Chapter 128: In the Gap (Mid)
“…I-I’m fine!”
“Uh-huh.”
“I-I, Little Shay, I killed a bunch of heretics this time!”
“That’s impressive!”
“I-I’ve learned so much this year… Little Shay, you don’t have to worry about me! I’m not the same as I used to be!”
“Oh really?”
“There are so many amazing seniors in the Knights Order, really impressive… although none are as great as you, but I think they’re all amazing, every single one! I-I’ve learned from them… I’ve fought alongside them… I’m a brave knight now…”
In a makeshift camp filled with flickering flames and a faint smell of bl**d, a girl softly conversed with a young knight she hadn’t seen in ages, amidst the bustling noise of injured soldiers.
As Barry, the big boy who had survived countless near-d*ath experiences, listened to the sweet voice and gentle demeanor of the girl, he gradually relaxed. The tension eased, and although his words were still a bit jumbled, he seemed to slowly regain some of that familiar feeling.
Before him, Little Shay looked a bit different now.
That difference was something she hadn’t possessed a year ago—a certain aura that was invisible and untouchable.
It was the presence of someone who had experienced things beyond the imagination of the ordinary, who had seen life and d*ath many times, who had gained a broader perspective through all the chaotic ups and downs of the world. Barry couldn’t quite grasp that higher presence yet; neither had the girl realized it—the air of a “higher being.”
Yet at this moment, in her natural, relaxed demeanor, that strangeness gradually morphed into familiarity, and for a brief moment, Barry felt… she seemed to be that Little Shay again.
Thus, the young knight subconsciously lightened his burden, becoming more animated. The girl listened earnestly, occasionally nodding adorably and showering him with praise. Other knights nearby who eavesdropped exchanged glances full of envy.
In their hearts, to be able to chat with the stunning Pope Knight and share trivialities, and to have her listen so patiently—that was dignity reserved for a “big brother.”
Throughout the journey, knights occasionally gazed at her from a distance, hoping for even a fleeting moment of connection with the beautiful Pope Knight. However, many held on to that wish, yet only a few dared to actually approach her.
It was during times like this, that Barry’s chance allowed others to get close and even exchange a word with her.
The atmosphere remained pleasant.
Soon, people arrived from the east, and the camp buzzed with activity. The cleanup operation led by the nobles and knights from Alectine City commenced. After exchanging farewells, the girl promised to come back to see Barry that evening, then left the makeshift hospital with Safiros and a group of others to head to Isaac’s location.
…………
The rain continued to fall, patter patter.
The heavy rain soaked the city’s ruined streets, washing away the pools of red. The raging fires gradually extinguished with time.
As evening approached, the mountain of corpses at the city wall was being carted away, led by the Young Bishop and the Faith Organization. They sang hymns for the deceased from atop the high walls. Soon, infernos blazed from outside the city, consuming countless fallen civilians and heroes who had battled to the d*ath, turning them to ashes in the flames amid the sounds of people crying.
Firelight illuminated the sky, and within the city, the Golden Armored Knights searched the ruins and dark alleys. Occasionally, the sounds of slaughter mixed with screams—a cacophony of chaos. Heretics lurking in the shadows were dragged out and gruesomely executed, often as a means of venting the people’s fury. Such occurrences were not rare and couldn’t be stopped.
As night approached, the city began to quiet down.
With the sky darkening, the girl, having searched all day, looked disheveled, her newly changed skirt stained with bl**d. She looked weary as she rode her Horned Horse alongside Safiros and the rest, while many knelt by the roadside in prayer, others bowing in gratitude, crying loudly.
A dirty woman rushed up, grabbing Safiros’ leg, choking out, “Have you… have you seen my husband? He’s been on the walls for days, he said he’d be back… when will he come home…?”
The woman’s demeanor appeared distraught.
On the tower in the north, a number of Faith Organization members, their golden glow gradually dimming, ceased performing divine miracles. The rain in the city also halted, and the wicked flames had completely extinguished, but the bl**d flowing on the streets remained unwashed.
After returning to the camp, I handed over the area to another team of knights, returned the Horned Horse to the stable, and climbed the city wall alone, gazing at the distant raging fire for a long, long time.
The black ash of burning corpses floated into the city from above, covering the sky.
