Chapter 154
Chapter 154. Parting and Reunion
Under the sun pouring directly overhead, I woke up.
After confirming there was nothing unusual around me, I sat up and greeted the family beside me.
In the eastern reaches of Reedwald, within the Leknod Forest—just a short way past its outskirts—I had been taking a brief nap.
The place where Roland and the others were buried wasn't far from town, so if patrols came by, they'd be found immediately.
I must've headed for the forest to avoid that—though I don't remember well.
Sitting up, I casually scanned my surroundings.
Melted snow dripped from the canopy, sliding down the leaves.
Perhaps stirred by it, a small bird chirped and took flight.
It was a familiar sight. The types of plants weren't so different from Selene's forest, yet even the air felt nostalgic.
The forest where, at eight years old, I experienced my first real battle—where I ventured countless times with Mercant's group and the hunter Nerio.
This was my origin.
Lost in pleasant memories, I gazed absently at the forest.
Then, suddenly, the branch leader's words resurfaced, and my expression darkened.
Somewhere in this forest, Ose and the others—the Azure Squadron—had died.
Ose was the one who taught me the basics of scouting.
A quiet, ever-vigilant, and skilled scout.
But—I think he was just unlucky.
Against the likes of the Seekers, even Ose alone would've struggled to escape.
If he'd had rookies with him, it would've been nearly impossible.
Those rookies were likely orphans who'd become adventurers.
Since they'd apparently played around prostrating with Nerio, I must've known them too.
Ah, so that's it.
They were also acquainted with Nerio.
Maybe they were the ones who'd been so proactive in searching for the hunters.
I inhaled the crisp air, exhaling along with my lingering thoughts, then turned my gaze to my family.
Had it been the right decision?
Should I have stayed and liberated Reedwald instead?
I asked myself, but no regret—no emotion at all—rose to the surface.
Probably… it was the right call.
Neither mana nor stamina is infinite. Alone, I'd eventually be unable to fight. An army is needed to fight an army.
Even if we retook it, holding it would've been difficult.
With all commanders lost and the chain of command shattered, it would've needed rebuilding.
A daunting task even in peacetime—let alone now, in crisis. I doubt I could've managed.
Knowing that, Branch Leader Heritt must've advised relying on Count Braslad.
If we turned to Count Braslad, he'd likely send knights and administrators.
Reinforcements would also come from places like the northern Narsel County.
But in the end, personal verification would be necessary.
Grandfather, Viscount Tordis, might see traces of my mother in me—but nobles aren't so naive as to accept that alone.
Even if [Status Disguise] fooled Count Braslad and his ilk, next would be the royal court.
If the disguise was exposed via [Appraisal], I'd be branded a monster masquerading as a noble—a bounty on my head.
Explaining my reasons wouldn't matter. Even if understood, I'd still be a monster. Nobles who scorn elves, dwarves, and beastmen would never accept a monster.
Seeking Selene's support is also impossible.
Though I'm close with the academy dean, a councilor, he wouldn't endanger Selene for my sake.
Even if support came, the court would question why I chose Selene over my liege. They might even use me as pretext to interfere with Selene's autonomy.
So, the council wouldn't help. They'd likely refuse shelter, too.
More importantly, it'd drag Ted and the others into war. Out of the question.
Sighing deeply, I reached a conclusion.
So—retaking it myself is the only way.
Afterward, I'd renounce my status, entrusting it to Count Braslad.
Viscount Keten occupies villages under the guise of protection, but against Count Braslad, he wouldn't dare resist. The former territory would endure. Who rules it doesn't concern me.
This is the best path… yet.
Still, I don't know why.
Neither reclaiming it myself nor relying on Count Braslad felt right.
Am I overlooking something?
I pondered a while but found no answer.
Instead, the option I'd deliberately ignored flickered in my mind.
The labyrinth.
The cause of all lost possibilities—the reason I'm alive.
If I'm not acting immediately… it might be viable.
Whether with Braslad or Selene, seeking refuge would lock me into a path.
More than anything, I need time to think now.
"That labyrinth… I should be able to negotiate—"
As if urging myself to decide, I stood and looked toward Reedwald.
When will I return next?
Before that—can I even return?
I mused, yet strangely, my emotions remained still.
Silently, I averted my gaze and slung the rope over my shoulder.
Then, I set off—heading straight for the labyrinth.
◇◇◇◇
Avoiding prying eyes and sunlight, I advanced just inside the forest's edge.
Using [Physical Up], I navigated uneven terrain and protruding roots without jostling my family.
A while after setting out, my beastman hearing caught an odd sound.
Looking back, flies had settled on the cloth wrapping my family.
Instantly, I cast [Ice Frost] with [Multi-Chant], freezing them to death.
Next, I layered ice from [Pure Water] and [Ice Bolt] inside the bag, solidifying it with [Ice Frost].
