Chapter 6 | Counter Sword Method — Part 2

“Throw the grimoire into the center,” he demanded.

“No. We’re warriors, right? Or rather, adventurers, and we have rules. We’re supposed to be brave, aren’t we? Things like this should be settled face-to-face.”

“Fine. Go on. Be quick.”

I moved toward his side, and he turned around to keep his distance. Standing about three meters away, right in the center of the entrance, I slowly pulled out the grimoire and raised it.

It’s exactly where it needs to be. I move my other hand toward my waist and point at him. That’s the signal.

I draw my dagger in one swift motion. He knocks Leif to the ground. The elf takes a few steps back, sheaths his dagger, and swings his sword directly at me.

“Now!” I shouted.

A dull whistle cut through the air and struck the sword head-on. A flash of sparks made the elf lose his grip, sending the weapon crashing to the ground. The arrow fell beside it.

“Guikyume, now!” Itsuki ordered.

I rushed toward the elf and grabbed him with all my strength. I signaled to Itsuki, and he gave another signal to Cliff, who had been watching from above. Cliff brought over a rope made almost entirely from tree roots and tightly bound the elf.

“Guikyume, what is this?!” Erika exclaimed, caught between anger and confusion.

The others began approaching.

“I can tell you that an idea simply came to me,” I replied.

Erika crossed her arms while the escort tended to Leif. The young noble refused his help and walked straight toward me.

“You did well. Give me the grimoire.”

“As you wish.”

The elf struggled to break free, but Sarah immediately appeared, aiming her drawn bow directly at him.

“Move even a little, and you’ll regret it,” she said in a cold voice.

“Sarah!” Erika reprimanded her for her harsh tone.

“Erika!” Sarah replied, standing her ground.

Cliff let out a brief laugh, but his expression immediately turned serious.

“We need to leave now, before the others arrive,” he suggested.

We all nodded.

“Hey, Guikyume...” I heard the escort’s voice behind me.

“Hmm?” I turned my head. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry I treated you with such disdain. That’s all I wanted to say.”

“It’s fine,” I replied with a faint smile.

“Cliff, do you know anything about Frodenher?” Erika asked as she adjusted her sword.

“He appeared near the forest exit. I ran into him on the way, and he told me he would only be helping the adventurers keep from getting lost, but that he would wait for us at the exit.”

“Haha, damn kindhearted mage. All right, fine.”

As soon as we left the abandoned ruins behind, the massive stone door slammed shut behind us.

“Itsuki, how did you find us?” I asked as we walked.

“Oh, well... We found Cliff near the river. We had reached the area too, but decided to wait there for you,” he explained as he mounted Majestic. “Then we suddenly heard shouting. We approached quietly to see what was happening, and I saw the scene, so we acted.”

“All right... Nice shot.”

“Thanks, thanks. Come on, get on. We have to go.”

“Erika, get on already,” Leif ordered. She nodded and mounted.

We still hadn’t completed the map. I took out my bag and pulled out my notebook.

“The map... Itsuki, Sarah, Cliff, tell me everything you saw. Then we can put together the final route.”

They told me every detail of their route. I drew the lines, connecting the path Erika, Leif, and I had taken. Everything pointed to the same conclusion: if we followed the river downstream toward the west, we would find the exit.

“Move out!” Erika ordered from the front.

...

Everything had gone perfectly. Even I was surprised by how quickly and effectively we had managed to regroup. There had been a few confrontations along the way, but we had made it. All that remained was to head west.

I carefully watched everyone as we continued moving. When I looked at Itsuki, I remembered that I still had to tell him what had happened... But did I really need to do it now? I didn’t think it was the right time.

“We’re under attack!” Cliff suddenly shouted.

Dith, Leif’s enemy, was pursuing us on horseback alongside her companions. Her archer immediately began firing arrows at us.

We picked up the pace through the vegetation, dodging trees at full speed and leaping over rocks.

“Don’t be cowards!” Dith shouted, rapidly closing the distance between herself and Leif.

“Guikyume! Do it!” Itsuki held out the horse’s rope to me.

I can’t do it. The technique we used a few months ago on our way here... I’ll have to think fast.

“Guikyume, you’re the most agile one! Take out the archer!” Erika ordered.

“Escort, get closer!” I ordered the guard.

I steadied myself, prepared, and jumped onto the other horse. Then I moved to the next one. I planted my feet firmly on the ground, waited for the archer to pass, ran toward his mount, grabbed the reins, and climbed onto its back to knock him down.

The man struggled to get back up... Everything seemed to be happening far too quickly. The archer fired an arrow directly at Majestic’s legs, making him fall violently.

“Itsuki!” I shouted.

“Keep going!” Itsuki shouted back.

They want to stop us, but they also want to win, so they’ll keep going no matter what.

Cliff and Sarah prepared themselves. They charged straight toward the two remaining horses, forcibly knocking the adventurers off them, and the fight continued on the ground. Erika and Leif kept moving forward, but Dith refused to give up.

