The Song Of Sword And Magic

Chapter 60: Alfheim 

[Translator — Asuka]

[Proofreader — Karane]

Fern and Niss jogged towards the North. At their speed, their energy could last for a longer time. This was the best solution when the Dark Tide wasn’t running after them. 

“I’m worried about Stan and Rae. Most people can’t even deal with one fiend, not to mention that they’re going to confront two.” Niss jogged alongside the mercenary as she was worried about her other companions.

Fern focused on the road to avoid the holes on the ground. “We have no other choice but to believe that they’ll be able to get rid of the fiends. Rae’s idea is already the best.”

Crestfallen, Niss heaved a sigh. “Why is it always like this? There always isn’t any perfect solution…”

Fern suddenly stopped in his tracks and took her arm. They then went left to avoid a hole that was covered with ice. “I used to think like you. Whenever something unexpected happened, I’d think that it’d be wonderful if that never happened. Gradually, I’ve learned that it’s because of these experiences that I’ve grown to become a more mature person.”

“I hope I’ll have the same mindset as yours one day.” Niss tidied her hair and put on her hood. 

“You will.” Fern looked up at the dark sky. “Why isn’t the sun coming up? My eyes can’t take it anymore without any light.” He blinked and focused on the road again.

“Fern! Look what’s ahead of us!” Niss pointed at a silhouette in front of them, but she couldn’t make out what that was.

“It looks like an abandoned village. Be careful and follow me. We’ll approach it by moving along the forest.” He then led her to the pine forest on their left.

***

In Sara’s climate, even the pine trees had turned bare. The remaining leaves on the trees swayed along with the cool breeze.

Hiding themselves behind the trees, they slowly approached the silhouette in the distance. When they were fifty yards away from it, they finally saw what it was.

What came into their sight was an abandoned village, which was much larger than Nasus. If Nasus was just a resting spot for the travelers between Sara and Doyle, then the village in front of them could possibly be an administrative and trade center of a district in Sara.

“It’s too dark, so I can’t look at the map and find out the village’s name.” Fern examined the village as he was worried that something would pop out of it all of a sudden.

“I think we should just circle around it. I’m terrified of abandoned villages now.” Niss hid behind a tree, not wanting to take even one step further.

“Let’s keep looking. A village of such a scale must have some supplies in it. Or, we can wait until the sky turns bright first.” Fern wasn’t willing to give up the chance to replenish their supplies. “We don’t even know how long it’ll take us to reach Mount Dagger, let alone what we’ll encounter there. So, it’s best that we can get some supplies first.”

“Alright, I’ll be less terrified when the sun comes up.” Niss took a seat on the ground.

***

After they waited for a long time, the sun began rising from the horizon. Seeing that the sky was turning bright, Niss was finally at ease. Just then, Fern held his breath and patted her. Placing his index finger on his lips, he pointed at the abandoned village with his other hand.

Niss squatted instead and stuck out her head from the tree, after which she saw that a group of people were entering the village. The leading person was on a burly horse, and he was followed by twenty people who looked like soldiers.

“They’re…” It was still dim, so Niss couldn’t make out who they were. “Are they the Dark Tide’s army?”

In response, Fern said in a hoarse and lowered voice, “I think so. They look just like the small group of the Dark Tide we encountered in the Source of Magic. The one on the horse must be a fiend.”

“What?” Niss hid behind the tree again in disbelief. “Have they followed us here? Then Rae and Stan…”

“No, they’re not the ones who were running after us. They came from the East, so they should be another group.” Fern lay down on the ground. He had encountered a fiend twice, so he dared not be complacent. 

“Then what should we do?” Horrified, Niss clenched her magic cane.

“Stay right there unless I ask you to move. From now on, we’ll stop talking.” Fern hovered his chin on the ground as he watched the Dark Tide’s army entering the village.

The fiend stopped in the middle of the village and directed the zombies to go in different directions. It seemed that they were looking for something.

At this moment, the sun turned brighter, but the sky was covered by dark clouds, so the sunlight couldn’t filter through. However, the dim light was enough to allow Fern to observe their movement in the village. He was certain that these zombies were looking for something. These lifeless-looking zombies seemed to have consciousness of their own as they searched the abandoned village, which sent a chill down his spine. As for the fiend, he wouldn’t even dare to look at it.

Hiding behind a tree, Niss stared at the mercenary and held her breath. Fern clenched the hilt with his left hand and placed his other hand on the ground, readying himself for any attack.

At this instant, his mind was a mess he couldn’t think of any way that could save them should the fiend discover them. Time went by slowly as his forehead was beaded with sweat.

***

Finally, all the zombies returned to the fiend. It seemed that their search wasn’t fruitful. The fiend scanned around the surroundings, which also included the forest Niss and Stan were hiding in, and that was enough to send a chill down Fern’s spine. In such a frigid climate, his entire body had turned numb.

Fortunately, the fiend didn’t see them. After sweeping a look over the area, it then led the zombies out of the village.

Fern remained lying on the ground until the Dark Tide’s army left the village. When the sky turned completely bright, he got up as he leaned against a tree and panted. “Luckily, they left.”

Relieved, Niss leaned her back on a tree as well and looked up at the sky. “I thought it was going to see us.”

“Just like what Rae had said, they can’t detect us.” Fern brushed away the sweat on his forehead and wriggled his limbs.

“Are we still going to get in?” Niss wasn’t willing to enter the village.

Fern fished out a map from his clothes and placed it on the ground that was covered with snow and pine leaves. “We’re in Alfheim now—the largest town in the West of Sara. Sadly, now it’s become a ruin.” He then pointed at the North of Alfheim on the map. “We’re still some distance away from the Yodon River, so I don’t think we can reach it today. We’ll either reach there by tomorrow night or the day after tomorrow.” He kept the map and looked hesitantly at the village. “I think we should get in. The fiend won’t come back anytime soon. It’d be best if we can find out what they were looking for.”

With a darkened expression, Niss nodded with difficulty. “Alright, but you have to promise me that you’ll keep watch on the surroundings. Once the Dark Tide appears, we have to leave immediately.”

“Okay, I promise you.” Fern was still terrified of his experience in Sheepfold Village, so he wouldn’t put his guard down when they had to enter such an abandoned village.

They got ready and lowered themselves as they trotted into Alfheim.

***

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