Chapter 57
“...You could use healing spell?”
Leo lightly loosened his body.
There were the injuries he had suffered from his duel with Joshua.
The wounds he had received from being attacked by the variant.
And even the scars on his back from being flogged by Carius.
The visible wounds on the surface healed rapidly.
“I only treated the external injuries. The mana does not reach the internal wounds.”
Leo, who was stroking his chest, furrowed his brows.
Breathing had beco painful ever since he was sent flying while dealing with the variant bear.
He thought his ribs were broken.
Just as Joshua had explained, it seed the magic had not reached the inside.
“Still, thank you. It has beco much easier to move.”
“As you know, you must not speak of this spell either.”
Leo nodded his head.
It was an incredible ability.
That was exactly why it could be exploited.
He felt like he understood the reason why Joshua wanted to hide this magic, and on the other hand, he was moved.
“Aren't you sharing too much with ?”
“It is called a partnership spirit. At least know this much.”
“Alright, what should I do from now on?”
Leo looked like he was pestering Joshua to give him anything to do.
It was a small farm.
But it was a perfect place to use as a starting point for the group.
Furthermore, the leader was showing trust in him.
A sense of mission grew in a corner of his heart.
It was far from the life he had longed for, but he thought it was fine.
“Take this.”
He caught the rake Joshua threw at him.
“First is cleaning the barn. They have pooped plenty for ten days, so change it for new stuff. There is lots of rice straw over there.”
“The first thing I have to do is clean the livestock's sleeping quarters!”
Leo replied in a dissatisfied voice.
“This is important work. These bastards must grow up healthy so we can plan for the future.”
“No, I’m not arguing that it isn’t important.”
“Then what did you expect?”
“Sothing more befitting a knight you know.”
Joshua stroked his neck as if it were a nuisance.
He knew what kind of work befitted a knight in Leo's eyes without even asking.
It was adventure.
Hunting monsters or finding treasures.
It referred to acts intended to heighten one's own fa.
“Once you officially beco a knight, you will be classified as a minor noble, and once you reach that kind of position. It is common to have subordinates do the lower work.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
He was a teenage youth full of dreams and romance.
The instructors or professors at the academy colored children of this age in a strange direction.
When listening to the heroic tales or stimulating legends they told.
It was not surprising no matter what fantasies the boys and girls harbored.
“Start working. Otherwise, you might not finish while the day lasts.”
“Dammit, the thing I do as soon as I get here is cleaning up animal poop.”
Leo grumbled but moved the rake.
“You two just need to cut the weeds near the mana herbs and remove the insects attached to the stems or leaves.”
Talleon and Gavinu exchanged awkward looks as they looked at each other.
“Is that all?”
“Are you two dissatisfied as well?”
“We received teachings from Lady Lucille while you were away, Sir. We were inwardly expecting it to be a chance to show that.”
Joshua let out a sigh.
They were not rcenaries or barbarians, so why did knight aspirants prefer combat so much?
It was hard to understand.
It was a mindset that did not suit survival.
“Being able to work without fighting is a good thing.”
“That’s also true.”
“It will be a rest for the next few months. Winter will co soon. During this period, zombies lose their activity. They will hide sowhere and conserve their strength.”
Even though it was a world where zombies were rampant.
Zombies were not the only things that took lives.
One had to be wary of all the aftermath caused by their birth.
One could die even from hunger.
One could be killed even by a human who had beco twisted.
Similarly, the weather was no exception.
This winter would be the most severe season because a foundation had not been established.
“Excuse , but what is a zombie?”
“It is the na of those monsters. It was decided when I went to the eting this ti.”
“Oh, how was that na created?”
“I heard that there were rituals where ancient shamans raised the dead, and the bastards born that way were called like that.”
“That is a fascinating story. Could it be related to the reason the monsters appeared now?”
“I don't know that.”
The sixteen year old boy displayed curiosity.
At that age, one tends to show interest in even insignificant things.
“Start working. I have work to do as well.”
“Yes.”
Each started their work inside the farm.
He assigned easy tasks at first.
He intended to instill a sense of ownership while giving instructions step by step.
Just like managing a business.
It would not be late even if he assigned big tasks after that.
