MTM 171

[We’re going east.]

The moment Leon and his companions confirmed Zed’s handwriting on the note, they stared at each other in silence.

East?

The only place that came to mind was a kingdom destroyed by the flames of Hartiros.

‘Well… I was going to show him some kindness, but if he’s gone east, then there’s no point.’

At Gerard’s tone, which sounded as carefree as a child exempted from a troublesome homework assignment, the atmosphere turned cold. Leon and Ser were overwhelmed with shock and couldn’t make sense of the situation, but as expected, Allen was the one who reacted most immediately.

‘That bastard, he’s completely self-centered to the very end.’

Allen muttered in a low, thorny voice.

‘What do you mean?’ What happened last night?’

Ser, who had no way of knowing what had happened the night before, asked with a furrowed brow. Instead of getting angry, Allen shook his head with a face etched with exhaustion.

‘He didn’t even say he would go and wait for us. In the end, he made the decision on his own and left again.’

At Zed’s unilateral notification, Allen could barely suppress a mixture of hurt feelings and betrayal. Perhaps for that reason, Ser didn’t ask him any further questions.

Allen thought for a moment, then turned his attention back to Ser.

‘Leon, I’ll take Ser to the Land of Abundance first and then join you.

‘What? I never said I was going!’

Ser retorted in surprise, but Allen’s attitude was firm.

‘You have to go. We’ve been delayed too long. We need to go and explain ourselves before what happened in Carseon spreads further. Above all, you have to consider Isadora, who wrote the letter of recommendation.’

When Allen explained this more calmly than anyone else, Ser hesitated unauthorized copy for a moment before timidly asking.

‘Do we really have to go explain yourself to the guild? Isn’t it understandable to be delayed a bit if unavoidable circumstances arise?’

To Ser, who knew absolutely nothing about the inner workings of a guild, he had thought of it only as an academic gathering of those talented in alchemy.

‘Well, unless it’s an academy, it’s usually not like that.’

Just then, Gerard, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, chimed in.

‘A guild is all about trust. Breaking a promise just once could result in being banned from setting foot there forever. When were you originally supposed to arrive?’

At Gerard’s cold observation, Ser’s expression darkened. The thought that Isadora’s reputation might be tarnished because of him alone made him feel ashamed.

‘I… didn’t hear anything about that…’

While Ser trailed off, Leon, too, remained silent as he fiddled with the note Zed had left behind.

‘Then how about we do it this way?’

Gerard, who had been observing the situation as the group lost its bearings and threatened to scatter, spoke up.

‘This mage and I will track the prince, while you two head to the Land of Abundance as planned to complete the guild registration. If you explain the situation clearly, they will fully understand.’

At this unexpected proposal, the three of them stared at each other. Then, Leon glared at Gerard with eyes full of suspicion.

‘I can understand Allen and Ser, but why are you getting involved? You said you didn’t need to escort them anymore.’

At Leon’s remark, Gerard burst into laughter, loud enough to shake the forest, but his expression immediately turned cold.

‘I got beaten by the prince. And right in front of all my subordinates, no less. As the commander of the holy knights, it’s a humiliating and embarrassing situation. And yet, the Archpriest suddenly orders me to escort the prince… Good grief. Shouldn’t I at least achieve some decent result before I go back to save face?”

‘Is it fine for someone who calls themselves the commander of the holy knights to stray from their duties as they please?’

This time, Allen asked skeptically. Gerard replied as he stroked his chin.

‘Hmm, anyway, there’s nothing for me to do even if I stay there. Rather than visit our site just causing a commotion, I think the Archpriest would prefer it if I disappeared.’

True to his words, Gerard was a free-spirited soul, far too free to befit the title of commander of the holy knights. From the moment they first met at Carseon Castle, he was different from the ordinary holy knights bound by discipline. Judging by his appearance, he was the kind of person anyone would accept as a mercenary.

Gerard’s proposal was disconcerting, but they had no choice but to agree that it was the most rational option available in the current situation.

‘Allen.’

Just then, Ser tugged at Allen’s sleeve and called out to him.

‘Talk to me for a moment.’

‘Huh? … Alright.’

The two moved to a spot a short distance away, deep inside the forest.

