Not Your Fault

I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. Countless questions swirled in my mind, and I felt my blood begin to boil.

I rushed over to the boy shouting the news.

“What do you mean Green Valley was attacked?”

“I’m not lying, sir! The Kingdom of Alphenia really did attack Green Valley.”

Damn it, curse them. I grabbed the boy by the shoulders.

“Tell me—what about the villagers there?”

“I-I don’t know, sir. Rumor has it Green Valley was wiped out completely.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”

“O-ow! You’re hurting me, sir! I’m sorry! I only sell newspapers!”

Rin tugged on my hand, her face pale with fear and on the verge of tears as she looked at me. Seeing her like that cooled my rage. Without realizing it, I had been gripping the boy’s shoulders far too hard. To them, I must have looked like a monster.

“…Forgive me.”

I let go of him and handed him a gold coin.

“Give me one.”

“B-but the paper is only fifteen silver, sir.”

“Keep the change. Think of it as an apology.”

“Th-thank you!”

The newspaper boy scurried away. Guilt welled up inside me—I was the cause of all this. If only I had died at that waterfall, if only Roger hadn’t saved me and taken me to Green Valley… maybe everyone would still be living peacefully now.

“Rei…”

“Ah, sorry, Rin. You shouldn’t have seen that side of me.”

Rin shook her head and hugged my arm.

“It’s okay. Rin is here with Rei.”

For some reason, hearing that calmed my heart.

“You’re right. Thank you, Rin.”

I stood up and patted her head. Suddenly, someone in a hooded cloak bumped into me.

“Follow me.”

He didn’t seem like a bad person, but I still followed him cautiously.

We walked toward the outskirts of Gravendor until he entered an old house built of sturdy stone. A chimney rose from its roof, and above the door was a sign that read ‘Garban’s Weapon Shop’.

“Come inside.”

Rin and I followed him in. Inside, we were surrounded by weapons displayed on racks and walls. At the counter stood a beautiful woman with neatly tied orange hair, dressed in clothes that were both formal and relaxed.

“You’re back, Garban.”

“Yes. I’ve brought an acquaintance.”

So this man’s name was Garban. He must be a blacksmith. I had many questions, but I held them back, waiting to hear why he had brought us here.

The woman opened a door behind the counter, and we followed Garban down a hallway lined with several doors until we reached the end. There, I saw crates filled with raw metal, along with tools and half-finished weapons scattered everywhere. Just as I thought—he really was a blacksmith. But what did any of this have to do with me?

Garban removed his cloak, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered figure. His muscles looked as though they had been forged in the furnace. His long brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, and his beard hung down to his chest.

“A human from another world.”

The moment I heard that, I instinctively drew my sword.

“Who are you, and how do you know that?”

He calmly walked over and handed me a piece of paper.

It read:

To my brother Garban,

I met a human from another world. The problem is, he’s being hunted by King Rapo XI. If you meet him, tell him about the ronin. On the back of this letter, I’ve drawn his appearance.

—Roger

I turned the paper over. On the back was a crude drawing—something that looked like it had been done by a grade-schooler—but it did resemble me. I looked at Garban.

“You managed to find me with just this terrible drawing?”

He shrugged.

“I don’t see any difference.”

Damn it. Was he calling me ugly? Forget it. If he really knew Roger, then he must also know about Green Valley.

“Then tell me—what about Green Valley? They’re safe, aren’t they?”

Garban fell silent for a moment before sitting down in a chair.

“You’ve already heard the news, haven’t you?”

“What? That’s impossible! Then how do you explain this letter?”

“That letter arrived here more than five days ago.”

What? But I only left Green Valley two days ago. That means I was unconscious for much longer than I realized.

“But isn’t Green Valley under the Empire’s protection? There’s no way Alphenia would dare attack.”

Garban lowered his head and shook it.

“No… impossible. No, no! If that’s true, then the reason they’re all dead… it’s because of me.”

Suddenly, Garban struck me, knocking me to the ground.

“You pathetic bastard. You’ve made Roger look like a fool. Do you think this whole universe revolves around you? Arrogant fool.”

I stayed silent, unable to answer. Rin rushed to my side, clutching my hand with a sorrowful look.

Garban let out a heavy sigh.

“…Hah. I am a dwarf. I’ve lived for many long years. Green Valley was once part of Alphenia’s territory. Back then, Alphenia was ruled by a wise and charismatic king. But misfortune struck—he suddenly died of poison. A servant was burned alive on suspicion of being the poisoner. Not long after, the king’s eldest son, who was to inherit the throne, was also killed. That left the second son, the man you know as Rapo XI, to take the crown.”

“He is cruel, merciless, and never hesitates to torment his own people. After his rise, Roger acted quickly, placing Green Valley under the Empire’s protection. Of course, Rapo XI knew and grew to despise Green Valley. He has been waiting for this moment—and now he’s struck. The fact that he dared to attack Green Valley means he’s preparing for war with the Empire itself. That vile snake…”

“…Hah. I’m not the best person to say this, but none of it is your fault. That wretched tyrant is the true root of all this.”

Hearing Garban’s explanation, my heart felt a measure of relief. My body trembled with heat, and tears streamed down my face.