Although it was summer, the morning was chilly enough that they had to light a campfire and rest. Dawn broke, and Suvel’s idle chatter shattered the weighty silence. Occasionally, he laughed as he chatted with Tego’s subordinates. Billy, rather than finding himself amidst murderers and felons, chose to sit a distance away from the campfire, next to the Black Knight.
For the first time, under sunlight and not moonlight or torchlight, Billy glimpsed inside the knight’s helmet. The void within seemed all the more distinct. Had it been empty, the sunlight should have illuminated its interior, but nothing was visible. It felt like looking into the deepest part of a cave where no light penetrated.
‘It wasn’t empty after all.’
It might have been less terrifying if the empty armor moved on its own.
“Hey, Black. I’ve got a question.”
Suvel left Tego’s men and approached Billy. Billy didn’t particularly like the Knight being referred to as ‘Black,’ but he let it slide. It would be problematic to challenge that without an alternative name. Billy wasn’t confident in naming.
Tego’s men referred to the Black Knight as Lord Black. They even called Billy and Suvel ‘Captain’. It was unpleasant to be seen as Tego’s replacement, but Suvel didn’t want to get worked up over that issue alone.
In the end, Billy also had no choice but to call the Black Knight ‘Black’. Most importantly, this nameless knight seemed to accept it as his own.
Darkness always seemed to swirl around Black. At first, Billy thought it was due to the night, but even under the sun, the darkness persisted. Moreover, Black’s shadow seemed denser than that of others. Only Billy seemed to notice this strange phenomenon, but even without this knowledge, Tego’s men kept their distance.
Only Suvel brazenly stepped into the dark aura surrounding Black, asking all sorts of questions like how he could walk without seeing the road, or if he couldn’t see the sun, could he see the clouds? Such pointless questions. But since Black responded with simple answers like “I don’t know,” “Yes,” or “No,” Suvel quickly lost interest.
While Suvel interacted with Black, Billy gazed at the rising sun on the horizon. Then, a white object moved swiftly along that horizon. Billy thought it might be a wild animal and paid it no mind. But moments later, when he realized what he was witnessing, he jumped up in shock.
It moved at a speed too fast to dismiss as a mere wild animal. Although the distance made it hard to discern, given its proximity to the horizon, its speed was unimaginably swift. If that white object had passed right by Billy, he would’ve seen nothing but a blur.
“What’s wrong? Did you see something?”
Suvel looked in the same direction as Billy, inquiring. There was no evidence left of what had passed.
“Have you ever seen anything on land faster than a horse?”
Billy asked out of the blue.
“I haven’t seen it, but I’ve heard there’s a cat somewhere that’s twice as fast as a horse.”
Suvel answered nonchalantly, and Billy dismissed the thought, assuming he had seen incorrectly.
Black, being clad in armor, naturally moved very slowly. Billy didn’t regret offering to guide Black but wasn’t thrilled about the slowed pace. As Billy pondered this, one of the men spoke up.
“May we go and gather some food?”
Billy turned, thinking he was being addressed, but the man was asking Suvel. They seemed to follow Suvel more willingly than the stoic Billy. Perhaps having forgotten the incident in the brick village, Suvel treated them kindly.
“Go ahead. We’ll keep moving in this direction, so catch up when you can. Oh, and bring me a bottle of wine.”
“Yes, Captain Suvel.”
The men nodded and veered off toward a nearby village. Billy stopped the two.
“Do you guys have money?”
“Huh?”
“If you’re going to buy food, do you have money?”
After a brief hesitation, one of the men sheepishly smiled and nodded.
“Of course we do.”
Billy didn’t believe those words.
“Then can you buy it and bring it?”
“Well…”
“You must buy and bring it. If you find food any other way, it’s execution.”
Billy warned them, emphasizing his words. They nodded with slightly fearful faces.
