"I'm Brena, Borena Cruz. ”

The man trapped in several layers of thick animal skin smiled weakly at Norwe, "I'm sorry to get you involved in such trouble. ”

"Sonorn kept his promise to get us out of town safely and gave us a choice, so ...... Nothing to be sorry about. Norway smiled, looking somewhat curiously at the mysterious underground ruler of the Kuz estuary.

Borena was probably in his forties, and perhaps once a good-looking man, but the struggle on the brink of death had exhausted his strength these days, his face was scorched and pale, his cheekbones protruded, his eyes sunken, and surrounded by ominous shadows, which looked almost like a dead man.

"If you don't mind, can you let me examine your wound?" Noway couldn't help but ask. He wasn't a brilliant doctor, but the advantage of living for four hundred years and always running around the world was that he had enough experience.

Borena readily agreed. When Norway looked at his injuries and his face became more and more ugly, he smiled helplessly: "I'm dying, I know." ”

Nori glanced at him.

The man had multiple serious fractures all over his body, and it was likely that he had injured his internal organs, and it was a miracle for a human to survive until now.

"I have some medicine, maybe not much use...... But at least it can make you feel better. He said.

"Thank you. Borena thanked him sincerely.

"I should give you a better rest. Norway had to continue, "I know it doesn't have anything to do with me. But I've heard that you're trying to use that monster's head as evidence to incite the townspeople to get rid of the soldiers?"

Borena stared at him. Even if he was seriously injured and dying, his eyes were still sharp: "It seems that you don't agree much?"

"That's true. "That's not a good idea," Norway candidly admits. Northerners may be fierce. But they're up against well-armed soldiers, and you don't yet know how far necromancers have infiltrated Anktan's army...... Until more information is available, it may be too risky. You will cause panic and may invite more difficult enemies. ”

His injuries weren't serious, he simply lost a lot of blood, and it didn't take long for him to be able to move freely. When Ed told him about Sonoen's bold plan, he thought it was inappropriate—there were so many doubts in the matter that it was never a good idea to act rashly with a small victory.

But he never found Thornorn. It was only when Borena wanted to express his gratitude to him that he was concerned about his concerns to the true chief.

Borena winked slyly: "That's right. So I didn't agree. ”

Norway was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile, it wasn't the first time he had underestimated humans. Although the Kuz estuary is only a remote town, it has always faced a variety of complex forms. The people who can become the underground rulers there are obviously not so reckless.

"But I'm afraid if I'm dead...... They are likely to become desperate. Borena sighed, his eyes a little dazed and powerless for a moment.

Norway was silent, and even though he didn't know the men well, he could tell that Borena's men were loyal to him. Now that Borena is still in control of them, if he dies, the ensuing revenge is likely to bring the historic and troubled town to another bloody storm.

"Things may get worse here, so you'd better get out as soon as possible. Borena said bluntly, "Where do you want to go?" Tell Falbo that the little guy who has been to the Tomb of the Headless with you knows the forest well. He can take you the nearest way. ”

He didn't speak fast or loudly, but he still began to gasp. Norway could only nod apologetically to accept his kindness and quickly leave.

"So...... Is he really dying?" Ed asked uneasily.

"He's a tough guy, but I'm afraid he won't last long. Norvi's voice was low. It made him a little uncomfortable to watch a man wait for death like this, but except to ease Borena's pain a little. He didn't have much else to do.

Ed was in a trance as he played with the small box hanging from his chest. He still vaguely remembered the dream—who had answered his call. But he wasn't sure what that meant, maybe it was just a dream......

There's no way he could save someone who was dying.

He rubbed his nose, which was a little out of breath. Disappointed in myself. He used to be full of self-confidence, perhaps not really self-confidence, but at least it allowed him to bite the bullet and quickly solve any problem in front of him, instead of hesitating, losing and wilting as he is now......

"Ed ...... Ed!" Narya, who was ignored, slapped him in annoyance, causing him to almost jump in fright.

"What?" he asked, blankly, completely unaware of what Nalya had just told him.

“...... Never mind. Naria frowned, and suddenly she couldn't even remember what to say.

"Oh, Ed, have you eaten your own brain again?" Tess teased casually.

