Chapter 295 - 295. The Battle for the Fortress and the Separation of Hyatts and Hatts
Ten days had passed since we encountered a man from the Crimson Brigade. The same mountains continued as before, but we had grown accustomed to walking this pathless path. The Giant appeared and disappeared intermittently, but it was absent more often than not. It never directly engaged us, but when it appeared, it caused intense tremors that triggered landslides. It mostly just made the path impassable, causing us to curse under our breaths.
We were prepared to encounter mercenaries from the Crimson Brigade, but there were none. In the end, we obtained no information at all. According to Hyatts and Hatts, who accompanied us, the frequency of monster encounters felt like it had increased, but I couldn’t say it was noticeable.
Until now, we had been moving along the foot of the mountains, but now we were steadily climbing a steep slope.
“Not much further now!”
Hyatts said between ragged breaths. Not just him, but everyone’s breathing was labored. The steep climb ended, replaced by a gentle slope. The trees overhead thinned, allowing sunlight to dapple the ground. Hyatts stopped and pointed through the gap in the trees.
I went to look, but he pressed my head down.
“Don’t stick your head out too much. Look at the top of the mountain across the way.”
Doing as he said, hiding my body while looking, it was still several kilometers away. It resembled a miniature diorama, like a matchbox held at a distance. The summit of the green-covered mountain formed a flat plateau, with drab stone structures standing in rows. Surrounded by ramparts, the buildings beyond were also visible. Its isolated location in the mountains made it seem like a secluded monastery. It was unclear if anyone was there. The ramparts appeared well-maintained, but the buildings looked dilapidated and showed signs of collapse. I couldn’t tell whether it was due to age, destruction by the Giant, or the monsters the Crimson Brigade man said had emerged.
“That’s the fortress…?”
Mizuki frowned as she peered over my shoulder.
“Can you see the details?”
“I think I can see more than Mash can.”
Even though she didn’t sound confident, she casually threw in a jab. I was too old to see up close, but I could see far away. That’s what old people always said, right? “I’m not that old! I can see just fine and my memory is sharp. If I had something to write with, I could draw your equipment exactly as it is!”
“Ugh… don’t say creepy things. I feel like my eyesight has improved since coming to this world.”
I could agree with Mizuki’s comment. Indeed, I felt like my vision had improved since arriving. Whether it was because I used my eyes less, or Racshell did something, I didn’t know.
“What we do from here…” Mizuki looked at me for direction. I, in turn, looked at Hyatts.
“We’re as far as we’re going. It’s time for us to head back.”
“What?”
“We only came this far to guide you.” With that, he gave Fam’s back a forceful pat. “We’re entrusting our feelings to you, Fam.”
Hyatts and Hatts chuckled loudly, careful not to make too much noise. They raised their clubs and started back the way they came. I kept watching their backs, and Fam’s back, as she waved them off. Even after they were out of sight, I was still staring at where they had been. The inside of my head was a mess; I hadn’t really sorted out what I wanted to do.
“Honestly, I don’t know if you’re too sentimental or not.”
Mizuki sighed, folding her arms. “What do you mean?”
“You had the same look on your face when you went into Aidan’s workshop in Richelle.”
“Were you listening when Aidan and I were talking?”
I reflexively looked at Mizuki’s face, and she gave me an awkward smile, nodding. That was when I was trying to get him to join us and he politely declined. I thought I had confirmed she was out of earshot before I said that, but it seemed she heard everything.
“You think I’m pathetic, don’t you?”
She shook her head at my words. Then my hand was taken. “It’s not like I think Mash is—”
Before Mizuki could finish, Maira slipped between us and pulled Mizuki away.
“Mash, do you think we’ll reach the fortress by nightfall?”
“Yeah, you’re right. But won’t it be difficult to camp around here? I feel like we’ll be discovered by the smoke. We need to do some scouting.”
But continuing beyond this point to set up camp would be impossible. “The things we need to confirm are whether the Giant has already attacked the fortress, if members of the Crimson Brigade are hiding there, how many remain if they are, and whether monsters have taken up residence.”
I nodded at Maira’s words. The fortress didn’t appear to be heavily damaged. So either the Giant hadn’t arrived yet, or the Crimson Brigade repelled them. At that moment, Nefee quietly raised her hand.
“Shall I go and check?”
I stared intently at her face. “I have connections to the Crimson Brigade. And they don’t know I’ve joined Levante. Even if they find me, I can come up with an excuse.”
She wore her usual faint smile. That meant she was trying to hide her true feelings. I was starting to recognize it, even I. Marmie stared closely at her.
“…I didn’t understand how you could act as if nothing happened after fighting so much in Migul. In the first place, what’s the possibility that you joined Levante as a spy for the Crimson Brigade?”
