Chương 50: The Luxury of Mercy
The only one left standing in the middle of the camp was me. Around me littered the numerous bodies of the fallen. Some felled by arrows and magic shot by my teammates but the majority of the fatalities were done by my hand. The dirt underneath us was muddied with blood and littered with viscera. The crows would not go hungry tonight.
[Unit Arlan. No hostiles detected within range. Rerouting systems to standard operating protocol.]
No one left. Not even the wounded. I move towards the burnt out tents and poles for a better look. Most died in their comatose state from heat or smoke, still supine. There were only three corpses that were lying prone on the floor, arms in front. They were trying to crawl out. All of them have turned blackened and charred. Is this what I look like now? Underneath all the metal and tubing?
Only one of us was using physical arrows during the assault. And I didn't use magic. Damn you, Mateo.
Just a few moments ago, as we drew closer to the Glavian war camp, I had made my intentions known to everyone. Mateo's reaction to my suggestion was unsurprisingly expected.
Idiotic. Moronic. Wasteful. That was the short version of what he said to me when I asked to offer the warband clemency. These weren't bandits, I argued. Aaric had scouted ahead and, with his skill in [Forest Striding], brought back intel regarding our targets. It was a small garrison. Low morale. High casualties. Visible grief over the lost and soon to be.
"So?" Mateo refuted, "These are invaders, golem. They either retreat back home alive or stay here forever as a corpse. There's no negotiation."
"So we just kill them?" I rebuked, "I can go in there and do that, no problem. That same advantage gives us options. We can capture them. Help Haldin get some intel. Maybe a prisoner exchange."
"The Imperials don't take prisoners. Not that many. And they don't stay alive."
"I can talk to Lord Selvin. Convince him to toss them in cells and make use of them in some way. Why is the only solution is to just kill everything against us?"
It was then the Wolf Lord stepped it, "Enough. Arlan, these soldiers have committed unforgivable atrocities against us. But I know the value in your actions. And the values you hold tightly within your heart. So I will allow you to try."
But now I'm left in the wake of my decisions. Did Hoektan agree because he saw the merit in my actions? Or was he trying to teach me a lesson?
Mercy was a luxury in this world. It was rare; difficult to hold on to. Not many have it, not many wanted to give it and you sure as hell never expect to receive it. I was a rich man trying to pay with a currency no one wanted. Worthless.
My time in solitude on the road and my experiences in Wolf's Rest have turned my thoughts dark for the past few days. It was in these quiet moments I turned inward to reflect on my new life and my actions.
From terrible, monstrous beings to common men, I've done nothing but hurt and kill. Though I have never hesitated to act nor will I ever when lives and the wellbeing of others are on the line, in the quiet hours of the night I can't help but wonder. This world won't let me choose. And deep inside my core, a terrible feeling emerges. A deep, dark fear made from my beliefs creeps up within. A dread thought from my human side. I shoo it away for the most part but it keeps rising whenever I have a moment to contemplate.
Am I-
The wet squelch of compacting mud puts me back in the moment. Aaric approaches me with the Wolf Lord in escort. From behind them, Tsume surges towards me in full speed. She comes to a stop and nestles next to my foot, her eyes locked to mine and delivering a sympathetic whine.
"Arlan-" Aaric began, eyes filled with concern.
"Where's Mateo?" I ask curtly.
"Searching for stragglers but I think we... took care of all of them except the leader. Mateo ran off to take care of him while we secure the camp. I told him to send a signal immediately if things go south for him." He takes a moment to consider before continuing, "Listen, Arlan-"
I cut him off before he can finish, "Then it's done. We have a mother to rescue." I don't feel like having this conversation when we still have work to do. Swiveling my head, I look around the camp and find our target. A metal sarcophagus near the center of camp, in front of a large personal tent.
"In there?" Aaric says incredulously.
"Unlike myself, she is well versed in magical arts." Hoektan replied. Was that a hint of bitterness in his voice? "Restraining her with mere rope would not keep her imprisoned. And I can sense it there. A hole within the space where residual mana would occupy."
We all approach the sarcophagus only to find it locked tight. Aaric and I take each end, searching for a way to open the device.
"This machine is horrendous." Aaric says with pity as he searches for anything that could open the machine, "Being trapped in here is one step below being buried alive. Not to mention it's quite small. Why would they do such a thing!?"
"The... powder they used to subdue me; It would not outright kill us but put us into to a state of torpor." Hoektan lowered his head in shame, "That is how I was after those humans attacked us. I spent days unconscious, helpless and drained of energy."
For a few more moments, we continued to search for a way to open the damn thing. Aaric's voice broke the silence, "Should we keep trying? We don't know how this works. If we're not careful, we might make it do something harmful instead. Maybe we should search the bodies for a key?"
I look towards Aaric, "Well there is one thing we can try..." I declare, "This thing isn't made of Asturite, is it?"
