NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 42
Chapter 42: The Knight Resolves
“Let’s take a short rest here. You lot, keep watch around us.”
It had been about half a day since they departed from Angila, and the group decided to take a break in a vacant lot along the road. Raoul stayed close to the carriage while the others spread out to maintain a vigilant watch.
An endless barren wasteland stretched ahead, where no grass grew and only red dirt and pebbles remained, yet this particular spot was like a separate world, lush with grass and trees and filled with clear air. Unfortunately, there was no water source, so they couldn’t provide water to the horses, but it was an excellent environment for the master, whose thin frame tired easily, to take a brief rest.
Raoul gently stroked his beloved horse’s mane as it grazed on the grass, then dismounted and approached the carriage.
“Lord Renald, we shall take a short hour-long rest. Please take a moment to relax your body, even if for just a little while.”
“I’ll prepare some tea.”
“Thank you, Raoul, Pina.”
Though the master descended from the carriage with an unsteady gait and appeared to be smiling, his complexion seemed slightly unwell.
“Well, it’s certainly more comfortable with Pina driving. I nearly dozed off a few times without realizing it!”
“It’s truly a pleasure to hear you say that.”
“You needn’t worry about us. Feel free to rest as much as you like. Tonight, we’ll be camping out in the open, so sleep might not come easily.”
The master’s concern for them, despite his own exhaustion, made Raoul’s chest ache slightly.
Riding in an unpaved carriage was tiring enough for anyone. Ordinarily, noble journeys involved more frequent breaks, but because of the urgency, they were pushing ahead far more strenuously than usual; the master had certainly overexerted himself, a fact Raoul was fully aware of.
As Pina set out a simple table brought from the carriage, Renald subtly massaged his lower back, hidden from view.
“Still, there are quite a number of monsters around here.”
They had expected this in advance, but since entering the Galeana wastelands, they had been constantly delayed by encounters with them. Though they weren’t insurmountable, they remained a nuisance nonetheless.
“It’s unavoidable for less frequented roads to lack consistent monster removal efforts. But we are fortunate to have such a skilled mercenary guarding us.”
“Yes, I’ve seen it myself. He seems to take care of almost all the monsters on his own. Is he indeed that strong even from your perspective, Raoul?”
“Without a doubt, I’d call him top-tier. If not for his unknown background, I’d be tempted to recruit him.”
“Is he truly that remarkable? Isn’t he the rough character people talk about?”
“Not at all—he’s quite disciplined. And always friendly in demeanor. Also… I overheard him speaking with Axel, and it seems the story we were told by Lady Saria was rather skewed, tailored to the Guild’s convenience.”
“What do you mean?”
Raoul briefly recounted what Cross had said.
“…That completely undermines the Guild’s fault.”
“I agree. If I were in the same situation, I might not have lashed out physically, but I would’ve been just as furious. The warning wasn’t false, but its key points were deliberately obscured. Lady Saria almost made it sound as though the mercenary suddenly became violent upon visiting the Guild, but on closer inspection, it was simply retaliation for unofficial punishment stemming from resentment. And if you trace it back further, it was due to the mercenaries mocking his companions. There’s certainly room for leniency.”
“That mercenary must have quite a strong sense of pride. He almost sounds like a knight.”
“Regardless, I’ve judged him to be a trustworthy man. His presence among our limited numbers is quite fortunate.”
While they were discussing this, the subject of their talk—Cross—approached on horseback.
“I’ll speak from horseback. Try not to move your gaze as I speak.”
He paused for a moment, allowing them to process his words before continuing in a hushed tone.
“…I noticed some suspicious men hiding in the northeast, under the shade of the trees. They’re armed and seem to be watching us.”
“!!!”
Tension ran through Renald’s face. The direction mentioned was directly behind them. If not for the warning, they might have instinctively turned their heads.
“…Do you know how many there are?”
“I confirmed seven, but there could be others lying in wait. I’ll circle around and investigate more discreetly. In the meantime, try to think of a strategy.”
With that, Cross quickly departed. Raoul’s face paled as he realized his oversight.
The men were almost certainly bandits. They hadn’t been following them from the city—it was far more likely they had been lying in wait in this convenient location, specifically chosen for its suitability for an ambush. In essence, they had essentially walked straight into a hunting ground for bandits.
A chill like slipping off a high rope struck him, his blood turned icy, and his heartbeat quickened.
“…If the opponents are on foot, should we mount the carriage and flee?”
Caught in a daze of self-reproach, Raoul was startled back to his senses by the urgency in the master’s voice.
It was an old bad habit—to let the master take the lead in planning the response.
“A two-horse carriage takes too long to get moving. If we make any move to mount it, they’ll attack instantly. …I’ll take Lord Renald and flee on horseback.”
“Hold it, Raoul. What about Pina?”
They were sitting by the carriage at the moment, and the distance between Raoul’s horse was short. If they acted swiftly, it wouldn’t take more than a minute to ride away. The apprentices on watch were also mounted and could easily give chase.
However, Pina was a short distance away gathering wood to boil water for tea.
“…There’s nothing to be done. Please understand.”
“No, absolutely not!!”
“Lord Renald…! Please lower your voice…!”
“Raoul, Pina has been with me since I was five years old. She’s like a sister to me. She’s never abandoned me, despite my frailty. I absolutely cannot abandon her.”
Prioritizing the master’s safety would have been the safest course of action—fleeing with just the two of them had the highest survival rate. However…
“…Then, let’s try to fight them off. Lord Renald, please take refuge in the carriage upon my signal.”
Sensing Lord Renald’s unwavering determination in his expression, Raoul set aside the option of escape. It was the truest honor of a knight to dedicate oneself entirely to the desires and will of one’s master. There was no place for personal opinions that contradicted direct orders.
“Sorry, Raoul. A former captain of the knights enduring this nonsense for such a failure like me…”
“What nonsense is that? I’m proud to serve Lord Renald. Besides, though I may have aged, I’m still fully capable. I have no intention of leaving my master behind to perish in a place like this!”
In an effort to bring a little courage to the teary-eyed master, Raoul smiled as best as he could and committed himself to certain peril.
I don’t know how far I can go in my current state…
But I will absolutely protect Lord Renald, even if it costs me my life.
With a fiery resolve in his eyes, Raoul clenched his fists tightly, suppressing any lingering uncertainty.
He opened, then clenched them again.
Strongly, painfully so.