The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 28

“I’m so, so sorry. I’m an herb gatherer, and I saw the light, so I wondered if I could stay for a bit…”

The man, apologizing tearfully, looked lost in shock from the sudden attack. We were equally stunned, nearly having killed an innocent person. Hale, the first to regain his composure, quickly took charge of the situation.

“Oh, I’m really sorry. We thought it was a monster or something. Are you hurt?”

“N-no, I’m okay.”

With Hale’s help, the man stood up shakily and nodded. Now that we had composed ourselves, we approached him.

“We’re sorry. That could have been really bad.”

“We should have checked properly… Please accept our apologies.”

“No, it’s really fine. It’s only natural to be on guard in such a place. I’m not hurt, just startled, so don’t worry.”

Fortunately, the man quickly calmed down. His calm demeanor and smile eased the tension.

“I’m Serige. As I mentioned, I’m an herb gatherer. It’s a pleasure to meet travelers in such a remote area. With the treacherous terrain, it’s rare to encounter anyone here. As soon as I saw the light, I rushed over joyfully.”

“Ah, I see. It’s been a while since we’ve seen anyone else ourselves. Please, have a seat. We were just having dinner. If you haven’t eaten, join us.”

“Hehe, can I? Thank you, I will.”

Serige didn’t refuse Hamar’s offer and quickly joined us by the campfire. His bold nature, which allowed him to quickly forget his near-death experience, was matched by his easy-going personality.

Up close, he was quite handsome. When he took off his hat, his deep honey-colored eyes were striking. However, what really caught our attention was something else.

“…Your hair is green.”

“Ah, yes. It’s quite unusual, isn’t it? I’ve been teased a lot for it since I was a child.”

He laughed, brushing his hair back. Lisa looked at him with curious eyes.

“That’s fascinating. There was an apothecary in a village we visited before, and they also had green hair. I thought it was unique then. I didn’t expect to see another person with such unusual hair color.”

“Oh, really? Another person with green hair like mine?”

“Yes, and they had long hair that reached down to their waist.”

“Wow—I thought I was the only one with this color. That person must have had a hard time too. But it’s a bit odd to grow such long hair with this color.”

“Why? I think it’s beautiful.”

“Really? Do you really think so?”

“Yes, absolutely. Especially, Serige, your hair is even prettier than that apothecary’s. It looks like well-kept leaves of a tree.”

Lisa’s praise made him scratch the back of his head shyly. His innocence, which didn’t quite match his handsome face, elicited warm smiles from everyone. My feelings, however, were mixed. The hair color and the fact that he worked with herbs made me wonder if he might be from the same lineage as Semion. But based on what he said, it seemed they had no connection.

“Would you like some?”

“Oh, thank you. Wow, it smells wonderful. Looks delicious, too.”

He happily accepted the jerky I offered. Despite the fact that all travelers’ jerky tastes were similar, he expressed genuine gratitude and enjoyment. Then, not wanting to be outdone, he rummaged through his bag and pulled out a bundle. Inside were thick chunks of meat and dried fish.

“This is some rabbit I caught and prepared earlier, and these are fish from a stream. Would you like to share?”

“Oh! This is too much. We only gave you some jerky…”

“I can’t eat all this by myself anyway. I’d love to share it with some good people I’ve met.”

At that moment, Hamar grasped Serige’s hands. His gaze was as intense as someone professing love.

“You’re really a good person. What did you say your name was?”

“Serige… that is.”

“Right, Serige. You’ve saved me today. I won’t forget this kindness!”

“Hahahaha!”

Hamar, who had so fervently clamored for meat dishes, seemed to have lost his senses upon receiving what he desired. A name that was typically reserved for those he knew well came easily to his lips despite having met the man less than an hour ago. Camille, still being addressed as “young lord,” looked thoroughly displeased. Serige, oblivious to the dynamics, just offered an awkward smile.

“So, where are you headed, climbing this mountain? I don’t know if you’re aware, but this path leads to the territory of Dras, which is quite dangerous. If you tell me your destination, I can guide you through a safer route.”

“Oh, we’re actually headed that way. Due to our tight schedule, we had no choice but to traverse the mountain.”

“Going to the territory of Dras?”

“Yes, specifically to the Forest of Life within it. Don’t worry, we’re not criminals on the run. We’re all people of verified status. Certainly not slave hunters, either.”

