Bastard Swordsman

Gleaning

「Uhahahahaha! I am the Emperor of Chaos, Terra Chaos! Heroes of Tolman Village, bow down to my evil power!」

「Kyaaah!」

「Uwaaah!」

A suspicious person with the large head of a Dart-hide Snake attached to his hat was terrifying the village children to their very core.

Yes, it was none other than me, Mongrel... or rather, I, Terra Chaos, the Emperor of Chaos!

「Shyaaah!」

「Kyaaah! So scary!」

「Y-you!」

「Uhahaha! Such weapons are futile against the Emperor of Chaos!」

「Take this, and this! You fiend!」

「Uhahaha, ow! You're quite talented to hit where my skin is exposed – ow! ... Hmph! The privilege of a nuisance boss, weapon destruction!」

There went the tree branch, crack!

「Ah! You broke it!」

「Uhahaha! Only the earth's energy wrapped in wheat can affect Terra Chaos...! Unless you all work together to collect the scattered ears of grain, the seal on this weapon will never be broken!」

As I said this, I took out a small bow and arrow I had tucked inside my cloak.

「A bow!」

「What is that!?」

「Uhahaha, if you gather enough ears of grain to fill this bag, I'll give this to you! But only if you can defeat me, Terra Chaos!」

「... I'll gather them!」

「Me too!」

「I'll go to the field over there!」

Enticed by the child's bow, the young children scattered to their respective fields.

Even after swinging around tree branches, they were still full of energy. Kids are truly like monsters.

「You're very good with the children, Mongrel-san. Well done.」

「Oh, Caspar-san. Is the morning medical session over?」

Once I discarded the emperor disguise kit, Caspar, who was providing medical treatment in the village square, returned.

He must have performed healing magic multiple times. His exhaustion meter seemed higher compared to when I saw him in the morning.

「The harvest finished almost as planned, so we're on track to have the harvest festival tonight and head home tomorrow, I guess.」

「Yes, that's about right. I'm glad everything ended safely without major injuries. Thank you for your efforts, Mongrel-san...」

「No, no, not compared to you, Caspar-san. Really, thank you. Are you getting enough sleep?」

「Ah, the insects and frogs at night... I'm not used to them...」

「Ah, the capital and the cities are relatively quiet at night. Well, let's take it easy.」

Today was the end of our official security duty. The few-day mission ended safely without any thieves, which was the best outcome.

All we had to do was deal with insects, snakes, and goblins near the fields. It was peaceful in a sense.

Even if some thieves were flushed out and fled to the main roads or other areas, someone inspecting the roads would probably catch and deal with them. At that point, it's no longer our job.

「So, how are the villagers? Any serious illnesses or injuries?」

「There were a few. Mostly issues with legs and back. It must have been painful for them...」

「Oh, well, there aren't any clinics around here, so that makes sense. It's hard on the back for farming work.」

Perhaps that's why they use large scythes, which put less strain on the waist.

However, as they age, it'll become harder to mask the accumulated stress.

「There's the issue of distance, money... But more than anything, they seem resigned to their current condition, adapting... It's honestly painful to see them like that.」

While watching the children toss ears of grain into their bags, Caspar sighed.

「In the cities, people might live to 70, but in villages like this, they might last only up to 50 years. They lack healing, poor conditions accumulate, and eventually, they succumb... But for the village, that's the norm, and they don't question it.」

「... Is it an education issue?」

「Yes, that's how I see it. But! Don't speak carelessly about this elsewhere, Mongrel-san. Many are not keen on educating the farmers.」

「Ugh...」

I didn't know that. Well, it's not as if I hadn't imagined it, but I hadn't clearly seen such a minefield.

「The number of healers is always tight. It's the same in the capital and cities. In the capital, more people tend to 'cut in line' for treatment, but even then, there's an overwhelming shortage of healers.」

「If it's not an emergency, you might end up waiting several days.」

「Yes. I want to change that. But just pouring in my strength and mental stamina limits the lives I can save. That's why I need to train future generations, but...」

Looking at the children collecting ears of grain, Caspar sighed again.

Healers are specialists. Their healing magic is said to be far more complex than attack magic.

To increase the healer population, comprehensive education for children is necessary...

However, children born as farmers, expected to continue their family land, rarely get such opportunities.

Not being overtaxed could be considered fortunate, but there's a sense of being at an impasse.

