Chapter 9

Crackle, crackle—

In the silent surroundings, only the sound of burning wood echoed dryly.

It was the campfire Philip had managed to save.

The flickering flames dimly illuminated the scenery around them.

A nightmare-like scene filled with countless wolf corpses, sliced apart and scattered together with entrails.

Yet standing in the middle of it all, Mev remained motionless like a statue.

Though her eyes carried slight anxiety.

Fortunately, the silence didn’t last long.

“Ian? Is that you?”

Suddenly narrowing her eyes, Mev stared into the darkness and called out.

“……!”

Philip, who had been turning over the firewood, immediately whipped his head around as well.

Beyond the darkness, the faint silhouette of someone trudging toward them appeared.

“Yeah. Looks like you’re safe.”

A slow reply followed.

To those who had been waiting, his relaxed tone was irritatingly calm.

Mev immediately stepped forward.

“You, what exactly was that earlier—”

“Did all the wolves retreat?”

When Ian cut her off, Mev frowned deeply.

After taking a long breath, she answered,

“Yes. Not long after you entered the forest, they scattered in every direction. More importantly, you need to properly explain what exactly you meant earli—”

She failed to finish speaking again.

Because she had finally gotten a clear look at Ian’s appearance.

“There’s nothing to explain.”

Ian replied while continuing to walk forward.

“I meant exactly what I said.”

He casually tossed what he was holding toward the campfire.

The blurry arc landed beside the fire and rolled near Philip, who was crouching there.

It was Andolf’s head, its tongue hanging limply out.

“Lu Sola have mercy!”

At the horrifying appearance, neither fully human nor wolf, Philip fell backward onto the ground.

“W-What is that thing?!”

“A werewolf. That thing was leading the wolf pack.”

Ian answered while stopping in place.

Mev stared blankly at Andolf’s head before slowly turning toward Ian.

When their eyes met, the corner of Ian’s mouth curled upward slightly.

“You look terrible.”

“…….”

He really wasn’t one to talk.

Ian looked like he had gone swimming through a sea of blood and flesh.

But at the same time, that also meant he had fought a brutal battle.

Alone.

In that dark forest.

“How did you know? That a monster like this was leading the wolves?”

So instead of pointing out Ian’s comment, Mev returned to the real issue.

“I didn’t.”

“What…?”

“But I did hear rumors. Rumors about a wolf pack that hunted only humans. Haven’t you heard them before?”

“…No.”

To think he acted based only on rumors.

It was absurd, but she didn’t say it aloud.

After all, she herself was also moving based solely on rumors.

Still, she couldn’t completely hide it from her eyes.

Ian slowly continued,

“Even the most ridiculous rumors usually contain some truth. Especially in times like these.”

Ian shrugged.

“But these mutts were only impressive in numbers. Nothing special otherwise. So I figured I had to kill the leader. I only learned it was a monster like this after meeting it.”

He spoke as though it had merely been a small complication.

Yet to Mev, it didn’t sound like empty bravado at all.

Ian had really killed the werewolf alone and returned alive.

“…….”

At that moment, Mev looked at Ian with entirely new eyes.

She finally realized that the story about him single-handedly wiping out the kobold hideout had neither been exaggerated nor simple luck.

For the first time, a thought crossed her mind.

Maybe this man really could find the black mage.

But—

“That still doesn’t change the fact that what you did was reckless.”

Mev’s voice remained stern.

“If it had been a monster even worse than a werewolf, you could’ve died. You should’ve moved together with me.”

Regardless of her personal feelings, Ian absolutely could not die.

He had to survive and reach the royal castle with her.

Which meant reckless behavior like this could never happen again.

“Hm. Well…”

Scratching his chin, Ian slowly glanced over her and said,

“I don’t think you would’ve been much help chasing that thing while dressed like that.”

…This bastard?

Mev’s eyebrows twitched upward.

Her voice naturally hardened.

“I’m far faster than you think. Even dressed like this.”

“I’m sure you are.”

