Chapter 62 : I Am Here Too

I stared blankly down the cliff.

Between the towering mountains, mist rose from the sheer drop as if the earth itself were exhaling.

The joy of having stepped into a new realm lasted only a moment before my mood sank.

Had all the villagers here really died?

Did they die because I came?

If so… was it me who killed them?

[...]

Even after slaughtering every last fiend, I felt no relief.

Killing them wouldn’t bring the villagers back.

The more I thought about it, the more unjust it felt.

Those wretches were the ones who had massacred the villagers, so why was I the one tormented by guilt?

The villains themselves hadn’t felt the slightest remorse—only shining eyes as they scrambled for the dagger.

Evil men were supposed to be shameless like that. Perhaps I lacked the makings of a true villain.

Those damned fiends surely never even counted the lives they had taken.

…But then again, I didn’t count mine either.

Damn it.

Maybe I was a villain after all.

“Tch. This pisses me off.”

If there had been anyone still alive, I’d have beaten them senseless just to vent.

But there was no one left.

…In truth, killing those fiends had only been an outlet for my rage.

That anger had been aimed at myself all along.

Yes, it was me.

If I hadn’t come here, the villagers would have lived out their lives in peace.

My fists clenched.

“Damn it.”

That was when I sensed someone behind me.

Her footsteps were so light, they barely made a sound.

Even in this storm where mud covered every inch of ground, she alone stepped as though on solid earth.

Shushruta’s voice came.

“Ashuban.”

“...”

I didn’t answer.

I just kept staring into the depths below.

Even I didn’t know why.

She let out a short sigh, then came to crouch beside me.

“...”

“...”

Together we gazed down at the valley in silence.

Her voice came softly.

“You’ve done well. Are you hurt anywhere?”

I shook my head.

There were scratches here and there, but nothing worth calling an injury.

One night’s rest would see them gone.

She studied me for a while, then turned her eyes back to the cliff.

Ssshhhaa―

The rain sounded lighter than before.

The drops striking my head felt weaker too.

Then Shushruta spoke abruptly.

“Ashuban. You are far too hard on yourself.”

I blinked, unsure what she meant.

She continued.

“When I watch you walk so calmly into a place of certain death, I feel as though…”

Her hand came up to her chest.

“...here, in my heart, it hurts.”

“...”

I glanced at her, then back to the cliff below.

I could feel her gaze lingering on my profile.

Her voice was quiet but earnest.

“Ashuban. What are you thinking about?”

Still staring into the mist, I murmured,

“...Just.”

“Just?”

“The villagers.”

“...”

“If I hadn’t come, they wouldn’t have died. A pointless thought, I know.”

Shushruta looked at me intently—

Thump!

She punched me on the shoulder.

“Ow.”

It stung more than I expected, so I rubbed the spot.

“‘We,’” she said firmly.

“What?”

I turned, and she was glaring at me, eyes sharp with faint anger.

“You didn’t come alone. I came with you.”

“...”

“I am here too, Ashuban.”

“…You’re right.”

Of course. I hadn’t come alone.

“If you insist on carrying guilt, then give me half.”

I looked at her serious face and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Her brow twitched.

“You’re laughing?”

“Shut up.”

I pushed her small face lightly with my palm, and she batted my hand away in disgust.

[...The rain is stopping.]

The drizzle thinned, and then, before we knew it, ceased altogether.

The sun slipped out from behind the dark clouds, and the rain-stained world slowly regained its colors.

I watched the light spread and asked,

“The villagers—any survivors?”

She shook her head.

“None. If there were, they must have fled long ago.”

“And Gregory?”

“I found his body. Piled with the rest behind the village.”

I clicked my tongue.

“Damn. So no information then.”

“I searched every house, but found nothing useful.”

I gave a bitter laugh.

“All that trouble, and we came away with nothing.”

After all that fighting, empty hands.

But she tried to encourage me.

“Still, we did find the grave’s location. With the dagger, something is bound to happen.”

I gave her a sidelong glance.

“Weren’t you the one saying we shouldn’t just go in with that kind of mindset?”

She lifted her shoulders.

“What other choice do we have?”

“True enough.”

As I nodded, I caught sight of something far off in the sky.

A speck at first, it grew larger as it neared, resolving into a shape.

“...A bird?”

A jet-black bird was flying toward us.

It flitted through the air with bouncing strokes until it landed smoothly on Shushruta’s outstretched hand.

She smiled faintly, stroking it.

“Good bird.”

“...Well, that’s something,” I muttered in disbelief.

“A crow?”

She nodded.

“A crow. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“...Cute, I guess. Is it your friend?”

“In a way.”

Now that I looked closer, it really did resemble her.

The jaunty hops through the air, the shameless way it preened its feathers on her hand.

It was clearly accustomed to people, for it didn’t flinch even as she stroked it gently.

As I watched enviously, Shushruta said, “You can pet it too.”

“...Really?”

She nodded.

I reached out carefully.

But the bird, busy grooming itself, immediately pecked at my hand.

