Chapter 58

Chapter 58

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It was a night in the forest where even scops owls didn't cry. The fierce footsteps of humans holding torches were the loudest. Turn that way, no left, I'll definitely kill this son of a bitch, such words were heard.

Rickart hid behind a tree and estimated the number of enemies from the dizzy footsteps. Four? No, five.

The ability to grasp the number of enemies almost accurately just by listening to footsteps was not human-level, but even from Rickart's perspective, he felt the enemies were tough.

Forming a siege network in their own way while chasing Ice and maintaining distance from each other wasn't easy. Moreover, in the middle of the night.

These people are definitely the same clan, and are high-level, such thoughts occurred.

But if enemies don't know my existence but only I know the enemies' existence, there was no position more advantageous than this.

Rickart knew how to fight, not just high sword proficiency. Combat skills, not swordsmanship.

What made Rickart the strongest over a hundred years ago was actually this part more than swordsmanship. Surprisingly, people didn't know this well.

So being obsessed only with becoming a Sword Master, they couldn't even imitate it.

Since it was a forest where thick and straight trees grew, enemies narrowed the distance checking thoroughly behind trees. But they couldn't be slow or they might miss 'White Ermine' Ice, so they walked as fast as possible while being careful.

Rickart saw torchlight reaching nearby. Hiding in the darkness, he focused on the sound of approaching footsteps. Without being conscious, the interval, the person's weight, and even posture were drawn in his head.

Then footsteps coming exactly into range were heard.

Thud.

Whish!

Thwack!

Rickart didn't swing the sword looking at the enemy, but swung the sword first while springing out, and cut the neck accurately.

Naturally, the enemy's head flew off before reacting. Other enemies chasing with distance were startled and noticed quickly.

"Here......!"

The person closest to the dead colleague shouted illuminating Rickart with a torch, but the shout didn't end properly.

Because Rickart narrowed the distance in an instant, moving back and forth quickly between light and darkness.

The one holding a torch in one hand and a sword in one hand retreated urgently assuming a defensive posture with the sword. But there was no way to block Rickart's sword with such a clumsy posture.

As per the nickname 'Ricky of Cutting' called in the Beringen area once, Rickart broke his flimsy sword and cut the neck this time too.

Clang! Thwack!

Rickart threw his body into the darkness immediately after defeating the second enemy. Three people chasing to catch Rickart illuminated that side hurriedly, but suddenly a sword tip reached in front of their eyes.

Whish! Thwack!

"Ugh!"

A sword was stuck in the chest. He fell backward. The moment a colleague nearby looked at the falling colleague in surprise and turned his head again, a boy holding a dagger was rushing in front of his eyes.

Rickart's dagger sliced the inner thigh and armpit in an instant like wind.

"Aaaaaaaagh!"

A scream rang out in the silent forest. The one whose major tendons were cut dropped the torch from his hand and collapsed helplessly.

Then the last remaining one had to focus on the screaming colleague instinctively.

While the torch spun urgently flaring up, this time Rickart appearing from behind grabbed his forehead, bent the head back, and slit the throat.

"Kuh! Cough!"

Blood pouring out clogged his airway. And he collapsed right in front of the colleague with cut tendons and convulsed.

Thud.

The enemy sitting on the ground with cut thigh and armpit tendons had a sudden intake of breath into his lungs from too much surprise and fear. And his body stiffened.

Trembling, he raised his head. He was so afraid that thoughts of I'm dead, I'm dead, dead, kill me quickly, echoed in his head.

Rickart stabbed the neck of the one who lost even the will to fight completely and finished him cutting the cartilage. The eyes were not cold but calm, yet there was absolutely no pity or compassion.

He fell forward only with his upper body while sitting on the ground, falling on top of the colleague's corpse. Blood spread trickling.

Looking around the scene after killing all enemies, torches were dropped here and there. That light didn't illuminate corpses completely but only partially, feeling very ghastly.

But just because they all died in an instant, they were never low-level enemies.

