Chapter 60

In the middle of the mountain slope.

As the cart moved along the path that followed the ridge, the opposite face of the mountain finally came into view.

"...Well, it's a good thing we can see it."

Miguel, who had been squinting to look, raised his hand.

Beyond the winding and gently sloping valleys and ridges,

a pale blue light peeked out from behind the mountain slope.

"That river is the border. If we follow this road and go straight down, cross over there... huh."

Miguel's brows furrowed as he shifted his gaze.

Lucy, who had been looking at the scenery, turned to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, the land beyond is supposed to be abandoned, but it looks a bit different from what I remember."

Miguel scratched his bearded cheek and added,

"In my memory, there was a road along the river, and beyond that, a wasteland. The forest was beyond the wasteland. ...But now, I can see the forest right across the river."

"..."

Lucy narrowed her eyes and took in the landscape across the river.

She could faintly see the grayish land and trees.

"Maybe the trees... have grown?"

"In just about ten years?"

"It's supposed to be abandoned land."

Ian interjected.

"Nothing would be strange if something happened. Besides, to me, it looks like..."

His eyes darkened strangely as he pondered.

"Looks like what?"

"...No, there's nothing good for you to know."

Ian turned his gaze away and leaned his head against the backrest.

Miguel sighed and muttered,

"Well, ignorance is bliss. We've come this far, and we're not turning back just because it feels ominous."

Lucy gazed at Miguel's profile.

His face, though not visibly so due to his harsh features and beard, had become much thinner and more haggard compared to the beginning.

Though he had never said it, Lucy already knew he was utterly exhausted.

Ian was the same.

Though he looked no different on the surface, he must have been exhausted after always leading the way.

Even she, who did nothing but sit and lie down, found it tiring, so how much more must they have suffered?

'In the end, it's all because of me.'

Lucy reached the same conclusion again.

I'm just a burden.

This fact was increasingly weighing on her heart.

Being young and weak was no excuse.

Of course, Ian and Miguel didn't think that way.

On the contrary, because of that, she wanted to be of some help to them.

But she didn't voice this wish.

At that moment, it would just sound like the impulsive words of a child.

"..."

So Lucy simply looked down at her hands.

Hands that couldn't even produce a spark.

This fact, beyond frustrating, was now even resentful.

'I can do it. I will do it.'

Clenching her teeth, Lucy focused all her attention again.

"By the way, just in case."

Ian, leaning his head against the backrest, suddenly spoke.

"If I fall behind, don't stop and keep running."

"...Why are you saying such ominous things all of a sudden?"

Miguel frowned.

Ian added nonchalantly,

"I don't feel good. It's been too quiet these past few days. Usually, when it's this quiet, something big is coming."

"Bro, please... sigh..."

Miguel closed his eyes tightly.

It was a natural reaction, given that Ian was saying all the unlucky things.

"The pursuers probably know us well by now. Some might think they can catch Lucy if I'm gone."

"..."

"So if something happens and I fall behind, don't stop and keep running. If the cart breaks...,"

Ian picked up the backpack next to him and tossed it to Miguel.

"Carry Lucy and ride the horse. The supplies in there should last a few days."

Only then did Miguel realize the purpose of the backpack Ian had prepared recently, raising an eyebrow.

"Then... what about you?"

"Don't say that like I'm going to die. I'll finish things and catch up. So run as far as you can. And if your life is in danger... use what you keep in your boot."

"..."

Miguel, who had momentarily stopped breathing, finally spoke.

"You knew?"

"How could I not know when you start feeling around your ankle when something happens?"

Ian chuckled and continued,

"No matter who they are, they won't hurt Lucy. But you're different. So if you have no choice, use it and find your way to the Temple of Fire."

"Then, what about Lucy...?"

"I'll get her back. The longer you can run, the easier it will be for me. It's better if they don't catch you."

"..."

"I'm just talking about the worst-case scenario. It's not bad to be prepared. It might not happen."

Miguel let out a resigned laugh.

"When you say it like that, it usually happens."

"So remember that. There's a way for no one to die."

"But... Lucy will suffer."

"She can handle it. She's stronger than she looks."

In the worst-case scenario, everyone has to make some sacrifices.

Ian's words, though seemingly cold, were rooted in his trust in Lucy. Miguel nodded silently.

A brief silence followed.

The silence was broken, not by a voice, but by a sound.

Whoosh-

"!"

A small flame rose from Lucy's hand.

Lucy's eyes widened.

Ian and Miguel turned their gazes to her hand simultaneously.

"I... I did it! I did it!"

Lucy, unable to hide the tremor in her eyes, looked at them.

"Well, I knew you'd do it, so I'm not surprised. Congratulations, Inseok."

Miguel, despite his words, grinned widely, while Ian nodded.

"So, how did you do it?"

"By accident... I was so frustrated and angry, and suddenly I felt like I could do it."

Puff-

The flame died down as soon as Lucy answered.

Ian smiled as he watched her gaze at her hand in vain.

"It seems to be affected by your emotions."

"Emotions?"

"It's just a guess. It's still unstable. Are you dizzy?"

"No. Last time I was, but now I feel nothing."

"Hmm..."

Ian was impressed again.

In fact, he couldn't sense any magic power from Lucy at all.

Even while she was producing the flame, there was no magic power in her eyes.

'Is she directly drawing and burning the magic power from the air?'

He felt a bit envious.

He couldn't understand how it was possible.

...This is why I should have chosen elemental affinity or magic bloodline traits.

While thinking this, Ian's hand, which had been ruffling Lucy's hair, stopped.

Behind the cart, he saw a faint smile on his face as he surveyed the shallow valley.

