Chapter 14 Uneasy Alliances

The soft colors of dawn crept across the horizon

As the group waited at the gates, Alessandra broke the silence, her tone sharp. “Iryoku, I still don’t understand why Yumi and Rhogan are staying behind. This seems like something we should all be doing together.”

Iryoku stretched again, barely stifling another yawn. “Don’t worry about it, Shorty,” he said , as Alessandra’s eye twitched at the nickname. “She had to do some errand or something.”

Alessandra crossed her arms, unimpressed. “Errand? What kind of errand?”

Iryoku shrugged lazily, his tone nonchalant. “I dunno. Girl stuff, probably. Don’t stress it—she’s got Rhogan with her. He’ll keep her safe, make sure she doesn’t trip over her own tits.”

Alessandra’s brow twitched, her hand instinctively moving to her mace. “You’re insufferable.”

Reika, standing off to the side, groaned. “Do you ever take anything seriously, Iryoku?”

He grinned, throwing his hands behind his head. “Sure I do. Just not when it’s unnecessary.”

Reika’s thoughts wandered back to the night before, replaying the events at the carriage. After the group discussed Léon’s offer, they had all agreed to accept the job. Yumi and Alessandra seemed eager to proceed, while Iryoku, as usual, shrugged and left the decision-making to them.

Later that night, as Reika sat inside the carriage, trying to focus on her magical studies, movement outside caught her attention. Through the small window, she saw Yumi standing a few meters away, her back to the carriage.

Reika’s gaze narrowed when she noticed Iryoku approaching Yumi. He bent slightly, leaning closer to her as if whispering something. There he goes again, that shameless flirt, always harassing women, Reika thought with a scowl.

Yumi’s face was partially obscured, but Reika could tell from her stiff posture that she was flustered. Why does he always have to act like this? Reika’s annoyance grew, and she turned her attention back to her book, muttering under her breath. “Honestly, he’s insufferable.”

Léon’s face flashed in her mind—his elegant demeanor, polished manners, and handsome features standing in stark contrast to Iryoku’s carefree, irritating attitude and rugged, intimidating appearance.

That jerk can’t even compare to someone like Léon, she thought bitterly. Now there’s a gentleman. He’s trustworthy and refined. Not like this reckless idiot.

Her thoughts snapped back to the present as Iryoku yawned loudly again. “Do you have to be so lazy this early in the morning?” she snapped.

He glanced at her with a half-smirk.

Reika rolled her eyes and turned away, muttering something about the lack of decent company. Alessandra smirked faintly but remained silent, her focus still on the road.

As minutes passed, the city gates began to stir with life. Merchants, travelers, and townsfolk began bustling about, their chatter filling the crisp air.

Iryoku stretched lazily, “Look . Here comes your boyfriend.”

Reika, startled, turned to the incoming crowd, her face flushing a deep red. She scanned the people pouring through the gates—mostly peddlers with carts—and her eyes landed on a particularly tall, overweight man with coarse features and an unkempt beard. Her face contorted with a mix of disbelief and mortification.

When Iryoku burst out laughing, clutching his stomach like he’d just heard the best joke in the world, Reika realized he had been teasing her. Her cheeks grew even redder, her embarrassment quickly turning into anger. She spun around to glare at him.

“You’re unbearable!” she hissed, her tone sharp enough to make Alessandra step between them.

“That’s enough already, Iryoku,” Alessandra said sternly.

Still chuckling, Iryoku waved dismissively, his grin unrepentant.

A few minutes later, the gate opened again, and the figure of Léon emerged, flanked by three tall men in polished plate armor. Léon’s confident stride and refined demeanor instantly caught their attention. His polished boots barely made a sound as he approached the group with grace.

“Good morning, Lady Reika,” he said smoothly, bowing slightly before turning to Alessandra. “And this exquisite lady—”

As he reached out to take their hands in greeting, Iryoku suddenly stepped between them, gripping both of Léon’s extended hands in an overly friendly shake. “Hey there, buddy!” Iryoku said, his grin wide and deliberately obnoxious. “You’re late, you know that?”

Léon blinked in surprise but quickly composed himself, offering a polite smile. “My apologies for the delay. The city guards held us up momentarily.”, his expression remained polite yet curious. “I must admit, I expected your group to be... larger,” he remarked.

