Chapter 113: Approaching Shadows (3)

 

Time passed, and we arrived at Sarik Village, the village of the dwarves.

 

Here, too, one could find a multitude of races.

 

It wasn’t just dwarves who lived here.

 

Numerous villagers came out to gaze at us, and as before, Arwin and Ner attracted much attention.

 

The more that happened, the prouder I stood, laying the groundwork for my wives.

 

Arwin, as always, maintained a stoic expression and a dignified posture... but that was something to be observed for now.

 

One couldn’t tell how many dwarves hostile to Arwin might appear.

 

No matter the diversity here, this was a village of dwarves, and it was no secret that it was hard for dwarves and elves to get along.

 

Fortunately, Ner seemed more confident than usual.

 

Since the incident at the mercenary meeting, she had gradually begun to believe in herself. I thought this was a positive change.

 

Perhaps the constant compliments about her tail were helping.

 

“There are so many races here, Arwin-nim.”

 

What was even more surprising than Ner’s changing attitude...

 

“That’s true, Ner. It’s unexpected.”

 

...was the relationship between my wives.

 

Contrary to my expectations of friction, they were very peaceful with each other.

 

“There’s a forge over there.”

 

“Yes. Bigger than I thought.”

 

Arwin told me that Ner had no intention of loving me and that I should not sacrifice myself for her, but now she even engages in light conversation with Ner.

 

Ner, who also said that Arwin wished for my death and couldn’t understand why I was getting close to her, was now talking to Arwin without making much effort.

 

“...”

 

While I thought it was good, I tilted my head in confusion.

 

Was I overreacting?

 

I had thought their relationship was strained.

 

It seemed too natural to be a facade.

 

It was hard to tell.

 

Was this kind of thing natural among women?

 

“...”

 

I set aside my thoughts and urged the horse forward.

 

If other issues arise later, it won’t be too late to address them then.

 

Soon after, we came face to face with an elderly dwarf who had come out to meet us.

 

A long beard reaching down to his waist. A wrinkled forehead.

 

A thick torso and forearms that seemed unusually strong for his age.

 

I dismounted my horse and approached him.

 

“I am Berg, the vice-captain of the Red Flames.”

 

The dwarf elder nodded in response.

 

“I’m Borin. We’ve been waiting for you. It’s an honor to have the famous Red Flames visit us.”

 

Our conversation continued briefly.

 

We already knew what each other’s requests were.

 

There was no need to delve deeper into that for now.

 

Rather, the issue was arranging rooms for our members to rest.

 

“I would like you to prepare space for 27 people to rest. As for the rooms...”

 

Thinking of Arwin, Ner, and myself, two rooms.

 

For the rest of the members, assuming two per room, that’s 12 rooms.

 

“14 rooms would be—”

 

“—Berg.”

 

Arwin suddenly appeared behind me and grabbed my arm.

 

When I looked at her, she was gazing at Gale, who was following from a distance.

 

“...”

 

Honestly, I didn’t want to concern myself with Gale.

 

“…Let him do it on his own.”

 

Even though I said that, Arwin shook her head, pleading not to.

 

“...”

 

I only knew that Gale was related to Sien, not the extent of his influence.

 

But Arwin’s reaction made it clear he wasn’t a trivial figure.

 

After all, he was also the teacher of the hero party.

 

I sighed.

 

“...Please prepare 15 rooms.”

 

I then made my request to village chief Borin.

 

Borin nodded in agreement.

 

.

.

.

.

 

I continued my conversation with Borin, delving into the details of our quest.

 

We learned that numerous monsters had swarmed the mine located on the outskirts of the village, hindering the dwarves’ mining activities, their livelihood.

 

The objective of our mission was to subdue most of these monsters infesting the mine, and as compensation, we were to receive weapons made by the dwarves.

 

I casually gathered information on what types of monsters were seen, where they were spotted, and their numbers.

 

Since crafting the weapons we were to receive as payment would take time, we decided to place orders for the weapons we needed first.

 

We agreed to trust each other.

 

We proceeded with the contract, anticipating everything would go smoothly.

 

Each member of my group expressed their preference for a weapon.

