MTM 41

Deep into the night, the city was unusually quiet. In fact, it was only the outskirts near the city walls that were quiet, not the city center. Due to Allen’s actions, the entire Bellancia Cathedral and its surroundings were crowded. They were in a lively mood, as it they were attending a festival.

Since Belnok was a city maintained by holy power, each day passed in monotonous routine, and maybe that was the reason why people had given Harto goat droppings as a prank, and maybe that was why they were excited about the sudden duel. They only wanted to find some amusement in their dull daily life.

So they might not be frightened about what had happened, and they might only think of it as some entertainment.

“Then Allen must’ve made up with that man?”

Harto, walking right behind Zed, murmured while looking toward the cathedral. Those who had fought a life-or-death duel would never end it with reconciliation.

But it was unlikely that he had been dragged back to the underground prison to suffer again. In these cases, it was better to hand over what the opponent wanted and drive them away to calm things quickly. If the rumor spread to the Empire, not only the priests but the entire city could suffer disadvantage.

Perhaps because of this commotion, the number of guards on duty had decreased. Thanks to that, Zed and Harto reached the candy shop safely.

Clack.

“Oh…!”

As soon as they closed the door carefully and stepped inside, Harto gasped. Two round lollipops on the counter were shining brightly like torches.

Creak.

When Harto grabbed one of the lollipops, the door behind the counter slid open.

“Leon?”

Harto walked toward the door, but Zed stopped him.

“It probably means we should go in. Harto, hold onto my coat.”

“Okay.”

Just as he said, Harto held the glowing lollipop in one hand and clutched Zed’s cloak with the other as they stepped inside together. As soon as they entered the darkness, the door closed.

Even though Harto was holding the lollipop, he could not see even an inch ahead. But it was fine. Even though he could not see anything, he knew Zed was beside him.

“…Ze, Zed.”

As time passed, Harto grew anxious. He had not known that not seeing anything could make someone feel so small. His steps slowed as he wondered if he should light even a small flame.

“Harto.”

“…!”

At that moment, he felt a large warmth wrap over his hand that was holding Zed’s coat.

“Hold my hand.”

“Okay…”

He always had thought that Zed’s hand felt good. It was large and soft, but he also felt secure because Zed’s body temperature was higher than his.

As he walked, holding Zed’s hand, his anxiety gradually disappeared. Instead, his heart beat faster.

‘Huh? I’m not scared anymore because Zed is holding my hand… then what is this?’

Although Harto was felt puzzled, he followed Zed, listening to his heartbeat as he experienced this phenomenon for the first time.

How long did they walk in the darkness like this?

Zed suddenly stopped walking, feeling something strange on the ground beneath his shoes.

“Look down.”

As Zed said, Harto lowered his gaze. His previously dark vision brightened, and green grass came into view. Even the smell was different smell. A fresh scent of grass and a cool breeze blew. Looking up again, he saw a night sky studded with twinkling stars.

They were not inside the candy shop anymore, but a dense forest.

“Harto, look over there.”

Zed pointed somewhere and spoke to the confused Harto. When Harto turned his head, he saw the enormous Bellancia Cathedral within the distant city walls. They had come outside Belnok.

“Wh, what happened?”

“Well… looks like Leon used magic or something.”

When Harto asked with wide eyes, Zed answered casually. It was probably a teleportation spell, the kind that often appeared in fantasy novels.

Swish.

“Zed.”

At that moment, Leon appeared from between the bushes. He stared at Zed and Harto who were holding hands, and after motioning for them to follow, he pushed through the thicket.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Swish, swish.

The grass on both sides was as tall as Harto’s height, so if he didn’t stay close behind Leon, he could lose him. For that reason, Zed walked behind Harto, who had slower steps. Fortunately, Leon sometimes stopped walking to wait for them.

“The ground’s uneven, so be careful not to fall.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

“…?”

While Zed was looking after Harto, Leon, who was walking at the front, spoke with a displeased tone and started walking again.

Harto was confused, wondering if he had done something wrong, and turned to look at Zed. Zed urged him to keep going, telling him not to worry.

When the chirping of insects grew louder around them, the three finally came out of the thicket. As Leon stepped aside, a small pond reflecting the moon appeared before them, and someone was standing with their back facing them.

“…Walter!”

Zed called out the name and jumped across the pond. The man called Walter immediately turned around. He had long silver hair and gray eyes, and his handsome face brightened as he smiled at Zed.

“I heard you were alive, and you look perfectly fine, Zed.”

“You thought I’d be missing an arm?”

Zed hit Walter’s shoulder with his fist. The blow was strong enough to make a sound, but Walter didn’t back away. He hit Zed’s shoulder even harder. After several rough punches, Walter ended it with one line, “Good to see you,” and the two hugged so tightly that it seemed their bones might crack.

It seemed that Zed and Walter were very close.

“Captain Walter and Zed first met during the early days of the Night Rage mercenary group. At that time, there were only Vice Captain Rozain and five elite soldiers, so there were many fights. But since last summer, Zed has become the core, and the number of members has increased to nearly twenty. Captain Walter liked Zed from the beginning.”

Leon came beside Harto and explained the relationship between Walter and Zed.

He also briefly introduced Walter. He said Walter had shown exceptional swordsmanship since childhood, had once made a name for himself as a royal swordsman, and at twenty-five, had formed the mercenary group.

‘A royal swordsman?’

Harto opened his eyes wide. Leon had been a candidate for royal mage. Harto realized that the Night Rage mercenary group was filled with highly skilled people.

“Harto!”

Perhaps their reunion had finished, because Zed called Harto’s name loudly. Harto, who had been waiting, Harto ran toward Zed. Zed hugged an Harto’s shoulders and smiled happily.

“This is Harto, the one I told you about.”

“Harto… that’s such a cute name. Thank you for saving the life of our vice captain. I’m Walter Rowien, captain of the Night Rage.”

“I… I’m Harto.”

When Walter extended his hand, Harto carefully shook it. His hand felt cold. As the handshake continued, Walter’s grip tightened a little, a tingling sensation passed through Harto. It was as if a mall electric current was flowing from the point of contact. Startled, Harto quickly withdrew his hand.

Walter grinned, as if enjoying the reaction, and stared intently at Harto’s face. Their gazes locked in an instant, and his eyes, once thought to be gray, burned red.

“…!”

Harto was startled for a moment. Maybe it was because Walter’s skin was so pale that he looked almost like a vampire, and that thought flashed across Harto’s mind without reason.

Harto was momentarily taken aback. Perhaps it was his pale, almost vampire-like skin that had caused the image to appear.

“Walter, that’s enough. And things like that don’t work on Harto.”

It was Zed’s hand that blocked the gap between them. The large palm blocked Harto’s vision, and he blinked and stepped back.

Zed was glaring at Walter.