Perhaps because he had left the domain of Deathrow, the forest had suddenly become lush. The green leaves swayed in all directions.
There were no monsters. The nearby monsters had all fled to avoid the ancient spirits.
Thus, Obern walked through the forest filled with turquoise, lost in deep thought.
'Something... was different from usual, wasn't it?'
Obern's mind was focused on one thing.
Aster.
Of course, Obern didn't know his name or his face.
No, he only knew that he was a mage and that his personality was a mess. Apart from that, he knew nothing.
He was like a ghost.
If he were to disappear, there would be no way to prove that such a person ever existed, and even if one tried to find him, there would be no clues.
However, it wasn't as if he knew nothing about the person.
"Sir Deathknight."
[What is it?]
Obern looked down at Shine, who was walking beside him, now looking rather dejected.
"Wasn't something strange?"
[What do you mean?]
For some reason, his voice sounded rather sullen.
"It's about the senior. He seemed... different from usual."
[Hmm, what's the problem?]
"......Huh?"
Shine didn't stop walking. He just kept matching his short strides.
Of course, when Obern took one step, Shine had to take two.
Anyway, while diligently moving his feet, Shine spoke.
[Wasn't everything resolved?]
"That's... true, right?"
[As that guy said, once the seal is destroyed, it's over. It's a simple task. We don't even need many hands.]
That's true.
At first, it was the Golden Horseman. We were on edge, not knowing what tricks this unknown entity had prepared.
And we didn't know when Deathrow would awaken.
However, the "Awakening of Deathrow" was, to be honest, an excessive worry.
If it hadn't awakened until now, why would it choose this moment, right when we started our operation?
So, in the end, the only problem was the Golden Horseman.
But.
Deathknight, an unexpected variable that the Golden Horseman hadn't anticipated.
This made the task easier.
But, why?
"Umm... something felt off."
An indescribable unease.
It was like seeing a dog bark "meow" or discovering a growling tiger.
"Why... did he tell us to go outside the forest?"
[Didn't he say? We're in the middle of a siege. If we go, we'll only upset our allies.]
"But... that's not it..."
Is that not the case?
Obern tried to grasp the essence of this unease.
"Why did he give me the bracelet and the coffin of the dead...?"
[Would I send you alone? You need at least some protection.]
"Umm..."
That's true. It's true, but...
"Ah!"
Then, something flashed through Obern's mind.
"Understood."
Obern stopped in his tracks and looked at Shine.
Shine walked a few more steps, then tilted his head indifferently and turned back.
[What is it?]
"Senior... gave his things to someone else. Not that Sir Deathknight belongs to someone, but... the elixir! He didn't even give the elixir, right?"
His voice flowed smoothly, as if the words had suddenly come to him.
'That's it, that was it!'
Obern realized the nature of the discomfort.
'Senior giving his things to someone else?'
That's absurd.
From the first base camp in Greentown to the fourth base camp, passing through various camps.
It was a month-long journey, long if you think about it, short if you don't.
During that time, what kind of person was Aster, as seen by Obern?
'He wasn't stingy... but...'
No, he wasn't stingy.
When there were mercenaries lacking food, he would occasionally offer a piece of bread or a slice of jerky.
But, was it really his to give...
'It wasn't!'
No, it wasn't.
- Sir Mage! That, that jerky... isn't it mine?
- Was it yours? I found it. Where, what? Did you write your name on it?
- Eek...!
Reilly had hidden the jerky and bread, but he couldn't say anything.
Even if he did, he would just get beaten up, and besides, the jerky and bread were stolen from the supplies.
'If Senior was really stingy or greedy, he would have kept it for himself.'
But, he didn't.
However, to share his own things...
'I don't know.'
There wasn't really a situation during the journey where he could share something.
But, Obern was certain.
'Even if there had been a situation to share, he wouldn't have!'
Unless someone's life was in danger, nothing in that pocket would come out.
He had never seen it, but he could guess.
It was unimaginable.
'Senior sharing something with someone else?'
Impossible!
"Sir Deathknight, isn't that right? Isn't that so?"
[...It's true, but did you figure that out?]
"......?"
Shine shook his head slightly.
'Is the evil aura of Deathrow so intense?'
San was frustrating, but among the group, he was the most reasonable.
When others would say, "That guy is like that!" about Aster, San would always take a moderate stance, saying, "Senior wouldn't do that. He wouldn't."
But, how...
'Tsk, it's probably his karma.'
Yes, it is.
The master. That guy was a real mess. If Obern didn't know his nature after being with him for so long, he would be the fool.
"Then, is there another reason?"
[Tsk. If that were the reason, why would we need to leave the forest?]
"......?"
