Chapter 23

The collapse of the main tunnel at the Refun Mine caused damage that was by no means acceptable. After all, the abundant iron resources from this mine had become a crucial source of income for the war-torn Duchy of Myard. Even the once barbaric and powerful Haizelk Empire showed a certain level of consideration for the miners living in the mining town of Refun. While there were many simple laborers, the essence of the group was a collection of advanced technicians. Even if the mine were seized, if all the miners were killed, who would carry out the mining? The list of specialized skills, including surveying, excavation, and blacksmithing, was endless, and it would be impossible to find a replacement for such a group of craftsmen.

A request for the immediate dispatch of a healing mage was made, and Ayane responded to the request. In addition to her usual bodyguards, six mounted guards surrounded the carriage. Worm, who had completed his healing and was now in a state of limbo regarding his affiliation and role, also joined the procession. According to Justus, who had pushed for the additional security, there was no one more suitable for the task. The brigade commander, who had always been harsh in his use of people, had not changed from Dandueg.

"Guardian, once we pass that pass, it's the Refun Mine."

"Finally."

The Haizelk-born bodyguard, who was riding alongside, announced this. He was likely trying to be considerate of his former compatriot, but his words also conveyed concern. After all, since being conscripted as a light infantryman, Worm had no experience riding horses. The only experience he had was being a statue on the back of a carriage. When Worm, who had been assigned a horse, solemnly admitted he had never ridden one, the scene was filled with an awkward silence. In the end, Jusdan, who was in charge of the bodyguards from Felius, sighed and said, "A knight who can't ride a horse...?"

Worm, an imperial knight, endured the humiliation of receiving riding lessons in front of the public. His sense of shame was severely tested. He managed to mount the horse by imitation and made it all the way to Refun, but the price was a dull pain in his buttocks. During his infantry days, he had envied the cavalry so much, but now he longed for the solid ground.

"I can see it. Refun... It's bad."

A voice escaped from Jusdan, who was leading the way. As they passed the peak of the mountain road, Worm also winced at the scene that unfolded. The Riguria Battalion had once used Refun as a playground. During their retreat to the Sarajevo Fortress, they had tried various forms of harassment and were familiar with the surrounding geography. However, the terrain now was drastically different from his memories. The bald mountain, which had been riddled with tunnels, had caved in like a sand hill trampled by a child.

"Let's head to the local treatment center."

No one objected to Jusdan's suggestion. The earth, saturated with rainwater, was marked with numerous wheel tracks. The river flowing through the mountains had increased in speed due to the flood, roaring as it flowed. Parts of the banks were gouged out as if chewed by sharp jaws. The bridge leading to the mining town had not collapsed, a testament to the skill of the mining engineers who built it. Some of the compacted streets were covered with debris, and the residents were working to clear it away.

The pungent, earthy smell permeated the town. The treatment center, which also served as a church, stood in a corner near the mine, far from the town center. It was built on the side of the mine to quickly transport injured miners. While there was a larger treatment center in a mountain fortress that could accommodate many soldiers and exert influence over the surrounding area, it was too far from the collapsed tunnel.

The wheels splashed mud, and the exhausted horses snorted as the carriage came to a stop. Without waiting for a welcome, shadows leaped from the back of the carriage. Of course, it was Ayane and Mia.

"If you won't listen to us telling you to wait, at least let us guide you!"

Worm was not the only one who panicked. Jusdan, who was in charge of the bodyguards, leaped from his saddle. The imperial knight, unaccustomed to riding, was delayed by the pain in his buttocks and the instability. He felt a sense of reliability and a hint of loneliness as the bodyguards surrounded and followed Ayane. There was no point in indulging in trivial sentiments. Worm dismounted awkwardly, entrusted his horse to the remaining Myard cavalry, and followed inside.

◆

"Move the instruments."

"Okay, cover it."

Most of the injured brought in had bruises and fractures. Among them, the more seriously injured had internal injuries and internal bleeding due to the weight of the debris. Mia cut open the wounds, using water magic to clean the contaminated areas and remove foreign objects. Ayane, by her side, healed the treated areas. There were other healing mages accompanying them, but they could not keep up with the two's speed. There was no room for anyone to interfere with their seamless coordination.

Worm moved to guard outside. There were many magic users who usually worked in the mines, so he did not need to interfere with tasks like cleaning and sterilizing the instruments. The thick rain clouds that had caused the disaster were now drifting away into the distance. The number of people surrounding the building had decreased. As Ayane and the others became more proficient in treating the seriously injured, resources were now being allocated to the lightly injured who were lying outside.

"Master Jidore, this way."

"Just a little longer. It seems healers from Celta have come."

"Really, thank you, thank you so much."

