Chapter 41

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Gilbert and Lionel exchanged glances and, together with Lord Kelvim and the private soldiers, headed to the church where the injured were being brought to check the situation. A priest who had been tending to the healing approached with a troubled expression.

"That person's injuries are not from an undead beast."

"...Is that true?"

"Yes. There was nothing that required purification, only cuts and marks from being beaten. And the injuries to the legs seem to have been sustained from jumping from a high place and landing."

"Could they have fought someone or perhaps been attacked and fled?"

"Can we get them to talk?"

"Their condition is severe, and they have not yet regained consciousness."

Everyone present let out a heavy sigh.

"...If it wasn't an undead beast, then what happened..."

"The northern checkpoint was sealed, but there is a larger commercial checkpoint to the south. It is originally the center of trade in the north. Since it is a route for merchants, it shouldn't be unmanned."

"Yes, head there at dawn tomorrow."

Lord Kelvim nodded at the suggestion of the private soldiers. Then he turned and exchanged glances with Lionel and the others.

"...With this unsettling news, let's focus on solving the immediate problem first."

"Of course. We'll wait for more information about the Jiemerald territory."

They all exchanged glances and nodded, then prepared again to eliminate the undead beasts.

◆◆◆

In the light rain, a group of undead beasts, sealed by a barrier cast by a priest, were found about half a day's travel from the city of the Kelvim territory. They resembled aquatic creatures, similar to those that had attacked the village.

To dispel the unsettling anxiety amidst the unclear movements of the Jiemerald territory, the private soldiers, mercenaries, and priests all had high morale. Their thorough preparations paid off, and the undead beasts were eliminated much earlier than expected.

"...So, Old Dolf, what kind of weapon does Gilbert have?"

Away from the group celebrating the victory, Lionel asked Dolf, who was standing beside him without making eye contact. Gilbert, who was being congratulated by his comrades for the successful elimination of the undead beasts, held a battle axe. The blade was still wrapped in a small lightning bolt, faintly glowing in the dim, rainy sky.

"Hmm... Did I do something?"

Dolf turned away, answering with a feigned voice.

"...Well, it's probably something I don't need to know. But you could have told me."

"I'm sorry. Careless words can make things worse. Even if it was to you, I hesitated to say it. ...But, as they say, you can't put a lock on a person's mouth. It will spread eventually..."

In front of them, many in the group celebrating the victory were looking at Gilbert's battle axe with curious or questioning expressions. The mercenaries who knew the situation were trying to divert the conversation, but it wouldn't last long.

"...Yeah."

Then Lionel, with a proud yet bitter smile, watched Gilbert running over.

"I've been so focused on the battle and protecting the people that I failed to protect something else. I realize that now."

His low voice was tinged with regret.

"You can only protect so much with one person. Don't blame yourself."

Lionel remained silent in response to Dolf's words of comfort.

"We still don't know what the king or Jiemerald is up to. For now, we'll do what we can with our own hands."

Finally, Lionel nodded at Dolf's words.

As for Gilbert, he still seemed to genuinely believe that Dolf had done something to the battle axe. When told to leave it alone, Lionel smiled wryly. As soon as they returned to the carriage, he tousled his half-brother's hair, who was carefree about the dinner Flora was making, just as the mercenaries did.

After securing the safety of the northern Kelvim territory, the carriage returned to the city where Flora and the others were waiting.