DLRV 28

“It’s definitely unusual, but still… you’re human. That’s the conclusion I came to.”

Honestly, I preferred that over being called something cumbersome like a resurrected being or a saint blessed by the gods. Being categorized as human just sounded better. I nodded and glanced at him.

“You’ve seen things like necromancy, right? Beings brought back by necromancy are supernatural.”

“Those are monsters!” Xenon protested.

“You can kill monsters, but ghosts? Even magic can’t do anything against them! That expensive magic tool you have won’t work on ghosts either!”

Well yeah, I didn’t buy it for ghosts—I bought it to use on people. That’d be a waste.

“So, you’re scared a ghost is going to pop out?”

“Just look at those creepy crows! Wouldn’t it be weirder if there weren’t ghosts around here?”

I looked in the direction Xenon was pointing. The entire forest seemed like a crow sanctuary—wherever I looked, there were black feathers.

The trees had no leaves, but the sheer number of crows made it look like the branches were full of thick, black foliage.

True… To Xenon, the sight of crows huddled tightly together, wings folded and beady eyes blinking, probably did seem ominous.

[It’s been a while since a human came.]

[Where are they going?]

[That way leads to a cliff!]

[Humans don’t have wings. They’ll fall!]

[Dangerous!]

[Are they lost? Should we tell them?]

“Creepy? I think they’re kind of cute.”

[She said we’re cute!]

[The human said we’re cute!]

[You’re cute too, human!]

[Hey, human, there’s no path ahead!]

[Do you think she understands us?]

Xenon shuddered at the sudden chorus of cawing. Poor guy. If only he understood what they were actually saying, maybe he wouldn’t be so scared.

I smiled at the friendly murder of crows and looked around again. Even the underbrush, which should’ve been lush, was bare—twisted twigs and withered leaves dominated the scene.

Just by appearances, this place was practically a dead forest. I wasn’t scared since I could hear the crows chattering like normal animals, but I could see how this setting would be unsettling for others.

“Then can you at least tell me what goal is worth passing through such a dangerous place? Why are we headed to a cliff?”

“To retrieve a subordinate.”

“You left someone at the cliff?”

“Yep.”

I gave a lazy nod and pulled on the reins to stop.

“This spot looks good. Set up camp and wait here.”

It was a relatively open area. Xenon turned pale and asked in disbelief, “Camp? In this forest? You’re leaving me here?”

“Whatever shows up, Nesi will handle it.”

“Nesi can’t deal with ghosts!”

“Then go back to the village. I won’t stop you.”

I really didn’t care either way. But despite his pale face and constant glances around, Xenon still began setting up camp.

That stubbornness is a bit impressive, actually. He seemed to be worried about me—not out of obligation or compensation.

Whether he came this far or not, I’d pay him the same, and I was sure he knew that.

Come to think of it, he’d told me to rest when I was sick before.

“Shouldn’t you rest, since you’re unwell?”

That was something I’d heard often after being given my terminal diagnosis. A lot of people said that to me—but with different meanings.

You don’t have the strength for this job anymore. You’re not qualified. Accept your incompetence and uselessness…

But Xenon’s words hadn’t carried any of that.

“If things get strange, shout—no, just use the communicator. Nesi and I will come find you. If you start wandering around and get lost, just stay where you are.”

Even as he busied himself making a spot for a fire, Xenon kept talking.

His efforts to distract himself from fear were kind of admirable, so I nodded without complaint.

“Alright.”

“Are you feeling hungry? Should I cook something for when you get back?”

“You were just complaining about being reduced to a cook.”

“Well, I figured I’d rather focus on cooking than sit here trembling.”

“If there’s any meat, toss some to the crows. The forest’s so barren, I think they’re a bit underfed.”

Xenon, who had been digging through ingredients, froze. Just then, a few nearby crows flapped away, dropping black feathers as they took flight.

Xenon flailed and let out a strangled squeak, arms waving in panic.

I gave him a bright smile.

“Make friends with the crows. Conquer your fears. You’ll have a productive time.”

I couldn’t help but wonder—while I’m gone, will Xenon actually manage to take the ingredients out… or not?

* * *

“Nadav, anything on your end?”

[Nothing yet, Captain. I’m sorry.]

Maybe this was a reckless plan after all—trying to find a wyvern habitat just from that one clue.

I stared out across the cliffside, deep in thought.

