Chapter 154: Hero Lochter Felice (3)
The sun quickly set, and night fell.
We had spent the entire day searching villages for survivors, tracking the hunters' movents, and engaging in fierce battles.
Had a single day ever been this exhausting?
Both Karl and Lochter were visibly fatigued, yet we didn't stop moving.
The turbulent experiences at the Korun River…
But through them, Karl had avenged himself against Crux and reached the 4-star rank. Lochter, too, had transitioned from a fugitive to a hero.
"And we also t the Witch, Lily."
Through her, I learned about Divine Nas and the penalties that ca with using them.
A place where, despite the pain, I had gained far more than I had lost.
Leaving the Korun River behind, we turned our horses north toward Blyer.
Dudududu—
Two wagons raced through the dark forest road without hesitation.
Clatter, clatter—
Karl was driving the large wagon in the lead. Inside, the artisans we had invited to join us were seated.
There were ten of them, all seasoned and experienced craftsn.
They watched with tense expressions as if they had seen sothing they wished they hadn’t.
Was I making them uncomfortable? Why were they looking at like that?
Karl, still holding the reins, glanced at .
"Why are you riding in this wagon? Weren't you supposed to go with the witch?"
"Because there's a bastard here who absolutely hates ."
"What? A bastard?"
Silently, I raised my arm.
"What? What are you trying to show ? Your nice skin?"
At tis like this, my fast healing wasn't exactly a blessing. The torn flesh had almost completely healed, leaving behind only smooth, unblemished skin.
Ah, was this why the artisans looked so horrified?
There had been a vicious bite mark on my forearm.
Sharp teeth marks.
I had lifted up the exhausted Keros after he had been overwheld by the children—only for him to chomp! down on my wrist.
"If I didn’t have strong bones, he would’ve torn my wrist clean off."
"Don't exaggerate. How much damage could that tiny thing do?"
He’d change his mind if he got bitten himself.
I wanted to tell him about the legendary Hellhound, Cerberus, but I let it go for now. I had more important things to do—educating the artisans.
I planned to have them help persuade the people we would soon be rescuing.
If individuals who were respected in their own villages vouched for Lochter Felice, I wouldn’t need to personally prove his identity or convince them myself.
‘We've identified at least three hunter groups.’
From the gathered intel, it was clear that even if we grouped together, we wouldn't be able to eliminate even half of the hunters.
Moreover, though their forces seed depleted now, this was still the land of the Butcher. A massacre could unfold at any mont.
‘We need to strike before the Butcher makes a move.’
Ti was running out, leaving us with only one option.
We had to split into teams.
"When will we reach the village where your group is staying?"
"Are you in a hurry?"
"I'm not desperate, but we don't have much ti either."
Karl pointed beyond the darkness.
"Once we get past that forest, we’ll reach the village. We're almost there."
"A forest? It's too dark—I can’t see a thing. Just how good is your night vision?"
"Huh? Can't you just tell by looking around? It's obvious."
Obvious? Not to .
It was likely Karl’s Innate Sense at work. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to see anything in this darkness.
"Do you think Elton arrived safely?"
"Elton and the others? Yeah, they're all there. If there's one thing they're good at, it's running."
True.
These were the people who had survived that horrifying prison of experints. Escaping from re hunters wouldn’t have been an issue.
‘We’ll need them if we're splitting into teams…’
Karl’s group consisted of ten mbers, including himself and Elton.
All of them were at least 3-star rank, assassins who had endured relentless hardship and survived until the very end.
No matter where they were sent, they would bring back the best possible results.
Once they joined us, it would make organizing our plans much easier.
That was why I was heading to Elton’s village first, with Karl leading the way.
"The wagon behind us is keeping up, right?"
"Looks like it."
I turned to check. Lochter, seated at the driver's seat of the second wagon, was maintaining a steady distance behind us.
"It's quiet now?"
"They must have fallen asleep."
"Asleep? They just slept earlier."
"That was earlier."
"Huh…?"
Not too long ago, we could still hear Lily whining about how hungry she was.
To be fair, Lochter, Karl, and I were also starving.
We hadn't eaten a single al all day.
And even now, we still hadn’t eaten.
Right.
Sohow, we had managed to forget to bring any food for ourselves.
We had given everything away to the people we rescued.
Just to be sure, I checked the wagon and asked around.
"We gave it all away."
"You have two hands, you should've packed sothing."
"Food! We need food!"
One person who handed things out to everyone.
One person who shoved responsibility onto others.
One person who didn’t think at all.
Not a single one of us had thought to save sothing for ourselves.
Why did it feel like the more we fought the hunters, the poorer we beca?
It looked like I would have to take charge of our money and supplies from now on.
‘At least I took so gold with …’
I could only hope the village ahead had a decent restaurant.
"There it is!"
Just as Karl said, after making a wide turn around the forest, distant lights ca into view.
They appeared to be torches illuminating the village.
Counting the number of torches, I estimated it was a small village.
But the fact that its lights could be seen from afar…
"This place would be an easy target for hunters, but it seems untouched."
"There must be a reason for that."
My question was soon answered when we reached the village entrance.
At the sound of our approaching wagons, there was a brief commotion, and soon, masked figures erged from the closed gate.
Assassins wearing the Hound Unit's uniform.
The leader among them drew a dagger and spoke.
"If you're just another pack of hunters, then get lost. This place is a Hound's Rest."
Hound’s Rest.
That was a term used by Jack and Howell’s Hound Unit.
Ah, so this was it.
With the lord of Blyer’s forces stationed here, the hunters must have decided that attacking the village wasn't worth the risk.
