Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Unlike other places, the forest was a place where specific fresh air was felt. The smell of trees, soil, moss, grass, and invisible small things mixed together to present stability.

The breath exhaled by old trees and young trees seemed to cleanse a person's lungs.

A place where life is felt, the forest was a place breathing and living in itself.

Especially at dawn, such energy could be felt more. The feeling of washing murky mind and soul cleanly.

But in this good air, a specific fishy smell full of incongruity brushed the tip of the nose. It was the smell of blood.

Corpses were scattered here and there somewhere on the winding forest path. A group of people hovered between those corpses.

A man with somewhat rough beard covering lower face and brown bobbed hair coming down to chin looked down at corpses blankly.

Looking at the state of corpses, there were many stab wounds and spear wounds, so traces of fighting were evident. And although hard to notice at a glance, all corpses had their eyes closed. As if someone expressed condolences.

"Clan Master. Here it is."

Someone called the bobbed hair man from a place out of the forest path. The man's name was Lorentz, the Clan Master of Rubens Clan.

Clan Master meant a person managing several clans in a guild. Guild Master, Advisory Council, Clan Master, Clan Leader, and Adventurer. Adventurer Guild generally had such organizational structure.

Clan Master required high professionalism as well as martial power possessed by himself.

Since adventurers regarded being free-spirited and not listening as common, managing them wasn't an easy task. Needed such subtle management ability, not tightening too much, nor loosening too much.

And commanding an operation mobilizing several clans was a job demanding complex and various knowledge and much field experience.

At the sound calling him, Lorentz walked there with crunching steps.

In a place not far away, there was a corpse placed bizarrely. Kneeling, upper body leaned back, and above all, headless.

It was a posture looking truly uncomfortable. Since died, is it matter irrelevant now.

However, could guess how reached death. Neck was cut while standing. Lorentz deduced so.

Looking at the severed surface, seemed cut neck at once not slicing several times, but unless stretching neck deliberately like death row prisoner, cutting standing person's neck at once wasn't easy task.

Above all, other than neck being cut, other wounds weren't visible. Meant finished at once.

There was a severed head nearby. The man pushed slightly with foot and checked face. And recited low.

"Absurd......"

Although no particular expression change, Lorentz surely was dumbfounded. Because the person died with head cut off was a figure cherished in the guild.

There were several stages until reaching Sword Master, which differed in classification method by guild, but in case of Rubens Guild, classified as Petal Stage, and Blooming Stage.

In Petal Stage, form of mana like petal rippled when impact was applied to blade, in Blooming Stage, afterimage of mana remained following trajectory when swinging sword, and finally when reaching Sword Master, light came out from blade.

No one knew the exact method to reach Sword Master, and it wasn't achieved just by training Mana Drive, nor just by practicing swordsmanship.

What any guild accepted in common was that actual combat experience was definitely needed.

When killing someone, or facing match risking life, believed mindset or mental action at that time became a kind of ignition point.

The one dead with neck cut in front of eyes was Petal Stage. Was a precious talent coming out almost once in several years in Rubens Academy.

Absurd that such he died, and hard to avoid responsibility as Clan Master.

Whether Petal or Sword Master didn't mean becoming immortal. Since they were also humans made of flesh and bone, could die by slipping while climbing mountain, could die hit by arrow, could die poisoned.

However, didn't die easily. Especially in situation like sword fight. But died. Why? How? Who can kill a swordsman reached Petal Stage?

"Did they notice...... Strange...... Can't be......"

Lorentz recited taking foot off from head.

Couldn't understand. Key of this operation was killing adventurers of Beringen Guild, which was already situation completed by raiding hideout.

In that process found out Academy students come for support, and made to ambush hiding in road to raise incidental battle result.

Actually was work okay to do or not do. But ultimately extermination of rival guild only is way our guild survives, and road getting closer to power, so good to do if can.

But, died. Talent cherished in guild. Is this loss, or profit. Lorentz calculated profit and loss in head.

Twelve active duty adventurers and one promising prospect with possibility becoming Sword Master. Which side has more value?

Difference isn't big, but however thinking leaned towards loss. Then had to fill this loss. How to fill?