Obern tilted his head in confusion.
Shine sighed deeply at his expression. Of course, he was dead, so he didn't really breathe. It was just a feeling.
Anyway.
[Evil aura? Is it so intense that you can't bear it? Then, why not wait until the guy breaks the seal?]
"......Huh?"
[Oh, I mean. Why not wait until the guy breaks the seal and then return to the fourth base camp together?]
"......Ah!"
[...Frustrating.]
Shine shook his head slightly.
'Well, that's not all...'
Shine had his doubts about the instruction to "go outside the forest first."
But, there was a specific reason for his certainty.
- So, now we should go our separate ways.
The guy who said the job was almost done and it was time to go.
'I'm not good at dealing with such people. This guy is the first I've met who is so suspicious.'
But, there was something he could tell just by his appearance.
'He doesn't even tell his name, and his voice... if you listen closely, there's a faint distortion. And he never shows his face.'
He was indescribable.
But, such a person suggesting to go their separate ways?
What did that mean?
'He's trying to get rid of me.'
Judging from the atmosphere, he seemed to be Obern's teacher. He had some connection with the guy.
'But, it's not a close relationship.'
So, he would disappear once the job was done.
If he were a normal person, he might have a drink with his comrades after the job was done...
'But, a guy who doesn't show his face even during meals, a drink? No way.'
But, what happened after that?
- Where will we meet up?
- At the city with the nearest warp gate.
'He lies automatically as soon as he opens his mouth.'
There was no delay, no hesitation. There was no calculated timing or hesitation that a liar would have.
But, it was a lie.
Why?
'If it were that guy...'
The original answer would be this.
- Meet up? Forget it. We're going our separate ways. What, do you want to see a familiar face?
'Hmm, is that not it?'
He should be more rude. His tone should be more unpleasant.
Anyway, if it were the real guy, he wouldn't have mentioned a meeting point.
"Then, what is it?"
[What? Hmm...]
A brief silence.
Obern waited for Shine to speak. After a moment,
[I don't know.]
"......Huh?"
[How can I know what's in his mind? It's more chaotic than a mad bull. But...]
"But?"
[Forget it.]
Shine said and shook his head slightly.
'What's the point of saying it? Tsk.'
Actually, isn't it obvious?
'Deathrow is awakening.'
Yes, that's the only reason.
Of course, even if that's the case, there were still many unanswered questions.
How did he know Deathrow was awakening? And why was he facing Deathrow alone? And so on.
If he told this to San, he would probably insist on going back immediately...
Why should I?
'As he said, my mission? Isn't it over! Even if he begged for help, I'm not sure I would help...'
Shine, kicking the ground, but each kick dug a deep hole as if he were using a shovel.
"Sir Deathknight, are you... angry?"
[No? Me? Why?]
At Obern's cautious question, Shine shot him a look.
[Calling me a bug-eater, banging on my helmet, treating me like a slave. I've experienced all the humiliations I've never felt in my life! So, what's the problem?]
Words spewed out like a machine gun. Quite fast.
It seemed he had a lot built up. Each word, each pronunciation, was filled with indescribable frustration.
But, Obern tilted his head.
"Are you angry because of Senior?"
[...]
"Because Senior sent you away so coldly, so you're... Hic!"
Shine clamped his mouth shut. At that moment, the tip of Shine's sword, which had been drawn from Obern's neck, touched him.
[What, what? What are you saying? If you're going to spout nonsense, I'll...!]
It was a bewildering sight. As if something he didn't want to reveal had been exposed.
But, that was only for a moment.
[Sigh... What should I do?]
"What is it?"
[Deathrow seems to be awakening. I don't know how that guy knew, but... that's the only reason he's acting like he's about to die.]
"Indeed... that's it."
Obern looked at Shine with a serious expression.
But, contrary to Shine's expectations, he didn't seem particularly surprised. It was as if he had already guessed.
"I think we should go back."
[What?]
"Yes, even if we didn't know... now that we do, we have to go."
Even if the situation was different from his speculation, he would rather have made a wasted trip.
Now that he knew, it was the right thing to do.
Even if it were...
'A place of certain death.'
Obern's eyes flashed.
[For a mere human, you have a decent gaze.]
"What will you do, Sir Deathknight?"
[I... Hmm, I... To be honest, there's no reason for me to go.]
"That's what I thought. Then, our journey ends here..."
[Whoosh!]
"......?"
Shine stopped Obern, who was about to turn around.
[There's no reason.]
"Yes, that's what I said."
[Whoosh, no reason? No reason! Don't you understand? No reason! There's no justification, no reason!]
"......Ah."
Obern finally understood what Shine meant.
But, for a moment,
"Umm."