Still, many were buried alive. A group of mud-covered miners carried a patient with one arm and one leg immobilized with splints. They seemed experienced in handling the injured, as the patient was on a makeshift stretcher made of clothing and poles. The mixture of dry white mud and wet mud stains revealed how tirelessly they had been working to save lives. Even in a world where ordinary people were surprisingly resilient, a considerable amount of time had passed since the disaster. How many more people would be brought in, still breathing?

"Are you slacking off, knight?"

The one who called out to the despondent Worm was Jusdan, a former Felius Kingdom soldier. He had posted his subordinates to guard inside and was now on external alert.

"I'm serious, that's my strong point."

"Looks like it."

Worm and Jusdan both moved their eyes busily, observing their surroundings. The two soldiers talking without looking at each other might have seemed odd to an outsider.

"You seem more like a seasoned infantryman than a knight."

It was a pointed comment. Worm had become a knight by chance, but his background was that of a farmer's family who had never known war. His original role was to till the land. He did not know how to ride a horse or how to behave as a knight. It was only natural that he seemed out of place.

"In Haizelk, even infantry can become knights."

"Infantry, huh. You say that so easily... Well, I guess if you kill enough, you can become one."

Worm frowned at the veiled words. This bodyguard had a unique air about him, typical of someone who had been on the battlefield. The natural enemy of the Felius soldiers was none other than the Haizelk Empire.

"Did you meet on the battlefield?"

"Not directly. My encampment on a hill was burned down."

When Worm crawled out of the hill that had become a tomb in Sarajevo, he had burned the sleeping encampments of the Four Nations Alliance, including the Felius Kingdom. It was not surprising if there were survivors from that night. He narrowed his eyes carefully, trying to gauge Jusdan's intentions.

"You have a pretty scary face. At first, I thought you were the same person from back then—ah, you really are."

Their eyes met. Whether it was the aura he exuded or the eyes he possessed, Jusdan seemed convinced that the knight who had burned the Sarajevo Fortress and Worm were the same person.

"Do you plan to take revenge?"

"Now? Even if you were an enemy, we are allies now. It's been two years too late."

"Considering that, you're talking to me now."

Revenge is not something that easily fades. There are those who wait a century underground for the chance to avenge themselves. Worm had learned this from the turmoil in Gundor.

"…It's more like a complaint. Can't you let me vent a little, Haizelk knight, after being burned by blue flames?"

"If you say that, I can't ignore it."

Whether he liked it or not, Worm was a knight of the empire, even if it was an honorary position without real power.

"Ha… If you were a clear-cut bastard, I might have tried to sneak an attack, but it's impossible. It would cause trouble for Lady Ayane."

In the end, only a sigh escaped. Worm, who had braced himself for a torrent of complaints, was taken aback.

"You're a difficult one."

"I don't want to hear that from you… Hey, didn't you used to be Lady Ayane's bodyguard?"

"Thanks to that, I managed to keep my rank as Guardian."

"Out of respect for the same protective duty. How about sharing some old stories? I was in the Felius Kingdom's Royal Guard. In Sarajevo, we were sent from the capital to save a losing country. As you know, it didn't go well. We crawled back to the capital, and what happened to the country—no, what the country did—was that great rampage. King Felius had lost his younger brother and was in a state of madness. Still, as a member of the Royal Guard, I intended to be the sword and shield of the king and the country."

From his usual demeanor, Worm had a vague sense that the man in front of him was not just a common soldier. If he was a member of the highly trained and educated Royal Guard of the Felius Kingdom, it made sense.

"But, when the fall of the capital was imminent, all I did was flee. I picked up my subordinates and their families and ran. When I realized the country was over, my resolve crumbled. It was a cheap resolve, not something to laugh about."

Despite his words, he wore a light, insincere smile, but his eyes did not reflect it.

"In the end, I lost my ship and my subordinates near Celta. I literally washed up on the peninsula and became a shell of a person. I had no motivation to do anything. When my wounds were about to fester, I met Lady Ayane. She healed everyone, friend or foe, and I thought she was a hypocrite. But as I lived on, I realized something. Those who couldn't be saved were just envious of those who could be saved. After that, I became her bodyguard. I thought I might risk my life again. She believes that by staying in Myard, she can serve as a deterrent. It's not as light as it sounds, but I want to protect her."

"You're a romantic… I envy you."

"Envy, huh. I'm not asking for anything in return, but when Lady Ayane heard that an imperial knight was returning, she only talked about your old stories. It feels a bit better now."

It was a bitter smile, but it was the first time Worm had laughed with a Felius soldier.

'Turbid Eyes: Haizelk War Chronicles'

The fourth chapter of the manga version has been updated on Nico Nico Seiga.

Please read it at the following URL:

https://sp.seiga.nicovideo.jp/watch/mg659985