Chapter 22

Chapter 22

When doing rough work outdoors like war or hunting, there were a few necessary items. One was gloves, and the other was sturdy shoes.

If one lifted heavy things or handled rough objects without gloves, hands would be skinned or fingernails would peel off, which was a common occurrence.

The reason sturdy shoes were needed was that there was no situation more embarrassing than having holes in shoes in the field. Since there was nowhere to get new ones immediately.

Therefore, shoes with tough leather and sturdy soles that could withstand walking on rough terrain were important.

Besides that, coats or cloaks were important in preparation for sleeping outdoors. As for food, well, since they weren't leaving for a real war, wouldn't it be enough to pack just a little of personally necessary things.

Bolka explained such contents lengthily in front of several people.

But everyone was apathetic as it was content they all knew. Accordingly, Bolka also made a face that the excitement was spoiled.

"......Ah, a dagger is also essential. It's needed a lot here and there. Ricky, you originally have a dagger so it's fine...... Is there nothing more to say?"

A dagger was a tool used a lot in real life as well as a weapon. The difference between having it and not having it was big.

Rickart, who was quietly listening to Bolka's explanation while wearing newly bought gloves and boots, thought that preparations hadn't changed particularly significantly compared to a hundred years ago.

Rickart would know better about such parts if anything, and in fact, strictly speaking, Bolka was still immature.

Still, he was the leader using the title of Captain. Even though he was a close friend, Rickart thought he should respect his position and authority in public, so he didn't interrupt, add to, or interfere with his words recklessly.

The students currently participating in the request were a total of 14. Rickart, Bolka, Molti, four female students and two male students he didn't know, and the Ice Gang of five.

Just as the adventurer guild consisted of several clans, they were naturally divided into three groups now.

Rickart, Bolka, and Molti were one group, four female students and two male students were one group, and the Ice Gang was one group.

Still, superficially, they were one team supported by the Academy.

"So what is the content of the request?"

One male student he didn't know asked Bolka with a blunt face. He was a student who used to receive tribute money in the past, but was living quietly now.

Students tended to accept the result of the match well, so there hadn't been any particular trouble or backlash meanwhile. Because everyone knew well that life was precious without learning it.

"As told before, just taking the heads of deserters. Heard quite a lot deserted. Still, since we are support where possible, we have to join the Yakt Clan first. The meeting place is our guild's hideout on the outskirts of Griffinswald. Anyone knows where Griffinswald is?"

Two or three raised their hands. Bolka explained for those who didn't know since he didn't ask because he didn't know.

"It's not that far from here. It takes about two days to the southeast. If we march hard, we can arrive in about a day, but since there is still a week left until the meeting date, there is some leeway. I'd like to leave tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, any other opinions?"

Bolka definitely had leadership. There were various types of leadership, and in Bolka's case, he seemed to be the type to listen to members' opinions actively.

After gathering opinions, setting a goal that everyone accepts to make members follow voluntarily. It was good leadership. Shouting or being coercive was also one of leadership types.

However, everyone didn't offer any particular opinion. Because they were still a bit awkward with each other.

But Bolka asked looking at Ice.

"Ice, you, nothing to say?"

Ice just shook his head. But the female students looking at him had expressions as if dreaming. Since he was unrealistically handsome to that extent.

And the four students going with him were also formidable pretty boys.

As Ice kept only silence as usual, Rickart asked.

"By the way, I have a curiosity, how did you become rank 1?"

As Rickart, the current rank 1, asked such a question, the atmosphere became strange contrary to intention. Because the two hadn't fought directly.

Ice looked at Rickart quietly and answered.

"Just."

"By the way, you are really handsome. Descendant of an Elf or something?"

"Don't know."

The answers kept being short.

"Do you hate talking to me?"

"......"

Ice turned his head and shut his mouth as if he didn't want to continue the conversation anymore.

He says he hates talking, what can be done. Rickart didn't feel particularly bad, but there was a separate uncomfortable point.

The reason Rickart bothered to talk was that he thought some degree of bond was needed for each other since they were doing something similar to a military operation.

After all, it was a job handling weapons, and since life was at stake, they had to be able to trust each other in all sorts of emergency situations.

If such a situation occurred, there was no time to think this and that and make judgments. Just trusting and charging, or even if running away, could run away together.

But since there was no connection with the Ice Gang other than being students of the same Academy, he couldn't know if he could trust these guys or not.

