Chapitre 79: Chapter 79
"Someone was buried here. Blood spilled, and it's clear they're gone. Judging by the circumstances, they didn't escape on their own. But who took them away?"
After finishing his deduction, Nahan, who had reached the same conclusion as Yuder, quietly turned his gaze deeper into the forest. The accumulated layers of fallen leaves made it difficult to discern footprints, but now that he knew someone had been here, several signs became apparent to him.
A young branch bent and broken as if someone had bumped into it, weeds growing in the crevices of rocks that had been stepped on, and faint brown shoe prints on a white stone. The brown stain might have been left by stepping on blood.
'Two... or maybe three,'
Yuder estimated the number of people through these subtle clues. He rose to his feet.
"Are you planning to follow?"
"Yes."
"Don't you think it'd be wiser to return with your companions? We don't know what kind of enemy lies ahead."
"It doesn't matter who's there."
Unless it was an Archmage from the Pearl Tower who had trained solely in attack magic, or a seasoned swordmaster with extensive battlefield experience, few in this world could injure Yuder. Given his wealth of practical experience, he wouldn't easily be bested.
The more urgent matter was not missing the tracks they had finally discovered, rather than fearing an unknown foe.
"If you're scared, go back alone."
"Do you really think I would? Who do you think found this pit in the first place? If I were a coward, I wouldn't have followed you here."
'Then why did he even bother asking that unnecessary question?' Yuder thought, frowning at Nahan's inscrutable nature, almost as enigmatic as Kishiar's.
He turned and began walking, his body language making it clear: follow if you want, or don't. A moment later, he faintly heard Nahan's footsteps following him. The trail led them deeper into the mountains, along paths rarely trodden by humans.
"Something feels off, doesn't it?" Nahan spoke up again as they neared a valley and the forest began to open up.
"What?" Yuder replied roughly, still scanning for signs of movement.
"As we go deeper, the path is getting wider,"
"It might just be where the trail merges with one used by the villagers nearby,"
"No, it feels different somehow..."
Nahan trailed off, his words becoming a murmur, when suddenly he grabbed Yuder's arm. The air around them wavered, the colors shifting subtly.
"What are you doing?"
"Someone's coming,"
Just as he said, unfamiliar figures emerged from the opposite path moments later. At first glance, they seemed like ordinary hunters, but something was off. They carried none of the usual tools hunters carry like snares or daggers meant for dismantling traps.
The group appeared completely unaware of Yuder and Nahan's presence, casually chatting as they drew nearer.
"Still not talking, huh? Such a stubborn bastard,"
"Yes, seems like he thinks he's important now that the Emperor gave him a surname. Still too stubborn to speak a word."
"Tsk. There's no curing an old dog. Even after almost dying, he's still full of life. What the hell were the guys in charge of him doing?"
"Apparently... he's one of the capable men Duke Peletta gathered from all over the Empire. They're trying, but it's tough. Please understand."
"Maybe it'd be better to handle them quietly and let them go, rather than using the family as bait," another voice suggested.
Yuder instinctively understood who they were talking about.
'Devran.'
Devran was still alive. He couldn't be sure if Devran was the one dragged away and left bleeding in the pit, but the fact that these men were talking about him was a relief. It meant they were on the right track.
"Ah, and… there's one more thing I need to report to the Warden."
"What is it?"
"The youngest Hartan has asked for help. He says Duke Peletta has already sent someone, suspecting something."
"Someone?"
The man addressed as the Warden paused. Through the branches, Yuder glimpsed brown hair and a familiar face. For a moment, Yuder froze as memories from his previous life surfaced.
'That man is...'
The Apeto Dukedom, one of the four great dukedoms. In Yuder's past life, Apeto was quieter than the other dukedoms but equally sinister.
The man destined to become the Duke of Apeto in about five years had the same face as this Warden, who had once been Yuder's direct subordinate.