Leaving Xenon behind in the forest and asking the crows for directions had made the trip to the cliff quick enough.

As I’d heard, there were a few birds of prey flying around, but no sign of a wyvern. And Nadav couldn’t sense anything either. It was possible there was nothing here at all.

If only I could ask a hawk or an eagle for help… But they kept their distance and eyed me warily, so it wasn’t like I could just flag one down.

I really did want to approach this peacefully…

“Should I just cause a scene?”

Would that make them run away even faster?

[Intruder!]

[This is our territory!]

As I stepped down from Nadav and wandered near the edge of the cliff, I heard a few raptors shouting from a distance. I couldn’t tell if they were hawks or eagles, but their sharp talons were on full display as they dove toward me, clearly trying to intimidate.

At the same time, Nadav shifted from his horse form back to his true form.

Startled by the terrifying appearance of the Dullahan, the birds veered off at the last second and soared upward.

[It’s a Dullahan!]

[A Dullahan showed up!]

[We have to report this!]

Report? To who?

“Wait…!”

I tried to call out, but they were already gone, shrinking into the distance until they were nothing more than specks in the sky.

“…”

I let out a sigh and plopped down where I stood, gazing blankly at the spot where the birds had disappeared.

They said they were going to report it, so someone must be coming. Whoever it is, they’ll probably be stronger than those birds. Could it be a wyvern? I really hope I can communicate with it…

I had no idea how much time passed as I sat idly, enjoying the view from the cliff. Eventually, Nadav pointed his sword toward something in the distance. Thick black smoke began to rise from his body.

[Something is approaching. Please stay behind me, Captain.]

From the direction the birds had vanished, something was flying our way. At first it was a tiny dot, but it rapidly grew larger. It was moving fast—very fast.

The shape gradually came into view. The first thing I saw were the massive, powerful wings. Then came the fierce eyes and sharp beak.

As I’d guessed—it was a wyvern.

[Aah~ Look~ Who~ It~ Is~!]

The booming voice echoed through the sharp cliffs, reverberating like a rumbling cry.

Right, so…

“Nadav, lower your sword.”

[But we don’t know its intentions.]

“It’s fine. I think I do.”

[Aanellie~!]

I patted the neck of the horse Nadav was riding as I looked up at the wyvern’s red feathers.

Hearing the wyvern call out—louder and clearer than when I’d heard it back in the central plaza—I couldn’t help but laugh. It was oddly touching to be welcomed so enthusiastically.

“He’s just happy to see me.”

* * *

At first, it seemed like just one or two crows… but their numbers kept increasing. Annelie had packed a spatial bag full of ingredients, but it wasn’t meant to feed every crow in the forest.

Xenon watched in dismay as the crows snatched the food mid-air, gobbling it up like they hadn’t eaten in days. He slumped his shoulders in resignation. Still, feeding them had helped ease his fear.

“I gave you food, so if any ghosts show up, you’d better chase them off. You owe me.”

He muttered to the crows, even though they obviously couldn’t understand him. Then his eyes met Nesi’s. The wolf turned away with an indifferent flick of his head, and Xenon clicked his tongue.

That wolf clearly has no respect for his master.

Still, Xenon was a generous owner. He cut the meat into easy-to-eat pieces, and Nesi—sitting nearby with her usual disinterest—delicately accepted the offering.

Who else would bother feeding you if not me?

Just as he was shaking his head at his haughty attitude, a glint caught Xenon’s eye. It was the communication orb—glowing.

He snatched it up instantly.

Finally! I get to leave this cursed forest!

“Lady Annelie! I’ll be right there!”

—Can you find your way here?

An urgent voice came through. Xenon nodded vigorously as he replied.

“Of course! Nesi’s sense of smell is more than enough!”

—Great. Then take Nadav with you.

“Alright, I—wait, what?”

There was a strange noise in the background. Sharp, echoing sounds—like a monster’s cry.

—I have to run an errand real quick, so I can’t bring Nadav with me. But I don’t want to leave him alone either. You can just take him back to the village first.

And with that, Annelie abruptly ended the call. Xenon didn’t even get a chance to ask anything.

“…?”

He stared blankly at the now-dark orb, frowning slightly.

But… right before the connection cut off… what was that behind Annelie?

“Wasn’t that a wyvern?”

Unfortunately, there was no one around to answer. Only the satisfied caws of well-fed crows echoed through the eerie forest.