Immediately, a dense shadow spread around me.
At first glance, I thought it was falling rocks. The size kind of match.
But, it was actually a rhino.
Huge two-headed rhinoceros. It had six legs. It had strong shoulder muscles and kicked up dust as it moved, like a charging train. It looks incredibly powerful.
What worried me the most was the impressive horn on its head. Each of the two heads had horns, and they were sparking dangerously.
"aaah!!"
Kyo ran with tears in her eyes.
Once she was out of sight behind me, I stepped up in her place.
The two-headed rhinoceros was charging directly towards the car instead.
——Yakky, I'll protect you!
With unwavering determination, I extended my arms and anchored my toes into the earth, creating a resonant thud.
The two-headed rhinoceros rushed at me, pushing aside the bonfire and passing through the fiery sparks.
With all six hooves firmly planted on the ground, it possessed a massive, muscular body, especially in the shoulders, displaying immense power.
Violent attack, incoming—!
A powerful upward strike targeted my belly.
I crouched down and used both hands to stop the charging rhino's horn from attacking from below. The impact was so strong that Butcher's massive body lifted slightly, and I almost lost my balance.
Guh, nuh, nnn...!
Balancing on my tiptoes, I got pushed back a few meters, but I managed to stop the rhino right in front of Yakky, barely.
But the danger was not over yet. Now, the electric shock from the horn threatened to weaken my grip. That horn really had some shocking power.
——This rhino is wounded.
Up close, I noticed fresh cuts all over its body, which must have been causing it pain. With bloodshot eyes and drooling, it seemed to be in a state of uncontrollable rage. It might have fallen into Kyo's trap, but not entirely.
Should I activate <Gaia Wraith>, and subdue it? <Withering Miasma> and <Putrid Breath> wouldn't work, it would make it inedible. I hesitated.
In this moment of deadlock, a deep, angry voice broke in.
"Hold it down just like that!"
The voice's owner rushed in from the side.
"Dooraaaah!"
The crescent moon ran across the ground, creating sparks.
With a sharp metallic sound, it jumped up and expertly slashed the rhino's throat.
Blood splattered into the evening sky with its dying cries. The strength drained from the rhino's head I was holding, but the other head was still howling in rage. I held onto the remaining head with both hands.
In the end, I used the strength of <Gaia Wraith> to twist off its head and finish it.
Thus, the two-headed monster, now losing control of both heads, finally collapsed on the spot. The impact of its massive body falling on its side shook the surrounding trees, and birds took flight.
"I-I'm saved..."
Kyo's relief could be heard from behind.
But I didn't let my guard down with the intruder.
The big, strong man is standing there, holding his axe and spear proudly. He was about my height, maybe even taller, with a sturdy, muscular build.
The blade is dripping with blood. The crescent moon that killed the rhino earlier.
At the tip of the long handle was a sharp spear, to both sides was a single-edged axe, and an iron hammer. It was a weapon that could strike, slash, and crush, but it seemed to be extremely unbalanced in terms of weight. Using it would require not only extraordinary physical strength that exceeds ordinary person but also the corresponding skill.
"To stop that rush, you're quite something, big fella."
Out came a deep voice that sent a shiver down my gut.
The man threw a glance at Kyo, who was now hugging Yakumo at the back of the car, and raised his hand in a light tone, "Sorry, Sorry."
"I was planning to hunt it for dinner, but up running away towards the east in the morning. Sorry for the trouble young miss. You weren't hurt, were you?"
"Y-yes... I'm Kyo of Hazafungi."
"I'm Caelus, Caelus of Askasha."
The man introduced himself.
Unprotected areas of his leather armor were covered in tough scales. His eyes were green with vertical slits. Even when his large mouth closed, his fangs protruded from left and right. On closer look, I noticed a thick tail wagging behind him. His appearance was just like——
"Lizardman?"
"――Aaaan?"
When I blurted out, the man turned toward me, glaring with a thug-like attitude.