Ian replied casually before adding,

“But the thing would’ve felt threatened. It attacked because I moved alone. Otherwise it would’ve run away. And then we’d have no idea when it might start hunting us again. We couldn’t let a threat like that live.”

“That’s still just speculation.”

“Then why was it hiding and watching us? It was clearly preparing to escape at any moment. Meaning it wasn’t actually as strong as it looked. That’s why I went alone. Does that explanation satisfy you?”

Mev found herself momentarily speechless.

Ian continued calmly,

“I understand your concern, but I value my own life more than anything. I’m not loyal or noble enough to throw it away for someone else. Those are virtues for knights like you. Not for ordinary mercenaries like me.”

“…….”

In the end, Mev had no choice but to admit that she would never win a verbal argument against Ian.

And she couldn’t simply force him through strength either.

Ian himself had just openly declared that he was neither loyal nor noble.

Though most mercenaries were like that, Ian was the first person she had ever seen say it so openly.

Especially directly to a knight’s face.

And it didn’t sound like empty words either.

Ian had already proven his abilities in multiple ways in just a single day.

If Mev drew her sword, he would either fight back or run.

Neither outcome was desirable.

After a moment of thought, Mev finally made the decision she least wanted to make.

“Understood. But from now on, if you come up with a plan, tell me beforehand instead of keeping it to yourself.”

She chose to ask politely instead.

Though she worried about the future of being dragged around by a rude mercenary obsessed with money, she couldn’t think of another option.

What surprised her was Ian’s reaction.

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

He nodded readily.

Without adding another word.

Instead, Mev suddenly felt awkward herself and looked away slightly before replying,

“…Good.”

Maybe I’m the one who distrusted him too much.

As she swallowed a cough and the conversation briefly paused—

“My lady, then how about telling us about your heroic battle against that monster while we eat?”

Philip eagerly interrupted as though he had been waiting for the chance.

Though he still couldn’t even touch Andolf’s head, his eyes sparkled brightly.

Ian smirked and shook his head.

“Later, Philip.”

“…You still have something left to do?”

“I don’t want to eat here. And I definitely don’t want to sleep here.”

Ian answered as though it were obvious, gesturing around them with his chin.

“Ah.”

Philip immediately understood.

Wolf corpses were scattered everywhere.

Not only was the scenery horrifying, but the smell of blood and rot filled the air.

“You said there’s a stream near the center of the forest, right? I think it’d be better to settle there instead. What do you think, Sir?”

Snapping back to attention at Ian’s question, Mev nodded.

“That sounds reasonable. Let’s do that.”

“Bring the horses, Philip.”

Ian gestured casually.

It sounded completely natural coming from him.

“Yes, my lord.”

Neither Philip nor even Mev noticed anything strange about it.

Philip hurried toward the three tied horses.

The two warhorses wearing armored head and neck protection were understandable.

But somehow he had even managed to keep Ian’s old horse alive.

To Ian, that was the most mysterious thing that had happened all day.

As Philip grabbed the reins, the horses snorted nervously.

“Huh? Are they only getting scared now? Come on, easy there.”

Philip tugged on the reins.

Mev’s and Philip’s horses followed obediently enough, but Ian’s old horse stumbled and dragged itself along awkwardly.

After only a few steps—

Neighhh!

Ian’s horse suddenly collapsed sideways.

“Huh…?”

Philip tilted his head.

Naturally, both Ian and Mev turned to look.

“Uh, my lord… It’s…”

After checking the horse’s condition, Philip hesitated before speaking.

“It’s… dead.”

“…….”

Ian’s eyebrows rose.

Mev also looked startled as she turned toward him.

While staring blankly at the horse that had suddenly died, Ian realized something.

‘This is probably because of all the blood covering me.’

The horse had already been under extreme stress, and Ian still reeked of werewolf blood.

An old horse probably couldn’t endure that.

Still, Ian deliberately chose not to say it aloud.

