Ch.353Side Story 1 – Southern Continent Travelogue (8)

“Young master, this is truly absurd.”

The next day.

We were crossing through the forest, heading toward the Blood Mist Ravine, a monster hunting ground.

I looked at Jawil Wilson with a short sigh.

“Why is it absurd?”

“Because Lady Bella and Lady Elduna aren’t that kind of people.”

“…You met them for the first time yesterday, yet you speak as if you know them well?”

“The length of acquaintance isn’t what matters here…”

“Then why would Jena lie?”

Jawil Wilson pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up.

“Perhaps… she’s jealous because she couldn’t have me?”

Last night, Bella and Elduna must have put something in Jawil Wilson’s drink.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for him to make such insane statements so shamelessly.

“Your evidence?”

“They must be jealous because I was only talking with Lady Bella and Lady Elduna. She was really pretty too, why does she lack so much confidence?”

“…Have you lost your mind?”

“No, statistically speaking, it doesn’t make sense! There were so many people at the Blue-Red House, why target us specifically…?”

“Among them, perhaps we looked the wealthiest.”

At my words, Jawil Wilson raised his voice even more.

“Hah… if I had known this would happen, I should have slept with Lady Bella last night!!”

“Indeed, the mood was good yesterday, why didn’t you?”

“I was worried she might be startled if things moved too quickly!”

“Anyway, you haven’t forgotten what I told you at the lodging earlier, right?”

“To use only 30% of my strength while hunting monsters?”

“Yes, if you show your full power, the Black Fang might not appear, so use only 30%.”

Jawil Wilson tilted his head in confusion.

“But why do we need to deal with the Black Fang?”

He had a point.

The Black Fang organization wasn’t even from the Eastern Continent, but from the Southern Continent.

There was no reason for me to get involved.

However.

The woman named Jena had shown me consideration.

Moreover, with her sister captured, she likely wasn’t affiliated with the Black Fang by choice.

I wanted to return the favor she had shown me.

“Don’t you lack real combat experience these days?”

“…Pardon?”

“For a year, you’ve only hunted monsters, but haven’t gained experience fighting against people.”

“That’s true, but… the Black Fang is a notorious organization even in the Southern Continent…”

“So you’re not confident?”

“I am confident! But you’re saying you’ll stay out of it and I should handle it myself.”

“Well, if I move, it would be obvious that I’m Selden Alphonse, no matter what I do.”

Jawil Wilson sighed deeply and straightened his back as he walked.

“Can’t you just not use magic?”

“The only sword I brought is the one bestowed by Emperor Malius.”

“I can guarantee this from experience! Young master, if you set your mind to it, you could kill the Black Fang even with a wooden sword!”

I wasn’t sure what to do about Bella and Elduna, but I needed to save Jena.

Besides, after examining Jena with my spiritual eye, I could tell she was quite skilled.

If I were to show my swordsmanship, my identity might be revealed.

My skills had improved significantly compared to a year ago.

“Forget it, just handle it yourself.”

“…What if I’m in danger?”

“Is the vice-captain of Lake Territory’s knights only capable of that much!?”

After prodding him a bit, Jawil Wilson clenched his jaw with a reddened face.

“…Understood. So when the Black Fang appears, I don’t need to hide my strength?”

“Do as you please then.”

“Is it okay if I kill them?”

“They’re trash, of course it’s fine. Just keep Jena alive.”

“…Then I’ll spare Bella and Elduna for now as well.”

“Do as you wish.”

By then, the Blood Mist Ravine came into view.

A ravine shrouded in red energy.

The inside of the ravine was enveloped in deep darkness and fog so thick you couldn’t see an inch ahead.

“It’s closer than I thought.”

At my words, Jawil Wilson swallowed nervously.

Just then, we saw someone waving from ahead.

“Teiran! You’re here!?”

It was Bella.

She was waving with her usual bright smile.

Beside her, Elduna also raised her hand slightly in greeting.

“Teiran, you’re early today.”

“I didn’t drink much last night, so I woke up early.”

“Oh my, shall we go for another round after hunting today?”

“Sounds good!”

In the past, I was careless enough not to share information with Jawil Wilson, but with time, I’ve become skilled at acting like this.

