The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Chapter 226: The Way Back (5)
Tap tap tap!
Oscar and the other two ran without rest.
Now that he had started carrying Edna on his back, their speed had increased dramatically.
‘...But that also means the fatigue is piling up fast.’
There was no time to carefully manage stamina right now.
Somewhere behind them, the Eye Thief was surely in pursuit.
Oscar sent a message spell to Edna on his back.
–The one who swallowed the mountain attacked the Eye Thief to help it.
–I believe so too.
–Then let me ask you: has there ever been a record of the disasters of the Red Mountains working together before?
–Never.
A firm and concise answer.
Oscar’s frown deepened.
‘If even the observer doesn’t know, then this must be the first time in recorded history.’
His eyes narrowed.
This meant they were caught in a historically unprecedented event.
Naturally, he didn’t believe this was a coincidence.
He was someone who always insisted that every event had a cause and process behind it.
–Let me rephrase the question. Is there any reason those disasters would suddenly join forces?
–None.
–What if they’re after your heart?
–If that were the case, all the more reason not to work together. Our current party isn’t strong enough to easily defeat even a single disaster.
That was true.
Their only real combat power was himself and Oran.
And they were also burdened with people who needed protection.
‘Then what is this about?’
Those beings knew that clashing with one another only brought harm.
That’s why they respected each other’s territory and lived on separate peaks.
Then, Edna carefully offered her opinion.
–Oscar. If they were ordered by someone, then it would make sense.
Ordered?
The moment he heard that, one being naturally came to Oscar’s mind—
the only one capable of commanding the terrible disasters of the Red Mountains like subordinates.
–...Don’t tell me... The Red Witch has awakened?
–If not, then this situation is difficult to explain.
–But I thought she was in a deep sleep?
–She was, the last time I checked.
And that “last time” was decades ago.
Specifically, before the war with the demons had even started.
It was precisely because she had fallen into a deep sleep that the demons were able to cross the mountain range so freely.
–...The Red Witch awakening from her long slumber to go after your heart?
–It’s a strong possibility.
Oscar unconsciously grimaced.
–If that’s true, then there’s no point in heading to the first peak, right?
–Not quite. That place is where the Mad Wind resides.
Right—Mad Wind wasn’t something you could reason with.
It was quite literally a wind gone insane.
And its sheer destructive power couldn’t even be compared to that of the Eye Thief.
–As long as we can safely cross to the first peak, they won’t be able to pursue us, even under orders.
–That’s a relief.
Of course, Oscar wasn’t exactly thrilled about facing Mad Wind unprepared.
But they had no other choice.
His instincts as a mage were screaming at him—
The Eye Thief was closing in.
“Huff... huff...”
Oscar’s breath came in ragged gasps.
Forcing himself to push the pace had cost him his rhythm, but it was worth it.
“The first peak...!”
As the border of the mountain range came into view, Oran shouted.
At the same time, Oscar, panting heavily, spoke up.
“Edna, get down.”
“Understood.”
As Edna dismounted, Oran gave him a puzzled look.
“We’re almost there. Why make her walk? Want me to carry her if it’s too much?”
“No.”
Oscar replied while looking back at the path they had taken.
There was a reason he had asked Edna to dismount.
‘...Just a little farther.’
It was coming.
The moment Oscar sensed a massive malice closing in, he bit his lower lip.
A beat later, Oran and Kaya flinched as well.
Their eyes, now filled with hostility, quickly scanned the rear.
“So, it finally came.”
As Oran muttered, a pale figure appeared before them.
The Eye Thief, motionless as it faced them, showed no sign of exertion—no sweat, no fatigue.
Kaya spoke up.
“Would it be possible for all of us to retreat together?”
“...Someone has to stay behind. We need to sever the root of the one who swallowed the mountain.”
Otherwise, they’d all die to the rampaging Eye Thief.
Oscar’s mind raced.
‘The best choice I can make right now is...’
He would stay behind, while the still-able Oran led the main group forward.
With Edna around, they should be able to evade the Mad Wind’s fury.
As he was thinking this, Oran came up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Little brother, is that why you had the dragon dismount? Planning to hold that thing off on your own?”
“...This is the best option we have.”
“Hmm.”
Now standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him, Oran scratched his chin.
"Doesn't look like your best if you ask me. You seem way too exhausted."
"Which is exactly why I shouldn’t be leading the main group. I'd only be a burden."
What the main group needed right now wasn’t a worn-out mage, but someone strong enough to protect the party from danger.
And Oran was the one who fit that description.
"Brother."
At that moment, Oran spoke in an uncharacteristically serious tone.
"Did you consider my past when making this decision?"