 

Baran wanted a spear, and Shawn requested a sword.

 

Jackson asked for a long war hammer.

 

Shawn teased him.

 

“Use something you’re accustomed to, not just for show with a war hammer.”

 

But Jackson was firm in his choice.

 

“I’ve always wanted one. I never used it because the quality wasn’t good enough.”

 

I smiled at their banter.

 

Soon, it was my turn.

 

The dwarf taking our weapon orders sat across the desk, jotting down our requests.

 

He appeared to be a literate dwarf.

 

He asked me, “You’re the vice-captain, right? What kind of weapon would you like?”

 

I drew my sword and showed it to the questioning dwarf.

 

“This length, but make it more durable.”

 

The dwarf, fiddling with some papers, tapped my sword and asked, “…Hmm. Should I maintain the same balance as well?”

 

I nodded. A familiar sword felt best.

 

Just then, Gale appeared behind me.

 

“Berg. How about trying a shorter sword?”

 

I sighed at Gale’s sudden intervention.

 

“...”

 

Gazing intently at me, Gale insisted on his opinion.

 

“Maybe a bit shorter would be better. The one you’re wielding now is too long. Just reconsider it.”

 

Even the dwarf taking the order chimed in.

 

“...Actually, I also think that might be better. It’s a slight difference, but your current sword seems too long.”

 

With the dwarf also suggesting this, I found myself at a loss for words.

 

The dwarf then got up from the desk and brought four metal rods of varying lengths.

 

Seeing such items readily available was typical of a dwarf village.

 

“Vice-captain, try holding each one. Tell me which feels most comfortable to you.”

 

I remained silent for a moment and then started to lift each metal rod in turn.

 

The first rod was too light.

 

The second felt oddly balanced.

 

The third brought a familiar sensation.

 

“That’s probably how your usual sword feels,” said the dwarf, and I picked up the last rod.

 

“...”

 

This rod felt comfortable in my hand. It was slightly shorter than the sword I usually wielded.

 

Yet, the way it fits in my hand wasn’t unpleasant.

 

It gave off a sense that I could get used to it quickly.

 

Gale spoke from beside me.

 

“Yeah. That seems right. It’s for your own good.”

 

“...”

 

Maybe Gale was right.

 

Perhaps I should choose a different weapon, as he suggested.

 

But I shook my head.

 

It wasn’t stubbornness.

 

...Even if it was uncomfortable, the familiar felt better.

 

“No. Make it like my usual sword. Similar in length and balance.”

 

“...”

 

Finally, the dwarf nodded.

 

And so, our weapon request was concluded.

 

I looked at Gale, then moved past him, continuing on.

 

.

.

.

 

As I was finishing a rough discussion of the mission with my team members, Gale approached me from behind.

 

Watching the dispersing members, he spoke to me.

 

“...Berg.”

 

“...”

 

I turned to look at him, who had once again come close to me.

 

He spoke.

 

“...I know I can be insensitive.”

 

“...”

 

“It wasn’t my intention to provoke you or hurt your feelings. I just came to help.”

 

I turned to face him, making sure my wives weren’t nearby, and then whispered to him.

 

“...You suddenly appear, rake up old wounds... and you say you had no ill intentions?”

 

“...I apologize. I was wrong.”

 

His sincere apology somewhat softened my stance.

 

Then he continued.

 

“I hope you understand this much. I didn’t come to impose obligations on you or to be a burden.”

 

“...”

 

“I came to help you prepare for challenges that might lie ahead. It’s unfair to die without even having the chance to use your strength. And... it’s not just about you.”

 

“If it concerns the rest of the world, I wouldn’t-”

 

“It includes your loved ones too.”

 

“...What do you mean?”

 

“...To protect those precious to you, you must be prepared. And wait before you get angry, Berg. I’m serious. I wish for you... to protect what’s precious to you.”

 

I sighed.

 

It felt like we had never been on the same page from the start.

 

“...We just don’t match.”

 

“...”

 

“You believe in trials coming my way, but... I don’t believe in such fatalism. I don’t believe in gods either. How can you claim to know my future?”

