Chapter 124
Kyden gripped his sword tightly and stepped out of the thicket. Just as he confirmed the surroundings were quiet and was about to return to Serley, he heard a rustling sound behind him.
Tensing up, he swung his sword toward the source of the noise, only to hear a familiar voice calling out,
“It’s me! I’ve been hiding here too!”
It was the mercenary who had warned Kyden of the danger. Kyden shot him a suspicious glance and looked around to ensure no other figures were nearby.
“I’m really not associated with them. I wouldn’t do something cowardly like that.”
“…Let’s move first.”
Kyden didn’t lower his sword and gestured for the mercenary to go ahead. The mercenary nodded and began to back away cautiously.
Just as the mercenary distanced himself, a shout rang out.
“There’s a knight over there!”
“Get him!”
The voices of the pursuing enemies reached Kyden’s ears. They rushed to capture him, but Kyden wasn’t the type to be easily caught. He maneuvered through the trees and rocks, ensuring they couldn’t swarm him all at once while fending off multiple attackers.
Knowing that stalling would only work against him, he began to take down the enemies one by one.
However, as he focused on the foe in front of him, he missed a swift arrow flying his way, which embedded itself in his thigh.
“Ugh!”
He had overlooked someone hiding behind a tree.
As his body swayed from the impact, a large shadow loomed over him—it was the mercenary who had moved to safety earlier.
“Damn it, if you survive, you have to marry my daughter!”
Even in this chaos, the mercenary was bringing up marriage. Kyden couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.
While the mercenary bought him some time, Kyden snapped the arrow shaft off. The arrowhead was lodged deeply, and he had to be careful not to aggravate the wound. He steadied himself and gripped his sword tightly once more.
This was no time to indulge in pain.
With renewed determination, he plunged back into the battle. Spotting an archer hiding behind a tree, he hurled his dagger, which struck true in the foe’s forehead.
“Run! Get out of here!”
“Go and call for help!”
As the situation worsened, the enemies began to retreat. If he let them escape now, they would surely return with reinforcements.
Kyden chased after the fleeing foes, determined to take their lives. The mercenary joined in, and only after they took down the last remaining enemy did Kyden lean against a tree to catch his breath.
Thanks to the daughter-doting mercenary, Kyden was able to defeat the enemies. Without him, he might have been killed. Swallowing the pain, Kyden turned to the mercenary.
“Thank you. I’ll make it up to you when we return. What’s your affiliation and name?”
“Wow, what a proud knight you are… not even a promise of marriage?”
The mercenary grumbled as he picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground.
“I’m Ron. Aren’t you curious about my daughter’s name?”
“No, not really.”
Kyden chuckled lightly and walked past him. Although he had saved his life, the thought of marrying someone he didn’t care for was far from his mind. He wouldn’t marry out of obligation, even if it meant Ron’s daughter might end up alone if he was to die…
Anyway, thinking he was quite the amusing character, Kyden returned to where Serley was. The mercenary cheerfully followed behind, chattering away.
“Seriously, you won’t regret it. My daughter is really cute and beautiful.”
“If she’s that cute, why not keep her with you for life?”
“If she can’t find a decent guy, that’s a possibility. But if he’s responsible, stubborn, loyal, and capable, then I’d gladly give her to him.”
“…Ah, sure. Good luck with that.”
Kyden shook his head as he replied. With every step, blood trickled from his thigh wound. Ron looked at him with concern as he examined the injury.
“I think you should treat your leg first.”
Kyden nodded in agreement.
“Just a moment.”
He sat on a rock, pulled out a dagger, and bit down on a cloth. He tore the fabric near where the arrow was lodged. A wave of excruciating pain surged through him, and Kyden swallowed hard.
But he didn’t hesitate. He opened the wound and pulled the arrowhead out. Cold sweat poured down his face, and his breathing became ragged.
Ron watched in horror and grimaced.
“Ugh, you’re tearing your flesh… I could help, you know.”
Kyden glared at him with a look that said, “Why didn’t you say that sooner?”
“I didn’t realize because I was so engrossed that I was just watching. I’ll wrap the bandage for you, then.”
Ron approached with an awkward smile. He carefully wrapped the cloth around Kyden’s injury, ensuring it wouldn’t come undone.
“Not even letting out a single scream… you’re quite something. I like that.”
Kyden couldn’t understand why that pleased him. After finishing the emergency treatment, he arrived at the thicket and kept an eye on the surroundings as he called for Serley.
“Come out. We need to move quickly.”
“Ah, is no one around?”
“Not for now.”
Serley crawled out of the thicket and frowned when he saw Kyden.
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