“Ah!”

I yanked it back in alarm.

Flap flap!

The bird flared its wings threateningly while perched on her arm.

Startled, I stumbled back and fell flat on the ground.

Shushruta burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha!”

Even the Heavenly Demon’s lips curved upward.

[So, you’re playing tricks now.]

I rolled to my feet and crouched, imitating her posture exactly, wearing a dead-serious face.

“I wasn’t scared.”

She smiled slyly.

“I never said you were.”

“...”

Then she untied a slip of paper bound to the crow’s leg.

“What’s this, some kind of carrier crow?”

“Exactly. Looks like they’ve discovered the identity of the royal knight who was dispatched.”

“Oh?”

“They must have been moving in secrecy. The fact that it took this long means he’s stronger than we thought.”

Shushruta unfolded the crumpled note, then pulled something from her satchel and handed it to me.

“Here. Take this.”

“What is it?”

“Feed.”

The crow must have already caught the scent, because it cocked its head toward us with sharp, curious eyes.

Clever little beast.

I narrowed my eyes at it, “You want me to feed that flying rat?”

Shushruta pulled her hand back, “Then don’t.”

Snatch.

I caught her hand, “...Give it.”

She smiled faintly and dropped the feed into my palm.

The crow hopped down from her arm and came toward me.

I closed my fist over the feed and said, “Hey. Let me pet you first, then I’ll give it to you.”

The crow stared at me, then pecked lightly at my fist as if to say, ‘Quit talking and open it.’

I tried offering my other hand instead, but it pecked that too.

This damned bird. It had behaved so docilely for Shushruta, yet only acted up with me.

[Ho. A spirit beast indeed.]

“What’s supposed to be so special about it?”

[It knew at a glance not to bother with the likes of you. If that isn’t spiritual insight, what is?]

“...”

[Even beasts have eyes, after all.]

I snorted, “Hmph. As if it really has such wisdom.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Not you.”

“...”

I kept the feed hidden in my fist, trying to coax it, “Come on. Just let me pet you first.”

The crow only tapped its beak against my fist again, glaring as if to say, ‘Last warning. Open it.’

Shushruta watched us with an amused smile before returning her attention to the note.

As she read, I locked eyes with the bird, engaged in a silent standoff.

Finally, just as the creature seemed about ready to sell its soul for the feed—

Shushruta suddenly shot to her feet.

Startled, the crow flapped its wings and took off into the sky.

I watched it disappear, then tossed the feed into the air and brushed off my hands.

“What does it say?”

“Ashuban,” she whispered, her tone heavy.

Her usual relaxed face was stiff as stone.

“We need to leave.”

I stood with her and asked, “Leave? To where?”

“Anywhere!”

Her sudden shout made my eyes widen.

“This isn’t the time to sit around. Quickly, quickly!”

She grabbed my arm, tugging hard, frantic in a way I’d never seen before.

“Why? What’s got you so worked up? You act like you didn’t know the royal knight was coming. Is he nearby?”

“I don’t know. I’ll explain on the way, but we must go now.”

“Tch. What’s gotten into you?”

I let her drag me along, grumbling.

Honestly, after all that fighting, I wanted nothing more than to rest.

The view from that cliff wasn’t half bad, either. A meal would’ve been nice before we set off again. What was the rush?

“How strong could this knight be anyway? Stronger than the flute-playing mage? Stronger than the ones we fought today? Doesn’t seem like there’s any need to panic.”

Shushruta suddenly whirled on me, eyes blazing, and roared:

“The Great Frost is coming!”

“...What?”

The Count of Stavanger Estate.

Inside his neatly arranged office, the Count worked through documents.

Then he paused, glancing out the window.

The rain had stopped.

“Hm. The sun is out.”

With a faint smile, he rose and threw the window wide.

The curtains flapped as cool air swept in.

The Count closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

Though the wind carried a chill, the sunlight that followed the storm was pleasantly warm.

At that moment, footsteps echoed outside the door, followed by a knock.

Knock, knock.

—Master, it is Duncan.

The Count turned and called, “Enter.”

The door opened, and the old butler stepped inside.

“What is it?”

“A guest has arrived, my lord.”

“A guest?”

“Yes.”

The butler’s eyes, seasoned with years of wisdom, met the Count’s.

“A most distinguished guest.”

The Count’s eyes widened.

The old man stepped closer and gently placed a round silver coin upon the desk.

“They came bearing our house’s token.”

The Count picked it up.

Indeed—it was the sigil of House Stavanger.

“This is…”

And not just any token, but one that was very old.

The wear etched into its surface told its story.

It was as ancient as the butler himself.

A token once given out by his father—the former Count of Stavanger.

The Count locked eyes with his wise servant.

The old man nodded ever so slightly.

The Count asked grimly, “Where is the guest?”

“I led them to the drawing room. Shall I escort them here?”

“No. I’ll go myself.”

The Count strode out of his office, down the hall with long, steady steps.

(End of Chapter)

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