Luis rode a white horse, flanked by two elven soldiers on brown and black horses.
The two murmured to each other.
Ah, another uncomfortable trip…
Most elves didn't like humans. They saw them as inferior—less intelligent, weaker, poorer.
Among the elite, some even trafficked humans of all ages. In extreme cases, they held feasts where humans were not only the guests… but also the meal.
Disgusting… though Kotei was the one who told me that. That mansion didn't seem like that kind of place.
After all, it would be strange if the daughter of a noble family—a saint, no less—ate humans. That would ruin her image.
Especially since she's close to Jay.
Wherever Luis passed, elves glanced at him—and his escorts—with clear disdain.
Lost in thought, his path was suddenly blocked by a well-dressed elderly man in a green suit, his appearance refined and healthy.
"Excuse me, sir. We are on our way to Kotei County. Please step aside," said the soldier on the black horse.
The old man chuckled softly.
"No, no… you misunderstood."
Tilting his head slightly, confused—
"What?"
Pointing directly at Luis, the man said:
"I came to buy that human."
The moment he finished speaking, his wrinkled finger dropped to the ground.
Luis, eyes closed, simply guided his horse around him and continued forward.
The two soldiers followed without surprise.
That's the… seventh time? No… eighth?
Compared to the others, this one had been… more unsettling.
Time passed as the group crossed villages, settlements, and even cities. Still, they never stayed—only stopping briefly for supplies.
That night, deep in a dark forest, Luis sat alone beside a campfire.
He looked calm.
Where did those guys go? A brothel, maybe? Heh… they deserve some fun.
His laugh carried a faint trace of melancholy.
I wonder how Noa's training is going. Two months already… it's been a while.
A familiar, feminine voice echoed in his mind—complaints he knew well.
Mary… I'm coming back to you.He smiled softly.
Meanwhile, Jay pulled out his white, ice-forged sword—now veined like something alive.
Another one. Another giant dead.
After days alone, his eyes had grown dull. Dark circles deepened beneath them.
Roh and Lilith hadn't spoken to him in days.
"Well… they must be busy with something, right?"
After staring into nothingness for a while, lost in thought, he turned away and gathered branches, dry roots, and leaves to start a fire.
Moments like this… a partner would really help.He thought as he sliced his meat.
Staring into the flames, his thoughts flowed like a river.
I wonder if they're all okay… Luis, Dad, Mary, my little sister Kyrai… and Clarice…
He flipped the meat.
…Noa should be doing fine too.
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
He lifted his gaze to the dark blue sky.
Stars. Gray clouds.
I miss reading more volumes of TB…
After eating, he resumed his journey.
The once-flat terrain turned into a steep climb.
Giants were easier to kill now.
The real problem was the wolves—attacking day or night.
Annoying bastards… always ruining the best nights.
His swordsmanship had improved significantly. Cutting enemies was easier.
His element—ice—was growing too. Slower now, but more controlled… though it still slipped sometimes.
This climb… isn't it getting too long?
It felt endless.
Step after step—only more incline.
The ground grew wetter. Slipping became more likely.
Seems like parts of the Wall get more rain…
…
His nose caught a strong, foul smell.
He immediately covered it.
His knees buckled.
Mud stained his clothes.
The air… it's heavier… I can't breathe properly… and this stench…
His lungs burned.
Looking back, he saw a thick fog forming.
Even with pain in his chest, he forced himself up.
His posture hunched, arms weak—he took a step.
His legs felt unbearably heavy, as if clad in full iron armor.
Hours passed.
The fog slowly began to fade.
Sweat soaked his clothes, clinging tightly to his body.
The strangest part?
The entire time…
He hadn't seen a single animal. Not even a giant.
Only the smell of death filled the air.
Jay took a few more steps—
—and collapsed.
Shi… t…
Darkness consumed his vision.
Luis opened his dark eyes.
The fire had gone out.
Frowning, he leaned against the tree behind him and stretched.
Then he reached into his bag.
Taking out a frying pan and some eggs, he rekindled the fire.
Crack.
Sizzle.
He stirred them slowly.
It's incredible how much this magic bag can hold…
Even after seeing it so many times… it was still impressive.
Yawning lightly, he looked up at the sky.
"Huh… the clouds look a bit… bluer?"
Tilting his head.
After finishing his meal, Luis packed up, mounted his horse, and continued forward.
They know the way.
Some time later—
He looked back.
No one.
He was alone.
Luis simply shrugged and kept going.
Being alone had one downside—people tried to buy him more often.
But his response never changed.
A hand.
A finger.
Falling.
Unlike Poul, who let revenge consume him…
Luis chose differently.
He trained. He grew stronger.
But he had a family to support.
He couldn't take the same risks.
Memories of his friend struck his heart.
Suddenly—
It began to rain.
But the rain didn't fall on the trees or the ground.
It ran down Luis's face.
"Are you okay… my brother from another mother?"
Where was he?
"I know you're not dead… but you're trapped somewhere."
Clenching his teeth, his voice trembled:
"I will… I will save you. I promise, Poul."
And he continued the rest of the journey—
alone—
on his white horse.