Cursed Thrones
Chapter 39 - Expedition

...-Resident of Baltimore City -...

A city that has died, with walls and buildings that have long collapsed. There is no soul in this city. In addition to the wild animals that try to live away from humans.

The dim moonlight illuminated the view of the city that once stood majestically.

In this place too, Brian and Cecilia found the eye. An eye that will either be a blessing, or a disaster.

Until now, the figure referred to as Orlog or god of destiny is always helping both. But all of that on the basis of mutual benefit.

Especially to keep his own safety.

And lately, Orlog has also never reappeared. Although Cecilia was still able to use that eye power well.

'Srruugg! Nishiyug!'

After a few days of travel from the city of Mapleford, the three-member group decided to take a break. Choose one of the houses that are not so damaged in this city.

'Bruk!'

Brian immediately put his big bag on the floor. Take out three sleeping bags made of cloth and animal skin.

"We're gonna be okay, right?" ask Hella who is still scared.

The latest news from the Guild mentions Wyvern was spotted around the City of Baltimore. Although, it was only a report from the merchants and travelers who crossed this city.

Where the information is not necessarily accurate.

"Just calm. But if we die, at least not for some stupid reason." replied Brian who lifted his sleeping bag a little far away.

Cecilia herself placed her sleeping bag next to the timid and shy girl. A witch wearing warrior gear.

"Brian's right. Now better get some sleep and get ready for tomorrow."

While lighting a small bonfire on the porch of this house, Brian said.

"I'll take care of it for 4 hours. After that it's your turn, Cecilia."

"Yes, I know." replied Cecilia who immediately fell asleep.

Leaving Hella alone under the bedding. Still awake and having trouble sleeping on this hard floor.

He was still unfamiliar with the life of an adventurer. And worse, his first mission is to hunt down one of the most dangerous creatures in the world.

A few tens of minutes passed. The reddish-yellow glow from the campfire outside was enough to illuminate this house.

Brian's figure can be seen practicing by using his great sword outside. Around the campfire, his movements looked like a beautiful dance.

He took off his upper clothes, including his armor in order to move more freely. Also so as not to dirty the clothes with his sweat.

'Swuushh! Swuush!'

Many times Brian swung his greatsword. Sweat was seen dripping every time the swing of the sword slashed through the bonfire.

Hella who was still awake could not take his eyes off Brian.

Not for any reason, but....

'Can humans move that fast? Even with such a big sword?' hella thought in her heart of confusion.

It had been quite often for him to see adventurers who forced themselves to lift a huge sword.

Where the result is that they are exhausted after several slashes, or their sword swings are too slow that the enemy easily avoids them.

But this....

'Swwuusshhh! Wuusha! Oush!'

'W-what is it?!'

In just two seconds, Brian managed to levitate three of his greatsword slashes.

Curious and having trouble sleeping, Hella decides to wake up. Look at Brian's training session by sitting next to the warm bonfire.

"uh? You're not sleeping?" ask Brian in curiosity. He thrust his sword into the ground while taking a short rest.

"Not sleepy. Anu's.... Can I take a look?" he asked as he continued to look at his two feet.

"No problem. Just help me stay awake." Brian returned to training.

Since arriving in this world, the development on Brian's body has begun to be seen clearly. His muscle lines were clearly drawn. It is much different when compared to his body which had almost no muscles.

Unknowingly, Hella too long stared at the stomach of Brian who was so trained.

'Eeh?! Wh-wait?! L-this?!'

Time keeps passing. And Brian had not stopped at all to swing his sword. Train his movements and horses by facing enemies in his imagination.

After half an hour, Brian finally stopped. It ran out of breath after all that heavy movement.

"Well.... Maybe it's enough for now" Brian said as he stuck his sword on the ground. He immediately sat in front of the bonfire and rested, with the ruins of the walls of the house as his backrest.

"That's amazing, Brian. I didn't expect humans to move like that" he said, praising the young man.

Hearing a girl's praise, of course Brian blushed. But....

Just for a moment.

Because it's....

"Human? We're all human, right?" ask Brian back in astonishment.

"Eh?! Uh, uh.... Th-yes! Really be! Hahaha.." replied Hella with a forced laugh.

His attitude certainly made Brian more suspicious. To his knowledge, there was no human calling anyone else a 'human' in this region of the empire.

Because everyone knows that they are human.

With a suspicious look, Brian noticed Hella's entire body. From the tip of his hair to the tip of his foot.

'Normal ears, normal teeth, no horns, no other weird body parts, hmm? Did I really think wrong?' brian thought in his heart.

"Not.... L'm.... It's just me.... Never seen anything that wasn't human." explains Hella who tried to avoid eye contact with Brian.

"Doubt to tell a story?"

While waiting for the watch to be completed, the two spend time sharing stories.

"Ras elves? So you ever fight with them?" ask Brian in curiosity.

Hella nodded her head, confirming Brian's statement. "That's why I feel your movements are not like ordinary people" he said.

Slowly, Hella took out an adventurer identification card with a beautiful silver color.

"Hella Coireal's. The third level silver adventurer.... Hivaah! You're a few levels higher than me?!"

With a friendly smile, Hella nodded her head again.

"If you're that strong why did you stop?!"

Hearing the question, the sweet smile on Hella's face immediately faded. Stopped by a sad expression and also fear.

"I.... I'm not strong. I can only do magic, that's all. And...."

Soon after, Hella told Brian everything. Regarding his entire past, and how he could be at his current point.

A cold chill seeped through Brian's body after hearing his story. Fear, sadness, and anger. Everything is mixed up in him.

A group of 6 people, one of whom was an elf in disguise.

Their strength was at the silver level and was already on par with the elite forces of the Empire. But even with that power....

They were all slaughtered in one of the mine ruins by a horde of minotaurs. Only Hella, alone, can survive by running away.

Leaving all his comrades killed at the hands of those monsters.

"You-you.... You're not kidding, are you?" brian asked after hearing the whole story from Hella.

"Of course not." she replied while shaking her head. "I still clearly remember their screams. Pl-please.... Heal me.... I can still fight.." continued Hella.

Brian lowered his head, staring at the dimming bonfire. He tried hard to hold back his tears.

"I'm sorry, for all my previous attitude towards you" Brian said with regret.

He remembered his entire treatment of Hella, which must have hurt the girl's feelings enough. What's more....

"And so, I'm so sorry for all your colleagues." Brian continued.

A smile re-adorned Hella's sweet face. With slightly teary eyes, he replied.

"No problem. After all, it's time for me to try to forget the past."

'It must be very difficult to do so, even more so if it has been a partner for many years....

If only.... I lost it this time, can I forget and let it go?' brian thought as he glanced at Cecilia who was still fast asleep.

It didn't take long for Brian to get the answer.

'Ahahaha, stupid question. Of course I can't. Never could.' Brian replied to himself in his heart.