Rather, if knew in advance that they were guys who couldn't be trusted, could be wary at least, but the Ice Gang was utterly unknowable.

Bolka looked at the Ice Gang quietly as if knowing Rickart's intention of bothering to talk, and said.

"They'll allow it. Then let's decide to leave tomorrow."

As the conclusion was reached, Ice and the gang left the seat without looking back. Other students also left the seat.

Rickart, Bolka, and Molti, the three remained alone. The three people roamed the city and bought various necessary things. Potions, herbs, bandages, travel food, etc.

They had to buy these with private money, and Rickart paid most of the cost. Consequently, almost no money remained in hand.

The next day, Rickart left the Academy and headed to a place called Griffinswald.

Molti carried the luggage, the bag was big enough to cover his wide back entirely, and the weapons he used were a one-handed hatchet and a shield. The helmet and round shield were tied and fixed to the bag.

Rickart also wore a cloak since they didn't know if they might camp, and covered the body so others couldn't see his equipment state.

The Ice Gang, all five, were wearing pitch-black cloaks. Looked like some Death Knights appearing in fairy tales or something.

Other students' cloaks were also dark brown or dark colors, but Rickart alone stood out because it was bright red.

Students wore thick coats even though the weather was a bit warm. Because that was a substitute for armor.

Weapons, armor, and horses were endlessly expensive if they were expensive. Metal armor was still a dream they couldn't even dream of, and helmets were as expensive as armor. Because helmets required high refining technology instead of using less iron.

So what was used a lot for daily use and combat use was an outer garment called a Gambeson filled with cotton inside. Unless one was a knight or a rich mercenary, most wore this.

Molti alone possessed a helmet, which wasn't bought because he had money but was a gift from the blacksmiths of the smithy wishing for Molti's martial luck.

Anyway, the Academy students equipped themselves with full preparation in their own way and set out on the road to support the adventurers.

Bolka took the lead as the Captain of reinforcements, the rest of the kids stood in the middle, and the Ice Gang followed in the rear. They didn't set a formation separately, but it just became like that naturally.

Rickart walked the road stretching to the southeast, not the road he came with Sandy.

The road he came with Sandy was a main road so public order was on the better side, but the road stretching to the southeast was unusual from the road itself.

None other than old bones were visible in the roadside grass. Not animal bones, but seemingly human shinbones. Again, he came out to the world where death was close.

Still, perhaps because they selected high ranks, no one got scared seeing that. Just walked silently.

Starting in the morning, when it became around noon, the road led to a forest. The party entered the forest, and it was a peaceful place where sounds of birds chirping were heard. Only looking at the surface.

Since Beringen was a border area in the first place, if unlucky, monsters could appear, so it wasn't a simply safe forest.

Everyone walked being wary of surroundings in their own way. Fortunately, nothing particular happened until the sun set.

Becoming night, the party lit a fire at a suitable campsite where travelers seemed to stay often. There were three fires in total, and three groups of students sat a little apart from each other.

This well, felt like a party but not a party.

Rickart called the female students while slicing ham or cheese with the dagger he used to break opponent's swords and kill people several times.

"Look here. Hey."

Then female students looked back at Rickart, but didn't answer.

"Do you guys also have things like rank?"

"No."

One female student answered.

"Then?"

"We are classes. A bit complex, but looking largely, Maid, Attendant, Lady, Princess roughly. Below Attendant only serve and don't train separately. Training is only for Ladies and Princesses."

It was childish beyond measure. What Lady and Princess with merely bastard or commoner subjects. Of course, Rickart didn't care much about that.

"Then are you guys Princesses, or Ladies?"

"There is no Princess among us."

"Did they remain at the Academy?"

"No. Died. Participating in a request like this time. If we return alive safely from here, maybe we will become Princesses."

Girls are also bloody. By the way, then it meant there was no Princess for a while. In the case of male students, if the top became empty due to rank, one went up automatically, but women weren't like that.

"Is there anything if becoming a Princess?"

"Just feeling best? Our dorm is divided into five rooms unlike yours? You can see Princess as the top of each room. Can do as I please inside the dorm, only I am a kind kid, I am prettiest, I am strongest, things like that become possible."

"......Absurd."

Bolka, who was slicing roasted potato with a knife, muttered. Bolka knew this situation because he dated a female student once, but listening again was absurd.

"Then Maids and Attendants only serve until graduation?"

"If lucky, can serve even after graduating."

"......Lucky? That?"

