Chapter 133
Chapter 133.1. The Third Year at the Academy - Fratricide (1)
How far have we run?
After retrieving the backpack along the way, we continued running through the midnight snowfield and entered the forest.
After healing the wounds inflicted by Jarid with a healing potion, we leaned against a tree and rested on the snow.
If we head south, we'll reach Ilsana Village, but if Jarid is chasing us, that's the first place he'll search.
Moreover, the villagers' hatred might turn toward Highmes, the magistrate.
Still, Jarid is just a precaution.
Jarid doesn't know that Highmes escaped.
In fact, he seemed to have judged that catching up was impossible, as he barely moved from the campsite.
If we had been spotted, what would have happened by now? While using [Presence Detection] to stay alert for pursuit and monsters, I moisten my throat with a water pouch.
Highmes was completely exhausted, slumped over.
I'm no different.
We've been on the move since morning, and on top of that, we fought an A-rank to the death.
It'd be strange if we weren't tired.
Still—was that what an A-rank adventurer was like?
I recall Jarid's overwhelming strength.
Even with such a handicap, I couldn't overpower him even when I was serious.
If it weren't for my ridiculous speed, I might have been killed without a chance to fight back.
And I lacked a decisive move.
The [Multiple Chant] of [Benetureit Geil] was blocked, and scattering [Fireballs] didn't seem to have much effect either.
To face someone of that level, I lacked both skill and equipment.
I draw the rhinoceros sword and inspect the blade.
It's visibly damaged, covered in nicks and scratches.
I chose the rhinoceros sword because I'm used to it, but maybe I should have brought a different one.
If I had at least enchanted it, it might have lasted a bit longer—but oh well, what's done is done.
The mercenary group's destruction is complete. Jarid was just a bonus.
I'll return to Reedwald in a month, and I'll strengthen the rhinoceros sword then.
Since I've learned [Artifact Ascension], my immediate goals are [Durability Enhancement] and [Repair].
I cut off my thoughts and return to the present.
Suddenly, I notice Highmes staring at my canteen.
"Were you thirsty?"
I hand him the canteen, and he thanks me before taking a sip, then grimaces.
"Is this another potion?"
"It's just regular tea?"
Highmes looks puzzled, hesitates for a while, and then takes a gulp.
What a rude guy.
Reluctantly, I give him a potion that doubles as a drink for fatigue recovery and lend him a fur.
We decide to rest by the campfire until dawn.
Highmes woke up in the afternoon.
Even with potions, mental fatigue doesn't recover. He must have been utterly exhausted, so I quietly waited for him to wake up.
As we eat a late breakfast with preserved food, Highmes declares that he'll return to Lapzel.
If he gets killed by monsters, all the effort to save him would be wasted.
I decide to escort him until Lapzel is in sight.
We emerge onto the plains, glancing at the forest as we make our way to the road.
After that, we follow the path trampled by the mercenary group toward Lapzel, but Highmes' fatigue was worse than I expected, and his stamina was low.
We make slow progress, and by evening, we decide to camp for the second time.
The snow makes walking difficult, but I hadn't realized how harsh traveling between villages and towns could be for someone not used to it.
After the second camp, we head toward Lapzel again.
Along the way, during a break, I catch the scent of blood and find a large bloodstain slightly off the road.
The victims seem to be refugees, but it looks like they were killed by Nudrooks, not the mercenary group.
The traces are old, so they must have fled before Lapzel fell.
And there are no footprints leading away in the snow—they were wiped out.
All that remains are some fragments of flesh, making it impossible to tell their gender or age.
I decide to at least bury what's left, scattering the snow with [Multiple Chant] of [Breeze].
After a while, Highmes comes looking for me, worried that I hadn't returned.
Seeing the bloodstains and flesh, he seems to realize what happened.
He quickly turns away and vomits up his breakfast.
Then, wiping his mouth, Highmes silently starts clearing the snow.
As a magistrate, he must feel a sense of responsibility.
I had planned to dig a hole with magic, but I decide to join him and dig by hand.
After burying the victims, we set off again.
For me, it's a leisurely journey, but for Highmes, it's a desperate struggle that lasts several days.
We finally catch sight of Lapzel the following evening.
Under the sunset, I gaze at Lapzel in the distance.
The broken gate remains, but the smell of burning has faded significantly.
At this point, we're almost there, and there's no need to worry about being attacked by monsters.
Perhaps thinking the same, Highmes turns to me and bows.
"Thank you for saving me. And not just that—thank you for escorting me all the way to Lapzel."
With that, Highmes raises his head and offers me two swords.
"Please take these."
I'm startled by the sudden offer.
Why did I retrieve them from the mercenary group and carry them all the way here?
Seeing my reaction, Highmes smiles.
"You can't fight while carrying two swords. The Tenki Divine Sword and Nosvar are swords that Lord Schumer obtained himself. You have no obligation to return them. And you accomplished the destruction of the mercenary group, which Lord Schumer couldn't achieve. You have the right to keep them."
"I don't need them. The main target is still unharmed, after all. You take them. If you offer them to Count Wolber, you might gain some favor."
"That's unnecessary."
Highmes shows me a small leather bag he's carrying.
"It's the fur of Ratira. It took some time to find."
"So that's why. I was wondering why you didn't just run off."
"I apologize for the trouble."
With that, Highmes gives a soft smile.
It was a gentle expression, but there was something unsettling about it.
"You know what'll happen when you return, right?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, Tenko, I can fulfill my duty as a magistrate."
"I see. Count Wolber is fortunate to have such loyal retainers."
Highmes shakes his head with a self-deprecating smile, but it's clear he means it.
The noble knight Klaus, and despite his mistakes, Highmes is a man of loyalty.
What a waste.
The steward Graham is old. This man would have made a good aide for my brother.
"If you lose your job, come find me at the adventurer's guild in Seren. Even if I'm not in town, you'll know where to find me."
"I'll count on you then."
Highmes smiles broadly and starts walking toward Lapzel.
I watch until he reaches the gate, then turn away.
What a shame.
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