Iryoku shrugged, smirking. “Funny, I could say the same,” he replied, casting a glance at the three warriors behind Léon. The men were tall and heavily armored, their faces hard and grim, exuding an air of barely restrained menace.

Léon’s smile didn’t falter. “Ah, my dear friend, most of my company—including our mage—are already at the site. These fine gentlemen and I were gathering more information about some... unexpected creatures.”

Alessandra stepped forward, her tone sharp and direct. “What kind of creatures?”

Léon’s expression darkened, his usual charm replaced with seriousness. “Demons,” he said simply.

A heavy silence fell over the group, each member processing the weight of that single word.

“Well, then,” Léon continued, his tone firm. “Shall we? I’ll explain more as we go.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The group began their travel eastward, moving through the dense forest that stretched far beyond the town’s boundaries. As they walked, Léon spoke.

“Monsters have been pouring into the town territory,” he explained, his voice steady. “It’s not natural—they’re being pushed down from somewhere. We suspect something larger, something far more dangerous, might be the cause.”

Reika listened intently, her eyes fixed on Léon’s face. She found herself captivated by his calm demeanor and confident tone, her heart fluttering as if she were a maiden in love.

Alessandra, walking beside her, noticed Reika’s lingering gaze and frowned, her brow creasing in disapproval. She said nothing, choosing instead to focus on the task ahead.

Meanwhile, Iryoku moved unpredictably, disappearing and reappearing at random intervals. Sometimes he was ahead of the group, scouting silently; other times, he was behind, muttering to himself as he examined the ground. His antics seemed to go unnoticed by Léon, but they grated on Reika’s nerves.

As the group pressed further into the forest, Léon pointed ahead. “We’ve found evidence—carcasses of monsters, mauled and scattered. The trail leads toward that mountain.” He gestured to a small peak visible in the distance, its base shrouded in shadow.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling broke the tense quiet. From the underbrush, a small creature leapt out with startling speed, its gnarled claws aimed at one of Léon’s warriors. The man reacted instantly, raising his shield to block the attack before slashing with his sword. The creature screeched as it was cleaved in two, its lifeless body hitting the ground.

The group gathered around to examine the creature. Its twisted form resembled a monstrous mandrill, its fur matted and its face distorted with unnaturally long fangs.

Reika knelt down, her voice steady but uneasy. “It looks like a larger variant of a mandrill… but far more vicious.”

Léon nodded grimly. “There may be more. Everyone, stick together and maintain formation. Stay alert, my friends,” he instructed, his voice heavy with caution.

The group continued their travel through the darkening forest, their movements cautious. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant cry of an unseen creature. Léon led the way with confidence, while Iryoku stayed closer to the rear, his eyes darting around warily. Reika remained near the center, Alessandra by her side with her shield raised.

Without warning, the underbrush erupted in movement. Dozens of the mandrill-like monsters emerged from the shadows, their twisted forms grotesque in the dim light. Their growls filled the air as they encircled the group, cutting off any escape.

“Defensive positions!” Léon barked, his voice sharp and commanding. The group immediately formed a tight ring, shields raised and weapons poised for action. Reika was ushered into the center, her heart pounding as she began to channel her magic. Just as she prepared to unleash a spell, a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

“Don’t waste all your magic,” Iryoku murmured, his tone calm but firm. “We don’t know what else is out here.”

Reika flinched, startled. She hadn’t even noticed him move so close. His sudden proximity sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn’t have time to question it. She nodded reluctantly and shifted her focus, preparing smaller, more precise spells.

The battle began in a whirlwind of chaos. One of the creatures lunged at Alessandra, its claws outstretched. She raised her shield just in time, blocking the attack with a loud clang. With a swift motion, she swung her mace, smashing it into the creature’s torso. The impact sent the beast flying into a tree with a sickening crunch, where it lay motionless.

Reika followed suit, releasing bursts of fire and lightning that struck the monsters with precision. She conserved her energy, targeting only those that came too close to the group’s defenses.

Iryoku stayed close behind Alessandra, his twin daggers flashing in the dim light. A creature attempted to overwhelm Alessandra from the side, but Iryoku stepped in, slashing across its torso with a fluid motion. His blade met flesh, and the beast fell lifeless to the ground. Without pause, he spun and dispatched another creature with a swift swipe to its neck. His movements were quick and precise, like a predator in its element.

