HEO 60

[No, that’s a land animal. It’s a creature skilled at hunting underwater. When food is scarce in the mountains during winter, it hunts in rivers and lakes.]

[Amazing! It must be an animal unique to Stoll. In Atania…!]

Before he could finish, Wolf’s face turned pale. At some point, Black Weasel was glaring at him. The sight, reminiscent of a vicious interrogator blocking the path of a prisoner, made Silver’s scalp tingle.

He tried to say something but stopped himself. Telling him to back off wouldn’t work; Black Weasel wouldn’t even pretend to listen. Instead of wasting time appeasing that bastard, it was better to think of a plan for when the exorcism failed. No matter what, he needed to secure multiple escape routes.

The best method was to take Bingapsu’s attention from Wolf. He had to make him back off even a single step… Damn it, what to do? Threats wouldn’t work on that vicious bastard… Ah, threats?

That’s it!

Silver grinned and glanced at Wolf. The glare, which seemed to imply, “You understand what I mean?”, was quickly dismissed. Wolf’s face was filled with the unspoken question, ‘Why are you smiling, Silver?’ With no other choice, Silver cleared his throat and subtly waved a flag, signaling, “I’ll do something now, you just need to act accordingly.” But then.

[Silver. Do you have a cold? Are you alright?]

That was the only dumb reply he got. Great, joint operation canceled. Solo advance!

Silver abruptly dipped his oar and initiated combat.

[Hey, servant. You’re skilled, right?]

[Huh? At What?]

[What else? Fight, obviously. Bingapsu praised you so much he was practically drooling. He said you’re like the hero of a legendary victory tale. You’re good at fighting, right?]

Wolf didn’t answer, and furtively looked around. For some reason, Red Eagle was also tense. He nervously glanced between Wolf and Silver.

[Why aren’t you talking? I asked if you’re good at fighting. Hmph, you are! No matter how much you try to hide it, you can’t fool my eyes. You’re strong! As strong as me! Maybe even stronger!]

[Th-that… Actually…]

Wolf rubbed his face roughly with both hands. When he opened his mouth again, his voice sounded almost distorted.

[Actually, I… can’t fight… I’ve never fought anyone before…]

[Ha! What can’t you do?]

Silver snorted.

[Who do you think would believe that? A baby born yesterday? You beat me in jumping. Not on flat ground, but in that dangerous place. You even started later than me and Bingapsu, yet you got there first… Ha!”

Silver let out an exclamation and glanced at Black Weasel from the corner of his eye. Hooked, you bastard! Five wrinkles appeared between his brows. His lips were pursed. It was the face he made when he’d lost every round of a drinking bet and only one last cup remained.

[If you’re the one who can’t fight, then what am I? A squirrel? You let me win during the cave wall climbing competition too, right? You held back because you were afraid that I’d cause trouble for the prince if you did well. You’re amazing. You practiced for only a few days and got ahead of me!]

[That was…]

Wolf couldn’t find the words and lowered his gaze. Silver was shocked by this sight. No way! He really did go easy on me back then? It was all just talk for the sake of the plan…

Then… could his fighting skills actually be better than mine? No, no! That can’t be.

[Hmph, hmph… So that’s it. You went easy on me… You’re better at fighting than I am…]

Unbeknownst to him, his voice started trembling. Black Weasel was just as shocked as Silver. Everything was going exactly as planned, but… Shit, why does my stomach feel like it’s turning inside out?

[Impressive. I didn’t know you were this strong. I’m sorry for messing with you. From now on, I’ll treat you with respect, so please don’t retaliate. We’re friends, right?]

[Y-You, Wolf, you…!]

Red Eagle chimed in.

[My eyes didn’t deceive me! I’ve never seen a knight as agile as you in the court martial arts tournament! Wolf, you were fighting in the back alleys, right? Stop dodging and tell me honestly! How many did you take down?]

[Your Highness, I’m just an ordinary baker’s apprentice…]

[I won’t be fooled anymore! Trust my eye, honed by watching countless tournaments! You’re a genius fighter, Wolf! The legend of the back alleys!]

