A Moment Later.
Shortly after, the fallen Groi let out a groan and slowly raised his body. His large hand fumbled for the broken sword lying beside him, gripping the hilt tightly, and with labored steps, he approached Arina, pulling her up to stand.
"Arina... It's not over yet."
His voice was low and rough, thick with anger and humiliation. Arina gazed at him with hazy eyes but bit her lip and nodded.
"We'll see... Red Droko."
Groi furrowed his brow deeply as he spoke toward Nia, then hoisted Arina over his shoulder.
His massive frame wobbled slightly from the broken weapon, but soon he began to step forward.
"We'll see... Even if we retreat from here now, someday... I'll definitely have my revenge."
Groi slowly turned his back and started walking. Fragments of the shattered sword blade clinked under his footsteps, and his heavy breathing echoed long into the darkness.
Nia watched their retreating figures with an expressionless face. After staring at their backs for a while, Nia quietly slung the half-spear onto the waist.
"We'll see."
Nia said calmly.
Watching Nia's demeanor, Mau let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.
"Well, at least we won, so that's a relief. Though I'm not sure if it'll go the same way next time..."
Nia propped a chin with one hand and glanced once more at the fading figure of Groi.
Mau leaned against a rock, sitting down while exhaling weary breaths. Nia stood beside him, eyes quietly scanning Mau's wounds.
"Kuh... Kuh... Nia, sorry, but... I think I need to rest for a bit."
Mau spoke in a low, rough voice, breathing heavily.
His upper body was stained with torn clothes and blood everywhere. In places, muscle showed through the ripped skin, and a deep gash running from shoulder to waist conveyed its agony just by sight. The blood had already clotted into dark red scabs, but in some spots, red blood still trickled slowly.
Nia knelt down and examined his arm. After quietly observing the torn flesh and bruised skin, Nia let out a sigh.
"The wound is deep."
"That woman... She was quite strong, way beyond the level of those bandits we encountered on the Pestronak mountain path before..."
Mau smiled bitterly.
Nia lowered the head.
"Rest here. Going together in this state would only be dangerous."
"That's true, but... Just one request."
Mau slowly lifted his head. Even in exhaustion, his gaze was unwavering, serious, and resolute.
"Dallen is my one and only friend. Please bring him back."
"Understood."
The corner of Nia's mouth lifted slightly, offering Mau a smile.
"I'm entrusting Dallen to you, Nia."
Nia remained silent for a moment. After meeting Mau's earnest gaze, Nia nodded.
"Got it. Will bring Dallen back. Don't worry."
As Nia rose from the spot and began to step toward the sailing ship, Nia turned back once more and approached Mau.
Nia's hand slowly reached into the clothes, pulling out an old bottle. Inside the bottle was a liquid with a faint red glow.
"Drink this. It'll make it not hurt."
Mau opened the lid of the bottle containing the red liquid handed by Nia and downed the medicine in one gulp. He grimaced as if it were bitterly sour, but soon his ragged breathing began to settle a bit.
"Oh... Feels much better. Thanks, Nia."
Mau took a deep breath after swallowing the medicine. His expression started to stabilize gradually.
"The medicine is circulating through the body little by little, so I'll be able to move soon. I'll catch up right away, Nia."
Mau tried to raise his body slowly. Though his face twisted in pain, his hand still gripped the rock firmly.
Nia gazed at Mau's face for a moment. Then, with a nod, accepted his words.
"Then wait. Must come without fail."
Mau forced a smile as he saw Nia off. Nia glanced back at him one last time before dashing away.
*****
Leaving Mau behind, Nia ran swiftly until the sailing ship's form came into view, then paused to survey the vessel.
The blackened sails swayed slowly in the wind. Thick ropes and sturdy wooden planks intertwined along the hull's side, and below them, a heavy pulley was fixed to a wooden structure.
The pulley gleamed with sticky oil, as if long-used, raising doubts about smooth operation. Nia quickly scanned the surroundings. The ship's guard seemed lax, but Nia refrained from hasty action.
Nia examined the rope connected to the pulley and the wooden lever. The rough rope was solidly twisted from multiple strands, and the lever felt smooth to the touch, worn from years of use. The pulley's wooden frame bore marks of age but still appeared sturdy.
Nia slowly pulled the lever to activate the pulley. With a clacking sound, the rope wound upward, and the narrow wooden platform where Nia stood began to move. During the ascent, creaking noises echoed from the wooden frame. Nia confirmed the sword '180 Gold Coins' slung on the back with a hand once more, steeling resolve. As the pulley's rope wound steadily, lifting higher, the deck gradually drew nearer to Nia's eyes.