Léon and his warriors fought with practiced efficiency. The three armored men held the perimeter, their shields forming an impenetrable wall as they struck down the creatures with their swords. Léon, however, moved with uncanny grace, weaving between his men with his thin, elegant fencing sword. He exploited every opening, his blade piercing the monsters’ weak points with ease. His fluidity and precision were mesmerizing, though Iryoku, glancing at him from the corner of his eye, maintained a serious expression.

With their combined efforts, the group managed to repel the horde. The last creature fell with a pitiful growl, collapsing at Léon’s feet. The forest fell silent once more, the ground littered with the corpses of the monstrous mandrills.

“Well done,” Léon said, his voice smooth and composed as he surveyed the group. “Your skills are truly remarkable. It’s no wonder you’ve made it this far.” He smiled warmly, his gaze lingering briefly on Reika before addressing the group as a whole. “With companions like you, I have no doubt we’ll succeed in our task.”

Reika felt a tinge of pride at his words.

Alessandra adjusted her shield, her sharp eyes scanning the treeline for any more threats.

Léon gestured ahead. “We’re close now. Stay sharp. If those creatures were here, it means we’re nearing their origin. Let’s move.”

The group pressed on, the forest growing darker as they approached the mountain’s shadowed base.

As they emerged from the dense forest and reached the foot of the mountain, a sense of unease filled the air. Before them stood a small group of individuals: an elderly man in a robe, a heavily armored soldier carrying a shield and sword, and two women with swords and shields who bore a confident, disciplined demeanor.

The atmosphere shifted. Most of the group visibly relaxed at the sight of the new arrivals. Reika and Alessandra exchanged glances, their previous tension ebbing as they observed how well-trained and capable Léon’s companions appeared. However, Iryoku remained rigid and serious, his gaze scanning the forest behind them one last time before reluctantly joining the others.

As they approached, the group greeted Léon with disciplined respect, addressing him as “Captain.” Their camaraderie was evident, their words and actions flowing as if part of a well-rehearsed routine. Reika found herself feeling reassured, comforted by their professionalism and Léon’s leadership.

Léon strode confidently toward the elderly man in robes. “Master Ulric,” he said with his usual charm. “Have you learned anything of significance?”

The old mage, Ulric, nodded with a warm smile, his eyes flicking briefly to Reika, Alessandra, and Iryoku. “Indeed,” he began. “We recently discovered some ruins deeper within. There are treasures inside, as well as a collection of old tomes and manuscripts. One book, in particular, caught my attention—it may belong to someone with considerable knowledge. Perhaps this Vitka you seek.”

Reika’s heart leaped at the mention of the ruins, though Iryoku’s expression darkened.

Ulric gestured toward a nearby cave nestled at the mountain’s base. “The ruins are within. The cave is safe—no sign of monsters within. It would be a good place to rest before venturing further.”

“That will be most helpful,” Léon replied, already leading the way toward the entrance. Reika and Alessandra moved to follow, eager to see the ruins and learn more.

But before they could step inside, Iryoku stepped in front of them, his voice low but firm. “Don’t go in,” he said, his tone sharper than usual.

Reika frowned. “What’s your problem now? They said there’s nothing dangerous in there!”

“I said don’t go in,” Iryoku repeated, his gaze locking with Alessandra’s. His serious look, the beads of sweat forming on his brow, and the tension in his body unsettled her.

Alessandra’s expression softened into a cheerful facade. “Oh, Reika, come with me! I need to find the girls’ room,” she said suddenly, grabbing Reika’s hand. Without waiting for a response, she pulled her away from the cave, her cheerful voice masking her unease.

Léon turned back, noticing the two women stepping away. “Where are they going?” he asked, his brow furrowing.

“Girls’ stuff,” Iryoku said dismissively, waving his hand. “They’ll catch up later.” His tone was so casual it almost sounded mocking, but it was enough to satisfy Léon.

“Very well,” Léon said, turning his attention back to the entrance. “Master Ulric, show us those books, if you would.”

Iryoku followed them inside, sparing one last glance toward Reika and Alessandra. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes lingered on the pair before he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the cave, surrounded by Léon’s companions.