He looked younger than Yuder remembered, but there was no doubt it was him. They had crossed paths several times at social events Yuder attended as the Cavalry Commander.
'I can't remember his name, but I'm sure of it.'
The Apeto Dukedom was based in the east, where the Diarca Dukedom held strong influence. It wasn't impossible for them to be here, but it was strange to encounter them on this mountain—especially since the situation suggested they were the ones who had taken Devran Hartude.
Without knowing exactly what was going on, Yuder quickly tried to piece together his memories, all while not missing a word of the ongoing conversation.
"Yes, they sent four people, all of them highly capable,"
"It's early, but we expected this. If we leave them be, they'll find nothing and return. Tell him to ignore it. Instead, have him keep a closer eye on his brother."
"I relayed that, but he's still worried. He asked us to send reinforcements in case the Diarca side catches wind of this because of their recklessness."
"We don't have the manpower. Did he not think of this when he betrayed Diarca and killed his own father and sister? He's the one who reached out to us, desperate for a minor lordship for a small-town. Tsk! Just ignore that coward."
"Understood."
"We've already found everyone we needed here. We'll be leaving soon, so just deal with them however you like."
The Warden clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied, and continued walking.
'Zakail Hartan betrayed Diarca, allied with Apeto, and killed the previous lord and his sister... all for a small lordship.'
It was a revelation Yuder hadn't anticipated.
'But what does any of this have to do with Devran?'
As he watched the Warden's group head uphill, Yuder unconsciously moved to follow them. However, Nahan, still gripping his arm, stopped him.
"Don't get any closer,"
"..."
"Though we've hidden ourselves with an illusion, someone sensitive enough could still notice our presence."
A soft murmur, like someone whispering "like you," seemed to brush the edge of Yuder's hearing.
Suddenly, one of the men disguised as a hunter in the group turned his head sharply in their direction.
"Over there!"
"What?"
"I heard something from over there!"
Nahan's warning had come too late. The men, dressed as hunters, immediately shifted into a defensive stance. Even the Warden turned, his cold eyes scanning the area with suspicion.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Although they hadn't detected the illusion yet, it was only a matter of time now that they were on alert. Yuder's hand subtly moved to the hilt of the practice sword hanging loosely at his waist.
"... Count to three and then drop the illusion,"
"Are you planning to take on all of them by yourself?"
"It's not a problem. Just keep track of the time,"
He quickly memorized the positions and numbers of the people in front of them, his mind running through possible scenarios. He began counting softly.
"One... two..."
"Ha! Okay, we'll come out. What now?"
Yuder's count was interrupted by an unexpected voice, hand still resting on the hilt of his sword, He turned around to see two people emerging from behind the rocks near where he and Nahan were hidden.
One of them was unfamiliar, but the other was someone Yuder knew all too well. It was Kiolle Da Diarca, a member of the Diarca family and a knight of the Imperial Knights.
'...Why is he here?'
"You're quick on the uptake. What are you doing here?"
"..."
"I am Senior Knight Kiolle Da Diarca of the Imperial Knights," Kiolle announced haughtily. "This area belongs to the Diarca family, and it's where we train annually. I've never heard of anyone else staying here. Who are you?"
His gaze was sharp and condescending, and as he scrutinized the group from the Apeto Dukedom, the Warden stepped forward, trying to maintain a composed expression. However, Yuder could sense the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface.
"Ah, the Imperial Knights. I've heard much about your esteemed reputation. Have you come here... hmm, for training?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said? Yes, we're here for training!"
"We're just passing hunters," the Warden said, his voice calm but cautious. "We'll be on our way soon, so there's no need for hostility."
It was clear the Warden wasn't sure how much Kiolle had overheard, so he was trying to play innocent. But Kiolle's expression showed only disdain.
"Hunters, huh? Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe that?"
"...It's the truth. We—"
"Dogs of Apeto, daring to venture this far without fear. You must have a death wish," Kiolle sneered. "I'll find out what you've been scheming and report everything to my father."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone