Chapter 23
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Descends the Labyrinth
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The morning after they camped.
Sylbian packed his gear, but he couldn't shake his worry about Cherentia.
'Is she really okay?'
He'd felt it again last night, but views on beastkin were—charitably speaking—far from friendly.
When he'd asked for her opinion, their reactions were still vivid in his mind.
Cherentia, with her sharper senses, couldn't have missed it.
"Cherentia."
"Why are you calling me? I just finished packing."
She slung her backpack over her shoulder casually, but he knew they needed to address this properly.
"We'll join them soon, but I want to clear something up first."
"Clear what up?"
"To make sure nothing like last night happens again."
Thud.
Cherentia stared at Sylbian for a moment.
His insistence on hashing this out felt oddly fresh to her.
"Sylbian, then I have a question for you too."
"Shoot."
"Why don't you look at me with the same disgust as everyone else?
I've seen countless times how humans treat beastkin. But you're different."
She asked in a remarkably calm voice.
Her amber eyes, full of resolve, fixed entirely on him.
"...I'd be lying if I said I had no prejudices. But now, I just see you as a comrade."
"Then it wouldn't matter if it wasn't me, right?"
"No. That's different."
Sylbian paused for a beat.
Her question was natural, which made this moment all the more crucial.
'Comrades...'
He believed it boiled down to mutual trust. Understanding each other was key to that.
Only then could they reach out in a pinch.
So honesty was vital here.
"Back then, as an exile, I couldn't easily find comrades. And you seemed like an outsider too."
"...An outsider."
"Yeah, that's why it matters. You think you can find other comrades, but that's not the case."
Sylbian laid his thoughts bare without hesitation.
There was nothing to hide, really.
It was just the reality—they shared that outsider vibe, so he'd approached her without reservation.
But to Cherentia, his words landed a bit differently.
"And I'll say this flat out: I have no plans to take on anyone else for the foreseeable future."
"Sylbian, what do you mean?"
Cherentia blinked in confusion.
Her perked ears twitched with genuine surprise.
"We'll hit Termina soon and head straight into the labyrinth. Time's short until then."
"Is that a problem?"
"A huge one. Not enough time to build trust. I can't descend with someone I can't rely on."
Sylbian smiled lightly as he stepped toward her.
Then he extended his hand without a second thought.
"I think I can trust you."
"......"
Cherentia eyed his hand, hesitant to grab it.
Their journey together wasn't that long, after all.
A month, give or take.
Yet looking back, there'd been remarkably little friction between them.
A human and a beastkin—let alone a mage like him.
She never imagined they'd get along this well.
And now, him offering his hand first? That shocked her even more.
"Cherentia?"
"Ah, got it!"
Grab!
She finally took his hand and shook it carefully.
"Here's to sticking together, Sylbian."
Sylbian grinned in satisfaction and squeezed back.
Heading to the mercenaries' camp, they found the group already packed and ready.
"Ah, Mage! Come on over!"
"Looks like you're all set already."
"No reason to delay. We were just waiting on you to head out."
"We've been waiting for you, Mage!"
Camel, the mercenary captain, and Hazan, the client, beamed at him.
Sylbian scanned them and nodded.
'About ten, roughly.'
Last night's damage had been significant.
For a small outfit like theirs, it hit hard.
"The Camel Mercenary Corps was escorting to Termina when you ran into monsters. That about right?"
After quick introductions, he got the gist.
"Yes, sir! Our destination shifted a bit, but after those beasts yesterday, that hardly matters. Once we reach Termina, we'll show our humble gratitude."
"I'll accept it gladly. No big issues for the rest of the trip, but please extend every courtesy to my comrade."
In the intros, Sylbian made sure to mention Cherentia.
"Ah, your comrade. Understood. I'll tell the men."
"...Yeah, no problem there."
Camel accepted readily, but Hazan eyed Sylbian and Cherentia alternately with puzzlement.
Crunch, crunch...
The groups merged, and the trek to Termina began—feeling utterly different from before.
Everyone sensed it.
About an hour in.
No monsters or bandits; smooth sailing.
Cherentia sidled up to Sylbian and whispered.
"Sylbian."
"What? Something wrong?"
