Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 42: Alone

After three consecutive days of rain, Darn found himself unable to discern direction. Everything he saw and encountered appeared identical, even the prairie he dreamt of seemed the same.

Damn it! Am I really heading south? I can't be unlucky enough to be going the wrong way! Pulling the reins, Darn decided to halt, for the farther he went without clarifying his direction, the more uncertain he felt.

It was quiet here; it seemed the orcs had long departed from this stretch of prairie. Well, I suppose I don't need to be so on edge! Perhaps I should wait for the weather to clear before setting off again!

Having made his decision, Darn rode his horse toward a small hill. Upon reaching the summit, he dismounted.

The elevation provided a vantage point to observe his surroundings and choose different directions for evasion based on the situation. After carefully surveying the area, Darn felt reassured enough to loosen the girth of his horse, remove the saddle, and casually thrust his sword into the grass before tossing his helmet aside and sprawling out on the ground.

The damp earth, fragrant with freshness, filled Darn's nostrils, while the delicate grass, adorned with raindrops, brushed against his face. With bright eyes, he gazed up at the clouds and the rain above...

I wonder where Captain Gerald is? They marched through the night; I wonder if they successfully evaded the orcs?

What are Mom and Dad doing right now? Do they know I've become a cavalryman and slain many orcs, earning military merit?

What are Langiro and Bab doing? Did they look for me after I suddenly disappeared? Hmm, strange, what exactly happened that day? How did I wake up at the camp entrance?

Lost in thought, Darn recalled something that made him serious-the very source of his solitary journey across this perilous prairie.

The continuous battles had left him no time to ponder this matter, but now, lying alone on the grass, he could finally concentrate and analyze the events of that night.

It certainly wasn't a kidnapping! Darn quickly dismissed that possibility, for no kidnapper would go to such lengths only to dump their captive at the camp entrance.

It should... have nothing to do with those conscripted civilians! The face of the young man Darn had defeated, who had been utterly helpless against him, flashed through his mind. After a moment's thought, he ruled out the possibility of retaliation from those civilians.

Hmph, those incompetent fools couldn't possibly have the skill to stealthily infiltrate the Golden Rose and silently whisk me away. Whoever had that capability, to elude so many guards and myself, must be... well, perhaps more than one expert!

Whether a warrior or a mage, this expert must be at least mid-tier, for I had already achieved fourth-tier martial skills at that time. If their abilities didn't vastly exceed mine...

As his thoughts deepened, Darn's mind became increasingly agile, yet the clarity and flexibility of his thoughts did not lead him to the truth. Instead, they only thickened the fog of confusion in his mind.

Who could it be that went to such lengths just to make me a soldier? This person even prepared the conscription document bearing my name!

A glimmer of suspicion flickered in Darn's eyes as he instinctively felt he had fallen into a conspiracy, one that likely targeted not him, but...

Could it be the orcs? If something happened to me, it would surely affect Mom and Dad. In that case, the orcs' invasion of Ruthania might yield unexpected gains. But...

It doesn't make sense! The orcs have no reason to obtain an official document from Bylins! Moreover, they couldn't possibly be so skilled as to track the movements of a governor's son!

As he pondered, Darn swiftly cast aside the absurd possibilities he had just conjured. Then, an even more ludicrous thought crossed his mind.

Could it be the work of Viscount Norman? This guy is embezzling; not only did he fail to fulfill his duties as a guardian, but he also sold me out!?

Reflecting on Viscount Norman's lineage, connections, and abilities, Darn ultimately concluded that it couldn't be him. No matter what happened to me, Viscount Norman would gain nothing. My father's position wouldn't fall into Norman Chubais's hands, nor into the hands of anyone from the Chubais family, even if Norman's father were the current Prime Minister of the kingdom!

Having ruled out yet another suspect, Darn's confusion deepened. As a naive youth who didn't yet understand the dirty and complex world of politics, he couldn't fathom the depths of Bylins' political landscape.

Thus, Darn fell back into a spiral of chaotic thoughts, even suspecting his close friends Langiro and Bab. However, recalling the skills of these two boys and their lifelong friendship with him, Darn quickly dismissed the lanky Langiro and the rotund Bab from his mind.

As he pondered, Darn gradually felt his mind growing hazy. When yet another unlikely suspect, his former tutor, the elderly and utterly unskilled Master Larry Mani, flashed through his thoughts, he succumbed to a deep slumber.

This sleep was as profound and heavy as the time he lost contact with his comrades, so much so that he felt neither the persistent drizzle nor the damp grass affecting him. He remained oblivious even to the insects crawling on him or the horse snorting softly and gently licking him, until...

Ugh, so bright! Damn the sunlight, why is it so intense! Rolling over, Darn groggily raised a hand to shield his eyes, hoping to continue his peaceful slumber. But a minute later, he suddenly sat up straight.

The sun is out! The sky has cleared!

His eyes wide, Darn looked up at the sky, his face a mixture of joy and concern.

The sky has cleared; I can finally discern direction, and my journey must continue...

Half an hour later, rearmed and ready, Darn galloped down the small hill that had granted him a sweet slumber, leaving behind only a depression where he had lain and a puddle of rainwater collected in it. Soon after, nearby small animals gathered around the puddle, happily drinking the fresh water.

Hmm, how strange that I could sleep in a puddle! Even stranger, how did I manage to create such a large dent in the grass!? Reflecting on his weight in relation to the puddle, Darn concluded that the dent was not made by him but rather by the armor he wore, which far exceeded his weight!

With the realization that he wasn't overweight, Darn's spirits lifted, especially when he thought of his close friend Bab, causing a smile to spread across his face, though behind that smile lay a deep sense of nostalgia.

Riding across the prairie, the sound of one horse was naturally less imposing than that of a group of cavalry. However, for Darn, this was advantageous, as it allowed him to be more agile, discreet, and safe.

Having determined the southern direction, Darn rode for less than an hour before encountering an orc tribe. From a distance, he caught the scent of the orcs and heard their raucous, boisterous roars.

Assessing the direction of the orc tribe's advance, Darn quickly veered to the side. Navigating through the lush grass and uneven terrain, he managed to bypass the orc tribe without raising any alarm.

Hmm, I didn't expect that being alone would actually make me feel much freer and safer... After successfully evading several groups of orcs, Darn realized he had undoubtedly taken a wrong turn in the previous days.

He knew he had gone astray because he unexpectedly spotted a white, bleached bone, followed by countless unmistakably human skulls!