I anchor myself in a secure position and take hold of the lid. With a three count, I pull as hard as I could. There was resistance at first until the lid begins to creak and warp under my strength. A snap. Then another. And then another. Until the lid comes completely off.
Aaric looks at me in surprise, "Well that's one way to open it..."
"Brute force does have it's merits when needed." Hoektan comments. This time his voice is tinged with pride. His daughter next to him barks and whines sympathetically. They have both moved a few feet away from us. A smart decision considering our general area became billowed with chaff as soon as the metal box opened. I stand up and outstretch my hand. A light green circle compiles in front of it.
"[Wind]" I mutter. A soft gust erupts from my hand. I fan away the chaff from us and the coffin, sending it scattering out into the forest. With our last obstacle out of the way, we take a look inside.
"Yomei..." The Wolf Lord's grief were barely contained in his words. Tsume jumped deftly inside and gently pawed on the figure inside as if attempting to wake her.
What lay within the sarcophagus' padded interior lay a woman who's age and smooth, delicate complexion had barely touched her midyears. With her eyeline streaked ruby red, she was cloaked in luxury sunset-shaded furs that hid her snow white hair painstakingly straightened and color matched with what looked like a kimono underneath. A pair of long, well trimmed ears slightly protruded out of her hood that looked similiar to the beastfolk I had previously encountered. This elegant woman laid in stark contrast the gritty and gruesome clearing we were squatting upon.
As if in unison, Aaric and I turn our heads towards Hoektan. I don't think the elf realizes his mouth is open. Flabbergasted he asks, "...This is Tsume's mother?"
Hoektan turns his large head inquisitively, "Well of course. Is something the matter?"
"I think we- he was expecting someone more... like you," I follow up.
Hoektan lets out a sigh, "Yomei preferred to stay in a human form. Insisted on it. She is... mmmgh... more socially inclined. Mortals from her land would travel far and wide to hear her sing stories of legend and adventure. A point she vocalized incessantly."
They can transform? How does that even work? Like do the organs move around or get smaller? What if they eat a big meal and change into something smaller? I really want to ask but I feel it would be impolite. Even Aaric seems flustered at the thought. His face is as red as a strawberry.
The Wolf Lord has picked up on Aaric's change in demeanor, "Something troubling you, young elf? You are making the same face the mortal men do when they hear her roadside performances."
Ah.
"N-Nothing!" he dodges the Wolf Lord's query with the grace of a cookie thief, "I-In any case, is there anything we can do to improve her condition?" He turns to me to ask his next question, "Can you heal her?"
"Maybe?" I reply bashfully and scratch my head in habit, "Without knowing how the chaff works or how it effects the body, I wouldn't know where to heal her." I take a moment to ponder the situation, when an idea pops into my head, "I could just go with the brute force method again."
Hoektan spoke up in agreement, "A headstrong action is best." He's been sounding strangely competitive ever since we rescued Yomei.
Taking her still hand in mine, I quietly speak a chant of benediction.
"[Light Heal]"
I send a gently flowing wave of healing out and flow it through her body. A soft glow begins to envelope the fox woman. Aaric and Hoektan watch my actions with piqued interest while Tsume continues to whine with worry as she stares into her mother's face, hoping for any signs of life.
I take a few moments and continue my ministrations but a sudden shock from my body stops my actions. My hand jolts away from hers in instinct. My vision turns in and out of static before normalizing once more.
"Did something happen?" Aaric asks with concern.
"I'm fine." I reply, "It's just... I felt like I was being pulled all of a sudden. Maybe drained would be a better word."
"Spirit Beasts like us are beings of pure mana." Hoektan answered, "Healing us through mortal means may be quite difficult compared to a human or elf."
"Why didn't you say so in the first place then?" I ask inquisitively.
"You must understand, these sort of ill events are not a common occurrence. I, myself, have only been healed by a mortal once and that was very, very long ago." Hoektan continued to stare at the motionless body, "I thought it was worth a try."
"She does look healthier though," Aaric remarked, "Her face is showing signs of life."
Yomei's once pale face now has some red to it. It seems like my healing skills are working.
"You'll have to give me a moment though. Whatever reaction I had with healing her drained a good portion of my mana reserve." I stated. Looking at her face has reminded me of the time. A blanket of night has started to fall on us and the moon's bright glow outshone the vestiges of the sun beneath the canopy of trees. "In the meantime, go search for Mateo. He should have been back by now and we can't afford searching for him in the dark."
"No need, Arlan." The Wolf Lord mutters and begins to sniff, "He's fast approaching. Hmm..." his nose continues it's commotion, "Did he run headfirst into a beehive? There's a sweet scent of honey in the air." His gaze stayed glued to the forest.
Honey? I didn't have time to ruminate on his observation as Mateo lumbered out from the bushes, limping with both hands covering his leg.