The vertical-slit pupils in his reptilian eyes shone dangerously, like knives.
"Waaaaait――!? I-it's not like that! Geez, this guy has no common sense at all! I'm sorry, Caelus-san! Our resident butcher is bothering you!"
Kyo interjected and stood between us, bowing politely.
"Geavaudan-san, this person is from the Askasha! Not a Lizardman! You really need to learn about common sense fast! My apologies, Caelus-san! I'll scold him thoroughly! Geavaudan-san... Askasha people are a proud warrior race, and they get really, really angry if you mistake them for Lizardmen!"
Next, while pushing Caelus's chest with one hand, Kyo whispered to him.
"Tch... Watch your mouth next time."
I stretched my neck to check his back as he withdrew. Sure enough, he had a scaly tail. It was thick. Arshella had a meaty tail, but he seemed a size larger.
"Lizardman, Not?"
"I said I'm not!"
The mouth he opened wide had a row of sharp teeth. He could probably eat Kyo in one bite.
"Face, quite something."
"Your face is quite fucking something too!! What's wrong with you! You keep treating me like a monster!!"
"Moooou! Please, Gevaudan-san, be quiet!"
——Hmm...
I observed Caelus's head once more.
At first glance, it looked like a crocodile, but the skull structure was entirely different. Crocodiles have flat heads, but his head was vertically thick too. His mouth looks too fierce for a lizard. Moreover, from the top of his head to the nape of his neck, he had thick feathers, giving him a Mohawk-like hair. It should have looked stylish, but it gave off a somewhat tribal impression, like a headdress used by an Amazonian tribe.
Comparing this to my knowledge, Caelus seemed closer to a dinosaur than a crocodile. His Tyrannosaurus-like face really suited him.
"Ah...?"
Caelus, who had been furious, suddenly stopped and stared at me with an open mouth, twisting his head.
"Come to think of it, why is this Butcher talking?"
He noticed rather late.
That's when I took the opportunity to introduce myself while cutting the rhino's meat. I told him the same thing I had told Kyo.
"That's quite unusual. So, you can make use of Butcher's ridiculous power as much as you want. No wonder. I envy you for being able to stop this guy's charge head-on and shrug it off like nothing. Gwahaha!"
His Tyrannosaurus head laughed heartily while devoured the raw meat.
"That, not, something, envy."
I answered, licking the raw meat.
He chewed the meat with a munch and then swallowed it down in one go. He looked at me with an inquisitive expression.
"――Did I offend you?"
"No, nothing."
"It's okay to be angry. I apologize."
"..."
"We don't know anything about each other. When we talk to someone, chances are we might bump into something touchy. If you make a mistake, you apologize. Isn't that how it should be?"
His attitude while listening to my introduction and his actions now made Caelus seem straightforward and genuine.
"Sorry, Lizardman, comment."
"Don't worry. I'm used to it. Some people even say it on purpose, so I have to teach them a lesson."
We talked with Caelus while having a simple meal.
He had been traveling alone in Mifosis for a long time, and he had arrived in Hyperborea recently. Like us, he had struggled with the messed up geography and terrain, but he considered it just a part of Hyperborea and hadn't fully realized the changes in the world.
So I informed him that the world was currently in chaos.
"Hahaha, I see, I see. It all makes sense now."
After Caelus finished his coffee, he crossed his arms and looked satisfied.
"Really?"
"As a matter of fact, a few days ago, I saw an Elf who clearly looked inexperienced. She didn't seem to know her way around at all, and I was worried about her, so I offered to take her to the city. But she said she had a familiar with her, so they knew the direction to the city. I let her go alone. I wondered why such a chick was in Hyperborea, but it turns out she must have gotten lost somewhere... But still, I can't help but worry about her now."
"An Elf."
"She claimed to be from <Lumano>. A lot of other things didn't add up back then, but it makes sense now after hearing your story. I see... There are gates everywhere....Did something happen under Narus' feet...?"
