Chapter 45

Lambert was walking alone through the "Forest of the Lost," a vast expanse of trees that stretched endlessly, where the magic field was skewed, rendering magical compasses and other direction-finding tools useless. This was why it was called the "Forest of the Lost." A few people attempted to cross the forest each year, but none had ever succeeded. Moreover, it was not uncommon for former adventurers turned criminals, who could no longer enter or leave the city, to base their bandit activities in the forest. However, without exception, they were killed by the various monsters, their bodies left to the evil spirits, and they wandered the forest as corpses.

Lambert, being an undead, did not need to eat or feel fatigue, so the vastness of the forest was not a significant problem for him. If he lost his way, he could simply keep walking straight and eventually find his way out. With this mindset, he continued to move forward.

The reason Lambert visited the "Forest of the Lost" was that it was the shortest route from the city of Ainzas to the city of Baraila. Lambert, who had been a general in the Regios Kingdom, was concerned about the anti-state organization known as the "Piper Demons," which had been mentioned during the Obock Earl's incident. The head of the Obock family had been involved, and Lambert believed that the "Piper Demons" were seriously planning to overthrow the Regios Kingdom, and the Obock Earl had invested in them because he thought they had a chance of success. Even if the times had changed, this was a situation that Lambert, as a former general, could not ignore.

Baraila was one of the most important cities in the Regios Kingdom. In the event of an external attack, the numerous adventurers in Baraila could quickly come to the aid of the kingdom. Additionally, the city's rapid economic growth and thriving commerce made it a significant asset.

If the "Piper Demons" knew that the Regios Kingdom had increased its vigilance, they might target a place like Baraila first. There were also rumors of suspicious-looking individuals being seen in Baraila recently. Even if it turned out to be a wild goose chase, Baraila, with its many adventurers, was an ideal place to gather information about the "Piper Demons." For these reasons, Lambert decided to head to Baraila.

As Lambert walked through the forest, a cluster of fallen leaves rose up, forming a grotesque monster that resembled a human made of mud. Its decayed, rotting skin revealed green, discolored eyes. It was the corpse of a former adventurer, now wandering the forest.

The stench was overwhelming, the voice was horrifying, and the appearance was repulsive. Even seasoned adventurers who were used to seeing corpses would feel nauseous at the sight of such a creature. However, to Lambert, it was just a low-level monster. With a single swing of his greatsword, he severed the upper body from the chest. The shattered bones and rotten flesh scattered, and the wandering corpse collapsed.

Lambert had seen far worse. During the Eight Nations Unification War, there were cruel swordsmen and mad magicians who had done unspeakable things. Some had collected ten thousand poisonous insects for torture, while others had dismembered enemy generals and used white magic to keep them alive, impaling their bodies on poles and displaying them on the battlefield. To Lambert, who had faced such horrors, a mere rotting corpse was almost endearing.

(An undead has appeared... I've been walking without sleep for a week, but perhaps the city is near.)

As he stood there, leaning his greatsword into the ground and lost in thought, he suddenly sensed a living human approaching. He grabbed the head of the wandering corpse and pulled it out of the rotting flesh. Turning around, he threw the head. It hit a distant tree trunk with a "hyau!" and a loud thud, causing the person who had screamed to fall over.

Upon closer inspection, it was a woman, who had collapsed on the ground with her hands raised. She was dressed in light clothing but wore a thick cloak. A yellow-green scarf was wrapped around her head, revealing slightly reddish-brown hair. She wore loose leather gloves and boots. A lute lay at her feet.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop... I'm sorry... But what a splendid sound of the sword! I can tell you are a renowned swordsman... or perhaps I should say, I can hear that you are a renowned swordsman?"

The woman's eyes, which had been closed, opened. They were pale and unique.

"You're blind. Did you come this far alone?"

"My ears are far more perceptive than the eyes of an ordinary person. After all, I make my living with them. I am Alvana, a traveling bard."

Alvana said this, reaching down to touch the lute at her feet and pointing at it.

"As a bard, you don't need to venture into a forest full of monsters."

"Not at all! A forest with magic provides great inspiration, and how can one sing heroic tales without knowing about monsters? We must know many things... and besides, I might meet a fine adventurer, like this."

Alvana said this with a playful tone, trying to stand up and placing her hand on the head of the wandering corpse that Lambert had thrown. She grimaced and rubbed her glove against a nearby tree.

"Oh... ugh... I didn't know what you threw, but... ugh..."

(...She's braver than she looks.)

"I was entranced by your swordsmanship, Sir Swordsman! Could you please allow me to accompany you back to the city?"

(The city is close. She seems a bit suspicious, but it would be helpful to have a guide.)

When Lambert gave his permission, Alvana let out a joyful exclamation.

"Oh! What a relief! I, Alvana, will surely write a heroic tale with you as the model one day!"

Alvana's voice rose, and she clenched her fist tightly, raising it to the sky.

"A heroic tale... Unfortunately, that doesn't suit me."

"Oh no, that's not true at all! I have a good ear for people. I'm certain you will achieve great things, Sir Swordsman."