Chapter 35: Blackleaf Forest, Once Again

The Blackleaf Forest we stepped into once more was, just as before, wrapped in a dim silence even in the middle of the day.

I carefully chose our path forward, comparing two maps in turn—the detailed one I had obtained from the kidnappers’ cabin and the wide-area map I bought at the guild in Norest.

“Rowena, it looks like goblins have territory up ahead. The path will get rough, so we’ll detour.”

“…Mm.”

At my words, Rowena gave a small reply and tightly gripped the hem of my cloak.

Avoiding the territories marked on the map, we advanced along a relatively safe route. Even so, the forest was always fraught with danger. I kept my guard up at all times and made sure to match Rowena’s pace.

We took a break in an open area along the road. Before biting into our hard bread for lunch, Rowena carefully took something out of her pack. It was the wooden bird charm Zack had given her. As if confirming she hadn’t lost it, she gently traced the uneven shape of the bird with her fingers.

(…She must be lonely.)

She was probably remembering our lively journey with Black Dagger.

After finishing lunch and starting to walk again, an unsettling sight spread out before us.

In the middle of the road lay a wolf-type monster with its throat slit. The corpse was still fresh.

Someone must have passed through here shortly before us, killed it, and moved it aside so it wouldn’t obstruct the road.

I frowned and raised my level of caution as we continued forward.

For that night’s camp, we decided to head toward a point marked on the kidnappers’ map.

Proceeding carefully to the indicated location, we found a natural cave surrounded by large rocks. It was an ideal place to shelter from wind and rain.

Upon inspecting the inside, we found simple shelves set up for storing supplies, and several warning devices like noise traps hanging on the walls—likely left behind by the kidnappers, but useful nonetheless.

We lit a fire and set up several noise traps near the cave entrance to alert us of intruders.

After finishing dinner of warm soup filled with dried meat and black bread, I began teaching Rowena simple letters by the firelight. We started with her own name.

That night, our sleep was broken into intervals, but thanks to the noise traps, we were able to greet the morning far more securely than when I had camped alone before.

After breakfast, we collected the traps.

“We’ll take these with us. No one’s going to use them anymore anyway.”

They would surely come in handy on future travels.

Just like the day before, we continued through the forest using both maps as our guide.

On the ground were the tracks of a massive beast, and high up among the trees we could see large, sticky spider webs big enough for a person to get caught in.

Each time, we studied the maps carefully and searched for detours, avoiding combat as much as possible.

Eventually, we reached a place I recognized—the ruined cabin that had once been the kidnappers’ base.

However, there were several figures standing in front of it.

I immediately hid and signaled to Rowena to stay quiet.

After watching for a while, more people clad in similar armor began to appear from inside the collapsed cabin and its surroundings.

(…Guards.)

“Rowena, it’s alright. Those are guards. We’ll head over together.”

I told her that, then stopped hiding and approached the cabin.

The guards noticed us at once, turning in unison and placing their hands on their sword hilts in caution.

“Wait, we’re not hostile.”

I raised both hands high to show we weren’t enemies. Rowena copied me, raising her small hands earnestly.

Walking through the forest—especially with a child—must have made us look even more suspicious to them.

“My name is Edwin. I was the one who found this cabin before and reported it to the guard post in Norest… to Captain Louis, I think.”

Though my memory was vague, mentioning the captain’s name caused a stir among the guards. Their tension eased slightly.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

The man who seemed to be the captain answered.

“Based on your report, we are inspecting this cabin and strengthening patrols in Blackleaf Forest. We’re checking whether any remnants of the kidnappers might return, searching for further clues, and also investigating the drake mentioned in the report. Several other units are patrolling the forest as well.”

I see—that explained the wolf corpse.

After thanking the guards, we left the area.

After traveling for a while, we reached a large river that cut across the forest.

The last time I came through here, it had been small enough to jump across. But perhaps due to the recent rain, it had swollen into a wide, raging current.

Following the river for a while, we finally found a single log bridge spanning it.

“Rowena, don’t let go of my hand. We’ll cross carefully.”

I gripped her hand tightly and stepped onto the bridge.

When we reached the middle—

Splash!

The water’s surface broke, and two massive water serpents raised their slick, arched necks.

“—!”

I immediately pulled Rowena behind me. At the same time, sharp fangs lunged forward and whip-like tails swept in from both sides.

On the unstable footing of the bridge, I calmly deflected both attacks with my sword, then countered in a single flash, severing one serpent’s tail.

Slash!

The severed tail thrashed violently on the bridge.

Perhaps startled by the sudden counterattack, both serpents quickly disappeared back into the water.

I picked up the tail, grabbed Rowena, and hurried across the bridge.

After moving a safe distance away, I set Rowena down.

She stood there in shock, frightened by the sudden attack.

“It’s alright, Rowena. We’re away from the river now.”

I spoke gently to calm her, then began preparing camp in a safe spot away from the river.

We set up noise traps and lit a fire.

For dinner, we decided to try eating the water serpent’s tail we had just obtained. I sliced it thin and skewered it over the fire.

Rowena looked at the unfamiliar food with clear reluctance.

“Well, just watch.”

I popped a nicely grilled piece into my mouth first.

(…Yeah, this works. It’s like the giant lizard meat I had back when I was a guard.)

It tasted somewhat like chicken—light but flavorful.

Seeing me eat it so easily, Rowena made a very conflicted face before cautiously trying a piece herself.

Her eyes widened.

Apparently, it tasted better than she expected, because in the end, she even asked for seconds—eating part of my share too.

Before going to bed, we practiced letters again.

I spread out the map and pointed to our current location.

“Look, Rowena. We’ve already passed halfway through the forest. Just a little more, and we’ll be out.”

At my words, Rowena nodded in relief, then leaned against my arm and quietly drifted off to sleep.