Chapter 205
Chapter 205
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 205
Chapter Title: Soul, and Souls (5)
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*Tap, tap.*
The moment I tried to fit the key into the lock, a sound came from someone tapping on the window.
“……!”
Was I just about to open the box? I hurriedly tucked the key back into my pocket and stored the box in my subspace ring.
‘What was I about to do…….’
It felt exactly like I’d been bewitched by something. At first, I’d felt fear, but this time……
Temptation.
Yes, temptation—like a whisper urging me, Come on, open it. Just open it……
‘……I shouldn’t face this box alone until the right moment comes.’
I stood up and opened the window. There, silhouetted against the pouring moonlight, was a single shadow.
“Theodor.”
It was Callisto.
Truth be told, part of me had hoped he wouldn’t return. His return meant something had happened. I lowered my voice to a whisper.
“Cal. You’re back safe.”
“Yes. I have a report to make.”
“Want to come in and talk?”
“No. Unfortunately, that’s impossible. I can’t be away for long.”
A situation where he couldn’t be away for long…… That meant things had gone according to plan, and Callisto had gotten very close to Dawood. I nodded to show I understood.
“First, take this.”
“This is……”
I accepted the pouch Callisto held out. When I untied the string and opened it, inside gleamed top-grade magic stones, shimmering like jewels. Acquiring even one of these was no easy task, let alone several…… With just what was in this pouch, I could buy a decent mansion in the imperial capital.
‘Even for an elf and skilled mercenary like Callisto, paying this much is……’
Excessive. Callisto met my eyes, clearly knowing exactly what I was thinking.
“There’s more besides this. Gems of all kinds, piles of gold coins……”
More than this? Gems and gold coins too…… He’d already spent a fortune hiring mercenaries, yet he was paying Callisto more than the total for all of them combined?
“I thought these magic stones would be the most immediately useful to you, so I brought them.”
“Th-thanks. But this is yours……”
“No. If not for you, Theodor, I wouldn’t have taken this job at all, so I believe it belongs to you.”
“……”
“And we can’t let those filthy bastards use it.”
Callisto spoke in a weary tone, then clicked his tongue. Clearly, spending time with those scum hadn’t been pleasant. Well, I’d expected as much.
“If they’re paying this much…… The job they gave you must be far from ordinary danger, Cal.”
“……”
Callisto grimaced for a moment, as if he loathed even voicing the proposal, then whispered softly.
“It’s not dangerous.”
His words caught me off guard. Not dangerous? Then why the huge reward? I stared at him, confusion plain on my face.
“……Theodor. They’re preparing something far more horrific than I imagined.”
“Tell me slowly. I’m ready for anything.”
“What they hired me for isn’t orc subjugation. Nor is it escort duty.”
I’d already figured they wouldn’t assign orc subjugation to someone like Callisto. But not escort duty either? That was unexpected. A guy desperate to become lord—I’d thought he’d keep a skilled swordsman like Callisto close for safety…… Especially since Lewis said Dawood’s own swordsmanship was near zero.
“Cal. What exactly did they hire you for?”
“……”
“You’ve taken the job, but it’s not done yet, right? No need to feel ashamed.”
“Is that so.”
Callisto gave me a subtle look, one corner of his mouth twitching upward, then finally spoke.
“……They asked me to guard Sequoia Forest.”
“Not themselves, but Sequoia Forest?”
“They’ll provide soldiers……”
Soldiers too? I wanted to demand an explanation, but I held my tongue and listened.
“When the next subjugation begins, kill anyone trying to enter the forest afterward.”
“……!”
So, not the orcs—but ‘humans’.
People like ‘me’, for example.
“……”
“……”
Silence fell between us. They didn’t know about me yet, so it wasn’t specifically targeting me. What they were wary of was probably……
‘Lewis.’
Dawood’s brother. They must be worried Lewis might notice something off and interfere, so they tasked Callisto with blocking anyone entering Sequoia Forest.
Their thinking wasn’t entirely wrong.
But.
What they hadn’t anticipated outweighed it.
