Calm Before the Storm(4)

I finally told Amelia about the ‘record’ that Auril Gavis had shown me.

[The evil spirit from another world, ‘————’, having lost three comrades, finally realized the path he himself must take……]

A future where I lose three companions. When Amelia heard this, she didn’t ask anything about how absolute such a “record” might be.

Because she had experienced it with me. We had gone back in time and faced countless hardships as we tried to change what had already happened.

“A way to bend fate the way we did before… it will not be easy.”

After hearing my story, Amelia fell silent for a moment as if organizing her thoughts. When she finally spoke, that was the first thing she said.

“That is what I think too,” I said with a firm nod. “If we plan to use that method, I need to deceive my own self, not clueless kid.”

At my words, Amelia grumbled very softly.

“I wasn’t a clueless kid back then either.”

What’s she talking about? Sure, she was clever for her age, but compared to now, she was definitely a clueless kid.

As I chuckled, picturing the cute baby Amelia from long ago, she asked with a serious expression.

“But are the future records certain?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You said the exact timing wasn’t mentioned. So maybe there’s a chance the ‘event’ has already occurred.”

Oh? “Starting with that mage, Leor Wuerv Dwalki, haven’t you lost many comrades until now? If you add them all up, the number is far greater than three… but this might be referring to the three whose loss would affect you the most.

It was a plausible theory, if not for what Auril Gavis had said.

[Judging by how the record stones store information, it seems to point to a single event.]

In short, it wasn’t a counter ticking up one death at a time, but rather a single incident capable of killing three people at once.

Of course, that was only what the old man deduced from the patterns he had noticed, and nothing in this world is ever completely certain. However, it was not easy for me to ignore the words of an old man who had personally collected hundreds of Record Stone Fragments.

Judging by her expression, Amelia was thinking the same thing.

“Then there is a very real possibility that it describes an event that is about to happen.”

After returning to her thoughts with a serious expression, Amelia started sharing several theories. Of those, this was the least difficult to accept.

“The records said you would lose them, right? Then there is some room to interpret that.”

In other words, it could mean losing them in a non-literal sense.
In that case, no one would have to die.

“If only things had really turned out that way…”

But no matter how hard I tried to be optimistic, the ominous feeling wouldn’t leave me.

My countless past experiences were already whispering the answer in the form of intuition. That it can’t be. That ominous premonitions always come true.

“…Jandel?”

“Ah, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. Thanks for sharing your opinions. They all seem plausible. But still… it’s better to assume the worst and prepare for it.”

“You mean, prepare on the assumption that three people will die.”

“Yeah. If preparation is even possible.”

Amelia said nothing in response to my resigned, negative words.

And really, what could she say?No matter how hard you struggle, the ‘record’ will—

Thwack!

Amelia suddenly flicked my forehead.

It did not hurt at all, and to be honest, I was more worried that she might injure her own finger.

‘Why did she hit me?’

I stared down at her in surprise, only to see that Amelia looked genuinely irritated.

“Why are you giving up already?”

“…Huh?”

“Bjorn Jandel—wasn’t it you?”

“……”

“The one who didn’t give up on me, even when I had given up on myself. You were the one who pushed and pulled and struggled until you somehow created a way.”

Then Amelia grabbed my shoulder and leaned her face closer.

“So don’t ever make that face again, Bjorn Jandel. Because to the little girl who knew nothing, you were the hero who could do anything.”

The moment I heard those words, a chill ran through my body. It was a strange sensation.

 

Whenever city folk called me a hero and placed silent expectations on me during tough times, it always felt like a burden.

“……”

Somehow, the word ‘hero’ doesn’t feel like a burden today. Of course, deep down, it’s still incredibly embarrassing.

I know better than anyone that I’m not a hero.

“……”

But still.
Somehow…

It was difficult to put into words, given my habit of being straightforward..

Badump-Badump!

It’s a feeling like I can do anything.

“……”

A feeling that whatever I do, it’ll be okay.
Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long.

“Umm… Mister…? Are you awake…?”

“…Ahem, ahem!”

Whew, that was close.

***

My other allies began waking up one after another, starting with Erwin, so I paused my conversation with Amelia.

And because of that, I couldn’t bring up the second record.

 

[……… On the day….non’s burning, ………… the evil spirit ‘————’ … trusted… ally… betrayed…]

The day the Imperial Capital of Carnon burned… betrayed by a trusted ally.

At least, that was how I interpreted what the record said.

‘…Maybe it’s better not to tell her this one.’

Though the timing was off today and I couldn’t say it, I also feel like it might be better if I were the only one who knew.

For one, I don’t even know if my interpretation is correct…

And even if I am right… is it even possible to change something like this?

The second record bothered me more than the first.

Even if I knew who would betray me, what could I possibly do?
No amount of kindness or persuasion would change someone’s heart.

