Episode 34: Betrayal

 

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A few hours after reporting to the clan master, Gild. Due to the time it took for the healer from "Black Mist Blade" to treat Raven's right shoulder, it was now 4 AM.

 

Because of the severe damage, it wasn’t completely healed. Single-attribute healing magic only aids the healing process, and even the best healers need time to fully mend injuries.

 

Raven and Lugus had left the headquarters of "Black Mist Blade" and were now in a deserted back alley.

 

After confirming that no one else was around, Raven shouted.

 

"It's impossible...! There's no way this will work!"

 

"…!"

 

Raven grabbed Lugus's shoulder with his uninjured left hand.

 

"Lugus, you know it too, don't you?! This plan was flawed from the start!"

 

"Don't say such reckless things! That's precisely why Master Gild decided to temporarily halt it..."

 

"No, if you look at the town's situation over the past few days, it's clear that information is leaking from somewhere. It's absurd to think we can obtain information about the kingdom without the reverse happening. The clan's plan is completely exposed. Even if we target the knights when they're weak, a perfect surprise attack is impossible, especially with them...!"

 

By "them," he meant Rain, Milia, and Lisha.

 

"There's no guarantee that Lisha and the others will become enemies, is there...? No matter how much the kingdom demands, adventurers can't be forcibly mobilized."

 

"But they might, right?! What if they're holding a grudge about what happened earlier?! How can you bet your life on something that might just work out if things go conveniently?!"

 

In his agitation, Raven slammed his right arm against the wall.

 

"Ouch..."

 

"Hey, calm down..."

 

"How can I stay calm in this situation?! Hey, Lugus. Let's rethink this, okay? There's still time. You don't have to throw your life away for that old man. You're about to become a father, right? If we fail... could you face that kind of death proudly?"

 

"...!"

 

Raven put his arm around Lugus's shoulder and forced a smile.

 

"Hey, Lugus. If you're going to make up your mind, let's do it for honor."

 

"Sorry..."

 

Lugus had a somewhat lonely expression as he brushed off Raven's arm.

 

"Raven, I know what you're saying is right. But even so, I can't back out now. There are a lot of comrades left in the clan. I can't just abandon them. It's a matter of pride."

 

"..."

 

Raven searched for a better way to persuade him, but the right words wouldn’t come.

 

After a moment of silence, the words that finally came to mind were—

 

"So, we just need to save our comrades too, right?"

 

"What?"

 

"Lugus, can you turn around for a moment?"

 

"Sure. What are you going to—Gah!!"

 

As soon as Lugus turned around at Raven's words, Raven shot an arrow at Lugus's right shoulder.

 

Lugus writhed in pain, rolling on the ground.

 

"W-What are you doing?! Aren't we friends since school?!"

 

"Because we're friends..."

 

Raven's eyes were not smiling, but he raised the corners of his mouth eerily.

 

Then, he shot another arrow at Lugus, destroying his left shoulder as well. After that, he stomped on his leg, breaking the bone, and punched him in the stomach, knocking the severely injured Lugus unconscious. Raven then carried him and disappeared into the night.

 

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Chirp, chirp.

 

In the end, nothing happened during the anticipated night, and dawn arrived.

 

"They didn't make a move after all."

 

"...Yeah."

 

The kingdom’s knights and city guards, who had been on high alert for an attack by "Black Mist Blade," were seen looking confused all around.

 

"There's nothing we can do. Let's go."

 

We couldn't just keep waiting indefinitely. We decided to head to the adventurers' guild for the time being.

 

It was on the way there.

 

"...Rain Shadow."

 

A familiar voice.

 

When I looked at the person who called out to me, I was surprised.

 

"Raven?!"

 

The memory of him attacking us on our way back from Noble Mountain yesterday vividly came back to me.

 

Is he planning to make a move in the city this time?!

 

The exhaustion from staying up all night instantly vanished, and we assumed combat stances.

 

However, something seemed off about Raven.

 

His right shoulder, injured by my magic, was treated but not fully healed. Moreover, Lugus, who had lost consciousness, was slung over his left shoulder.

 

It didn't look like he was here to attack us in this condition.

 

Of course, we couldn’t rule out the possibility that it was a bluff. He might be trying to catch us off guard and then launch a sudden attack... but considering he already knew the difference in our strength, it didn’t seem like a smart strategy.

 

"I want to talk for a bit."

 

Raven said this and put Lugus down on the ground.

 

Looking closely at Lugus, I saw that he was injured in four places on his limbs. I wondered how a skilled adventurer had gotten such injuries...

 

"I'm really sorry about yesterday."

 

Raven bowed his head and apologized.

 

We were so taken aback by his unexpected reaction that we froze.

 

"I know that apologizing won’t suffice. We seriously tried to kill you. You have the right to kill us, and we have the duty to accept it."

 

"...!"

 

What’s going on? I can’t figure out his intentions.

 

"...This place is too conspicuous. If this location is bad, let's move somewhere else. I've already made up my mind. But before that, I have one request."

 

"A request...?"

 

Raven nodded.

 

"I want you to kill the clan master of 'Black Mist Blade,' Gild, and save us."

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[Translator Note]
Thank you for reading my translation so far.
Soon, my translation will caught up with the Raw, so If you have any request for another novel series (New series or left out series by old translator), please contact my email:​
 

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Blankon