The Arrow of Destiny Cuts Through the Night

#9 

“What? 

You’re going on the expedition?” 

“There’s no reason I can’t. I will help them safely sprout the World Tree.” 

“…Before you leave, I’ll say this. 

But I won’t be very welcoming.” 

“I’m prepared for that.” Kain nodded at his father’s words. 

The elves of the Fiokhim Mountains would likely not welcome Kain Starchis, the human closest to them. At the point when the World Tree was burning, relations between humans and elves were at their worst. 

Before long, the end of the mansion came into view in the distance. Soldiers of the family were lined up on the high battlements, keeping watch. Kain spoke while facing the large eyes of a deer. “I think this is as far as we can go together. When the time comes, I will come find you.” 

“Alright. I will be waiting.” 

“Yes, Father.” 

Upon hearing Kain’s response, the deer slightly moved its mouth. It was unlikely, but it felt as if his father, far away, was smiling. Then, the sparkling light that had been swirling in the deer’s black eyes suddenly vanished. 

The flowers and grass entwined around its large antlers also disappeared as if time had been reversed. The familiar animal had been released from his father’s command. 

Swish, swish. The now free deer moved its long neck side to side, observing its surroundings, and soon bounded away between the trees on the opposite side of the battlements. “…….” 

Watching the deer completely disappear from view, Kain stiffened his expression and looked back up at the battlements. He was contemplating whether it would be better to go up there or to pretend to be a knight in the Gerold Order’s cloak and pass through the gate. 

Still, since he was wearing the knight’s cloak, passing through the gate might be the fastest way. After a brief moment of thought, Kain Starchis confidently headed toward the stairs of the battlements. The sound of the military boots he borrowed from Peter echoed proudly. 

As he reached the stairs, a soldier guarding the area lowered his spear diagonally and asked, “What business do you have?” The soldier had his helmet pulled down, obscuring his eyes. “…I received an urgent order and need to go outside the castle.”

Kain said, pulling his cloak’s hood down deeply. The soldier shook his head and replied stiffly, “I’m sorry, but I cannot allow that right now. I just received a message from the main building of Gerold Mansion. There is an order that no one is to be let out.” 

Oh no, have they already caught on? Kain frowned beneath his hood. The spear blocking the way remained steadfast. After a moment of contemplation, Kain, feeling that he had nothing to lose, asked, “Whose order is it?” He pointed to the emblem of the order on his cloak and lied, “This is an order directly from the Marquis. 

There can be no more important command than this from Gerold Mansion. The longer we delay here, the more things will go awry, so move your spear.” Kain invoked the name of Elmerira Gerold, the one his family feared the most. 

As soon as the mention of the Marquis’s order came up, the soldier on the battlements visibly flinched. Although it was an urgent situation, it was unlikely that the soldier had been informed of exactly who was being prevented from leaving the mansion. Thus, the word “no one” had come from his mouth. He did not know the details. 

“…But… this is an order from Sir Jersian…” Kain interrupted the soldier’s words with a cold voice. “Are you saying that the youngest lord’s message takes precedence over the 

Marquis’s order?” “Th-that’s…” The soldier stiffened, seemingly flustered. If he answered incorrectly, it would appear as if he were defying the command of his master, the Marquis. 

“Thank you for understanding.” With a swift motion, Kain brushed aside the spear that the still hesitating soldier was holding. “Uh, uh…” The soldier, looking hesitant, could not stop 

Kain as he ascended the stairs. “Thank you for your hard work.” Kain lightly greeted the soldier left behind and strode forward. 

To pass through this high battlement not at the main gate, he had to use the stairs guarded by soldiers 24 hours a day, both inside and outside. As he reached the top of the high battlement, a strong wind blew fiercely. The wind caused the hood of the knight’s cloak to slip down. Kain squinted against the wind and held onto the fluttering hem of his cloak. His long black hair was tossed about by the breeze. 

