Chapter 6: After the Crisis

With a series of urgent horn blasts, the beastmen besieging the camp retreated like ebbing tide.

Cheers erupted inside.

“Thanks to you repelling the warlord, we held.”

Olga, drenched in beastman blood, sat exhausted, thanking Alicia.

But situation grim.

Both Alicia and Olga thought same.

Beastmen far beyond expected; could hold with makeshift defenses now, but this way, before border reinforcements, all doomed!

“Plans next?”

To Alicia’s question, Olga’s voice hoarse, eyes pained at groaning wounded mercenaries.

Battle—most mercenaries combat-incapable, many caravan fled.

Remaining could fight, but all injured.

“Too many beastmen; next wave unstoppable. Now only sacrifice some…”

Olga frowned tight, resolved then continued.

“I’ll draw attention with the rest.”

“…Got it.”

Alicia silent moment, nodded.

Seeing agreement, Olga eased.

“Great, one more favor—take Cosette? Reason—”

But before finish, Cosette’s voice.

“Captain, what are you saying!”

Alicia looked—Cosette somehow beside, eyes teary, body trembling.

“I’m mercenary too—why treat different now? Because—”

“This time, listen to me…”

Olga sighed helpless, hand-chopped Cosette unconscious, face reluctant.

“Miss Alicia, rest trouble you.”

“Captain Olga, take care.”

Admired the man, Alicia sincerely hoped safe.

Prepared, Alicia with unconscious Cosette, under Olga’s cover, slipped camp, south to dense forest.

Camp clashes faded to silence.

Night quiet again.

Unlike pre-traverse nights, here “bright”—gentle moonlight, every leaf shadow on ground. Vast Milky Way pierced sky.

But Alicia no time admire.

Fight with warlord worsened unhealed wounds.

Intense pain swept body, especially left chest—worse now.

Even finger move, arm like in fire sea.

Helpless, Alicia stopped rest.

Cosette woke unknown when.

Eyes vacant, no expected crying—just silent curled aside.

Hope flame extinguished, replaced blank sorrow.

Finally, girl lowered head—no words, but wind-carried soft sobs reached Alicia.

“Water?”

…

Cosette blankly took waterskin—atmosphere heavier.

Long while, emotions sorted, Cosette low said.

“…Thank you.”

Watching trembling shoulders, Alicia silent, speechless.

Subconsciously still game events, ignored.

But now over, Alicia complex mood.

Moment, recalled youth.

Father work-ill, she watched disease take closest, powerless.

“No thanks needed. Bad at comfort, but hope you hold hope. World no absolutes—even no miracles, carry remembrance of lost, bravely live on.”

Mouth open close long, finally Alicia did what could.

“…Mm.”

Cosette flat response.

But hands clenched released, head low choking, voice faint anger powerless.

Alicia watched silent, only helpless.

Similar experience—she knew, living now needed more courage than death.

“Miss Alicia, thank you… I know… sinking harms captain them, you who saved with life, but please time…”

Cosette voice still low, but not defeated—Alicia relieved.

About to change heavy topic, faint rustle alerted.

Alicia wary looked source, combat ready.

“Don’t attack! Me!”

Voice clearer—Alicia saw: camp merchant.

“Mr. Walt?!”

Cosette surprised too.

Luck or what—Walt escaped beastman encirclement, shocking.

“Shh…! Hard dodged beastmen, don’t loud attract!”

Seeing Cosette speak, Walt shushed, hurried over.

Spot unfit rest; trio moved south more, found slope reverse, stopped.

Alicia finally chance sort situation.