Caelus gulped down the rest of his coffee and stood up.
As he stood, he stole a glance at my chest. It was just for an instant, but his gaze definitely lingers there.
All I had hanging around my neck was the nose ring the shopkeeper had given me, acting like some dog tags. Was it strange to use a nose ring as a pendant?
"...Thanks for the feast. I've learned a lot. Give me one of Lunacy Rhino's horns, the rest is all yours. I can't carry it with me anyway."
"Where, going?"
"I'm heading to the <Ancient Grove>."
Saying that, he stared at the sky, looking past the dense tree.
In fact, I had been able to see it ever since I helped Haruka. In the direction he was looking, there was a massive tree that stretched into the sky.
The silhouette of a dead tree stretches across the sky. It was incredibly huge, I initially thought it was a skyscraper's size. But it is not. It is bigger than a mountain. Maybe that is Ancient Grove.
"You shouldn't go alone, Caelus. It's not safe."
Kyo tried to persuade him.
"The magical beasts around Ancient Grove in Hyperborea are on a completely different level."
"I've heard rumors, especially in Meteor Lake. But I came here for that. I can't turn back now. Thanks for the warning, Kyo."
"Hey, eat this, candy."
I offered a piece of butter candy as a farewell gift.
He raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, but without any suspicion, he accepted the candy and popped it into his mouth. It was the same candy I had offered to the bandaged woman earlier.
"Whoa, delicious! what's this?"
He exclaimed, rolling the candy around in his mouth. Caelus then chuckles with a carefree smile on his face, making him look more like a young boy despite his fearsome Tyrannosaurus face. His expressions and demeanor made me genuinely like him.
"See you later."
"Yeah, let's meet again, Gevaudan. Earthling that held Butcher's power. And you, Kyo the Oni. And that silent kid too, whatever you are."
With a hearty laugh, he turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest, carrying the rhino's horn.
The night was approaching. It was time for us to head back with our catch.
Immediately, a dense shadow spread around me.
At first glance, I thought it was falling rocks. The size kind of match.
But, it was actually a rhino.
Huge two-headed rhinoceros. It had six legs. It had strong shoulder muscles and kicked up dust as it moved, like a charging train. It looks incredibly powerful.
What worried me the most was the impressive horn on its head. Each of the two heads had horns, and they were sparking dangerously.
"aaah!!"
Kyo ran with tears in her eyes.
Once she was out of sight behind me, I stepped up in her place.
The two-headed rhinoceros was charging directly towards the car instead.
——Yakky, I'll protect you!
With unwavering determination, I extended my arms and anchored my toes into the earth, creating a resonant thud.
The two-headed rhinoceros rushed at me, pushing aside the bonfire and passing through the fiery sparks.
With all six hooves firmly planted on the ground, it possessed a massive, muscular body, especially in the shoulders, displaying immense power.
Violent attack, incoming—!
A powerful upward strike targeted my belly.
I crouched down and used both hands to stop the charging rhino's horn from attacking from below. The impact was so strong that Butcher's massive body lifted slightly, and I almost lost my balance.
Guh, nuh, nnn...!
Balancing on my tiptoes, I got pushed back a few meters, but I managed to stop the rhino right in front of Yakky, barely.
But the danger was not over yet. Now, the electric shock from the horn threatened to weaken my grip. That horn really had some shocking power.
——This rhino is wounded.
Up close, I noticed fresh cuts all over its body, which must have been causing it pain. With bloodshot eyes and drooling, it seemed to be in a state of uncontrollable rage. It might have fallen into Kyo's trap, but not entirely.
Should I activate <Gaia Wraith>, and subdue it? <Withering Miasma> and <Putrid Breath> wouldn't work, it would make it inedible. I hesitated.
In this moment of deadlock, a deep, angry voice broke in.
"Hold it down just like that!"
The voice's owner rushed in from the side.
"Dooraaaah!"