“…….” Kain roughly pushed his hair behind his pointed ears and looked back at the battlement. The mansion of the Gerold family stood tall in the midst of the vast forest, filling his view. He had spent nearly several years away from the Fiokhim Mountains with Jersian. As he gazed at the mansion from the high battlements, the events of those years unfolded vividly before his eyes. 

From the day he left the mountains with only the name “Jersian Del Claude,” to their unusual first meeting. And the fateful partner who was much younger than he had expected. 

“……Jersian.” As he stared at the Gerold Mansion, his name slipped out unconsciously. Judging from the soldier’s words a moment ago, the “urgent situation” was ultimately nothing other than their absence here. The underground prison must have turned into chaos by now. Peter must have been discovered by now. 

“Oh.” That reminded him of something. 

“I was supposed to return this.”

 Kain took off the shoes he had borrowed from Peter and set them down in a corner outside the battlement. If someone finds them later, they will return to their owner. While he was at it, Kain also took off the long knight’s cloak he was wearing. As a result, his slender body, clad only in a makeshift tablecloth, was fully revealed under the sunlight. If it weren’t for his jet-black hair, he would not have looked out of place blending into the Fiokhim Mountains. 

With a flick, Kain tossed the cloak next to the military boots and stood at the edge of the battlement railing. It was then. 

Ziiing—— The mana stone of the battlement glowed with a blue light. It was a magical tool used by humans to convey messages. Standing at the railing, Kain turned his indifferent face toward the mana stone. For some reason, he had a hunch about who was on the other side of that mana stone. It was likely that “he” had contacted the soldier below the stairs. 

After a moment of thought, Kain stepped down from the railing of the battlement and walked briskly toward the mana stone. “…….” Ziiing—— The mana stone glowed blue again, as if urging Kain to hurry. Since he had come this far to the battlement, it was impossible for Jersian to stop him. Yes, he thought it would be nice to be able to say a final goodbye. It might even be an opportunity. 

Swish- Kain placed his palm on the shimmering mana stone. He connected the communication. Immediately, a low voice flowed out. 

[“Who is it?”]

 It was the voice of Jersian Del Claude. As expected, but now that he could talk to Jersian, Kain found himself at a loss for words. As he remained silent, Jersian spoke again from the other side.

 [“I asked who it is. Do you dare to ignore my message and expect to hear the name of someone who has passed by?”] 

It was a sharp voice that sounded as if he would kill him on the spot if he were in front of him. So, he speaks to other humans in such a tone when I’m not around. Before the innocent bystanders could be harmed, Kain opened his mouth first. “It’s me.” 

[“…….”] 

This time, there was no response from the other side. The two remained silent, hands on the mana stone. Due to the mana reaction, the mana stone felt warm, as if they were touching each other’s hands. 

The long silence was broken by Jersian. 

[“……How is your body?”] 

Kain, who had his hand on the mana stone, tilted his head slightly upon hearing the question. He had expected the first question to be about why he had left so recklessly, but he never thought he would ask about his condition. Jersian must already know about the elves’ recovery abilities.

 “I’m fine.”

 [“……That’s a relief.”]

 “Is that all you have to say?”

 [“No.”] 

Hearing Jersian’s short reply, Kain smiled slyly. Of course, there was no way that was all he wanted to say.

 [“If you think I would give you up like this, you are sorely mistaken. No matter where you are on the continent, I will find you. Next time, it won’t just end with handcuffs.”] 

“…….” It was then. Kain’s gaze flicked down toward the battlement. He sensed several presences rushing toward this place. The few words he thought were silence were actually Jersian’s ploy to buy time. 

Haha, as expected. Kain slowly straightened his body, which had been leaning against the mana stone, and delivered his final farewell. “Alright, Jersian. That was a farewell just like you. Well then, I’ll be going.” Goodbye. With that brief farewell, Kain took off running. He lightly jumped down from the battlement, wishing for the blessing of his fateful partner, whom he might meet again someday.