Chapter 11: Emerging from the Forest
With Rowena on my back, I ran through the Blackleaf Forest.
The sound of my boots striking the dirt, the wind slipping through the trees, and my own breathing echoed around us.
I supported her firmly on my shoulder so she wouldnât fall, occasionally speaking to her.
On an ordinary journey, I would never rush like this.
My style was to stroll at ease, enjoying the scenery along the road.
To be honest, if I truly wanted to, I knew just how fast I could travel.
But that was beside the point.
When there was no reason to hurry, I chose the easier way.
However, this time was different.
On my back was Rowena, whom I had just promised to protect.
And this Blackleaf Forest harbored dangerous monsters like the drake, not to mention rumors of kidnappers.
We needed to reach a safe place as quickly as possible.
So there was no room for taking it easy.
The road through the forest was easy to lose.
The same kinds of trees stretched endlessly, with few landmarks.
Even while sprinting at full speed with Rowena on my back, I remained constantly aware of my surroundings so as not to lose the road.
At times, low growls came from the bushes beside the path.
Wolves, perhaps, or monsters akin to them.
Even if they were nocturnal, they might still roam in this dim forest during the day.
Each time, Rowenaâs body would tremble slightly, and she would tighten her grip around me.
I did not stop.
I merely cast a single glance toward the source of the sound and released a flicker of killing intent.
It was a clear warning.
I had no desire to involve myself with them, but if they interfered, I would show no mercy.
Perhaps they sensed it.
The wolf-like growls quickly turned pitiful, like a dog doused with water, and faded away.
At least we avoided an unnecessary fight.
That had been close.
I kept our breaks to a minimum.
When thirsty, I drank from the canteen and gave some to Rowena.
When hungry, I bit into portable rations while running and fed her small portions as well.
There was one moment when I truly panicked.
I had strayed slightly from the road.
In my haste, I found myself standing amid unfamiliar scenery.
Rowena was on my back.
There was no time to stand still and be lost.
My blood ran cold for a moment, but I forced myself to remain calm and scanned the area.
Sharpening my sense of direction, I searched for traces similar to the path we had taken.
That was when I spotted a small hut in the forest, as though recently broken.
It stood slightly off the road.
An abandoned shack, perhaps.
But the way it was damaged looked strangely recent.
Then, carried on the wind, came a faint scent of blood.
A bad feeling crept in.
As I cautiously approached, Rowena suddenly began trembling violently on my back.
She let out a small, shaking sound and clung to me even tighter.
âŚSo this was it.
The smell of blood.
And Rowenaâs reaction.
This must have been the kidnappersâ hideout.
And she had escaped from here.
I did not want to enter the hut.
An unpleasant presence lingered there.
But we had no time to wander lost in this forest.
There might be something useful inside.
Before entering, I lowered Rowena from my back and tucked her beneath my cloak.
“Wait here just a moment. Iâll be quick.”
So she wouldnât see inside.
So she wouldnât have to relive whatever memories this place held.
I searched the hut swiftlyâtruly swiftly.
The smell of blood grew stronger.
Judging from the disarray, they had either fled in haste or been attacked by something.
Perhaps the drake.
Or perhaps another monster.
The search ended quickly.
There was nothing particularly useful, but inside an old wooden box lying on the floor, I found a single sheet of parchment.
It was a detailed map of the Blackleaf Forest.
Not just the main road, but monster habitats, dangerous zones, and even hidden paths were marked.
The kidnappers must have prepared it to use this forest as their base.
For me right now, it was more valuable than anything else I could have found.
“Alright, letâs go.”
I tucked the map into my backpack and hurried out of the hut.
Rowena trembled beneath the cloak, but at the sound of my voice, she immediately emerged.
Relief was visible on her face.
I lifted her onto my back once more and, guided by the map, began running again.
Avoiding dangerous zones and likely monster routes, I sprinted along the shortest path.
The battle with the drake and protecting Rowena had already drained time and stamina.
All I thought about was getting out of the forest as quickly as possible.
The innkeeper had told me it would take even experienced travelers five days to cross this forest.
Yet I managed to dash through the Blackleaf Forest in just over three days, carrying both my gear and Rowena.
When we emerged from the forest, what spread before us was not a road.
As far as the eye could see, there was a gently rolling grassland covered in lush green.
It seemed that by using a hidden path from the map, we had come out somewhere different than planned.
âŚWell, thatâs fine.
The fact that we had left the forest behind was what mattered most.
I could feel the tension in Rowenaâs body finally easing.
In the distance, I spotted what looked like a cluster of buildings.
A small gatheringâperhaps a post town or a village.
Either way, there were people there.
I lowered Rowena from my back.
She swayed slightly but stood on her own feet.
“You see that over there? Thatâs a settlement.”
She looked in the direction I pointed and gave a small nod.
In her eyes, I thought I saw a faint glimmer of hope.
“Letâs head there. Weâll rest properly once we arrive.”
Side by side, we began walking slowly through the grassland.
Unlike the forest, the scenery felt open and free.
Blue sky overhead.
A settlement visible in the distance.
My carefree solo journey had changed, unexpectedly, into a journey for two.
The destination was still vaguely undecided, but it felt as though something, at least, had begun to take shape.
Thanks for the chapter!