SWNOVELXO Chapter 58
(It’s the first time I’ve entered the Royal Capital with anyone other than the brigade, now that I think about it…)
While we waited in the seemingly endless line, I found myself reflecting on the current situation. Beside me, Aria was excitedly observing the outside of the capital for the first time, while Eurua gently tried to calm her down.
Among the three of us, I was the most familiar with the capital. However, I had only been here for less than two months—still a newcomer myself. In that short time, I had entered and exited the city a few times, but this was the first time doing so under personal circumstances, without the backing of others.
Up until now, I had always had seasoned members of the brigade—people who had lived in the capital for years—by my side, so I could wait in these long lines with peace of mind. But now that I was the most experienced one, or rather, the one responsible, the view before me somehow felt different.
“Whoa, a Blue Titan!”
“Giants? So, they must’ve been out west. You don’t see them around the capital.”
A buzz of conversation spread among the adventurers in line as a massive cart passed us, stirring up excitement. The large wooden wheels rumbled across the ground, and I could feel the faint vibrations beneath my feet.
Under the cloudless sky, a huge shadow loomed over the area as the cart drew closer. Just then, the enormous cart passed by, carrying a frozen Blue Titan, encased in a thin layer of ice.
“Not a face I recognize… A newcomer?”
One of the adventurers in front of me murmured, eyeing the team transporting the Blue Titan. A newcomer? The idea piqued my curiosity, given that we shared the same profession.
“Hm, a blue giant…”
Aria, who had been marveling at the capital’s defensive walls just moments ago, muttered quietly as she watched the Blue Titan pass by.
“Are giants rare among Elves?” I asked her softly, ensuring those around us couldn’t overhear. She shook her head slightly.
“Giants exist in the Gaja Forest as well, but their skin is black… I was simply wondering if blue-skinned giants are unique to human lands.”
“Black-skinned giants…”
I supposed they would be called Black Titans.
“Are giants particularly strong?”
“No, not as strong as they appear. Their large size makes them easy targets for magic, but against swords or spears, it’s a different story.”
At Aria’s words, I looked again at the adventurers accompanying the cart, all of whom carried weapons like swords and spears. There were a few archers with bows slung across their backs, but none of them appeared to be mages.
Perhaps that’s why the Blue Titan’s skin, still encased in ice, bore numerous deep cuts. Its body was covered in gruesome wounds, so extensive that it would be harder to find an area that wasn’t damaged.
The Blue Titan’s injuries ranged from slashes and stab wounds to severe internal bruising, likely from blunt force trauma, and some areas where its skin appeared corroded, as if acid had been used.
“Even if they’ve gained fame for defeating a powerful foe, it’s not worth it if they suffer life-threatening injuries,” Aria remarked.
Judging by the state of the Blue Titan’s corpse and the condition of the adventurers surrounding it, it wasn’t hard to imagine the brutal battle they had fought.
The adventurers were covered in bandages, many of which were stained with blood, and their eyes looked hollow, likely from exhaustion. Their movements were sluggish, and some were so badly injured that they couldn’t even walk on their own.
Among them, I even spotted an adventurer who had lost an arm below the elbow.
“They may have earned some fame, but at this rate, they’ll be in the red,” I muttered.
Even if they sold off all the materials from the giant and claimed their quest reward, I wasn’t sure it would be enough to cover the medical expenses for all the injured adventurers.
On top of that, their equipment was likely damaged during the fight, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some of them had lost their lives in the battle.
With all that in mind, even though they may have gained renown, it didn’t seem like a victory worth celebrating.