< 111. Blood wets the sand (2) >
#111
“Yeah, I’d like you.”
The attention of the members was focused. Ronan’s index finger was pointing at Schlieffen, who was sitting at the table sharpening his sword. Schlieffen, who had been silent, opened his mouth only after he had finished grooming himself.
“I’m disappointed. “Did you just call me to say something like that?”
“Just listen. “It will be a pretty good trip.”
“It is impossible because successor classes are scheduled during the vacation period anyway. “Please bring another member.”
“It’s a successor class… I see. “It’s a shame.”
Ronan quenched his appetite. Suddenly, he was rummaging through his inner pocket and pulled out a piece of paper the size of his palm.
“I also prepared a small reward. “Oh my gosh, I fell.”
Ronan artificially spread his fingers. The paper slipped and landed on Schlieffen’s sword. His eyes widened.
“This···!”
On the paper was a picture of a smiling Iril. However, it felt completely different from a typical painting.
Although it was black and white without color, it was full of life, as if it had been cut and pasted from a part of reality. Schlieffen’s pupils were vibrating rapidly.
“Anyway, I got it… I did well in class.”
Ronan picked up the picture again and headed towards the other members. Suddenly, Schlieffen grabbed his shoulder and stood up.
“for a moment.”
The voice was extremely serious. Ronan desperately suppressed her laughter and turned her head away.
“What?”
“When I think about it, broadening one’s horizons is also a type of kingship. As time goes by, this might be your last chance. “If there is no other option, let me cooperate.”
“You must be young. “I’ll give it to you when I’m done.”
The companion has been decided. The members who escaped selection breathed a sigh of relief.
Thinking about the events that had happened with Ronan so far, two or three days were not enough, but it was hard to even imagine what would happen if we stayed together for almost a month.
‘Thank goodness.’
Ronan was also relieved. Ronan raised the corners of his mouth as he recalled what happened two days ago.
‘It’s definitely a good invention. Didican.’
Didican came to the surface to deliver Ronan and Adeshan’s weapons. Attached to his waist was a machine that made moments into eternity.
Ronan invited Didican to his house, treated him to a meal, and asked him to take a few pictures of himself and Iril. She didn’t have any specific intentions at the time, but she didn’t expect things to turn out this way.
Anyway, it was a good thing. This time we really needed Schlieffen. Dainhar was not an easy place to take children to gain practical experience.
Ophelia was a little better, but the environment was unfavorable for her to be active as it was a land where the strong sun shined down all the time. Ronan, who finished her business, looked around at her members and said.
“I had a hard time this semester. “It’s going to get busier, so get some rest.”
That’s how summer vacation began. Most of the members dispersed according to their own purposes. Asher went to Nimburton, where his parents were, and Marya went to Falchion in the far east for long-distance trade.
Braum also headed to the northernmost part of the Imperial Territory to meet his family. Ophelia, the only one who did not return, sat down in the club building.
“Ophelia, where are you going?”
“Yeah… my parents will say something… and if I stay here, I won’t have to run into Balzac…”
“Well, there was that crazy guy. “It’s been a lot of hard work.”
“No… I will guard this place.”
She yawned profusely and waved her hand as if to tell him not to worry. Ronan and Schlieffen had two days to prepare before departing for Dainhar.
There were many things needed to safely complete the nearly month-long journey. Adeshan, who was meticulous, helped prepare the trip.
“I like sleeping bags made and sold by guilds. “There is a large daily temperature difference in the desert, so make sure to bring thick clothes… If I had known in advance, I would have made them for you.”
“are you okay. “Ah, I’m sorry for burning the uniform that I took so much care of.”
“don’t mind. I’ll fix it again. “You took all the potions and scrolls, right?”
The two traveled around the islands to stock up on supplies. Two days passed quickly.
A clear morning without a single cloud. At the quiet front gate of Phileon, Ronan said goodbye before leaving.