“Everyone listen up. I’ve never permitted any of you to call me Captain. Yet, you did. This means you’ve bestowed upon me this position and you’ll vouch for me by name. So if any of you tarnish my name, I’ll make you pay. Always with your life. I don’t know of any other punishment. If anyone’s unsatisfied with this, leave now. I won’t offer this chance later. Go now.”
Billy, with the sternest tone possible, followed behind the Black Knight in the lead. Suvel whistled shortly.
“Heard that? But I agree with him. Honestly, we never asked you to follow us.”
Tego’s subordinates murmured among themselves for a moment, then started following. Suvel chuckled.
“Do they think there’s something in it for them if they follow us? They all want to become knights from what I heard.”
“They’re of impure roots. Such types can never become knights.”
“Making such a bold statement?”
“Of course. Do you think the Dragon Knight Order emphasizes lineage for no reason? They’d reject even capable individuals if there’s a chance they might tarnish their honor. It’s not discrimination, it’s their standard of testing.”
“Hey, my grandfather was a stable cleaner. My father made money through trade, and then I learned swordsmanship. Besides me, no one in my lineage held a sword. But I’m strong, right?”
“True. They also wouldn’t accept someone of your caliber. That’s the policy of the Dragon Knight Order.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Suvel kicked a pebble, which, by coincidence, hit the back of Black, making a ‘ting’ sound. Yet Black continued walking without any reaction. Suvel shrugged.
“So, what’s the criteria for the Excelon Knights? Dragon Knights value lineage, Irophis values honor, and Wolf Knights emphasize skill. I’ve also heard that the Wolf Knights don’t have any swordsmanship lessons. No group tactical training either.”
“So, do they all act individually during battles?”
“Can’t say, I’ve never been there till the end. Anyway, what about Excelon?”
“They’re knightly.”
“If you say it like that, won’t people think other knight order aren’t knightly?”
“You said the Wolf Knights value skill, doesn’t mean other brigades don’t. It’s about which they prioritize. Excelon values knighthood above all else and strictly maintains discipline.”
Billy stopped walking and headed towards the horse that Tego’s subordinates were bringing under the pretense of treating him as a captain. They handed over the reins to him without resistance.
“I’ll stop by the village. Keep going.”
Billy said, mounting the horse.
“Why? Didn’t you ask for food?”
“I need to check something.”
“What?”
Without answering, Billy spurred his horse towards the village. Suvel considered waiting, but decided to move on, expecting Billy to catch up soon.
Billy returned in less than five minutes. In his hand were the heads of the two who said they’d fetch food.
Suvel grimaced and unconsciously touched his throat, while Tego’s subordinates were taken aback. With blood dripping from the two heads, Billy threw them onto the grass and shouted.
“This is the policy of Excelon, who prioritizes knighthood above all. Not all sins result in this. But when I mention execution, I mean it.”
Suvel sighed, placing a hand on his waist.
“You really mean business, don’t you? So, what did these two do?”
“The two men clearly had no money. But when I asked if they had any, they said they did. Even when I said I was the executioner, they did not change their statement. They didn’t borrow money from their comrades and didn’t ask me either.”
“Damn. So these guys went back to banditry?”
“When I arrived, they had tied up the butcher and were trying to abduct his daughter.”
Tego’s subordinates alternately looked at the faces of their two beheaded colleagues and Billy. A long silence stretched across the field.
“From now on, Suvel and I are going to fight with the Wolf Knights. We might have a battle with the knights who, as your leader said, are the strongest in the world. In such a battle, a subordinate who does not listen to the leader’s command is more dangerous than the enemy. If you are not willing to risk your life and honor, do not follow. I will neither chase you away nor hold you back.”
Billy quickly jumped down from his mount. Startled looks followed him, but he ignored them, waiting while glaring at everyone. For a long time, no one ran away.
Billy pulled a gold coin from his pocket and tossed it to one of the men at random.
“I’ll give another order. Go buy dried meat, milk, bread, and cheese.”
