"Naga woman, the only thing protecting you is this man's chivalry. I am keeping you alive because I respect that. Do not insult my sincerity. Or what? Are you mocking the Emperor's herald? Are you saying that the Emperor's herald's vow to protect the people is false and meaningless?"
"..."
A terrifying killing intent emanated from Azadin. In terms of both justification and sheer pressure, Shati had no words to refute. At that moment, the old brass-clad man standing in front of Shati faced Azadin's overwhelming presence head-on.
"Do not be so intimidating."
"Understood. Until we escape this predicament, I will cooperate without question."
Azadin took out weapons from his goat's saddlebags and laid them on the ground.
"Those who can arm themselves, take these weapons. And since my load is now lighter, if anyone is struggling, you may ride here."
Though they were wary of the sudden appearance of Azadin, they were too destitute to refuse the supplies he offered.
"What do you say?"
"I understand. In a world where chivalry has become a mockery, I am impressed that a young man like you still exists. You may accompany us."
"Thank you."
"However, the matter with that woman will be settled only once we reach a safe place."
The old man spoke as he extended his hand to Azadin.
"I am Brand of Lantarik. And you are?"
"I am the 108th Herald of Emperor, Azadin. But Sir Brand of Lantarik—are you a knight?"
"..."
When Azadin asked if he was a knight, Brand's expression darkened. It was as if his entire demeanor had suddenly changed.
"Let us move."
Without answering, he turned away.
"...?"
Azadin felt a spark of curiosity at Brand's abrupt shift in behavior. At that moment, a woman approached. She was the leader of the fugitive slaves, the one who had taken the copy of the Book of the Divine King from Shati and kept it in her possession.
"Please, help Sir Brand. In that sense, I will dare to speak out of turn."
"In that sense?"
"Yes, about how he, about how mister Brand became Sir Brand. May I speak while we walk?"
"Yes, that is fine."
Azadin allowed her to walk beside him. This made Shati feel uneasy.
'That woman has my Book of the Divine King…'
Since she was staying near the Herald Clan members, there was no chance to steal it back and flee. In the end, she had no choice but to remain with this strange band of refugees.
***
Azadin led at the front, while Brand followed at the rear, keeping the women in between as they traveled.
"So, who are you?"
"I am Delmere. I was originally an operative of Count Lantarik."
"An operative?"
"Yes. That band of bandits was actually planted by Count Lantarik to weaken the power of Margrave Salasma. Our mission was to provide connections between local bandits and slave traders and supply weapons to strengthen the bandits even further."
"Then why…?"
"Doneor privatized the organization and purged us. I was spared because I was a woman…."
"Then who is this Sir Brand?"
"He was a well-known clerk, lawyer, and teacher in Lantarik."
Originally, Sir Brand—no, just Brand—had been a famous clerk and lawyer in Kozma, the city bordering Salasma and Lantarik. He was a learned man, well-versed in culture and knowledge. However, when he and his family were unfortunate enough to be captured by bandits, the Bandit King Doneor decided that rather than selling them as slaves, it would be more profitable to ransom them to their relatives.
But Brand's relatives refused to pay the ransom. Enraged, Doneor and his band killed Brand's son-in-law and grandchild, then attempted to force his daughter and granddaughter to eat their flesh.
Brand's daughter refused to eat her husband, and his granddaughter refused to eat her brother. Furious, the bandits were about to kill them when Brand stepped forward.
In exchange for sparing his daughter and granddaughter, he agreed to eat the flesh himself. The bandits laughed and jeered at him as he silently endured the horrific ordeal. In the end, the trauma drove him mad. After experiencing such an atrocity, remaining sane was impossible.
Thus, the lawyer, clerk, and scholar became a self-proclaimed knight of old stories, Sir Brand. Doneor found it amusing and kept him as his personal jester.
"They killed his family just to make them eat it? On purpose?"
Azadin was shocked upon hearing of the bandits' atrocities. It was not unheard of for people to resort to cannibalism in extreme situations. In harsh sieges where food supply was cut off, or during great famines where everyone starved, human morality could be set aside.
But to kill family members not out of hunger, but purely to torment others? He could not help but question Doneor's very humanity.
'I should have tormented him more.'
Azadin recalled how he had used Doneor as a pincushion for arrows and scowled. He had only inflicted wounds that would heal over time. Of course, the deeply embedded arrows would continue to cause pain, and if left untreated, the wounds would fester and kill him. But for a monster who had committed such horrors, even that was too merciful.
