The sorrow

The story continues with Harith's journey with Hobs on their way to the Depot.

"Did you know that monster really exists?" Harith asked.

"Well, if you live long enough like me, there are some things you hope you never see again," Hobs replied.

"But since the knights already killed that thing, I hope it won't come out again."

"I see." Harith paused, suddenly thinking of someone. "I wonder what Brother Hekal is doing right now."

Meanwhile, Hekal and his comrades finally reached their destination.

"So this is it," Hekal said.

"Ah, home sweet home," another soldier chimed in.

As the vice-captain led the way, Hekal began his mission. "So, where is his house?"

"No need to rush, my friend. We need to find something for our stomachs first. I'm starving right now."

"Yes, sir."

As they entered a café, they started to order their meals.

"Aah, it's been a while since I ate here. Today is my treat," the vice-captain said.

While they were busy eating, Hekal started to feel uneasy. "Vice-captain, I think we're being followed."

The vice-captain seemed to notice it too. "Let me guess, the woman at that window?"

As the vice-captain tried to maintain a calm demeanor, Hekal questioned him. "Do you know her?"

"No, no I don't," the vice-captain replied, trying to stay calm.

Even though the vice-captain denied it, Hekal still didn't believe him. He tried to ignore the woman and continued eating. Eventually, the woman left, but the vice-captain kept glancing in her direction.

After their meal, they began their mission. The vice-captain handed a bag to Hekal.

"Make sure to find his house. If you still can't find it, just ask people nearby."

"Yes, sir. I'll keep that in mind."

"Well, good luck. I have some other things to settle while I'm here."

Without asking more questions, Hekal set off to find Tedric Nogumo's house. Meanwhile, night had fallen in the forest, and Harith and the other mercenaries moved cautiously with limited light. They stayed on high alert.

"Stay alert, everyone. They might be anywhere. Be sure not to fall for their traps," the mercenary captain instructed.

Harith, shaking on his horse, prayed he would come out alive. His left hand tightly gripped the gun his father had given him. Suddenly, the front squad stopped moving.

"Why are we stopping?" Harith asked.

"There's someone still alive. You, go check him," the captain ordered.

In front of them was a destroyed carriage, appearing to have been raided. A single man lay unconscious on the ground.

"Yes, sir," one of the front squad guards replied, moving to check if the man was alive. Meanwhile, in the town, Hekal continued his search for Tedric Nogumo's house, but no one seemed to know where he lived, as if he didn't even exist.

"What's wrong with these people? They don't even remember where he lives," Hekal muttered.

Unaware, he encountered an old man who was just about to close his shop.

"Well, here goes nothing. Excuse me, sir!"

"Huh, me?" the old man replied.

"Yes, you. Do you by any chance know a guy named Tedric Nogumo?"

"Oh, you mean that beggar?"

"Beggar?"

"Yeah, I know him. It's been months since he joined the Volunteer Ranger Force. Are you perhaps his comrade?"

Hekal was confused as to why the old man called his comrade a beggar, but he still needed to fulfill his mission.

"Don't you dare call my comrade a beggar, old man," Hekal snapped, trying to control his temper.

"What? It's a fact. But why do you want to know more about him?"

"I want to send this letter to someone he used to know. Maybe you know where they live."

"Ugh, whatever. Let me see it," the old man said.

Though furious and annoyed by the old man's attitude, Hekal felt grateful that someone at least knew about Tedric. He began to take out the letter, but then realized it was gone.

"It can't be. Where is it?" he muttered, searching frantically.

"I'm still waiting," the old man said impatiently.

"You're not helping! That letter is important to someone he cared about. If he doesn't receive that letter, how is he supposed to know his friend is already DEAD?!" Hekal yelled, the frustration boiling over.

The old man looked taken aback. "It's a she, and she lives not far from here."

After getting the address, Hekal dashed with his magic to reach the house.

"Finally, I made it," he panted. As he was about to knock on the door, he heard someone crying inside. He moved to the side of the house to peek through the window for a better view.

What he saw was unimaginable. The woman who had been stalking them earlier was sitting on a chair, crying. In front of her was the vice-captain, also crying, on his knees.

"Why, why didn't you save him?" the woman sobbed.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault. He died protecting the other knights, especially me. I'm sorry," the vice-captain replied, his voice breaking.

Hekal watched the scene in disbelief. "What the hell was that?"

Back in the forest, Harith and Hobs were at the back of the squad, curious about what was happening at the front.

"They were here recently," Hobs observed.

"I don't get it. Why didn't they kill that man but leave him alive instead?" Harith wondered.

Hobs looked around warily. "Because they're still here."

Suddenly, arrows flew from all directions. They were ambushed by a group of bandits, at least forty or more, charging towards them with weapons drawn.

At the front line, the injured merchant pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the guards.

"It's a trap! Attack!" the merchant yelled.

The battle between the mercenaries and the bandits began in earnest.

"Protect the carriage!" the captain shouted.

At the back line, which was also under attack, Harith took out his gun, his finger trembling on the trigger.

"Hobs, what should we do?!" Harith cried out.

Hobs remained silent, unsheathing his sword. Suddenly, he stabbed the mercenary in front of him. Harith watched in horror.

"What the hell was that?" he exclaimed.