Ch.9393. In the Piercing Wind (6)

Whoosh!

Siabel, who had been staring at the chaotic path, suddenly turned around and approached us.

“This is troublesome. We should return to the base now.”

It was Sione who responded, hesitating at her sister’s changed demeanor.

“We’re not going further ahead today?”

“That’s right. There might be orcs around here. I have no intention of putting you all at risk by taking you further.”

With those words, Siabel began to occasionally show signs of displeasure.

“Besides, the orcs that came down from the mountains this time were a bit different.”

“Different? Could you explain in more detail?”

“The orcs we encountered in the west were all in an unusually excited state, even though they weren’t contaminated by Magia. Thanks to that, our regular soldiers had a hard time, even if the knights didn’t.”

“Excited state…”

“If there were just one or two, I could handle them myself easily… but if there are more, things could get troublesome.”

Sione quietly nodded at Siabel’s words, and I could only harden my expression further.

Orcs are born fighters, after all.

With that strength perfect for easily beating down enemies.

And that toughness that makes them barely feel threatened even if struck by weak human fists for half a day.

Monsters that charge fiercely using their innately superior physical conditions as weapons.

And now these orcs are all in an excited state.

‘Why on earth?’

Their mating season occurs in summer when life flourishes.

There’s no reason for a delayed mating season to occur in this cold winter.

If Siabel’s words are true.

Why are these orc bastards running around all excited, stirring up trouble everywhere?

Whatever the case.

It’s clear we’re facing an unpleasant situation, and this time I couldn’t hold back a small sigh.

“Haah…”

A small breath escaped from my mouth, forming a puffy cloud in front of me.

Whoosh!

The merciless cold wind scattered and erased my breath.

It was just a breath disappearing, nothing significant, but I felt even more troubled.

Because I thought it wasn’t just my breath that had vanished, but also the probability of this winter hunt ending smoothly.

“We’re returning to base now.”

We turned around and began retracing our steps.

* * *

Siabel summoned the knights and swift rangers who were on standby at the base.

Not long after she spoke, all available forces gathered.

Siabel ordered them to thoroughly search the area near the path we had seen earlier.

That place wasn’t too far from the base.

We would travel on horseback to the point where we had found traces of battle.

We would hear the search report as early as tonight, or by tomorrow evening at the latest.

I hope the capable rangers succeed in finding the orcs and return after cleanly eliminating them.

Orcs are still opponents I’m reluctant to face without borrowing the power of spirit magic…

Wouldn’t it be best not to encounter them at all?

After confirming that things were generally proceeding as planned, Sione and I entered the tent assigned to her.

For a temporary base, it was quite large, and with easy access to supplies, there were many tents.

Although some monsters still remained, the extermination of those that had invaded the north was nearing completion.

A considerable number of troops had returned behind the safe walls, so there were plenty of tents available.

Thanks to this, Sione was assigned her own tent instead of sharing one with Siabel.

“This is it. Let’s go in.”

“As you wish.”

I followed Sione into her assigned tent.

There was nothing particularly special about it.

A cot covered with fur to prevent sleeping on the cold ground.

And a small chair and round table sitting in the middle of the tent, that was all.

“It’s warmer than I expected. No wind coming in either.”

Sione seemed quite pleased with her tent.

Certainly… from the outside, I thought it would be cold regardless of being inside a tent.

But both the insulation and the spaciousness of the tent interior.

There was nothing lacking for a comfortable stay of a few days.

‘…I’m envious.’

I was going to end up staying in a tent with people I’d never met before.

Regardless, Sione sat down gently on her narrow bed and said:

“It seems fine for staying a few days.”

“Yes, it’s not too cold. And with the fur on the bed, it should be sufficient.”

“Mm-hmm. It seems my sister chose a good place.”

After saying that, Sione gently stroked the fur on her bed.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she quickly raised her head and looked at me.

“So, Ray, where will you be staying?”

