The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 56: Crossing the River 

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

Just when Fern was ready to shout ‘three’, all of a sudden, the Ferrer Barrier descended into chaos as the horses neighed and the people yelled.

“What happened? Have they found us?” Fern stopped what he was doing and looked at the Ferrer Barrier in puzzlement.

“No, I don’t think we’re the target.” Stan listened to what they were shouting and he was perplexed. “It’s the Saras. They’ve discovered that the Saras are trying to steal their food.”

“What?” Rae tensed up at the mention of the Saras. “Are you sure you’re not mistaken? Are there any survivors in Sara?”

Stan nodded and replied, “Yes, I’m sure. They’re shouting in a Doylan dialect in order not to let the Saras understand them. After all, the two countries have been separated for a long time, so the Saras don’t understand our dialect.”

“We have to save them. I can’t even imagine what the Doylans will do to them.” Rae said as she moved forward, but she soon felt a grab on her arm. Anxiously, she turned around, only to be met with Stan’s solemn gaze.

“They’ll be fine. The Doylans won’t harm the Saras.” Stan never let go of her.

“How do you know? That’s just your personal opinion. It doesn’t mean that the other Doylans think the same way too.” Rae whirled around to swing his hand away, but the knight was so much stronger than she was. She staggered as her black hair swayed in the air. Unable to struggle out of his grip, she glowered at the knight.

“Trust me, Rae. They’re not Byron, so they won’t harm the Saras, who used to be part of Doyle. Instead, they’ll send them to the farmland so that they’ll survive.” Despite the fact that Rae could kill Stan with her gaze at any moment, he was still determined to stop her.

“You won’t be able to help them even if you rush over. Instead, you’ll make yourself fall into danger.” Fern persuaded her. He acted on an impulse a moment ago himself, so his persuasion was rather weak.

***

After thinking for ten seconds, Rae shot a stern look at Fern and shifted her attention to Stan. “Stan, I want you to swear that the Doylans will never kill them.”

“Yes, I swear.” Stan balled up his fist and tapped his own chest. “In fact, if they’re captured, they’ll live a better life than if they stay in Sara. Just like you, they’ve misunderstood the Doylan soldiers.”

Rae loosened herself up as Stan released her. “Stan, if what you’ve told me today is wrong, be it intentional or unintentional, I’ll punish you.” She turned to look at the knights, who were racing after the Saras in the Southeastern direction.

Stan shrugged. “I won’t resist if you want to punish me.”

“Let’s cross the river now. Time is running out for us.” Fern urged them as this unexpected event allowed him not to take the risk to lure the soldiers away. He gazed at the sentry tower and realized that the soldiers up there were gone. Apparently, they couldn’t have imagined that there was another group of people in their camp. “Niss, you’ll use magic to help Rae fly over. Stan and I will swim.”

“Can you do that? It’s a chilly day…” Niss looked worriedly at Fern and Stan. The thought of having to swim across the river in such a climate made her shudder. 

“There’s no way you can lift Stan and me. Rae is running out of spiritual energy, so you’ll have to help her. After we cross the river, we’ll just look for a place and set up a firepit.” Fern gazed at Stan, who nodded in agreement.

“Alright, you must come over quickly.” Niss said. At that moment, Rae had stopped using the Dark Wall. Niss helped support her weight as they floated in the air. Following that, she bent forward and spread her legs a little, whereupon they started flying across the river.

Fern and Stan were astounded as it was the first time they saw the magicians fly. “I can’t believe my eyes.” Stan widened his eyes and stared at the magicians, who were in the air above the river.

Fern turned around and realized that no one was paying attention to them. “The time is now. Let’s go, Stan.” He then drew a deep breath and jumped straight into the river.

In an instant, the cold water got into Fern’s nose and ears as he couldn’t even open his eyes. Just then, Stan also leaped into the river and caused a splash. Fern kicked in the water to surface his head above the river and started swimming.

Stan followed him as they swam towards the other side of the river. In this frigid river, Stan still had the strength to speak. “Fern, raise your head and spread your arms wider. If you don’t do that, you’ll be consumed by the cold.”

However, Fern could no longer hear him clearly. At that instant, he could only hear the sounds of water getting into his ears and his hands flapping in the river. His limbs started becoming numb, and he couldn’t feel his fingers at all, so it was impossible for him to spread his arms as he was told. The cold air he breathed and the icy water he swallowed made him feel that even his organs had been frozen.

Damn it. We haven’t even reached the middle of the river yet. Fern persevered with difficulty. Despite the fact that he was still clear-headed, his body couldn’t take it any longer. All of a sudden, he couldn’t feel his limbs anymore, and his lungs felt like they would explode at any moment. Coughing violently, he couldn’t even move forward a little as he swallowed even more water. Slowly, he started sinking into the river.

***

Niss and Rae had reached the other side of the river. Seeing that they were still struggling in the water, Niss called out anxiously, “Fern!”

“Hang in there, Fern! I will save you!” Stan shouted from behind.

The noises in the river eventually caught the attention of the Doylans. The guards had returned to the sentry tower and started yelling in their direction.

“Stan, bring him here quickly! They’ve found us!” Rae shouted.

“Fern, come up!” Niss wailed on the side.

However, Fern couldn’t hear his companions anymore. His ears were filled with water, and his mind was buzzing. No longer able to think clearly, he sank completely into the water.

Why don’t I feel cold anymore? Am I… dead? A sense of fear flashed across Fern’s heart, but he was soon engulfed by sorrow. Why don’t I feel relieved at all? I thought I could embrace death just like what I used to be, but why am I feeling sad now? Before he found the answer, he lost consciousness totally.

***

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