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Chapter 8
I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but halfway through, no sound came out at all.
The bridge crossing that felt like it would never end… finally ended.
The moment Noel set me down, I dropped both hands to the ground and gasped for breath. All the color had drained from me—my hands were as white as milk.
“Lady Shu, your grip is stronger than it looks.”
“……”
“No, really—it’s a compliment!”
Noel couldn’t hold back his laughter as he picked up and put on the pieces of his armor. I didn’t even have the strength to argue back.
I really need to live my life properly…
I should seriously try to be kinder…
Today, I basically died at least twice…
Noel re-equipped the armor he had thrown aside, but one shoulder guard was missing. Some of our travel belongings were gone too.
The biggest food sack had disappeared, and aside from a small amount of emergency rations we had kept separately, nothing could be found.
That was because Noel had sensed a monster’s presence and gave up chasing the thief halfway, turning back.
Still… thanks to that, we survived.
Even though we almost died.
“……”
“……”
Crad stared fixedly at me being carried across the bridge by Noel.
Why does he keep glaring at me? Why is he looking at me like I’m his enemy?!
It’s not like I’m cursed—I’m sorry for being carried too, you patient bastard.
You acted tough saying you’d cross alone, and now you ended up like that—I’m sorry, you knight bastard…
Crad didn’t say anything, but I felt guilty on my own and kept muttering inside my head.
“I’m really sorry, Lady Shu. That must have been very stressful. I promise I won’t let you leave my protection range again, so you don’t have to walk like that anymore. Really.”
“Huh? Ah… okay.”
After a short rest, we set off again. But even after crossing the bridge, I kept gripping a hand axe tightly, watching my surroundings carefully.
A healer walking with a raised axe blade and hood pulled low—it would look strange to anyone.
Noel finally lowered his head and gently tried to calm me down.
Still, I couldn’t shake off my anxiety and kept holding the axe handle as I walked. Instead, I spoke casually as if nothing had happened.
“Why would a chimera appear in a place like this?”
“Hmm… well. Chimeras are usually made by mages…”
For the first time, Noel ended his sentence half-heartedly. He also spoke much less—it seemed he was focused on Crad’s condition on his back.
Crad, who had overexerted himself, wasn’t recovering even as time passed. In the end, Noel had to keep carrying him.
This was exactly the kind of situation where a healer was desperately needed.
And yet, I was still a useless healer.
When will this useless feeling end?
I clicked my tongue briefly and said,
“Even after waking up and waiting quite a while, my healing charges haven’t recovered at all.”
“It’s our fault. You were already tired from the mountain path, and then you encountered a chimera. It’s understandable.”
“Physical exhaustion isn’t really the issue…”
Mental fatigue was.
A sudden mission, hearing the chimera’s fear skill right from the start, and crossing that life-reflecting shaking bridge—it had taken quite a toll.
At times like this, sleep was the best medicine. The old saying wasn’t wrong.
Eating a lot would help too—but our food sack was stolen, so that wasn’t an option.
Next rest time, I had to sleep no matter what. Even if it meant sleeping on bare ground.
“Um, Lady Shu? Would it be okay if Sir Crad takes a bit more painkillers?”
“No. If he doesn’t keep proper intervals, the side effects get worse. I’m against it.”
Noel asked carefully, worried about Crad’s condition.
From what I could see, Crad’s breathing was getting more unstable over time. The curse was causing waves of pain.
At Noel’s obvious concern, Crad gritted his teeth and turned his head away.
“……”
Painkillers were made entirely from poisonous herbs. Overusing them would do more harm than good.
So I chose to let the patient endure the pain.
“Using strong medicine now would be worse than just enduring it.”
Treating side effects was also the healer’s job.
But right now—I had no healing charges.
Noel nodded obediently at my decision, then said with resolve,
“I wanted to reach Hightol by tomorrow evening at the latest, but we’ll change plans and rest at the nearest village first. It’s about an hour from here.”
My eyes, which had been about to close from exhaustion, snapped open.
That must be where the thief kid lives!