Why is she asking such an obvious question?

“Since Lady Siabel didn’t mention anything about a tent for me… I’ll be staying in another tent with others, won’t I?”

“With others?”

“Yes, just like in the Beltrin Mountains, I’ll likely be staying in a different tent from you, Lady Sione.”

At my words, Sione made no effort to hide her discomfort.

I could almost feel the overwhelming flood of her negative emotions, making it hard to breathe.

“…I don’t like that.”

What exactly is my lady dissatisfied with?

I silently focused on her words.

“By others, you mean soldiers from our county, right?”

I nodded at Sione’s words.

“Last time you shared a tent with my sister’s attendant, but this time you’ll be sleeping among other women. Won’t that be uncomfortable?”

“Hmm…”

“In that case… I think it would be better if you stayed in this tent with me—” “…?”

Sione narrowed her eyes slightly as she spoke.

Her eyes were fixed on me.

And the focus of those pupils was concentrated on my eyes and expression, as if trying to gauge my true feelings.

“There’s only one bed in the tent, isn’t there?”

“We can bring another bed, can’t we? The space is large enough that adding another bed wouldn’t be a problem.”

“…Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?”

“Not at all. Rather than listening to the desolate sound of the wind before falling asleep… I’m looking forward to having someone to talk with.”

I offered alternatives.

What if rumors spread that would tarnish the Sianella name?

If it’s inappropriate for me to sleep among others, I could speak to Siabel separately to arrange for me to sleep alone.

But unfortunately, such words didn’t work on Sione.

Sione didn’t back down.

She had already immersed herself in the future she had envisioned, closing her ears and heart to my words.

My lady insisted that I must sleep in her tent with her.

After her endless persuasion, I finally surrendered.

Afterward, she scurried outside the tent to Siabel and said something.

After a conversation that went on longer than expected, Siabel looked us over with a strange gaze and then sighed.

And so, another bed was brought into Sione’s tent.

“Ray, Ray. Even I think my archery skills are improving at an unusual rate. What if your name becomes known as the Bow God?”

“…It’s not Bow God, but God of Archery.”

“Ah.”

As we chatted about various things, the sun dropped and night fell.

Around the time when only the crackling sound of torches lighting the temporary base could be faintly heard.

Lying on our separate beds, ready to sleep, Sione quietly greeted me.

“Ray, sleep well.”

“…See you tomorrow.”

With those words, I closed my eyes.

* * *

“Ray… are you asleep…?”

*Soft breathing sounds*

Despite my call, only steady breathing sounds came from Ray’s direction.

…Still, I shouldn’t let my guard down yet.

Even earlier today, Ray’s ears were sharp enough to detect the sound of that small kobold.

I’m not sure if he’s a light sleeper too… but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.

“…Ray? Are you really asleep…?”

No matter how many times I called, Ray just lay quietly in a proper position, deep in sleep.

He showed no movement at all.

Okay, this should be fine.

I quietly got up.

Creeeeak…

“Hup…!”

Perhaps because the cot wasn’t very sturdy.

Every movement produced a louder sound than expected, echoing throughout the tent.

Carefully… really carefully…

Finally!

After getting out of bed, I immediately stood on my tiptoes.

Like a thief, quietly and stealthily, I approached Ray’s side.

“…”

I looked at Ray’s face in the yellow torchlight that filtered slightly through the tent entrance.

Usually, he has a somewhat cold and blunt impression.

But while sleeping, there’s something, something about him…

I held my breath and began to carry out what I had planned.

Just once on the forehead, like lovers…!

“Umm…”

My cheeks flush hot with embarrassment.

Not having the courage to face Ray directly, I closed my eyes tightly and brought my face close to his forehead.

Feeling his quiet, faint breath, I slightly opened my eyes.

“…Huh?”

Ray’s pitch-black eyes were gleaming in the darkness.

“…What are you doing awake?”