Chapter 36: The Road Along the River and the Guards

As the morning light filtered through the gaps in the trees, we began preparing breakfast and cleaning up our campsite.

“Listen, Rowena. Taking care of the fire is the most important thing. If even a little flame is left, the whole forest could burn. You pour water like this, cover it with dirt, and make sure there’s no heat left at all.”

I showed her step by step how to extinguish the fire properly.

Rowena nodded seriously and helped with the cleanup as best as she could with her small hands.

Finally, we carefully retrieved each of the noise traps we had set the night before. They would be important tools for our journey ahead.

We returned to the riverside and began walking cautiously once more. In case the water serpents from yesterday reappeared, I walked on the river side, keeping myself in a position to protect Rowena at all times.

With only the quiet flow of the river and the sound of birds around us, I began to speak little by little about my past.

“You know, Rowena… just like you, I was alone from the moment I can remember. An orphan.”

“But a man called the Magistrate Knight—an important and very kind person—took me in. Thanks to him, I was able to eat, and I even learned how to read and write.”

“And when I grew up, I worked as a guard in the capital where he lived. It’s a job where you protect the peace of the town… basically like a bodyguard.”

Rowena silently listened, looking up at my face the whole time. She might not understand everything, but she seemed to know I was telling her something important.

Checking the map, I saw that if we went a little farther, there should be a proper path along the river.

“Rowena, just a little farther and the road will get easier to walk. Let’s push on a bit more.”

At my words, she nodded firmly.

After continuing along the river for a while, the view opened up, and there it was—a proper road running alongside the river. We could even hear faint voices.

Heading toward the sound, we found several guards sitting by the roadside, taking a break. We hadn’t noticed them until we got close because they were seated.

“Who goes there!?”

The guards sprang to their feet, hands on their sword hilts.

“Wait, calm down. I’m Edwin. I met your comrades in another part of this forest yesterday.”

I raised both hands to show I meant no harm and repeated the same explanation as before. Once they understood, they quickly lowered their guard.

“I see. Thanks for your patrol work. Mind if we take a short rest here as well?”

We sat down with them and shared a brief break.

“Actually, we were attacked by water serpents in this river yesterday. You should be careful too.”

“Water serpents, huh! Figures—they must be more aggressive after the rain. Our unit ran into a giant boar yesterday. One of the rookies almost got sent flying.”

“Luckily, the injuries weren’t serious. Still, you’ve got some skill—driving off water serpents while traveling with a child.”

As we talked, some of the guards gave Rowena dried meat and candy as snacks.

The man who seemed to be their leader spoke to me as I spread out my map.

“If you follow this riverside road, you should be out of the forest in less than a day. Beyond that is open plains, so you’ll be safe. Take care.”

“Be careful when you camp at night!”

We thanked the guards and parted ways. They headed deeper into the forest, while we continued toward the exit.

As the sun began to set, I told Rowena we would camp by the river again that night.

She looked uneasy and tried to ask with gestures if the water serpents would be alright.

I gently patted her head.

“It’s fine. I’m here.”

At those words, she nodded in relief and began helping with the camp preparations.

After dinner, we practiced letters again. Watching her absorb what I taught so quickly was impressive.

Even after finishing, Rowena tried her best to stay awake—probably worried about the water serpents despite her fatigue.

But before long, her small head began to nod forward again and again.

Eventually, she gave in, leaning against my arm as she fell into a quiet sleep.

I pulled my cloak over her and gently stroked her back.

The next morning, we set out at dawn.

The riverside path, unlike the rough animal trails from before, was clearly maintained and much easier to walk.

We made steady progress.

Then, around midday—

The density of the trees gradually thinned, and a dazzling light poured in ahead of us.

We had made it out of the forest.

Before us stretched a vast green plain and the flowing river, extending as far as the eye could see.

Rowena and I both, almost at the same time, stretched our arms wide.

“Wooo—!”

The sense of freedom made the sound escape naturally.

Together, we shouted toward the sky, expelling the forest air from our lungs.

Blackleaf Forest was finally behind us.