My Strange Savior - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Gia felt greed for the first time. 

She would need his help to kill Morrison, so Gia managed to extend the grace period until she could part ways with Kalion, making up reasons along the way.

She would think about it after she had Morrison. 

Her mind, already complicated, wondered if it could handle more. She wanted to remain a good companion by Kalion’s side. Unlike her world, which had fallen into ruin, she also wanted to see this world, full of vitality, a bit more.

Kalion said they were going to collect the dragon’s carcass and take it to the capital. How many more people would be there? Even Morreta, a small place, was like this. Thinking about a place more lively than here brought a smile to her face.

The endlessly ordinary daily life would continue day by day. Children playing in the alleyways. Mothers calling their children in as the sun sets. Fathers coming in after work with warm smiles. People freely roaming the streets. 

Just thinking about it made her excited.

Looking at Kalion sitting beside her, Gia’s face relaxed with a smile. Sensing Gia’s gaze, Kalion secretly winked and captured that relaxed face with his eyes.

Unlike Gia, who was blatantly looking, Kalion blushed as he stole glances. 

Kalion carefully compared the bandaged wrist that had been twitching with Gia’s hidden face by lightly pressing his thumb and forefinger against the flushed earlobe.

* * *

The amount of snow that was falling made everyone wonder if it would ever stop, but Joseph was nonchalant as he stirred his crude soup.

“It will stop in two days.” 

Joseph said, having anticipated the heavy snowfall. Despite the snow falling as if there were holes in the sky, everyone believed it would stop within two days because Joseph said so.

“What a difference a week makes.” 

Jacob said, sniffing the air as if filling his stomach with a pleasant aroma. 

Since climbing the mountain, the members had only filled their stomachs with jerky. Now, soup bowls were handed to them by Joseph. The smell alone made noses twitch, and mouths watered.

It was a march that required swift mobility, and due to monsters, they couldn’t emit smells. What if this pleasant aroma attracts monsters? 

Unable to resist his curiosity, Jacob asked Joseph cautiously. 

“Is it okay to let this smell waft?”

Joseph chuckled at Jacob’s careful question. 

“Unless it’s a dragon or something of that level, it won’t pierce through this snowstorm. Enjoy it to your heart’s content until the snow stops. Go on.” 

Joseph ladled out Jacob’s portion of soup. The dried jerky had been boiled in hot water, giving it a decent meaty texture.

“Oh… How did you manage to bring up so many ingredients?” 

Jacob asked with wide eyes.

“Actually, except for the jerky, everything was gathered on this mountain.”

“What?”

“With many monsters and dangers, the Hagria Mountain Range is a treasure trove of food. Haha.” 

Joseph’s actions of digging the ground and harvesting something every time they descended suddenly made sense.

“Ordinary people wouldn’t know, but be careful not to dig up just anything.” 

Joseph widened his eyes as he conveyed an important fact. In addition to medicinal herbs that are hard to find for regular people, there were many poisonous plants mimicking herbs.

Joseph warned and continued distributing the meal to the remaining people.

“Wow… Amazing.” 

Gia held the bowl preciously in her palms, filled with gratitude. There wasn’t anything special in the soup, and unlike what they had in the castle, there were no seasonings. However, the taste itself was pure bliss.

Moreover, on a day when the temperature had dropped, the warm soup felt like it was melting the frozen organs as soon as it was swallowed. It reminded Gia of the fish cake soup she used to eat with old friends at a street vendor. 

The warmth, reminiscent of those days, passed through her throat, warming the cold esophagus as she blew hot breath amidst the steam, filling her stomach.

“Is it really that delicious?” 

“Uh, yes.”

Kalion smiled as he watched Gia hastily savoring the soup, seemingly ready to bury her face in the bowl. Gia ate so well that it could make anyone hungry just by watching. 

As if acknowledging her insatiable appetite, Kalion also passed her some food.

“Take your time.”

“Sorry. Was I too greedy?” 

Gia said, embarrassed, averting her eyes.

“No, not at all. It’s a pleasure to watch. I just said it out of concern.”

Kalion raised his palm, urging Gia to eat again. Relieved, Gia concentrated on eating once more. Watching Gia enjoy the meal, Kalion felt a sense of accomplishment and thought he should appreciate Joseph’s efforts when they returned.

“Hmm?” 

Kalion made a sound as he noticed soup near Gia’s lips.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

Suddenly, Kalion, who had placed his bowl on the ground, looked around. Gia asked in confusion, but Kalion continued to search for something.

He needed to wipe Gia’s lips, but there was nothing suitable in sight. Having brought only the essentials, there was no finely embroidered handkerchief. 

If they were to return to the capital, he could order a handkerchief that would suit Gia. Hiding his regret, Kalion, with no other choice, extended his sleeves. Among the white tunics he wore inside, he found a relatively clean part and gently patted Gia’s lips.

Unexpectedly, as Kalion’s hand entered, Gia’s body stiffened. Soup remnants were visible on the soft cloth that gently touched Gia’s lips.

“Did, did I get it dirty? I, I mean, say something.”