"I had a feeling I should say this now."

In this sense, intuition is a useful trait.

Miguel turned to him.

"You don't mean...?"

"Yeah. Miguel, speed up the cart. Prepare the magic stones in advance."

"We only have enough for one more use now."

"That's enough. It should be decided within a day at most."

Ian stood up.

A series of riders appeared on the ridge in the distance, as if sensing his gaze, and started to ride.

***

"Be careful not to fall off your horses! It would be the worst if all of you fall off!"

"Hey, knights, clear the way!"

More than forty riders sped away at a fierce pace.

Charlotte's buttocks bounced on the saddle as she watched them from behind.

The charge was led by the knights of Agel Ran and the mercenaries following them.

Charlotte and the other members of the Libra Caravan were still waiting near Javier's cart.

"..."

Charlotte licked her lips and looked at Oleg and Javier.

Javier's eyes were calm.

Despite his enthusiasm during the pursuit, he now seemed indifferent.

This was probably a merchant's habit.

"Don't forget that they are the ones who killed Kyle and Kenneth. Don't get excited and lead the charge. Use the hounds to assess their strength properly. I don't want any more losses."

"...Yes."

"Understood."

Charlotte and Oleg replied.

"I hope they don't cross the river. Of course, I won't set foot on that cursed land."

"It probably won't happen, but don't worry and wait here."

Oleg, speaking calmly, exchanged a glance with Charlotte and added,

"We will definitely retrieve the target."

"Try to return before nightfall if possible."

Javier's gaze, which had been following the riders, finally stopped.

They were almost catching up to the cart.

"It's about to start. Join them."

Charlotte, as if waiting for this, grabbed the reins.

Javier added at that moment.

"Charlotte. Don't forget our goal."

"..."

Our goal, you mean.

Thinking this, Charlotte nodded and rode off.

Half of the guards followed her and Oleg.

"Oleg."

When Javier's cart was far enough away, Charlotte spoke.

Oleg, looking at her without surprise, asked,

"Master of the Sword?"

"Yeah. He's mine. So you take care of the girl."

"I don't mind. Do you have a plan?"

"Depending on the situation, I'll take him down. Don't interfere until then. After that, do as you see fit."

"The boss won't like it."

"Chase me. Besides, I don't listen to anyone weaker than me."

"Yeah, yeah. You don't listen to money either."

Charlotte growled.

Oleg, laughing, widened the gap.

"Keep the distance! Let the hounds tear the cart apart! Don't forget the boss's orders!"

His subordinates rode ahead.

Charlotte, who had been glaring at Oleg, turned her gaze away.

She had never expected humans to understand her.

Of course, she stayed by Javier's side despite knowing his disgusting intentions, all for the money.

But the fact that she could unleash her wild nature without worrying about consequences was an equally big reason.

Her instincts always craved hunting and bloodshed.

Even if she eventually met a stronger predator and lost her life.

'...No regrets. As long as I don't lose my tail.'

"Stay close to the cart!"

"Take that guy down first!"

The mercenaries' shouts were now close.

Charlotte, suppressing her excitement, looked at the cart.

More specifically, at the black-haired man, Ian Hope, who was performing acrobatics on top of the cart's partition.

Whoosh-

He easily dodged a spear flying towards him and grabbed it with his hand.

"Wh-What?!"

The mercenary, losing his balance, was pulled in by Ian's gesture.

Ian let go of the spear immediately.

"Ugh-!"

The mercenary rolled on the ground.

A large shadow loomed over him.

Crack!

Charlotte's eyes sparkled as she watched the mercenary being trampled by a galloping horse.

'Starting off well, I like it.'

Meanwhile, Ian leaped and mounted the horse of the fallen mercenary.

"Ian-!"

Someone shouted and charged.

Shining armor.

A knight of Agel Ran.

"You dirty traitor! How much did we trust you!"

Ian's face twisted into a sneer as he turned to look at him.

His voice pierced Charlotte's sensitive ears.

"I never asked for your trust."

"Die-!"

The knight charged.

Ian, in a precarious position, dodged his attack and swung his sword.

Despite the distance.

Crack!

The knight's body, which the sword had grazed, staggered.

His armor was visibly dented.

'Magic...? Magic weapon...?'

Charlotte's eyes narrowed.

She maintained a considerable distance from the cart and observed Ian, not because of Javier's orders.

This was a kind of foreplay.

The better the meal, the more you should savor it until the last bite.

Swoosh-

"Ugh...!"

"Don't go in front of the cart! The driver's crossbow reloads fast!"

Charlotte didn't even glance at the small commotion in front of the cart.

She was being drawn deeper into Ian.

Crack!

'His movements are decisive... '

"What the hell, die-?!"

Squish-

'He doesn't hesitate to make bold moves. They're almost reckless.'

She took in every detail of Ian and the mercenaries he was killing.

'He's not a Master of the Sword. But... that makes him even more intriguing. What is he...?'

Charlotte licked her lips.

Her mouth watered more and more.

Conversely, her eyes grew more and more sinister.

This meant she recognized Ian as a formidable opponent.

'He must be hiding something that Kyle and Kenneth deserved. This can't be all there is.'

From that moment on, she focused all her attention on Ian.

That's why she didn't immediately notice the group waiting at the end of the valley.

"...What are those?"

Only when Ian muttered, looking ahead, did Charlotte turn in the same direction.

Dozens of riders were charging.

"Block the road! Spread out!"

Hearing the shout of what seemed to be a commander, Charlotte finally curled her lips into a sneer.

To her, it was almost a surprise gift.

It might allow her to see Ian's true strength sooner.