IBDFSML Chapter 59

59

"Ptooey, ptooey."

I spat out the snowflakes that had blown into my mouth with the blizzard.

It had already been quite some time since we left the fortress.

Right now, we were heading toward the designated point on the barrier to carry out our mission.

"The snowstorm is fiercer than I expected!"

Garen, clearing the path ahead, shouted.

"Ugh, since the dead of winter is right around the corner, the climate near the border is even harsher! A-choo!"

Shona followed right behind him, shivering violently.

Behind her trailed Alo, carrying a bundle of equipment bags on his back.

Even though he had been suddenly roped into acting as a porter for this mission to the barrier, he only flashed a goofy grin through his thick beard, showing his white teeth.

And despite his appearance, he walked forward with surprisingly steady and well-balanced strides.

…That guy. He's no ordinary fool.

Sion and I were bringing up the rear, guarding the group from behind.

Even in the raging snowstorm, Sion's sharp eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, while I kept a hawk-like gaze fixed on Alo walking ahead.

The official reason I had recommended him for this mission was because we needed a porter, but in truth, my goal was to put him in an environment with fewer eyes watching and plenty of unpredictable variables, forcing him to slip up and reveal his true nature.

Come on, show me who you really are. Show me your true colors.

I was even prepared for the worst-case scenario, that he might suddenly draw his blade and attempt to assassinate Sion. With that in mind, my eyes gleamed with grim determination.

A short while later...

"Th-this is the spot. A-choo!"

Shona announced that we had arrived at the designated location.

The barrier was a wall reinforced with both natural rock and various artificial structures, and like the long history of the North, it bore traces and remnants of countless years.

The section Shona pointed to was noticeably damaged.

It looked as if it had been battered and swept away by some great force; chunks of stone were scattered everywhere, and part of it had collapsed significantly.

Spreading open a set of construction blueprints, Shona carefully stepped over the debris and explained.

"Several weeks ago, a swarm-type beast attacked this spot in an attempt to breach the border. Fortunately, the situation was subdued before the barrier was completely destroyed, so the damage is only to this extent."

"Injuries?"

"I heard one elite knight lost his life in the battle. A tragic loss."

"I see…"

"It should take about half an hour to complete the repairs. Sniff. Until then, please keep watch."

With that, Shona began carefully inspecting the plans and set about repairing the barrier.

Alo, still carrying the heavy sack of tools and equipment, stood tall at her side, waiting.

Sion and Garen positioned themselves on either side of the barrier, keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings.

It was all in preparation for the possibility of a beast suddenly appearing or launching an ambush.

Garen, scanning the area cautiously, spoke up.

"According to Diene, with the blizzards worsening as winter deepens, it's become even harder to track the movements of the beasts. She said that preparing countermeasures against their southward advance is proving very difficult."

"…Year after year, the situation never seems to improve."

Sion muttered quietly.

I subtly shifted, peeking my head out just enough to keep watch on Shona and Alo.

At that moment, a sound reached us.

Thud, crackle—thud!

Hearing the same thing, Shona and Alo both looked up.

"Huh? What was that sound just now…?"

Then, from the section of the barrier Shona was repairing, large chunks of debris suddenly came crashing down.

Rumble—!

"Ah! Watch out!"

I shouted urgently.

But a massive slab of rock was already falling directly toward Shona's head.

"Ah…"

Shona froze, stunned, unable to move.

In that instant, Alo flung aside the equipment bag he had been carrying and darted forward, wrapping himself around Shona.

"Kyaaah!"

Clutching her tightly, he rolled them both swiftly out of harm's way.

Crash—!

More of the weakened barrier gave way, collapsing, and stones rained down on the spot where they had just been standing.

"...…!"

".…?!"

Sion and Garen rushed over to the two of them.

"Are you all right?!"

Garen anxiously checked on them.

Shona, still in Alo's arms, blinked in shock.