As Gerard and Leon were left alone at the campsite, the air in the Silpirnoa Forest turned heavy.

‘Look here.’

Leon, still unable to let go of his distrust, scrutinized Gerard and said,

‘You really don’t have ulterior motives?’

‘I don’t know why the Archpriest ordered me to escort him in the first place, after having driven you out.’

Gerard let out a long sigh; he also felt aggrieved. He sat down on a nearby moss-covered rock and scratched the back of his head.

‘I don’t know what’s on that old man’s mind. I only came here to complete my mission. The fact that I fought the prince in the first place… yes, it was entirely my fault! It’s my fault.’

Gerard’s admission, made out of frustration, was honest. Then he added bitterly while tapping a fallen twig on the ground.

‘And as I said earlier, I thought I should at least report to the Archpriest that I escorted the prince safely back. I’m not sure how much attention he will pay to a fellow who has already fallen out of favor, though.’

As Gerard murmured, a lonely shadow, hidden behind the rank of commander of the holy knights, hung over his profile.

‘…….’

Leon, who had been staring at him, was suddenly seized by a strange feeling. He also was someone who had only ever drifted as an outsider in the mercenary group, unable to blend in with others. He had been treated well only because he was a skilled mage; he had always been alone. Perhaps that was why he felt a peculiar sense of kinship in Gerard’s bitter expression.

After hearing Gerard’s unexpected story, Leon slightly lowered his guard.

Just then, Allen and Ser, who had moved further into the forest, returned. The two looked like they had already had a sufficient conversation. Ser, who had been at a loss just moments ago, spoke in a much calmer voice.

‘I decided to go to the Land of Abundance. I’m going to finish what needs to be done there first.’

Leon nodded as if he had already expected it. He knew that this was the best course of action allowed to them at the moment.

‘We can keep in touch through the communication device, right?’

When Ser asked, Leon shook his head.

‘It becomes useless if the distance exceeds a certain level. Instead, I will leave traces with magic at every turn I make. You just need to follow those properly.’

‘Alright. We’ll reach the Land of Abundance ​stolen content​in two days… If possible, I’d like you to wait for us when you find Zed and Harto.’

‘Yes, I will.’

As Leon finished his brief confirmation, Allen walked closer this time. With his usual indifferent expression, he abruptly held out his hand to Leon.

‘Give it.’

‘What… do you mean?’

‘The letter. You said you were going to send it to Reina. Is there anywhere to mail a letter in this desolate land? I’ll mail it for you as soon as I arrive in the Land of Abundance.’

Leon’s face turned red. Flustered, he fiddled with the letter in his bosom but hesitated, unable to bring himself to take it out.

‘Ah, I haven’t… fixed a single thing yet…’

‘Don’t worry, idiot. With that much care, your sincerity will surely be conveyed.’

‘Um… really?’

Allen’s nonchalant encouragement seemed to give Leon more courage than any praise. Leon took the letter he had cherished in his bosom and carefully placed it in Allen’s hand.

‘I hope the letter arrives safely…’

Leon smiled as he pictured Reina’s surprised face upon receiving his letter.

“Hey! Don’t just stand there blankly, come over here! Let’s fill our stomachs first and get moving!”

Gerard, who had settled down in the shade of a nearby tree, called out to Leon in a loud voice. Although they were traveling together, Leon approached while maintaining a safe distance. He glared at him as if he still disapproved of his presence.

“It seems you’ve already forgotten, Commander, that just a short while ago we were fighting like we wanted to kill each other.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I didn’t know you held such a grudge.”

Gerard chuckled. He was unfazed by Leon’s sarcasm. He pulled a loaf of bread and an apple out of his bag and tossed them at Leon.

“Eat this. We need to regain our strength before we can try heading upstream along this river.”

Leon stared down at the apple he had accepted in a daze, then looked up with a confused expression.

“Go up? Aren’t we crossing that log bridge? Anyone can see that we have to cross that bridge to get to the Eastern Kingdom.”

Crunch.

Gerard took a big bite of the apple and chewed it loudly. His gaze rested on the log bridge over the River of Life that Leon had pointed to. After swallowing the sweet flesh, Gerard replied in a low voice.

“You see…I have some unpleasant memories associated with that place.”