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Chapter 14.2: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
Chapter 14.2: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
Chapter 14.2: ??? ??? ?? ????????? (??)
There were two paths in the Black Forest.
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The first was well-known to most. It started at the forest entrance, narrow and rough but passable. It was the path the mercenaries took when they went wolf hunting.
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The second path was known only to hunters Joseph and Johan. It was barely a path, covered with dense bushes and invisible soil.
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However, Joseph found this path useful for traveling through the forest. Nobles would have thought him mad for suggesting it, but it was a convenient shortcut when he was alone.
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Johan also naturally learned this path.
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‘????????.’
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Since there was no distinct path, the second path was marked by signs Joseph had left on trees. Following these signs was the shortcut.
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Joseph had mentioned setting traps on the first path in case he needed to escape. Surely, if a pursuer followed, it would be there.
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Johan raced down the second path. His horse snorted in annoyance at the bushes hitting its face but didn’t stop.
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Then, a horse’s neigh echoed from afar.
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‘??’? ? ???????!’
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Johan flinched. Hearing a horse in this forest meant only one thing.
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The pursuer had fallen into Joseph’s trap.
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‘???. . . ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????.’
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Johan quickly dismounted and pressed his ear to the ground, a hunter’s wisdom. This way, he could detect even distant movements.
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‘???? ??? ???????’
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The sound didn’t seem like that of a mercenary group. If mercenaries were pursuing, there should be sounds of at least ten or more.
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A face flashed through Johan’s mind.
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??????
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At the same moment he felt something being triggered, the image that flashed through Karamaf’s mind as a small crossbow bolt whizzed by was the face of the hunter.
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That oddly irritating expression!
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‘?’?? ???? ??? ???? ? ??? ????!’
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There was no guarantee that this trap was set by him, but Karamaf was certain. That was enough.
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Karamaf powerfully swatted away the incoming bolt. There was no need to catch it. The armor he wore could not be penetrated by traps meant for mere beasts.
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However, Karamaf had underestimated Joseph too much.
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After all, a seasoned hunter like Joseph wouldn’t target well-armed mercenaries.
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????!
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A sound came from below, and a horse neighed. Karamaf’s complexion changed. His beloved horse had fallen victim to the trap. It was a trap targeting the legs, not covered by the horse’s armor.
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“!”
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Triggering the rope would shoot the person above while simultaneously targeting the horse’s legs. It was a double trap aimed at the horse. Karamaf cursed as he leaped off the horse.
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“. . .Sorry.”
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The condition of the horse was worse than he thought. A foul smell rose from the wounded area, and its color had changed.
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‘??????!’
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Karamaf gritted his teeth. That insignificant hunter dared to harm his horse. To a knight, a horse was a comrade and partner. Even a hundred lives of a serf wouldn’t suffice in compensation.
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And with the fall, its leg was completely broken. Recovery was impossible. Even if there was a way, it couldn’t be taken out of the forest.
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??????!
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Karamaf beheaded the horse. It was the least he could do to end its suffering.
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The cold eyes of the elf knight blazed with fury. He had been calm even when killing Sir Gessen, but this incident had truly enraged him.
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‘???? ????????????? ?????? ????? ??!’
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“I give up the pursuit.”
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He didn’t know if anyone had escaped into the black forest, but he could no longer chase. He had to return and tear apart that hunter and contemplate his next move.
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Karamaf’s eyes widened.
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Just as he decided to turn back, someone who looked familiar appeared from the depths of the forest.
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It was the son of Gessen.
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??????
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“As expected, I was right.”
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Johan confirmed Karamaf’s face and walked out. He had thought that Karamaf was the only one who would follow him alone. He wasn’t sure why Karamaf had come alone. . .
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‘??? ?? ????? ??????’? ?????? ? ???? ?????? ?? ????.’
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Karamaf’s face was covered, so his expression was not visible, but Johan somehow felt that Karamaf was looking at him as if he were insane.
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After all, it was natural.
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The one who should have fled had suddenly appeared in front of Karamaf.
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“I see.”
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Karamaf nodded as if he understood.
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“What?”
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“Have you come for revenge?”
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“That’s one of the reasons.”
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There were two reasons why Johan came.
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The first reason was that he coveted the wealth that Karamaf possessed.
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If he killed Karamaf, who was alone, the mercenaries would not know who killed Karamaf. They wouldn’t have thought he was killed by Johan. Perhaps they would suspect a monster.
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And the second reason was. . .
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“To avenge your father huh. You have the qualities of a good knight. You won’t become a living knight, though.”
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“No. Among those you killed, there were servants who were close to me.”
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“. . .??”
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Karamaf looked at him as if he didn’t understand. Johan was not a coward to endure and flee when it was disadvantageous, nor was he the type to keep enduring when the situation allowed.
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Johan’s eyes calmly glared at Karamaf. They were the eyes of a lion targeting its prey.
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“You will die here today.”
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Johan walked out slowly. Karamaf stood still, as if waiting to see what Johan would do.
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“He’s strong.”
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Kaegal’s words came to mind.
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????? ?? ?’? ??????
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??? ???’?? ?????, ??? ???. ??? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ?? ???’?? ?????, ??’? ??? ?????????.
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Karamaf was definitely a strong opponent. If even half of the songs sung by the minstrels were true, it would be so.
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But he was not afraid.