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Anyway, I was just grateful now.
ㅤ
“And you?”
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“Who would care about someone like me?”
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Joseph smiled faintly.
ㅤ
The story of trying to escape was when the Aitz family was intact and intended to offer to Karamaf, but who would care about a hunter like Joseph now that the Aitz family was destroyed?
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“Thank you, Joseph. If someone asks, just respond appropriately. I don’t mind.”
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“. . .Yes. I will do that.”
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Joseph answered, enduring something tickling his throat. He had lived his life despising nobles, but the young knight before him had a compelling presence. He made Joseph feel it wouldn’t be regrettable even to sacrifice his life for him.
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I was both regretful and amazed at myself.
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“I hope we can meet again someday.”
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“I. . . feel the same.”
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After bidding farewell, Johan turned his horse and ran into the forest, quickly hidden by the darkness. Left alone, Joseph looked around to assess the situation.
ㅤ
‘𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘪𝘵𝘻 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘧𝘥𝘰𝘮? 𝘐𝘧 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥. . .’
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Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves thundered. Startled, Joseph looked up. Karamaf, having regrouped with the main force, was looking down at him from his horse.
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“Have you seen Johan Aitz?”
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“. . .Yes.”
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It wasn’t a question, but a confirmation.
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The mercenaries on horseback exuded a beast-like aura, and Karamaf, expressionless, constricted hearts with just his gaze.
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Joseph instinctively realized. If he lied, he would die here.
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“Where did he go?”
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“South. . . down that road.”
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Thinking about it, anyone fleeing would have headed downwards, especially a noble, towards the road connecting to the ancient Empire highway, located below the Black Forest and past the millstream.
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The mercenaries didn’t seem to suspect Joseph’s lie, suggesting to Karamaf.
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“Your Karamaf-nim, we can catch him if we chase now.”
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“How far could he have run by now.”
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“. . . . . .”
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Instead of responding, Karamaf stared intently at Joseph, as if trying to see through his eyes into his heart. Joseph pretended to tremble, avoiding Karamaf’s gaze.
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‘𝘛𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵. 𝘒𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘥.’
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Joseph had no regrets. Even if he died here, it was his choice. It was better to die for Johan than to help someone like Karamaf.
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“Let’s go! We’ll chase him.”
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Karamaf turned and led the mercenaries downhill. Joseph took a deep breath, feeling sweaty.
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“This fiefdom too, only until today.”
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It didn’t seem like his lie would be exposed, but if they couldn’t find him, he could be blamed. He had to escape as quickly as possible.
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Fortunately, he was a skilled hunter, very familiar with the geography of the forests and mountains, and knew how to escape through them. It was easy for him to slip past the indifferent mercenaries and flee.
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“Hey, Joseph! Are you also looking for the nobles?”
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Serfs holding torches appeared. Joseph smiled slyly and nodded.
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“Let’s search together! It’s reassuring with you around. If anyone swings a sword, let’s shoot them.”
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“Oh my. Is it really okay to shoot?”
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“Didn’t you see Karamaf-nim kill someone earlier? And he paid us in silver right away.”
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Joseph blended in among the serfs. Being among them meant he wouldn’t be suspected even if he went a bit far. Next, he planned to sneak away with an excuse and escape.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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“. . .Keep pursuing them.”
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“Yes. Are you returning, Karamaf-nim?”
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“No. I’ll search elsewhere.”
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“??”
ㅤ
The mercenaries were puzzled but didn’t question further. They just had to follow Karamaf’s orders.
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“Find him at all costs. I’ll put a gold reward on it.”
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“. . .!!!”
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The mercenaries, excited by the unexpected fortune, gripped their weapons tighter, their breath heavy with desire.
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“We will certainly capture him!”
ㅤ
After sending the mercenaries, Karamaf didn’t return to the town. He changed direction and headed towards the forest, the same Black Forest from where mercenaries returned after encountering wolves.
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Karamaf kept his suspicions to himself. But something unnerved him. Choosing the dangerous forest over a safe path seemed foolish, yet. . .
ㅤ
Karamaf was drawn to the forest as if enchanted. He was a cool-headed knight but didn’t ignore the signals his intuition sent.