"It looks like he isn't pursuing us," I finally said as I collapsed to my knees. I huffed and puffed as my stamina was reduced to mere fumes at that moment. Catalyst spilled from my grasp when that happened, but that didn't matter at the moment.
Mikangleo and I hadn't stopped running since we got out of the range of The Ravager's attacks. We traveled at least two miles and arrived at a familiar signpost. The names of the nearby cities, Struburg and Astana, and their directions were written on the sign. This was the same sign Bonner, Q, and I discovered after escaping the Lynx's wrath from The Hidden Grotto.
My gaze shifted to Mikangleo, who had finally assisted me with Claire after catching his breath. We were gentle with the woman, laying her on the somewhat softer grass near the road. She was in the sun, but there's not much I could do about that. It was then that it hit me. My green cloak may be dirty, torn, and bloody, but I can't deny its ability to provide shade for her. So I unbuckled her sword and made a makeshift tent for her face.
"Seriously, Old Man?" Fawkes said. I chose to ignore his obviously disappointed tone.
"You're just hatin'," I responded bluntly. "If you had thought of that, I would have praised your ingenuity and resourcefulness. It's moments like this that really define a man."
"Uh huh, sure. Let's go with that." He responded sarcastically.
I could sense Mikangleo's judgemental gaze behind me, and I knew he and Fawkes didn't have a creative mind like I possess. They were jealous that I did something worthy of credit. Speaking of which, Claire had remained unconscious on my shoulder for the entire escape despite all of my jumping around. She was still a statue with minor bruises and dirt covering her outfit. She hasn't moved a muscle after launching her attack, and if not for her subtle breathing, I would have assumed the worst.
I chose to finally collapse near the signpost. A few generous clouds finally blocked the hot sun. If I were to give an MVP trophy to anything, it would be the occasional wind gust that came in clutch at the right moments to keep me cool.
"Hey. You're not dead, are you?"
To be honest, Mikangleo's words spooked me. The man had remained silent for so long that I had honestly forgotten he was there. Somehow, between my collapse against the signpost and the sudden appearance of more clouds, Mikangleo decided to speak. My body moved slightly as I felt a light kick to my leg.
"Come on, Open your eyes. We're returning to Astana now."
'Open my eyes? But they were open.... weren't they?'
Now, that was weird. As I reopened my eyes, I felt a weird feeling creep over my body. Fatigue weighed me down like a jacket of metal as I began processing what had transpired. One moment, I was gazing down the road to Astana, and now a light drizzle decided to emerge from those friendly clouds above. My gaze shifted around my surroundings, locating Claire, who was still in my makeshift tent, and then Mikangleo. The man was crouching down to my level and looking me over. His features were sharp despite the bruising present on his face.
"Good. It looks like you haven't succumbed to your injuries. I have questions, and you're the only one awake. Your friend... Claire or Clarice... whichever it is, isn't conscious yet." Mikangleo stated with a cold tone. He began poking me in my forehead, which was annoying, so I slapped his finger away.
"Of course, I'm not going to succumb. I didn't give it my all just to escape to die like a wild beast down the road." I responded.
Mikangleo didn't respond right away. He decided to continue studying me for a moment.
"I take it that you know about the man who attacked us. So why did he attack us?" Mikangleo inquired.
"He's an assassin, but that should be obvious. I believe the enemies of our unconscious noblewoman have grown bold. Something has changed, and they have decided to rid themselves of her." I responded, but that only earned a frown from the man. He shifted his focus to Claire but remained crouched by my side.
"So it is her fault that I nearly died today. Tch- Typical nobles, bringing everyone else down with them." Mikangleo scoffed.
"That's quite an interesting position, considering the man who attempted to murder you had a shared opinion." I pointed out, which earned a deepening of his frown, 'Just so you know, if you ever find yourself on the same side as a self-righteous, murderous zealot, then you are on the wrong side."
"He may be murderous, but he has a point. You appear to be a foxel, so you, of all people, should know how dangerous it is to be associated with a noble."
"Perhaps, but I chose not to allow someone's class status to sway me away from the opportunity.", I said, which earned me a headshake of disapproval from the man.
"Your desire for opportunity will leave you burned or killed if you continue to stay by her side, so why didn't you run away? You are more capable than I imagined, so I know you had the opportunity to leave us behind, so why didn't you?"
I chuckled at his questions.
"You laugh, but it is likely that you didn't want to lose your master. Isn't that what any good servant would do? Or do you seek to keep her alive to access the benefits that privilege grants you?"
"I see..." I said, looking at the man.
"You see what?" he snapped.
"A noble must've burned you badly if you are this worked up. Now that I have a good look at you, your eyes have a smoldering hatred. Uh-huh. A noble must've burned you to a crisp, and now you dislike all of them."
"You haven't answered my question." He said, his voice frigid.