Lorentz was lost in thought stroking beard. If Academy student killing prospect, wouldn't he reach similar level? Then if killing him loss would be recovered.

Must kill definitely. Now it wasn't fight raising incidental battle result anymore. If our side saw big loss, opponent side also had to suffer big loss.

Lorentz reaching tentative conclusion looked back at side. Seven or eight young people were standing as if sinned.

"How was the appearance?"

"That, wore red cloak, and short. Looked a bit young too, but used big sword not fitting own body. Was Longsword with leather wrapped on ricasso."

"If young means not active duty adventurer?"

"Yes...... Seemed definitely student...... We also knew so......"

Lorentz was convinced. There is talent reaching Petal Stage, or above in Beringen Guild Academy. Must kill that guy.

As goal became clear, works to do from now came to independent mind automatically to Lorentz.

"Search surroundings and block retreat path. Must not send even one alive. If contact reaches Beringen operation all cancel. If becomes so you guys are also wrong to receive reward. I am screwed, and you are screwed too. Understand what saying?"

Initial purpose carrying out this work was inflicting unilateral damage to Beringen Guild through ambush to the end.

But if Beringen Guild notices even late and inputs force, from then both sides see damage so meaning executing operation disappears.

However instruction just now was what Rickart already expected. Enemies would rather block path going to Beringen, wouldn't hover around hideout already visited once or Griffinswald.

Conversely Lorentz didn't expect. That merely Academy students decided to continue request without running away.

Griffinswald meant forest where Griffin lives. But Griffin close to spiritual creature was so hard to see that village's name was somewhat colorless. Were there many in past?

Village was on somewhat steep hill carving surrounding terrain for defense. And sturdy wooden fence was surrounding that hill.

One temple serving God was in center, and remainders were all cabins. Population wasn't that many, and mostly sustained life digging herbs or hunting, gathering activity.

Environment difficult for large population to make living, but passably okay place for small number population to make living. Like Stormhertz.

Although not certain, there was one perhaps certain theory related to this village.

It was that Imperial Ranger stayed here and acted then married Elf and started to settle down, and those descendants settled here completely.

Now didn't have connection to Imperial Family. But most village men were Rangers. So good not to act recklessly here. If didn't want arrow stuck in forehead without knowing oneself.

Not village outsiders visit often, but nine outsiders hovered village. Everyone wore cloak but visible possessing weapon on waist.

And one among them wore bright red cloak and carried sword on one shoulder like target standing out well even looking from far away.

Village people watched that group of crowd blankly. Young children watched with curious eyes shining eyes.

And, man standing sentry on watchtower was looking down at Rickart party quietly. Bow was held in hand.

Rickart looked around surroundings, and one house stood out. Were drying unloaded crossbow in yard as if hanging on clothesline, seemed surely bowyer's workshop. Crossbow was famous as specialty of this place.

One old man was carving wood with plane crunchy crunchy. Rickart approached him and said.

"May I ask a word."

"......"

Old man stopped planing, raised head and looked at Rickart and that party blankly. Might be scared seeing armed people, but no such sign at all.

"I am Beringen Guild Academy student called Ricky. Do you know Beringen Adventurer Guild perhaps? Keeping hideout near here and there must have been adventurers acting mainly here."

"......Heard those idiots died?"

"We know that too. Only, wondering if you know who killed them."

"Asking me to intervene in sword fight between adventurers? If teaching, isn't it me helping you. Then opposite side people will bear grudge against us."

"Hmm, my thought was short. Then perhaps didn't hear anything regarding deserters?"

Old man looked at boy admitting obediently blankly and said.

"......Wouldn't that need going to city? And fugitives tend to mix in city, not in place like this."

"I see. Then where is closest city from here?"

"Torveil. One day distance to south. If departing now can escape forest around sunset."

"Understood. By the way, perhaps can get some herbs or things to eat? Will pay cost telling Guild later."

Because running away frantically some among students lost luggage, so food was insufficient sharing. Moreover had to supply here, but didn't have money either.

Rickart used all money before coming so didn't have. Other students lost even what they had.

Old man frowned slighty and said.

"Believing what do I give thing to eat?"

