Chapter 26.6

The next morning, the birds’ chirping could be heard, echoing from the foothill.

I feel that the air is cleaner than the area around the base, probably because of the endless greenery here.

On the riverbanks I was investigating yesterday, I spread the experimental tool I prepared.

“Louie-san, are you investigating today as well?”

“Mn. I got some results from what I collected yesterday, but I want to investigate it a little more…”

I answered while shaking the test tube.

I only brought a simple tool, but the results are a little clearer now.

Seems like the dirt in the river isn’t natural dirt.

The water seems to be domestic, but there are signs of chemical substances.

“Hey, can’t we go to the top of the waterfall?”

‘Since the water here is a little too thin’, I thought.

I want to…confirm what causative substance may be up there.

Thinking so, I asked Lance.

“I haven’t been there too much. My dad had inadvertently crossed the mountain once and said it was dangerous.”

“I see…”

If you climb up the mountain, you’d be trespassing in the neighbouring country.

It’s impossible to cross without any preparation because the mountain is steep.

If you get lost on the border, it will be difficult.

“Louie-san, do you want to go that badly?”

“If possible…I think I’ll be able to understand why the water is dirty really soon.”

“…”

Lance gave it a thought.

“Okay! I haven’t climbed it yet because I was warned by my dad, but I know the way up.”

“Really!?”

“There’s a cave in the waterfall. You can see a light beyond that. You can climb the rock inside to go up.”

Lance took the lead and entered from the side of the waterfall.

When I followed him, I saw the cave he was talking about.

“Wow, this is awesome.”

“Right? It looks like a secret base.”

As Lance was laughing, I felt that his adventurous spirit was suitable for him at his age.

I would’ve been so excited if I found a place like this when I was a kid too.

“Uwah-”

Lance held my waist to prevent me from slipping.

“Louie-san, it’s slippery here, be careful.”

“T-thanks…”

Being taken care of by a child who’s two times younger than me is so pathetic.

‘Maybe I should train with the knights a little…’

I thought to myself, but I could only see myself becoming a monk 3 days before it actually happens.*

(T/N: Aha we have no idea what he’s tryna say but yuh,,)

After climbing up for a while, we slowly inched closer to the light.

There was a big hole and when I climbed into it, I came out onto a large riverbank.

“I think we’re around the middle of the mountain.”

“He-eh…We sure did climb a lot.”

I might find out more about this situation if I collect the water from the river here.

Thinking so, I felt motivated.

As I worked hard to collect it, Lance began to look around.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard…a sound.”

“Eh?”

When I listened carefully, I heard human voices along with the sound of the splashing water.

“Are there people from the village around here?”

“No way…More like most of the people won’t climb here. I don’t think anyone knows this cave path.”

“Then…”

They might be people from the neighbouring country.

“Hey…It might be dangerous. Let’s quickly go back down.”

“Ahh, I was able to collect what I needed.”

The moment the two of us turned our heels, we heard something hit the tree right next to us.

As I turned to check, a sharp knife was stuck onto it.

“What is this~? Humans from the village?”

Lance and I turned back, paled.

A strongly built man dressed like a bandit stood there with a knife.

Their clothes were filthy, but their eyes gleamed with joy.

There were small ear cuffs on their earlobes…it was jewelry often worn in the neighbouring country.

“L-Lance…Let’s run.”

When I took a step back, the man was closed in.

“Ah? Ain’t this man a rare find? His skin is pure white.”

“Eek-”

I was grabbed by the arm, his vile stench made my stomach curl.

Disgusted, I squirmed helplessly, but I couldn’t shake him off.

“Louie-sa-!”

“Shut up, kid.”

Lance tried to get in between the man and me, but he was immediately kicked and made to kneel on the ground.

I turned pale and tried to get closer, but he grasped my arm too tightly and I could only reach out to him.

Immediately after, Lance got kicked in the stomach, making him vomit.

They’re not even knights, doing such cruel things to an innocent 12 year old…!

Lance desperately held back the pain, grabbing his stomach, as he tried to get closer to me.

“L-Louie-san-…!”

“Lance! It’s okay…!”

As I struggled, another man appeared from the shade of a tree.

A rough looking man with similar trinkets—–No doubt, a companion.

The feeling of despair overtook my body.

“What happened? Someone’s here?”

“Ahh, these village guys climbed up here. They’re so unlucky.”

Grabbing my waist, the man placed his foot on Lance’s back.

“Stop it!”

When I shouted, another man stared at me.

With his gaze fixed on me, I couldn’t help but feel suffocated…

“Oh, isn’t he a beauty? You’re going to kill him? Such a waste.”

“Throw this guy in the hut. Let’s play with him later.”

When I heard the man’s words as he forcibly grabbed my ass, I felt my blood go cold.

I desperately pushed his hand away, but towards my resistance that wasn’t even as strong as a mosquito’s, he easily twisted my arm.

I should’ve listened to Caesar’s warning.

I gnashed my teeth when I saw Lance, who fainted, thrown out like baggage.