"Which one? You asked like five of them, and all of them are shaped by your immense dislike for nobles. Damn, man, you sound just like the bastard who tried to kill us, but I guess he must've been a kindred spirit for you, huh?"
"A kindred spirit? Not with that man. I solely agree with him on the grounds that it is not always in my best interest to trust nobles. If he was after your master, then she must've something to earn that ire. If not her, then her family."
I did a double-take. I know my body was gripped with a steady pain from my injuries, but maybe I didn't hear him correctly.
"Are you implying Claire deserved to be assassinated? If so, then that is a mighty fucked up thing to imply."
Mikangleo's eyes widened in shock before he stammered, "N-no! Of course not! It is never justified to murder someone in that fashion. I am merely stating that she could be involved in incredibly dangerous affairs. How much do you know about her?"
"Frankly, not enough," I admitted, which surprised the man. "If I'm being honest, I met her a few days ago."
"You met her a few days ago, and you're willing to throw your life away for her? Look at yourself. You're seriously injured, and I had thought you had died. We were talking weakly one moment, and then next, you were out cold with no movement. All of the pain you have experienced for a woman, a noble, you met a few days ago. You're either desperate or insane."
"That is one school of thought, no doubt," I said plainly.
In a way, Mikangleo was correct. It was quite foolish to throw my life on the line for someone I had just met recently. I owed no real loyalty to Claire to the extent that I should nearly die for her; that is an honor that only two men in this world should have. Yet, I did it anyway.
Statistically speaking, allying with Claire has reaped me two visitations from a goddess already, and I've only existed in this world for less than a week. I have yet to really gain anything other than a place to rest my head at night, but even then, I was attacked by a trusted confidant of hers. She's brought nothing but bad luck to us, so I would be justified to break it off. Q had a good point. We aren't fully prepared for events like this. The wolf demi-human that attacked me, The bandits that attacked Q, and now The Ravager, who was nearly my undoing, were all a consequence of our decision to join forces with the noblewoman.
This alliance has cost a lot of blood, and we've yet to reap any real reward. That is if you look at it from a conventional point of view.
"You have a point, but from where I stand, all that doesn't matter. When I first met this woman, and she explained her struggles to me, I had the opportunity to reject her offer. I chose to accept this responsibility because this path allows me to undertake a closely guarded ambition of mine. If I can't handle a little blood and anguish, then I should try another dream."
Mikangleo's gaze shifted with skepticism as he took in my words. His expression showed me that he didn't understand my meaning, and that was alright.
"I take it that she's promised you something, but I implore you to reconsider your standing. Nobles play a dangerous game, and they enjoy using men like you to exploit as pawns. You may view this... disastrous and dangerous path as the sole one, but it is not." Mikangleo stated. "Look at your condition; even if your people heal faster than most, that wound on your stomach will be the death of you. Even if you survive it, there is no guarantee that you will survive the next blade that comes your way."
"Are you trying to convince me to turn against her? To leave her behind in the name of self-preservation?" I asked, which prompted a scratch of his head.
"I am imploring you to think about yourself and about the brothers you mentioned earlier. What if something happens to them?"
"There are many what-ifs to consider if you follow that thought process. What if I do break off ties, and Claire dies? That's no skin off my back, huh? I'll be saved and secured. What if I chose to leave you two behind today? Same result, but you'd be dead as well. What if I hand deliver the woman to her enemies? They'd be so grateful to me. Hell, they may even reward me with a dagger in my neck for my troubles."
"I get your point," Mikangleo hissed.
"I don't think you do. You seem to harp on her status as a noble and can only speak poorly about it. Sure, there are some asshole, greedy and dangerous nobles. I've met one when I brushed shoulders with the upper class, but that's no excuse to be so fragile." I said, "If I were you, I'd take every advantage I'd get. If you bleed a little or whatever else, then so be it. You'll have to grit your teeth and continue forward. Speaking of which, I'm not going back to Astana right away. We managed to distance ourselves from our would-be assassin, but he's merely the first of many. This trip would be pointless if I returned now without accomplishing my goal. I don't have the luxury of pointless trips and won't allow a bastard to deter me just because he wanted to rant about the corruption of nobility while he beat my ass."
"You keep speaking about your goal, but what is so important that you risk yourself and others and travel to a dangerous place like the Grotto? Nothing could be that important. It is either arrogance or ignorance that convinces you that is is a good idea to willing drag yourself there despite being injured." Mikangleo stated with narrowed eyes.
"The keys to my first door, and when I unlock it, it'll be much harder for me to end up in a position like this. Right now, as I stand, I am nothing more than a flower. Flowers are beautiful and somewhat resilient, but even a child could pick them. Bugs can't harm me, insignificant as they may be, but one never knows. That is why I need to increase my strength quickly."
"And you plan on doing that by going to a place far more dangerous than the man we had to flee from? We barely escaped him, and now you want to march into a den of monsters?"
"Of course," I said confidently.
He didn't buy into my confidence and shook his head.