 

“Even with the appearance of warriors, you don’t believe in gods...?”

 

I spoke earnestly.

 

“I don’t believe.”

 

At that, Gale whispered.

 

“...You do know that Lynn looks after those who don’t believe in gods, right?”

 

“...”

 

As I frowned, Gale sighed, trying to lighten the mood.

 

“...This conversation is going in a strange direction. I wasn’t trying to force the belief in gods on you.”

 

“...”

 

“As I said, I just wanted to give you strength. I’m not good with words. I always end up having to clarify things.”

 

I sighed at Gale’s cautious approach.

 

I wasn’t as angry as before.

 

Perhaps my anger towards him was because he touched on a sensitive topic.

 

I didn’t want to prolong our conversation any further.

 

I turned away and left him behind.

 

“...Berg.”

 

And again, as I walked away, Gale spoke, holding me back.

 

“I may not be eloquent, but... I can quickly grasp people’s thoughts. Like those from the slums, I grew up reading the room, surviving on scraps. You’d know if you’re from the slums, right?”

 

“...”

 

Those from the slums recognize their own. I turned back to look at him.

 

He continued.

 

“So even without you asking... I know what you’re curious about.”

 

“...”

 

Gale spoke again.

 

“...The Saintess, she missed you, Berg.”

 

My fist clenched. My brow furrowed.

 

Gale went on.

 

“...When she cried... it was because of you. She cried a lot. She always longed for you... always gathered strength for you. That pitiful image is still vivid. How sorry she was...”

 

There were countless things I wanted to say, but those were meaningless questions to ask Gale.

 

Why did she leave me? Why did she inflict so much pain? Why did she make such a sorry choice?

 

Gale couldn’t answer those questions.

 

So instead, I asked what I could.

 

“...Why are you telling me this now?”

 

“...”

 

“What’s the point in bringing up a finished relationship? What’s your reason for making excuses for someone-”

 

Gale interrupted.

 

“-It’s not that.”

 

He looked at me with a pained expression.

 

He then whispered softly.

 

“...This isn’t for the Saintess’ sake.”

 

“...”

 

“It’s for you. So that... you can forgive yourself. It seems your deepest wound hasn’t yet healed.”

 

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

 

I couldn’t respond.

 

“...You must have blamed yourself a lot, haven’t you?”

 

As the tension in my shoulders gradually eased, Gale finished speaking, came over, and lightly patted my shoulder.

 

Then, for the first time, he was the one to walk away from me.

 

****

 

Felix, mounted on his horse, looked over the formation.

 

He didn’t need to say anything to know what the group of heroes was thinking.

 

The soldiers’ morale was low.

 

The humans, usually known for their passion, seemed more subdued than ever.

 

Moreover, their numbers were not substantial.

 

Of course, dispersing the soldiers was a strategic decision, but the start felt shaky.

 

Felix sighed and said.

 

“...We need to muster courage.”

 

The saintess looked at him.

 

Clearly, she was also objectively aware of the current situation.

 

The war was unstable, and it was uncertain if they could seize the upper hand.

 

But it was also clear there was no turning back.

 

They couldn’t afford to waste any more time here.

 

News of defeats from various parts of the nation was coming in.

 

Acran spoke to Felix.

 

“...Still, if everyone acts as planned, things should work out fine.”

 

Felix closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

 

“...I really hope they do.”

 

For the plan to succeed, everyone needed to follow it precisely.

 

The sons of the Jackson family must lead their soldiers and appear at the right moment.

 

-Thud...!

 

Just then, a figure emerged from the forest, cutting through the trees in the distance.

 

Felix took a deep breath.

 

Then, casting aside his previous anxiety and distrust, he spoke decisively.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Acran and Sylphrien nodded in agreement.

 

At the same time, the saintess began to recite a prayer.

 

A bright light spread out from around her.

 

The soldiers gazed at the light in awe.

 

Felix whispered.

 

“...Mand, god of courage. Lend us strength.”

 

Then he drew his holy sword.

 

Light also burst forth from the sword.

 

Felix shouted.

 

“Forward!”

 

And then, like a true hero, he was the first to charge into battle.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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