Gia, who spoke hesitantly, quickly raised her hand and scanned around her mouth.

“It’s all wiped.”

As if satisfied, Kalion looked at Gia again, lifting the dish as if nothing had happened. It seemed like Gia was the only one surprised by this completely natural behavior.

“Well, well. What came and went?”

A tremor occurred in Gia’s eyes. She stopped eating, looking at Kalion with awkwardness and embarrassment. Despite the surroundings that seemed like a refugee had arrived, the aristocratic demeanor of the nobles was unmistakable, and even eating was endlessly elegant.

“Have you finished? Should I bring more?”

Gia’s face, at Kalion’s gentle voice, seemed to wilt as if about to fall to the ground.

“Uh… Uh. One, one more bowl…”

Kalion, who barely understood the crawling sound, got up dragging his injured leg. Originally, he would have eaten alone without caring about anyone. 

Now, not wanting to be caught with a flushed face, Gia stuck her butt to the seat. Scratching the empty bowl with a spoon, Gia muttered.

“Why are you suddenly wiping my lips and causing a fuss?”

Embarrassed, she blushed. Not disliking Kalion’s care, Gia bit her lips tightly.

Since when did they become so close without hesitation in contact? Gia’s lowered eyes wandered around like lost.

“I brought more here.”

“Th-thank you.”

Gia put the soup bowl brought by Kalion into her mouth. The warmth could be felt on her palm. Gia sat next to him, glancing at Kalion as he handed over the soup.

‘Am I the only one bothered by this?’

Seeing Kalion, who seemed peaceful, Gia’s gathered lips protruded discontentedly. Despite being the one who wiped them, she felt uneasy for no reason. 

Gia, who had rubbed her cheeks roughly, tucked her protruding lips inside.

‘Alright. I’ll eat my meal too.’

Contrary to Gia’s inner thoughts, the spooning slowed down endlessly.

* * *

“Wow…”

An exclamation burst out upon seeing the entirely whitened mountain. It seemed as if someone had sprinkled snow over everything. 

The sunlight reflecting off the white snowfield was dazzling, causing the eyes to squint involuntarily.

Despite expecting severe cold after the heavy snowfall, the weather was surprisingly mild. The sunlight from the sun above was warm, and the once howling wind had calmed down.

After receiving care from Joseph for a few days and taking a break from walking, the condition of the group, including Kalion, had improved significantly compared to the beginning. While there wasn’t a significant hindrance to walking, Joseph’s warnings against pushing too hard persisted.

Following Joseph’s lead, they encountered a gentler terrain compared to the steep ascent when they first came up. The descent, guided by Joseph, was somewhat easier thanks to him.

“Oh, there.”

Jacob’s eyes widened at the marching figures beyond the ridge.

“It’s the Knights of Morreta.”

“Oh, Master.”

Kalion, who had already heard the story that the knights were coming with Oscar leading them, showed a pleased expression as he looked at the fluttering Shenanigan flag.

Upon seeing Kalion’s party coming down, Oscar stopped in his tracks.

Though they weren’t close, Oscar and Kalion stared at each other for a while.

For different reasons, Kalion’s group chose an easier path for the sake of the injured, while Oscar’s group chose a gentle slope to carry a cart with a dragon. Despite their different motives, fate eventually brought them together. Meeting a familiar face in an unfamiliar place brought an indescribable joy.

Upon seeing Kalion, whom he couldn’t confirm the life or death of, Oscar’s strained tension seemed to ease.

The old teacher’s remaining years, already not many, were quickly diminishing due to worry for his disciple. Just when there wasn’t much time left to live. 

Oscar, who had lost even the remaining lifespan thanks to his disciple, sighed with a relieved smile.

‘Oh God, thank you.’

Oscar, looking at Kalion, raised expressions of gratitude to a god he had doubted.

The reunion of the two, confirming each other’s safety, wasn’t noisy. Quietly meeting at the midpoint, the two groups asked about each other’s well-being. 

Oscar’s wrinkled hand rested on Kalion’s shoulder.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Tap, tap.

The hand patting Kalion’s shoulder conveyed numerous emotions. Since they could understand without words, Kalion nodded in acknowledgment.

“Thanks to your timely help, we were able to descend from the mountain safely.”

If it hadn’t been for Joseph, the condition of Kalion’s ankles and wrists would have undoubtedly been worse. Assuming the worst, he might not have been able to hold a sword for the rest of his life.

Moreover, if Joseph, who anticipated the approaching snowstorm, hadn’t been sent with the rescue team, Kalion’s group might have wandered and perished in the snowy mountains. The pitiful end of the heroes who captured the dragon. 

The reason they didn’t face that dreadful fate was thanks to Oscar sending the rescue team.

When Kalion expressed his gratitude, Oscar nodded politely. Not a trace of greed showed on his face, which was adorned with the blossoming blue mushrooms.

“It’s all thanks to the competent subordinates.”

Oscar gestured to Spencer behind him. 

Spencer’s large stature made one wonder where he would use such a physique. 

Like a child, Spencer, biting his lips and holding back tears, approached Kalion.