Chapter 127 Exploration [2]

Chapter 127 Exploration [2]

The more I stayed in the town the more apparent it became to me that what I had previously seen was just a facade.

Walking around the cobblestone streets to head for the main entrance of the town, I could feel the gloom on the people's faces.

It hadn't been obvious before, but it was clear now.

"....."

My steps halted as I spotted a figure in the distance.

He was the captain. Currently taking care of the wounded, his face was pale as he ran around.

"Someone get me some water! Heal him up!"

Even now, he was still working.

Despite his pale face and the fact that he was limping, he put it all to help those who were in need. It was a scene that would move anyone.

But there was something about him that didn't quite make sense to me. So much so that I found myself moving towards him.

"What are the injuries? Any dead? Alright, good! It seems like the reinforcements have been of help."

"Excuse me."

"Uh?"

Finally taking note of me, he paused.

"You are...?"

"I'm a cadet from Haven."

"No, I know that."

"Julien from the Evenus Barony."

"....Julien, okay."

He nodded and looked around, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Is there anything that I can do to help you?"

"Yes, actually."

"What?"

".....What's the number of the last subjugation squad?"

"Uh?"

He looked taken aback by my sudden question.

I explained to him.

"I overheard some people saying something about subjugation squads. I presume they're the squads that have been sent to fight against the necromancer. Im curious. How many have been sent so far."

"...."

The captain didn't answer immediately. Rather, he made a difficult face. Almost pained.

Eventually, lowering his head, he answered.

"....If we count your group, then it'd be subjugation squad number 255."

"...."

255...?

I drew a cold breath.

Just how many people did they send over?

"The amount of people that we've sent. I've already lost count."

He continued while I remained silent. I could hear the sadness in his voice as he spoke.

"Everyone that you see here. They've all lost someone precious. We're the last remaining people of the town."

That sadness quickly shifted to anger as his fists clenched together tightly.

"Every damn year, we have to watch as our population dwindles and our best warriors die. Every damn year, I have to watch as the young recruits of the town are trained to be sent to their death!"

"....."

I stared at him without saying a single thing. I looked deeply into his expressions and the emotions he was letting out.

At a glance, there didn't seem to be anything wrong. Rather, I somewhat was starting to believe him.

But there was something that kept nagging me at the back of my mind.

"Why?"

".....Why?"

He raised his face to meet my gaze.

"You speak as though you care so much about the people. So why? Why haven't you gone there yourself?"

"....Ah."

The captain's expression froze, and his lips trembled.

If before I could see anger and sadness, now I could see guilt. A lot of guilt.

"T-that..."

He didn't even seem to be capable of formulating his own sentences. It was as if something was eating at him.

But what...?

What exactly was that?

If that wasn't enough, there was something else that bothered me. Especially when I sorted through the memories I had looked through.

"What about the first subjugation squad?"

"....T-the first? What about them?"

The captain's reaction was all that I needed to know.

"I've heard your sister participated in it."

"Ah, yes..."

"Were they also there to fight the necromancer? From what I-"

"Captain! Captain! We need your help!"

Unfortunately, my words were cut short by a shout in the distance. The captain, who was called, found this opportunity to excuse himself.

"....I can't thank you enough for your help. If you need any help, I'd be more than willing to offer it. But as you can see, I have to go now. If you would excuse me."

Those were his last words before he left.

"....."

....And it was for this reason that he allowed the tears to stain his cheeks.

Drip. Drip.

"Sorry... I want to go... Sorry... But I have to keep my promise..."

The man was none other than the Knight's captain.

Holding onto his pocket watch, he bent over with exhaustion.

"I promised..."

And then, mustering every little bit of strength he had left, he brought his hand towards his forehead in a salute.

"Subjugation force two hundred and fifty-five. I wish you all the best of luck!"

***

The journey was a quiet one.

"...."

"...."

Besides Josephine and Kiera who would bicker from time to time, and Professor Hollowe, who would occasionally talk, nobody said a word as we tracked forward.

I preferred for it to be that way.

Staring at the familiar environment, I couldn't help but pause on certain occasions. It wasn't that I wanted to pause, but every time I would see a familiar spot, images would flash across my mind.

'....Do you think we'll be able to make it back?'

The images were followed by their conversations.

'We will. I'm sure of it. Even if we don't, we should at least try something to help out those that will come in the future.'

'Woooow! I suddenly feel energized. That sleep sure did help! Haha, now that we don't have to constantly fight the undead, we can feel energized again.'

'Let's go.'

I saw countless memories and countless people.

Walking along the familiar path, their images would appear whenever I reached a familiar spot, reminding me of the history that this path had.

'Hehe! It's my birthday today. I'm turning fifteen."

'Happy birthday! Let's celebrate your birthday now. Once we return, we will make sure to celebrate it with everyone.'

'Hehe.'

Wherever I walked, familiar faces would show up.

I had never physically crossed this path before, but it felt as if I had crossed it several dozen times. All with different people.

'I've decided. When we get back, I'm going to propose to Emily!'

'Hahaha. You only have the guts to say this now because we're on a journey. You were scared shitless the last time you even saw her.'

'Bah!'

From laughs to tears...

I had seen and experienced them all.

Immersed in the memories, I didn't realize that it was already dark.

"Let's stop here for the day."

What brought me out of the memories was the Professor's voice as he came to a stop. Within the rocky region, we found ourselves in a flat piece of land. The perfect place to set up camp.

"Let's set up our tents and start a fire. We will resume our journey tomorrow morning. We aren't far from the destination."

I turned to look back in the direction of where we came from.

'They're probably fighting against the horde by now, right?'

Given the time, it made sense. I was sort of glad that I joined the exploration group. This was especially true since it meant that I could rest even more.

"Alright."

Stretching my body, I started to help out the other cadets as we started to set up camp. Thankfully, the process wasn't hard. Within ten minutes, the tents were set up and a fire lit up in the middle.

On top of it was a pot where our food was cooking.

Crackle! Crackle!

A strange silence suddenly took over the group as all eyes fell on the fire burning in the middle.

The silence, however, was broken by the Professor who stirred the pot with a spoon.

"I keep a photo of my wife and my kids in my wallet."

Everyone looked up at him as he stared at the fire.

I did too.

Suddenly, I felt like he was going to speak about himself to break the silence, but...

"I use it as a reminder as to why I never have money."

"...."

"...."

"...."

"No? No one? ...And here I was trying to liven up the mood."

Stirring the pot, Professor Hollowe muttered,

"Tough crowd."

The previous silence that took over the group returned. This time, it felt strangely tense as the expressions of all the cadets turned weird.

This was especially so for Leon who looked at me.

His face... It looked extremely strained.

"He."

Amidst the silence that took over the camp, I found myself covering my mouth.

As all eyes fell on me, my chest trembled. Leon looked at me with widened eyes as he shook his head.

It was as if he was saying, 'No, don't...!'

But it only made things worse.

Clenching onto my shirt,

"Hehe."

I burst out laughing.

And the previous tension that lingered within me vanished.