Of course I agree.
“It’s a small village with about 50 households. Its name is Enok.”
* * *
“Outsiders are not allowed to enter right now. Unless you’re a food merchant or a healer.”
A soldier blocked the village entrance.
He was a middle-aged man holding a halberd, wearing shabby armor.
It was strange for such a small village to have a gatekeeper—and his equipment was odd too.
His armor was extremely worn and didn’t even fit properly. It looked like something he had hastily pulled out after ten years in storage.
The halberd seemed usable, but it also showed signs of age.
Noel asked,
“Did something happen in Enok?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Instead of arguing, I quickly scanned the low stone wall surrounding the village. Noel reacted similarly.
“……”
Noel pulled Crad and me back a few steps and whispered,
“It seems like a plague has spread in the village.”
“If that’s the case… there’s only one guard, and nothing around the wall.”
“You’re right. I don’t see any quarantine measures either. But allowing only merchants and healers is a typical response to a plague.”
I looked around again.
The wall was low enough for anyone to jump over. It barely functioned as a boundary.
With just one guard, it was impossible to stop people from coming and going.
There were no plague flags either.
If it really was a plague, the response was far too sloppy.
At the very least, they should have poured oil around the entrance.
Noel also seemed suspicious.
“Usually, smaller villages are even more sensitive to disease control since they lack priests. But exceptions do exist. Sir Crad, Lady Shu—we should just pass by this village—”
“There’s a guard, so why not just ask directly?”
“Huh? Lady Shu?”
Ignoring Noel, I approached the soldier.
He frowned immediately.
“Turn back. If you walk half a day, you’ll reach the Lycan road. From there, you can go anywhere.”
“Is there a plague in this village right now?”
“……”
No answer.
Straightforward questions don’t work on this guy.
Still, his reaction confirmed it enough.
I asked again,
“If not, I can’t understand why travelers are being blocked. We were robbed by a child nearby, and since Enok is the closest village, we’d like to look for them.”
“I haven’t seen such a child. Even if you don’t find them, too bad.”
The soldier remained blunt.
That kid definitely belonged to this village.
There were only a few villages within walking distance.
A child wouldn’t risk their life going to a distant city.
Even if we moved slowly, the child wouldn’t be fast either—someone must have seen them carrying such a large food sack.
Well… if he’s protecting a village kid, it can’t be helped.
Then I need another excuse to enter…
Noel stepped in,
“Could we at least purchase food and a horse? We’ll leave immediately after getting supplies.”
“This village has nothing. No food, no horses, no herbs.”
As expected.
Villagers had no obligation to help strangers.
So I pulled out my ultimate tool.
“I’ll pay an entry fee. Please let us in.”
“Lady Shu? Wait—”
“Hey, you there! What do you think you’re doing?! Wearing armor and all!!”
The last voice wasn’t mine, Noel’s, or the guard’s.
A middle-aged woman ran up from the village entrance, panting.
She immediately scolded the guard.
“Why are you arguing with travelers?! Let them in quickly! As long as the Saintess is here, it’s fine! Why are you acting like this alone at the gate?! You three—come here. I’ll guide you to a place to rest.”
“Get lost, you money-grubbing woman!”
“What did you say?! I’ll tell Mosha! A husband who doesn’t earn money and just chases travelers away all day! I feel sorry for Mosha!”
Though fierce, the woman backed off when the guard raised his halberd.
But she kept shouting insults as she left.
The guard sighed.
“I can’t say for sure it’s a plague, but there’s a strange coughing illness going around that doesn’t heal. That’s unusual for this season. Understand? If you value your health and money, leave now.”
“Hmm…”
I tapped my fingers in thought.
A mild plague. He’s guarding alone. The villagers aren’t cooperating.
Noel said,
“Lady Shu, if it’s a plague village, we shouldn’t force our way in. We’ll just continue—though I’m sorry for the longer journey…”
“If we can’t enter the village, then we’ll camp right there.”
I pointed directly in front of the guard.
Right at the village entrance.
