Forbidden Forest 2

I became certain.

"Clara, thank you. It seems I've drawn the correct answer."

"Hehe. Told you so! See? The key is always creativity!"

Ignoring Clara's proud expression, I headed toward the direction of the footprints.

A narrow cave formed in a fissure along the cliffside.

It could collapse at any moment.

Inside, several injured soldiers and one young girl trembled in fear.

If there was one distinguishing feature, it would be that everyone was female.

Food supplies were dwindling.

Proper medical treatment was impossible.

The situation was dire.

Yet they refused to give up—because they had already decided not to surrender.

Fortunately, no one had died yet. But the soldiers on the brink of death, and the uncertain, endless struggle to escape, were breaking their spirits.

It was a shame—after we'd become so close, after they'd shown such genuine care...

Because of my constitution, I can't use magical stones.

Some soldiers can use them effectively, but even they couldn't heal severe wounds or perform large-scale warming operations.

What should I do? Everyone will die because of me.

If only I were captured by the royal army... but I wouldn't survive that either.

I don't know what awaits me, but one thing is certain—I won't survive. Father must be gone by now...

Even if I'm lucky, I'm still just a soldier's outcast... I don't know if someone like me, so frail, has any worth at all.

Overwhelmed by such hopeless despair, I find myself slipping into self-deprecation, something I'd normally never do.

Why is it always me who suffers like this?

After finally being freed from petrification and thinking I'd gained my freedom...

If I'd known this would happen, maybe I should've let that one person save me... Or perhaps it would've been better if I'd quietly died back then—then I wouldn't be suffering now.

I wonder if that person is still safe and well, untouched by the war...

I wish I could see them one last time...

I pick up the healing crystal.

This is all that remains, since I lost the others during my battles with the sub-beasts.

I will use this.

That way, the soldiers' wounds can be healed.

They've been so strong and brave, pushing through so much.

If their wounds are healed, they should be able to leave this forest on their own. Lost limbs and severed arms won't grow back, but they can still live.

Of course, if I use this magic stone, I'll be consumed by it once again.

I don't know what the outcome will be.

My hand trembles as I hold the stone.

If there's a miracle, then even if I'm once more overtaken by the stone, that person will save me again.

If I'm going to use the magic stone, then I might as well use it fully. I'm naturally skilled with magic stones, after all.

To match my genius younger brother.

When I look away from the stone, the soldier who once lost an arm and has been the most devoted to me tries to stop me, his mouth moving silently in protest.

He must have realized what I'm about to do.

Really, I've been injured so badly already—I'll surely be scolded by Mother.

At the very moment I was about to use the magic stone,

"Enemy attack!"

A voice, neither loud nor small, yet clear and distinct, echoed through the cave.

Either a beastman or royal soldiers—whichever it was, I had to restore the soldiers quickly.

But I couldn't.

No, I didn't need to.

"Using the magic stone is forbidden."

Because I finally heard the voice I'd long wanted to hear. Because, as a gust of wind blew, I found myself face to face with the person I'd always wished to meet.

When I spotted the cave appearing as I followed the footprints, I leapt inside using wind magic.

Because someone forbidden to use the magic stone was attempting to use it.

I placed my hand on the magic stone, stopping its activation. Then I seized the healing stone.

At that moment, a one-armed warrior lunged at me from behind.

But Alex intercepted the blade.

"Taro! What are you doing? Do you want to die by rushing in like that?"

"Sorry! I've got something urgent—I need everyone to stop. We're here to save you!"

The female soldiers in front of Rinā flinched for a moment at my words, but then their eyes quickly filled with determination.

"Like I'd be fooled by such words!"

Well, that was to be expected.

Looking closely at the soldiers, I noticed they were all injured—some missing an arm, others missing a leg, with even more severely wounded individuals waiting behind them.

Rinā looks a bit thin, but she seems healthy. It seems the petrification hasn't occurred again since then.

I removed the hood from my head and stepped forward.

"It's me. Rinā. I treated you for petrification. I'm Tarō."

"Shut up!"

No good. The soldiers aren't listening at all. No choice.

I don't want to do this, but I'll have to knock everyone out at once, then take them away.

Clara and Kenny, fully armed and arriving late, enter the cave.

"Wait, wait—what's going on here!? Why are we in combat mode?"

"T-there are more enemies."

The enemy soldiers completely perceive us as foes.

There's no other choice—we'll have to knock everyone out at once.

Just as I was about to cast my magic,

"Everyone, lower your weapons."

Where did that voice come from, from such a slender frame?

A clear, commanding pressure that halted everyone's movements. Gradually, weapons lowered.

"Are you certain, Miss Lina?"

"Yes, thank you for your concern. But it's fine. He... he is the magician, Taro, who cured my magic stone illness."

The soldiers surrounding Miss Lina turned their faces toward us. Some of them glared, looking a little frightening.

"Long time no see, Lina."