While enemies relied only on torchlight, Rickart drew the battlefield situation almost like foresight just by listening to sound, so this difference occurred.

Moreover, since he even ambushed, enemies had no way to cope even if high level.

When fighting 10 swordsmen in the Kaitz Highlands, it was a night with a full moon bright like morning, and not a situation to hide his body or utilize terrain advantage.

So he had to deal with pure swordsmanship only, so for Rickart, he had to struggle.

Nevertheless, defeating all was a great thing, so it was talked about by many people.

Rickart knew how to grasp battlefield environment, even enemy psychology to utilize opponent's weakness as my strength. This wasn't an ability cultivated just by training sword only.

It was an ability one could possess only with innate sense, combat experience, and luck to survive.

Ice possessed innate talent in swordsmanship, but a stark difference occurred with Rickart here.

Of course, what he had done so far was also great, but the reason he couldn't produce monster-like results like Rickart was due to this part.

"Ricky?"

It was Marie's voice. Rickart looked at her while retrieving and wiping swords and rummaging through loot. It was obvious she ran urgently to help.

But not knowing it would be over already, Marie made a dumbfounded expression.

"Uh?"

"Ah, no. Came to help."

"The other kids?"

"Took the person named Ice to the campsite."

"Is he okay?"

"No external wounds but lost consciousness. Probably fatigue piled up a lot. Seems chased for quite a long time."

"That's a relief at least. Want to help me a bit?"

"Which one?"

"Should pack gear. Should rob if they have money."

"Uh? Uh, that, r, right."

Marie was a bit flustered since she had killed people but never rummaged through corpses. Thought this wasn't right somewhat, but followed rummaging as Rickart rummaged calmly.

"Uh, how far should I search?"

"Uh?"

"That, can't put hand inside pants."

"Hahaha, don't have to go that far. Just touch roughly and if there's something like a money pouch take it out, pack mainly weapons. Only pack as much as you can carry. Might become a burden if packing too much. Might have combat power loss later. Shouldn't be greedy, Marie."

Originally, if robbing properly, stripping everything except underwear was correct, but as Rickart said, there was no need to go that far.

"Didn't be greedy......"

"Joke. Let's go."

"Yeah."

Rickart packed two swords and money pouches. And returned to the campsite with Marie.

Ice was lying covered with a blanket. There were white tear marks on his face. Bori-bori placed an unidentifiable herb under his nose.

"Appetite will rise if waking up from sleep."

Bori-bori's unique groundless folk remedy but sometimes it was useful.

But Bolka's expression looking down at Ice looked complicated in many ways. He was locked in thought and noticed late that Rickart returned.

"Killed all?"

"Yeah."

"Want to see me for a moment?"

"Why? Talk here. Actually, kids know all."

Rickart was ghost-like in noticing so guessed roughly what Bolka would say.

Probably due to the story heard from Dunkel, seemed to want to consult with Rickart on how to treat Ice.

Bori-bori and Delphi lived Academy life with Ice together, so knew he was a heretic. But didn't know deeply so made bewildered expressions not knowing the reason.

"Isn't it better to talk all together? Same clan."

Rickart said once again. Marie wasn't a formal clan member of Viola Clan, but practically belonged half. Other kids treated so too.

Bolka confessed honestly considering that was right.

"You guys would know too that Ice is Order of Condemnation. But, not just believing simply but seems holding a position in the Order. If involved deeply to that extent, isn't it a bit troubling. If receiving inquisition, we can be entangled too."

It was shocking content to kids who didn't know. If he had a position in the Order, he was undeniably a heretic, and if caught, would go straight to burning at the stake without needing interrogation.

"So...... umm, my opinion is treating him only and sending back. Since busy due to branch work anyway."

Bolka spoke his opinion cautiously first. Atmosphere was heavy but from some time scops owls and night insects started crying.

Crack, crack sound of bonfire burning was heard too. But people waking late at night were silent.