"Yeah. What will they do to make a living? Face is ugly, no ability either. Anyway abandoned by family all. So no place to return either."

"Right...... Well, true."

It was a bitter reality. Rickart felt pity, but thought there was nothing he could do.

Teaching sword won't make them do well, and isn't it not that I will marry them all and take responsibility for livelihood.

"By the way, aren't you interested in women? Is it because still young? How old are you?"

The female student asked.

"11 years old."

"Then reached age to know that slowly."

"Regrettably I don't believe things like love."

At Rickart's words, girls opened eyes round then burst into laughter soon.

"We don't believe either!"

Rickart smiled awkwardly.

"Hahaha......"

"Don't talk with such bitches. Personality must be a bit strong. Even if you fight well Ricky, you might be eaten without knowing?"

"Okay...... Will be careful."

At Bolka's words, Rickart smiled awkwardly once again. Mood wasn't bad. But isn't he the one who dated a female student before?

Still, certainly, it seemed right that personality was a bit strong. Girls practicing sword and fighting couldn't be just ordinary.

Not just that, looking at boys going together right now, they looked somewhat intimidated.

By the way, female students were on the very pretty side when looking only at appearance. There was a rumor in the world, that bastards are generally handsome and pretty.

Because, even if having an affair, wouldn't they have an affair with a cool man or pretty woman, not just anyone.

That rumor seemed to fit to some extent. Bastards of noble families often had mothers who were high-class courtesans.

"But shouldn't we decide night watch?"

Molti said.

"Since many people, how about picking six? Two from each group."

Rickart offered an opinion. Bolka nodded and agreed readily, and Ice Gang and everyone else had no particular objection. Like that, they decided to stand night watch by picking two from three groups.

Standing night watch or making stand meant protecting and trusting opponent. Even in this way, seemed getting close little by little.

Party spent night like that, and departed for meeting place early in morning. Maybe because passed first day safely, everyone seemed a little relaxed tension.

Rickart walked following Bolka carrying the sword big for him to use on one shoulder.

But walking from yesterday to today afternoon, the forest path didn't end. Because the place called Griffinswald itself was a village located in the forest originally.

Around time wondering if time to face locals like herbalists or hunters, something stepped on Rickart's eye.

At a glance it was bush swaying in wind, but in Rickart's view felt somewhat artificial feeling.

"Bolka."

"Uh?"

Rickart called Bolka and pointed to the place he suspected with chin. Bolka looked there, and soon other students gathered gaze there.

Looking outwardly definitely nothing strange, but because Rickart pointed out, looked strangely dangerous too.

Procession stopped before knowing, and everyone examined surroundings with wary eyes. Then, someone popped up right from the place Rickart suspected and threw a spear abruptly.

Whish!

And people hiding on the opposite side of the road also appeared all at once.

Rustle! Rustle! Rustle!

Just listening to sound of grass brushing wasn't one or two people. It was an ambush. Fortunate thing in misfortune was that not monsters, but whether monster or human intention to kill was clear.

"What are you guys!"

Surprised students flustered.

Students belonging to relatively high rank in Academy couldn't draw weapon quickly when entering actual combat, that too being ambushed. Just surprised and bewildered didn't know what to do.

"Kyaak!"

Female student's scream was heard. From this time fought with unidentified attackers desperately.

Forgot all things trained meanwhile and almost using brute force, still just not running away was commendable.

Of course, commendable or whatever living was most important first.

One of attackers approached Rickart quickly and tried to stab sword. Rickart turned body reflexively to dodge, held sword carried on shoulder in hand and struck up opponent's chin with pommel.

Crunch!

Opponent's head shook and fell flat on floor with thud. Rickart drew sword without even time to look back at him and threw scabbard carelessly.

And ran to female student whom he talked briefly last night. Female student blocked attacks somehow but fell on butt on ground and was in dangerous state.

Someone tried to strike down lifting sword high, but only thing female student could do was blocking lifting sword as stick. If like that couldn't block by force striking down and head would split.

Swoosh!

Clang!

Really timely Rickart jumped in and struck away sword. And grabbing Ricasso which is root part of blade, pierced enemy's stomach in an instant like short spear.

When drawing sword blood poured out from abdomen, and enemy knelt down with thud with eyes wide open.

"Fuck......"

Blood was abundant on blade. Rickart shouted to female student as if angry.

"Stand up!"

Not situation to talk sweetly. Sound of sharp edges clashing from all directions was heard frantically.

