Berganda did not even look at the hobgoblin who ran away while holding the hem of his robes. Instead, he went down on his knee and inspected the scars of the battle.
Explosive magic. There were six burned bodies that included trolls. He put down his axe and took out a knife in order to study the corpses more closely.
“Not just arrow wounds. There are scratch marks on the surface of the armor too… Something made of bound metal, or a whip with meal shards…”
He inserted the knife into the hole between a dead goblin’s eyes.
“A little longer than this…a dagger…no, a hatchet of some sort.”
He stood up and then walked towards the bodies that were piled up near the wall. They had been scorched by incredible heat, and there were several footprints on the dried dirt. Judging by the size and shape, they appeared to be from humans.
“From Lindle. Farmers…hunters…and likely the Hero…”
There were also footprints of something much smaller. And also something quite different.
“Lord Berganda! It has been arranged! Preparations should be finished the day after tomorrow.”
“I suppose that is the best that can be done. Tell the others that the invasion will begin as soon as it is finished.”
“Yes. And the inspection?”
“Not yet. I will look at this one next.”
He checked each corpse carefully, one by one.
“Do you know this orc?”
“It is…burned and crushed. Likely by magic.”
“No. It’s hard to see because of the fire, but there is a hole between its eyes. An arrow wound.”
He swiftly used his knife to dig out the arrowhead.
“Likely, the power cast on the arrow exploded in his face. It must be Frozen Moon Arrow.”
“Normally, spells can help sharpen weapons and raise their piercing ability, but…”
“It means that the kobold’s arrows have a power like Frozen Moon Arrow, which explodes with heat and shock upon impact.”
After inspecting the corpses, he saw several similar wounds that appeared to have been inflicted by the kobold.
“The same power must have pierced through Gaide’s flesh as well. If I lower my guard, the same wyvern poison might get me.”
“Surely not… But with such concerns, are we still preparing for the siege?”
“On top of this strange power, there is also the Lindle Hero. There is no reason that we shouldn’t be cautious.”
He inspected the bodies carefully, and had Comos take notes of what he found.
“Well, I think that’s about as much as we can learn.”
The sun had started to set, and it was getting dark around them. And though he could see without much light, it would be difficult to make an analysis with any precision, and he had most of the evidence he needed anyway.
“How did you learn such inspection methods?”
“Well…let’s just say that I wasn’t born as a demon general.”
Berganda said vaguely, and then made his way back to the campsite.
While holding the reins, Fi stared at the darkening forest road.
Their donkey was not as fast as a horse, but even while pulling so much weight, it showed no signs of being tired.
With that being said, it occasionally seemed nervous by the presence of Guto.
“Guto, move away. You’re scaring the donkey.”
“…Fu.”
The wolf sighed with annoyance and disappeared. In the back, he could hear Sheto talking with the other kobold.
“I see. Demon army, coming this way.”
“Also, humans. Lots of soldiers. We, have been wandering so long.”
“Must have been hard… We should, unite with the others soon.”
Solde spoke with a dark and tired face. Sheto tried to encourage him.
Now that he thought about it, this was the first time Fi had really looked at a kobold carefully, aside from Sheto.
When he was a Hero, they had been nothing but moving targets. Clumps of experience points.
“Sheto, food, poison, alright?”
“Keita, Canila promised. I checked too. Nothing to worry.”
“The villagers. They aren’t…following?”
“Guto, has good eyes. Salia is watching over. Fi, can hear anything.”
Upon hearing his name, Fi frantically checked his surroundings.
“I…don’t think there is anything…within three hundred, no…two hundred feet of us. Ah…Guto is eating..”
Sheto chuckled and took out some of their food.
“Let’s eat. But time is precious. We eat while moving.”
They shared the salted meat, dry bread and water. Even though Sheto guaranteed it, Solde sniffed the meat and bread and ate it suspiciously.
“There’s…no need to be so paranoid. I’m eating the same thing.”
Fi said, and the other kobold stared at him. Fi looked away uncomfortably and continued to eat.
Solde had been acting like this, even after they left the village. As if he thought that the whole world was out to hurt kobolds.
Sheto was doing his best to reassure him, but also seemed to have given up by the other’s stubbornness. He just looked at Fi apologetically.
“Solde. How far, should we take the supplies?”
He asked after they had finished eating. Solde looked around and began to speak in a low voice.
“The pack, deep in the forest. Near a waterfall, with lots of bushes.”
“Judging by the sound, it must be quite far. I don’t think the wagon can go in?”
Fi said, and then Solde turned to him with a bitter expression.
“Ah…um… Look here! I can still hear you even when you’re whispering!”
“Fi!”
Sheto interrupted with an unusually tired expression. Fi lost the will to say more and turned back to the donkey.
“Solde… Fi is, my friend. Not a bad one.”
He said, and the kobold muttered back.
“…Sheto… What…are you?”
“Huh?”
“You, received power from god. Friends with dragon. I…never heard of, such a kobold.”
His voice was shaking.
“I, am grateful. Really. Was able to escape. Acquired…food, furs, cloth, medicine. You did it. But what are you…Sheto?”
“Me…?”
There was doubt and fear in Solde’s face.
The surprising question was painful to Sheto.
“I’m…a kobold. Like you…”
“No.”
They were silent after that. The uncomfortable atmosphere even made the donkey stop.
‘…Sheto, focus on what must be done right now.’
Salia said. And so he erased the pain from his face and smiled.
“Not the time, to talk of that. Everyone waiting for you, no?”
“Sorry… I..didn’t mean to say…”
“Now wai-”
‘Stop it, Fi.’
Her voice seemed to grab him by the shoulders.
‘You do not understand how weak the kobolds are. It is little wonder they would feat Sheto, who has unknown power. Even though they are the same tribe.’
There was a bitter scent to Salia’s words. The idea that her gift sas creating a rift between Sheto and his kind.
Fi was also feeling the pressure.
He watched Sheto, who acted cheerful, though sadness lived in his eyes.