My existence and involvement.
Lewis had me, and Callisto—the manpower they thought they’d secured—was my man.
With that alone, their plan was already half-ruined.
“Don’t worry, Cal.”
I smiled gently at Callisto, whose expression remained grim.
“……”
“You won’t have to kill anyone.”
“But……”
“Just make sure I can enter Sequoia Forest.”
His face brightened a little. Was he worried I’d order him to kill to avoid arousing Dawood’s suspicions?
‘As if.’
Callisto’s task was simple: neutralize the soldiers Dawood provided ahead of time and guide us to the heart of Sequoia Forest when we arrived.
‘Of course, if the situation turns unavoidable, he’ll have to fight too……’
But that was entirely different from massacring innocents.
“And, Cal—just to be safe.”
“Yes, Theodor.”
“You don’t need to break your beliefs to follow anyone’s orders.”
“……”
“Not even if it’s mine.”
Callisto nodded silently. Good, that settled it. I grinned, patted his shoulder lightly, then pulled a few blackberries from my pouch.
“You have to head back right away?”
“Yes……”
“Take these.”
I cast [Forest’s Gift] on the blackberries in my palm, and they glowed brightly for a moment. I handed them to him.
“You don’t like regular food. But fruit’s okay, right? Not as good as Remve, but one of these will stave off hunger. It’ll even recover a bit of stamina.”
“……Thank you, Theodor.”
“I’m the one who’s grateful. For everything you’ve done.”
It was sincere. Infiltrating Dawood and the Crows to spy on them was no ordinary risk. Any hint of suspicion, and they’d try to kill him on the spot. He was braving that danger for me, so of course I was thankful.
“I’ll savor them.”
“No, no, don’t ration them—just eat them……”
Even as I waved it off, Callisto gazed at me with moved, misty eyes. Ah, I shouldn’t have said that.
“Then I’ll head back.”
“Yeah. We’ll go to Sequoia Forest before the next subjugation.”
“Yes, Theodor. I’ll prepare the way in advance.”
“See you then, Cal.”
Before I could wave, Callisto vanished like the wind. In his place, only the red moonlight fell.
‘Got some good intel.’
I didn’t know exactly what they planned for Sequoia Forest that day, but from what Callisto said, it was clearly……
‘……Something shady.’
Something so vital they’d kill anyone trying to enter Sequoia Forest? Obviously not anything good. The Crows having tea time?
The most obvious possibilities……
Like in the Death Mire, sacrificing mercenaries to summon something and corrupt all of Sequoia Forest.
Or like in Dehid, turning mercenaries into rat-humans or worse.
……Something like that.
Of course, these were just guesses, so the odds of it playing out exactly were low. Something unimaginable could happen……
If so, then……
“……”
Well, I’d find a way when the time came.
‘Somehow. One way or another.’
A chill wind blew in, so I closed the window. The room was quiet. Legion, Pippy, Blaky. Only the soft, adorable breathing of these sweet creatures filled the space as they slept soundly.
I laid my head back on Legion’s pillow and closed my eyes. To savor even this brief peace gratefully.
* * *
The next morning.
The inn was still quiet. No surprise. The first subjugation had been such a success with zero losses that the mercenaries had done minimal resupply and jumped straight into the second.
The innkeeper looked regretful, but she forgot it quickly when I ordered a massive amount of packed lunches. Not just those—I bought all her prepped ingredients too, so she was thrilled.
I asked her in advance to reserve our rooms for when we returned. Naturally, she agreed.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I stowed the huge load of packed lunches and ingredients from the innkeeper into my subspace ring, then boarded the carriage. Storm was in top condition after a good rest, stamping excitedly the moment Elle climbed into the driver’s seat. Full of energy? Good thing.
“Lloyd. Where’s Lewis?”
“He said he’d wait at the secret passage into Sequoia Forest.”
“Jeez, so impatient.”
We could’ve gone together—what was the rush? Still, I understood his worries. His father, family, and even Corin were at stake.
“Hya!”
With Elle’s spirited shout, we set off for Sequoia Forest.