Chapter 783: You Are My Squire

After hearing Sambik's account, Akta and the others begin weighing their options.

Ever the pragmatist, Nadal speaks first. "We must report this immediately, gather every nearby squad, and destroy the nest."

Berio frowns. "Our mistake caused this. We should be the ones to clear the nest."

Nadal fires back, "How? There are at least three water demons inside, and one may be a Battle Knight-rank blue-haired water demon."

"They also have several water demon guards and more than a hundred Subterranean River Bandits. We don't have enough people."

"The nest is clearly evolving. If it grows into a large nest, there won't be enough military strength anywhere nearby to destroy it."

"Once it establishes a foothold here, this entire region will become its hunting ground."

"And now we know they can turn humans into their kind and disguise themselves as humans. That intelligence must get out immediately."

Berio's fists clench. "If we leave, not one villager will survive. Why do we fight, if not to protect civilians?"

"Our mistake has already killed too many people. If we leave now, gathering enough troops will take at least three days."

"By then, it will be too late."

"And none of us can guarantee that the disguised monsters won't leave during those three days and hide among the population."

"Once those infiltrators get inside a settlement, the damage will be far worse. They could bring down a town or even an entire city."

Akta looks around. "What does everyone think?"

Akta may be the squad leader, but every soldier has the right to speak.

The squad splits between the two choices.

In the end, the squad leader must make the final call. "The intelligence comes first, but Berio's concern is real."

"Split into two groups and find the nearest teams. Warn the local garrison and noble lords too. Make sure they understand how serious this is."

"I'll stay here and watch the nest. If any disguised creature leaves, I'll sketch its face."

The others start to object, but Akta raises a hand. "That's an order! Move!"

The squad acts at once.

After everyone leaves, Akta finds Sambik resting in the shade of a tree.

The boy immediately asks, "When are we going to save the villagers?"

"The others have gone for help. You saw how many enemies there are. We need more troops."

Sambik breaks down. "Please, my lord, you have to save my brother! He won't last much longer."

"They turn the adults into monsters. They eat the children and the old."

Akta steadies him. "Don't panic. Tell me everything you remember about the inside of the nest."

"I will save your brother, but we need a proper plan. Do you remember where you escaped?"

Hope flares in Sambik's eyes, and he recounts everything he saw.

By noon, Akta rises. "All right, kid. Rest here. I'm going in, and I promise I'll bring your brother out."

Sambik hauls himself upright against the tree. "My lord, I'm coming with you. When the time comes, I can draw the monsters away."

Akta shakes his head. "No. You'd be a liability. I wouldn't be able to focus on the fight."

Sambik's gaze hardens. "My lord, please let me fight. I know I'm dying. I want to fight for my family to the very end, like a soldier."

Akta is silent for a moment. Then he draws the short blade at his waist. "All right, soldier. Lead the way. We're going to save them."

The tall Knight and the small boy soon reach the outskirts of the nest.

Akta watches the patrolling Subterranean River Bandits. As the midday sun grows harsher, the thin mist covering their bodies begins to evaporate.

Within half an hour, the bandits will have to retreat inside.

That is also their resting period, making it the perfect time for Akta to slip into the nest.

As the time approaches, something tugs at the hem of Akta's coat.

He turns. Sambik is staring at him through tears. "My lord, I'm so cold. Am I going to die?"

Akta shakes his head. "No. You're just tired."

Sambik leans against the tree. "My lord, I remember something punching through my back. Why can't I feel my abdomen?"

Akta looks at the gaping hole in the boy's back, its edges curled with bloodless flesh. He has no answer.

After a long silence, Sambik asks, "My mother and sister are dead, aren't they?"

Akta opens his mouth, but the comforting lie turns into two quiet words. "I'm sorry."

Strangely, Sambik does not break down. "Maybe it's better that they died. Staying alive would only have meant more suffering."

"My brother really is alive. He's valuable to them. Please, you have to save him."

Akta nods. "I promise."

Sambik's eyes begin to lose focus. "My lord, I failed you. I didn't kill a single monster, and I lost the longsword you gave me."

"Then I'll give you a better one."

Sambik shakes his head. "I won't need it. If my brother becomes a soldier one day, please give it to him."

Akta draws the sword at his waist. "See this? It's called an Iron Guard Blade. I earned it at Iron Guard Training Camp."

"You've heard of the Lord Iron Guards, the lord of Blood Hill's personal guard, haven't you? I almost made it into their ranks."

"One day, I'll give this sword to your brother and make him a strong soldier. Maybe he'll even join the Lord Iron Guards."

Sambik's face lights up. "The Lord Iron Guards? The ruler of Blood Hill's personal guard? My lord, you're incredible!"

The light quickly fades. "It's a shame I won't get to see him grow up."

His breathing and heartbeat weaken. Still stubbornly holding his head up, he asks, "My lord, does this mean I'm your squire?"

Akta rests a hand on his shoulder. "Sambik, you are a worthy warrior and the finest Knight squire I have ever had."

"You were brave. The intelligence you brought us matters. Believe me, your brother will be well cared for."

"He'll live on, carrying your hopes and those of your mother and sister."

Sambik smiles dreamily. "Peace Haven... The way you described it, it sounds like a paradise fit for the gods. My brother will live well there..."

His voice fades with the light in his eyes. Soon, he is staring blankly at the blazing sun.

Akta removes his steel gauntlet and closes Sambik's eyes.

Then he takes the short blade from the boy's hand and turns toward the nest.

Before he can leave, hoofbeats thunder behind him.

Every member of his squad has returned.

Berio calls out, "I knew you were trying to claim all the glory for yourself!"

Nadal grins. "You don't get to keep all that glory!"

Akta looks across the squad. "Sambik, a provisional soldier of the Eighth Legion, has fallen. How do we answer?"

Longswords flash from their sheaths as one. "Blood for blood!"