Red Eagle clenched both fists and raised his voice. Thanks to the prince acting as backup, Silver’s plan succeeded. It completely changed his impression of Wolf from “a guy with great potential” to “a guy with hidden great power.”

Black Weasel’s eyelids twitched as he gritted his teeth. Thick veins pulsed like salted earthworms on his hand holding the oar. Well, my stomach hurts a bit, but the result is good, so it’s fine. Now even Bingapsu wouldn’t dare mess with Wolf… Huh?

[No, Silver. If it’s about jumping, I’ll explain.]

Wolf waved a hand as he spoke.

[Back then, you and the old man just ran straight ahead. I used the tall rocks beside us. Remember? Those… cliffs? rock pillars? Anyway, they were constantly shaking a little.]

Silver’s grip on the oar tightened. Wolf was tripping the person who’d saved his life while enduring stomach pain. Hey, shut your mouth!

In front of Silver, who was screaming silently, Wolf babbled useless nonsense. He even used gestures.

[While I was looking at the swaying rock pillars, a crazy idea suddenly occurred to me. If I jumped in the direction the rock was leaning, wouldn’t I gain more speed? See, like this, you know? When the rock tilts like this, you take the full force of the fall. See? It’s not hard, right?]

It was fucking hard. Even Black Weasel looked like he was thinking, ‘What the hell is that nonsense?’ Only the prince clapped his hands in admiration.

[I see! You gained acceleration by jumping straight left and right! Right, that doubles your speed! Brilliant strategy, Wolf!]

[Strategy? You flatter me.]

Wolf bowed his head. His ears were bright red.

[At first, I just tried it randomly so I wouldn’t slip as much. I was surprised by the result myself.]

Silver still couldn’t make out what he was babbling about, but one thing was obvious. Back then, Wolf had outmaneuvered him by thinking on his feet.

Who knew his head had such practical uses besides eating, seeing, hearing, and talking…

Silver was mid-admiration when he suddenly came back to his senses. Now wasn’t the time for this! My intimidation tactic had completely backfired!

He hurriedly tried to look at Black Weasel but hesitated. The flow of the waves touching the oars had subtly changed. It wasn’t a mistake. A presence was spreading up from beneath the previously calm surface.

The current clumped together somewhere, then slowly dispersed. Soon, a heavy force took hold of the surface. Like a very slow pulse, the pressure of something immense churning deep beneath the surface relentlessly pounded against the oars. Silver raised his head and looked straight ahead. Nothing was visible through the thick fog.

Silver moved the oar as he carefully gauged the situation. His shoulder and elbow joints ached. The tip of the oar twisted inward. The effort required to row was five times greater than usual. Pressure like this wasn’t from just three or four fishing boats. Dozens? And…

“Warships.”

Black Weasel blurted out.

“About thirty? Each one swarming with warriors.”

“…Fuck.”

Silver glared at Black Weasel.

“Like I wouldn’t know. My shoulders have been killing me since earlier.”

“Move toward the riverbank. We need to politely make way for them. Ah, wait a moment.”

At those words, Silver stopped rowing. Black Weasel dipped his hand into the river water, then grabbed the oar again and frowned.

“Correction. At least fifty ships.”

“What rotten luck.”

Silver cursed and resumed rowing. They were in danger of being trampled like rabbits by dozens of horses’ hooves. He ignored Wolf’s pleading eyes shouting, ‘Translate! Translate!’ I’m busy, damn it!

As they approached the riverbank, black shadows stretched out beyond the fog. It looked like a dense forest had suddenly appeared. Silver and Black Weasel stopped rowing and watched the forest. Wolf and Red Eagle felt the tense atmosphere and also fell silent. The forest gradually grew larger. In response, the waves surged and rolled, forming long mountain ranges.

The next moment, Red Eagle gasped and covered his mouth with one hand. Wolf’s clenched the hand resting on his knee.