Chapter 163: The real cause

Before the path could lead them higher and higher, they suddenly heard a call for a halt from a soldier.

"Everyone! Stop and build an encampment!" One of the soldiers shouted. No need to know who this command came from, as they already know that it was the young commander who issued it. However, the soldiers had different reactions regarding it.

"Eh? Why?"

"Isn't it dangerous to stay here longer?"

"Who cares! My feet are all sore and numb. So, rest is a right call!" One of the soldiers quipped and found his butt a boulder to sit on. It wasn't easy climbing this tall mountain for almost 5 hours without rest. He wondered how the young commander could continue this climb without a rest. The soldier thought that it might be the advantage of young people. But when a soldier yelled a halt order, he felt heaven heard his prayer. He let a sigh of relief away from his mouth.

Though, not all have the same reactions as him. Some were pessimistic towards it.

"Captain Bross, do you know what the commander was thinking?" One of Bross's squad members asked him with doubt. But instead of replying, his squad member noticed a frown on his face. "I see, so you don't know. However, don't you think it's a bad idea to linger here?"

"It is…" Bross replied dejectedly. He was about to step away when the squad member called out to him.

"Wait, Captain!" The squad member called out with a little widened eyes after realizing something.

"What?" Bross replied with a frown. Passing here was already a risky bet, what's more, staying. So he was concerned about it the whole time and could not settle.

"The announcement didn't mention resting, so does it mean we have to stay here for the night?" Bross's squad member asked worriedly.

"You're right…" After saying it, Bross once again strode towards the young commander.

When Bross arrived at where the commander was, he noticed that there were other soldiers aside from him. They asked the young commander about his plan. Eman didn't know whether to laugh or cry at them. 

Beside him was Soldier Kanna. She wanted to know his plan as well. There were some other soldiers around them. Even Demyul and his squad were there. Both of them could not understand the commander's plan.

But in truth, they were worried because the place was as everyone already knows. It was dangerous.

Eman sighed and decided to tell them his reason. He wasn't sure if they knew it or not. But one of the reasons he decided to go to the Academy was to check if the people here learned anything regarding science. And yes, he figured out that they weren't studying anything like that.

They were more focused on Magical stuff and also numbers. Regardless of it, it looks like he must tell them his thoughts. If not, it might cause them uneasy feelings. And could hinder their performance in the coming battle.

Anyway, he was already planning to disclose it. And right now is the right time for it. If he said it a while ago, there was a possibility that some of them would not believe him, and they would deny his order to advance.

Although he was the commander, not all of them were looking at him like that. He knows it.

Also, it wasn't a wise choice to tell them later. Eman glanced around him. His eyes landed on their faces. He noticed that all of them were waiting for his reply.

Then, he slowly opened his mouth. "Don't worry. There's no curse in this mountain."

"..."

Everyone gawked and fell silent upon hearing him. "W-W-What do you mean, Commander?!" The one who broke the silence was no other than Bross. "Do you think I'm a liar?!" He raised his voice. Even veins were popping out of his face.

"Oi!" Soldier Kanna called out in a cold voice. 

She was as surprised as everyone else. But she knew when to step out of her bounds. She was one of the trusted soldiers of his majesty. So she could not embarrass him. She practiced full awareness regarding her surroundings. And she noticed that the commander was still not finished with his words.

"Commander, can you explain about it? Although this idiot did rude behavior just now, what he said about this mountain is the truth," Kanna asked calmly.

Bross fell silent and felt ashamed of his behavior. He bit his lips in frustration for himself. On the other hand, Soldier Kanna's approach was better than him.

"Uh, don't mind it…" They sighed in relief when the young commander just shrugged off his shoulders. He understood their reactions. All this time, they were in a false belief that the mountain was cursed. But in truth, "Just as you heard, this mountain wasn't cursed. The reason behind the deaths of many people who climbed this mountain was the lack of tribute towards the deity who was protecting this mountain…"

"WHAT!?"

He lied. The real reason for the deaths of those people was altitude sickness. There were rules regarding the height. When a person climbs to a higher altitude, he must first get used to the shortage of oxygen before continuing.

He already asked the Dark Priest, who knew regarding dark magic. Also, even though he had high perception and sensitivity to any malicious intent, he could not perceive any of that sort in this mountain. That's why he was confident of the cause. It looks like, even this world was no exception regarding it.

Eman grinned as he looked at them. Ignorance is a scary thing.

"Deity?!"

What!

"C-C-Commander, are you sure about it?" Bross asked stammeringly.

"That person was telling the truth..."

While staring at their young commander with dumbfounded faces, they suddenly heard a soothing magical voice coming from behind them.

All of them simultaneously glanced behind and saw a gathering of light. The next second, a young girl surrounded by a magical glow materialized. She was wearing an unfamiliar dress. Yet the only word they could mutter upon seeing her was, "B-Beautiful…"

In truth, it was Little Sky in costume.