The world was quiet and peaceful. Although it was dark, it was much better than the chaotic hell endured.
{How long do you plan to hide here?}
With Lin's arrival, the plain darkness was replaced with the familiar grassland scene and the warm bonfire beside me.
"I'm not hiding. I'm just…." I frowned as I couldn't think of the right word to use.
Lin smiled at me, it's obvious he knew what was going on with me. While awake I still hear the sound of cannons and ballistas and it's driving me crazy. Only in my sleep can I truly rest because I can always come to this safe space.
"You can't come running here, every battle you fight." Lin sighed but I didn't respond.
This is a battle where I temporarily lost a hand and leg. I was terrified that my career as a mage was as good as finished. Thankfully they had strong healers in Castle Black who could reattach my severed limbs.
However, I would need to rest an entire week before I'm allowed to use them. Rather than lying on the Infirmary bed all week and glance at the vaulted ceiling, I preferred to stay here, where it's peaceful and safe.
"You have been unconscious for three days because you refuse to leave here." Lin complained.
"I have a week to recover. I'm not interested in staying awake and listening to the sound of battle raging every two nights.
Yes, the attack on Castle Black wasn't a one time thing. From what I have heard, it happens regularly. What they didn't expect was their barriers to fail, which was currently under investigation.
Huff!
I laid back down on the soft grass and glanced towards the emerald moon, however, it was fading. I sat up and saw the world around me fading slowly.
"Lin." I frowned but he shook his head with an apologetic smile.
"There is a lot to do in the real world. Everyone is waiting for you…." His voice slowly faded with the dream world and everything turned dark.
_____
My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I saw was Klien's face gazing at mine intently. Any normal person would be spooked by this after staying unconscious for days. Our eyes met and we blinked but no one said anything and for some reason he didn't move.
"I thought you won't wake up." He finally broke the silence but his breath stinks of garlic bread.
"Your breath stinks." I twisted my nose in disgust, before pushing his face aside.
Raising my head slightly, I got a good view of my arm and leg covered in healing wraps, which were basically magical bandages that improved the healing process. These bandaged limbs were reinforced by wooden limb supports, which made them harder to move.
It felt strange and uncomfortable.
"We got attacked last night but with the barriers running perfectly, it wasn't much of a problem." Klien said and a realization struck me.
He's here and still speaking to me even after the battle. The Klien I knew was a loner who didn't glance at people, so I expected things to return to normal after our collaboration ended.
{You are not the same either. No one has gotten more reactions out of you since you got this power and you are not sending him away.} Lin said. I frowned but didn't deny his words.
Maybe it's because Klien barely speaks, that's why I take everything he says too seriously.
"Tell me everything that has happened while I was asleep." I requested and Klien nodded.
Apparently, there is reason to believe a human sabotaged the barrier but they were yet to find who and why.
Why would anyone sabotage his fellow humans for these monsters?
Doesn't he know he would be killed too?
"Unless the person has been offered something enticing by the other side. From my knowledge, humans are selfish and greedy." I said but Klien shook his head.
"It's not that simple, especially when the offer is coming from people attempting to wipe out your race. Whatever it is they offered must be—" Klien's voice trailed off as he looked for the right word to use.
However, I wasn't interested in helping him out. There was something else I was desperate to know.
"Forget about that. Leo and Lucy, what happened to them?" I silently prayed they were dead and gone but I knew that's impossible.
I haven't seen the angel of death on those two so they have at least a decade to live. To my surprise, Klien's face brightened and he began laughing hard, leaving me confused.
"Did I say something funny?"
He shook his head while laughing. I had to wait a few minutes before he finally stopped, leaving me wondering what got the mute kid laughing so hard.
"So, I only know about it because I heard guards laughing about it. Turns out, King Emberfall had some guards paid to keep Leo safe. During the attack the paid guards snuck him into Castle Black's underground cellar where it's safe. I'm guessing he insisted on taking Lucy along and she followed."
Pa!
A wave of secondhand embarrassment hit me and I facepalmed. It was one thing to avoid the military after graduation but avoiding service while on an expedition is just nasty.
And Lucy…
"That stupid bitch." I shook my head.
If there was someone I would randomly kill amongst Loth Kingdoms Chosens she would be the one.
Why?
Because there is something off about her and I can't tell what exactly. My guts tells me she would be an instigator of many unfortunate events that may end up claiming one of our lives.
"As punishment, Hugo kept them locked in the cellar for the rest of the expedition and the soldiers who helped them were executed yesterday for deserting. While he can't execute them I heard, a letter has been sent to the appropriate channels and news of their disgraceful actions will be on everyone's lips by the time we head back home." Klien was amused by the entire situation.
That explains why he laughed so hard.
On the other hand, I was more stunned than amused. I knew Hugo hated Leo and nobles, but I didn't think he would go this far to crush them.
But why won't he?
Not even King Emberfall can reach him from the safety of the kingdom walls. And I even suspect this man was as powerful as Emberfall.