"Ah… y-yes… I'm…"

With Garen's help, she got back to her feet. Alo also rose.

"Th-thank you, Mr. Alo."

Shona murmured blankly, staring at him.

Alo only smiled faintly, replying.

"Shona. That was dangerous."

"…Both of you… that could have been disastrous."

Garen sighed in relief.

But then, he and Sion silently exchanged a look.

Even I had to admit, Alo's reflexes, the way his body had moved instinctively in that fleeting moment to shield Shona, were anything but ordinary.

I quickly whispered to Sion.

"Sion, you saw that, right? You saw it?"

He nodded.

"Indeed. He's not just some ordinary man."

But before we could say more...

"Ahh! Mr. Alo!!!"

Shona suddenly screamed.

".….!?"

".…??"

We turned to see her pale as a sheet, pressing both hands firmly against Alo's head.

From between her fingers, blood spurted upward like a fountain.

It was Alo's blood.

"H-his head! He's bleeding from the head!!!"

A casualty had occurred in the middle of our mission.

***

As soon as the repairs on the barrier were completed, we immediately returned to the fortress and rushed Alo to the infirmary.

Since Genevia wasn't on site, Diene stepped in to administer first aid.

"This… there's a lot of bleeding."

"I-I'll go bring a priest!"

Shona, unable to sit still beside the injured Alo who had gotten hurt because of her, bolted out of the ward in a panic.

Watching silently with Sion, I wrestled with my thoughts.

…Hmm.

The situation earlier had blurred the lines of judgment.

If he had been injured on his own, I would've just wished for him to quietly fade out of the picture. But he got hurt protecting someone else. That's… not really the kind of thing an assassin or spy would do.

Sion and Garen seemed to be thinking the same thing, exchanging uncertain glances as they kept watch over Alo.

Then, as she worked to stop the bleeding from the unconscious man's head, Diene muttered.

"I really need a better look at the wound… but with all this thick hair and beard in the way…"

I snapped my head up.

Of course! Why didn't I think of that sooner?!

I turned quickly to Diene.

"Diene, just shave it all off."

"Should I?"

"Yes, yes!"

This was my chance to finally confirm Alo's true face.

I nodded furiously.

When I glanced at Sion, he seemed to have caught on to my intentions too, for he gave a small nod.

"All right then… we'll consider it as if he's already given consent, shall we?"

Without hesitation, Diene drew a dagger from her belt and, with practiced hands, began cutting away Alo's beard and hair as he lay unconscious.

Scritch, scritch, scritch.

At that moment, Alo's eyes flew open.

Realizing instantly what was happening, he shot upright.

"N-no! Alo, no want!"

"<Unstoppable Devotion>!"

Whack!

Thud.

"'No want'? What nonsense. Just stay unconscious, you idiot."

"……"

"……"

"…I'll finish the job now."

With quick, practiced movements, Diene finished trimming up the unconscious Alo.

Scritch, scritch.

Bit by bit, his forehead, the bridge of his nose, and the sharp line of his jaw came into view.

As I looked at that face, an odd feeling welled up inside me.

…Why does he look… strangely familiar…?

It was a sense of dissonance.

At last, the shaggy hair was cut short, and the scruffy beard was shaved clean.

And then, silence fell over everyone.

"…Hmm."

"…This is… unexpected."

Diene and Garen stroked their chins, clearly surprised.

But Sion and I said nothing.

No, that wasn't right. We couldn't say anything.

Because we knew better than anyone else the true identity of the man lying before us.

"…Ha."

From Sion's lips came a sigh, sounding more like stunned disbelief than anything else.

I was no different, blinking blankly in shock.

Overwhelmed by an indescribable mental breakdown, I trembled all over.

After a long moment, Sion spoke in an icy voice, calling the man's name.

"Theon Luxior. So this is where you've been hiding."

Theon Luxior.

Alo's true identity was none other than, the main male lead of the original story.

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