The Runic Alchemist

Chapter 208: Shared Burden

"How...?" Royce asked.

"The mountain is steep and too high for a continuous climb," Kazak began. "There are places where you need to make jumps that are tens of meters long. But that's just going up; many of us can handle that. The real problem is going down the other side. It's equally, if not more, difficult. However, with a space-time mage, we could take breaks and cross the toughest sections more easily.

That way, we could make it over the mountain in a day, maybe a day and a half," Kazak explained.

"Climbing the mountain...?" Mira asked, sounding doubtful.

"It's the fastest way to confirm it. That is, if your mage can handle it," the old fox replied, looking at Damian with a knowing gaze. "But judging from what I saw earlier, I don't think he'll have much trouble."

Well, it was an option. But Damian wanted to sleep for a day or two in peace in this place. This much open space was rare in this forest, and the view was breathtaking.

"When?" Damian asked.

"Tomorrow, early morning," Kazak replied.

"We'll send someone," Damian said, bringing the discussion to a close.

Kazak nodded. They just needed to climb the mountain, it did not matter who it was with. Though it would be most likely him.

"What about the dungeon?" one of the captains asked. Damian remembered he hadn't volunteered for the mission; he was one of those who were assigned to it. The tension in the room returned, making everyone uneasy.

"Let's focus on surviving this first. We'll deal with the dungeon later. That's for the commander Vidalia to decide," Royce concluded, standing up.

The discussion was over. They couldn't plan much without confirming their enemies' status. Who knew? Maybe they could gather some new information about controlling the monsters and use it against them.

The beastmen, along with the old fox elder, nodded slightly toward Royce and Damian before leaving with their leader, who said nothing but looked on. He was most likely the strongest among them, so no one questioned his behavior. The rest of the captains left in groups of two and three discussing the things that had happened, their eyes lingering on Damian as they exited.

Damian stretched, feeling sleepy as he rose from the uncomfortable wooden chair. He walked off with Sam and Yovan, who both acted awkwardly, unsure how to behave around him. It was to be expected—they'd come to terms with everything after a night's sleep. Damian was just about to leave the hall when someone grabbed his shoulder from behind. It was Mira and Royce.

Ah, figures.

Now only the five of them remained in the empty hall. Even their two vice-captains had been sent away, though Sam and Yovan were too shameless to take the hint and leave. Their curiosity was clearly piqued.

"Do you know who that man was?" Royce began.

"Windhaven is not just a small town. You don't realize how big of a problem you've created for yourself," Mira added seriously.

"We know who he was," Sam retorted. "And he got what he deserved."

"It's not about what he deserved," Royce said, his voice rising. "It's about you! You can't just do things like this!"

"And let him fester? Like your Lord of Pyron?" Damian asked quietly.

Both Mira and Royce's eyes widened, and they stared at him intently.

"That's..." Royce started but couldn't find the words.

"I get it. You've got loved ones and responsibilities. It's not simple. I'm not saying my way was the best way, but it was my decision, and I'll bear the consequences," Damian said matter-of-factly, putting an end to the conversation.

"You'll have to deal with those soldiers who served under him," Yovan reminded Royce. "They looked like his household knights and soldiers."

That snapped Royce and Mira out of their thoughts.

"It's fine. I'll handle them. They're still part of the army, and they'll have no choice other then to follow orders," Royce said, nodding.

"Aren't you kids acting high and mighty," Mira said playfully, her tone lightening. "Daring to stand up to powerful second-rankers like that. They sure do grow up fast.."

Sam and Yovan suddenly looked embarrassed, as if Mira had caught them skipping running the laps of the training camp she'd ordered them to run and was going to punish them for it.

"What was with that kid, Einar?" Royce asked, turning serious again.

"Some personal issues," Sam replied. "It's taken care of now."

"So, you're going with them tomorrow?" Mira asked Damian.

"Sure. Not like we have a choice," Damian replied.

"Hmm. Take one of them with you," Royce suggested, smiling at Sam and Yovan.

Damian just nodded and stood, feeling there was nothing more to add. He, Sam, and Yovan left the wooden hall and slowly made their way toward their section of the camp. As they approached Damian's tent, they saw Einar marching toward them.

'She already heard? How fast do these gossipy soldiers talk?!'

"You! You killed him!? How dare you!" Einar shouted, grabbing Damian by the collar and lifting him off the ground with ease, her strength on full display.

"Whoa, Einar!" Sam exclaimed, while Yovan stepped aside to give them space.

"You had no right! He was mine! Mine! My vengeance, My duty.., My..." Einar's voice cracked.

"Reason to live?" Damian finished calmly, looking deep in her eyes. "I did it, and it's done. Killing soldiers who come at you with weapons in hand on a battlefield is easy. Killing in cold blood... that takes more than just a sword. It takes a piece of your soul."

"I was prepared for it! I dreamed of this moment day and night! Don't you dare give me that 'you're just a kid' bullshit!"

"Yes, You are a powerful one.. You could have done it given time—I don't doubt it. You can kill, but I am better at killing. Let me have this burden of yours.. I'm used to it anyways," Damian said softly, giving her a small smile as he gently patted her head. Experience tales at m v|l--NovelBin.net

She still held him in the air, her grip tight as tears streamed down Einar's pretty face, making it messy.