Chapter 40

After walking for about thirty minutes, we arrived at a small stream.

A clear stream, about the width of an arm, flowed through the dense bushes and wet gravel. Leaves that had fallen from above swayed on the surface of the water, carried by the current, while small fish busily darted between the rocks.

“Good. We can refill our water here and clean up a bit.”

There was already a group there, but when they saw my face, they just shut their mouths and quietly went about their business. They probably decided it was better to ignore me than to make a fuss.

I wiped off the Kobold blood and guts that had dirtied my face and armor and collected some drinking water.

Hans took out leather water pouches from his backpack and handed them out.

“Even if his skills are lacking, his preparedness is impressive. He seems more suited to being a guide than a warrior.”

With water secured, I scouted the area to find a suitable place to rest before nightfall.

Along the way, another group of Kobolds attacked.

About five of them jumped down from the trees and charged. I took care of the one that jumped toward Rana, leaving the rest to Milia and Hans.

The Kobold that hit my hand flew off and slammed into a tree trunk. Blood splattered behind it.

One of them even tried using magic, but it was just a weak fire spark, nothing threatening.

“Using fire magic in a forest? Are they out of their minds?”

—

After walking for about an hour, we luckily found a small cave and headed toward it.

Judging by the small footprints around the entrance, it seemed to be a Kobold den. I turned on the lantern, handed it to Rana, and explored the inside of the cave.

The damp, cool walls were slippery with moss, and the smell of rot and excrement filled the air. Inside, there were about twenty Kobolds of various sizes.

They seemed to be a cannibalistic species, as they were roasting a smaller Kobold over a bonfire. Smoke rose through cracks in the ceiling.

“Perfect. The space is just right, the entrance is narrow enough to keep out trolls, and there’s ventilation. We just need to clean it up a bit.”

I sent Hans and Milia to clear out the Kobolds.

Me? I had the important responsibility of protecting Rana from any potential ambushes, so I didn’t need to help.

The cave echoed with gurgling screams, battle cries, and the sound of flesh tearing. Before long, Hans and Milia returned, having finished the cleanup.

Even so, twenty Kobolds were a bit much. They were panting and slightly injured here and there, but Rana could handle that.

We gathered the Kobold corpses and waste into one corner and prepared the campsite.

The campsite was just laying out sleeping bags by the bonfire and setting up a rope with bells at the entrance.

The smell of the cave was unbearable, so I stood to one side and lit a cigarette.

The minty smoke helped a little, but thanks to the effects of the mana herb, my senses were too sharp to notice much difference.

“…I should ask Asha to hurry up with that purification device.”

We sat around the bonfire, heating up rations and chatting.

Rana, who seemed to feel that I was protecting her, approached me with a brighter attitude.

“Lady Hashelle, your strength is incredible. Are all the Kahars like that?”

“Probably not.”

I wasn’t sure about Jahan, but the other warriors didn’t seem much different from the knights here.

“I see… So, how did you become so strong?”

“Training and experience.”

Beyond that, I didn’t know.

How did Hersela create this inhuman body of mine?

Rana seemed a bit disappointed with my answer and pouted slightly.

—

After quickly finishing our meal, Milia, who was checking her equipment, looked at Hans and spoke up.

“What about the night watch? We set up the rope at the entrance, but we still need someone on guard.”

“We’ll take turns, three hours each. Rana is exempt. She wouldn’t be able to handle an attack like the rest of us.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s common for priests not to take night watch.”

Night watch. Three hours each…

A bit long, but there’s no other choice.

“Then I’ll take the first watch tonight. You two can decide the rest.”

I volunteered for the first watch. I had something to do tonight.

Six hours should be enough.

Milia took the middle watch, and Hans took the last.

He said he’d prepare for tomorrow’s exploration during his watch.

I wondered how we’d keep track of time, but Hans pulled out an hourglass from his backpack.

“…He really seems born to be a guide.”

As the night grew darker, the group settled into their sleeping bags.

I sat by the bonfire, smoking a cigarette and checking my weapons, waiting for the night to deepen.

—

Three hours passed.

I walked over to Milia’s sleeping bag, held up the lantern to her face, and shook her shoulder.