"Grandfather's gut feeling."

"What?"

"Look at my eyes and judge once if trustworthy or not."

wondering if absurd, old man released frowning impression and let out chuckle. And looked at Rickart quietly then shouted towards inside house.

"Lester! Lester!"

"Yes! Grandfather!"

Sound rustling heard inside cabin, and soon one sturdy young man came out. Old man said to him.

"Caught a deer last winter and salted, some meat chunks remained right. Give all that to these people. And give some herb stems too."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Young man did as told without a word of complaint. Entered inside cabin then soon brought salted meat and some piles of herbs used for trauma.

Rickart received that handed to students and said to old man again.

"Won't forget grace."

"Not grace since not giving for free. I have work to do so if finished business go."

Rickart bowed to old man and turned back. And escaped village walked towards south.

"Wasn't it too low posture? Just country bumpkin old man."

Bolka asked.

"In strange place receiving help from local is best, but if that doesn't work shouldn't make enemy even. Locals are scarier than enemies. Someone said this before. If can receive local's help would kneel even to commoner. Person said that was royalty."

It was word Kaldebert said. Only best friend in previous life, and person became ancestor now. Breaker Kaldebert.

Kaldebert was originally from Adelorn Royal Family, and established collateral family distinguishing himself in Eastern Expedition, which was Rickart's family now.

"Lie."

"Real. If suffer struggle of life and death in battlefield thought changes a lot. If not changing usually die."

"......By the way how do you know that?"

"Let's say heard from father."

Bolka frowned slightly made expression seems not something, but passed.

"Village people didn't look very strong either."

"Anyway obtained meat and way to go decided so let's move. Going to place called Torveil might have branch of guild."

"Right, well, that is so."

Bolka nodded readily. Like that nine students walked facing new city not returning to their Academy.

Meanwhile Lorentz who didn't find Rickart party no matter how much searching forest and blocking retreat path, returned to hideout they raided.

It is dark under the lamp, discovered students' trace there. Lorentz was dumbfounded once again. He thought students knowing nothing lost fear and came here.

Anyway thinking Beringen Academy students stopped by village, entered village taking personnel consisting of about thirty adventurers and students. Point passed one day since Rickart left village.

And Lorentz also discovered old man Rickart talked to.

"Hey, old man."

Lorentz called old man placing hand on hilt of sword on waist with chin up. Old man looked up at him carving wood carefully with plane today too.

"Some strange brats passed here right? Came knowing all so don't say strange sound uselessly, where did those guys go?"

"......No thought to interfere in sword fight done between adventurers. If teaching that helping you, wouldn't opposite side bear grudge against us."

Old man said same thing said to Rickart yesterday to Lorentz too. However that reaction was opposite.

Lorentz opened eyes thin looking at old man said.

"These really making absurd...... Old man know current situation? Our personnel is thirty, and well armed. Burning this kind of country bumpkin village no one cares and killing all is not work. Understand what saying? Where did those bastards go. Want me to kill old man's grandson in front of eyes first? Eh?"

Old man looked up at Lorentz quietly with gaze somewhat glaring and said.

"......Torveil. Yesterday."

"If lie know will come back and really kill all. Let's go."

Lorentz took subordinates escaped village immediately and headed to Torveil.

But old man looked at leaving Lorentz blankly, then shouted towards inside cabin.

"Lester! Lester!"

"Yes! Grandfather!"

A young man popped out instantly like yesterday. However old man's order was completely different from yesterday.

"Gather kids. And chase those bastards just now and kill all."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Young man called Lester answered nonchalantly, as if heard light errand order or something.

And roaming village called and gathered men. Everyone was Rangers armed with bow and crossbow.

There was a saying that one skilled Ranger blocks advance of army. Sounds like exaggeration but was correct words to some extent.

Because army passing forest originally isn't easy, caught in various traps and hit by snipe from far away soldiers get scared and collapse.

Perhaps, reason beasts or monsters don't appear well in this forest and peaceful was all thanks to Griffinswald's Rangers.

Because they were exactly, top predators in this domain.

Such they chased Lorentz and his subordinates quietly. Quiver was thick with arrows.