The sails fluttering in the wind entered view with their creaking sounds. The moment the pulley jolted to a stop, Nia carefully shifted from the wooden platform to the deck.
The deck was silent. No trace of people could be found anywhere. The positions where crew should stand watch were empty, with only ropes and tools scattered haphazardly. A few old barrels rolled about here and there, and on one side, broken wooden fragments were piled up. Amid the stillness, the wind blowing into the cave swept across the deck, creating a hollow whistle.
Nia narrowed the eyes and surveyed the area. The eerie quiet heightened vigilance, yet at the same time, Dallen's scent faintly brushed the nostrils.
Nia took a slow breath in. Amid the fishy lake air, Dallen's distinctive aroma mingled. The metallic tang of blood, the smell of strong liquor, and a hint of iron intertwined, stimulating Nia's senses.
"That way."
Nia murmured to self like a whisper and advanced following the scent's direction. Footsteps grew ever quieter, gliding across the deck like a shadow. The scent intensified, and finally, Nia discovered a small entrance on one side of the deck. That entrance led to a narrow staircase descending into a dark cabin.
Nia approached the entrance and cautiously peered down. The stairs extended into darkness, and from the end, a faint liquor scent wafted up.
As Nia descended into the cabin, the air grew heavier and more damp. Along with the faint alcohol smell, the odor of rotting wood pricked the nose. Nia moved while scanning the surroundings.
"Hard to see..."
Nia concentrated the mind slowly.
Even in the darkness, Nia's vision sharpened by channeling mana through the iris-taught mana veins, making the small red oil lamp's flickering light grow, capturing the narrow corridor's details.
On the corridor walls, tiny flames danced in old oil lamps, and below them, cracked liquor barrels lay scattered. Some barrels were half-empty, while others leaked liquid, leaving sticky stains.
The scent grew stronger. It was a piercing blend of aged moss and alcohol. Nia muffled footsteps while approaching the corridor's end. Nia's hand naturally reached for the half-spear.
Enduring the unpleasant odor, Nia walked along the corridor and stopped before a room blocked by another barred door beyond an open doorway.
Inside the bars, several liquor barrels were stacked, and farther back, a figure was visible inside a large wooden tub.
It was Dallen.
His body was half-submerged in the liquid within the tub, slumped limply, bound by multiple tangled ropes. The ropes' ends were securely fastened to iron chains, and the chains' tips were linked to iron rings embedded in the wall. Dallen's face was covered by a black cloth, and the room was filled with the eye-stinging aroma of strong liquor.
Drops of water fell from the ceiling with a plop, and several liquor barrels rolled on the floor.
Nia drew closer. Fortunately, the bars were unlocked and opened easily with a creak.
"Dallen."
Nia called in a low voice.
Then, the small body curled in the tepid liquor tub reacted faintly. Hearing Nia's voice, Dallen twisted slightly and lifted his head toward the sound.
"Nia...? How did you get here?"
His voice was weak, but a tremor of recognition was evident.
"Came with Mau. Followed the scent to here."
Nia nodded while speaking.
Nia approached the tub where Dallen was and extended hands to carefully lift Dallen's body with both arms to extract him.
Though soaked, Dallen's body felt the characteristic lightness of the Muwa tribe, and his limp wings swayed weakly.
Nia pulled him out of the tub and gently laid him on the flat floor. The iron chains and ropes entangled, completely restricting his movement.
"Need to cut this."
Nia muttered softly while examining the chain binding his ankle.
Without any particular tool, Nia gathered mana at the tip of the half-spear.
Then, from the half-spear's end, a faintly glowing mana extended, severing the ropes and iron chains in an instant.
As the ropes loosened, Dallen's body became free.
"Done. Will remove the blindfold too."
Nia finally removed the cloth covering his eyes. Dallen's reddened pupils slowly came into view. He looked at Nia with blurry eyes and said in a thin voice,
"Really... Thank you, Nia."
Nia nodded lightly. Nia hoisted Dallen's small body onto the back with ease and stood up. Then, with agile movements, prepared to exit the cabin.
"Let's get out of here now ar. Before it gets any more dangerous."
Dallen, carried on Nia's back, nodded faintly.
With Dallen on the back, Nia quickened the pace through the narrow corridor to head outside. Though unknown dangers might lurk on the way out of the cabin, Nia remained resolute.
Dallen, carried on Nia's back, relied on the faint warmth felt from his small body and slowly closed his eyes.