Bori-bori squatted next to sleeping Ice, looking down at him and spoke.

"I don't know well. Ice is a grateful person to me. But, the clan is not where I am alone......"

It was a similar opinion to Bolka. Said reluctantly isn't it difficult to be together.

But unlike words, pity and worry were buried in Bori-bori's expression. Seemed heart weakened due to debt and sympathy.

Delphi seemed to follow Bolka's opinion since she and Bolka were practically a couple, and only Rickart's opinion remained.

But surprisingly Marie spoke.

"No need to worry about inquisition. It's the Royal Families of each country depressing the Order of Condemnation. Not the Holy See."

"What do you mean?"

"Little complicated, but that's what I heard. People keep leaving the territory and heard it's due to the Order. Imperial Family is neglecting. Since beneficial to Imperial Family if Kingdom's power weakens."

King and Emperor were somewhat complicated and special relationship, Emperor is in higher position than King as world's supreme, but couldn't treat King carelessly either.

Kingdom had independent military authority and autonomy, and exercised quite powerful influence within Empire.

Simply put, structure where if Kingdom's power grows Emperor is threatened, and if Emperor's authority rises Kingdom shrinks.

Though not revealing outwardly, practically relationship mutual enemies no different was Emperor and Kings.

But since bad for each other if power balance collapses, relationship on the same boat too. While hating as if to kill each other, didn't wish for destruction.

Relationship becoming strength to each other at decisive moments, gripping ankle at decisive moments was Emperor and King.

Amidst this, linked by blood with each country's Royal Family and Imperial Family through marriage alliance too, so truly a complicated problem.

Anyway, it was an era where population is indeed national power. Determine farming couldn't be done without people, and couldn't utilize other labor force.

That is, peasants migrating meant territory's power weakening. Moreover, migrating carelessly was illegal.

But if migrated place is outside Kingdom? Even a King couldn't use hand carelessly if migrants entered Empire's domain.

Dunkel's words comparing Ehrenberg 5 to prostitutes brushed Rickart's brain.

Then excellent head rolled quickly combining this and that, and reaching one conclusion forehead frowned automatically.

"Surely, did Kings instigate from behind? Ehrenberg 5?"

Ehrenberg 5 caused accidents a lot here and there, but reason notoriety was especially high was because committed massacre by village unit a lot.

Most of them were settlements built by migrants believing the God of Condemnation.

From Kings' perspective, needed to kill all cheeky migrants even for example. Since would spread if left alone.

Although not as much as Emperor, if becoming King level, could use power so they wouldn't be wanted. Easier if not one but two, more than that.

"Well, I don't know that well. But think your words are right, Ricky."

Couldn't know if Imperial Family closed eyes knowing what Kings do, or didn't know because no interest at all. Only, it was true Ehrenberg 5 became annoying to eyes slowly.

"By the way how do you know that?"

Bolka asked looking at Marie.

"Uh, uh? Uh, can't hear from somewhere, right?"

Marie spoke avoiding gaze forcibly. Suspicious to anyone's eyes. Moreover, perhaps because knowing Rickart is noble late, Bolka thought maybe this kid too.

Actually even if couldn't think Imperial Princess, realized from first time seeing Rickart and Bori-bori.

Anyway Rickart thought for a long time touching his chin. Seemed everyone waiting for Rickart to speak.

Clan is priority. That is obvious. If naming the reason fighting risking life until now, there is personal honor or pride too but anyway big for clan. To make our own nest.

But if clan falls into danger by accepting Ice, should accept?

But unclear whether harmful or not. Then should exclude just with that uncertainty?

If have to accept, what is it for? Because of friend? How far can do for friend? Before that, what is friend?

Questions difficult to answer easily bit tail after tail as thinking more. If alone naturally would accept, but since clan is hung too couldn't force my opinion blindly.

But this wasn't questions to find correct answer. Eventually close to having to define myself and establish thoughts.