Suvel also threw a gold coin.
“And wine.”
Billy followed Black, who was ahead. One of Tego’s men, who had received the money, ran toward the village with another friend.
Suvel, catching up to Billy, said, “You know? Guys like them who’ve never thought before find it hardest when you tell them ‘do as you please.’ If you wanted to drive them away, you should’ve said, ‘if you don’t go, you die.’ That charismatic rant would make them want to follow.”
Suvel pointed out.
“I’ve never forced anyone. It’s just the stupid guys’ choice.”
“Are we any different in that regard?”
“What?”
“We’re also trailing after Black, aren’t we?”
“I’m just curious about who that guy really is.”
“I bet.”
Suvel remarked sarcastically, but Billy didn’t reply.
Shortly after, the men who had gone to the village returned. They carried hands full of dried meat, goat’s milk, bread, and cheese. They couldn’t find wine for sale. Although Suvel got angry, he didn’t send them back.
☆ ☆ ☆
As night fell, Suvel requested a break from the Black Knight. Black halted without a word, and everyone prepared to camp.
‘He neither eats nor sleeps, it seems.’
Black didn’t appear to be a living being at all.
Billy constantly observed Black’s actions from beside him. Unlike Suvel, who kept questioning, Billy just watched, refraining from dwelling too much on the anomaly that defied common sense.
“Huh?”
A white figure briefly lingered in his vision before disappearing in the darkness.
It happened in a very short span. Billy quickly stood up. At first, he thought something had gone into his eyes. The sound of footsteps racing in the dirt confirmed it wasn’t a mere illusion, but Billy was unsure. He didn’t want to create a scene over possibly seeing something that wasn’t there.
Suvel dozed off by the campfire. A few kept watch, but none seemed to notice. Among them, one was drowsy on his feet, and others yawned or rubbed their eyes.
If it were the Knights, Billy would’ve immediately chastised them for their lax attitudes. But he let it be; if he made an issue of their behavior here, he’d truly have to act as their leader.
Black stood still, staring at the distant sky with his halberd grounded.
‘Did only I see it?’
Billy climbed a nearby rock to survey the surroundings. But in the darkness, he saw nothing. His certainty wavered.
‘Even if it was white-furred, it wouldn’t appear white in the darkness. I must’ve seen wrong.’
Murmuring to himself, Billy hopped down from the rock. Landing, he froze, eyes wide in shock.
Right in front of Billy stood a massive beast with white fur!
If that creature skimming the horizon was the white figure, fleeing would have been pointless. Billy hastily searched for the sword at his waist. The two swords he usually wore even while sleeping were, ironically, missing now. He had momentarily loosened them earlier because they had scratched his belt, and now he deeply regretted it.
‘How could I let my guard down after promising myself? Stupid fool!’
Slowly, Billy rose to his feet. The white beast exhaled quietly, watching his every move. He glanced behind him to see the guards all asleep, standing upright. He wondered if Suvel might be awake, but the man was huddled with his face buried in his knees, showing no signs of movement.
‘Should I shout to wake everyone up?’
The creature with white fur scrutinized Billy with calm eyes. Eyes that shone almost golden, twinkling like jewels. The light reflecting off the fur wasn’t just from the campfire; it emitted a beautiful glow that illuminated the surroundings.
The fur was more silver than white. It looked as if it had just been bathed. A mystifying sight.
It was a massive wolf, large enough for an adult to ride. It was slightly smaller than a horse, but with a mouth big enough to snap a horse’s neck and a tantalizingly long tail that could wrap around its body.
‘It wasn’t a coincidence that everyone fell asleep.’
Now he noticed even the horses were asleep. With their heads drooping, they looked ready to topple over, their legs flailing in the air. Some of the guards, losing their balance, had fallen over but continued to sleep.
“Is it you?”
Billy addressed the silver-furred wolf.
“Did you do this?”