“I should do my work too.”
The Heart of Urgon stored in his inventory.
And he took out the Spirit Branch obtained through the trade with Martel.
They were materials for a staff.
He had to check if he had the capacity to make a staff through these.
[Na: Joshua Pallarion]
[5th Year (18) - Novice]
[Potential Ability - Ancestral Heritage (Holy). Master of Acquisition. Speed Reading.]
[Character Traits - (Steady Nerves) (Cool) (Clever) (Patience) (Loner) (Nocturnal)]
[Acquired Traits - Leadership (Mid) Eloquence (Mid) Charisma (Mid) Fla Resistance (Low)]
[Coins Held - 70]
[Inventory - 2 Slots Opened]
[Originality LV2 - Holy Magic]
[Spells Held - Shield. Purification. Flash. Serenity. Growth.]
[Stamina: 70]
[Strength: 50]
[Agility: 35]
[Mana: 400]
[Holy Power: (2,000)]
He had 100 mana raised by eating mana herbs.
And 50 mana raised through the experience at the eting site.
At this rate, his mana was sufficient to make a staff.
[Patience] burned with motivation, telling him to leave it to him.
Whether that guy worked or not.
The pain would be the sa.
* * *
Three weeks have passed since then.
Winter has arrived.
The temperature dropped noticeably starting from the point the calendar turned over.
Occasionally, snow fell from the clear sky.
“Whew, it is getting colder.”
White breath flowed out of Talleon’s mouth.
The boy was currently assigned to patrol duty around the farm.
“Hey, Boss.”
“Who says you can call Boss!”
Leo shouted out at the title of Boss.
The distance created when they first t did not narrow easily.
“We cannot stay on awkward terms forever. If you think of it as a party, each other's coordination is important too.”
Gavinu intervened and pointed it out to him.
“If a zombie appears, I will handle it. You guys just need to watch.”
“That kind of individual action puts the party in danger.”
“Are you trying to teach !”
“Your voice is loud. Those things might swarm in.”
Leo covered his head as if he had a headache.
“I have not acknowledged you guys yet. I don't know your nas or abilities, yet I have to acknowledge and look after you as my minions? I cannot do that.”
“Sorry, but it is the sa for us not knowing your abilities.”
“What?”
“I understand that your grades were good. And that you are from a prestigious family. But since the world has turned out like this, what does all of that matter? What is important is actual combat. And we don't know how you were in actual combat.”
Gavinu stared with wide eyes.
Talleon was basically the type who was very considerate.
It ant he made an effort not to hurt the other's feelings.
However, he was different.
“I defeated the variant together with that bastard.”
“We also conquered the research center together with Sir Joshua.”
“...Are you saying we should compete to see whose achievent is greater?”
“It ans we are not as weak as you think.”
Leo bit his teeth.
He was not an opponent that could be handled with words.
Unlike the boy nad Talleon.
The boy nad Gavinu revealed hostility bluntly.
“If this problem persists, I will officially protest to Sir Joshua.”
“Protest?!”
“By saying it is impossible with this person. Our ti spent with Sir Joshua is much longer, so I think you know whose side he will take.”
Leo felt cold sweat flowing down his back.
He was driven to the edge of a cliff.
Since he betrayed the Sunlight Knights, he could not return there.
He could not rely on Rodwell either.
He was a man with many suspicions, unlike how he appeared.
What remained was only clinging to the rope called Joshua.
If this rope were to break, he was no different from a loner.
“Specifically, what is it that you want to do with ?”
“I am saying to beco a person who can lead the situation.”
Leo let out a sigh.
He felt that he should not stimulate the feelings of these fledglings too much.
He was a newcor who had just entered.
Even if his rank was high, he could not win through seniority.
“H-How does Joshua do it at tis like this?”
“He assigns the areas to be handled and explains the work to be done there.”
“I don't know this vicinity very well.”
“He taught us that in the case of an unknown location, we must not scatter.”
“Understood. Do not stray from my side.”
The two boys nodded their heads simultaneously.
Even the boy nad Gavinu, who was raging like fire until a mont ago.
Once he understood it was an order, he cald his excitent and concentrated on the surroundings.
