MTM 43

‘Then… does that mean ten members decided to join?’

‘No. I can’t tell the exact number. That’s only how many came to Belnok.’

‘……’

‘I’m sorry, Zed. I know that wasn’t your intention, but since we couldn’t even confirm if you were alive all this time, I don’t think you can avoid suspicion.’

That meant Walter was leaving open the possibility that Zed could be the spy, just like any other member.

‘Shit, if that’s how it is….’

The plan had completely fallen apart. He had only planned to rejoin the mercenary group with Harto.

Now even that had become dangerous. No, if he moved recklessly now, his identity could be exposed, and the entire group could be put in danger.

‘…Maybe it’s really time to leave.’

Perhaps he had already known from the moment of the crows’ attack, when the black flames had surrounded him. But he had forced himself not to face it. It was because he didn’t want to part with those he had shared and death with under the name “Zed Shaden.”

“Zed, are we going back to the inn?”

Under the star-studded sky, Harto cautiously asked Zed. Belnok was visible behind him. They had already taken their belongings from the inn, but going back to stay for one night wouldn’t be hard.

But after that?

Would they hide until the other members arrived, as Walter said, once morning came? Or would they leave the city tonight, ending everything here?

Standing at the crossroads, Zed looked at Harto.

Whatever choice he made, he was sure Harto would follow him, and his trust was weighing down on his heart. It was the weight of responsibility, something he had never felt before.

“I’m sorry, Harto…”

“Why?”

“I thought everything would be fine… once I met the others.”

Zed’s voice was filled with regret, self-reproach, and helplessness.

Harto took a step closer and looked at him. His blue eyes showed no hesitation and no tremor.

“I’m not like that.”

“What?”

“I… from the start, I thought everything would be fine as long as you were there, Zed.”

Harto gently held Zed’s hand. His touch was filled unspoken comfort and sincerity.

“Harto…”

Strangely, Zed felt his heart lighten at those words from Harto.

Rustle.

“Ah.”

As silence descended, the sound of rustling leaves came from somewhere, and Harto flinched.

“It’s a moss worm.”

Zed spoke quietly.

Moss worms were softly crawling slowly under a tree, chewing leaves in their mouths. They weren’t wary of humans and came and went through the holes between the tree roots.

Zed’s eyes narrowed as he watched them. One of the moss worms was holding a black feather in its mouth.

“That is…”

Boom!

Right then, a thunderous roar like the sky splitting apart echoed from beyond the mountain. At the same time, flames engulfed the Bellancia Cathedral in the center of Belnok. The fire rose high as if it would swallow the Milky Way.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

The fire swallowed half the cathedral in an instant. Smoke rose between the collapsing buildings, and the wind carried the sparks that fell everywhere like balls of fire.

People who had been inside the cathedral screamed and rushed out in a panic. They pushed each other in desperation, and many fell together. Those who fell were trampled by others trying to escape, and no one stopped to help.

The entire city turned into chaos in seconds. Guards and merchants scooped water from barrels and ran to put out the flames, but it was useless. A child who had lost his parents cried out, and robbers took advantage of the confusion to loot the shops.

The moment people realized the Bellancia Cathedral had been attacked, order collapsed. It revealed how this city had been full of hypocrisy all along. The priests and the high priest ignored the dying citizens and fled to the safe zone with the holy knights.

“Save the child first! Evacuate them in the direction opposite the wind!”

At least the Night Rage mercenaries hidden around the city started moving quickly. They subdued the robbers and led residents to safety.

“Fuck! What the hell is this?!”

In the middle of it, Allen stormed out of a tavern half-naked. Grabbing his head in panic at the sudden fire, he looked terrified. His flushed face showed he had been drinking with the money he got from the high priest.

“Allen? How are you here…”

A female mercenary from Night Rage recognized him. She had bright sky-blue hair tied tightly in a ponytail. She was one of the core elite members of the mercenary group, calm in battle and gentle by nature. Her name was Lidel.

“What, Lidel? What are you doing…”

Thunk!

