My Strange Savior - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Really… Ugh… Can you wipe this for me if you’re so thankful?”

It was a wretched sight. After looking at the yellow liquid on the blade with revulsion, Gia extended the handle to Kalion.

“Alright… I will.”

“Ugh… I’m so sick of this. The mountains.”

Gia sighed repeatedly until Kalion, who had taken her knife, handed it back to her.

“Why are mountains even a thing…?”

Not expecting an answer, Kalion bit down on his lip.

Muttering to herself about annihilating all the mountains or folding the spines backward once they catch Morrison, Gia was left alone by Kalion, who carefully wiped the liquid off the dagger.

“Thanks.”

She stood up, the military knife neatly back in its sheath on her ankle, and shook off the dirt on her walker.

“Where to…?”

“The restroom. Why? Want to accompany me?”

“No… Ah, no, thank you.”

Gia wheezed as she slammed her walker’s front nose into a wooden beam, pulling out a stone embedded in the sole.

“You, don’t go too far.”

“Yeah.”

After Gia disappeared into the forest, Kalion touched his reddened ear with his fingers. It was as if he had just realized that Gia was a woman, and his face was visibly flushed. His large, manly hands covered his lower face. 

The other members, noticing Kalion’s embarrassment, looked at him with a glint of amusement in their eyes.

Pretending not to see or hear, they shifted their attention away from Kalion, who had tucked his head in embarrassment. 

They acted as if they were focused on sharpening their weapons, lifting their necks, and pretending to cleanse their throats.

* * *

After a short break, the march continued. The mountains had to be traversed during the day as much as possible, given the sun was setting quickly.

Moving once darkness set in, obscuring visibility, was challenging. Not only were wild animals a concern, but the real threat was nocturnal monsters.

The Hagria Mountains were treacherous and deep, responsible for a significant part of the continent. Inside, there were countless monsters and mountain beasts unknown to humans.

The uncertainty of encountering a particular monster suddenly weighed heavily on Kalion’s shoulders. Moreover, the most threatening destination was Mount Noflan, a peak in the mountain range, rugged and towering, with perpetual snow at its summit.

The journey through the mountains was already daunting. Kalion, looking at the slowly setting sun, asked the scout ahead.

“Have you found anything?”

“No. There are no traces of monsters in the vicinity.”

“Let’s head in that direction.”

Spending the night outdoors without protection was riskier than anticipated. They had to stay vigilant against monsters that could attack at any moment, especially when humans were most vulnerable.

They needed to choose a location with minimal traces of monsters. Kalion inspected the spacious area the scout had found and confirmed.

“It’s suitable.”

As soon as Kalion gave his approval, the members began to move in unison, preparing for rest.

Since they had packed only the bare minimum, everyone spread out their sleeping bags on the ground. They refrained from making the foolish move of lighting a fire to stave off the cold, as it could attract monster attention, even though it was tempting.

Chewing on the dry jerky distributed from the supplies they had brought, was a tasteless endeavor for most. 

Gia chewed on the nearly tasteless jerky as if it were gum. Well, at least it fills the stomach. They had experienced times of near-starvation in the shelter, so complaining was a luxury.

Gia glanced at the jerky in her hand. The jerky was handed to her by Rockt who approached her stiffly and hesitantly. 

Gia nodded as she put the jerky into her bag, and even after that, Rockt didn’t leave.

Gia looked at the middle-aged man, lips trembling as if he had something to say.

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

“Yes?”

“I… I apologize sincerely for my rude behavior back then.”

Gia, taken aback by Rockt’s unexpected apology, raised her hand.

“It’s okay.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

Feeling that his apology was genuine, not just an action ordered by Kalion, Gia nodded.

“It’s okay.”

“Thank you.”

Gia pursed her lips as Rockt bowed his head once more and left with his apology. 

Was he a superior or a subordinate? She scanned Kalion’s subordinates, who were more polite than she had expected. There were always people who looked down on others for being female, so Gia wasn’t affected much. 

As long as their disregard stopped at that, they were undoubtedly good people.

Countless absurdities had happened, from sexual harassment to bullying and isolation, ignoring the fact that she was a woman. Complaining about it was pointless; it would only make her the odd one out. 

“Freak” was the title for those who didn’t adapt to the group, no matter how much they protested or stood out. So, these knights here, who openly ignored her but were not aggressive, could be considered decent gentlemen.

Of course, Kalion seemed sorry even for that. Gia wasn’t overly bothered or affected. It was merely a superficial gesture that tickled a bit.