「If healers like myself can't reach them, I hope... they can live without injuries, without illnesses, and in good health. With this old body, all I can do is pray for that.」

The harvest festival, though humble, was animated by the scale of the rustic meals, and the night wore on.

Although I'd prefer to just watch these cultural festivals from the sidelines, young folks have an obligation to be dragged into the hospitality of the elderly.

We danced unfamiliar dances, sang unfamiliar songs, ate less-than-stellar feasts, received seconds, even thirds, and before we knew it, the festival ended.

I'm so full I can't eat anything.

The meals served with great hospitality were, unfortunately, not to my taste. I truly felt sorry that I couldn't appreciate them.

「Thanks, mister!」

「Thanks for the bow and arrow, mister! Come again!」

「You can call me big brother, you know? See you! And don't aim the bow at people!」

As a token, though, I gifted them a children's practice bow and arrow, which had been a nuisance in my luggage for years, and we set out on the journey back.

On the return path, there was one small trouble — our leader, Thomason-san, had injured his back helping with the harvest and became dead weight in the carriage — but otherwise, it was a peaceful journey.

In the end, it was a mission marked by the absence of major issues, entirely placid.

I'm never particularly eager for the harvest season trips, but I got a chance to experience using a large scythe, and I became friendly with the old guys of Regol Security Team's third unit, which was nice.

If there's a next time we cross paths, I'll be glad to work with them again.

... Though with their age, some might not make it to the "next time".

「Humans, we all shine brightest while we're alive.」

Back in Regol, I was in the room I used as a base, engaging in some crafting work that I hadn't done in a while.

Gently, I dripped several types of pigments and oil onto a shallow dish filled with water, letting the colorful oil film float to the surface. With a needle, I swirled the colors into patterns.

The result was a marble pattern, resembling a psychedelic artwork like latte art. Afterward, I carefully submerged a small letter I'd just finished writing into the floated film.

「Alright.」

The letter was coated in the oil film, acquiring the marble pattern. The design was faint, so the writing was still legible.

All that was left was to stamp it... fold it, and seal it with my original insignia.

「... I guess it's my small way of paying back before my time's up.」

This wasn't a message from Mongrel, but a letter as Lord Chaos.

I hadn't sent any in a while, so now was a good opportunity.

Grabbing a robe I didn't usually wear, I headed out into the night.

「The Chaos letters! Caspar-san, look!」

「Hmm? What happened? Did something go wrong?」

The next morning, the atmosphere at the security team's medical clinic, where Caspar worked, was bustling with excitement.

「Look at this! We received a letter from Lord Chaos in the mailbox. And not just us, but the same message was sent to various places!」

「Oh? I recall Lord Chaos was an inventor.」

「Yes, but I have no clue why it was sent to us! But the design on the letter, it's unmistakable! It must be authentic. We should hurry up and create it before other medical facilities do and make our fortune!」

Caspar opened the marble-patterned letter, examining it.

「... An oral rehydration solution? It's a recipe.」

The letter contained a recipe for a drink made with water, salt, sugar, or honey.

The ingredients were mundane, provided there was sweetness.

Yet despite its ordinary components, the letter claimed it could cure diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and more. This was hard to believe, but knowing the famed inventions attributed to Lord Chaos, it might be worth investigating.

Most importantly, if true, it could save an unimaginable number of lives.

「... Yukes-kun. We need to try the recipe to verify its effects and safety, but... if it is indeed true, this recipe should be widely distributed to other medical facilities.」

「What?! Letting go of our profit?」

「It's written in the letter, too. 'I wish this knowledge to be widespread.'」

「Oh... I see...」

「If the same letter's been sent to multiple places, and given the simplicity of the ingredients, it wouldn't be feasible to try and monopolize it.」

「... I was hoping to get rich.」

The young healer Yukes was still quite naive.

Caspar smiled gently at him, reaching for the mixing shelf. Well, whatever it may be, they had to start by trying it.

「If this recipe is genuine, it will make treating the patients we struggle with much easier. Our work efficiency will improve drastically... Yukes-kun, do you find that undesirable?」

「...! No!」

「Good. Now, let's prepare for our duties...」

「Yes!」

And so, another busy workday began.

But starting today, perhaps the number of lives saved would increase.

Caspar felt a renewed vigor for his work.