Speaking to the animal didn’t feel foolish at all. The wolf pricked its ears, then slowly stepped back. Despite its size, its movements were almost silent. In fact, the footsteps he had heard earlier were barely audible, given the size of the beast.
The wolf remained on alert, ready to either attack or flee.
It wasn’t retreating from Billy, who was unarmed, but rather from another presence approaching from behind, a presence that could not be put to sleep.
Black stood behind Billy, halberd at his side.
Even Billy, a third party in this, could feel the intense animosity exchanged between them. The wolf didn’t growl but snarled, baring its teeth. Black raised his halberd. Neither yielded, both on edge. Caught between them, Billy felt suffocated by their gaze.
‘There’s some communication happening between them.’
Without a sound, the wolf took a great leap backward and vanished into the darkness.
The tense atmosphere immediately dissipated, and Billy took a deep breath, feeling his back damp with cold sweat.
“What… what was that wolf, Black?” Billy inquired.
Black shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“What did you talk about?”
Billy asked, assuming Black wouldn’t answer. But to his surprise, Black responded.
“The wolf told me to leave. That this wasn’t my place.”
“The wolf said that? Leave to where?”
The sleeping guard woke up, yawned as if he had taken a short nap, then nonchalantly adjusted his spear. The horse also awoke, shaking itself. But Suvel didn’t get up; he seemed genuinely asleep.
Black continued, “I refused. I don’t know where to return to, but I know where I must go. That’s what I told it. Then the wolf left.”
Black walked back to his position. Billy had many questions, but he wasn’t one to pry. And this wasn’t something that could be easily understood even if he tried. Black wasn’t hiding his past out of reluctance.
‘What was that wolf?’
Strange events continued to unfold.
Billy suddenly felt scared. It wasn’t the wolf or Black that frightened him. It was the idea that his journey from Lontamon to Aranthia might not have been a simple choice, but perhaps he had been drawn there by some unseen force.
☆ ☆ ☆
The next day, raindrops began to fall around noon. They thought the rain would pass quickly and moved without much thought, but then it began to pour heavily. Fortunately, there was a village nearby.
“Don’t cause any minor troubles in the village,” Billy instructed Tego’s men before entering the village. Suvel had already learned their names, but Billy hadn’t even bothered to count how many there were.
‘They’re probably going to run away anyway. No need to remember.’
Yet, they seemed to obey Billy’s commands more than Suvel’s, which troubled Billy even more.
Billy booked a room in the inn for just one night and paid a not-so-insignificant sum. Worried the innkeeper might find the Black Knight suspicious, he had him draped in a cloak and led him to the most secluded room on the third floor.
The dark aura emanating from the helmet made the candles in the room flicker. Surrounded by everyday objects like a bed and furniture, the oddities of the Black became more pronounced. Billy felt that he couldn’t possibly spend the night in the same room with the Black.
“I’ll leave you be. Let’s move once the rain stops. I’ll be in the room next door, call me if you need anything,” said Billy and moved to the adjacent room. Suvel, as expected, stayed in Billy’s room.
“We can’t even bathe here. We’ll just have to dry off,” Suvel commented, drying his wet hair with a towel. The rain-soaked shirt and pants clung to his body, revealing his figure.
‘It almost seems like a mistake of the gods. As if they meant to create a woman, but accidentally made a man. Poor thing,’ Billy thought, looking out of the window.
“The rain seems heavy.”
The force of the rain was so intense that the windows seemed they might shatter.
“It’s not urgent. Black probably doesn’t care whether it rains or not.”
Suvel yawned widely. Billy felt sleepy too but didn’t want to sleep just yet.
“But who is Black? A human? A ghost? Maybe a magician?”
Suvel started to address the question Billy had pondered the previous night and given up on.
“You really are carefree, Suvel. Anyone else would’ve wondered the moment they met Black.”
“And you, kiddo?”
“Just that.”
