SIDEREAE

Chapter 15

I couldn't sleep well after that night, and I stayed vigilant throughout the remaining time of our journey. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and every time I tried to search the source, that feeling instantly disappeared.

Ha!

Really, I didn't know that being stalked is really terrible. I feel like I could now sympathize to the people who are victimized by a stalker. It's really an unpleasant feeling, making the victim feel anxious and afraid.

I couldn't even take a break without having the thought of my head flying, or being stabbed on my back. My body also unconsciously tensed up whenever someone approaches me from behind. Raphael also eyeing me suspiciously after I accidentally hit him when he tried to approach me from behind.

"...sigh."

"Are you alright?" Alper asked and threw me an apple.

I caught it with my left hand and wiped the apple using my thumb before taking a big bite.

Crunch!

A sweet and subtle taste of sour spread in my mouth. I never ever tasted an apple this crunchy and juicy in earth. If I ever tried to buy an apple like this, I am sure that it'll cost me a lot of money.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?" I replied while savoring the flavorful taste of the apple.

"Well, you seem a bit restless."

'Did he noticed?'

"Haha. Is that so?" I laughed, trying to hide my nervousness.

I tightened my grasp on the apple and lowered my voice with seriousness.

"Don't tell anyone, but..."

I looked around warily and leaned a bit closer to Alper.

"I am having a bad stomachache and I had to find a discreet place to take a s**t," I said grimly and sighed heavily. "I think it's because of the stew that eat."

A look of fear and helplessness washed over my face as the thought of Hellio coming after me.

"Please don't tell Hellio. You know how he takes pride of his cooking, and if he ever found out that I had a stomachache because of his food, then I'm good as a dead meat."

Through my peripheral vision, I saw Alper with his mouth gaped open and a stunned look painted over his face.

I'm internally sweating bullets while trying to maintain a straight face.

'Did buy it? Did he notice that I was lying?'

I bit the inside of my cheek as I anxiously waited for his reply.

Alper's mouth started twitching until he burst into a deafening laughter.

"Hahaha. Hahahaha!"

"Be quiet! Hellio will hear you! I don't want to go to the afterlife yet." I glared to shush him.

"Pfft...so, sorry. Ahem, pfft! Hahaha!"

"Jackass!"

***

Sidereae has been looking through Krynt's memories since that incident. She wanted to find information that are helpful for her to avoid dying.

Krynt is a commoner, he doesn't know who is her father and mother since he was abandoned in the outskirts when he was just a baby.

A young priest was the one who found him at the church doorstep. He pitied the innocent baby and decided to take him and raised him as his own son.

He grew up into a diligent and obedient boy, and the priest treasured him dearly. He thought that Krynt will become a priest someday, following his footsteps. Unfortunately, Krynt was drawn into sword and playing as a knight. He would pick up branches and swung them while pretending to be a knight that kills monsters and beasts.

The priest decided to support his son, seeing the eagerness on Krynt's eyes. He asked the former knight who is a faithful devotee of the church to teach Krynt in swordsmanship.

When Krynt was old enough, he went to the capital to participate into the knight selection ceremony, that's where he met Raphael, a noble man who became his closest friend. Both of them were selected and joined the 2nd Division of the Knights Order.

Sid has a dazed look on her face, as she chews the rubber like jerky on her hand while riding the horse.

There wasn't anything interesting in Krynt's memories. He's like a bland extra, if Sid will compare him to a character from a light novel. Krynt has a boring and monotonous routine before, which consists of sword training, accompanying his father in praying and helping around the church.

He became more outgoing and started to have a much exciting lifestyle after meeting Raphael. He learned a lot of things like drinking, gambling, playing with the ladies, and other entertaining things that colored his monotonous routine.

Sid, who was tired of chewing the rubbery jerky, decided to spit it and massage her wearied jaws.

"Sigh."

Krynt dislike getting into fights, and he avoided conflicts as much as he could. That's why Sidereae had no idea what Krynt gotten himself too. Unless...

Her thoughts were cut off when he heard the relieved voice of Alper, "Finally, we've arrived."

The gates of Count Anton opened wide, allowing them to pass through to the Count's state.

"Thank you for coming," Count Anton's eldest son Henry welcomed them, when they arrived at the mansion. "You must be tired traveling for days, we've already a prepared meal and accommodation."

"Lord Ascot, please come this way, we've prepared a separate room for you."

Henry, led their commander inside the Main Mansion, while the butler and the servants led the knights to the norther annex of the mansion.

The knights followed them quietly as they wanted to rest properly in a comfortable bed.

* * *

Krnyt felt refreshed after resting in a comfortable bed. He woke up early to get ready, they'll be going to the Loreblen forest to hunt monsters.

He put his armor on and pick up his sword beside the wall. He unsheathed his sword to scan it briefly, making sure that it's in the right condition.

He already examined it last night before he went to bed, but Krynt has a habit of double-checking it.

It is important to always check the condition of weapons and armors because it'll affect the chances of survival. No one likes it if they were in the middle of a battle, and their weapon will suddenly destroy. Because, losing your weapon means losing your life.

"Did you have a good rest?"

"Yes," Krynt replied.

"Pfft...how about your stomach?" Alper asked with a muffled laugh.

Krynt annoyingly frowned, "It's fine."

"Sure it is. I saw you asking for a stomach medicine as soon as we arrived. Hahaha!"

"Bastard."

It didn't take them long to arrived at the Loreblen forest. The thick and luscious forest seemed peaceful, there are a lot of wild fruits growing from the trees and vines. Wild flowers scattered everywhere, making the bees and butterflies busy in gathering nectar.

The sound of leaves rustling through the wind felt refreshing, along with the cheerful chirping of the birds, resting on the branches.

It was truly a peaceful sight, however this beautiful scenery is just a farce.

The moment they entered the deeper part of the forest, they immediately encountered a 160 cm tall black horned wolf.

GRRRRR!

The black horned wolves are known for their razor sharp claws, strong jaws, and their agility.

The archers quickly draw their arrows and fired it towards the wolf.

Fwuump! Fwuump!

GRAAAA!

The wolves evaded the arrows, but a number of arrows narrowly penetrated their skin.

The wolf leaps in the air and wave its claws before the wolf landed on the ground.

SLASH!

CLANG!

The knights blocked its claws and pushed it with their strength.

Raphael jumped toward the wolf with his sword and launched an attack. He successfully pierced its hard skin that was covered with thick fur, and made a slashing move wounding the wolf.

KYAAK!

The wolf opened its large mouth, revealing the sharp teeth and pointy fangs.

CHUMP!

It tried to bite Raphael but Hellio jump and thrust his spear, hitting the wolf on the neck, which allowed Raphael to move away.

Raphael prepared for another attack and this time, he exerted his strength and swing his sword, releasing a double slashing attack that flew toward the black horned wolf.

HYAAAAP!

GRRUAAAAAAA!

The wolf let out a loud shriek as Raphael's attack cut through the wolf's neck beheading it.

"Let's move ahead!"