“H-How could this happen…? Ahh… My lord, I’m sorry. I think I must’ve done something wrong.”

It was simply too entertaining watching Philip look like a man who had lost his country.

“I somehow managed to keep it alive this whole time, only for it to die so meaninglessly…”

“You should’ve been more careful, Philip. Look at all these wolf corpses around us.”

Mev sternly scolded him before turning toward Ian.

“My condolences. I’ll compensate you for the horse.”

Ian shrugged.

“Well, it’s not like he did it on purpose. I understand. Honestly, the fact that the thing survived this long was already a miracle.”

“T-Thank you, my lord. You’re very generous.”

Philip bowed his head deeply.

“But.”

Ian’s relaxed voice fell onto the top of Philip’s bowed head.

“I don’t feel like walking.”

“…Pardon?”

Philip looked up in confusion.

“I’m tired.”

Ian added while staring directly at him.

Philip looked dazed for a moment.

Then he glanced between the horses and Ian before finally letting out a defeated sigh.

“Of course I should walk instead. Right…”

About two hours later.

The group unpacked near a stream running through the center of the forest.

While Philip prepared another campfire, Ian leisurely dismounted.

Philip’s horse was far more comfortable than the old horse Ian had been riding.

As he got off, Andolf’s head hanging beside the saddle swayed back and forth.

That had been Philip’s idea.

Ian honestly had no idea why he bothered bringing it, but soon turned his attention toward the stream.

Right now, that head wasn’t important.

“The water reaches about up to the calves…”

He had expected only enough water to wash his face.

Instead, it looked almost like a small river.

Sitting roughly on a nearby rock, Ian began loosening the straps on his armor.

“What are you doing?”

Mev tilted her head and asked.

“As you can see. Taking off my armor.”

“What if we get attacked again?”

“Didn’t you notice on the way here? There probably isn’t even a single deer left in this forest.”

Ian shrugged.

“The werewolf had taken over the entire place. Everything probably fled.”

Even if something is still here, I’m washing no matter what.

Thinking that inwardly, Ian continued unfastening the straps on his armor and shoulder guards.

Sweat and blood mixed together, making his whole body sticky.

“Ah. Right… That makes sense.”

While Mev nodded slowly—

“My lord, are you going to wash right now?”

Philip asked.

He had somehow already finished setting up the fire and arranging the sleeping area.

Ian forcefully peeled off the armor stuck tightly against his shirt and answered,

“Yeah.”

“I see…”

Philip trailed off awkwardly while giving him the eyes of a puppy needing to poop.

Setting down the armor, Ian turned toward him with visible annoyance.

Eventually, as though reluctantly giving in, he pulled out the bundle from subspace and opened it.

Moonlight revealed tightly packed smoked ham, cheese, and wheat bread.

Philip’s face instantly brightened.

Placing the bundle down, Ian said coldly,

“Prepare only half. We’re eating the rest tomorrow.”

“Yes! I’ll have it ready right away.”

“Wash your hands first. And once the food’s ready, clean my armor too.”

“Of course!”

Philip hurried toward the stream.

He really is easy to handle.

The corners of Ian’s lips curled upward as he reached for his greaves.

Then, as though suddenly remembering something, he added,

“I should warn you in advance. I’m taking off my clothes too. I intend to wash properly.”

“If I don’t look, there’s no problem.”

Mev answered calmly while naturally removing her helmet.

Then she removed both steel gauntlets one by one and slipped her hands between the joints of her arm armor.

Clanking sounds followed.

After reaching beneath the shoulder guards a few times, the armor protecting her elbows and upper arms dropped off.

Watching Mev skillfully begin removing even her shoulder armor, Ian spoke.

“I thought you were the type to sleep in armor too.”

“I intend to wash myself as well.”

Mev answered casually.

Ian tilted his head.

“You mean right now?”

Mev looked directly at him.

“That’s the plan. Is there a problem?”

…Of course there’s a problem.

For one of the rare times in a long while, genuine confusion spread across Ian’s face.