Chapter 44: Ashera Part 5

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Translator: Soafp

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Preparations were being made in the sickroom when the guide appeared. He wore a hood that concealed his face and expressions completely… His voice was muffled or covered by something, making it barely discernible that he was a man.

Prompted by the man, we followed along, finding a single covered carriage waiting there. His gesture indicated to get in.

Lush was placed in the carriage, and both Ashera and I followed suit. The man and Halva took the driver’s seat.

As the man steered through Kashu’s town towards the gate, we were naturally stopped by the gatekeeper. However, when the man took something from his pocket and handed it to the gatekeeper, suddenly all the gatekeepers vanished.

At the same moment the gatekeepers disappeared, the man got off the driver’s seat, unbarred the gate, but rather than returning to the driver’s seat as expected, he hurried us on.

Halva nodded and urged the carriage forward. Although we owed them for their help, we still extended our gratitude.

We hastened from there at a pace that wouldn’t raise suspicion. The carriage horse was alone, so it couldn’t pick up much speed… We didn’t want to push the horse too hard and exhaust it.

“We managed to get through that.”

“Yes. I wish we could take a break somewhere…”

Considering it, Halva hadn’t rested properly since leaving Blue Ring. Ashera and I had managed a night’s rest, but Halva had likely been taking care of Lush without rest. Though he might have taken a short nap after Lush regained consciousness…

“Let’s take a break somewhere we can hide the carriage. This can’t go on as it is.”

“Understood. I’m sorry…”

“I rested, so it’s fair to take care of each other.”

Halva gave a wry smile at my words.

After a while, we were lucky to find a square that seemed suitable for a break…

“Let’s rest there.”

“Understood.”

We parked the carriage slowly in the square, allowing Halva to take a break.

“Halva, sorry to ask, but only you can drive the carriage. I’ll keep watch for an hour. Hopefully, it’ll help you rest.”

“Understood. This is a sleep drug used by the knight order. If used, you won’t wake up for an hour, but it’s equivalent to four hours of sleep. I intend to use this…”

Halva looked at me, seeking permission. During this hour, he wouldn’t wake up for any reason. Even if a loved one was in danger… Even if his own life was at risk. He entrusted that hour to me…

I looked squarely into Halva’s eyes with determination.

“Got it. I’ll protect you for an hour without fail. Rest assured.”

“…I trust you.”

With that, Halva swallowed the sleep drug, and within five minutes, he had fallen asleep.

“Ashera, I’ll protect you for an hour no matter what.”

“Understood.”

“Ashera, can you perceive enemies’ mana even in the dark?”

“It’s quite difficult to see, but I can.”

“You’re really good with that…… thing, so can you keep an eye on the enemy from up in the trees?”

“Yes.”

“If there are enemies, alert me using wind magic.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll keep watch outside the carriage.”

Ashera nodded once and went outside.

Lush was resting her head on Halva’s lap, gently stroking Halva’s hair affectionately.

I also stepped outside and heightened my vigilance.

(If only I had detection magic… Ashera’s magical eye can handle everything I need… It’s an incredibly powerful ability.)

Envious of Ashera’s remarkable talent, I maintained a vigilant watch around us.

It hadn’t been more than 30 minutes when Ashera signaled with wind magic.

Enemies… human? Or creatures?

If they were creatures, that’d be fine. I’d rather not kill people…

Carefully sensing the surroundings… they were there. One, two… four people… humans…

I’ll have to manage this situation. However, if they are humans, I absolutely can’t let Ashera handle them.

Killing people at the age of 14 is too early. I stealthily moved around to approach the assailants from behind without being noticed.

As I got closer to the bandits, I overheard their hushed conversation.

“The man doesn’t care if he’s alive or dead. But he said not to hurt any women or kids…”

“Hihi…I won’t leave visible scars. No visible scars… Uhiuhi…”

“It’s a 14-year-old kid. Acting all perverted… he’s a damn pervert…”

“I’ll take the boy… going to chop his head while he cries.”

