Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Life and Death (3)
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Every time the wolf moved, the surrounding scenery changed dramatically.
Mostly it was empty corridors or rooms with no one around, but sometimes it was a corner of a hall where several demons had gathered.
Startled, I held my breath for a brief moment, only for the scenery to shift again before I could even exhale.
The next instant brought a quiet courtyard shrouded in darkness. We were in the bushes, with the colonnade off to the right.
The wolf flattened its body to the ground.
I suddenly drew in a gulp of cold night air. Leaves tickling my face nearly made me sneeze, but I barely managed to hold it back.
"Lie flat."
I did so immediately.
Grivis and his subordinates were emerging from the outer colonnade to the right.
A man in a black robe named Peygin, and the silver-haired woman called Adrian.
"We've lingered in one place too long. We made too much noise in Prion, too. How long do you plan to stay?"
"We should leave soon. We've more or less accomplished our goal anyway."
Grivis responded leisurely to Adrian's words.
They were passing by awfully close.
I clamped my hand over my mouth and pressed myself flat against the wolf's body.
Even holding my breath, my pounding heartbeat wouldn't stop. Would these bushes really hide me properly?
"I thought you wanted to stir up some fun, Grivis. But the knights are closer than we thought. Some of them could be useful if things go south."
Grivis chuckled at Peygin's words.
"It'd be amusing, sure, but we have a long way to go. If we don't head back soon, those old fogeys will throw a fit."
"Exactly. And this place is too close to Prion for a brawl... Bringing that kid along has turned everything into a hornet's nest."
"Scared, Adrian?"
"I'm saying now's not the time to go charging in recklessly. We've achieved our objective. Time to pull back."
As Adrian and Peygin's tones sharpened, Grivis halted and turned to face them.
"Enough. If we need to, we can send the ones gathered here. In the meantime, let's keep doing what we came for. That said... I smell stray dog."
I gripped the wolf's scruff tightly. It too held its breath and stayed perfectly still.
As Grivis scanned the surroundings, Adrian spoke up.
"A pack of strays tore through the garden earlier. I told the idle ones to chase them off, but looks like a couple are still lurking around."
"I see. Better get out of here quick, then."
Fortunately, Grivis quickly lost interest and turned away.
The wolf and I remained frozen, holding our breath until all three had vanished into the opposite colonnade.
Only after they entered the building did I let out a small sigh.
Tension had left my entire body tingling.
The wolf poked its head out from the bushes to survey the area.
Silver mana spread through its previously bristled fur, one strand at a time, causing it to puff up.
To me, who could see mana, the sight was both fascinating and beautiful.
"We have to walk from here to outside the mansion."
"Can't you use the same movement method as before?"
"That method has limits. I can't anymore. I called in the stray pack to mask our scent, but they're all dead or fled."
"You can do that too?"
Amazed, I stroked the wolf's silver fur. Come to think of it, I didn't know this person's—or wolf's—name.
"What should I call you?"
The wolf withdrew its scanning gaze and looked back at me.
It seemed torn between telling me its name or not.
"Ash."
"Ash."
I repeated his name.
"Why... are you saving me?"
"Airan asked me to."
"Airan sis? From Althur Tower?"
The image of Airan swishing her golden tail flashed before my eyes.
I missed her so much it nearly brought tears.
"How did Airan sis..."
"We'll talk details after you're safely back. The woods are crawling with demons.
You're fine right now covered in my scent, but if you stray even a little, they'll sniff you out and come running. So stick close to me."
"Got it."
We started moving again—or rather, Ash did, with me on his back.
I clung tightly to his body, hugging the heavy mass of iron chains connected to the collar around my neck.
Ash carefully wove from bush to bush, under tree shadows, through the densely shadowed forest.
If demons were nearby, he'd hide in the shadows for a moment.
Most demons wandered aimlessly, oblivious, while a few seemed to sense something off and glanced around.
But none found us.
"Haa..."
A feverish sigh escaped me before I knew it.
I clapped a hand over my mouth in surprise, but the sound had already slipped out.
"There's water nearby. Let's rest a bit."
Ash noticed my state. I nodded without making a sound.
The stream we found by its scent was dark and still.
I gathered mana to create a few tiny light sources—fireflies barely bright enough to illuminate my face.
Relying on their glow, I roughly washed my hands and face in the cold water.
Ash kept sharp watch around us, guarding my back.
I'd thank him properly once we escaped. Until then, I just had to endure.
The cold water eased my fever a little.
My heart pounded as if it weren't my own, heat coursed through my body, and the restraints and chains around my neck grew heavier by the moment.
I briefly considered cutting them with magic, but gave up just as quickly. I lacked the stamina; even trying might make me pass out.
"Liberic. Someone's coming."
Ash tugged at my clothes.
Hugging the chains, I hurriedly dove into nearby bushes.