"Doneor not only cooked human flesh for cruelty's sake, but also taught his bandits how to use drugs. They scattered throughout inns, drugging food to kidnap people. Those deemed unnecessary were killed and turned into meat."
"..."
"I was once part of that group, so no matter how much I condemn their cruelty, it feels like spitting into the wind. But regardless, after that, Brand truly became a knight from an old tale and helped us. Perhaps it was the only way he could survive."
"Then right now, he…?"
"Yes. His mind wavers. So, I ask you, please be mindful of your words when dealing with him. If he regains his senses, this already difficult journey will become even more grueling."
"Hmm, I see. But there are surely bad rumors about the Emperor's heralds. Why are you telling me all of this?"
"I even considered borrowing the hands of the Naga. Right now, we need all the help we can get."
Delmere said this as her eyes gleamed.
"I also, no matter what, want revenge on Doneor. But that revenge must come after ensuring these people escape safely."
Ishmael, who had been listening, yawned.
"We might have pursuers on our tail, yet you're having such idle conversations? Let's hurry up."
"..."
Delmere seemed hurt by Ishmael's indifferent attitude. To her, this conversation was like a sacred confession, a confrontation with the wounds of her soul. But to Ishmael, it seemed nothing more than an irritating plea.
"..."
Azadin took Delmere's hand and silently looked at Ishmael.
***
As they walked along the forest path, night fell. Even seasoned soldiers did not march recklessly through unfamiliar terrain in the dark. Delmere and Brand let the fugitive slaves rest and took a break themselves.
Ishmael, who had wanted to say something for a while, finally spoke up.
"Everyone's sleeping so deeply they wouldn't notice even if we carried them away, so let's take the Book of the Divine King."
"No. If I were going to take it, these people are no match for me. I would have done it long ago. More than that, Ishmael, as a servant, you're overstepping."
At Azadin's words, Ishmael clicked his tongue.
"If that's your decision, as your servant, I will follow. But may I at least ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why are you helping these people? Without any reward?"
"The Emperor's heralds are the Emperor's envoys, sent to rescue the people from suffering. The Emperor's gold coins were merely a systematized means to that end, but ultimately, this is our true duty."
"Yes, if the Emperor were still alive, and we continued to wield the overwhelming power of his envoys. But why should we take responsibility for the people when we neither rule nor govern them? If power is not the reward, why bear the burden?"
Ishmael was genuinely asking. Azadin chuckled.
"Well… I see your point."
"Thank you for understanding. Then, about the Book of the Divine King—"
"No. That's not what I meant. I meant I understand why you think this way. Looking at you, it seems the herald selection process must have been too harsh."
"What?"
"To prove your worth as a herald, you had to surpass your peers. But since competing was too difficult, you neglected character development and poured everything into honing your skills. There are villains torturing and devouring people, destroying so many human souls, yet the only thing you feel about it is… this?"
"..."
Ishmael felt ashamed. If Azadin had simply condemned him for being heartless, he might have laughed it off. But Azadin was subtly mocking him.
'You lacked ability, so you threw away your humanity just to secure your place in the clan.'
'You had no talent, so you sold your conscience to get by?'
Azadin was criticizing Ishmael in this way.
"I didn't have the luxury of your background. No elder favored me, and Lady Aldis wasn't my patron."
"Ishmael!"
Midiam, who had been listening, intervened. No matter what, for a servant like Ishmael to defy Azadin, a herald, was unacceptable among the strict hierarchy of the Aragasa.
"Forgive him, Azadin. Ishmael and I are still young, and we've never been in a situation like this before."
Midiam apologized on Ishmael's behalf, but Azadin shook his head.
"There's no need to apologize. I don't want puppets who just follow my orders. I want to understand your true selves and thoughts. If you can't speak freely, our conversations are meaningless. But it does sadden me, and it makes me worry for our clan's future. Even at an age when emotions should be sharp, you act like this and don't even feel ashamed."
"..."
"Well, if you talk like a dog, you'll be treated like one. But feel free to speak your mind."
"You're not exactly mature yourself. Fine, I'll scout ahead."
Ishmael cast a scouting spell, sending an artificial spirit soaring into the sky. But then—
"Huh?"
A black mist-like presence spread in the forest behind them.
"What…?"
Ishmael canceled the scouting spell and looked back with his own eyes. The night sky was dark, but stars were visible, meaning there shouldn't be any smoke rising.
"Something's coming from behind us!"
"…Is that so?"
Azadin mounted his goat.
"No choice. I'll check the rear."
"But you need rest too."
"I'll take a quick look. You stay here and protect the others."
Azadin turned his mount and headed toward the back of the group.