QSBM CH 15

Chapter 15

In the dark forest, a little distance away from the campsite.

As Calix glanced back toward the camp, the image of Riana tilting her head back and finishing the remaining wine was reflected in his eyes.

This expedition was something he had experienced exactly the same way before his regression. The only difference this time was that Riana was part of the group. Aside from that, everything was unfolding in an eerily identical manner.

Before his regression, they had been caught in a heavy rain while climbing toward the campsite. Because of the sudden drop in temperature during the night, several members had come down with severe colds. That was why he had increased their speed today—and thanks to that, they had avoided the rain.

Which meant—

‘The future can be changed.’

Calix scanned his surroundings. If events were still following the same course as before, then they should appear around here soon.

‘The wolf pack attack.’

In the past, two members had been seriously injured by it. If they could avoid the rain this time, then perhaps this could also be prevented.

Not long after, Calix’s prediction proved correct. From between the dark bushes, gray wolves began to emerge one by one, baring their fangs.

“Grrr…”

‘Just as expected.’

Calix curled his lips slightly and tightened his grip on his sword.

“Woof!”

The wolf that seemed to be the leader lunged toward him first, and the others followed close behind.

In that instant, Calix swung his sword in a wide horizontal arc, drawing a circle through the air. A golden trail followed the blade, and blood sprayed where it passed.

“Kahk!”
“Keee—!”

Several wolves collapsed, but the rest did not retreat and continued their attack.

At that moment, golden power flared up around Calix’s body. Every time he swung his sword, golden sword energy spread like an afterimage, and each time, a wolf fell without even managing to scream.

Before long, wolf corpses were piled all around him.

“Kee—”

The remaining wolves, sensing danger instinctively, lowered their bodies. After a few hesitant growls, they slowly backed away and disappeared into the bushes.

After confirming that all the wolves were gone, Calix sheathed his sword and straightened his posture.

‘This changed too.’

Calix was finally certain now. By preparing in advance using knowledge from before his regression, he could change events that had once unfolded a certain way.

‘Can the future beyond this be changed as well?’

He clenched his fist, recalling the horrific end of his previous life. At the very least, he never wanted that future to come again.

The memories of having everything taken from him and being left powerless in a cold prison still haunted him in his dreams from time to time.

Thinking about those moments naturally brought back the memory of kissing Riana. In those terrifying memories, the warmth of that moment had been his only comfort.

But when he remembered the sight of blood flowing from her lips, his chest tightened painfully. It was a sight he never wanted to see again.

As Calix headed back toward the campsite, Riana came into view. Seeing her laughing brightly with Kate, clearly enjoying herself, lifted his mood without him realizing it.

No matter what, those memories belonged to a time that no longer existed. The Riana of now was smiling like that, after all.

Still, a question arose in his mind.

‘How is Riana living such a different life from before?’

He didn’t know. Perhaps his own interest in the applicant, who had once been merely a priest candidate, had changed the course of her life. But that was only speculation.

When Calix stepped back into the campsite as if nothing had happened, Kate called out with a grin.

“So the mighty Captain is back? Where’d you wander off to in the middle of the night?”

Calix glanced briefly at Riana and replied,

“Just taking a walk.”

And he thought to himself that he wanted her first expedition to remain a good memory.

***

Late the next afternoon.

After riding for a full seven hours since morning, the expedition arrived at the Droia Territory.

Droia Territory was located halfway up the western mountain range. Because of its high altitude, frost already covered the ground even though it was late autumn.

Their destination was Advena Village, a remote settlement on the northern edge of the territory—so isolated that even travelers rarely passed through.

They entered the village slowly through its entrance.

But something felt off. At this time of day, there should have been people around—but there wasn’t a single soul in sight.

“Captain, it’s still not evening, but there’s no one around. That’s suspicious.”

Marcus said as he guided his horse closer to Calix.

“People are probably avoiding going outside because of the recent incident.”

Calix replied.

‘The recent incident?’

What kind of incident would make everyone stay indoors? According to the temple’s report, it hadn’t sounded serious at all. Something felt wrong.

Marcus frowned uneasily.

“I thought it was nothing, but maybe it isn’t. Still, if there’s no one around, who are we supposed to talk to? Someone should at least guide us.”

Calix answered calmly,

“The village chief will be waiting at the inn.”

“Where’s the inn?”

“That building at the far end.”

Looking where Calix pointed, there was a small, run-down building that hardly looked like an inn at all.

“It doesn’t look any different from a regular house. Captain, how do you know this place so well? Have you been here before?”

“Yes.”

“Huh? When did you ever come to a place this remote?”

Calix didn’t answer further and moved ahead. He stopped in front of the building that appeared to be the inn, jumped down from his horse, and reached both hands toward me.

“Hold on to me and jump down.”

“Ah, okay!”

I quickly grabbed his hands and jumped down. With his other hand, Calix lightly supported my waist and carefully set me down.

“Thank you.”

The rest of the group dismounted as well. Acting as if it were nothing, Calix turned and opened the inn door.

Creeeak—

The door opened, and—

“I’ve been waiting. I am Vigor, the chief of this village.”

An elderly man stood up from his chair. His dark eye circles, bloodshot eyes, and purplish lips made him look like he hadn’t slept for at least a week.

“I am Calix, captain of the Hennes Mercenary Corps. I’ve heard the general details.”

“I see… You’ve come a long way, so you should rest first. I’ll explain everything properly over dinner.”

“Understood. Let’s do that.”

“I’ve prepared five rooms. Will that be enough?”

Calix looked back at the group.

“It’s sufficient for now. About twenty more people will arrive tomorrow, so please prepare additional rooms then.”

“Oh? I hadn’t heard about reinforcements… Very well.”

The chief turned weakly and nodded to what seemed to be the innkeeper.

“Show our guests to their rooms.”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

The innkeeper led the way upstairs.

As Calix followed, I naturally did too—but Kate suddenly linked arms with me.

“Looks like you and I will share a room!”

“Oh, right!”

“You weren’t hoping to share a room with the captain, were you? You were following him pretty closely.”

“W-What?!”

…Huh. Had I been instinctively sticking close? She was sharp.

Honestly, if I had shared a room with him, I could have awakened him tonight and run—but if I suggested that here, Calix would probably send me straight back to headquarters. So I held back.

“N-No? Of course not. Me? No way.”

“What’s with the stuttering? Sounds like you really were thinking about it. Captain, what do you think?”

At Kate’s words, Calix turned his head slightly and said coldly,

“Refrain from nonsense, Kate.”

“Oh, come on. You’re so stiff. It was just a joke. You’re no fun.”

“Haha…”

As I laughed awkwardly, Kate pulled my arm closer and muttered,

“Don’t you think boring men are the worst? The captain really has nothing going for him except his face.”

“……”

Calix stopped walking and silently stared at Kate again. She waved her hands.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop.”

In that moment, I realized something.