Chapter Seventy-Three: Calamity in Human Form

With the protection of the sacred light, the journey ahead proceeded smoothly, even growing so monotonous as to be almost dull. After tracking for most of the day, fatigue was inevitable among the group, and they finally stopped beside an underground pool to rest before pressing onward.

Though the edge of the pool was damp and somewhat filthy, no one seemed to mind. Liam and the other knights simply sat down where they were, closed their eyes, and meditated to recover the energy spent in casting their divine spells. The members of the mercenary company gathered in a circle, speaking in hushed tones as they ate the provisions and dry rations they had brought with them. On the outskirts of their camp, the young nobleman’s retinue clustered together, muttering quietly among themselves.

“Ah… Who would have thought it would go this smoothly?” remarked one mercenary, shaking his head as he gnawed on a piece of tough jerky by the fire. “Remember when we went exploring the Underdark? Every trip was a nerve-wracking ordeal, always worried some monster would end us in this cursed place. I thought for certain we were done for this time, yet here we are… And by the looks of it, no one else has ever been here before, right?”

“Yes, it’s our first time here,” another mercenary replied, nodding as he gazed curiously around. All about the underground pool, mushrooms as tall as saplings grew, their edges glowing with a cool blue-green light that bathed the pool in a dreamlike radiance. Green moss and blue crystals clung to the surrounding stone. Dangerous as the Underdark might be, the scenery here was undeniably beautiful.

At that moment, an older mercenary suddenly sighed. “To think that young gentleman is so formidable at his age…”

The low conversation ceased at once, as if all were suddenly gripped by the same thought. In unison, they turned to look in the direction where Jan was sitting.

Of course, Jan did not mingle with the others. He and Elise sat apart, perched on a stone, quietly enjoying the view before them. While Elise’s graceful figure drew more than a few glances, the mercenaries’ attention was fixed on the little girl darting to and fro.

From the beginning, none of them had understood why Jan had brought a young girl into the Underdark. She didn’t look like a mage, especially with that large pack on her back, and they wondered what Jan was thinking. But now they saw the answer.

Under their gaze, Pix busied herself fetching a variety of utensils from her pack, arranging them before Jan and Elise. She brewed a steaming pot of black tea, then picked mushrooms by the pool, cleaning and slicing them before roasting them over the campfire. She sprinkled on some aromatic herbs gathered from below, and soon a mouthwatering aroma drifted through the camp. Even the paladins chewing on their dry rations found themselves swallowing involuntarily.

“Tsk, tsk—look at that nobleman’s lifestyle,” one mercenary muttered, watching as Pix placed the roasted mushroom slices neatly on a stone before Jan, even laying down a pristine white napkin. The mercenaries could only shake their heads in envy. Nobles always knew how to live; while they had to make do with cold water and dried meat, Jan enjoyed piping hot tea and a delicious meal, as if he were dining in an upscale restaurant rather than out in the wilds.

“This is absurd!” one of the paladins grumbled, unable to hide his disapproval as he glanced over at Jan and Elise, then quickly looked away. “Didn’t he say that monsters hunt by scent? Now he’s making such a spectacle—doesn’t he realize he might attract something dangerous? And this is a water source; what if some subterranean beast comes here?”

“I imagine Sir Jan knows what he’s doing,” Liam replied with a helpless smile. Truth be told, had anyone else acted this way, the paladins would have stepped in to stop them. But since it was Jan, they could only keep their misgivings to themselves. After all, Jan had already demonstrated an uncanny familiarity with the Underdark—far beyond the ordinary—and the usual rules simply did not apply. They dared not question him, lest they be put in their place with a scathing retort. With a bitter smile, the three paladins shook their heads and returned to their meditation, choosing to ignore the matter.

Yet not everyone enjoyed such leisure.

In another part of the camp, Corden sat with bloodshot eyes, glaring murderously at the backs of Jan and Elise. His lips were pressed so tightly together that he was on the verge of drawing blood.

