CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 26: SIMPLE DISPUTE

Everyone froze for a moment.

The scream that tore through the forest was enough for them to recognize its owner without the slightest doubt.

Even Allen almost looked back, but the masked man’s voice stopped him.

"Do not raise your heads and do not look behind you. Anyone who does that dies instantly, just like he did."

Everyone lowered their heads toward the ground even more, all at once.

They continued walking in silence, their feet sinking into the dirt of that region.

They stayed close behind the masked man until the fog began to fade little by little.

Then he raised his hand in the air as a signal to stop.

"You can raise your heads now."

They lifted their heads. Some collapsed to the ground from the sheer tension, while others stood frozen, unable to sit.

No one dared to look behind them except Oliver.

He turned toward the fog.

For a brief second, he thought he saw the silhouette of the old man walking between the trees before it vanished.

Before he could ask anything, Allen had already rushed toward the masked man.

He grabbed the collar of his coat violently and shouted,

"What happened to the old man? What was that?!"

The masked man moved only slightly before twisting Allen’s wrist and slamming him with immense force against a tree.

Allen’s body crashed into the trunk brutally, making him shake.

The others widened their eyes, not daring to speak or intervene.

The masked man fixed the collar of his coat.

"I already answered you. Anyone who raises his head or looks back dies. I am not obligated to explain the details to you."

Then he simply turned away as if nothing had happened and continued walking.

Maron hurried to help Allen stand, while the others followed the masked man.

...

Night fell. Unexpectedly, the masked man told them to stop and granted them a break without anyone asking.

He sat on a high rock watching the forest around them.

Then Tell slipped out of his coat pocket and fluttered in front of him.

"You were harsh on that man this morning. You know that, right?"

"You are a spirit, yet you side with humans far too often. Are you sure you were exiled to that village for the first time during this festival?"

"Answer me first. What exactly happened in that foggy place?"

"That area is the domain of a certain type of mythical creature."

"Creatures like the Great Autumn Spirit?"

"No. These are higher ranked. The kind we are talking about are closer to mindless beasts. They feed on people. Nothing more."

"And this is what you call the safe path?"

"Yes. This is actually the safest route anyone can take through this forest."

"I never imagined the forest was this dangerous."

"Dangerous? This part is the safest one."

"You talk as if you explored every corner of it."

"I do not need to explore it. Knowing what kinds of entities live here is enough."

"So you usually deal with beings like the Great Autumn Spirit? Is that your daily routine?"

"Something like that."

"You say it like you are talking about the weather. What exactly are you?"

"I am just a traveler."

"No, travelers do not do the things you do. What is your real goal?"

He did not answer. He simply looked at the dark horizon again.

...

The next morning, everyone woke up and continued walking.

But this time there was a heavy tension among them, without exception.

On top of that, they all looked in terrible shape.

The old man’s death affected most of them, and their inability to bury him made the sadness worse.

Oliver did not have his usual energy, and not because he was personally affected by the old man’s death.

Quite the opposite. His lack of emotion compared to everyone else unsettled him.

Everyone showed different degrees of grief.

Even the sage, who always tried to keep a cold face, showed genuine sorrow this time.

Oliver had been trying since last night to convince the masked man to go back and retrieve the body.

But the masked man always gave the same answer.

"Going back will only cause more deaths."

Nothing notable happened for a while.

The sage was speaking with Maron, while Lemur noticed Oliver’s change in behavior.

"There is no need to be sad for him. He died like a warrior, and the souls of warriors rise straight to the heavens."

Oliver turned toward him.

"No, that is not what I am worried about..."

"Worried about what?"

"Nothing. Forget it. I just hope his soul is fine up there."

"Of course it is. That is where the souls of brave warriors go, the ones who do not disobey their leader’s orders..."

Lemur fell silent, and Oliver stared at him for a moment without replying.

They continued walking while the masked man inspected the path around them.

Every few minutes he would stop, check the area carefully, then continue.

This new behavior only made Oliver more certain that something was wrong.

He approached him and asked,

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I already told you yes. Now return to your place."

"Are you completely sure?"

"Child, did I not tell you to get back immediately?"

Lemur pulled Oliver back with him and whispered in his ear.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think? I am asking him."

"You have no respect for the leader at all."

"What? I am just asking some questions."

"When the leader tells you to fall back, you do it."

"You know, you really need to learn human concepts. We do not work like that."

"But I do not see anyone else doing what you do. They seem to respect the leader, unlike you. Is it because you are a hybrid? Are they a different kind of human?"

Lemur meant no harm, but his words irritated Oliver.