Thunder rumbled and rain poured as if to tear the world apart. The closeness of the thunder startled Billy, and he backed away from the window.
‘Why didn’t I question it?’
Rather than Black’s identity, Billy was more curious about his own lack of curiosity.
‘Why do I want to be beside Black?’
Billy shared one of the conclusions he came to the previous night with Suvel, “More than a magician, Black might be under some spell.”
“I was thinking the same.”
“Have you heard about the wandering Black Knight?”
“Don’t know.”
“Where have you been these past five years?” Billy asked directly.
“In the mountains or sword training academies. Here and there. No one to teach me or even match me, so there were many pointless days. Why?”
“You probably haven’t heard the rumors then.”
“Something about a civil war in Camort?”
“Yes, there were rumors that Black Knights were involved in that civil war.”
“Really? So, something like Black appeared?”
“I don’t know if it was Black or not. There were similar rumors in Irophis. I thought people were just making up stories, so I didn’t pay much attention. At that time, I only cared about getting to Aranthia.”
“You’re lazy too,” said Suvel as he laid his wet clothes beside him and perched on the bed. Looking at him with a towel draped over his chest, it wasn’t hard to imagine a woman with flowing blonde hair. Moreover, his legs were hairless. It seemed he’d complete the picture if he took out the rabbit doll he always carried and cuddled with it.
“But how old are you?”
At Billy’s question, Suvel frowned.
“Why start an argument again? I’m twenty-six!”
Billy said, stroking his stubble that had grown prickly in just two days without shaving.
“At that age, you have so little facial hair? Must be convenient.”
“Do you want me to shave you?”
A visibly angry Suvel picked up a knife, not in jest. Billy held up his hands in defense.
“Why do you always get so sharp whenever that topic comes up? It’s actually quite odd. No one would dare disrespect you now, but you still get so defensive when someone mentions you look like a woman.”
Suvel put down the knife he had picked up.
“I don’t like discussing that.”
“I’m sorry. I guess we aren’t close enough to discuss our past.”
Suvel looked shocked.
“Why do you blame our relationship on me? You never share about your past either.”
“You never asked.”
“Damn it, I’m losing this argument.”
Suvel’s face turned red.
“So, when was your first time?”
Suvel tried to divert the conversation.
“Sixteen,” Billy responded nonchalantly.
“Do you have a wife?”
“No.”
“What’s the food you hate the most?”
“Carrots.”
Suvel stopped, his line of questioning ending abruptly.
“I feel pathetic.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Billy looked out of the window once more.
“Anyway, while you were dedicating yourself to training and turning your back to the world, several events transpired. I heard the Irophis Royal Knights annihilated the Black Knights. But, you know how rumors are, always exaggerated. Among those rumors, there was talk of an evil sorcerer creating the Black Knights.”
“You mean Black?”
“How should I know? The rumors say those Black Knights are monsters who indiscriminately kill women and children. But Black doesn’t seem like that.”
“He does seem more modest than me,” Suvel remarked seriously.
The sound of a door opening from the adjacent room was heard, followed by heavy footsteps. Both got up to see Black heading towards the staircase.
“Hey, Black! Where are you going?” Suvel chased after him.
Black descended the stairs in his usual slow yet deliberate pace. The old stairs groaned and creaked under the weight of his armor.
The innkeeper, who was coming up with dinner, looked alarmed and dropped his tray upon seeing inside Black’s helmet. The dishes shattered, and the food scattered all over the floor. The innkeeper quickly pressed himself against the wall, making way for Black.
“Oh, my friend is just getting some fresh air. Please don’t worry about it,” Suvel tried to reason, following behind Black.
“I’ll compensate for the broken dishes,” Billy added as he trailed them.
The Black Knight walked out into the torrential rain. It was the most intense downpour they had seen in years. The force of the raindrops stung their skin. Their inn was situated on higher ground, so it suffered less damage. However, houses on lower grounds were on the verge of being submerged, and weaker roofs were collapsing under the heavy rain.
