Falling: How to Survive as a Cannon Fodder

HTSCF CH 060 The way to Gondoa

Jun, who believed himself to be the strongest, wept inside when he heard Ophelia's words, but he couldn't deny that she spoke the truth. Aurelius's light magic and Raven's dark magic seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Although he could use all types of magic, he'd still have a difficult time against them... Best to change the topic.

"Lia, dinner is ready. Come eat."

Hurling a 'humph' at the Mage, Ophelia trudged over to the campfire to join her parents in dinner. They ate in relative serenity while the other party set up camp on the opposite side from them. After dinner, they sat around the campfire to watch the night sky. Aurelius and Ophelia talked a lot, Jun talked enough, and Raven didn't talk at all, merely concentrating on feeding Jun some sliced fruit.

Such a harmonious sight caused the other party to feel overwhelmed by various levels of sourness. The women, in particular, found it inappropriate for a man, a blind one at that, to be showered with affection by two very handsome and capable men. Sensing the blatant animosity through their bitter stares, Jun laughed. Didn't these people leave Aurelius for dead? They hadn't even bothered to examine if he was dead nor bothered to bury his "corpse."

Ophelia tugged on Jun's shirt, distracting him from his thoughts. "Daddy."

"Hmm?"

"I know we're going to Gondoa for my birthday, but would I be able to have something else?"

Jun smiled and patted her head. "Of course. What would you like?"

"I want a mask just like Father's."

The mask Jun made for Raven was exquisite but not suitable for a little girl. "Is a different design ok?"

"Yes!"

"Then find me a piece of wood you'd like me to—"

"Already did!" Ophelia handed over the piece of wood she found not too long ago and had been holding onto. This wood was of a unique color, burgundy, and she very much appreciated it. Jun felt the wood in his hands, reading its properties through magic.

Right in front of everyone's eyes, including those from the other party, the wood began to bend and transform as it was molded into a beautiful mask by Jun, decorated by stunning carved flowers. Without a magic staff, wand, spells, or magic words, and within a matter of 15 seconds, such breathtaking, complicated magic was performed.

"Done." Jun presented the mask to Ophelia for her appraisal. "Do you like it?"

Unable to hold back, Ophelia threw herself into Jun's arms. "I love it! Thank you, daddy..."

Again, the other party was blinded by such a sweet scene. That young man was indeed a Mage, a very powerful one, perhaps as powerful as the little girl insisted. After witnessing this spectacle, the two Swords stood up, their decision made. They ambled over to where Jun sat on the ground.

"You..." One of them started. "Can you completely purify corruption?"

Jun "looked" at them and nodded. "I can, but for you to remain purified, you'll have to stop being Swords."

Such a thing wasn't entirely surprising. They knew of Aurelius, a fellow Sword, and after observing him without his Sword all day, this was within their expectations. Then again, did he need a Sword when he could produce such outstanding magic earlier, so effortlessly?

In that case, they were better off learning from Aurelius's experience. "...Would, would you be willing to teach us magic?"

"No. I'm willing to purify but not teach." The two Swords blanched. Jun's response was not following the script?