"You're insane," Mikangleo scoffed.
"I have my eyes set on bigger things, which requires danger, but what of it? Even a fool should understand that if you continue to play it safe, then nothing will be accomplished."
"You're the fool, not me!" Mikangleo snapped, his eyes flickering with malice. "I was worried about you since you were a foxkel, one who likely decided to believe you were special. Nobles have silver tongues, but now I am concerned for the noblewoman! She has no idea how dangerous a mind like yours can be. If she sticks with you, then you're likely to get her killed."
"What are you on about?" I challenged, glaring at the man.
"You should know your limitations, but you seem to be the type to want to prove yourself," Mikangleo said coldly, "You go on about being a god as if that is a normal thing to do, but you are anything but one. I understand that your people aren't exactly accepted, but there is no reason to revel in your delusions of grandeur! When will you face reality and realize that whatever supposed big plans you have will end in your death due to your impulsiveness and recklessness?"
"You say that shit, but we both know you're talking about yourself and not me. In the last few days, I was attacked on three different occasions by individuals and creatures that normal people would have succumbed to. Right now, I am at my weakest when it comes to power, and if I adopted your belief that I was delusional and accepted this reality, then I'd die having lived a meaningless life like you're slotted to undergo. Rejected by Project Anvil, and you walk around as if nobles are the main reason for your woes, but that is an excuse, and you know it!"
My right index found itself directed against Mikangleo's forehead without hesistation. My face flushed with anger as this bastard galred at me with disdain.
"You're making it harder to sympathize with you, and at this rate, I shouldn't have wasted my valuable potion on the likes of you! I should've allowed your arrogance to be your undoing!" Mikangleo snapped as he suddenly stood up. His fists were clenched, but I overlooked his outburst.
Over our heated exchange, I noticed that some of my injuries, including my torso, had lessened in pain. I lifted my head, analyzing the one that The Ravager's knife had pierced with his peculiar knife. Its healing had greatly increased, which now made sense. My healing capabilities were great for the most part, but an injury to my torso, like I had sustained, would have taken much longer to recover from. If he had used a potion on me, that may explain things, but I didn't when he did.
He had never mentioned it until now, which I assumed would be the first thing I would mention if I were in his shoes. He's earned a bit of grace in my eyes.
"And what would that have proved, huh? If you had the means to help, then it is natural that you do so. However, don't delude yourself into thinking I owe you my life. Just because you misread the situation and used that potion doesn't mean I'll revel you as my hero. I'll thank you for the consideration, but don't get me fucked up. I never asked for it. I am not like the others, My ears may be similar and my tail sways the same, but I am beyond them, and I'll stay that way."
"Tch-" Mikangleo socffed, and it was my turn to stand up.
It was somewhat painful as my injuires hadn't fully healed even with the supposed potion, but I still did it regardless. Mikangleo's gaze hardened as I approached the man.
"I thought I saw a bit of myself in you, Mikangelo. When I saw you before this whole fiasco, I imagined that you were a man of great promise. You were throwing those knives around with a purpose that those around you didn't understand. They wanted you to stop and throw knives like everyone else, but yet still, you continued doing this your own way. I'd be a asshole if I didn't say that your performace against The Ravager was pathetic, except for one moment." I declared, holding up one finger. "When you managed to distract The Ravager with one well placed knife; it reinforced my ideal vision of you. You aren't incomptent, but you just need to proper support. Despite everything you've said to me today at this moment in the rain, if Claire woke up and bashed you for your terrible assiastance, I'd go to bat for you. Not because I am insane or delusional, but because at that moment, you were actually cool."
Mikangleo's eyes widened as the man underwent a wave of emotions. There was wrinkle on his nose, and the shorter man stepped away from me. He snapped in the other direction and began walking back toward Astana.
"You're walking a path that you know that you don't want to, Mikangleo, and that's because you know that in your core, you are a coward! You're running away from what you could be!"
In the flash of a sudden bolt of lightning, metal clashed and a glint soared my way. However, even as the knive flew my way, I didn't falter. I rose my injuried hand and allowed the blade to stick into my flesh. My blood tricked as I swiped downward, sending the knife to be stuck in the accruing soft dirt.
"Damn you!" Mikangleo growled as I shifted my gaze toward the man.
He was quick, I'll give him that. Mikangleo closed the distance between in a blur and planted his fist into my knife wound, but I didn't flinch.
"You don't know anything about me, so shut your mouth! You're just a dog of an elitist and you've in herited your master's attitiude! How dare you accuse me of running away, when you couldn't walk a day in my shoes?!"
"We don't wear the same size," I remarked dryly.
My remark earned me a fist to my face, which actually made me take a step back. The impact was surpisingly more powerful than I could have imagined. I would recover quickly to se an enraged Mikangleo with hatred in his eyes. His previous words were like venom, and his stance was agressive. Our conversation was over as malice oozed from his next words,
"We'll see if you can make jokes when I kill you!"