend to harbor both fear and awe towards outsiders. Especially in a situation like this, where they find themselves in need of help, they’ll likely go out of their way to treat us well.”

Go out of their way, indeed.

“So you’re saying you have no intention of emptying the already scarce village storehouse?”

“We’re not in a position to be starving, are we?”

“Haha. Well, that’s true.”

It was a thoughtful consideration that seemed at odds with her cold demeanor, one that looked as if even a pinprick wouldn’t draw a drop of blood.

‘Didn’t Vincent mention she runs a foundation on the side?’

Recalling what I had heard from Vincent, I stepped out of the car.

“What did you bring to eat?”

“I didn’t bring anything.”

“…You didn’t bring anything at all?”

I looked at Elisha with a bewildered expression.

‘If that’s the case, why didn’t you just tell me to bring something?’

Since Elisha had only asked me to come along, I hadn’t prepared any food myself.

“Well, there’s food everywhere around us. Is there really a need to go through the trouble of packing something?”

With a slight chuckle, Elisha made her way down to the stream flowing beside the road.

Snap.

As she flicked her fingers lightly, slender silver threads shot into the water.

Splash! Swish!

The silver threads stirred violently in the stream.

In an instant, they twisted together, forming a small net.

“Ha!”

With a tug, tug!

Two fish, each the size of a forearm, were pulled out, caught in the net of silver threads.

“How is it? Just as I said, right?”

Professor Elisha shrugged, lifting two flapping fish from the net.

I stifled a laugh at the sight of her, the professor who had just caught the fish in an instant.

“These days, even spiders catch fish.”

“Evolution is the greatest strength of living beings.”

With the fish from the net skewered on a sharp twig, Professor Elisha turned to me and spoke.

“Could you light a fire for me?”

“Sure.”

I gathered some nearby twigs and started a small campfire.

In the meantime, Professor Elisha rummaged through the nearby bushes.

“What are you doing over there?”

“If there’s a meal, there should be dessert too.”

As she returned toward the fire, her hands were piled high with colorful fruits, each no bigger than a thumbnail.

“These are simple fruits, perfect for a quick snack. I used to pick them often when I was a child, near my home.”

“…You seem to have more vitality than I expected.”

The sight of the beautiful woman in a neat black suit picking fruits from the bushes felt oddly out of place, as if a noblewoman were tilling a field.

“Heh. So, do you feel a different charm now?”

I nodded with a slight smile at Professor Elisha, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Honestly, I like you much more now than when we first met.”

“Well, this is quite troublesome.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who would have thought I’d receive a proposal from a fresh-faced candidate?”

“No way.”

What is this woman talking about?

“I’m just joking.”

Professor Elisha took a bite of the perfectly grilled fish, her playful smile contrasting with her cold demeanor.

* * *

After a simple meal, Professor Elisha and I boarded the cart again, heading toward the village.

After about two more hours of driving along the bumpy country road, the village appeared in the distance.

As if they had heard we were coming, an elderly man with a cane stood outside the village, waiting for us.

“Are you the heroes who have come to hunt the beast this time?”

As I stepped down from the carriage, an old man approached.

“Indeed.”

“Oh! Th-thank you! Thank you, heroes!”

With a face brimming with emotion, the old man bowed repeatedly.

“And you are?”

“Ah, my apologies. I should have introduced myself sooner. I am Oliver, the village chief.”

“I see. May I take a moment to look around the village?”

“Of course! Ah, have you had your meal? If you let me know, I can prepare something right away…”

“No. I’ve already eaten, so there’s no need for any special preparations.”

“I-I see. I wanted to treat you for your hard work, but it seems that won’t be possible.”

Despite his words of disappointment, a glimmer of relief shone in Oliver’s eyes.

“Please, come inside.”

Following Oliver into the heart of the village.

In this small settlement, where barely a hundred souls resided, a heavy, somber atmosphere hung thick in the air.

People peered through the cracks of old window frames, their eyes barely visible, watching us.

As our gazes met, they hurriedly retreated into their homes.

A figure sat vacantly on the street, their face drawn and weary.

It felt less like entering a village and more like stepping into a graveyard.

“Haha… I apologize. This was not the atmosphere that used to be here…”

Oliver surveyed the village with sorrowful eyes.

“Is it because of the beast?”

“…Yes.”

Well, it made sense.

With a beast of the highest order abducting villagers, it was no wonder the mood had turned so grim.

“When did the beast first appear?”

“About… a week ago.”

“And how many have been taken so far?”

“Seven.”

“Seven, you say.”

Professor Elisha furrowed his brow and continued speaking.

“Are they abducting one person each day?”

“…Yes.”

Oliver clenched his fists, gnawing at his lips.

“That wicked beast seems to toy with us, snatching away one villager each night!”

His eyes trembled with fury.

The wrinkles on Oliver’s cheeks quivered.

“…And yet, you remain here in the village?”

“W-where would simple folk like us run to in the Empire? If we lose this village, we…”

For the villagers, who eked out a living through farming and hunting, abandoning their home for another place was akin to a death sentence.

“Hmm.”

Professor Elisha crossed his arms and swallowed a low sigh.

“I’ve heard there is someone who witnessed the beast.”

“Ah… yes. That is correct.”

“Where are they?”

“Y-you can come this way.”

With that, Oliver stepped into a nearby house.

Inside, a man sat, made of old wood and shadows.

He looked to be around forty.

Not quite fitting for a man living in such a backwater village, he had a surprisingly neat appearance.

“I-I am Harris.”

As the door opened, Harris rose hesitantly.

“Are you the one who saw the beast?”

“Y-yes!”

Harris nodded vigorously, his expression taut with tension.

“Describe the situation and the beast’s appearance in as much detail as you can.”

“It’s as I wrote in the report. Around one in the morning, I heard a commotion outside, so I stepped out for a moment… and there it was, a creature that looked like a crocodile standing on two legs, wrapping its long tail around one of the villagers and dragging them away.”

“It took them alive?”

“Y-yes.”

“And in which direction did it go?”

“Behind the village lies a mountain.”

“Other witnesses?”

“There are several who saw it besides me… but everyone was too scared, hiding inside their homes.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Professor Elisha nodded thoughtfully.

“I understand. Then we shall take our leave.”

“P-please! I beg you! You must hunt down that dreadful beast!”

Harris knelt on the ground, bowing his head in desperation.

“I will try.”

Professor Elisha replied curtly, turning his head away.

“H-Harris, calm yourself a bit.”

As Oliver sat down on the floor, comforting the sobbing Harris, I stepped outside with Professor Elisha, leaving Herald’s house behind.

“Ahh.”

Professor Elisha pulled a cigarette from his pocket, placing it between his lips as he exhaled a deep sigh.

“Is there a problem?”

“That man, Harris.”

Click.

The lighter’s flame ignited the tip of the cigarette.

“He is lying.”

Professor Elisha’s violet eyes glimmered as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.