She felt the stares again.
Someone—Hazan or one of Camel’s men—gawking openly.
It grated on her.
And when she looked, they'd avert their eyes like nothing happened.
It kept happening, fraying her nerves.
"...Can we hang back a bit? I try to ignore them, but it's more unpleasant than I thought."
"Who's making you uncomfortable?"
Sylbian's voice chilled instantly.
"Can't pin it on one. Everyone but you looks at me the same."
Thud.
Sylbian halted. He turned, spotting Camel and Hazan nearby.
"Hazan. A word—"
"Sylbian!"
Cherentia grabbed his arm urgently, shaking her head.
"We need to address this head-on."
His cold tone made her grip tighten.
"They won't change. I just want some distance. That's it."
She spoke firmly, and Sylbian scowled.
She had this uncanny way of downplaying herself sometimes.
He recalled the first time he'd helped someone.
She'd taken their scorn without complaint.
Same now.
Uncomfortable with the stares, but unwilling to stir trouble over it.
"Yes, Mage? Something you need?"
Hazan approached cautiously.
Sylbian glanced at Cherentia, then slowly shook his head.
"Nothing much. We'll scout ahead a bit. Our senses are sharp; it'll be better."
"If that's what you prefer, Mage, we're grateful. After you."
Hazan left with obvious goodwill, and Sylbian sighed inwardly.
'Maybe split now?'
He hadn't realized she'd find them this off-putting.
Or that beastkin stares ran this deep.
"Thanks, Sylbian."
She spoke calmly, and he shook his head gently.
"No, my bad. Should've thought ahead."
"I can handle some of it. And no more watch shifts means better sleep, right?"
That was her main reason for joining them.
Alone, fatigue from night watches would've piled up.
With mercenaries, that burden lifted.
Sylbian agreed but pressed on.
"Still... If it gets worse, tell me. We can part ways then."
"Got it. If it's unbearable, I'll speak up."
Her face relaxed as she replied.
Sylbian looked more reliable than ever.
'I can count on him. Even the elders said he's different.'
Above all, knowing he truly saw her as a comrade?
Even amid the disgust, it brought a spark of joy.
Days passed in their company.
No major threats on the road; smooth going against minor monsters.
"Captain. Doesn't this feel off?"
Teman, Camel Mercenary Corps vice-captain, spoke up bluntly.
"Teman, what're you on about?"
Camel glanced at him mid-stride.
"That mage up front. Why's he dragging a beastkin around?"
"Yeah, it's weird. Just seeing one makes my skin crawl... Mage must be different."
Other mercenaries chimed in with displeasure, and Camel shot them a icy glare.
"Watch your mouths. The mage saved us, and that beastkin helped too. What're you complaining about?"
"We know, but..."
"It's instinct, y'know."
The men faltered, and Camel eyed Sylbian and Cherentia ahead.
They walked naturally together.
Chatting now and then, though too far to hear.
Still, it screamed a solid bond.
Tsk, tsk...
Even client Hazan tutted in disapproval, sinking Camel's spirits.
'This is bad.'
Sylbian was a rare benevolent mage.
Traveling with them like this.
Yet his own men—and the client—shunned his beastkin comrade.
Her keen senses would pick it up.
That'd sour the mage for sure.
"...Client, best not stare at the beastkin."
"I'm mindful. The mage asked."
"Be more careful. I'll rein in my men too. Can't ignore this."
"Hah... Now we gotta tiptoe around a beastkin?"
Hazan didn't hide his annoyance, and Camel scowled.
This would blow up.
Some kind of mess, guaranteed.
"Just respecting the mage's wishes. No harm in caution."
"Fine, fine! Drop it. Me, watching a beastkin's mood."
Camel returned to his spot, steadying himself.
Instinctual revulsion toward beastkin couldn't be fully hidden.
But it had to be.
'Gotta lead by example.'
Termina was at least a week off.
Couldn't lose that mage.
Monsters lurked here; every day was risky.
Thud!
Then it happened.
Sylbian and Cherentia froze up ahead.
Camel sensed it instantly.
Something was there.
Something the mage and beastkin detected first.
"Golem...?"
Sylbian's murmur paled Camel completely.