STGB Episode 516

Natives(4)

The last great sage, Diphlun Graundel Gavrilius.

He erected a barrier to protect the city from the witch’s curse and opened a dimensional portal connected to the labyrinth to solve the resource shortage, becoming the first explorer and saviour to enter the Labyrinth.

Almost all of the feats inscribed at the top of the Stone of Honor belong to him.

He left an enormous mark on the Labyrinth in its original state, and people began to call every hidden piece in the Labyrinth – everything that was hidden there – “Gavrilius’s Achievements”, after his name.

He’s so famous that when children first learn about history, he’s the first person they hear of. His companions, likewise, are well known.

“…Did the monster just speak our language?”

“Huh? Yes… he did…”

“No, more importantly… he knows about Raphdonia?”

He’s so famous that when children first learn history, he’s the first person they hear about. His companions, likewise, are well known.

My companions who were eavesdropping on the conversation seemed confused.

Just like the monsters who had seen me speak ancient language.

“How can a monster speak human language?”

Those were the kinds of expressions they wore, and honestly, if I looked at myself in the mirror, I wouldn’t be much different.

But…….

[I am Brunggrid, the chief of this village].

[You must be an explorer from Raphdonia, right?]

[How much time has passed outside?]

As the leader of a group, I forced myself to calm down and organize my thoughts.

What is the identity of this monster?

…Actually, there was no need to think about it, a certain name came to mind right away.

“Cornelius Brunggrid, the Dragon Knight.”

As I said the name, the chief who had been waiting silently nodded.

“Correct.”

What the hell…? Is it really him?

Is the monster really him?

“Th-the Dragon Knight Brungrid…!”

“…I can’t believe it.”

“It’s probably a lie; he lived thousands of years ago and looks nothing like this monster.”

My team murmured, but the chief didn’t respond to any of their comments.

He simply looked at me and asked.

“Then, would you tell me how much time has passed outside?”

There was something in hiscalm voice that made me feel compelled to answer.

But first, I needed to clarify one thing.

“Before I answer that, let me ask you something. Can I use this?”

Who in their right mind shares information with a stranger on their first meeting?”

Without hesitation, I pulled out my ‘Misaligned Trust.’

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen that…”

“So, is that a yes?”

“Go ahead. In fact, I welcome it.”

Alright, that’s what I wanted to hear…

I was impressed by his willingness to agree, but I had no intention of not using it.

Click.

With his permission, I immediately activated the item.

First, let’s check if it works. Can you say your name?”

“Cornelius Brungrid.”

“……”

The Misaligned Trust didn’t work.

Not because he told the truth, but because every time he spoke, it stopped functioning-—just as it does when I speak.

“…What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.”

While I was confused, Versil approached and whispered to me:

“Maybe… it’s because he’s a monster?”

That was a plausible guess.

After all, I’d never used this item on a monster before. Maybe it only works on humans.

‘Or maybe it’s a similar case to mine.’

Just in case, I tried a verification spell with Versil’s help, but it didn’t work either.

“Guess we’ll have to talk without this.”

Ugh… what a waste of a use…

“Then, will you answer my question now?”

“Before that, let me ask one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“If you’re really one of the great sage’s companions, why are you here in this place, looking like this?”

“That’s…”

The chief continued.

“I don’t know.”

“…Huh?”

“It was just an ordinary day. I was in the labyrinth, and when the time came, the labyrinth closed. But when I opened my eyes, I wasn’t greeted by the city, but by this place. This horrifying appearance was an extra surprise.”

“…What?”

“Why did I wake up here? Why did I become like this? Where is this place, and why can’t I die? I’ve thought about it for a long time, but in the end, there’s only one answer.”

“……”

“I don’t know. Why this happened.”

His voice showed no resentment or frustration.

It was like all his emotion had worn away.

“You might find that unsatisfying, but does it at least serve as an answer to your question?”

“For now.”

Since I got an answer, it’s only fair that I answer his question.

“…It’s the year 157 of the New Era.”

“New Era…?”

“It has been 157 years since the Immortal King died and a new king was crowned. Thousands of years have passed since the witch’s curse covered the world.”

“Thousands of years… I see.”

Surprisingly, his reaction was calm.

Like a balloon with all the air let out.

Well, in any case, I guess it’s my turn again now.

He didn’t seem to mind the back-and-forth questioning, so it must be alright.

‘Let’s go with this.’

Since there was no guarantee I could ask unlimited questions, I chose my questions carefully.

“What are those monsters that look like you?”

That was the first question that came to mind after hearing the chief’s story.

If he woke up here one day in this form, what are those monsters that look just like him?

“They are the original inhabitants of this island. You could call them natives. I don’t know why, but when I woke up, I was accepted as one of them.”

As he finished speaking, Versil flinched and tried to mutter something, but I quickly stopped her.

“Mr. Jandel, is he an evil…”

“Versil.”

“Ah…”

No need to offer up extra information. We still don’t know if we can trust him.