As she spread her luxurious sleeping bag on the ground, unlike the other members, it quickly inflated with air, surprising those around her. 

“You need this much when sleeping in the mountains.”

Gia said proudly, patting her lovely sleeping bag, equipped with advanced insulating features.

Was it a divine move to wear a full set of armor instead of individual gear before leaping down with Morrison? Gia thought about how unpredictable situations could be and always made sure to have complete armor when going on a mission.

Heavy as it was, it was crucial for survival if she ended up isolated. Despite the others ridiculing and making a fuss about Gia’s approach, she ultimately proved to be right.

Gia, snug inside her soft sleeping bag, looked at the stars above as if they were about to pour down onto the open ground. The twinkling stars in the night sky seemed brighter tonight.

It was a sky she had never seen during her solitary expeditions to find Morrison in the mountains. 

Nevertheless, having someone beside her made her feel comforted and relieved. It was truly amusing how, even in the wilderness, humans couldn’t survive alone.

Although Gia’s body was tired, her eyes wandered, staring at the stars, lost in thought. At that moment, when her mind was elsewhere, Kalion approached.

“What’s the watch order for the night?” 

Gia looked up at Kalion’s face, which was looking down from above, in surprise.

It’s easy to look ugly when you’re looking up from below, but he was blessed with perfect features from this angle.

Could this be how one looks when living a life mostly alone? Without answering the question, Gia was lost in her thoughts while staring, and Kalion’s thick eyebrows twitched, seemingly irritated.

‘This person… How can even his eyebrows be so pretty?’

Does he secretly get special eyebrow care?

Suspicion crept in regarding those impeccably neat brows. Gia extended her lips in dissatisfaction and stared at Kalion, who appeared flawless from every angle.

“Just squeeze in wherever there’s room. What order are we talking about…?”

Why was everything getting more complicated? Frustrated by Gia’s unpredictable emotions, Kalion knelt to meet her eyes.

“Are you tired?”

He knew she had exceptional stamina, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t feel fatigue. Kalion, concerned, asked Gia, who seemed a bit off.

“No… it’s not that. Do you do watch duty too?”

“Yes.”

“Usually, isn’t this kind of thing done by the subordinates?”

To Gia’s question, Kalion’s expression froze as if he were pondering deeply.

“No. Never mind.”

Gia, who had been asking, waved her hand as if saying never mind. 

For a moment, she forgot that Kalion was not the type to be like that. Having only experienced the vertical hierarchical organizational culture, encountering Kalion, who took a more collaborative approach, made Gia curious about everything.

“We’ll pair up in twos. If the other members are uncomfortable, would you like to stand watch with me?”

Such consideration. Knowing that the other members weren’t favorably disposed towards Gia, Kalion asked.

“Sure.”

“Understood.”

Kalion nodded in agreement and informed her of the watch order before returning to his spot. Even though it was right next to her.

When did he come over? 

Kalion, who spread out his sleeping bag and settled by Gia’s side, felt the cold rising from the ground.

“I’ll wake you up later. Please rest.”

With a brief greeting, Gia left a short reply.

“Okay.”

Although sleep didn’t seem imminent, upon hearing Kalion’s steady breathing a forearm’s length away, Gia’s eyes gradually closed.

It was different from being alone in the mountains before. That’s why she felt she could sleep a bit more comfortably.

Just like the day she brought Kalion to the cave, she fell asleep without nightmares for the first time.

* * *

Ssshh.

Gia, who had slept so deeply that she didn’t know when she fell asleep, opened her eyes at the gentle touch and calling voice.

“Get up.”

“Mmm. Already?”

Gia groggily sat up, stretching and blinking her heavy eyelids vigorously to wake herself up.

“Yes.”

The morning air felt very cold. Though it was still quite dark, the descending moonlight seemed to be retreating, making the darkness even denser.

Gia got up in one swift motion, fumbling to free herself from her clothes.

“Let’s go.”

Avoiding the sleeping members with agile movements, Gia walked in between them.

A tall tree that could accommodate them both was visible a short distance away. Gia plopped down, patting the spot beside her.

“Sit.”

Since there was space for about two people on the tree, Kalion readily took a seat beside Gia.

“One full day has passed.”

Gia rolled her eyes, following the moon as it slowly disappeared into the distance. Fourteen more days to go. It could feel long or short, depending on how one looks at it.

Since they were still at the foot of the mountain, she could sleep comfortably without a monster attack, but she didn’t know how long this peace would last. 

Even Gia couldn’t deny it, as she wandered here looking for Morrison and encountered countless monsters. 

“There may never be another day as peaceful as today.”