“Hmph, hum hum…”
I nibbled on a cold hard biscuit, a melody dancing in my mind, and I closed my eyes to hum softly.
“In the midnight pine forest~ a new day… hasn’t awakened yet… hum hum… dark grey boulders, moss and heather… the grass sparkling with morning dew…”
Dawn would eventually come.
But it seemed…
Not today.
………..
In the northern part of the Silgaria Republic.
The small border town at the edge of Woodward Forest was buzzing with more excitement than ever before.
Over the past few months, the continued disasters and conflicts in the south had put everyone on edge. To stabilize the troops and the populace, the Republic had invited a large number of renowned bards, wandering performers, and dancers to start a tour, beginning from Emerald City over a week ago. Finally, the first batch of wandering artists had arrived at the Woodward Forest border.
A town that rarely attracted attention was now overflowing with people, as many surrounding villages organized trips to watch the performances. Besides regular folks, those transporting food to disaster-stricken areas and then returning were also present, and of course, the knights who were on guard here and taking a break.
In the evening, the sky was painted crimson by the setting sun.
A huge bonfire had been constructed in the town square, with the air filled with the ruckus of eager voices. People were bursting with anticipation, yet the spectacular performance had yet to start, as the artists were still busy preparing their costumes in a makeshift backstage.
“Miss Meiser, Miss Meiser!”
Amid the bustling shadows of the backstage, a silver-haired, blue-eyed woman was seated at a vanity, leisurely fixing her hair. Soon, a somewhat handsome young male artist in his twenties approached, calling out her name loudly, “Have you seen my powder?”
“Nope.”
The woman replied flatly without looking back.
“Oh…”
The male artist scratched his face and, upon hearing the response, didn’t leave. Instead, he walked over and feigned nonchalance. “Strange, I clearly remembered leaving it right here… how could it be missing…”
He pretended to look but kept stealing glances at the woman’s stunning profile. When he saw she wasn’t really engaging, disappointment flickered in his eyes. He bravely said, “Miss Meiser, I can’t find my powder. Could I borrow yours?”
“…Sure.”
The woman nodded indifferently, pointing at a small box of powder on the vanity with her delicate finger.
Seeing her quick agreement, the male artist’s face lit up with joy. He took the box and settled down next to her, making awkward small talk. “The turmoil in the south has been relentless; everyone is on edge, fearing those heretics might strike suddenly… but because of this, our performances are booked for two months from now. I’ll earn more this year than in the last three combined, so that’s a silver lining, right…”
“Maybe.” The woman responded apathetically.
“Tonight there are so many people watching the performance… every recent show has had a bigger audience, even with nobles and members of the Church Knights Order attending. This is our chance to get famous!”
“Miss Meiser, your sword dance is spectacular, and I’m one of the best in the troupe… how about this? Starting tonight, let’s add some unexpected twists to the script during our performance to leave everyone stunned, followed by thunderous applause. That way they’ll remember us. My idea is…”
As he prattled on, he kept an eye on the woman’s expression, but seeing her remain expressionless and uninterested, disappointment crept into his gaze. Just as he was about to ramp up his pitch with some dazzling idea, the woman suddenly glanced to the side and interrupted him.
“Sorry, I have something to take care of.”
After saying this, she stood up and quickly left, leaving the male artist sitting there, his mouth agape while staring at her graceful figure disappearing into the distance. After a pause, he gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
“Of course, a woman that beautiful is going to be tough to win over…”
Even if the woman heard him, she probably wouldn’t take it to heart.
The vast twilight swirled within the clouds, enveloping the evening glow in the west.
The silver-haired, blue-eyed woman stepped out of the wooden shelter, passed through the bustling square of the town, and made her way beyond the lively streets towards the distant hills.
As dusk deepened, the woman arrived at a waterway by the mountainside, stopped, hands clasped behind her back, gazing at the crimson sunset, lost in thought.
After a moment, soft footsteps approached from behind, and a hunched figure came to stand three meters behind her, nervously bowing.
“Miss Ailna.”
After waiting for a while without her speaking, the old man continued, “From the south, the First Knights Order entered Pevensi Gorge days ago and is expected to arrive at Alectine City soon, confronting the Fog Hidden group.”