Before he could finish speaking, something flew fast. A dreadful sound of tearing flesh followed, and an axe struck the back of Lidel’s head.

“Li… Lidel…!”

Allen caught Lidel’s falling body by reflex. Blood ran down his shoulder, and the light faded from Lidel’s eyes. Allen’s breath caught in his throat. It was so sudden that it left him unable to grasp what had just happened.

“Ha. Look at that bastard’s face…!”

At that moment, he saw figures coming through the smoke-filled street. Silver armor, a half-chalice emblem, and swords at their waists. They were a group of holy knight apprentices. Among them, a red-haired apprentice was grinning with a twisted smile.

That alone told him what this was.

“You… you bastard… did you do this insane thing just out of spite?!”

Allen shouted, his voice filled with fury. If that was the reason, it was something he could never forgive.

“What else? A filthy savage like you dared to insult a noble like me! You thought you’d stay alive after that? Huh?! There’s a limit to how stupid you can be!”

The red-haired apprentice sneered, and his voice rose louder as his anger spiraled out of control. His body trembled, and the others beside him had to steady him.

“But… captain, why’s he the only one here? Where’re the others? Did they run off after setting the fire…?”

The apprentice who had been wounded by Zed’s sword earlier spoke while leaning on crutches. Blood leaked from the bandages wrapped around his side. He didn’t seem to care about his life either.

Allen’s thoughts turned chaotic. These lunatics had burned the cathedral and killed innocent Lidel just because of their pride.

Sparing them after that duel had been a mistake. He had thought they weren’t even worth killing and let them go. If he had known this would happen, he should’ve cut them down right there.

Allen looked at Lidel, who had died without even closing her eyes. His whole body trembled with rage. They hadn’t known each other long, but she wasn’t someone who deserved to die like this.

“Was she your lover? Then you should’ve kept her safe, especially at a time like this. It’s all your fault that she’s dead.”

The red-haired apprentice mocked him, and his group laughed along. Their laughter resounded in the chaos.

“You bastards…!”

Allen had no weapon, but he charged at the group of apprentices barehanded. The larger ones shouted and drew their swords to meet him, but their resolve didn’t last.

“Ugh!”

Allen seized one of their swords and sliced off his head in an instant. Blood sprayed like a fountain.

“Wh… what…”

The group, including the red-haired apprentice, froze in fear. Allen swung his sword again without hesitation, and two more fell. His face was covered in blood that no expression could be seen.

His eyes were filled with murderous intent. The duel from earlier in the day now seemed like nothing more than a joke. Only now did the red-haired apprentice realize how much Allen had been holding back.

The fear of death crawled down their spines.

“What are you all doing!? Att… attack him, now!”

The red-haired apprentice shouted frantically. One of the others hesitated, then stepped forward, but he was cut down and fell bleeding.

“He’s… he’s a monster! Run!”

The apprentices threw away their swords and fled. The red-haired one turned last and stumbled after them in panic.

Allen started to chase them but stopped.

Lidel’s body lay cold on the ground. He couldn’t leave her there. Allen knelt silently and gently closed her eyes.

“Allen.”

Allen heard the sudden voice that came without a sound of approach, and he lifted his head. Then he let out a breath of relief.

“Walter…”

It was Walter, captain of the Night Rage mercenaries. If Lidel had been here, it made sense for Walter to appear as well.

“Leave this to us, and go.”

Walter came to Allen and held out his hand, telling him to entrust Lidel to him. Allen hesitated for a moment, then placed Lidel in Walter’s arms.

“…I’m sorry.”

Allen briefly apologized to Lidel, whose face looked peaceful as if she were only asleep, and then he turned and went after the red-haired apprentice.

“……”

Walter watched Allen’s back in silence.

Swish.

A silver mask with a beak rose silently from Walter’s shadow, which was swaying to a nd fro in the blazing flames.

“…That guy has nothing to do with our mercenary group. There’s nothing to gain by cha sing that weakling.”

At Walter’s words, the silver mask seemed to understand and quietly disappeared back into the shadows.