“There is one bastard over there.”
Leo slowly lowered his body.
A zombie was loitering at the corner turning to the right of the building.
It was a middle aged man who looked to be in his 30s.
He moved as if dragging himself with one foot grotesquely twisted.
What should he do?
It was not difficult to cut him down with a single stroke.
“You.”
“If you speak like that, I don't know who you are calling.”
“I-I an... I called Talleon.”
“Please speak!”
Talleon laughed happily.
“Do you know how to shoot the bow on your back?”
“I have practiced.”
“Good, show your skill for once.”
Talleon ca forward and aid the bow at the zombie.
It was his first ti using it in actual combat.
Ever since he took it from the bandits, he had only practiced against scarecrows.
“Is it your first ti with a moving one?”
“How did you know?”
“I can see you are nervous. Hold your breath. Do not pull the string for too long. Rather, concentration drops.”
Talleon accepted Leo’s advice and shot the arrow.
Thwack! It was a hit to the head.
The zombie collapsed while spitting out a shallow groan.
“I succeeded.”
“Well, it was not bad for a first ti.”
Leo walked forward and finished the collapsed zombie.
“Is this the last of the patrol area?”
“That is right.”
“Then we can just return to the farm.”
Just as he was about to turn his steps.
The sound of footsteps was heard from a close distance.
As if the sense of rhythm was perfectly matched.
It was the sound of tal pieces creaking in ti with movent.
“Do you hear it?”
“Huh?”
“Follow quietly. Sothing has co up that I must check.”
Leo used the ruins as a shield to hide his body and approached the direction the sound ca from.
It was people.
Five soldiers armored in sets of plate were walking toward the tower.
He moved his eyes desperately to find a clue to identify their identity.
A flag.
A bear's head was drawn on it.
There were five castles inside the academy.
One among them put forward that pattern as a symbol.
“Isn't this dangerous? We should go back by the side path and inform Sir Rodwell.”
“Wait. There is nothing good about hurrying.”
Gavinu offered an opinion.
They were not riding horses.
Since they were wearing armor, this side had the advantage in terms of speed.
However, there was no need to report to the Knight Order while specifically braving danger.
If it was truly dangerous.
We must seek a way to escape rather than helping them.
“Their number is strange to see it as an attack.”
It did not look like they were trying to raid the hideout.
There were more than ten knights in the tower.
If they intended to suppress them, they must mobilize at least double the number.
“Above all, they are wandering around too openly.”
If it was a surprise attack, moving secretly was basic.
But they were revealing themselves.
The Knight Order's patrol units acted around the tower regardless of day or night.
At this rate, it was a matter of ti before they were discovered.
“They are ssengers.”
Once his thoughts reached that point, he stopped the tailing.
If he continued to chase like this, there was a possibility of being discovered instead.
When he turned his head, the boys were sitting as quiet as mice.
They were like puppies.
Looking at those expressions, he could feel that they relied on him.
“...What is with that posture, as if you are waiting until my word drops.”
“Since the judgnt is usually made by the Boss. Even if we wanted to give an opinion, we cannot guess who they are.”
Leo shrugged his shoulders.
Even if he denied it now, it was not like he could keep them away.
If they had to be together, he should start to grow fond of them from now on.
Once he made that resolution, the two of them began to look a little different.
‘That bastard kept taking them around. It must an they are guys that can be trusted.’
A vein appeared on his forehead.
He thought it was funny to involve Joshua in his evaluation of others.
“Let's go back.”
“To the tower?”
“You idiots, have you even forgotten the place to return to? Our leader is not Sir Rodwell.”
“Does that an?”
“Let's go to the farm. I will report to Joshua.”
Leo quickened his steps toward the farm.
Arriving there after cutting through the chilly air, he saw Joshua sitting on a chair.
A staff with a blue gem embedded in it was held in his hand.
He noticed that Joshua had been struggling to make sothing for a week.
It seed the result was that thing.
A strong energy was felt.
One that made the whole body tingle.
The staves that professors boasted and blabbed about also had that kind of feeling.
“The patrol result?”
Joshua requested a report.
Only then did Leo feel as if his stiff body was lting.
“I have two things to report. And one is a very important matter.”
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