Rickart could think all day if told to think about this problem really, and could discuss all day if told to discuss, but put aside all words and focused on the most essential thing. Speaking sincerity removing all.

"First let's protect. Will be big power since we are desperate for help too now. Must have obtained information a lot too while fighting enemies in the meantime. And......"

Rickart blurred the end of sentence. Clan members were listening to Rickart's words carefully in each way with calm expressions.

"Right now, seems no place to accept if not us. But too pitiful if even we cast out."

"......"

Friends were silent. Couldn't know if willing or not. But true that heart moved at word no place to accept.

Because themselves have experience abandoned once all. That bleakness, that desperateness, person not experienced doesn't know. Therefore shouldn't person knowing that emotion and feeling look after.

Gathered opinion to side accepting Ice though didn't agree explicitly.

And thinking about it, Bolka owed a life to Ice one. Wasn't it Ice who saved him from Lorenzo in Griffinswald.

Bori-bori also wouldn't have learned Mana Drive properly if not for Ice. Might have become crippled if accident occurred while operating mana wrong.

Except Rickart and Marie, owed to Ice this way or that.

It was a sleepless night. To be precise waking in the middle while sleeping.

Deep blue color started lifting darkness from the end of the world after about an hour passed.

Rickart and friends prepared breakfast from early dawn since nothing to do particularly.

Slash! Whack! Crack! Slap!

"Ugh! Huukh! Heuk! Ugh!"

Sound of whipping, and sound of someone groaning biting gag were heard. Whipping wasn't normal whipping either. Killing intent dwelt clearly.

Young Ice was standing looking at wall listening to that sound. Not only Ice. Dozens of children were standing looking at wall.

Now was punishment and mind removing training time. Since had to dedicate joy, sorrow, fear, all to God of Condemnation. Even parents and family had to be dedicated.

Slash! Slap! Whack! Slash!

From some moment groaning sound wasn't heard. Seemed dead, probably.

Ice followed gaps of cold bricks slowly with gaze.

Imagining this as a valley road. If following the road, can just walk continuously even if no exit. No need to wander. Just walk. Since road is fixed.

Then no thought comes. No, no mind comes. Sound of whipping, sound of groaning, sound of dying last don't enter ears.

When turned back at priest's word to turn back, boy with back skin all torn revealing ribs drooping limply was seen. Bloody mush hard to recognize shape. Sin boy committed was laughing during training.

The priest executing punishment panted as if breath passing over. Another priest instead of that person spoke to boys with extremely dry face.

"Brothers, day of prophecy is not far. We need to spur more. Let's not be disheveled. Let's not be agitated. Dedicate everything to God of Condemnation, and take refuge in Heaven. God of Condemnation, please close eyes."

"God of Condemnation, please close eyes."

As priest spoke, other children including Ice followed ending words. Tone like doll speaking.

As priest beckoned, children stepped forward one by one and spat on the child fallen dead.

"Ptooey."

And next boy, next, next, next, next......

Became Ice's turn. Ice approached the boy died horribly.

But extremely short moment, whether big resonance, or small tremor, mind moved.

Because dead boy is his own brother.

Everyone's gaze was directed at Ice. Must not show expression change or mind's agitation even for a moment. Ice spat.

"Ptooey."

At that moment, Ice's mind died. Alive but not alive, and no longer human. Just a doll moving for God only.

Must have been clearly.

Ice opened eyes smoothly.

Sound of tableware clattering, sound of talking murmur were heard. Comfortable sound tickling ears pleasantly.

Sound of bird waking up early chirping heard, appetizing food smell felt too.

Familiar faces including Rickart were seen. Then heart pounding due to nightmare subsided gradually, relief flooded in.

Ice was a little groggy because woke up in the middle while sleeping. So thought 'Is here heaven?' brushed momentarily.

Rickart preparing dish with Marie looked back at Ice and said.

"Uh? Woke up."

Ice looked at the blonde boy, and recalled a verse of Bible unconsciously.

Chapter 11 – Sanctuary. End.

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