Turning
chapter-315

"Besides Gakane Bolunwald and Hinn Eldore, who were originally scheduled to stay here, Finn Eldore and Kanna Wand will also move with the Peletta Knights to assist in the search. When the second dispatch team arrives at Great Sarain Forest, they will signal us. When you meet them, explain the situation and involve them in the search operation. As I mentioned before, Gakane will take command, while Kanna will handle the release of necessary information."

Yuder turned his head towards Gakane. Originally, Gakane had planned to stay at the Western Mage Union base until the arrival of the second dispatch team, and then join them to lead the remaining monster extermination mission. Despite being flustered by suddenly having to track the Star of Nagran, Gakane only moved his Adam's apple up and down once, showing no apparent fear.

"I understand. Leave it to me."

There was a newfound seriousness on his face, as if he had made a decision. Kishiar nodded and swept his gaze over the rest of the team, starting with Yuder.

"The rest of you have places to go with me in the meantime. Get ready and follow."

With a statement to meet again at the mages' base in the evening, Kishiar concluded the meeting.

"Didn’t the villagers say they were the strange organization that fought with Yuder when they went to the Duke of Apeto's place last time?"

"That's correct, but it's a bit different. I'll explain the details on the way."

With excited expressions, the Eldore siblings nodded and followed Kanna. Yuder exchanged glances with them, then approached Kishiar with Lusan and Emun. Although he doubted whether Kishiar had really rested while he was asleep, his complexion was noticeably better than yesterday.

"Commander, where are we going?"

"To meet the Knights from Tainu."

"People sent from the Duke of Tain?"

"The one who gave the order must be Baron Willhem of Tainu, but above him is the Duke of Tain, so yes, in a way."

"Then why aren't we waiting here for them? Why are we going ourselves?"

At Emun's tense question, Kishiar smiled as if it were a good question.

"That's because they didn't come here to meet us."

Before departure, Kishiar instructed Lusan and Emun to prioritize Yuder's protection in case of combat. Yuder thought it was excessive, but Lusan and Emun agreed without hesitation.

"The Knights from Tainu have been surveying the surrounding circumstances from the border town outside Great Sarain Forest for quite some time. They finally headed towards the forest this morning, likely due to the aftermath of the magic we cast yesterday."

Even while leading three people with nearly no combat capabilities through the narrow spaces between the trees of Great Sarain Forest, Kishiar showed no hesitation. As if going for a leisurely stroll, he continued his explanation with light steps, and Yuder thought quickly as he listened.

"If they entered the forest this morning and didn't come straight to the Western Mage Union's base, it means they came here with another purpose."

"That's correct."

"Could it possibly be... Tain's trade base?"

"That's correct."

At Kishiar's agreement, the others looked at Yuder with surprise. Yuder, having already heard from the Western Mage Union, was able to consider this, and he briefly explained. Meanwhile, he recalled the conversation he had had with Kishiar not long ago.

Kishiar had spoken as if he had been aware of the illegal trade activities conducted by the House of Tain for quite some time. After discovering information that there were several victims of illicit trade within the village of the Star of Nagran, his plan to track down the matter had gotten somewhat derailed. Now, the Knights of Tainu who had voluntarily ventured into the Great Sarain Forest made for good prey.

'If the Knights who came into the Great Sarain Forest were really headed to locate the trading outpost of House Tain, it would mean that the Duke values it as a significant asset.'

His heart beat a little faster at the thought that he might finally uncover the answers to the illegal trade circumstances of House Tain that he couldn't fully grasp in his previous life.

"So… If what Yuder heard is correct, there are rumors that House Tain has established a trading outpost within the Great Sarain Forest and they've been buying strange things? But what on earth are they trying to buy that the Knights had to come all the way here and hurry there?"

"Slave trade. There were also talks of them trying to import dangerous drug ingredients."

At Yuder's succinct answer, Emun furrowed his brows.

"Slavery...? Wait. It isn’t related to the human trafficking we heard about in the Awakeners' village before, is it?"

"Probably so."

"…Good Lord."

Emun covered his mouth. Lusan also recoiled, making a face as if utterly disgusted.

"Slave trade, you say? How could a place like House Tain attempt such a thing? It's something that will never be forgiven by God."

Yuder did not miss the fleeting, icy smile on the face of Kishiar, who was leading the way.

"Well. It can be argued that being a ducal house, they are all the more capable of carrying out such deeds."

His tone was soft, but the coldness in his eyes didn't change. Yuder felt a renewed realization that Kishiar did not harbor good feelings towards the ducal houses.

"There it is, finally visible."

Not long after, they discovered something and stopped. On the side of the well-kept road where trees were rare, there was a small, seemingly half-built cabin. Although there was no sign of people, the door was open as if someone had rushed out.

"According to Micalin Punt, that was the first outpost that House Tain began to build."

Yuder was surprised to learn that Kishiar had even asked about that while conversing with Micalin. There was nothing inside the cabin. However, they soon discovered a section of the floor in a corner that was unnaturally lifted.

After lifting the clumsily covered wooden piece from the raised floor, Emun found a hole beneath and immediately stooped to check its interior. Thanks to his ability to hide in the darkness, he could see better than others in the dark.

"There's a narrow basement below. Nothing's in it... wait a moment."

Emun who jumped down towards it, returned shortly holding something. It was a torn and ragged piece of a small garment. Everyone fell silent at the sight of the ragged piece.

"It looks like a child's clothing. I guess they really did confine people here."

"We'll need Kanna to confirm that."

Kishiar, who gave a brief reply, ordered the piece of clothing to be kept and exited the cabin. He then followed the trade route toward the location of another outpost. They discovered three more half-built houses, but they couldn't find other pieces of clothing or any other items. How long had it been since they started moving toward the fourth outpost? They abruptly came upon the people they had been searching for.

"...Ah, the blood..."

Emun muttered with a pallid face, staring at the gruesome scene unfolding before his eyes. In the middle of the trade route established by the House of Tain, three Knights clad in armor bearing the insignia of Tainu lay sprawled. The putrid scent of blood and flesh attacked his nostrils. At a glance, they were beyond saving - dead.

"Could it be the work of monsters?"

In response to Lusan's question, who had also turned pale, Kishiar pondered while examining the traces of blood splattered as far as the nearby trees.

"Well, it might be... but..."

"It was the work of humans."

All eyes turned to Yuder upon his assertive claim. He stepped forward and gestured to the deceased Knights. They lay mutilated, limbs and abdomen slashed, as if they were hacked up dolls.

"If they had encountered monsters and were fleeing, they would have fallen face down. However, all died facing upward. By their expressions, it's clear they died instantaneously, oblivious of their impending death. And..."

Yuder kneeled and gingerly lifted something draped on one of the Knights. What should have been a bag was reduced to nothing but a strap.

"A monster wouldn't neatly cut away a bag like this. It's definitely the deed of a human."

"I see."

Kishiar agreed with Yuder's analysis, approaching the scene. Emun, unable to muster the courage to view the brutally dismembered bodies up close, stayed back, watching from a distance.

"Considering the blood is still flowing, they haven't been dead long. It doesn't seem like a sword was used. The ability to kill three Knights in an instant and vanish without a trace...it's likely the work of an Awakener."

There were Awakeners who came to mind. Those of Star of Nagran who had lived in the Great Sarain Forest for a long time. Could those who were rumored to have suddenly disappeared actually still be here? Sensing a whirlwind of thoughts crossing his mind, Yuder turned his gaze to Kishiar.

"They might still be nearby."

At Yuder's words, Kishiar nodded. They began to survey the area, leaving the corpses behind.