“Then I’ll come back.”
“Bye!”
On his back was a backpack as big as his torso. Sita, riding on his shoulder, also flapped her wings as if greeting him.
Sita was also one of the companions on this trip. A voice mixed with concern flowed from Adeshan’s smiling mouth.
“huh. be careful. Dainhar… If I were of the same mind, I would want to stop him, but I guess there is a reason for everything.”
“Nothing will happen. “What do you do on vacation?”
“I decided to go to my hometown with my father. I have to say hello to my mother and her brothers. “I think I’ll come right back to Phileon after that.”
“why? “I’m going to take some rest before I leave.”
“Hehe… Since we are behind, we have to work harder. “There is almost no mana in my body right now.”
Adeshan scratched his cheek as if he had no shame. In reality, her level was still limited to that of a sword user. This was because when she awakened the mana of shadow, she had blown away all of her existing mana.
‘It seems so soft, but it’s strong. It’s a good quality.’
Ronan smiled. He was a great man who would have risen to a high position even if he had been born with only ordinary talent and not the mana of shadows.
“that’s right. I’m also practicing using weapons. “It must be unfamiliar.”
“Oh, yes. I was surprised that two came at a time. Even if the long sword is like that, the other one is….”
Adeshan nodded. She was given two weapons, including a longsword. The other weapon that Doron had made was completely unfamiliar to Ade Shan, who had only wielded a sword her entire life.
However, judging from her abilities, there would be nothing as good as her if she handled it well. Ronan, who shook hands with Adeshan, grinned.
“See you later. “I hope you achieve success.”
Ronan left those words behind and walked away. Not long after leaving the south gate of the island, I caught sight of Schlieffen with his arms crossed. Next to him, two greenish ghost horses stood like statues.
“You’re late. Ronan.”
“I’m on time, man. “You came out quickly.”
“Hurry up and load up. “I have to get through the southwestern checkpoint before the sun sets.”
“Let’s do that. “Little Duke.”
The two people who were laughing put on goggles and got on the ghost horse. Sita, who had been scolded by the previous race, settled in Ronan’s backpack instead of competing with the ghost horse for speed.
phut! As soon as I pulled the reins, the ghost horse shot out. Destination: Carlisle. It was the village closest to the Red Desert where Dainhar was located.
****
The road to Dainhar was long and complicated. The fact that it took so long to ride the ghost horse was proof of the long distance.
Fortunately, there was a road to Carlisle, so it was possible to use ghost horses and other vehicles, but the problem came later. In order to cross the red desert to Dainhar, there was no choice but to use two bridges.
“Damn, this is why I hate the South.”
“Bwaeeeeee…”
Ronan cursed at the noticeably different weather. She felt the sun getting lower as she went south. Sita, panting from the heat, took refuge in her backpack again.
They arrived at Carlisle in the afternoon of the fifth day. A few crude buildings were erected on the hazy wasteland.
Since they had brought most of the necessary items, they took a short rest and then started right away. The ghost horses must have been sick of the heat and ran away as soon as they could be returned.
“I left without even looking back. Damn you guys.”
Ronan burst into laughter at the sleight of hand that seemed somewhat cheerful. In fact, just the fact that I could escape this heat must have felt like being liberated from hell.
So the two people and one horse began their overland journey. Ronan, who was walking alongside Schlieffen, suddenly frowned.
“Anyway, isn’t it hot? “You need to stop showing off your form, man.”
“I am OK.”
A wide-brimmed, round hat was placed on Ronan’s head. This was the reason why I was able to survive this heat wave without going crazy. The moment she took off her hat, the sunlight pierced through the top of her head and seemed to cook her brain.
Schlieffen’s head, on the other hand, was not covered with anything. The sight of him walking under the scorching sun looked like a sugar cube that would crumble at any moment. He walked silently and muttered as if possessed.
“I am OK.”
