HEO 26

SIGKILL://full_party_terminate

‘Physical prowess is paramount for a warrior.’

On the day he first brought Silver into the cave, Black Weasel said that.

‘If you can scale this cave wall barehanded and reach the far end before the hourglass runs out three times, you’ll be considered to possess first-rate physical ability. I cleared it during my first training session. And that was in just two days. Exactly two days.’

Black Weasel waggled two fingers and bragged.

‘This training is too early for you. Let’s start with basic conditioning. Build your stamina for a month, then we’ll move on to combat training.’

Silver ran his palm along the cave wall.

‘You took two whole days on this?’

‘This…?’

Black Weasel’s eyebrow twitched.

‘Dammit, does that look like a garden fence to you? You don’t know shit, you little brat.’

‘What’s the difference from climbing a ladder? Watch.’

‘Watch what… Hey, Silver! It’s dangerous! You’re not ready yet…!’

Regardless of Black Weasel’s shouts, Silver quickly climbed up the cave wall. The wall was quite high, so it took a while to reach the hole. When he came back down, Black Weasel was starting at Silver with his mouth agape. The gaping mouth soon turned into a broad grin. Black Weasel scooped Silver up and shouted.

‘Silver! You’re a thunder too!’

That was eleven years ago Back when Black Weasel would walk briskly with Silver perched on one shoulder.

The memories that were unfurling like a unwinding spring, halted. Silver opened his eyes. His back ached from leaning against the tree for so long. The bonfire burning all night was dying down.

“…Damn.”

Silver picked up a stone and hurled it with all his might. It splashed with and sent up a small white spray. It was as if the river was spitting in anger.

Ahead, the river and the great mountain stood firm. That scene probably hadn’t changed much from hundreds of years ago. The surroundings were silent. Occasionally, a bird cried out like an old man’s cough in the dead of night, but no human presence was felt.

The stronghold of blond barbarians, notorious throughout Atania for their raucousness, was actually this quiet. A place where, once you left the tribe, you might not encounter another person for ten days. A place filled with nothing but unbroken silence, save for the chirping of birds. A place so dull it could even bring back unwanted memories from the past.

Silver stood up and twisted his waist. The sun was sinking toward the west.

That reckless bastard, what the hell’s he doing to be this late? Though unlikely, the thought had occurred to him yesterday while hunting: perhaps he had fallen to his death while returning to the hideout. On that very path, Silver headed for the spot where they kept the ferry boat hidden. If the boat was there, it would confirm an accident.

The ferry boat was gone. Black Weasel must be staying in the village near the Erem Orphanage or in Morgan. He decided to wait there overnight. Yet, even by late afternoon the next day, no ferry approached across the river.

“One, two…”

Silver silently counted as he watched the river. He planned to turn back if the ferry didn’t appear within five counts from one to eight.

“Five, six. …Oh.”

It was perfect timing. Just then, a ferry boat appeared. It slowly approached from the distant opposite shore. It would take a while to get here from there. After tossing a branch into the campfire to stoke the flames, Silver propped his head on his arm, flopped down flat, and fell asleep.

“Hey, you bastard, Silver!”

The voice ringing in his ears made Silver slowly open his eyes. Black Weasel was looking down at him.

“Why are you here? Did you dream about me last night or something?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

Silver scratched his head and sat up.

“You weren’t coming, so I thought you’d rolled down the mountain and died. I came down to check. You’re alive and well. What a bummer.”

“Don’t give me that ‘I was worried you died’ bullshit! Who knew this lazy slave would ever act commendable!”

“I wasn’t worried!”

Silver jabbed his elbow into Black Weasel’s shin. The latter didn’t flinch, just wiggled his fingers and headed for the ferry.

“Anyway, good to see you. Let’s move this damn boat together.”

“You do it alone. All you’ve got going for you is brute strength.”

“I’m old now, my strength isn’t what it used to be. I thought I’d die rowing here alone, you know?”

“You only act old at times like this.”

Silver flopped back down again. Black Weasel hoisted the ferry alone and carried it to the thicket.

“I carried it alone because I was pleased you came to greet your master. Ah, it’s cold.”

Black Weasel grumbled and held both hands out in front of the campfire.

“How about those fools? Were they trembling in fear they’d die by my hand?”

“Not really.”

Silver replied flatly. Black Weasel raised one eyebrow.

“Not really? That’s strange. I scared the crap out of them. The prince and that servant looked like they were about to piss themselves right then and there.”

“They played along just fine. Why, are you disappointed?”

“Disappointed? Of course I am. It’s disheartening when I put on such a fierce face and they don’t even flinch.”

Despite his words, Black Weasel wore a cheerful expression. The smile never left his face. Did that bastard find gold while walking down the street?

“By the way, what about the prince’s mother? No news at all?”

“Ah, well…”

Black Weasel didn’t say anything for a while. A rustling sound came from the forest beyond his shoulder. This area had been deserted for over twenty years, ever since rumors spread that evil spirits roamed here after a plague wiped out twenty small tribes. The cave Black Weasel used as a hideout had originally been built to shelter the weak and elderly during tribal wars.

Black Weasel gave Silver a look. The latter slipped his hand inside his robe and drew a dagger. Just as he jumped to his feet, someone emerged from the forest, scanning the area. Silver’s breath hitched.

The-the servant?

Wolf also spotted them. Startled, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes darted between Silver and Black Weasel, filled with dismay. Silver couldn’t move an inch. Would this be how it would feel if Black Weasel suddenly transformed into a seductive middle aged woman? Was there some hidden passage in the cave that even Bingapsu and him hadn’t discovered?

That’s not the problem! That bastard’m is going to lose his neck!

Silver cautiously examined Black Weasel. What should I do? Even if I try to stop him, Bingapsu won’t listen this time. How can I make him stop at just cutting off one of the servant’s ears… Dammit, I can’t think of anything. Maybe I should just knock Bingapsu unconscious.

“Hey. Servant.”

Black Weasel aimed his axe at Wolf.

“How did you get out of the cave? What’s that bag?”

Wolf remained silent, his expression blank. Silver jabbed Black Weasel’s side.

“You idiot. You just spoke in Stoll.”

“Oh, right? Damn it, I was startled too.”

Black Weasel spat phlegm and spoke again.

[Servant, what are you doing? How did you get out? What’s that bag?]

[Well.]

Wolf lowered his eyes.

[I escaped through the cave hole.]

At those words, Black Weasel’s eyes changed completely. Silver felt like he’d been hit in the back of the head.

[The cave hole? That one? The hole you have to climb up the wall to reach?]

Black Weasel asked back. He was trying hard to stay calm, but he couldn’t believe it either.

[Yes? Yes.]

Wolf answered with a flustered expression. His tone implied, What else could it be?

[The bag just has things needed for camping overnight. I took everything from your hideout. I’m sorry.]

[You snuck out alone without the prince knowing?]

[Yes. I have to survive too.]

[You admit it so readily, it’s actually suspicious. Hmph, the prince must have told you to run. He said you couldn’t both die, so at least you should live. Am I wrong?]

Wolf didn’t answer.

[Well, well, the prince shows his hand again. Who knew he had that kind of nerve?]

Black Weasel whistled and glanced at Silver.

“See? Your master was right. Those guys were shaking like leaves. You got played, Silver.”

Silver couldn’t say a word. Black Weasel gave Wolf a nod.

[Throw the bag over here.]

Wolf tossed the bag. Black Weasel signaled to Silver with his eyes.

[Open the bag and check it.]

Inside were provisions, a compass, flint, and other items. Silver doubted his own ears at the words that followed.

[Servant, carry the bag. You’re coming back to the cave with us.]