Rickart scanned surroundings quickly, and grasped number of enemies in an instant. All exceeded thirty. Too many.

"Bolka!"

Enemies' number too many, and tangled here and there so couldn't see Bolka properly. However shout knowing he is alive was heard.

"Ricky!"

Rickart ran towards there blindly.

As melee situation occurred enemies also didn't match hands and feet, and looking in midst of distraction these guys absolutely weren't bandits or such.

But whatever their identity, had to reorganize posture for now. Couldn't fight continuously like this. If fought continuously would die all pushed by number.

Rickart opened way stabbing and cutting as possible rather than killing enemies. Here and there Aack! screamed, and called names unknown who.

Arriving at place where Bolka is in an instant, he was holding sword not even his in hand with face flushed fully. By the way that sword was also bent.

Molti had no weapon, and was in middle of hitting body utilizing big physique holding shield in both hands and pushing enemies wildly.

By the way, blood was flowing trickle trickle from Molti's side. Was hit by spear enemies threw first.

"This way!"

Rickart shouted. Rickart tried to break through most vulnerable part of enemies instinctively.

Of course enemies blocked, but Rickart stopped urgently and caught one timing swung sword largely to side.

Whoosh!

Clang! Chaeng!

With sound slicing air, three people's weapons broke brilliantly like cornstalks.

Enemies flinched surprised wondering what is this, and Rickart rushed driving that momentum so retreated hurriedly.

Rickart opened activity path in that gap and evacuated Bolka and Molti.

"Here!"

Bolka and Molti had no mind fighting recklessly. So just moved body attracted by Rickart's voice. Other students also followed in crowds.

By the way Rickart remained behind facing enemy's pursuit and followed students only after repelling finally.

Running to forest out of road frantically, hard to know where is where but fortunately arrived at place where Bolka and Molti hid.

There were other students who ran away already too. Girls had hair disheveled, and men were also in state out of mind.

Ice Gang two among five were not seen. So combining current personnel total was 9. Originally was 14.

Ice unlike usual, appearance was disheveled and breathing rough breath and pupils were dilated.

Molti was breathing rough breath leaning on wall. He took off bag forcibly said.

"Ta, take it."

Rickart didn't listen to his words sat on spot took out dagger. And ripped clothes and revealed wound.

Because pulled out spear in that urgent time, spear blade wasn't visible. Only, due to spear blade made in reverse direction wound was big. Blood was coming out gush gush.

Rickart blocked Molti's wound area with hand. Hand was dyed with blood in an instant.

"Potion. Take out potion."

Rickart said to students around. But one of students trembled hand so much couldn't take out potion properly from bag.

"Take out quickly! You bastard!"

Rickart turned head sharply and shouted fiercely like beast. Habit of previous life came out. When urgent situation inevitable nerve becomes sharp.

Bolka also trembled substantially, but couldn't watch took bag snatching and took out potion handed.

Rickart poured water of canteen first washing wound, poured wildly on wound area as soon as opening potion. Made Molti drink remaining. One bottle one gold coin, used all unsparingly.

After that took out needle stitched wound, and applied ointment almost all. Then wrapped bandage wildly as possible.

Everyone hard to take care of own body, Rickart opened activity path himself, blocked rear himself, and did treatment of wounded person alone all.

Emergency treatment ended and looking at Molti taking breath. Already bleeding severe so seemed impossible to fight anymore. Potion is for emergency treatment, not healing all suddenly.

"Huff, huff, huff, huff......"

"Molti, done. Live now. Fortunate right? Wake up."

"Huff, huff, haha, hahaha......"

Molti laughed weakly with pale complexion. If only resting quietly live, but problem was enemies.

Before worrying remaining 5 alive or dead, enemies were coming here. Then Ice tried to leave seat suddenly.

Rickart eyes became round asked.

"Where go?"

"To complete, request."

"Are you crazy?"

Rickart said frowning with expression what kind of guy is this. Revealed hostility towards Ice for first time.

"......"

Ice looked at Rickart quietly, then just went away. Then other students also hesitating followed Ice.

"Sorry."

Female student Rickart saved said leaving. Fortunate since apologized at least?

Fortunate my ass. Didn't save to receive thanks greeting, but not thing done to receive apology even more.

But frustrating thing, couldn't tell them to fight risking life for wounded person. Rickart looked at students getting away with dumbfounded face.

Bolka also muttered looking at students running away leaving them with expression unable to believe.

"Those fucking bastards those......"