[Interlude] Street and the Cliffside

A few clothes are scattered across the bed.

Starting the next day, I try to pay attention to things, but honestly, I don’t understand much.

In the end, I just go out as usual.

Outside, everyone’s talking about monsters. I’ve never heard of monsters being in the city.

Apparently, soldiers are coming from the Empire too, so there’s no need to worry—they’ll be defeated soon enough.

I helped out with the caravan again today. Either guarding the cargo or carrying it, since we’d been removed from sales.

Most of us stood in front of the shop, on guard.

In the late afternoon, it seemed the children hadn’t come home yet.

Where are those kids wandering off to? We decided to split up and search for them.

We searched all over town. The sun kept setting, and it grew darker and darker.

Still couldn’t find them. We began to grow more and more anxious.

For some reason, a military unit from the Empire was also circulating around.

Taro had disappeared too.

The commander, more concerned about the darkness than anything else, ordered us to stick together in groups.

"If you find any other missing members, include them in your group as well."

We moved together with the deputy commander and a few others.

It was then that we passed by an undeveloped forest in the middle of town.

Suddenly, soldiers appeared right in front of us.

"Big sis~!"

That voice—those kids. They're near the woods.

"Where the heck have you been?! I was worried sick!"

"Sorry! But there was a huge monkey over there, and the older brother is fighting it!"

A chill runs down my spine.

"Calm down! What happened?"

"There was a monkey monster over there! Tarou-kun is fighting it!"

Hearing that, I took off running.

The deputy commander shouts from behind not to go alone, but I can't wait.

At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed from deep within the woods.

I hurried forward. When had I last heard my heartbeat so loudly? I couldn’t think— I just ran. The deputy commander and soldiers came rushing after me.

I found Taro lying unconscious, and a large ape nearby.

"Taro! Stay with me! Hey! Taro!"

"Uuu..."

Good. The bleeding was severe, but he was still responding.

He still has a chance.

Among the soldiers, there was someone who could use a healing crystal. Thanks to that, Taro received emergency treatment.

I was so relieved that my strength gave out, and I ended up sitting down right there.

The deputy commander stood beside me.

"Even a prodigy knight can be useless sometimes."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, no particular meaning really. Still, taking down a monster all by yourself? That's impressive."

I stand up, eyes fixed on the monster. It looks undeniably powerful.

Take down that thing alone!? Taro!?

I left the cleanup to the deputy commander and took Taro back to the dormitory.

A few days later, Taro had fully recovered and was able to resume activity.

From that moment on, Taro began to step forward eagerly in battle.

I’ll admit, his combat ability is truly incredible.

But it’s still not enough.

Just being strong isn't enough—he doesn't understand the cunning of a true warrior.

But I don't know how to teach him.

Lost in thought, staring at him, I wonder if he's angry.

I'm worrying about you, yet I end up snapping at you too harshly.

That's all I've been doing lately.

We're climbing through mountainous terrain.

The cargo is heavy, slowing down the entire group, so we all push the load together.

It looks like it might rain soon.

We all move without hesitation, hurrying forward. It's dangerous if we don't get past this cliff soon.

Yet, as if indifferent to our situation, the rain began to fall mercilessly.

To keep my personal belongings dry, I left most of the cargo on the platform and pushed it through the downpour, getting completely soaked.

According to the group leader, there's an open area a bit further ahead where we'll be able to rest and warm up.

I told myself to hold on a little longer and pushed myself, stepping down firmly.

But my strength was fading, my vision drifting away from the others. Ah, I see. I'm going to die.

Taro desperately rushed toward me, his face filled with determination.

Stop! Don't do that! You've just barely survived—don't throw your life away!

Yet Taro leapt off the cliff to save me.

Taro and I began to fall.

Damn it! Isn't there any way to survive this?

A loud explosion came from beside me. What's this? A beam of light?

I'd never seen anything like it. I slowly descended, held tightly by Taro.

I could tell Taro was pushing himself to the limit. Beads of sweat poured from his forehead, and he was squinting one eye shut, clearly enduring intense pain.

When we landed, Taro held onto the magic stone, which had crumbled into pieces.

"Taro! Are you okay?"

Taro says he's fine, but it doesn't look like it—he clearly has his hand swollen and red.

For now, we managed to contact the squad leaders.

We're supposed to meet up a little further along.

We decided to keep moving, but the rain was heavy, so we ended up spending some time in a small gap between rocks.

Gosh, it's cold.

Being soaked to the bone is really making me cold. I need to find a way to warm up—uh, warm up, warm up, like huddling close together or something? With this wet body!?

What on earth am I thinking?

Did I hit my head somewhere when I fell earlier?

"Hey, Taro, do you have anything that could warm us up?"

"Nope, I don't. How about you? Let's pool our stuff."

I handed over my belongings at Taro's suggestion. Didn't have much to begin with.

"Truly nothing at all."

I let my shoulders droop.

Wondering what to do, I looked outside and spotted, as the former captain had taught me, a type of wood that could burn even when wet.

But without kindling, even that wouldn't help me start a fire.

Deep inside the cave—though it wasn't really deep at all—there was only fallen leaves and thin branches.

That wouldn't be enough to ignite anything. I'd also left the fire crystal behind on the cart. What should I do?

Just then

"I can make kindling, but there's no fuel. The trees are all soaked too."

Taro muttered.

"Wait a second—how exactly do you make kindling? What's the method?"

"Ah, if that's the case, I can do it using lightning magic and that pencil."

I half-joked, thinking it couldn't possibly work, but Taro actually managed to light a fire.

I desperately tried to make the flame bigger.

Good. Now I can stay warm.

I took off my soaked clothes with my usual movements, urging Taro to dry off as well.

After removing them, I realized Taro was watching me and felt embarrassed.

But staying wet was dangerous. There was no choice—I sat down with my back turned to Taro.

Fortunately, Taro also sat facing the opposite direction.

An awkward silence lingered. It was quite uncomfortable.

I can't think of anything to say. I finally asked Taro about something I've been wondering about lately.

"How did you feel after gaining magic?"