Serige, who had been looking alarmed, quickly shook his head.

“I never had such thoughts. You don’t look like those types of people. But this works out perfectly. I was on my way to the Forest of Life as well.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, it’s known for its abundance of rare herbs. Since we’ve met, would you mind if I accompanied you? In return, I can guide you through a safer shortcut. I know every inch of this area.”

An herb gatherer as knowledgeable about the terrain as he would indeed be useful. Normally, this would be a welcome offer, but our group hesitated to respond. Even Hamar, who had been leading the conversation, looked troubled.

“Hmm, we might need to discuss this…”

“I’m also quite skilled at hunting. I can help ensure we have meals like tonight’s regularly.”

“What are you all hesitating for? A knowledgeable guide offering help isn’t something to turn down! Let’s go together!”

“…”

Everyone was taken aback by Hamar’s sudden change in attitude. Camille grumbled under his breath.

“That man would sell the Empire for a piece of meat.”

No one, naturally, disagreed with that statement.

* * *

There are things that everyone realizes only through experience. What I’ve learned from this expedition is that mountain climbing isn’t suited for me. It’s not just that climbing the mountain is difficult; the mountain air itself doesn’t agree with me.

People often say that entering a forest brings a refreshing and crisp feeling, but for me, it’s just stifling. It seems to me that the air in a densely populated city is cleaner and richer.

This feeling has worsened as time has passed, to the point where it’s not just stifling but even feels like it’s hindering my breathing. At least at night, when I can rest, it’s bearable, but during the day, every breath feels as if it’s mixed with dust. Noticing how my expression has increasingly hardened, Camille has been casting worried glances at me.

“Sei, you don’t look well. Are you sick?”

“…I’m just a bit short of breath.”

“What? Is it that bad?”

“What do you mean, that bad? I just feel breathless.”

“That is serious. Should we take a break?”

“No. I don’t want to disrupt the schedule. It’s not that severe.”

I observed the group, but it seemed I was the only one experiencing these symptoms. It wasn’t an illness, just that the mountain air didn’t suit me. I couldn’t ask to rest just because of that. Shaking my head, Camille frowned.

“What if pushing yourself makes it worse?”

“It won’t. Trust me.”

“You should never take health lightly. Besides, you’ve always been the type not to show when you’re hurting.”

“Hmm? Who’s hurting?”

Serige, who had been walking ahead, approached upon hearing us bicker. Before I could brush it off, Camille spoke up first.

“Sei’s feeling a bit unwell. He says he’s having trouble breathing.”

“What? Sei is sick?”

“Oh no, is it serious?”

“Where does it hurt, Sei?”

After assuring them that I was fine, I shot a warning glare at Camille, signaling him not to make a big deal out of it. Camille, however, casually turned his head away, clearly determined to get a break scheduled. Just as I was about to say something, Serige touched my forehead. The unexpectedly gentle touch made me freeze.

“Hm, you don’t seem to have a fever. How strange. Do you feel nauseous or dizzy?”

“No, I’m really okay. I think Camille is overreacting. I was just a bit out of breath.”

“Out of breath?”

“Yes, the air feels kind of stuffy…”

My answer left everyone puzzled.

“Stuffy? This isn’t high enough to cause breathlessness, and with the right amount of trees, the air should be quite fresh. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

“Yeah, the air here is quite good.”

“Exactly. The forest smells wonderful too.”

“You see, Sei? It’s you who’s not feeling well.”

Everyone agreeing with Camille made him look triumphant. However, Serige seemed deep in thought.

“Serige?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I felt a sense of camaraderie…”

“Camaraderie?”

“I understand how Sei feels. I also find it hard to breathe right now.”

“What? You too?”

Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected revelation. When all eyes were on him, he seemed a bit awkward and lightly rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“It’s not that my health is poor or anything. It seems that the mountain air doesn’t agree with me. I’ve been suffering like this every time I come to the mountains. It’s quite unfortunate for someone in my line of work.”

It’s quite a predicament for an herb gatherer who always has to climb mountains to have a constitution that doesn’t suit mountain air. Everyone looked at him with sympathetic expressions. Serige, on the other hand, brushed it off with a smile, saying he was fine since he had adapted well. He added that there are quite a few people with similar constitutions.