Ash whirled to follow, but 'someone' spotted him first.
"A stray? I knew something was prowling around..."
Ash growled toward the intruder without entering the bushes.
"Khan, what're you doing? Something's up at the mansion. Sir Grivis is calling everyone."
I swallowed a scream as another voice came from above, clamping my mouth shut. I'd nearly screamed.
"Yeah, coming soon."
The two demons left. Ash stood guard in front of my hiding spot the whole time.
I let out a deep sigh.
"That was way too close, Ash..."
"Liberic, no."
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I could turn, a massive hand seized the chains around my neck and yanked me out.
I offered no resistance and was dragged helplessly from the bushes.
"There you are, kid."
The hulking man called 'Khan' loomed with a terrifying aura as he hauled me up.
Choked, I couldn't even scream.
"No wonder the stray stench was mixed with something else. The one Sir Grivis was hiding..."
Ash lunged at the man with a growl, nearly sinking teeth into his scruff. The man swung a fist.
I tumbled to the ground. Gulping air, I looked up.
Ash landed opposite, his muzzle coated in the man's black blood.
"You damn mutt...!"
Ash's eyes gleamed red as he shot toward the man's face like an arrow.
The man screamed, "Kragh!"
He swatted Ash away late, but his eye and forehead were already a bloody mess.
"Liberic, get on."
Ash landed beside me and crouched low.
The man, half-blind, spat curses and flailed wildly.
I grabbed Ash's scruff without hesitation and mounted his back.
Ash bolted forward without looking back.
The man's bellows and pounding footsteps shook the ground behind us.
Cold sweat blurred my vision.
Gasping for air, I clung desperately to Ash's scruff.
He was now running at full speed.
Clank...
The poorly secured chains began to unravel outward.
My body couldn't withstand the weight and tilted.
"Liberic!"
Ash skidded to a halt. I hit the ground and rolled hard several times.
I coughed violently, choking on dirt.
Strength drained from my body; I couldn't even push myself up.
The man closed in before I knew it. A hand filled with malice reached swiftly for me.
"Graaah!"
Ash bit the man's hand.
The man seized Ash's body with his other hand and hurled him away.
I tried to scream as Ash flew into the bushes beyond, but even that failed.
"I'll deal with you first, mutt!"
The man's form began to change.
His skin turned dark red, coarse fur sprouted, his clothes tore as sharp spines erupted from his back and shoulders. His black hair lengthened into a mane flowing from head to back.
Thick malevolent mana intensified, radiating savage killing intent.
Ash didn't falter. He charged again, aiming for the demon's vitals.
Thud.
A dull impact rang out as the spined arm struck Ash hard. He twisted midair and landed.
His silver fur soaked in black blood, he bared his teeth and growled.
While Ash fought desperately, I tried to move somehow. I couldn't be a hindrance when I was useless anyway.
Using my trembling arms to push off the ground, I barely stood when bloodied Ash blocked my path.
His face and torso were drenched in blood, especially his legs bearing gruesome deep wounds.
He staggered, unable to put proper weight on them.
"Ash."
No. No one could die in my place.
I moved toward Ash.
The demon swung a fist at him.
With his injured legs, Ash wouldn't dodge in time.
In that razor-edge moment, I hugged Ash's scruff and squeezed my eyes shut.
Crack!
A horrific rupturing sound echoed as something shattered.
"...Liberic."
I opened my eyes at Ash's call.
I was still clutching his scruff. Unharmed.
"What the hell are you...!"
The demon clutched his broken arm, staggering. Black blood poured onto the ground.
Before him stood a massive Loran man gripping a black-bladed axe.
Without a word, the man raised his axe and charged the demon.
The startled demon twisted away, whipping his head toward me.
My spine prickled instantly.
"Damn!"
The Loran shifted his axe's arc, but too late.
As the demon's claws nearly touched me, I shrank back.
Clang!
The demon's palm halted right before my eyes.
Mana-forged chains coiled tightly around that monstrous arm.
At the chains' end stood an elderly mage gripping a staff, looking irritated.
"Don't let your guard down, you dullard."
"Haha, sorry."
As the mana chains vanished from the demon's arm, the Loran swung his axe with full force.
Boom!
The blade cleaved into the demon's chest, sending his massive body flying far back.
Black blood sprayed through the air as he crashed through trees into the forest depths.
Tremendous power...
The demon let out a short "Guhk!" before going still.
"Don't just vanish on me, old man! How the hell did you get here..."
A familiar voice came from behind the elderly mage.
Hearing it made my vision blur with impending tears.
"Ah."
Luwen.
Teacher Luwen emerged abruptly from the bushes.
His furrowed scowl vanished as he spotted me, eyes widening.
"Li, Lib?"
"Teacher..."
Deep relief washed over me. The knotted tension melted away in an instant.
I let out a profound "Haa," and blacked out.