Though the number of n blocking the gate was small,
Fwoosh—
The flas igniting from the leader's dagger made it clear why intruders wouldn’t dare approach.
A fla sword.
A power we were quite familiar with.
"There are exactly nine of them."
"See? I told you—they're all safe."
Karl smirked, leaping down from the driver’s seat.
Stepping out of the darkness, he erged into the firelight, and the masked figures reacted imdiately.
"Oh?"
Monts later, they tore off their masks and rushed forward.
"Master!"
The ones blocking our way were Elton’s group.
***
As Elton raised his hand at the entrance, the heavy village gates creaked open.
Following his lead, we guided our wagons inside.
"Why are you protecting this village? Did they pay you or sothing?"
"We received a small favor."
"A favor?"
"I was seriously injured and needed dicinal herbs for treatnt. The village provided them, allowing to recover quickly."
"How's your leg? The one that was wounded?"
"Apart from so occasional throbbing, it doesn’t hinder my movent."
Elton had sustained a deep stab wound from the twin brothers’ crowblade, but it seed he had healed well.
Karl checked on the others, ensuring no one was hurt, and smiled in relief.
Clatter, clatter—
While he was occupied, I took over the reins and surveyed our surroundings.
As Elton moved ahead, villagers ca out to greet him warmly.
He hadn’t been here long, yet the villagers clearly held him in high regard.
Curious, I pulled the wagon closer and asked him why.
"The hunters attacked twice."
"Twice?!"
"Yeah. But we dealt with them the sa way as before, and they retreated both tis. They didn’t dare push their luck."
"Clever."
"Just quick thinking—sothing I learned from you, Master."
It made sense.
Elton’s group had saved this village from disaster twice, so the villagers naturally viewed them favorably.
Before long, we arrived at the village square, where the buildings clustered together.
The villagers showed great curiosity about the wagons Elton had brought in, but the village leaders wore grim expressions instead.
I had a feeling I knew what they were worried about.
After stepping down from the wagon, I approached the gathered villagers.
Although it was never formally decided, I had beco the de facto leader of our group since the Korun River. As I stepped forward, Elton's group naturally stepped back.
An elderly man, seemingly the village chief, bowed respectfully.
"I serve as the village chief."
"I lead this group. I heard you've been of great help to our people."
"No, if anything, we were the ones who received help."
"Then, may I ask you sothing?"
"Please, go ahead."
As I trailed off, the chief grew visibly tense, watching anxiously.
I nodded and, with the utmost seriousness, asked,
"Can you recomnd a good restaurant?"
"...Pardon?"
"Our people haven’t eaten all day. Let’s talk after we eat."
"Ah, of course! Please, allow to take you to one."
The chief hurriedly regained his composure and instructed the villagers to lead us to a restaurant.
Being a small village, there were only two restaurants, but the one the chief took us to was surprisingly good.
"I'm hungry! I'm starving! Nom!"
Lily chanted as she shoved food into her mouth.
Why was she complaining about hunger while eating?
I really couldn't understand her thought process.
As Keros wandered around searching for food, I smirked and handed so money to the restaurant owner, requesting the worst, most flavorless bone set they had.
‘Take that, you little brat!’
And so, our entire group—Lily, Karl, the artisans, and myself—rented out the entire restaurant, enjoying a peaceful al.
After a while, the village chief, who had been waiting for the right mont, cautiously asked,
"Do you have any plans after this…?"
"We’ll rest here tonight and leave tomorrow. Elton’s group as well."
"...Ah…"
As expected, he was worried about Elton’s group leaving.
When I confird his fears, his face turned pale.
If I left things as they were, he might fall to his knees and beg us to stay, so I took the initiative.
"The hunters won’t return. We’re a subjugation force."
"...Subjugation force?"
"We were sent at the request of Sir Lochter Felice to hunt down raiders. These people are also under Sir Lochter’s command."
Elton paused mid-bite and glanced at with a puzzled expression.
I simply smiled and nodded in response.
"Several villages have already been rescued by Sir Lochter’s blade. The raiders will soon be eradicated, so you need not worry."
"Thank you! Truly, thank you!"
"Don’t thank . Thank Sir Lochter. No one loves Blyer more than he does."
"I understand. I’ll make sure the people hear of this."
I casually leaned back and reached into my coat.
"It seems we’ve finished eating, so about the bill—"
"Oh, no! It’s on the house! A small token of gratitude!"
"Thank you. Also, we’d like to stay the night here."
"Of course! I’ll have everything arranged!"
"And the paynt—"
"It’s fine!"
Free food and lodging secured.
We were given rooms in the village’s largest inn at no cost, and when we settled in, Karl gave a dumbfounded look.
"How do you say those things with such a straight face?"
"What do you an?"
"If Lochter had been there, he’d have turned red with embarrassnt and drawn his sword. You're really laying it on thick."
"That’s precisely why I did it while he wasn’t here."
When we decided to stay the night, Lochter had excused himself to train in the forest.
That man was an absolute training maniac.
"But are we really fine taking it easy like this? We need to strike before the hunters reach that place."
"By now, the hunters will have settled in to rest. They won’t head straight to that place. First, they’ll try to capture as many people as possible from the surrounding villages."
"So what’s the plan now?"
"We’ll split into three teams."
"And then?"
"We complete our missions and rendezvous at that place for the grand finale."
"You an Wailing Hill?"
"Yeah."
Wailing Hill.
A burial site for the dead, located on the outskirts of Blyer’s territory.
The resting place of Lochter’s people.
A land soaked in grief and tears.
And also—the location of a Black Market branch.
User Comments
0 comments from readers