Ed smiled reluctantly, "I'll go pack my bags." ”

He slipped away quickly.

“...... What the hell is wrong with that fool?" asked Tess, puzzled, "has anyone bullied him? Or has it been too long since anyone bullied him?" I've never seen him so listless. Although he is annoying when he is too energetic, he looks even more annoying when he is not energetic. ”

Norway looked thoughtfully at Ed's back. He had always known that Ed wasn't as heartless as he seemed, but he couldn't guess what was bothering his young friend.

"He'll be fine. Narya didn't seem to be too worried, "It's good that he doesn't have the energy to at least prove that he still has a little heart." ”

Tess nodded seriously: "That's true. ”

Norway smiled and shook his head. Maybe there's really nothing to worry about - but he'd better find some time to talk to Ed.

They were going to go to Balach first, and then go back the way they came, which was the fastest and safest way. Baie and Rosa were guided by Thornon's men into the eastern part of the Castle Forest, and it would probably take some time to get around, by which time they might have reached Visa. They can tell Philip Zeri and tell the fellows at the Collins Temple to go to Bye and the guy who paid for it. Mancini might reconsider whether it was really necessary to continue spending money to get the mercenaries back to the ice field once more and repeat the futile search.

"We're going tomorrow morning. Norway decided.

Falbo came to them that afternoon.

"We have to go now!" he said, "this place has been found, and the soldiers are on their way." We've got to go!"

They had no choice but to leave in a hurry under the leadership of Falbo.

There are several exits to the cave. When they got out of one of them, it was quiet, and there seemed to be no danger. No matter how Anktan's soldiers learned about this place, they probably didn't get hold of all the exits.

Falbo didn't say a word, but buried his head forward, looking a little nervous. He was tall and looked more mature than Ed, but in fact he was not yet sixteen years old, and it was only because of his brother's disappearance that he pestered Sonoen to join Borena's team. Borena pushed him away and sent Ed and them to Balach, probably not wanting to put him in any danger.

But things often don't go as planned.

Novi noticed the unusual noise in the forest before the distraught Falbo did. He grabbed the big little guy and dragged him to the ground.

Without any superfluous gestures, his companions quickly and silently crouched down after him, or fell to the ground, quickly hiding themselves.

It wasn't long before the sound of heavy footsteps and metal crashing against each other reached everyone's ears, and the pale sun, whose faces occasionally peeked out of the clouds, reflected an icy glow on the armor and weapons of the soldiers.

Falbo flicked restlessly under Norvi's arm, and was held down hard by the elf.

They were not discovered. But it is no longer possible to move forward as if nothing happened.

"I have to go back!" said Falbo in a low voice, a little shaky after the soldiers had gone, "they will be surrounded......!

Gunner was his elder brother, one of the people they rescued from the Headless Ghost Grave. Regardless of whether they were originally Borenna's men or not, the few people who were rescued stayed in the cave to avoid leaking the news. The person who was given to the necromancer has reappeared alive, and once discovered, whoever is behind it will understand that their secret has been discovered, and they will not be able to sit idly by.

"Just keep going south!" said Falbo, who began to run back before he could finish his voice, desperate to go back.

"No, I can't. Norway grabbed him, his tone firm, "Your brother and they have probably fled in other directions, and if you rush back so recklessly, not only will you not be able to help them, but you will also very likely lose your own life." ”

"He's going to follow Borena!Borena is so badly wounded, they can't go fast at all!" Falbo struggled a little in annoyance, and somehow he managed to break free from the elf's grasp, and sprang out like a rabbit, and disappeared into the forest in three or two strokes.

“...... That's amazing!" Tess praised.

Somewhat speechless, Norway reminded himself once again not to underestimate a human being—even a sixteen-year-old.

"Shall we let him run back?" asked Naria, "and he's still a child." Not even as old as Is's departure.

"Of course not. Norway sighed, "Stay here, I'll go after him." ”

"You're going to leave us here?" Tess reached out and grabbed him, her eyes widened, and she looked aggrieved and scared, "Lost in a strange forest where the undead could jump out at any moment?"

The steps that Norway had just taken stopped again, and looked at her helplessly.

"Let's go together. Ed said.

(To be continued)