MTM 23

The two who left Lindel Village crossed through the forest and spent several days climbing the continuous ridgelines. They did that to avoid the areas where bandits were stationed. They avoided roads that people often used and deliberately chose rough terrain.

They walked along narrow paths covered with thorn bushes, over rocks slick with thick moss, and through muddy trails soaked by rain. Naturally, Zed led the way, and Harto followed behind him with small steps.

“Are you tired?”

Zed reached out his hand to Harto after crossing the swamp.

“No, it’s fun…!”

Harto grinned with sweat trickling down his face.

He wasn’t just saying it. Harto really was having fun. It was the first time he had ever walked toward a destination with someone else, and it was the first time he had climbed mountains while gasping for breath. Sweat poured down his face like rain, and his legs trembled from exhaustion, but none of it bothered him. Because Zed was there.

Harto grasped Zed’s hand that was offered to him and crossed the swamp.

“There’s a waterfall nearby. Let’s wash there and rest early today.”

“Huh, really? I don’t hear the sound of a waterfall…?”

Harto perked up his ears and looked around, but only the beautiful chirps of birds echoed in the forest.

“If we go a little farther from here, we’ll reach Belnock. It’s a new city in the Belgard Empire. It’s more free than other places, so there are many refugees and exiles there. I used to visit often, so I know the area well.”

“Belnock of the Belgard Empire…?”

Harto didn’t show it, but he was surprised. Belnock of the Belgard Empire was a place that often appeared in the novel. It was one of the cities maintained by holy power, and the protagonist often visited there to offer his overflowing holy energy.

‘Could it be… if we go to Belnock, will I see Ares Carseon…?’

It was far earlier than the point in the story, but the thought that he might meet him made Harto nervous.

Shhhhhh.

Just as Zed had said, they soon reached a waterfall.

Harto’s eyes widened as he looked at it. The vast waterfall was far greater than anything shown on TV. The water pouring from the edge of the cliff looked like light descending through a crack in the sky. The stream of water fell endlessly from top to bottom, and white spray rose from below.

“Wow….”

The roaring sound of the waterfall made Harto’s chest pound. He was moved. Even after night fell and they set up camp, he continued turning his head toward the waterfall again and again.

“Harto.”

It was while the two were sitting by the campfire, grilling fish they had caught in the river. Zed, who had been quietly watching Harto pick at the fish meat, spoke.

“Yes?”

“In Lindel Village, I told you one of my secrets.”

“Yes.”

The ability to see what he wanted by placing his hand on another’s head. The more Harto learned about Zed, the more he thought Zed really had many talents.

“Don’t you have one?”

“Huh? I don’t have any ability like that.”

Harto answered in confusion while focusing on separating the white fish meat from the bones.

“I don’t mean that…. You can control fire.”

“Yes.”

“Do you maybe, other than fire…”

“Ah, Zed! Look at this! I thought its belly looked round, and it’s full of eggs!”

Harto showed Zed the skewer he held, where the roasted fish eggs glistened, with shining eyes. Maybe it wasn’t just to boast, because he plucked off the egg sac and popped it into his mouth. The rich, savory taste spread through his mouth as he chewed.

“It’s delicious…. But… I feel bad for the fish…. But it’s really good….”

Even as he felt guilty, Harto cupped his hand under the skewer to keep any eggs from falling and ate happily.

“…Enough. Let’s talk after you finish eating.”

Zed gave up on trying to start a serious talk in the middle of a meal and was about to throw away his finished skewer.

Then Harto suddenly jumped to his feet.

“Zed! Wait, that’s a waste! You can’t throw it away! If you roast the fish head until it’s crisp, it tastes great. Give it to me!”

“……”

Whoosh.

Harto created a large flame from his fingertips. He turned the fish head this way and that, roasting it thoroughly. He even adjusted the flame’s strength depending on the part.

“Here. Make sure you eat the eyes too. That’s the best part.”

“…Thanks.”

Harto handed the crisp, flame-roasted fish head to Zed with a satisfied expression. He didn’t even notice the smudge of black soot that had appeared on the tip of his nose.

“Oh right. What were you going to say earlier?”

“……”

Zed stared at Harto, who had only just remembered the question like it hadn’t been intentional. Harto blinked, not understanding.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Harto asked as he chewed the last bit of fish in his mouth. Zed gestured for him to come closer.

“Okay.”

Harto walked toward Zed. The closer he got, the more he was impressed by Zed’s looks. Maybe it was because the firelight made Zed’s face glow with warm heat. The eyes under his long lashes sparkled like flames were burning inside.

‘Wow, he’s beautiful….’

Zed had looked cool under sunlight and starlight, but under firelight he looked even better. While Harto stared at him with a silly grin, Zed frowned.

“…You’re doing that on purpose.”

“Huh?”

Before Harto could ask what he meant, Zed brushed Harto’s tiny nose with his thumb.

“Ah.”

“You got something on you. So careless.”

“Uh, y-yes….”

When Harto saw the soot smeared on Zed’s finger, he touched his own nose in embarrassment. His nose tip turned red in an instant, and Zed laughed as he ruffled his hair.

“It’s all wiped off now. Go finish eating.”

“Okay.”

Harto hurried back to his place and started eating the fish again.

“……”

Watching Harto focus completely on eating, Zed wondered if he had been suspicious for no reason.

When he had patted the cat’s head at the entrance of Lindel Village, he had briefly seen an image. Through the cat’s eyes, he had seen Harto leaning close to the well, doing something.

‘The well is full of water!’

Maybe it hadn’t been Harto’s doing. The Noglis might have filled the well out of guilt. Or maybe, as the villagers believed, it had been the power of the guardian spirit.

If he wanted to know, all he had to do was place his hand on Harto’s head. But for some reason, he didn’t want to. He wanted to hear it directly from Harto’s mouth instead. No… maybe he didn’t really want to hear it at all.

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

Zed felt dumbfounded by the strange contradiction in his own feelings.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Harto finally stood before the grand city of Belnock at the end of the long journey.

“W… wow….”

He was already amazed even before entering Belnock. The towering gray mountain ranges surrounding it on all sides and the peaks that seemed to pierce the sky made him gasp. The enormous mountains enclosed the city in a circle, as if it sat inside a giant crater.

Beyond the white city walls rose pointed spires, and at their center stood a massive cathedral. The sacred atmosphere it exuded made it look less like a structure and more like a work of art.

“It’s even more amazing than I imagined….”

When Harto muttered with a dazed face, Zed laughed and started walking.

“Belnock is one of the most developed commercial cities. Entry is free, and both the gates and walls are open to everyone. But because people come and go freely, clerics manage the city strictly for security reasons. If nothing happens, they let you pass, but if you act suspiciously…”

Before he even finished speaking, clerics in white robes at the city gate ordered the holy knights to seize some people. Those people cried and pleaded, but the holy knights didn’t even flinch.

Now that he thought about it, there had been an episode in the novel where the protagonist had fought alongside holy knights….

‘That won’t happen today. So why am I this nervous….’

“Let’s go in.”

Maybe because of the commotion earlier, Harto hesitated, but Zed spoke calmly. Harto jumped in surprise.

“Ah! R-right now?! What if they ask where we came from?”

“Just say we came from Lindel Village. That’s not a lie.”

“Then… can I say I’m a monster?”

“You can’t.”

“Th-then what should I….”

“Shh. Just stay next to me.”

“O-okay….”

As Harto walked stiffly beside him in fear, Zed teased, “Should I carry you?” Harto pressed pursed his lips and shook his head. A moment later, a holy knight checking identities stood right in front of them.