Realizing her mistake, Vercil clenched her mouth shut and then I turned back to the chief.

‘Evil spirit.’

That must have been the word Versil wanted to say.

Maybe Chief Brunggrid wasn’t transformed: but he possessed the body of this monster.

Why?

No clue yet.

There are so many secrets in this world.

“And so?”

“My guess is that they are in a similar situation to mine. But unlike me, they have not retained their intellect. At first, they were no different from wild beasts.”

“But now, they refer to themselves as ‘humans.’

“Unlike them, I don’t age or die, which was enough to make me a divine being in their eyes. I became the chief and taught them. This island is a harsh environment to survive, as you’ll soon find out.”

“But why did you teach them the ancient language?”

“With this body, the ancient language is easier to learn, and suited their vocal structure better.”

Well, if that’s the case, I have nothing to say.

But calling them ‘humans’ seems like quite a bad joke, though.

“Then, can I ask a question now?”

“Go ahead.”

I handed the turn to the chief while readying myself.

“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a barbarian.”

If he was going to lie, he might as well not get caught.

***

Cornelius Brunggrid.
I don’t know if he’s that same ancient hero.

[I do not know why any of this happened.]

His claim of ignorance could be true or false.

The only thing I know for sure is this.

[Thousands of years… I see.]

His ignorance of the time of the outside world was nonsense.

He’s already captured explorers and brought them to the village. If he asked them, he could have easily found out.

‘Seeing that he speaks Raphdonian, it’s not like communication was impossible.’

But he came out of the village to meet me.

Why?

He could have gotten that information without our help.

Thinking about it, the warriors’ reactions before he appeared were also strange.

[How can a monster speak our language?]

They asked me to visit their village when they saw that I could speak the ancient language.

Is there a clue in the ancient language?

As I was thinking that, the chief opened his mouth.

“Do you know how to leave this place?”

“No.”

“Then how did you get here?”

“There was a message on the Stone of Honour that a hidden area had been unlocked, and while exploring I found the entrance and came down from the first floor.”

As we were both full of questions, the chief and I quickly exchanged them.

“That was not my doing. The village’s warriors discovered them first. They were terrified of unknown intruders and panicked. That’s all.”

“I see. Your turn.”

“What lies beyond this island?”

“…Don’t you know?”

“The trees here don’t float on water.”

Really? That’s new information.

“Now if your curiosity is satisfied, can you tell me what’s hidden beyond that sea?”

“We haven’t been here long, so we don’t know much. We started from a rocky island, and visited another island about five hours away.”

“I see… Thank you for telling me. Now it’s your turn.”

He handed the turn to me.

I was worried I might be poking a hornet’s nest, but I decided to try anyway.

“Why didn’t you ask the explorers you captured in the village and came all the way here to find me?”

“Because the rainy season starts in three days.”

“…Rainy season?”

Come to think of it, the little monster also mentioned the rainy season.

“What does that have to do with it?”

“We’re too busy preparing for the rainy season to spare any effort elsewhere. I planned to talk to the captured explorers slowly after everything was done.”

In short, he was too busy to do it.

Honestly, it sounds like an excuse.

It only makes him more suspicious.

“So you squeezed out time to come meet me, leaving behind the explorers you captured.”

I expressed my suspicion openly, and the chief stared at me.

“You’re… quite aggressive, aren’t you?”

“It’s a natural reaction for an explorer.”

“That may be, but it’s better to show some courtesy to someone who saved your life. I came here without finishing the rainy season preparations because I was worried you might die in vain.”

“What? Saved my life?” I asked, wondering if I’d misheard him, and the chief spoke in an emotionless voice.

“You won’t believe anything I say now. Let’s meet here again in three days and talk.”

“Three days…?”

I asked, but the chief didn’t answer.

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I asked you to come to the village now.”

That’s true.

But what will change if we meet again in three days?

“Try not to leave this island. In fact, I recommend that you stay close to this area. If too much time passes, I’ll have no choice but to close the entrance to the village. Ah, I’ll leave the entrance open for now, so come to me if you change your mind.”

“…?”

“Until then, you can keep Marupichichi with you.”

With that, the chief led the warriors and disappeared down a hidden path among the tree roots, and I, unable to read his intentions, could only watch.

“He’s gone…”

“Jandel, what are we going to do now?”

I don’t know either.

I felt like throwing a tantrum, but it was only for a brief moment. I quickly pulled myself together and focused on what needed to be done.

Ah, what I had to do was completely obvious.

“Marupichichi, what exactly is the rainy season?”

First, I listened to everything the little monster could tell me about the rainy season—and anything else. After that, I roamed around hunting monsters, making sure not to leave the island’s central region.

And so the time went by…

One day… two days…

Click.

The hour hand moved, marking the beginning of the third day.

[00:00]

Rain began to fall on the island.

Kwaaaaang-!

A sight I had never seen in my life.

[Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!]

[Grrrrr…!]

[Kwaaaaaa!!]

Monsters…

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