"Samhra.... the disaster that happened seven hundred years ago?"

"seems like it" He nodded

"....."

Chanotte looked at Libhane from his current position.

"now I really don't know which side i should take.... a human want to resurrect a mythical monster?"

He remembered when he was interrogated in the north prison.

"he wanted an access to my family's Mana ore...is that somehow connected to his plan with that mythical monster?"

"sir Chanotte? we should move now"

"you're right.. whatever his plan is, I won't let it happen"

They continued their way and moved toward the wall of the north gate.

They kept walking until the fort's wall was stopping them to move forward.

There are several large wooden boxes in front of them.

Chanotte looked at Chorin and gave this "why did you lead me this way?" signal.

"please help me sir Chanotte"

Chorin moved one of the wooden box and Chanotte helped to move the rest. Then, he could see what's behind those boxes.

"..... a secret path? only bad things come to my mind with what this path serves"

Chorin showed a bitter smile.

"just like you said sir, this path is created around two or three months ago. One of its main purpose is to support commander's plan"

They passed through the secret path and came out outside of the north gate.

"this is leading to the black raven forest... just what's he planning to do... that Libhane"

"I'll explain it on the way sir"

Chanotte nodded and followed him.

They walked passing through the forest rather than the main road. It's already dark so they couldn't walk faster.

"should i use firefly* sir?"

(a magic device that can emit sufficient light when it's dark)

"no, it will attract some beasts.. this forest is a home to Wapeer right?"

"yes, recent report said that some of them attacked sir Arshon's soldier when they tried to capture that female Half-beast"

"..."

The "female Half-beast" word made him feeling uneasy. It must be referred to Shanti.

"then we shouldn't do something that's unnecessary"

"understood"

"...how far? our current destination?"

"less than two medium sands, with the pace twice faster than now sir"

"i see, then we should rely on [PERCEPTION]..."

Chanotte couldn't finish his words when he realized something approaching them from their front.

-sraak-

-sreek-

Something was moving slowly and made the grass and leaf moving.

"sir... should we take the first move?"

"wait Chorin.. it could be one of Libhane's soldier..."

Chorin took his stance and gave his sword to Chanotte.

"I'll support you sir"

Chanotte nodded and took the sword.

Chorin had several range and buff skills so he was a good support in combat.

-sreek-

Slow but sure, that mysterious figure appeared in front of them.

"!! that's Wapeer...."

Chorin tried to calm so he could do what he needed to do when the time came.

-krrrrrrrrr-

It showed its sharp teeth and its pupils were moving slowly. They were following at Chanotte and Chorin movement.

"sir... I'll disable its movement and.."

"sssh.. don't make any sudden movement"

Chanotte raised his hand to stop him from doing any action.

Chorin totally couldn't understand why he did that.

A monster stood in front of them, yet the chief of king's guard told him to do nothing.

-sreek-

It was moving closer. Now the distance between them was only around one meter.

This was the moment where they should do what they needed to do before it's too late.

The Wapeer opened its mouth and Chanotte raised his sword.

"hu...man?"

-!!-

Both of them didn't expect that.

"...as you can see. We are indeed human"

Chanotte decided to answer that.

"sir! why would you answer this monster!"

"Chorin. Leave it to me"

He didn't have any choice except following his chief's instruction.

"do you... come to wake... the emissary of death?"

"emissary of death? i don't understand"

"..what human call him.. Sa..?"

The Wapeer tried to remember and it moved its head like it's searching for something.

"Sahm...Shar...."

Chanotte vaguely knew what this Wapeer wanted to say. He didn't want to waste any more time.

"you mean Samhra?"

"-krr- that's right! Samhra"

-krrrt-

The Wapeer spread his short but sharp claws.

"can't...wake him... we all die"

Chorin couldn't hold any longer. This was looked like a threat for them.

"sir! give me your order!"

Chanotte stared at it. He didn't feel any murderous intention from the monster in front of him.

He remembered what happened in Ohre village. Maybe this time, he should do something different than what he usually did back there.

"we.. want to stop it. Samhra's resurrection"

-krrrrrrrrr-

The Wapeer only stared at him.

Chanotte wanted to know if this world truly wasn't only about human vs monster... just like Yana said.

He stood there.. and waited.

-----( Chapter 163 "Unexpected encounter" )-----