The crescent moon ran across the ground, creating sparks.
With a sharp metallic sound, it jumped up and expertly slashed the rhino's throat.
Blood splattered into the evening sky with its dying cries. The strength drained from the rhino's head I was holding, but the other head was still howling in rage. I held onto the remaining head with both hands.
In the end, I used the strength of <Gaia Wraith> to twist off its head and finish it.
Thus, the two-headed monster, now losing control of both heads, finally collapsed on the spot. The impact of its massive body falling on its side shook the surrounding trees, and birds took flight.
"I-I'm saved..."
Kyo's relief could be heard from behind.
But I didn't let my guard down with the intruder.
The big, strong man is standing there, holding his axe and spear proudly. He was about my height, maybe even taller, with a sturdy, muscular build.
The blade is dripping with blood. The crescent moon that killed the rhino earlier.
At the tip of the long handle was a sharp spear, to both sides was a single-edged axe, and an iron hammer. It was a weapon that could strike, slash, and crush, but it seemed to be extremely unbalanced in terms of weight. Using it would require not only extraordinary physical strength that exceeds ordinary person but also the corresponding skill.
"To stop that rush, you're quite something, big fella."
Out came a deep voice that sent a shiver down my gut.
The man threw a glance at Kyo, who was now hugging Yakumo at the back of the car, and raised his hand in a light tone, "Sorry, Sorry."
"I was planning to hunt it for dinner, but up running away towards the east in the morning. Sorry for the trouble young miss. You weren't hurt, were you?"
"Y-yes... I'm Kyo of Hazafungi."
"I'm Caelus, Caelus of Askasha."
The man introduced himself.
Unprotected areas of his leather armor were covered in tough scales. His eyes were green with vertical slits. Even when his large mouth closed, his fangs protruded from left and right. On closer look, I noticed a thick tail wagging behind him. His appearance was just like——
"Lizardman?"
"――Aaaan?"
When I blurted out, the man turned toward me, glaring with a thug-like attitude.
The vertical-slit pupils in his reptilian eyes shone dangerously, like knives.
"Waaaaait――!? I-it's not like that! Geez, this guy has no common sense at all! I'm sorry, Caelus-san! Our resident butcher is bothering you!"
Kyo interjected and stood between us, bowing politely.
"Geavaudan-san, this person is from the Askasha! Not a Lizardman! You really need to learn about common sense fast! My apologies, Caelus-san! I'll scold him thoroughly! Geavaudan-san... Askasha people are a proud warrior race, and they get really, really angry if you mistake them for Lizardmen!"
Next, while pushing Caelus's chest with one hand, Kyo whispered to him.
"Tch... Watch your mouth next time."
I stretched my neck to check his back as he withdrew. Sure enough, he had a scaly tail. It was thick. Arshella had a meaty tail, but he seemed a size larger.
"Lizardman, Not?"
"I said I'm not!"
The mouth he opened wide had a row of sharp teeth. He could probably eat Kyo in one bite.
"Face, quite something."
"Your face is quite fucking something too!! What's wrong with you! You keep treating me like a monster!!"
"Moooou! Please, Gevaudan-san, be quiet!"
——Hmm...
I observed Caelus's head once more.
At first glance, it looked like a crocodile, but the skull structure was entirely different. Crocodiles have flat heads, but his head was vertically thick too. His mouth looks too fierce for a lizard. Moreover, from the top of his head to the nape of his neck, he had thick feathers, giving him a Mohawk-like hair. It should have looked stylish, but it gave off a somewhat tribal impression, like a headdress used by an Amazonian tribe.
Comparing this to my knowledge, Caelus seemed closer to a dinosaur than a crocodile. His Tyrannosaurus-like face really suited him.
"Ah...?"
Caelus, who had been furious, suddenly stopped and stared at me with an open mouth, twisting his head.
"Come to think of it, why is this Butcher talking?"
He noticed rather late.
