Chapter 5

Several hours after recovering the remains of her fallen comrades, and with the help of the farmer, they buried them in the most tranquil part of the forest; marking them with the most beautiful stones the farmer was carrying.

The young cleric left praying for their souls at their graves, as the farmer deals with the boar general’s enormous corpse. 

Leaving the corpse of a powerful monster would only attract wild monsters, as they’re attracted to the demonic energy left on it, so the best option for disposing of it is to dismantle it and bury the remains deep into the forest, far from the road and his farm. The farmer skinned the corpse, as it would make good leather when processed right, with his bare hands. Due to the boar general’s tough hide, an ordinary knife wouldn’t be able to pierce it even after it’s death, only a blade made out of the toughest material could do the job, or the hands of this mysterious farmer. While the boar general’s meat is still considered that of a boar, a normal person would die from the demonic energy infused into it while wild monsters would become demonic when they consumed it, but the mysterious farmer is roasting parts he think would be flavorful at the campfire he made as he dismantle the corpse. The bones, although he has no idea of how to make good use of it, he kept. 

“Were you able to say your final farewell to your friends?” The farmer walked towards the praying young cleric, carrying the basket filled with the usable parts of the boar general’s corpse over his shoulder with the sacred cudgel while chomping on a roasted meat. It was already dark when the farmer finished disposing of the body; hence, he went back to the young girl, worried of her well being. He may have refused to partake in their quest to subjugate the Demon King but he is still a decent adult who could not leave a young girl alone in the woods.

“You want?” The farmer offered the huge chunk of roasted meat he’s holding to the young girl as courtesy.

“Uh… It’s okay, I don’t really like meat.” The young cleric replied, realizing that it’s most likely the meat of the boar general.

“Look, you can spend the night at my farm tonight. I’m pretty sure the tax collector will come tomorrow for their dues and you can hitch a ride to town with them.”

Taking a closer look at the farm, the young cleric noticed how some of the plants weren’t planted neatly, as if they were done by an amateur farmer. 

“The house is a bit cramped but you can sleep in the room. It’s a bit late but I have some things I need to take care of” The farmer said as he took the basket filled with stones in front of the house.

The young cleric watches as the farmer pretty much disappears into the shadows carrying the basket filled with stones; she was being vigilant to his motives.

“Will he do something indecent to me when I fall asleep?” The young cleric thinks to herself. Although suspicion among other people is not in the teaching at the temple, surviving a certain death made her become somewhat cynical to other people’s kindness. It was as if she’s starting to see darkness everywhere.

She opened the door to the house, darkness was on every side of the corner. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before entering the cold gloomy house. She could only barely make out the interior of the house when she remembered something. 

“Holy father, guide us to the light… Bless this house with your ever loving grace…”

“Illuminate” A miracle spell that creates a ball of light.

“Aaaahhhhhh!” She shouted, shocked at what was inside the farmer’s house. The Illuminate spell was dispelled as soon as the young cleric was startled, losing her focus.

“What happened?!” The farmer ran all the way from the entrance of his farm towards the house as soon as he heard the young girl scream. Her gaze was affixed to the different monster heads mounted on the wall, but mainly to the boar monster trophy.

“Ahh, right… sorry, I was so used to this house that I barely open the lamps anymore.” The farmer stated as he light the lamps mounted onto the walls. Soon, light flooded the entirety of the entrance of the house. 

The house is quite simple, a house designed for a peasant farmer. The entrance has dirt for the floors, a brick oven and clay pots on the side near the window, some baskets on the corner, and a huge wooden beam at the center that acts as the pillar to the roof. Upon entering the main hall of the house is another huge wooden beam, and it is there where the head of a boar monster is mounted. The wooden floorboards for the main house were raised by a step, preventing dust from the ground from entering, and one must remove their footwear upon entering just as the farmer did as he continued to light the lamps inside the main hallway.

The young cleric scans through everything with fascination clearly written all over her face; it was the first time she saw a farmer’s house. But aside from that, there was a hint of suspicion in her as she saw objects a normal farmer shouldn’t have. Aside from the head trophies of different wild animals and monsters, there were old weapons such as swords, maces, bows, and spears; some were badly broken, some were chipped. There were old leather armors and chain mails, helmets, and boots.

“Now that I think about it, the farmer’s boots were that of standard military issued boots for the Kingdom soldiers.” The young cleric muttered as she inspected the farmer’s boots. 

“I know I shouldn’t suspect my savior but… this is just too weird.” She continued as she watched the farmer carrying a basket filled with trash towards the entrance. 

“I don’t really want to use the miracle spell of Seeking truth but…” She thought to herself as she quietly prepared to recite the incantation.

“I left some spare candles inside the room just in case, you can use the innermost room to rest. I’ll just put this in the shed.” The farmer said as he carried the basket with the Sacred cudgel.

“Wait.” The young cleric called out.

“Seeking truth” She quietly uttered. The miracle spell of Seeking truth is an area of effect spell that compels everyone around the caster to answer the caster’s question as truthfully as possible without them noticing it. 

“Who are you, really?” The young cleric asked with a serious look on her face.

“Me? I’m just a farmer.” He said with a confused look on his face. The young cleric looked confused. Of course, she had no way of knowing if the miracle spell is working or not as miracle spells work on faith, meaning that the stronger faith the caster has on the spell the more effective it will become. 

“But, aside from that monstrous strength of yours, why do you have that much equipment of war with you?” Assuming the miracle spell Seeking Truth is no longer working, she continues to question him in a manner that does not raise any hostility.

“Well, as a farm owner, I am constantly attacked not just by wild beasts from the forests but bandits as well. Wild beasts are easy to deal with as I can just simply kill them, eat their meat and use whatever is left. Though I haven’t really perfected making leather.” The farmer explained.

“As for the bandits, I’d knock them unconscious and take their equipment, thus limiting their actions. Should they come back with even better equipment, then all the best for me as I get better equipment.” The farmer continued.

“Ah… I see.” The young cleric looked baffled. Though the farmer’s explanation was absurd, that a farmer could beat wild beasts and bandits, being able to witness the farmer’s strength first hand made sense to it. The young cleric had no choice but to just accept the farmer’s explanation.

The young cleric started exploring the house as soon as the farmer went on to do his business. The house was small but it didn’t feel cramped inside, it was cozy in fact. It was a surprise to her when she reached the hearth of the house, as it was warm and comfortable.

“I left some soup heating inside, eat some if you want.” She remembered the farmer saying that right before leaving. The young cleric sat near the fire where the pot was and took a peek inside to find vegetable stew.

“I guess he’s not a bad guy after all.” The young cleric muttered, thinking how considerate he was after making the excuse of not eating meat when offered the boar general’s roasted meat.