“What the f*ck. Adeshan took yours too and has one more? I’ll give you ten seconds, so you can decide whether you want to use it or not. nineteen···”
Ronan took out an identical hat from his backpack and quickly counted down the days. Schlieffen silently picked up his hat at the count of two. The two people took steps again.
“How long does it take to reach Dainhar?”
“About six days. We have to spend two days in the desert. Like I said, you brought a sleeping bag and leather clothes, right?”
Schlieffen hesitated. It was fortunate that I brought the rest of my belongings with me. The two walked without stopping. This was thanks to my inhumane physical training. Ronan, who was quietly looking around, muttered in a voice steeped in her perfume.
“Anyway, it’s been a really long time. southwest.”
Memories of my wandering childhood came to mind. The desert and its surrounding scenery were not very colorful. Short vegetation that did not reach up to the knees grew here and there on the barren land.
The sky was blue, and the soil and plants were yellow, so the only green color that could be found was near the water source, which only occasionally appeared. Suddenly Schlieffen opened his mouth.
“Is that the new weapon you received this time? “It was made by a Doron craftsman.”
“ok? Ah, this.”
Schlieffen’s gaze rested on Ronan’s right waist. There was a scabbard hanging that I couldn’t see. Ronan nodded his head. Schlieffen, sensing the energy rising beyond the sheath, frowned.
“It seems like the place we’re going to is definitely dangerous. “If only we could make something like that.”
“Of course.”
As I walked, the surroundings suddenly started to get dark. The muggy air cooled rapidly and the wind grew stronger. After confirming that the sun had completely disappeared, Ronan stopped in place.
“Let’s camp here today. I’ll be on alert first, so keep your eyes peeled. Leave the knife by his bedside so he can draw it at any time.”
Ronan asked with a serious expression. Schlieffen, sensing an inexplicable sense of skill, shrugged his eyebrows.
“I will do that. Are there monsters that appear?”
“no. It’s enough to be careful of monsters once you enter the desert. Instead, there are a lot of losers around here.”
“Loser?”
“okay. They’re idiots who tried to challenge Dainhar and got kicked out. “They’re like hyenas.”
Ronan clicked his tongue as he remembered the journey of his past life. They were an unpleasant people just to imagine. Adventurers who risked everything but failed, and eventually became thieves because they could not let go of their obsession with making a fortune.
Their main prey were other adventurers challenging Dainhar. After hearing Ronan’s explanation, Schlieffen slowly nodded.
“Right. So, is there no problem with cutting it?”
“ok? of course. Just grind it up.”
“I get it.”
Slurp! Suddenly Schlieffen pulled the hilt of the sword. And before Ronan could say anything, he swung his sword towards the center of her darkness. Sigh! The crescent-shaped sword that flew through the air disappeared beyond the field of vision.
“Hey, what are you doing all of a sudden?”
Schlieffen did not answer. Before long, an explosion was heard from afar. Quaaaaa! A whirlwind that arose under the moonlight soared into the sky. Urgent screams and shouts rang out sporadically.
“···Kwaaaaak!”
“···all!”
“Damn it… mo… move..!”
Ronan’s eyes widened. Judging by the sound, it was quite far away. Schlieffen fired three more sword strikes without any further explanation.
bang! bang! bang! Once again, three whirlwinds sprang up along with the sound of an explosion. Schlieffen muttered while looking in the direction where the sword was fired.
“For a thief, you have good skills. “I avoided it quite a lot.”
“You crazy bastard. “Did you sense that it was there right now?”
“It’s not impossible if you expand your senses with mana. “It’s coming this way.”
Only then did Ronan notice the malicious gestures and footsteps. Grumble! Suddenly, what seemed like ten clusters of lights bloomed all at once in the darkness.
It didn’t take long to realize they were torches. As expected, it was a good job to bring this bastard. Ronan muttered and pulled the hilts of both swords at the same time.
“Good. “I was already curious about its performance.”
