Chapter 35 (35) The Cave Of The Blade And The Army of Orden: 02

The cabin creaked every now and then like it had opinions about the people inside it and was not afraid to express them. The wooden walls were thick, built to survive winters that could freeze a grown man into a decorative statue. A small fire crackled in the fireplace, doing its best to fight the cold that pressed from all sides like an uninvited guest who refused to leave.

Inside, the atmosphere was quiet. Not peaceful quiet. The kind of quiet where everyone was thinking too much.

Sein sat beside the bed where Stark lay unconscious. The red-haired boy looked far worse than he had any right to. His breathing came unevenly, like his body had forgotten the proper rhythm and was now trying to guess it each time. His skin looked pale against the rough blanket covering him. Sein leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, eyes locked on Stark's face. He had been doing that for a while. Every small movement. Every twitch. Every shallow breath. He noticed all of it. At this point, if Stark sneezed in his sleep, Sein would probably write a report about it.

"You are still alive," Sein muttered quietly, almost like he was reminding the boy. "Good. Keep doing that." He reached out and adjusted the blanket again, even though it did not really need adjusting.

Across the room, Kraft sat cross-legged on the wooden floor. Eyes closed. Back straight. Hands resting calmly on his knees. He looked like a statue that had decided to take a break from being stone and try meditation instead. He had not moved in a while. Not even a little. If someone had placed a cup of tea on his head, it probably would not have spilled.

Fern stood near the window, arms folded, her gaze drifting between Stark and Kraft. Her expression was calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that came from holding back a lot of thoughts at once.

Finally, she spoke. "Why are we here?"

No one answered immediately. Sein glanced at her briefly, then looked back at Stark. Kraft did not even blink. He remained perfectly still.

Fern's eyes shifted toward him. "You brought us here," she continued, her tone polite but firm. "So you must have a reason."

Still nothing. Kraft did not respond. He did not move. He did not even breathe loudly.

Fern stared at him. "Did he fall asleep?"

Sein shook his head. "No. I think that is just how he is."

Fern narrowed her eyes slightly. "That is unsettling."

From the other side of the room, Frieren sat on a wooden chair, her staff resting beside her. She looked relaxed, almost like she was waiting for a bus that might arrive sometime next week. She spoke without looking up. "I think I know what he is planning."

Fern turned to her immediately. "You do?"

Frieren nodded slightly. "I am almost certain."

Fern took a step closer. "Then what is it?"

Frieren paused for a moment, as if arranging her thoughts. "This village," she said slowly, "is the place where Himmel claimed the Hero's Sword."

Fern blinked. "Yes, I know that part." She crossed her arms. "But that still does not explain why we are here now."

Frieren continued. "That is what most people believe."

Fern frowned. "Most people?"

Frieren did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked toward Kraft. Still meditating. Still completely ignoring the conversation.

Fern followed her gaze. "Are you going to keep pretending he is not here?"

Frieren tilted her head slightly. "He is listening."

Fern looked back at Kraft. "Then why is not he answering?"

"Because he wants to finish his meditation first."

Fern stared. "That is extremely inconvenient."

Sein nodded in agreement. "Very."

The fire crackled. The cabin creaked again.

Then, without warning, Kraft opened his eyes. No dramatic movement. No buildup. Just open. Like someone had flipped a switch.

"The sun is high," he said calmly.

Fern blinked. "That is your response?"

Kraft stood up in one smooth motion, stretching his arms slightly. "The blizzard has weakened for now," he continued. "This is the best time to move."

Sein immediately straightened. "You mean now?"

"Yes."

Kraft walked toward the bed where Stark lay. Sein quickly stood up and stepped in front of him. "I will carry him," he said.

Kraft paused. He looked at Sein for a moment. Then he nodded. "As you wish."

Sein carefully lifted Stark, adjusting his position so the boy rested securely against his back. Stark did not react. Not even a little. Sein swallowed quietly. "Hang in there," he muttered.

Fern grabbed her staff and moved toward the door. Frieren stood up slowly, picking up her staff as well.

Without another word, she walked to the entrance and pushed the door open. Cold air rushed inside immediately, sharp and biting. Snow still covered the ground, though the storm had calmed for now. The sky above was pale, with thin clouds drifting lazily.

The group stepped outside. The cold hit them all at once. Sein tightened his grip on Stark. Fern adjusted her cloak. Kraft simply walked forward like the temperature was a suggestion. Frieren stepped out last. The door creaked shut behind them.

They had barely taken a few steps when a voice cut through the quiet.

"You have got to tell me what you are plotting!"

The group turned. Standing a short distance away was the young cheftess. Her arms were crossed. Her expression was serious. Very serious. For someone her size, she managed to look surprisingly intimidating.

Fern blinked. "She is back."

Sein whispered quietly. "I think she never left."

The girl marched toward them, her boots crunching against the snow. She stopped right in front of Kraft and looked up at him. "I heard enough," she said. "You are planning something."

Kraft looked down at her calmly. "Yes."

"And you are not going to explain it?"

"Not in detail."

The girl's eye twitched slightly. "That is not a satisfying answer. I want to come!”

Kraft shrugged lightly. "You want to come with us?"

There was a brief pause. Fern looked at him. "You are inviting her?"

“Not really,” Kraft shook his head. "The weather is not ideal," he added. "It might be dangerous."

The girl scoffed. "I grew up here." She pointed at the snowy landscape around them. "This is nothing."

Sein leaned slightly toward Fern. "She does have a point."

Fern sighed softly.

Frieren watched the exchange quietly. Her expression did not change much, but there was something in the way her eyes followed the girl, something that suggested she was not entirely surprised by any of this.

The girl stepped forward again, her small figure full of determination. "I am coming," she said.

Kraft nodded once. "Very well."

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