I continued cooling periodically as I pressed onward.
Perhaps because Reedwald's fall was recent, no adventurers were in sight.
They might be lying low, having already lost several of their own.
The only encounters were goblins and wolves.
I dispatched attacking monsters and predators with magic, pulling the board tirelessly even after nightfall.
Even at near-top speed, it'd take about two days.
At this pace, when could I return?
With that unease, the second day's sun set.
Activating [Night Vision], I kept pulling in silence.
As night deepened, the cold grew sharper.
Around the time my breath turned white, I found a clearing.
Though I still had stamina left, I ended the day's journey there.
Adjusting the collar of the clothes Nort gave me, I lay down beside my family.
On the morning of the third day—
Something soft touched my forehead, waking me.
Still lying down, I shifted my gaze.
"You? It's been three years."
Red eyes against pure white—a mutated Hunter Finch.
As I stirred, it lifted its paw from my forehead and gracefully retreated.
It landed atop the board.
"Get off."
At my sharp tone, the mutant instantly leaped back.
Then, bristling all over, it openly tensed.
"That's my family. Don't climb on it again."
Tilting its head, the mutant cautiously approached the board, sniffing.
"What happened to your siblings?"
[Presence Detection] picked up nothing—just this one.
In response, the mutant swished its large tail.
No clue what that meant, but Hunter Finches are naturally solitary.
It must've long since become independent.
Rising, I performed my routine [Pure Water], [Ice Bolt], and [Ice Frost] with [Multi-Chant] to cool my family.
The mutant retreated from the chill but soon returned, seemingly realizing it was harmless.
"I'd like to celebrate our reunion, but I'm in a hurry. If I ever return, we'll meet then."
Shouldering the rope, I stepped forward—then paused.
By the third day, my body had grown accustomed to the weight.
Glancing back, the mutant was on the board again—this time perched at the edge, heeding my warning.
"What's your plan?"
It only wagged its tail in reply.
This thing has the [Language Comprehension] skill. It should understand, even if it can't speak—though who knows how much the skill fills in. Expressions absent in monsters might be loosely interpreted.
In the end, the mutant refused to leave, so I proceeded with it in tow.
It showed no hostility, and the added weight was negligible.
Later, while reapplying [Ice Frost], I continued with the mutant as my companion.
Encountering no monsters, I took a brief rest at midnight.
The next morning, the mutant was gone.
Had it grown bored of following?
Just as I thought so and rose, my vision blurred—and the mutant reappeared before me.
It carried two birds in its mouth, deftly tossing one my way.
"Huh? This for me?"
The mutant wagged its tail once, then began eating its bird.
A token of gratitude, perhaps?
We fought before, but I healed it and its siblings with potions.
Still, this feels like being fed.
Chuckling at the bird, I suddenly noticed my hunger.
When had I last eaten? Nothing since leaving town. Before that—just nibbling on preserved rations.
Well, might as well accept.
Plucking the feathers, I apologized to Konrad as I used my lightning sword to sever the head and gut it.
Then, I roasted the legs with [Flint] and took a bite.
Though unseasoned, saliva flooded my mouth—I must've been starving.
As I portioned the rest, the mutant stopped eating and watched intently.
Then, it flung its half-eaten bird's leg toward me.
"You want it cooked?"
Shrugging at the tail-wagging mutant, I roasted it and tossed it back.
Catching it midair, the mutant devoured it bones and all.
Next, it bisected the bird vertically and tossed it again.
"As you wish."
Setting my meal aside, I roasted the meat.
Watching the mutant alternate between raw and cooked bites, I searched for clean snow.
Shaping it into a bowl, I hardened it with [Ice Frost] and filled it with [Pure Water].
"Roasted meat is dry. Your face is also bloodied."
The mutant stared at its reflection, then looked up at me quizzically.
Thirst aside, it didn't care about appearances?
"The blood's scent will attract monsters."
This seemed to convince it.
The mutant swiftly finished its bird, then dunked its face into the bowl.
Shaking violently, it scattered water everywhere.
Meanwhile, I finished my meal and hydrated with [Pure Water].
The first proper meal in a while brought satisfaction.
Stretching my legs, I rested briefly, gazing at the forest.
Now that I think of it, it's been one journey after another.
The last proper bed was back home in Selene.
And yet, here I am, heading for the labyrinth.
Smirking, I stood and reached for the rope—
When suddenly, the mutant moved.
Dashing toward the grasslands, it stopped just at the edge of visibility.
Looking back as if to beckon, it mirrored the scene from days prior.
Where's it trying to lead me this time?
Activating [Beast Form] just in case, I followed while pulling the rope.
Not long after entering the grasslands, I sensed its destination.
A faint presence.
Following the mutant, I climbed a grassy slope.
Beyond it lay two collapsed Eras Rhinos.