SWY 160

Sharhan and Lestel remained hidden inside the hollow tree long after the swarm of moving corpses had passed. They used the time to rest a little and to be sure the corpses were far enough away.

“Let’s go now.”

“Why? Can’t we stay just a little longer?”

Lestel rubbed his forehead against Sharhan’s, grumbling like a child. He wasn’t ready to let go. Sharhan wanted to savor the moment too, but they couldn’t afford to linger.

“My skin’s crawling. There are way too many bugs in here…”

All kinds of insects that had made the dying, hollow tree their home were now crawling over their skin, as if punishing the intruders. Sharhan wasn’t afraid of bugs, but that didn’t mean he could ignore the itchy sensation.

He had tried to endure a little longer just to stay in Lestel’s arms, but it was no use. His body shivered in disgust, and Lestel, laughing at his reaction, crawled out first. He reached back in to help Sharhan by tugging on his legs to make it easier for him to get out.

“Want me to brush you off?”

“Yeah.”

“Raise your arms.”

Sharhan raised his arms high. Lestel pulled up his clothes to thoroughly brush Read onoff his skin with his palms. Sharhan only pushed him away after the itchy feeling had fully disappeared.

“Should I brush you off too?”

“I’m fine. I’m not scared of bugs like you are. They’ll fall off on their own while we walk.”

“I’m not scared of them. I just find them disgusting. And since I kiss you, I can’t let bugs crawl all over your body. Come here.”

Sharhan reached to lift Lestel’s shirt, ignoring his protest, but then fell silent. The visible injuries were already bad enough, but the wounds on the covered areas were even worse. It was astonishing that Lestel was still able to move. In that condition, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to collapse on the spot.

‘He took the brunt of the blast from the mana explosive while holding me…’

Sharhan didn’t dare touch the wounds. He merely brushed him off gently, then pulled his clothes back down. Taking Lestel’s hand, he urged him on.

“Let’s go. Iris is waiting.”

They needed to find Iris, confirm she was safe, and reach the ruins as quickly as possible. That way, they could find the healing stone and treat Lestel.

***

“That should be it.”

Just as Adam had described, a massive tree loomed ahead where Sharhan was pointing. It was much larger than the one they’d hidden in earlier. Cautiously, they approached the tree and scanned the area. There was no sign of an entrance.

If Adam hadn’t told them in advance, they would’ve passed it by, just thinking, Wow, what a huge tree. The entrance was so well hidden it was nearly invisible.

“This is the right one, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Where else would you find a tree this big?”

“Where’s the entrance?”

As they searched around, trying to guess where the door might be, a voice called out.

“Sharhan?”

“Adam? Is everyone alright?”

The base of the tree shifted and then slid open. It turned out the stump had been carved into a door, perfect camouflage.

Adam poked his head out, squinting up at them to make sure it was really Sharhan and Lestel. Only once he confirmed it did he crawl out with a bright smile.

“You’re safe…”

He was overjoyed for a moment, but the smile quickly faded when he saw the battered condition the two of them were in. He frowned in concern, unauthorized copy but Sharhan simply clapped him on the shoulder with a grin.

“What about the others?”

“They’re all safe. We ran into a few corpses while relocating, but there weren’t many, so it wasn’t a problem.”

“Brother? Brother!”

Iris came running out, her eyes red with emotion. She rushed forward but collapsed after a few steps, her legs cramped from sitting curled up for too long in the narrow tunnel.

“Iris!”

Startled, Sharhan ran over and helped her up.

“Heehee, I’m fine. Just a cramp.”

Still blushing, Iris smiled sheepishly. But when she looked up at Sharhan, her expression darkened.

“You’re really hurt… You look like you’re in pain.”

“I got a little banged up, but I’ll be fine soon.”

“But there are no doctors or healers anymore. How can you be fine?”

She reached out and gently touched Sharhan’s bruised and swollen face with worry.

“Remember what I said? The ruins.”

“The healing stone! Let’s go now!”

Iris tugged on his sleeve, eager to set off. Meanwhile, Kuph and Sir Rael also came out. Both were covered in dirt and looked exhausted, but their expressions were calm.

The nanny, however, welled up with tears the moment she saw Sharhan. He comforted her as best he could, then turned to Rael.

“You’re safe. The marquis…?”

“He’s dead.”

Rael didn’t ask for details. Judging from the state of Sharhan and Lestel, he knew it must have been a brutal fight. And since they had returned alive, it meant the marquis had not. He also remembered what he’d heard about Lestel’s relationship to the marquis and wisely stayed silent.

“What now? Are you two still planning to head to the ruins on your own, as we discussed?”

“Yes. That plan hasn’t changed. We don’t know what dangers lie between here and the ruins. It’s easier to move and react with just the two of us.”

“I understand. But you’re both badly hurt. Wouldn’t it be better to rest [stolen content]a bit before heading out?”

Rael’s suggestion was reasonable. But Sharhan thought it was better to push through and reach the ruins, even if it was difficult, rather than rest without any medicine.

“What do you think? I’d rather go right away, but if it’s too much for you, we can rest a day or two.”

He turned to Lestel. Sharhan was willing to wait if Lestel needed it. Just because he was anxious didn’t mean he could force him.

“What about you? Can you still move?”

“I can go for much longer.”

Lestel made a show of moving his arms, pretending he was fine, even though he winced slightly from the pain. Sharhan noticed but said nothing.

“Then let’s head out now. If we leave right away, we can reach the Ice Cave before nightfall.”

Like Sharhan, Lestel also thought it best to reach the ruins while he could still move. More than anything, he wanted to get Sharhan treated quickly. Seeing the wounds and dried blood on his face, the way his expression sometimes unconsciously twisted in pain, hurt Lestel more than he cared to admit.

Besides, if he rested now, he was afraid his body would give out completely and he wouldn’t be able to get up again. It was better to keep going. They could rest after the ruins.

Sharhan gently patted Iris’s head.

“Iris, I have to go to the ruins. Can you stay in here just a bit longer? I know it’s unco stolen content mfortable, but please hold on.”

“Okay! I’ll wait patiently. Just come back soon with the healing stones.”

She didn’t insist on going with them.

“I will. I’ll be quick. Nanny, how’s your ankle?”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. I’m more worried about you. Please, be careful. You must come back safe.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not easy to kill. Besides, my life doesn’t just belong to me.”

His life belonged to Lestel. Just as Lestel’s belonged to him. Sharhan glanced over, and Lestel gave him a knowing smile, the corners of his lips lifting in quiet satisfaction.

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Sir Rael, Kuph, Adam, I know it’s cramped in there, but please endure one more night. I’ll bring back the healing stones tomorrow. Here’s some water.”

Sharhan handed Rael the water skin. There was no food, but the water would be enough to get through a day.

They exchanged brief goodbyes, promising to meet again the next day. One by one, the group climbed back into the hidden base. Once Adam had gone inside and sealed the entrance at the stump, Sharhan and Lestel set off toward the Ice Cave.