“These guys… they’re trash. Including me… Let’s go.”

“Uhiuhi…”

“Ou.”

“The kid’s screams…”

These people… they’re despicable. Just exposing Ashera or Lush might lead these perverts to exploit their abilities and harm them. Search and Destroy.

I switched my mindset… turning off emotions and focusing… Suu haa, the enemies… must be eliminated.

Let’s go!

I moved silently, using space kicks to approach them.

I swiftly swung my short dagger to decapitate the man walking at the back.

One down…

I hurled my left dagger at the next target!

Two down…

The sound of the falling person made the two in front turn around.

Swiftly blending into the darkness of the night, I used space kicks to move into the woods.

“What the hell? What the f**k is going on?”

“Two in one moment? Is it a demon?”

I moved with a space kicks directly above one of the panicking figures.

The left hand weapon was already equipped with a spare knife pulled from my left thigh.

Falling in a natural fall from directly above, …… I gathered the mana in my legs and stomped down on one of the heads.

Surprised by the surprise attack from directly above, the last one swung a one-handed sword.

I catch him with my left knife and poke him in the chest with my right dagger.

“Kid… a monster huh….”

After confirming the annihilation of the enemy, I immediately flicked off the mana and dropped the return blood.

The dagger is still stuck in the back of the corpse’s head and is recovered and put back in the equipment.

I immediately scanned the area, but it seemed like there wouldn’t be any more attacks coming our way.

That’s when Ashera descended from the tree.

“You don’t have to take them all out all by yourself.”

“Well, they were pretty weak.”

“…”

“After I handle these guys, I will be back on keeping watch.”

“You’re too soft on me, Aldo…”

I couldn’t help but respond with a wry smile.

Even though it wasn’t my first kill, those assassins were a sorry lot, which made me feel strangely composed.

It just seemed better to have taken them out… That thought came naturally.

After about an hour had passed, Halva woke up.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m good enough. We can make it to Blue Ring territory.”

“Understood. If fatigue sets in, just say the word.”

“Got it.”

After that, our journey proceeded smoothly without any further incidents.

We managed to get some rest inside the moving carriage—me, Ashera, and Lush.

As the night faded into dawn…

“It’s morning…”

“…”

“When do we enter Blue Ring territory?”

“We should reach the border by tomorrow morning.”

“Got it. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“Understood.”

I didn’t expect the assaults to end with just one attempt.

Those thieves knew about Ashera’s age and our group’s composition.

Even if it’s no wonder they misjudged my and Ashera’s fighting ability, Halva is the second-in-command of the 1st Battalion of the Blue Ring Knights.

Yesterday’s attackers were mere small fry. There was no way they’d succeed.

Most likely, they were pawns, sent to gauge our strength.

They probably observed us somewhere… If that’s the case, the real attack might come tonight…

“Halva, are there any places you will pass this evening that might be raided?”

“A raid? Yes, there’s just one place.”

“What’s it like?”

“We’ll be passing right by the forest. They wouldn’t struggle to find hiding spots there.”

“I see… Halva, I have a plan.”

With that, I explained my thoughts to Halva.

“I see. So, what’s your plan, Aldo-sama?”

“I think a preemptive strike is our best bet.”

“But we lack the firepower…”

“I’ll use my magic.”

“Magic?”

“At the point of the attack, if I set the area ablaze, is there an alternate route nearby?”

“Well, there’s one relatively close by…”

“In that case, I’ll cast the spell. But the area will likely turn into an inferno. Make sure to evacuate quickly.”

“A fire inferno… Understood.”

“After casting this spell, my mana will be depleted, and I’ll faint. I’m sorry, but I’ll be counting on you after that.”

“Ha?”

I decided to cast Condense Ray, a flawed yet powerful magic. Horizontal Shot… It should be fine… But a hint of unease lingered within me.