I ran faster, dodging the arrows slicing through the air. Itsuki positioned himself behind the bushes and aimed at the archer, who finally stopped. Leif was still in danger!

Majestic struggled back onto his feet, then gave me a clear signal to get on.

I accepted, feeling somewhat guilty, but mounted immediately and accelerated toward them.

“Sarah, Cliff, Itsuki, let’s go!” I shouted.

Cliff delivered a devastating blow to the other warrior’s stomach, while Sarah and Itsuki threatened him, completely disarming him.

I can see the exit in the distance!

Majestic charged forward and knocked Dith down. Itsuki positioned himself behind Sarah and Cliff, running without stopping. He fired one final, precise shot right in front of the enemy mage as a warning.

“Bastards!” I heard Dith shout furiously behind us.

Another rival group approached and took the lead, while Dith’s group struggled awkwardly to get back on their feet. 

“Frodenher!” Erika noticed the mage just beyond the boundary.

Dith and her men pulled up alongside us. I looked back: the two members of the other group who had been approaching had been knocked down.

Every gallop thundered with tremendous force. My breathing was ragged amid the shouting and chaos of the race. Frodenher joined us during the final stretch.

We crossed the exit.

But...

They made it.

By only a few centimeters.

We passed at such incredible speed that the knights guarding the boundary simply stared at us in complete silence. Leifnnår seemed lost... Harold approached us while Dith celebrated excitedly. The two escorts, ours and the other group’s, immediately intercepted Harold.

We all dismounted.

“The rule was not followed,” the other escort said firmly.

“What are you talking about?!” Dith shouted desperately. “All the rules were followed!”

“That’s right, Captain Harold. They attacked us with extreme force, so we had no choice but to defend ourselves.”

“Oh, I see. Do you still have the artifact?”

“Yes.”

The other escort pulled a spherical artifact from his belt. Harold signaled to a guard mage, who took the sphere. The object remained suspended in the air as its energy was absorbed into the mage’s staff. Seconds later, it projected a light that displayed moving images of the entire attack.

“Captain Harold, the mana traces detected every movement with complete accuracy. Leif’s group is the winner because the others broke the main rule prohibiting any attempt to take an opponent’s life,” the mage declared.

We all looked at one another, completely confused. I had never seen technology or magic like that before.

“This has to be a joke!” Dith shouted, completely losing control.

Harold looked at her with disdain and signaled the other knights to take her group away. As Dith continued shouting and protesting, Leif began laughing in relief and patted Itsuki and me on the shoulder.

Suddenly, another group reached the finish line, followed by yet another.

“Leifnnår and Erika! Your group is the official winner. We will escort you to the main square to receive your reward. You have demonstrated exceptional courage and bravery today!”

I looked for Frodenher and told him about Majestic’s injured legs. He approached and healed him with healing magic. A green light spread across the wounds, and when it faded, the injuries had completely disappeared.

“However, healing magic can put considerable strain on the muscles. He needs to rest,” he warned me.

“Thank you very much, Frodenher.”

Cliff asked for a spare horse, and we left the area, following the knights toward the main cavalry square.

...

We talked about what we would do with the reward and other everyday things. When we reached the main square, we waited for the others. We were given words of encouragement, while the nobles received an official commendation as explorers.

As for us, the Royal Cavalry placed a signature in our adventurer cards alongside the inscription: Winner of the Forest of Disconnection Event. We received our rewards in individual bags. Leifnnår, meanwhile, received a special card granting him access to the forbidden library for two days. The escort, which I had only just learned was named Lucius, received a reward of twenty gold coins. Apparently, that was quite a substantial amount within the royal cavalry. The discreet glances Leifnnår kept giving Dith were honestly hilarious.

The ceremony was spectacular, with food everywhere. Itsuki and Sarah enjoyed it to the fullest; apparently, the two had grown quite close.

When the event ended, we gathered at the guild. The other adventurers couldn't help staring at us, but we paid them no attention.

“Counter Sword Method, let’s raise our glasses!” Erika said, raising her drink.

The others clinked their mugs together, while Itsuki and I simply raised our fists.

“And then one of those guys tried to hit me! I dodged him like I was ten years younger, haha!” Cliff laughed nonstop.

“Hey, hey! Wait... I took down a giant!” Itsuki suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone stared at him, completely confused and silent.

“It’s true!” Sarah added in support.

“Whatever you say, kid. The forest must have messed with your head.”

“Cliff! It’s true! It was made of rock!”

“Hmmm... all right, haha. Fine,” Erika said, clearly not taking him seriously.

Itsuki looked directly at me, asking for support.

“Yeah, it’s true. I don’t think it’s that strange either. That forest was completely bizarre,” I commented.

“Wait! Do you remember the path through the forest?” our mage asked.

“Honestly, I don’t remember the map, but I do remember what happened in there,” Sarah replied.