If it were that easy, it wouldn’t have become a “record.”

With everything we talked about earlier, her mind is already full. There’s no reason to burden her with this, too.

Besides, it was not the right time to tell her anyway. Ultimately, I decided to think it over and consider whether I should talk to her openly and hear her thoughts.

After all, everything has a priority.

“I think I ended up waking everybody up…”

Erwin woke up and caused a bit of a fuss over me being awake. Before I knew it, the rest of them had woken up too.

“Bjooorrrrrn—!!!”

“Yeah, yeah, Aynar. I’m glad to see you too.”

“Are you alright? You were sleeping like a log, not even snoring, so everyone was worried.”

“I’m fine now. I was just a bit tired, so don’t worry, Kaislan.”

“I am glad you are safe, Captain. The ladies… no, everyone was really worried about you.”

“By the way, Auyen. You seem to have gained a bit of weight.”

“I, is that so? I’m sorry…”

“Well, no need to apologize. You look much better now. Keep eating well.”

“Yes!”

After greeting everyone and chatting for a bit, I brought them all together and asked them to settle down. We were close and all, but there was something I needed to say.

I looked out at the members of the Anabada Clan and addressed them.

“First of all, I want to apologize to everyone. You had to leave the safety of the city walls and come into this dangerous land because of me, and I am truly sorry.”

At this, Kaislan, the knight and explorer, let out a small snort with a smile.

“What’s there to be sorry for? We’re all explorers.”

“If there’s a chance to explore outside the wall, of course we’d rush over.” James Carla chimed in slyly.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that both had previously served as commanders in their respective organizations, but they understood well how to calm situations like this.

“And thank you! If not for you all, things could’ve ended very badly. You saved my life!”

When I bowed, the group burst into laughter.

“…Why are you laughing?”

Lyris Marone shrugged.

“For someone who says we saved your life, but those opponents back there looked like they were the ones about to die.”

“That’s right! Everyone looked like they were on the verge of death!”

“The mage engineer said you’d been fighting for hours straight…”

“Bjorn is the invincible, strongest, greatest warrior!!”

Maybe it was because I had not seen them in a while, but when my allies praised me to my face, I felt embarrassed and strangely at ease at the same time.

“Everyone, attention! I’m not done talking yet!”

After quieting everyone down once more, Versil spoke on their behalf.

“You can stop now. There’s no need to apologize or thank us. It’s only natural.”

Well… I appreciate you saying that, but.

“I’m not trying to apologize or give thanks.”

Didn’t I already finish that? No need to do it again.

“Huh? Then… Ah, are you going to have a meeting about what we’re going to do next?”

Hmm, we do need to do that too, but.

“Wrong.”

I don’t plan to start a meeting right now. These people came all the way outside the dangerous wall to find me, right? It’d be shameless to just let it pass with a few words.

“Then what are you going to do…?”

“Loot distribution.”

“…?”

 

“We picked up a lot this time! And I got even more on my own as well! I’ll lay them all out, take whatever you need!”

Sharing, exchanging, saving, and reusing.

That is the spirit of our clan.

***

The loot distribution took longer than I expected, because most of what I had obtained this time were items.

“I also have some things I don’t use anymore. I’d like to donate them to the communal stash. Please take whatever you need.”

“Oh? Then me too!”

“I also have a few things…”

It wasn’t just new loot; everyone started pulling out unused personal items too. By the time we finally finished sorting all the items, the place looked like a small market.

“It’s kind of unique…”

“What is?”

“All of this. What kind of clan has members fighting to add their own belongings to the pile like this? These are expensive pieces of gear that would sell for a lot.”

Hmm… I don’t know. I’ve never been in a clan, but Versil had belonged to a fairly large one for quite some time, so it was only natural that this felt unusual to her.

“Ah, I suppose that is to be expected since we have a rather unusual captain.”

“What are you talking about? Go pick out what you need.”

“I was planning to anyway.”

Versyl headed into the market to choose the items she wanted, while I stayed back and watched them from a distance.

Then—

“So, what will we do now?”

Amelia returned to my side, picking up our earlier conversation.

“For now… why don’t you look around for some items too?”

“After hearing what you said, you think I can focus on that?”

…Fair point.

“Do you have any theories? If three people are to die, it must be something incredibly dangerous. Unlike you, I still don’t know much about the outside.”

I wouldn’t exactly call it fortunate to remember, but when she asked me that question, one thing came to mind immediately.

[A really, really terrifying monster.]
The one Baek-ho had mentioned—the monster that appeared outside the walls.
[I don’t think it has a habitat. No matter where you go, it always appears. Every time it appears, countless people die without being able to resist…]

Aside from its sheer horror, I knew only one fact about it:

The more people gathered outside the walls, and the longer they stayed there, the greater the chance it would appear.

Whooosh—

Like some kind of floor boss that spawns once certain conditions are met.

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