# Chapter 20
The soldiers watched with excited faces as Jiman and I were dragged out. Kadilen stood before them, his men lined up in neat rows, holding weapons sharper than ever.
His sturdy body was perfectly encased in black armor. His focus on a single goal created an atmosphere that easily subdued people. After surveying the resolute soldiers, Kadilen raised his sword high and boosted their morale.
“All preparations are finally complete. In a few days, we will be in the palace, not the mountains. We will realize the politics we’ve dreamed of and punish the incompetent king.”
The eyes of the soldiers, filled with trust, all turned to one direction.
Kadilen stood there for a while, calmly accepting their gazes. Then his sword pointed toward Jiman and me. Though the soldiers didn’t break ranks, they showed intense reactions as if ready to charge at any moment.
I was their trophy and symbol.
Though Kadilen’s sword merely pointed at me without touching me, the wound stung as if deeply cut. Having confirmed the soldiers’ morale, Kadilen mounted his horse, holding his banner.
A long journey was beginning.
There were many challenges to be overcome during Kadilen’s rebel army’s journey to the royal palace. Besides the army of Zendal they would meet on the way, they also had to safely overcome the interference of Zendal’s supporters. They had probably succeeded in removing most obstacles during the preparation process. Even considering that, it wouldn’t be an easy path.
“Watch them closely.”
Jiman and I were confined in a large wooden box. Except for round air holes, it was completely sealed on all sides, preventing us from seeing the path ahead. Before being put into the box, I had tried somehow to face Kadilen, but he disappeared to the front of the formation without even giving me a glance. Wimu was also at the front, assisting Kadilen.
Seeing the skinny Jiman trembling with fear made my heart ache. Despite his shaking hands, he checked my wounds several times, grateful that he could at least touch me.
“If only we could get some herbs. Or at least clean water…”
“This much is fine.”
“If it gets any worse, it will be serious. It’s fortunate that at least the bleeding has stopped.”
It was heartbreaking to see Jiman, his face also tired, only expressing concern for me. We anxiously observed the movements outside the box.
Eventually, the box containing us was lifted with a jolt, and we departed with the soldiers. We could faintly hear the soldiers’ voices marching in rhythm, their footsteps, and the metallic sound of weapons clashing against each other. I recalled the three locations I had written on the cloth. Since they were some distance from the temple, there was still time.
I planned to find a way somehow when the march ended and night fell.
After some time, the movement of the constantly advancing soldiers slowed. Jiman had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Looking through the holes in the box, I could see it was already dark outside. My body ached all over from bumping against the hard wooden box as it moved roughly.
Those who were carrying our box set it down. I held my breath, waiting for the door to open, but I could only hear the sounds of many footsteps moving away and preparations for camping; there seemed to be no intention of letting us out.
“Stack the supplies over there.”
“The tent needs to be set up higher!”
Outside, everyone was busy preparing a place to stay for the night. I quietly bided my time, assessing the situation from the voices I could hear. Even if I made a commotion now, it would be hard to attract attention. I needed to conserve my strength.
After a considerable amount of time had passed, I heard the soldiers finishing their simple meals and finding places to sleep. Soon, heavy darkness covered all signs of life. Only the low sounds of insects could be heard in the forest.
I carefully woke Jiman.
“It’s going to be a bit noisy. Are you okay with that?”
“Please just don’t get hurt.”
It would be difficult to avoid the situation he was worried about. But I couldn’t miss the timing when my voice could be heard the loudest. Without hesitation, I slammed my body against the door at the end of the box. Jiman tightly shut his eyes at the loud sound.
There was still no response from outside. I threw my body against the box with even greater force, as if to break it. Since my legs were weak, making it difficult to throw myself, I eventually used my fists and head, trying somehow to increase the noise. Finally, soldiers who had been awakened by the loud noise approached, spitting out irritated complaints.
“This crazy bastard!!”
“If you don’t quiet down right now, know that you’ll go hungry tomorrow.”
I paid no attention to their criticisms and threats. When I didn’t stop colliding with the box, they eventually opened the door and looked inside. Though my whole body ached as if I might collapse at any moment, I didn’t miss the opportunity and shouted.
“Call Kadilen!!”
“This guy…”
One soldier reached out to cover my mouth. When his rough hand entered my mouth, I bit him with all my strength. The soldier’s painful scream echoed loudly. Just as he was about to swing his fist in anger.
“What is this commotion?”
It was the voice I had been waiting for. I hurriedly tried to raise my body from inside the box.
“Just a moment, Kadilen. Just a very brief moment…”
“Let him go.”
