Into the Fog (1)
We rode toward the Atriana Mountains.
A dungeon had been discovered in these mountains long ago, and the recent emergence of a dragon from its depths was the latest incident.
A dungeon and a dragon, huh. If some flying evil eye monster showed up here too, we'd be hit with a 100% copyright lawsuit.
Anyway, since the dungeon had existed for ages, there was a forward-base village nearby. For some reason, it was called Fog Village.
We'd met the troll brothers before setting out, so the path there wasn't a proper road wide enough for wagon wheels—it was more like a narrow trail trampled by people and horses, or a mountain path.
Even that could turn into a path to the underworld if dangerous monsters nested there. That's why the routes around here were monitored regularly by scouting parties and adventurers' reports.
The 4th Knight Division sometimes cleared paths with periodic subjugations, but the north lacked major cities, so unless it was a special case, such operations just increased casualties.
Of course, there were cases like dead Garría, who went out to kill time or rack up achievements.
Anyway.
According to Parlen, our scouting veteran, it would take about a week to reach Fog Village.
The rugged mountain paths meant the horses carried only loads and walked, so it took far longer than the distance suggested.
Still, the first day was relatively flat, enough to ride.
Parlen said it was an area the 4th Knight Division kept somewhat cleared for patrols.
The open sightlines let us spot wild animals fleeing or hiding now and then.
That said, seeing a four-legged beast flying against the distant blue sky made me wonder if such a creature was evolutionarily possible.
Nah, pointless question.
Evolution's irrelevant in a world with dragons already.
Creationism's gotta be the dominant theory here.
As dusk fell, we set up camp.
While gathering firewood in the dim light, I scratched my hand on a thorn.
It wasn't deep, but just in case, I tried disinfecting it with spit.
The wound vanished.
"…Well, now."
Obvious who did this.
Guess she's got time on her hands.
To test it, I scratched myself on the thorn again on purpose.
Whoa!
Quick reaction this time.
At this rate, I could send Morse code with the pain.
Stab, slash, stab, slash…
"Captain, why'd you suddenly draw your dagger and grin like that? What's up??"
Ragi jumped back in shock at the sight of me.
Oh, I mindlessly drew my hunting knife too.
Come to think of it, holding a blade to my hand and beaming like an idiot probably looked insane to anyone else.
Time to smooth things over.
"Sorry, it's nothing. I was just tired and zoned out thinking about slicing some meat… Really, no big deal."
"……."
Even I knew that sounded like nonsense. Panicking, I'd thrown out a lame excuse.
See? Ragi's face was paling. Persuasion failed.
"Captain, why're you suddenly talking all formal like when we first met? You said you'd keep it casual!
Parlen! The captain's acting weird! He's lost it!!"
Ragi bolted in fright.
I considered chasing her to explain, but decided against it.
She might scream that the maniac was coming after her,
and her dramatics weren't exactly new.
To regain my composure, I finished gathering firewood.
When I returned,
"Captain, you look beat. Let us handle night watch tonight—get some real rest."
"If you can't sleep, I can offer a prayer of tranquility."
I felt grateful yet awkward at Parlen and Damish's concern.
Chiria even pressed her hand to my forehead and whispered,
"Captain, does it hurt?"
"It's just fatigue from all the stuff since we left. A good sleep'll fix it."
"Aren't you worried about the mage grandpa? He's been scribbling something."
Ragi was blabbing my weirdness to everyone, poking around.
She mutes herself when hiding info, but blasts it out like a megaphone otherwise.
"He'll be fine. I've heard Kirgil has these flashes of genius—or bizarre antics—sometimes.
And this log is for a friend in Iyer Country who wants even these minor details."
Paradilan's treatment felt harsher than being called crazy. He was logging me like a lab rat.
The academy president, spotting me approach, questioned me like a reporter.
"Kirgil, Ragi told me. What new idea struck you while holding that dagger?"
"…Just a crazy thought. Let it slide."
"It's fine. Tell me exactly what happened."
The knowledge-hungry president was genuinely curious about my "new idea."
So, skipping the Connection Ring part, I told the truth.
"It was just a fleeting thought. I wondered if stabbing and slashing wounds could send special signals."
"…………."
Paradilan pondered my words for a solid 30 seconds.
Then he patted my shoulder with a smile.
"Kirgil, rest well today."
Damn, knew it.
To avoid worrying them, I'd play along. Early bedtime it was.
Thanks to turning in early, my eyes snapped open before dawn.
Chiria, on final watch, stood rigidly with her spear like a statue.
Seeing me stir, she smiled without shifting stance. Her eyes were hidden by her hair.
Whoa, straight out of a horror flick in the dark.
Monsters might not flinch, but any bandit or assassin eyeing a night raid would trip over themselves in shock.
Chiria stood her watch by the book. Full manual mode.
Great in the army, but overkill for our small group.
"Not tired? You can sit."
"Chiria is okay."
Standing like that, she'd spiral into random thoughts until exhaustion blanked her mind after an hour.
Most people would.
No need to force someone committed like that to change.
Hmm, seeing her so diligent makes me wanna do something nice.
"Chiria, did you cover your bangs on purpose?"
"No… just."
Not intentional, then?
No hesitation needed.
"Chiria, switch to sitting watch for a bit. That's an order."
"Pardon? Okay. Chiria will sit."
She sounded uneasy, clueless about my intent.
Her voice, already soft and wheedling, dropped even lower.
She knelt primly like in some ancient Eastern drama, so demure I half-expected a foot technique demo.
I circled behind her and said,
"If it feels bad or I'm being rude somehow, just say so and I'll stop."
"Y-Yes…."
Her reply was so faint I double-checked. She nodded, so I started.
"Eek!?"
Whoa, startled me!
Big reaction for Chiria—I jumped too.
"I-It's… f-fine… Chiria c-can… bear it."
Now I looked like the creep. I was just combing and braiding her hair.
Tugged too hard?
Her scalp must be sensitive.
Drawing on my Agnes hair experience, I'd lower her horror vibe.
Time for some battlefield braids on Chiria's head.
Her height made her intimidating at times,
but at eye level, she was a big-eyed, cute girl.
Framing it with that black curtain was a shame—and stifling.
"Hng… Eek…"
Cute squeaks with each braid. Still pre-dawn dark, but her eyes were probably swirling spirals now.
"Huuu…."
Her silent squeals felt oddly mood-setting. Since the vibe was good, time for that nagging question.
"Chiria. Why'd you try to kill me back then?"
"Eek!? Hn… uh…."
Her squeak turned to tense breaths. Sudden question, sure. But alone in the quiet? Now or never.
"It's okay. Not grilling you—I wanna know more about Chiria. And if I did something wrong to you."
She mulled with a tiny "Uuu…,"
then spoke as I finished one side.
"Captain Kirgil is like Daddy. Strong but not scary like Daddy."
"Yeah?"
"……"
Was that her answer?
Makes no sense.
I hummed questioningly, and she pondered again.
Yeah, overthinking how to phrase it won't expand her vocab. Here I am in dad-teaching-daughter mode without realizing.
Once sorted, she continued.
"Chiria wants to marry someone strong like Daddy.
But they said no. So Chiria was sad.
Chiria heard Captain was super strong, but meeting you, you seemed weak, so Chiria got mad."
"…Uh. Yeah?"
The reason was absurdly childish—I was stunned.
She's a real kid!!
Asking her age suddenly felt terrifying.
For the opposite reason as with Paradilan!
"But fighting you, Captain Kirgil was strong!"
Dawn broke then, sunlight sweeping away the dark veil to reveal her beaming kid face.
Exposed, she was undeniably cute.