I’ve always wanted to do this at least once.

“Hey, wake up. Milia.”

“Ugh… It’s too bright…!”

Milia, frowning, groggily got up.

I turned off the lantern and waited for her to gear up.

“Good work, Hashelle. I’ll take over now. Go get some rest.”

“Alright.”

“Hey, I got some business to take care of.”

“Business long enough to stay up all night.”

I grabbed my sword and stood up.

“…Business? What kind of business?”

Milia, sensing something ominous, asked quietly, her expression hardening.

“Something good kids shouldn’t see. I’ll be back by morning, but if I don’t return, just survive here for four days, avoiding trolls and whatnot.”

“…Are you planning to kill someone?”

Milia’s trembling finger pointed to my waist.

The two longswords clinked together, making a metallic sound with every move.

“Well… I’ll know when I meet them.”

I planned to at least have a conversation first.

But in the end, it’ll probably come to a fight.

“An Imperial, and a fellow academy student at that. You think I’d just let you kill them?”

Milia stood up.

Her eyes were shaking, but her expression was stubborn, her hand reaching for her sword hilt.

She’s trying to stop me, huh.

“If you don’t let me, what are you gonna do? Try to stop me?…With your skills?”

I grinned at her, baring my teeth.

Her eyes twitched.

“Ugh…! I can’t just stand by and watch you harm an innocent person! Even Damien would’ve stopped you!”

Innocent, huh. I doubt it.

At least not to me.

“He’s not exactly innocent. He’s been eyeing me, trying to kill me first.”

I took a step forward and grabbed Milia’s arm. Her shoulder flinched.

I pulled her close, our foreheads almost touching, and growled softly.

“Or what, is it okay for the Westerners to try and kill Ka`har, but it’s wrong for me to strike first?”

Milia trembled, holding her breath.

Yeah, no words, huh. This is self-defense, and as a warrior, I’m just doing what’s natural.

I let go of Milia, who couldn’t find the words to respond.

She slumped down.

I left her with one last word as I walked out of the cave.

“If you’re so worried, pray that guy doesn’t try to kill me. Then I’ll just talk and come back.”

Milia said nothing.

—

I leaped onto a tree, hopping from branch to branch as I ran.

Occasionally, I saw Kobolds below, but I ignored them. They wouldn’t be able to catch me.

I had a rough idea of where he was.

I remembered his scent and had been listening for the sound of his chainmail.

Following my instincts, I heightened my senses and crossed the forest.

Startled birds flew high into the night sky, and the shaking leaves fell like premature autumn leaves.

Is this the right thing to do?

As I ran toward my enemy, I asked myself again.

This is different from the fights before.

Unlike the slaughter in the East, which I was pushed into by mistake, this time I’m going to kill someone just because they’re in my way.

I’ve told myself countless times that I don’t care, that I can do anything for myself now.

But still. A part of me, like a stain, couldn’t be completely erased.

That stain was the last remnant of my true self, now fading and twisting, almost forgotten.

If I stain my hands with blood to erase that stain, what will be left?

Perhaps, tomorrow’s me won’t be the same as today’s me. I had that feeling.

Either way, there’s no turning back now.

I caught his scent.

—

Did he expect me to come?

Knut was sitting on a tree stump in the middle of the forest, silently with his eyes closed.

The cold moonlight poured down from the hole-filled sky.

A blackened axe rested on his thigh, and a spear was stuck in the ground, casting a long shadow.

Around him, the corpses of slaughtered Kobolds lay scattered.

…His companions were nowhere to be seen.

From the lack of any presence, it didn’t seem like he was planning an ambush. He probably came alone, just like me.

I jumped down from the tree and landed in front of Knut.

“Were you waiting for me? Knut.”

The awakened enemy filled the night sky.

“So, you’ve come after all…”

Knut slowly opened his eyes and stood up.

The chains of his armor clinked as they collided, making a metallic noise.

“The time has come to answer the guidance of the warrior god, Bølberg.”

The axe in his hands gleamed darkly, exuding a heavy killing intent.

**”Ai-shan Gi-or. Our enemy.”**

My enemy.

Knut raised his axe.