154 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

The fierce battle to determine the true ruler of the North had just concluded. Valkrash, turned into an ice statue worthy of hundreds of gold coins if sold to a high-ranking noble. Even with his heart pierced, as one would expect from an Orc King, the risk of resurrection was too great to ignore. Thus, they smashed his head to eliminate any possibility of a comeback. Though the orcs, now leaderless, charged at Ashies in a frenzy, she easily handled them, even in her weakened state. The mighty orc legion that once dominated the North was thus annihilated in less than a single day. “Did we really survive? Is this not a dream?” “Have you ever had a dream that smells? Those orcs were downright foul. We survived, no doubt about it!” From those Ashies saved to those Karami and Rinbar rescued from within the fortress, the prisoners who had been captured by the orcs wept tears of joy and embraced one another. They did not forget to thank Ashies for her actions. “Thank you, beautiful knight. Truly, thank you...” “Huh. A knight, you say? Not a princess?” “No matter what, she's still the hero who saved us!” “In times as chaotic as these, do you think it's alright to hope for the end of this harsh winter?” “Of course, it is!” While the former captives conversed cheerfully, Rinbar brought over Tarkind. Despite the end of the ordeal, he hadn’t yet regained his senses. “Nooo! I hate women! Save meee!!!” Due to his panic attacks upon contact with women, they had him tightly bound with ropes to prevent any movement and brought him over on Rinbar’s back where he squirmed like a caterpillar. “Rami... who is this?” “He's Rinbar's captain. We thought he was dead, but he was captured. During his captivity, he suffered horrible incidents that left him mentally shattered.” Ashies tilted her head in curiosity and observed Tarkind. As his gaze met hers, his struggling stopped abruptly. Unable to pull his eyes away from Ashies, he murmured, “Female...? Oh? Oh. I like.” “Wow.” “Unbelievable! He fought desperately to escape me, but has that reaction to her? And to think we came all this way to rescue this captain. You're dead meat when we return to the village.” Ashies’ beauty had miraculously cured Tarkind’s gynophobia in a single, unexpected swoop. Karami was amazed, while Rinbar could only scoff in disbelief. Despite such an unforeseen incident, their mission had been completed flawlessly. As planned, Karami had preemptively freed the hostages, enabling a swift escape from the castle. ‘Secured the treasures, rescued the hostages, captured the Orc King.’ An operation near perfect in execution. Karami smiled in satisfaction. In Karami’s field of view entered Ashies. Riding on a personal ice sled she crafted, Ashies glanced around at the others assembled. Her eyes scanning the crowd. “What are you looking for?” Karami inquired. “Baskal... Where is he?” “Oh, Baskal, you say.” Karami handed Ashies a broken bracelet from his possession. Unaware of its significance, Ashies gazed at it quizzically. “...?” “Do please pass it on to our chieftain, Ashies. She will be overjoyed to tears.” *** They returned to Lake Fortress. Not a mere handful, fifty people total. Transporting them was not difficult. Ashies loaded people onto the ice sled she created, which was then drawn by frost wolves. This wouldn’t have been possible with ordinary horses but was feasible with magical beasts. When they first left the village, they were merely five, yet upon return, they numbered fifty. Bringing back more than you set out with was one thing, but from five to fifty—this was not a feat that could be achieved even over decades of gatherings. The residents were initially startled by the outsiders, but after understanding their situation, they relaxed their defenses. In the harsh north, banding together is crucial for survival. Another cause for celebration was the death of the Orc King and the safe return of Tarkind. The villagers, upon seeing Tarkind’s dire condition, were shocked. Still, Rinbar’s confident assertion that he would recover soon alleviated some concerns. Why Rinbar carried away the resisting Tarkind remains a mystery, with the sounds of his cries heard soon after. Yorn, representing the villagers, went to greet the two who accomplished these feats. Karami, upon meeting him, shrugged her shoulders. “How about that? We've defeated those who threatened the village, and brought back treasure too.” “You did boast you'd bring back Baskal as well. Seems that was all hot air.” “You sure are petty, aren't you? Wouldn't you agree, Ashies?” Karami smirked at Yorn, who seemed desperate to find something wrong rather than offer praise. Yorn averted his eyes. “Follow me. The chieftain has been eagerly awaiting your return.” “Impressive, how seamlessly the subject is changed. You could have been a stellar merchant rather than a chieftain.” Ignoring Karami’s teasing taunts, Yorn walked towards the tent, while Karami, hands behind her back, followed him alongside Ashies. They arrived at Darka’s tent. Seated with one knee up, Darka’s appearance was different from usual. She was adorned with the chieftain’s full regalia, which she rarely wore due to discomfort. Greeting them with a bright smile, she beckoned them forward. “Welcome! I assume you’ve conquered the Orc King. Have you brought the final treasure?” “Of course.” Karami handed the Grail to Darka. Its once vibrant blue-white hue had faded, indicating it wasn’t an item of unending use, requiring some time before it could be used again. "Yes. It is indeed an artifact of the kingdom, and a cursed one at that. It elevated a lowly orc despised by his kin to the position of king. Such a dangerous item shouldn’t exist." Darka placed the grail down and chanted a lengthy incantation in an incomprehensible language. The grail responded to the spell with a soft glow, gradually regaining its original blue-white sheen. At first glance, it seemed to wind back its reuse time, but the reality was quite the opposite. "Now, it is no longer a magical artifact. It’s just an ordinary goblet." "That's a relief. I was worried the chieftain might use it and become a mage king or something." "Why would I use it? It’s not mine." Darka spoke as she handed over an ornately crafted music box