The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 27: Stalking a Fiend 

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

Fern wouldn’t dare to take the risk, so he kept a distance safe enough to where they would be able to keep track of the Dark Tide’s army yet far enough to where they wouldn’t get caught.

“How has the Dark Tide even reached here? They’re supposed to be blocked out of the Northern border.” Stan stayed at the back to make sure that no one could harm them from behind. 

“The first time the Dark Tide appeared in Wallis, our ancestors were unprepared, so they were all caught off guard.” Niss turned her head and answered. “The Northern kingdoms had all fallen. At that time, there was no such thing as the Northern border, so the humans were defeated easily.”

“Then why did the Dark Tide lose the war?” Stan questioned.

“According to the records, during the first war against the Dark Tide, the surviving kingdoms formed an alliance and gathered all the best warriors and magicians in Wallis. United as one, they were finally able to triumph over the Dark Tide.” Niss tried to recollect what she had learned from the books. “However, there’s something that isn’t recorded, but I think it’s one of the reasons for the alliance’s success.”

“What is it?” Rae suddenly asked. 

“The Sacred Hallow!” Niss replied seriously. “There’s no evidence to suggest that our ancestors defeated the Dark Tide with the help of the Sacred Hallow. But come to think of it, how did the unprepared humans turn the situation around in just one war without it?”

“Maybe you’re overcomplicating the matter.” Stan pursed his lips. “We can now fend off the Dark Tide with Doyle alone. Certainly, the collective power of Wallis at that time could destroy the Dark Tide.”

“It was the first time humans fought with the Dark Tide head-on, so there was no way they could confront the fiends. I’m sure Fern understands it very well. That was the difference between the kingdoms in the past and the current Doyle.” Niss explained patiently. “Therefore, I think humans at that time must have sought the help of some sort of power. Most possibly, they had found the Sacred Hallow that could deter the Dark Tide.”

“You mean the one in Canreto?” Fern suddenly recalled their discussion on Princess Merry.

“That could possibly be the Sacred Hallow. It wasn’t recorded in the books because they wanted to conceal its existence.” Niss rested her head on her right palm and pondered on it. “I don’t know why the Dark Tide would think that the Sacred Hallow is in Canreto.”

“It was just our speculation. Maybe it wasn’t because of the Sacred Hallow.” Rae reminded.

“Yeah. We don’t have to worry about it for now. Let’s see how we can get out of here.” Fern halted the topic as he stopped by a muddy area and examined the footsteps. “They have shrunk in number. Perhaps they were ambushed somewhere.”

“Who would have the guts to ambush a fiend? Were humans in the past capable of doing that?” Rae observed the footsteps as well and asked Niss. 

“That’s not probable.” Niss gave it a thought. “We’re now inside the illusion created by the Source of Magic, so maybe this wasn’t what really happened in history.”

“I agree with Niss. Maybe we’ll come across more nonsensical events in the future.” Fern looked at the front apprehensively.

***

Darkness descended upon them sooner than they thought. Daytime seemed to be only one third of the normal duration. Before they could understand what was going on, the stars and the moon had cast their glow on the continent.

Just when Fern was thinking if they should keep racing after them at night or look for a place to have a rest, Rae suddenly warned, “They’ve stopped.”

“Do they even need a rest?” Stan questioned with a smile. 

“No, they will never get tired.” Niss answered Stan’s question, even though this question wasn’t directed at her. 

Fern looked around. “Maybe they’ve run into some ambushers again. We can take this chance to have a rest.” The mercenary pointed at a nearby forest. “Let’s go there.”

Just when Stan and Niss were ready to go, Rae suddenly exclaimed, “They’re coming at us!”

“Have they discovered us?” Stan immediately drew out his sword and looked ahead fretfully.

“No way. We’re still far away from them, and we’re moving against the wind’s direction.” Fern couldn’t believe it as he was confident that they would never be discovered.

“I think we should hide in that forest now.” Niss said anxiously.

“Wait a minute. There are fewer of them now.” Rae looked up at her companions doubtfully. “They seem to be running for their lives…”

“Are you sure?” Fern widened his eyes in shock. 

“Yes. They’re still shrinking in number now. At this rate, before they even reach us, they will have been destroyed.” Rae went to the front of the group and paused for a moment before turning to look at Fern. “Do you have any suggestions?”

“All of you stay here. I’ll—”

“You’ll go there to have a look? Can you ever come up with a different suggestion?” Rae interrupted him impatiently.

Niss protested as well, “Don’t ever leave us behind again!”

Embarrassed, Fern scratched his head, not knowing what to say. 

Just then, Stan patted Fern’s shoulder. “Let’s face any danger together. If anything happens to you, I’m no match for these two magicians.” He guffawed upon finishing his words.

While Rae and Niss burst into giggles, Fern shook his head helplessly. “Alright. But all of you have to listen to my command. Got it?”

“Sure!” the other three people answered in unison.

***

All of them left the main road and trudged forward in the underbrush. The grass was at a suitable height as it wouldn’t slow down their pace and could serve as a hiding place for them should anything happen. 

The yelling in the front slowly became audible. For some reason, Fern found the voices familiar. Then, he turned around and said in a hushed voice, “They’re right there. Crouch down and hide yourselves.”

Rae and Niss fished out their magic canes and muttered, readying themselves for the battle. Meanwhile, Stan pulled out his sword and pushed the grass away a little with his other hand to observe the battlefield. 

What came into their sight were some retreating zombies. Their opponents seemed to be ordinary warriors. On the other hand, the fiend was being held up by one brawny warrior, so it couldn’t help other zombies.

“That’s incredible. These people don’t seem to be soldiers, but they’re able to drive off a fiend!” Stan said doubtfully. “Could it be that humans in the past were much stronger?”

“No. This is just an illusion created by the Source of Magic, so it isn’t necessarily the truth.” Rae explained. Even she found the sight inconceivable. 

Crouching down, Niss asked in a lowered voice, “Fern, should we help them? Fern? Fern! What’s wrong?”

Niss’s calling out caught the attention of the other two as they all turned to look at Fern, who had fixed his eyes on the warrior battling the fiend, so he couldn’t hear his companions at all. “Miles?”

***

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