The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 35: Running Away

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

As soon as Fern finished speaking, a gale gusted through the forest and caused everyone to totter. At the same time, Rae activated her shadow magic, whereupon the entire sky was covered by a dark cloud, as though night had descended upon them. At that instant, Fern could only see his companions who were closest to him. 

Unable to locate Miles, he shouted, “Run, Miles! Leave with everyone!”

In response, Miles yelled, “All of you, run in the direction where the sun sets until you see the first forest!”

Following that, all the mercenaries moved past Fern and his companions as they dashed toward the left. 

Even the secret signal is the same, Fern thought as he leaned closer to his companions. “All of you, follow me. I’ll run slower. Stan, you’ll stay at the back to protect Niss and Rae. They’re using magic, so I guess they can’t run fast. We’ll rush to our left.”

“Sure. Don’t worry.” Stan drew out his sword and stayed at the back.

“Alright. Let’s go now since they’re not able to attack us yet.” Upon finishing his words, he scampered off while Niss and Rae followed him as they kept using magic.

Hearing the footsteps of the Black Crows, Diaz growled, “What are you waiting for? Shoot them now! What a bunch of toads!”

The scouts couldn’t see where the Black Crows were heading, so they just shot arrows at the front of them. However, due to the gale, all the arrows were swept up into the sky.

“All of you are so useless!” Diaz snarled. “Run after them now!”

***

The knights and the scouts then covered their faces to fend off the sand and marched forward. However, the horses were not so easily controlled in the storm, so they started crashing into each other. Some knights fell to the ground from the impact and couldn’t get up because of their heavy armor. 

During this time, the Black Crows had entered a forest and scampered for a while before stopping in their tracks. Miles and some other mercenaries gathered together to discuss their next move while the others were checking if any of their companions were left behind. 

Just then, Fern and the others reached them. Niss and Rae hurriedly took a seat on the grass to take a rest as they had used up a lot of spiritual energy to cast the magic.

“We have to decide what to do next quickly. Those knights will reach us soon, and our magic won’t last for a long time.” Fern stared at Miles anxiously

“I know…” Miles scowled and paced around. Just then, he thought of something and raised his head to look at Fern. “Thanks for saving us. However, all of you are not members of the Black Crows, so I don’t want to drag you into this. You can run away on your own now, and we’ll stop the knights from racing after you.”

Rae heaved a sigh and whispered to Niss, “Let’s see. Fern will surely give up the chance of running away.”

***

Just when Fern wanted to reject Miles’s idea, a memory from the past sprang into his mind. In the past, all his companions lost their lives right before his eyes in a forest just like this. He turned to look at his current companions; Niss and Rae remained seated on the ground while Stan kept looking back apprehensively.

I can’t decide their life or death willfully. I can’t make the same mistake again, Fern thought as his heart ached. Walking up to his companions, he crouched down and asked, “What do you think? Will we fight with them? Or will we run away first?”

For that moment, no one answered his question while Miles continued having a discussion with his mercenaries. Eventually, Rae broke the silence. “If we say we want to flee, will you agree to it?”

Fern hung his head low, but he soon raised his head again. “If all of you support this idea, I’ll agree to it.”

Suddenly, Stan chimed in and said in a steadfast manner, “I won’t run away on my own. The Black Crows are my companions as well, so I’ll fight with them to the end!”

Niss took a look at Rae and voiced her opinion. “I can’t bring myself to leave so many of them behind.” After she finished speaking, she looked at Fern with a determined expression.

Helplessly, Rae shrugged. “Alright. It seems that we’ve given up the chance to run away.” She nodded at Fern. “Since Stan and Niss have decided to stand with the mercenaries, then we’ll just get ready for the battle.”

“Thanks…” Fern gazed gratefully at his companions, not knowing what to say at that moment. Getting up, he turned around and reached for Miles.

“Miles, we’ve decided to confront the enemies with you.” Fern gripped the hilt with his left hand and clenched his right fist. “Let’s come up with a solution now.”

Miles clapped Fern’s shoulder and swept a glance over all the mercenaries. “It’ll be difficult for us to keep moving forward. As far as I’m concerned, we’re in the territory of the Doyle’s armies. Diaz will surely communicate to tell a group of knights to stop us at the front. If we’re sandwiched by them from both sides, all of us will lose our lives here.”

“What if he can’t communicate with the others? Is their way of communication so effective?” Fern found it inconceivable. “Or there might not be any other Doyle’s armies around here.”

“This is the tactic used by the Doylans, which hasn’t changed for centuries.” Stan said with a serious expression. “In any battle, other than the main team, there will also be two to three supporting teams near the area. As soon as something happens, they’ll join the battle. The horses of Doyle can gallop really fast.”

“What the heck!” Fern cursed. “But we’re in a forest, so their fast running horses will be of no use.”

“But they can surround the forest and inch closer to us.” Mr. Hunter crossed his arms and leaned against a tree.

“Do they have enough people to surround the entire forest?” Fern took a look at Miles and turned to Stan. 

Stan stroked his stubble and told them what he thought. “Judging from the number of people in their main team, their supporting teams wouldn’t have many people as well. Therefore, I’m sure there will be a gap they can’t cover.”

Upon hearing that, Fern fell into his own thoughts. He had wanted to keep moving forward, but they would fall into danger if there was really a group of knights at the front. However, there was nothing they could do other than keep marching forward. 

Miles and the other mercenaries couldn’t come up with any solution either, so they just waited on the spot as danger was looming on them. 

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