“Black, where on earth are you going?” Billy had to shout over the roaring rain.
“Do you think… I was created?”
Black responded in a voice softer than usual, which took Billy by surprise.
“You overheard our conversation?”
“I can hear everything around me.”
Black held out his palm, as if wanting to feel the rain. As he looked up, the rain flooded inside his helmet.
“I hear the sound of raindrops, frogs croaking, the twenty-three men following us and what they say about me, your voice from the next room… All the sounds naturally flow into my mind.”
As the rain intensified, Black’s voice became clearer.
“Do you really think I was made?”
Struggling against the rain in his eyes, Billy shouted back, “If I hurt your feelings, I apologize. It was just a speculation on my part.”
“It’s not something to apologize for. Even through such speculations, I want to know who I am. Who I am, and why I’m here.”
Billy couldn’t find the words to comfort him.
Suvel shouted to be heard over the rain.
“You’re leaving just like that? You’re angry, aren’t you, Black?”
“I’m not angry.”
“Then where are you going?”
“I can hear everything. Even the footsteps chasing me from a great distance.”
Black said, looking east of the village. Billy looked in the same direction, but saw nothing.
“I also hear a voice calling me from very nearby.”
This time, Black spoke, looking to the west of the village.
“Someone is calling you?”
Suvel asked, following Black’s shifting gaze.
“Yes.”
Black walked out of the village and into the plains. As they left the village, the enveloping darkness hid everything from view.
Billy hesitated to keep following Black, but he couldn’t turn back now, having come this far. He checked the dim torchlight from the village and continued walking. The ominous thought that they might lose their way back to the village struck him. Suvel, standing right beside him, was barely visible; the Black Knight seemed to melt into the surrounding darkness.
“Black, are you there?”
Billy called out.
There was no answer.
“Where did he go?”
Suvel stopped in his tracks. Billy called out again.
“Where are you, Black?”
Surprisingly, a voice came from nearby.
“I’m here.”
Billy turned towards the voice and, slipping, fell. The mud underfoot, pooled with water, was extremely slippery.
Suvel reached out a hand.
“Be careful.”
Billy grabbed Suvel’s muddy hand, and Suvel pulled him up.
Black, standing in the darkness, was still hard to make out.
“Did you find the one who called you?”
Billy asked. Black pointed straight ahead, holding his massive halberd.
Billy couldn’t see anything in the deep darkness Black was pointing to. Suvel squinted and leaned forward but didn’t step ahead of Black. Billy stayed behind Black as well. Although nothing was visible, an instinct pulled him back, warning him not to approach.
‘There’s something there!’
Billy remembered the silver-furred wolf he saw the previous day. But this was different. The wolf had a quiet, warm aura, while what stood before Black now was its exact opposite. It felt cold and sharp.
An aura as dark as death enveloped the area.
“Did you call me?”
Black spoke in a velvety voice. Then, a voice chilling enough to raise goosebumps echoed from beyond the darkness.
“I called you.”
“Then speak.”
“Who are the two with you?”
The entity in the darkness inquired. Reflexively, Suvel and Billy shrank back, feeling the raindrops turn even colder.
Black, usually unhurried in his responses, replied immediately.
“They assist me.”
“Living beings have no place here. Step back.”
It commanded.
Billy, startled, reached for the sword at his waist. After his encounter with the silver wolf, he’d taken to carrying his swords. But he didn’t draw it just yet. He couldn’t even make a sound. On the contrary, Suvel, who had followed without any weapon, shouted.
“Before you order me to step back, show yourself.”
There was silence at first, but then a faint chuckle began. The laughter grew, drowning out even the sound of the rain. Suvel covered his ears. Billy wanted to as well but kept his hand on his sword.
“Who do you blame for not seeing? I’ve been here all along.”