That's when I took the opportunity to introduce myself while cutting the rhino's meat. I told him the same thing I had told Kyo.
"That's quite unusual. So, you can make use of Butcher's ridiculous power as much as you want. No wonder. I envy you for being able to stop this guy's charge head-on and shrug it off like nothing. Gwahaha!"
His Tyrannosaurus head laughed heartily while devoured the raw meat.
"That, not, something, envy."
I answered, licking the raw meat.
He chewed the meat with a munch and then swallowed it down in one go. He looked at me with an inquisitive expression.
"――Did I offend you?"
"No, nothing."
"It's okay to be angry. I apologize."
"..."
"We don't know anything about each other. When we talk to someone, chances are we might bump into something touchy. If you make a mistake, you apologize. Isn't that how it should be?"
His attitude while listening to my introduction and his actions now made Caelus seem straightforward and genuine.
"Sorry, Lizardman, comment."
"Don't worry. I'm used to it. Some people even say it on purpose, so I have to teach them a lesson."
We talked with Caelus while having a simple meal.
He had been traveling alone in Mifosis for a long time, and he had arrived in Hyperborea recently. Like us, he had struggled with the messed up geography and terrain, but he considered it just a part of Hyperborea and hadn't fully realized the changes in the world.
So I informed him that the world was currently in chaos.
"Hahaha, I see, I see. It all makes sense now."
After Caelus finished his coffee, he crossed his arms and looked satisfied.
"Really?"
"As a matter of fact, a few days ago, I saw an Elf who clearly looked inexperienced. She didn't seem to know her way around at all, and I was worried about her, so I offered to take her to the city. But she said she had a familiar with her, so they knew the direction to the city. I let her go alone. I wondered why such a chick was in Hyperborea, but it turns out she must have gotten lost somewhere... But still, I can't help but worry about her now."
"An Elf."
"She claimed to be from <Lumano>. A lot of other things didn't add up back then, but it makes sense now after hearing your story. I see... There are gates everywhere....Did something happen under Narus' feet...?"
Caelus gulped down the rest of his coffee and stood up.
As he stood, he stole a glance at my chest. It was just for an instant, but his gaze definitely lingers there.
All I had hanging around my neck was the nose ring the shopkeeper had given me, acting like some dog tags. Was it strange to use a nose ring as a pendant?
"...Thanks for the feast. I've learned a lot. Give me one of Lunacy Rhino's horns, the rest is all yours. I can't carry it with me anyway."
"Where, going?"
"I'm heading to the <Ancient Grove>."
Saying that, he stared at the sky, looking past the dense tree.
In fact, I had been able to see it ever since I helped Haruka. In the direction he was looking, there was a massive tree that stretched into the sky.
The silhouette of a dead tree stretches across the sky. It was incredibly huge, I initially thought it was a skyscraper's size. But it is not. It is bigger than a mountain. Maybe that is Ancient Grove.
"You shouldn't go alone, Caelus. It's not safe."
Kyo tried to persuade him.
"The magical beasts around Ancient Grove in Hyperborea are on a completely different level."
"I've heard rumors, especially in Meteor Lake. But I came here for that. I can't turn back now. Thanks for the warning, Kyo."
"Hey, eat this, candy."
I offered a piece of butter candy as a farewell gift.
He raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, but without any suspicion, he accepted the candy and popped it into his mouth. It was the same candy I had offered to the bandaged woman earlier.
"Whoa, delicious! what's this?"
He exclaimed, rolling the candy around in his mouth. Caelus then chuckles with a carefree smile on his face, making him look more like a young boy despite his fearsome Tyrannosaurus face. His expressions and demeanor made me genuinely like him.
"See you later."
"Yeah, let's meet again, Gevaudan. Earthling that held Butcher's power. And you, Kyo the Oni. And that silent kid too, whatever you are."
With a hearty laugh, he turned and disappeared into the depths of the forest, carrying the rhino's horn.
The night was approaching. It was time for us to head back with our catch.