“......”
Oscar hesitated to answer.
When Oran said "past," he must’ve been referring to the time he encountered the Eye Thief and betrayed his comrades.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Oscar slowly parted his lips.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't."
"Heh, yeah. Thanks for being honest."
“......”
Oscar kept one eye on the Eye Thief and the other on Oran.
Because of that, he noticed right away when Oran quietly began gathering mana.
"You might want to cut that mana flow."
"And what makes you think you know what I’m trying to do?"
Without looking at him, Oscar continued.
"Whatever it is, don’t do it. Just turn around and go with the others to the first peak."
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
"Are you giving me orders right now?"
"Yes. You promised, remember? In the Red Mountains, you’d follow my commands."
There was a brief silence.
Then Oran let out a half-laugh.
"Tch. I guess I do vaguely recall making that promise. Always had a good head for details."
"Good. Then—"
"So what I’m doing now is insubordination, huh?"
"Oran Quill."
From behind, Kaya called out in an icy voice.
Oran turned to her casually and shrugged.
"What?"
"What the hell are you so unhappy about?"
"Oh... a bit of this, a bit of that?"
He responded lightly, and before anyone could stop him, threads shot out in every direction.
“Damn it!”
Oscar instinctively threw up a shield to protect himself and the others.
But contrary to what he expected, Oran’s threads didn’t attack them.
“...!”
“What is this?”
What Oran created with his threads was a massive wall—tightly woven and impenetrable. Nothing could be seen past it.
‘Wait—does that mean the Eye Thief...?’
As Oscar’s thoughts raced, Oran’s voice came from beyond the wall.
"Don’t worry. I’ve got my eyes locked right on the Eye Thief."
"...Why are you doing this?"
Oscar genuinely didn’t understand.
"You’d have a better chance of surviving if you came with the main group to the first peak."
"I know. I'm not an idiot—I get that."
"Then why—"
"As you know, I once used my comrades as bait to survive that thing."
A story he had once confessed before.
Beyond the veil of thread, Oran’s silhouette was faintly visible.
"I was betrayed first. The bastard I trusted fell asleep on watch and ditched me."
The three of them held their breath, listening to Oran’s calm confession.
"Maybe it was luck or instinct, but I woke up. The moment I saw the Eye Thief right in front of me, I screamed. I called the bastard’s name, but he never answered."
"......"
"I spent two full days and nights backing away, unable to sleep. My eyes were so dry and gritty that blinking scraped at my skin. I was so tired my vision blurred, and I kept thinking, ‘Maybe if I just die, this will all end.’ But then I’d feel bitter about dying like that. So I kept backing away. And eventually... I found that bastard who left me. He was crawling away with a broken ankle after fighting some monster."
Oran let out a dry laugh.
"I wanted to live. And I had the excuse that he betrayed me first. So I tied him up with my threads and made him stare at the Eye Thief. That’s when he finally apologized. Begged me to spare him, just once."
"...What did you do?"
"I didn’t listen. But... as I turned and ran away, leaving him behind, it felt... off. Like I was the villain somehow. Even though he betrayed me first, running while his screams echoed behind me... it made me feel like the bad guy. I still can’t shake that feeling. Don’t even know why."
"......"
After a moment of silence, Oscar finally spoke.
"That’s because you’re kind."
"What?"
"You’re wondering if maybe... just maybe, you should’ve forgiven him and run together. That’s why you feel that way."
"......"
Some people are simply born that way.
The kind who feel their heart pound with guilt even over small lies.
Oscar believed Oran was one of those people.
"...You’re something else, little brother. No one’s ever said that to me before."
"I’m sorry."
Oscar offered the words he felt he owed.
"I think I misjudged you."
"Eh, forget it. I’ve always gotten the short end, even when I try to be nice."
Oran spoke as if reproaching himself, but there was a subtle note of relief in his voice.
"Go. I’ll handle this thing."
"...I’ll cross the mountains as fast as I can and return with reinforcements."
"Yeah, yeah. I’m not ready to die yet."
Oran’s broad back, barely visible through the wall of thread, gave a faint shudder.
It was impossible to tell if he was laughing... or suppressing fear.
"Don’t die."
Kaya snapped.
"If you die, I might end up stuck with that lunatic 'designer' freak as a teammate."
"So I’m better than that guy, huh?"
"Obviously."
Kaya snorted, then glanced at Oscar.
"Let’s go. Before that idiot burns through the last of his energy."
"...Alright."
Oscar bit his lip hard, bowed his head once toward the wall of thread, and led the group away.
As the sound of their departing footsteps faded, Oran let out a faint chuckle.
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]

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