along with the goblet to Ashies. "Take them. They’re all yours." "Mine...?" "The tiara is with the child, right?" "Yes. It suddenly appeared on her head..." "Who would have thought the child was a hero? It’s embarrassing as a chieftain not to have realized, even with her right under my nose!" Unable to match the light-hearted laughter of Darka, who was now teasing herself, Ashies simply blinked. Suddenly, Darka's laughter ceased. "Oh, I nearly forgot. Take this too." Fumbling, Darka removed a lazulite necklace and handed it over. It was a symbol passed down to each chieftain of Lake Fortress, a memento from Darka’s mother. Even during the worst of times, she held onto it. And now, she gave it to Ashies. "With the promised hero arrived, it’s time for me to fulfill my duties as a chieftain..." Darka's words seemed addressed to an unseen audience, as if to those not present in the tent. Yorn, however, did nothing to stop her from handing over the gemstone. Deep down, he acknowledged it as well—Ashies might indeed be the hero from the tales Darka often spoke of. Ashies accepted the treasures, including the lazulite. The moment the lazulite touched her hands, Ashies' pupils quivered. The gemstone, in its raw, unprocessed form, shifted the flow of cold around her just by holding it. The influence of the cold Ashies emitted waned. Once processed and crafted, it would become even more significant. Her heart quickened slightly. Clutching the lazulite tightly, determined not to lose it, Ashies listened as Darka humorously confessed her weariness. "I ought to entertain our hero, yet my tired old body prevents me from doing more. Now that your business in the village is finished, return to where you came from. I'm exhausted and wish to rest." Darka pulled the fur blanket up to her shoulders and lay down, coughing dryly. As the onlookers began to depart one by one, Karami rose as well. She gestured for Ashies, who instinctively started to follow, to pause. "Let us not overstay our welcome." "The chieftain’s weariness..." "She’s tired because of your lack of sense. Save your nonsense for the grave and get out quickly." With that, Karami guided Yorn outside, leaving Ashies alone with Darka. Alone, Ashies blinked curiously, tilting her head. Why had Karami instructed her to stay? Had Karami seen her now, she'd likely sigh and press a palm to her forehead. The silence stretched out, almost touching the realm of meaninglessness, when suddenly a sound filtered in from outside. “Hmm... Baskal...” "Ah..." The realization dawned belatedly. Turning to the turned back of a lying Darka, Ashies spoke softly. “Darka...” “What now? Didn’t you leave? Did you want to play with this old woman?” “...Said to give.” Ashies, only half grasping Karami's advice not to reveal that Baskal instructed her to do so, presented her incomplete words. It wasn’t difficult for Darka to piece it together. “That wretched man's telling you to give me something...” With the typical grousing of an elder, Darka arduously sat up. Ashies held out the broken bracelet to her. A bracelet faintly imbued with enchantment. "This, this is...!" Darka immediately recognized the item. Eyes widened to near-popping, she gasped and snatched it impulsively, indifferent to the fact that the cold air had caused her hands to go numb. The broken bracelet was all too familiar to Darka. How could she not recognize it? “Baskal’s bracelet! I made this! It bears my enchantment, subtle but sure. Where did you find this?!” “The orcs…” “…What?” It was a charm Darka had personally created, imbued with enchantment, crafted to protect Baskal, who returned injured every time he ventured beyond the village. To protect her son. The broken bracelet, now separated from its owner, bore a single meaning. “Ah…” Darka collapsed into her seat, stunned, staring blankly into space like a person whose spirit had left their body. Gradually, her vision refocused to clarity. It was the gaze of one who regained clarity of mind. The revelation she had long tried to ignore now brought shocking, undeniable clarity, forcing her to confront the truth. “Yes… that’s right. Baskal is no longer… no longer...” “Baskal, gone…?” “He's embarked on a far journey. A never-returning eternal voyage…” For Ashies, it was still difficult to fathom the full extent of what this “journey” meant. Darka repaired the broken bracelet, forming it back into its original shape. Holding it reverently, she closed her eyes and her lips moved. In a gentle, flowing melody like a lullaby sung to a child, Darka’s voice welled up softly. The bracelet shimmered faintly, and the enchantment within it dissipated into the sky like smoke rising, vanishing without a trace. No matter how great a warrior. No matter how respected a future chieftain. An always-beloved child in the eyes of a mother. To ensure that child’s soul wouldn’t wander, And could rest in peace, Darka sang gently. It had been a long time since Baskal died, yet unable to accept his death, she could do nothing as neither chieftain nor mother. This was her belated atonement. “Thank you for bringing me this bracelet... Truly, thank you. If not for you, his spirit might have wandered restlessly even in death.” If things hadn't been resolved, I would have deeply regretted it. I might never have reunited with Baskal, even in death. "Now I can die without any regrets..." "...Darka, die...?" With her innocent question, Ashies earned a bittersweet smile from Darka, who gazed at her with a wistful look. "I'm merely going on a brief journey. To a very faraway place." "Can I... go too?" "Ha! You should come as late as possible, if at all! Don't think about such meaningless things. Stay and play with your master for as long as possible." "With Rami?" “I’ve never seen anyone as suspicious as him, but for you, he’s genuine. Lean on him when you face hard or difficult times.” Although she didn't fully understand the meaning, Ashies slowly nodded, recalling the sight of him waving at her. Having said all she needed to, Darka lay back down with a sense of relief. “The Grim Reaper, huh. Quite the kind reaper, he is. If all reapers were like him, it might not be so bad.” Darka murmured softly with a faint laugh, her eyes closing shut. It was only a few days later. 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