[Mission Update:]

[Objective: Eliminate corrupted monsters.]

[Progress: 3 / 5]

I still have 2 more...

Lionel clenched his jaw as he watched the holographic screen in front of him. The last 2 monsters were slain by Rufus and the knights. It was a pity that he didn’t get it, but he’s not mad about it.

He looked down at his sword. His blade was already tainted by dark colored blood. It stinks. He realized that it was what he had been smelling since earlier when he drew his sword closer to his face.

Does that mean I can smell darkness now?

Lionel frowned at his own question. That should be the case since Rufus and the rest of the people around couldn’t smell anything.

Is it because I have the magic of light?

It makes sense logically since the two were the opposite of one another.

While he was thinking of that, the knights began to regroup again. Instructors also rushed forward to check for injuries and count heads to make sure they’re still complete.

"Everyone, listen up!" one instructor shouted at the middle. Everyone was still trying to recover from shock. "Form up now! We are heading back to the camp immediately!"

"Stay close to the knights! No one is allowed to wander off!"

The nobles obeyed quickly. They might have been courageous earlier, but the thought of encountering more monsters made them terrified.

"This hunt is officially over," an instructor said firmly. "We cannot take any more risks."

With it, they began guiding everyone back toward the camp.

"Lionel," Rufus called quietly when he saw that the boy was unmoving. "I think we should go too."

However, Lionel shook his head. He didn’t want to go. Not when his mission was still undone. He knew that if he went back to the camp with them, he wouldn’t have the chance to finish it.

"I can’t."

In the distance, an instructor noticed them staying behind.

"Hey," the instructor said, walking up to him. "Why are you not moving? Get back to the camp now."

Lionel slowly looked at him.

"I’m afraid I can’t," Lionel said calmly.

"What?" The instructor froze.

"That is not possible," another instructor said sharply when he heard the conversation. "You must return, Lionel. That is an order."

Lionel stubbornly shook his head.

"I really can’t."

"You can’t?" the first instructor repeated. "Do you understand what you are saying? This is dangerous. You are still a noble. We can’t let you be in danger even if you saved us earlier."

Lionel stayed silent for a moment. He knew that they wouldn’t allow this unless he gave them a reason. A very good reason.

"I can’t because..." He let out a small breath.

"My cousin is still in the forest," Lionel said.

The instructors stiffened at that. Their eyes widened when they realized what Lionel meant.

"My cousin," he continued with a firm voice, as if signalling the importance of it, "Cassian. I don’t know where he is. I can’t leave until I know he’s safe."

With that mention of Cassian’s name, the instructors exchanged looks with one another.

"That..." one of them muttered. "That’s dangerous."

"I know," Lionel replied. "But I can’t leave him behind."

The instructors stayed silent for a moment.

"This is not something we can decide lightly," he said. "The forest is no longer safe."

"I know," Lionel replied. "That’s why I want to go with the knights."

The instructors looked at him again.

"I won’t wander off," Lionel continued to persuade them. "I won’t do anything reckless. I just want to make sure my cousin is safe. After that, I will return immediately."

"That’s still—" one instructor started.

"Please," Lionel said. "Just let me go with them."

Rufus stepped forward before the tension could grow further.

"I’ll go with him, professor," Rufus said. "I promise I won’t let him do anything stupid."

The instructors turned to Rufus.

"You too?" one of them asked, now getting more problematic.

Rufus nodded. "Yes. I’ll stay by his side."

The instructors looked at each other, hesitant about it. One instructor let out a long sigh.

"You two are really hard-headed," he muttered.

Another instructor crossed his arms. "If we allow this, you must follow the knights closely. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Lionel answered immediately. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Do not chase monsters alone," the instructor added. "Do not separate from the group."

"We understand," Rufus said.

The instructor looked at the two of them one last time.

"Alright," he finally said. "But the moment we tell you to retreat, you retreat. If the knights find it dangerous, come to the camp immediately."

"Yes, Sir." Lionel nodded. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me yet," the instructor replied. "Make sure to follow our instructions."

"Yes, Sir." The two muttered.

With that, he waved them off and turned back to organize the rest of the nobles.

Lionel and Rufus also wasted no time. They hurried their horse toward the group of knights who were already preparing to move deeper into the forest. They lit up some torches and readied their swords.

Everyone’s expressions were tense and serious.

"You two," a knight said when he noticed them. "You’re coming with us?"

"Yes," Lionel answered.

The knights studied them for a brief moment, then nodded. They saw Lionel and Rufus’s capabilities earlier, so they thought it wouldn’t be that bad.

"Stay close to us."

The group began to move after a couple of minutes. Step by step, they went deeper into the forest. The light from the open field slowly disappeared, replaced by the shadows of the thick trees.

Lionel tightened his grip on his sword. His senses sharpened as the forest grew darker. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a slow breath.

The stinky smell was still there.

It was faint and not strong enough to overwhelm him. Lionel focused on it. He followed the trail with his senses instead of his eyes.

There.

The smell obviously came from his left.

Lionel opened his eyes and subtly looked in the direction. Fortunately, they were going on that way. As they ride their horse, the smell slowly grew stronger. The faint rotting smell turned into something sharp and foul, making his nose sting.

His grip on the sword tightened.

This way...

The path they were taking was familiar. His eyes slowly widened when he realized it.

This was the direction where Cassian had been earlier.

They moved a little farther, and the stench became unbearable. Lionel swallowed, forcing himself not to react. His head throbbed from the strong smell.

Lionel turned slightly and looked at Rufus, who was riding his own horse beside him. Rufus noticed the look and frowned.

"Rufus," Lionel said in a low voice.

"What is it?"

"Get ready."

"Huh?" Rufus stiffened. "You found something?"

"They’re here..." Lionel said quietly. "Right ahead."