Shine's eyes seemed to expect something, and Obern let out a troubled sigh.
He understood the meaning, but he wasn't good at this kind of thing.
'He seems embarrassed to go himself... Ah!'
Then, a thought flashed through his mind.
"Justice."
[...What?]
"Doesn't Sir Deathknight pursue justice?"
[...Me?]
He was a rebel who had beheaded the emperor. In the eyes of the world, he was far from just.
In fact, even apart from public perception, he had never lived a just life.
But, Obern's words didn't stop there.
"Yes! Sir Deathknight is a loyal knight of the emperor! Although the emperor has passed away, this land belongs to his descendants! So, what should we do?"
What should we do? He had no particular thoughts.
He beheaded the emperor out of personal grudge, and that grudge was resolved when he did it.
Now, he had no particular thoughts.
But.
[Alright, it's a decent justification.]
"Isn't it?"
[Justice. Yes, we can't let that wicked guy run rampant in the world.]
"......?"
Obern tilted his head.
'Wicked guy?'
Wouldn't "evil" be a more appropriate description for Deathrow?
While Obern was wrapped in this question, Shine was already walking far ahead.
[What are you doing? Aren't you coming?]
"......Ah. I'm coming."
Obern hurried to follow. Despite his short stature, his steps were incredibly fast, almost like running.
A voice reached Obern's ears.
[Whether that wicked guy is colluding with the evil Deathrow or not. We can't just believe it.]
"......Ah."
[I, the just one, will confirm it myself. If he is colluding, I will personally behead him.]
"Th... Yes."
Obern just accepted it.
"......That's a fair point."
After all, good is good.
Confident strides. The small giant marched through the Great Forest of Hameln with determination.
But, perhaps because of his short legs, he was quite slow.
* * *
Rumble— Bang!
Dark clouds gathered over the once-quiet sky of the Great Forest of Hameln.
Rumble.
Like a caged beast growling, the atmosphere twisted and moaned.
As if the end of the world was approaching.
Amid the dark clouds, a sinister red light shone, and a mage walked above them.
A mask with a black background and a sleek white stripe. Gray hair as gloomy as the ominous sky.
The mage walked neither fast nor slow.
His steps seemed relaxed, as if he were on a leisurely stroll.
The mage looked up at the sky at that moment.
"Damn, it's a mess. A real mess."
He wasn't just talking about the weather.
Then, what was he talking about?
If he listed them, it wouldn't be endless...
First of all.
'You're really pissing me off, aren't you?'
The chaotic evil aura swirling around in all directions. It swept through the surroundings like a madman dancing with a sword.
It was more chaotic than a festival of 10,000 ghosts and more violent than a devourer seeking prey.
Next.
'This guy is really pissing me off too.'
The fire seal in his left chest throbbed painfully.
The vibration had already spread throughout his body.
However, his body remained calm. It was clearly not a physical pain.
And lastly.
More chaotic than these two monstrosities was his own heart.
"Where am I, and who am I?"
Where is this path I'm walking leading to?
I don't know.
After all, have I ever known where I was going in my life?
This isn't about a physical destination.
It's more... well, it's hard to put into words. Anyway, I can't see even a step ahead.
"Give up thinking. Yes, give up."
What else can you do but die?
Of course, there are things worse than death.
The Golden Horsemen. Seeing them this time made me realize there are things worse than death.
Shine von Remond and other undead. And so on.
If the worst-case scenario comes, can I endure such a danger?
"Well, if I can't endure it, what can I do?"
It doesn't matter.
After all, the one who will endure that pain is not today's me but tomorrow's me.
For now, I just walk.
Why?
'Well, why?'
It would be nice to just close my eyes, cover my ears, and run away.
'Tsk, being too good is a sin. A sin.'
"Isn't that right?"
Aster stopped and looked up at the sky.
It was something he said to Deathrow. Of course, it would only make sense if Deathrow were a sentient being, but he assumed it for now.
It would be awkward if he didn't.
But, after a moment,
"Ah, should I look down to talk?"
Aster looked at his feet.
The empty space below was clearly felt. The terrifying presence detected by his senses.
Something that exuded evil aura was down there.
Was it truly the monstrous Deathrow? It emitted an aura so foul it was almost profane.
The intensity was overwhelming even to Aster.
But, Aster looked down with the same calm expression as usual, as if he didn't know fear.
"Still not awake?"
If I go down and break it now, will it be okay?
I don't know. And after coming this far, I don't want to cheaply attack a sleeping enemy.
People have pride...
"......It's not like I'm feeding you!"
Bang!
A deafening explosion shook the earth.
As Aster's hand flashed, a small explosion struck the ground.