"Arlan, he's injured!" Aaric shouts. We both jump up and run towards our injured colleague. Aaric reaches him first and hold on to him firmly as he sets Mateo down. He's out of breath with a face flushed completely white.
"T-That damn bastard!" he weakly cries, pointing towards the deep incision on his leg. His trousers were completely soaked in blood, "A-Almost didn't make it."
"Mateo, stop talking. You need to conserve your energy." Aaric is doing his best to calm him down. Looks like whoever he fought sliced open a major artery. "Arlan, please..." Aaric's face was brimming with fear.
"I got this" I assure him as I put my hand gently over his wound, "[Light Heal]" I can only hope I don't need to much juice to heal this wound of his.
Once more I send waves of healing into Mateo's leg. Within seconds, the deep cut begins to slowly mend itself. Mateo relaxes his posture as he lets out a sigh of relief.
"You're not out of the woods yet." I caution as I keep a hold on his wound , "You've lost an large amount of blood. Once I'm done, you need to stay seated for a while until we know you'll be ok." I'm worried he could go into shock at any moment. The best thing for him now is to stay as he is.
"Godsdammit!" Mateo exclaims as he wipes his brow, "You should have just gone for the kill you damn, golem! Now look at me!"
A pang of guilt began to gnaw at my core, I struggled to find the words but Aaric spoke for me, "We all agreed to his request, Mateo. Besides... you said you could handle the leader on your own."
Mateo's face turned sour, "Sticking up for him, eh? Trying to protect his bleedin' heart or whatever he has in there?" Unrelenting, he turns his ire back at me, "You could have just ran it there and wiped the floor off those bastards! You're a godsdamn killing machine! Why don't start you act like it!?"
I had enough, "I'm not some fucking machine, Mateo! I'm a-"
"Arlan, stop!" Aaric took hold of the arm I was using to heal Mateo and pointed down. I didn't realize I was squeezing the man's leg to near bruising and quickly let go.
"I- Dammit, sorry." I struggled to put the words out. I did the worst thing I could do to someone in my care.
Mateo closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, "No... no. I got a little heated for a moment. I must be getting on my years for that Num- the Glavian to get the best of me."
"I didn't cause you any more pain did it?"
Mateo raised an eyebrow at me, "Pain?"
"From when I squeezed your leg?"
He was lost in thought for a moment before he suddenly coughed, "Oh, right. My leg." He shook his head, "No. I, ah didn't feel a thing. You're a pretty good healer, Arlan." He must be buttering me up after that argument. Even Aaric started to chuckle.
Soon enough, Mateo's wound had completely closed, "Stay here and relax for the moment." I tell him, "Aaric and I still need time to prepare our new companion. We can't stay here with all these bodies around."
Aaric stood up, "I'll take care of Mateo, Arlan. Talk with Hoektan and ask how we should move Yomei."
With a plan set, I move back to the rest of our group but Hoektan and Tsume seem to be in no mood to talk. Father and daughter have been snorting quite loudly.
"What is this stench!?" Hoektan growled, "It smells so sweet! Terribly so! And the smell of rotting flesh does not help!"
"Should we do something about the bodies before we move?" I ask. "Bury them?"
"No..." Hoektan shakes his head furiously, "No... these bodies are freshly dead. The thick scent of carrion should not emanate from them so strongly yet." The Wolf Lord's gaze sharpens like a knife. "Something is wrong..."
[Warning! Hostile entity detected!]
Once again, warnings begin flooding my HUD. A single bleep pulses on screen from behind us.
I turn towards the two closest to the threat and scream in panic, "Aaric! Mateo! Get away from there!" Aaric bends down in a hurry as Mateo holds on to dear life around the elf's neck, shambling over as fast as they could.
"The air is thick with malevolence." the wolf growled, "So much hate..."
The forest goes dead silent.
"...My unit..."
Only the rustling of bushes can be heard now as a low voice echoes towards us.
"...Dead... All dead..."
A lone figure slowly enters the camp. Armor and uniform ripped and tarnished. A sword still tightly gripped in his hand. It wandered towards us in a daze. His dead eyes glazes over us for just a moment.
"...You... You..."
His pupils dilatate at the sight as he turn his head directly at me. His soft breathing escalates to heaving. Drool begins to spill from his mouth
"YOU KILLED THEM ALLLL!"
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
Serphio
Serphio Hey all. If you noticed, I'm trying to write everything in present tense. I'm so used to writing stories in past tense that it's become habitual. And I know that's been a sore point for a lot of people who posted comments.
I also want to get this out of the way and say while I'm doing my best to pump these chapters out, this won't be indicative of any sort of release timing. After I finish this first part of the arc, my aim from now on is one chapter a week at minimum. Sometimes two depending on my work schedule. I really don't want to stop writing for months on end again but I don't want to feel tied down. When I want to write, I'll write.
One last thing. In this house, we bully our MCs. Always.
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