“I told Mash I’d offer him my body, didn’t I? Please believe me.”
“…But Mash hasn’t taken you up on it.”
Nefee tilted her head. “True. Then should I ask Mash to hold me now?”
She looked at me. Between that, Maira cut in. For some reason, she was the one to intercept us today. It felt impossible to break through her defenses. “Wait. Just because Mash and Nefee are in that kind of relationship doesn’t mean Nefee’s suspicions will be cleared. Besides, I don’t want you getting close to Mash for that kind of proof.”
Maira looked at Fam for help. But Fam, who would usually be the most angry about these kinds of things, was quiet. Ever since leaving Lily’s village, she had become more taciturn.
“I don’t intend to send Nefee out as a scout. It would be troublesome if she was attacked by the Giant while separated, or captured by the Crimson Brigade.”
We’d already traveled together for several days. Certainly, she’d spent more time belonging to the Messiah than with us. But if I started questioning her now, it would include every member here, who I’d only met four months ago. I couldn’t bring myself to suspect her, nor could I send her alone on a scouting mission. Looking at Mizuki, she pouted slightly.
“I also don’t want to doubt Nefee…” Mizuki added.
For the time being, we decided to camp in a hollow opposite the fortress. We set up a tarp to protect us from the night dew, but we couldn’t light a fire. The storage had warm food for occasions like this. The night chill grew stronger day by day. I wanted to warm ourselves with a bonfire. There was still time before sunset, but eating in the dark was impossible. We distributed the food to everyone and had an early dinner. I gave Fam her favorite, roasted corn, but she didn’t seem to be here. She ate, but she seemed distant. It felt even worse since Hyatts and Hatts left.
“Fam… if something’s bothering you, tell me.”
She looked up and glanced at me. “I felt relieved when the Crimson Brigade mercenaries we met on the way here died. I don’t know what to do about the people from the Crimson Brigade anymore. I know I have to decide. But, my Lord, what do you think?”
I froze at her words. She was a victim whose village was attacked, whose parents were killed, and who was sold into slavery. She wasn’t the only one. There were many others who were sold as slaves, like the dog-eared girl I met in Heilong, and Samaim, who remained in Migul. It was impossible to forgive the Crimson Brigade. At first, I wanted to massacre them all. That anger hadn’t changed. I had the chance in Migul. All I could do was force Racshell to enact the judgment we should have carried out. Fam and I both hesitated. And stopped it. Killing them wouldn’t be of any comfort, and the wounds Fam and the others suffered would never truly heal. But there are some who can’t move forward without starting at that point.
“There are still many options left for me.”
“Every option contains both right and wrong.”
Fam’s eyes widened at my words.
“It’s true, my Lord. I can’t ignore it. But the aftertaste will be bad no matter what result I choose.”
Fam bit into the roasted corn. So did I. The grains easily fell apart, their sweetness mingling with the sweet and salty flavors of the sauce.
“Wouldn’t it be best if we could catch them all and let the city of Migul judge them…?”
Marmie looked up at my words.
“…What do you expect from that, Mash?”
“I think the most fair thing would be to give them legitimate judgment in this world, wouldn’t it?”
“…There are only 100… 200 at most, remaining in the Crimson Brigade now? Even if we captured them and took them to Migul, our choices would be execution or slavery.”
“No, it’s fair judgment. Some might have been forced into it. Perhaps we could lessen the punishment?”
“…Pay for their sins with a fine? How would people without backing pay that fine?”
I was at a loss for words at Marmie’s analysis. Even if we released them, they would have no choice but to continue being thieves. I thought about imprisonment, but I hadn’t seen any large facilities like prisons since coming to this world. In the first place, there wasn’t a system to socially confine criminals and encourage their rehabilitation. Reed was a nobleman from the Western Kingdom. That meant he could be converted into money. There was also the fact he didn’t want me to execute him. That’s why he was imprisoned. What about Yuuki? Marianne, the de facto ruler of Migul, also knew that Yuuki and Mizuki didn’t want him executed. That’s why he was still alive. What about the Men in Black, Mii and Kei? They summoned monsters into the city of Nielen. It made me feel gloomy to think they might already be executed.
“Moe, I understand what you’re saying. It’s something we have to decide, right?”
Marmie nodded at my words. She knew the city’s power dynamics far better than we did.
“…They might already be dead at the hands of the Giant or monsters.”
Just as she said that. The ground shook violently. It was such a strong tremor I couldn’t stand. “Mash!”
Mizuki pointed to the sky. Until a moment ago, the sky had been blue, but now it was covered in a black shadow.
“The Giant! When did it—”
The black shadow covering the sky raised its fist and swung it toward the fortress.
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