How dare he! That Alexius. Unbelievable. Trying to push the responsibility on to me! I'm not the one who was suddenly possessed by this need to kill members of the Broken Wheel. He says I'm sulking while he bravely leaves to nobly slaughter people! He never listens to me when it comes to the really important things! He could... What if... What if he died? No I'd better not think too much of the possibility, it will do me no good and make me too anxious.

Despite being aware of the foolishness of it, I cannot help but be attacked by my thoughts, my imagination of the many different ways in which Alexius could lose his life... Maybe I should have gone with him! No, I shudder when I remember those eyes. Those are not the same ayes that I saw on him my entire life. Those were the eyes of someone so determined, so taken by his objective, that he will not see anything else in front of him. I could not bear to see him with those eyes killing people. But I also can't bear the thought of him dying either!

The unbelievable one is me, it seems. I was unable to stop him from going and now I flagellate myself because of that. What a sad person I am. I lay down inside the tent, faking my sleep, I do not know who for, but I cannot actually sleep. My thoughts run in circles, in this direction, that direction, then back again. I am my own greatest tormentor and most pathetic victim.

Time passes, it keeps on passing. Despite me not having slept a single moment, dawn comes and still there is no sign of Kardenon or Alexius. I am not stupid enough that the most probable reason for it eludes me: More likely than not, they are both dead, or worse, captured by the Broken Wheel, soon to be killed in a most painful manner.

I really wish I could learn how to control my imagination. Sometimes, it just does me no good. But at least it fills me with anger and the motivation to keep going. I cannot store anything in the Treasury Sack, which Alexius had left behind. Of course, it only responds to his mana. Well, I had everything I needed to fight. I will just take it and head to the enemy's camp. It's actually quite convenient, the strange fog that enveloped the fog has now thinned significantly. Even without a Magic Tool, I will have no problem spotting anyone. Of course, the same applies to me being seen, but who cares about that?

I walk with a heavy pace, ready to do what's necessary, whether to save, or to avenge Alexius. And I suppose Kardenon too. Even though I did not sleep yesterday, I don't feel all that tired. It is quite strange. Somehow, I am able to keep a brisk pace well past the point that I might have needed a break usually. I guess it's my motivation. I will keep going, no matter how long, if that helps me stay by Alexius' side.

I finally arrive at the enemy's camp, but it's strange. I do not find enemies, only corpses. At least the initial part of Alexius' and Kardenon's attack must have worked. I throw all caution to the wind and walk around the enemy camp, trying to find Alexius and Kardenon, or ast least their corpses. No! That thought is intolerable. I cannot consider it.

I look inside of tents and outside of them, but all I find are dead cultists. A cold chill passes through my spine. Did they actually succeed, but decided to leave me behind? No... that cannot be, Alexius wouldn't leave behind his father's things. Ah, what am I saying? Is the reason I'm not left behind because I was keeping the equipment? I wasn't abandoned, I won't be abandoned. That's not a possibility.

I walk around even as my anxiousness grows. I look for something, anything, a sign. But there is nothing and no one but the dead. Then I see it. Set apart from the camp, next to the corpse of an ogre, there is a carriage that clearly doesn't belong. It is intricately ornate, unlike the things of the cultists. It likely belongs to someone very rich, if I was to guess, probably a wealthy merchant from of the cities of Nemiria. It's probably something taken from the people we had seen before.

I put my hand on its door, but hesitate. What if I find Alexius' dead body inside? Maybe after being fatally wounded, he sought it for refuge and breathed his last there. No... I have to be strong. After a deep breath, I pull the door open.

Unbelievable.

Before me, I see the scene of Kardenon, Alexius and a gnome girl sleeping without a care in the world. I almost laugh at myself at how comical all my worries seemed before, but then, everything is engulfed by a boiling anger. Give me back my worry! You are not worth of me worrying about you!

“Alexius! So good of you to inform me of your success! It was really tranquil, waiting for you to come back, not knowing whether you were dead or alive!”

Alexius lazily opened his eyes, likely woken by my angry voice. He looks slightly confused. Well, no matter, I will complain to him enough that he will understand clearly why I am so angry!