“That’s why it’s called the Forest of Disconnection!” Erika shouted, slamming her fist on the table. “Although I think I already told you that, didn’t I?”

“I don’t remember, haha,” Cliff said before taking another sip of his drink.

“Whatever you say...”

“Leif!” Itsuki suddenly shouted.

I turned my head and saw him standing at the guild entrance, covered by a black cloak with the hood pulled up. I remembered our deal, although I hadn't expected him to come looking for me so soon. He quickly approached Itsuki.

“Don’t say my name,” he whispered discreetly. “I’m wearing the cloak for a reason, don’t you think?”

“Ah... all right.”

“Hey, stay and have a drink with us,” Erika offered.

“Oh, no. I’d love to, Miss Erika, but I only came to speak with Guikyume. By the way, let’s go outside, Guikyume.”

“All right. I won’t be long,” I told the others before standing up.

...

The cold night air hit my face as I stepped outside. Leif moved his cloak to the side of his waist, took a travel bag, and pulled out two old books before handing them to me.

“Here you go. A deal is a deal, right?”

“Do you know what the grimoire is about?” I asked as I took the two books and carefully placed them in my bag.

“No. I need to study it thoroughly, and that will take time. The same goes for you and those books; they’re extremely complex. I got ahead of things today, but unfortunately, I was only able to negotiate five books in total. They’re written in an ancient language. You might be able to find an ancient language translation guide in one of the larger libraries, although it’s quite expensive. With the reward you received today, you should have no trouble buying one.”

“I understand. Where could I find something like that?”

“Do you know the Kingdom of the Seven Sages?”

That question struck my mind with the force of a blow. Leif’s words seemed to freeze in the air. The mere mention of that place suddenly brought back the memories, the shadow of the letter, and everything surrounding it. My pulse quickened for a second, but I kept my expression neutral.

“Yes...” I replied, lowering my voice slightly.

“Well, there are several huge libraries there. I studied there for a winter.”

“All right.”

“By the way, the knights took the grimoire first to investigate it, but they gave it back to me afterward. According to their records, they knew the grimoire was in the Forest of Disconnection because a knight managed to map the route during a previous expedition.”

“Interesting, indeed.”

“Very. Well, I’ve done my part, so I should be going...”

“Thank you very much, Leif.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, taking a couple of steps before stopping as if he had just remembered something. “I almost forgot, Guikyume...”

“Yes?”

“Keep the Royal Knights’ signature in mind. It could open doors for you if you want to enter a magic academy. You have a lot of potential, so if you receive an invitation, think about it carefully.”

“A magic academy?”

“Yes. With that said, I should be going. I hope to see you again,” he said, extending his hand firmly.

“All right. I hope to see you again,” I replied, accepting his handshake.

He left silently in the darkness. I watched him for a few seconds as his figure disappeared into the dark streets. I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag, feeling the weight of the 

books and the crushing certainty that my fate was pushing me exactly where I knew I had to go. I went back inside to join the others. 

I tried not to think about the Kingdom of the Seven Sages...

I sat down at the table, and Erika looked at me curiously.

“How is young Leif?”

“I think he’s fine.”

“All right. Let’s get back to celebrating!”

...

Two weeks passed, filled with one assignment after another. We had grown much closer to everyone; we laughed, fought together... but my time with the group had come to an end. I had bought the carriage and was preparing the supplies with Itsuki.

“Hey!” Erika suddenly appeared. The others were right behind her.

“Erika, I told you about this...”

“I know. I’m just here to say goodbye to my best choice.”

“Thank you, all of you. Really.”

Frodenher approached at a calm pace.

“I hope you manage to improve your magic, Guikyume.”

“I will.”

Sarah approached Itsuki. He stepped down from the carriage with a somewhat sad expression. It was understandable; they had grown quite close during this time.

“Itsuki, thank you so much for your help. Really.”

“Same to you,” he replied before hugging her.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Erika interrupted, pointing behind her. “This horse is my gift to you! And yes, I bought it legally. I didn’t do what some other people do.”

Itsuki laughed softly, looking a little nervous.

“He’s a companion for Majestic,” Erika added with a smile.

“Thank you so much. Really.”

I took the reins of the new horse, introduced him to Majestic, and attached the hitch to the carriage.

“All right, it’s time,” I said as I climbed into the back of the carriage.

“Where are you heading now?” Erika asked.

“Lyshånd. The Kingdom of Lyshånd.”

“I see... Have a safe journey!”

“You too!”

Itsuki climbed onto the driver’s seat and set the carriage in motion.

“I hope we see you again!” Itsuki shouted, standing up on the driver’s bench while holding onto the roof of the carriage.

We both waved goodbye. Erika ran after us for a few meters with a slight smile before stopping.

“Don’t forget about us!”

I remembered every moment we had shared since we met. I lowered my head for a moment and silently accepted that I truly considered them my friends... my true companions on this adventure.

I raised my fist towa

rd the sky and declared firmly:

“Counter Sword Method forever!”