And as expected, Bella and Elduna didn’t pay any attention to me.

‘They’re planning to rob us together, how cruel.’

Behind them stood Jena.

Unlike Bella and Elduna, she neither waved nor welcomed us.

Rather, her eyes were strangely complex.

As if saying, ‘I warned you, so why did you come?’

I gave her a gentle smile.

“Good morning, Lady Jena.”

“…”

Without a word, Jena entered the Blood Mist Ravine.

Bella and Elduna also pulled Teiran’s arm, urging him to enter quickly.

Of course, I remained alone at the very back, taking slow steps forward.

‘Hiss.’

The Blood Mist Ravine lived up to its name.

Thin mist tinged with red flowed over the ground, and it seemed as if blood and flesh spilled here long ago still lingered in the air.

Moreover, when a gust of wind cut through the ravine, the mist rippled, forming hazy silhouettes before disappearing.

‘Goblins aren’t much, but occasionally strong monsters appear even near the entrance.’

Even with increased strength, one moment of carelessness could cost me my head.

I gripped my sword handle with one hand and moved forward slowly.

Beside me, Jawil Wilson shrugged his shoulders and casually put his leather-gloved hands in his pockets.

“Monster hunting with ladies is quite romantic.”

When Jawil Wilson spoke playfully, Bella responded with a smirk.

“As expected, Teiran, you’re so relaxed.”

“Haha! This is nothing!”

That bastard loses his mind whenever women are around.

That’s why I can’t make him the captain of the knights.

I sighed briefly and looked at Elduna.

She too was lightly holding her bow, watching the mist.

Just then.

Kirrrrk—!

With a short, sharp scream, the mist parted as if torn.

Goblins with green skin, sharp fangs, and short, thin limbs jumped out from between the rocks.

They held crude spears and stone axes in their hands, their yellow eyes flashing with killing intent.

Jawil Wilson stepped forward.

“Well, time to stretch my body after a long time.”

He lowered his waist slightly—

—Whoosh!

In an instant, he became like a shadow and dashed forward.

With that, the greatsword in Jawil Wilson’s hand sliced through the air with a heavy swing.

—Crack!

A goblin’s head flew off, spraying blood and bone.

The severed head rolled through the mist, spinning in the air a few times before hitting the ground, with green blood gushing like a fountain from the spot.

—Thud!

As the body collapsed, losing its center, other goblins who were about to rush out momentarily flinched at the sight.

Jawil Wilson advanced further, dispatching the remaining goblin group with a single strike.

“Whew…”

Bella and Elduna’s movements subtly paused.

The two looked at Jawil Wilson with round eyes.

An expression mixing surprise and wariness.

Then Bella quickly regained her composure and grinned.

“Teiran, you’re really amazing, aren’t you?”

“Haha! Goblins are among the weaker monsters, so this is easy.”

“…I see.”

Hah…

I told him to use only 30% until the Black Fang appeared, but what is this idiot doing using 50%?

Even if goblins are weak monsters and it’s hard to judge how strong he is, he’s using too much power…

Swish.

At that moment, I felt a chilling sensation creep up my back.

This wasn’t a simple illusion.

Killing intent.

A cold sensation crawled up my spine.

Jawil Wilson also instinctively adjusted his grip on his sword.

And slowly looked around.

Something moved beyond the mist, and the presence grew stronger.

“Teiran, get ready.”

I said with a heavy tone, crossing my arms, and then the shadows revealed themselves.

Leather armor that seemed to melt into darkness, nimble movements.

And daggers at their waists and poisoned throwing stars.

It was the Black Fang.

They were quietly surrounding us, like predators closing in.

“W-wait!!”

Just then, Bella stepped forward.

She raised her hand and gently moved her lips.

“I’m sorry, everyone.”

With those words, Bella walked toward the Black Fang and stopped beside a man.

He seemed to be the leader of the Black Fang.

Sharp features, lips curved in a shallow smile.

Bella turned to look at me and Jawil Wilson and said:

“Keep that handsome man over there alive for now.”

Then her red lips moved softly.

“I need to taste him first.”

At those words, Jawil Wilson’s movements stopped.

And slowly—

He turned his gaze toward me and muttered quietly.

“…Young master? This… doesn’t seem so bad to be captured, does it?”