At Kadilen’s command, the two soldiers who had been holding me released me. He lowered his head to check on me, sitting slumped inside the box. Seeing contempt freeze on his face, my heart sank, but this was not the time to be sentimental.
I handed him a cloth with trembling hands, trying my best to prevent blood from my fresh wounds from staining it.
“What is this?”
“It will help. You can throw it away immediately if you want, but please read it just once.”
After a moment of consideration, Kadilen took the cloth from me. Nervous sweat ran down as he slowly read the words. After silently confirming the three words, he maintained an inscrutable silence.
Fearing he might turn away at any moment, I hastily added an explanation.
“Those are the places where Zendal’s army is lying in ambush. They’re thoroughly prepared, even employing magic. It’s better to avoid them than to confront them. If you bypass just those places, you should have no major troubles.”
Despite my desperate explanation, Kadilen merely scanned the cloth once more with indifferent eyes. Though it wasn’t the response I had hoped for, I was satisfied that the three locations had registered in his eyes. Despite the soldiers’ shouts to ignore me, he carefully confirmed the words and, without any particular response, called one soldier.
“Return the cloth to him.”
The message, made by tearing my clothes, was handed back to me from his hands. I hoped he had read all my emotions and understood my sincere heart. But Kadilen merely ordered the commotion to be settled and turned away, giving me no answer. Though anxious, I had to hope that somehow the situation would turn out well, just by the information having been conveyed to him.
I didn’t resist and obediently followed the soldiers’ orders as they stuffed me back into the box and closed the door. Jiman still had his eyes closed and couldn’t even look in my direction. Comforting him as he trembled with fear, I reassured myself that everything would pass. Just three places. If they safely passed through those locations, there would be no more major threats. The rest would be manageable with Kadilen’s preparations alone.
Despite the commotion in the middle of the night, morning dawned without fail.
Having completed their preparations, the rebel army took to the road again. The first location was at a distance that would take three days to reach. Depending on the direction they headed today, it would be revealed whether Kadilen had accepted my advice or not.
I put my ear to the hole in the box, trying my best to assess the situation outside. Even at small sounds of conversation, my heart sank. Without being able to check our location, it was impossible to judge how close we had come to the dangerous area. I tried at least to discern Kadilen’s choice from their conversations.
Before long, the movement of the soldiers, who had been advancing without hesitation, slowed down. Outside, hushed voices were abundant. I tried my best to understand the meaning, but with overlapping voices, it was difficult to grasp what they were saying.
Then suddenly, the door of the box opened.
“Drag him out!”
Two soldiers grabbed me and dragged me to the ground. I gave Jiman, who was anxiously stamping his feet, a small smile saying not to worry, but I was just as tense.
My body, dragged out, collapsed helplessly on the dirt. Kadilen approached me slowly, mounted on his horse.
“We’ve reached a fork in the road. If we go east, we pass by the place you mentioned. What did you say was there?”
At his question, I gritted my teeth, trying to stay focused. His choice depended on what I said now. Though I tried to speak strongly to give him confidence, my voice inevitably trembled.
“It’s Zendal’s trap. He has weapons with ancient magic. These soldiers alone won’t be enough. There’s a path on the opposite side where you can pass without major friction, so it’s beneficial to go west.”
Despite my explanation, Kadilen’s deliberation was prolonged. Soldiers who had no reason to trust my words began to persuade Kadilen.
“To the east are the Garun people who will help us. Wimu personally visited and received their promise of cooperation. If we join forces with them, the rest of the journey will be much easier.”
“It might be a ploy to prevent us from contacting them, Kadilen.”
I was growing frustrated with anxiety. Despite the words of numerous soldiers, Kadilen just stared directly into my eyes. I didn’t avoid his gaze either.
“You’re confused. This man is sincere.”
He finally spoke. I raised my head with hope. I had never been so grateful for the fact that he could read my emotions. But with the continuing comments of the soldiers, the hope that had been welling up gradually subsided.
“There must be a reason he mentions the east. We must not forget that this man is Zendal’s person. In fact, passing through the place he warns us to avoid might be an advantageous tactic.”
“There is also such a thing as sincerity intended to cause harm.”
An instant of conviction appeared in his gaze as he stared at me intently. He made his decision in a low voice.
“We go east.”
At his decisive words, everyone around quietly prepared to continue the march. Having no strength even to shout anymore, I simply bowed my head. As even the last plan failed, my mind turned completely blank.
What should I do now?
No thoughts came to mind. Only his death, which I had seen in a dream the night before, kept coming back to me. Though the soldiers confined me to the box again with rough hands, I felt no pain.
There were no more plans. At this rate, tomorrow would be Kadilen’s last day.
My eyes grew red.