As if the malevolent voice itself took form, an invisible, eerie presence seemed to caress Suvel’s and Billy’s faces. Both were momentarily paralyzed, barely able to twitch their fingers or move their eyes. Breathing became an effort.
At that moment, the two witnessed a startling scene. The raindrops falling between Black and the wickedly voiced protagonist suddenly froze in mid-air. Tens of thousands of raindrops hovered in spherical shapes around Billy, Suvel, and Black.
At the center of the suspended rain was a figure clad in a gray robe. A hood covered their face, making it invisible.
Black briefly glanced at Billy and Suvel. Even though his eyes were hidden within his helmet, a sense of worry seemed to emanate from his gaze.
“Do not harm them. If you have something to say, say it to me,” Black declared. The sound of the rain became distant, like it was coming from far away.
The man in the gray robe whispered, “I have come to provide answers to the questions you hold.”
“Then I’ll ask. Who am I? This is the entirety of my question. Who am I and where do I come from?”
“Why would a question about existence still linger in you?”
“If you came to answer, then answer. Who am I? Am I just a figment of your imagination?” Black’s voice grew louder. Conversely, the voice of the man in the gray robe softened.
“Do not belittle yourself as a mere creation of magic. Who are you? Why should I provide an answer you already know?”
Slowly, Black raised his halberd, “Then we have no further conversation. I have seen your malevolence. The soul within me says I should not let you leave as you are. I’ll change the question. Who are you?”
“Put away such foolish questions. You already hold all the answers. You know who you are, and what you must do. That is why you have awakened. Your destiny lies there.”
The man in the gray robe pointed westward with his hand.
“Awakened?”
“Yes. I neither created nor revived you. I only woke you up as per your own wishes.”
The man in the gray robe slowly backed away, floating as if he were sliding on thin air, without any movement or tremor in his form.
“Remember. You didn’t awaken to remember who you are. You awakened to achieve what you wanted. This wasn’t my will, but yours. Do not forget…”
The voice of the man in the gray robe faded away, becoming almost inaudible towards the end. The suspended rain suddenly poured down like a waterfall. Overwhelmed by the deluge, Billy sank to his knees, while Suvel was swept away for several steps before Billy rushed to him, grabbing his hand.
“Are you okay?” Billy asked, pulling him up.
“Ah… yeah, I’m fine. I just need to sit down for a bit.”
A completely drenched Suvel replied weakly, extending his hand.
“Billy.”
For the first time, Black addressed him by name.
“Speak, Black.”
“How much further to the Gold Gate?”
“At our current pace, more than ten days.”
“I have one request.”
“Speak.”
“I would appreciate it if we could get there faster.”
Billy nodded, adding, “But traversing this rain is impossible. Let’s set out early tomorrow morning.”
Black nodded in agreement.
Billy, supporting Suvel, headed back to the village.
“Hey, Billy.”
Walking while leaning on Billy, Suvel spoke with effort. Knowing that Black could hear everything around him, he didn’t bother to lower his voice.
“We got ourselves into something really strange, didn’t we?”
“Don’t pretend it’s hard when you’re enjoying it.”
“I’m not enjoying this. But I think the Wolf Knights will be our final destination in all this. So, I can handle a journey like this. It’s just that the recent events of the last few days are harder to handle than the grueling years before them. It’s kind of funny.”
“I feel the same.”
“But was that magic just now?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, even as he struggled to breathe, Suvel asked.
“How would I know?” Billy suddenly chuckled.
There was a mage from Lutia in the royal court of Lontamon. He was a respected sage amongst all the nobles and also formed one of the pillars of their military. But compared to what they had just seen, that mage seemed nothing more than a jester performing for the royals.
Billy turned around to look behind him. Black was silently following.
‘What does he mean by “awakened”?’
Billy just couldn’t bring himself to ask him outright.
‘What are you planning to do at the Gold Gate?’
He didn’t ask that either. After all, Black probably wouldn’t remember what he had to do.
–TL Notes–
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