Lament of the Slave

Chapter 53: Handover

Hours later, after leaving the crossroad, we arrived at Esulmor Woods.

Aspen and I were expecting an attack, an attempt by the Shadowbreakers to get rid of Rutledge's crew, including her. Hence my anxiety, which I felt.

The others stared warily at the forest before them, probably evaluating their life choices. The atmosphere was so tense it was hard to breathe. Though, that might have been the stale air under the tarp.

When, even after long minutes of nerve-wracking waiting, nothing happened, Aspen spoke up.

"Good, looks like we're gonna make it to the woods."

Personally, I wouldn't call it good. There were more Shadows and even stronger beasts waiting for us inside.

"What are you doing?" Isaac, the leader of this group of Shadowbreakers, asked sharply, looking at Aspen with contempt. "Don't you dare use mana inside, guardswoman."

"Traiana's tits, calm down. It's just a little trick to calm my nerves," Aspen lied. "Not everyone has nerves of steel like you."

He didn't take too kindly to her ironic remark. "You think you're clever, huh? Then listen. That little magic trick of yours could cost us our lives in those woods. I would have thought they taught you that in those barracks of yours, guardswoman."

Aspen, unbothered by his mocking tone over her class, nodded, letting him know she was aware of that. "But we're not there yet, are we?"

"Soon, we will. Move it," he snapped at Rutledge.

Aspen breathed a sigh of relief as the wagon started to move. Her inner voice wasn't as calm as the one I'd heard a moment ago. "He may be a prick, but he's right. I'll contact you if necessary."

I tapped on the bar once and took a deep breath. This simple action helped, even though I was using [Indomitable Will].

As we entered the woods, the air in the cage cooled noticeably, and everyone, including the Shadowbreakers, got strangely quiet. Only the occasional swearing cut through the tense silence.

"Avoid the stones!" Isaac barked softly at the slave trader as the wagon wheels rattled loudly.

He muttered quietly in response. "To hell with this place! How can I avoid them when it's so dark?"

Even though it had been hours since we left Castiana, the sun should still be above the horizon according to the system clock. I could only assume that only very little light was getting through the dense treetops.

"Should I put lamps on the wagon, boss?" Tate asked, not controlling the strength of his voice like the others.

"Do it, and you'll kill us all," Ruthledge growled at him.

Unlike the slave trader, I liked Tate's suggestion very much. Whether the lamps were dangerous because the light could attract mossbears or that they used mana to run, I didn't care.

"Then, can't you use silencing magic, sir?" Tate asked the leader of the Shadowbreakers helpfully.

I was honestly amazed that this guy had survived so long, but there were times when I loved him for his sincerity like now. It was obvious even to me it was a stupid idea if his goal was not to attract forest dwellers. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly wished someone would do it and cast the magic. Right now, I'd rather end up in the maw of a beast than somewhere on a table in a lab.

Unfortunately, no one was so stupid to cast it.

"Shut up, idiot!" the leader barked at him. "One more word, and I'll kill you!"