It was unbearable humiliation! Watching Jan enjoy his tea and the company of a beautiful woman, Corden’s anger threatened to boil over. He longed to draw his sword and cut that arrogant, despicable bastard to pieces.

Once, Corden himself had basked in such glory, but his family’s decline—brought about by his father’s incompetence—had left him bitter and resentful. He had trained relentlessly with the sword, determined to restore his family’s honor. He had even brought his own retainers into this accursed Underdark, risking his life daily against hideous monsters, all in hopes of winning the cathedral’s favor. Achieve enough here, and the cathedral’s backing would make his family’s revival more than a dream.

His efforts had not gone unnoticed. After assisting the paladins in repelling several subterranean creatures, his name had reached Lox’s ears, and he was summoned to join this expedition. The summons filled Corden with elation; he understood that completing this mission would win him Lox’s approval, bringing his dream within reach.

He had assumed the Holy Order would be in charge, but instead, a fallen noble was appointed as their leader. The very idea infuriated him. The Black family was ancient and respected; how could he accept orders from a ruined upstart? His resentment led him to test Jan with his trusted lieutenant, but the result had been disastrous. Dorro’s injuries left him paralyzed for life—a fate Corden had learned of from his men.

With his trusted man ruined so cruelly, Corden’s rage nearly boiled over. Had his men not restrained him, he would have attacked Jan himself. For the sake of his family’s restoration, he had to swallow his anger, but he could not let the matter rest.

Worse still was the paladins’ attitude. Corden was no fool; he saw their admiration for Jan. It was maddening—he toiled every day to curry favor with the church, yet they ignored him. Even after Dorro’s injury, they did nothing. Meanwhile, that arrogant bastard strutted about, and they fawned over him. Did the Black family mean nothing to them, just a rag to be discarded?

Fury burned hotter within Corden. He knew well that Jan was both powerful and intimately familiar with the Underdark. Should Jan complete the mission, all the credit would go to him, while Corden’s efforts would be overlooked. Complaints to Lox would come to nothing.

To endure insult and toil, only to see the rewards go to another—who could stomach such injustice? And to make matters worse, while others drank cold water and ate hardtack, Jan enjoyed hot tea and fine food with a beauty to serve him. The sight made Corden feel as if he’d been cast into a blazing furnace, his rage threatening to consume him.

Damn it! He’s nothing but some scoundrel skulking about the Underdark—what right does he have to such luxury? Even those mercenaries now look at him with awe. What’s so special about that bastard? All of this should have been mine! If it weren’t for him…

At that thought, a cold light flashed in Corden’s eyes. He lowered his head, fists clenched tight.

“M-My lord? Are you all right?” a retainer asked cautiously. They had spent the whole journey on edge—not out of fear of monsters, but terrified their master would provoke a confrontation with Jan. They all knew how formidable Dorro had been, and if he had fallen in a single blow, what chance did they have? Besides, Jan was ruthless; the thought of ending up paralyzed for life, like Dorro, was more horrifying than death itself. Thus, they lived in constant fear that Corden might do something reckless.

“Do I look all right to you?” Corden snapped, glaring at him. “Think of a way to get rid of that bastard!”

At this, his retainers blanched in terror. The very thing they dreaded! God above, none of them wished to become another Dorro.

“M-My lord, Sir Jan is too strong for us. Even Dorro—”

“Yes, my lord, please reconsider. That man is ruthless, and the Holy Church seems uninterested in intervening. If you provoke him and something happens to you…”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Corden retorted, giving his men a withering look. He understood their fear—he didn’t wish to end up like Dorro either. “I’m not talking about fighting him head-on. Isn’t there anything else you useless lot can think of besides violence?”

His retainers exchanged worried glances, but no one could come up with a plan.

“How about poisoning their food?” someone ventured.

“Are you stupid? The three paladins are right there! If they catch us, we’ll be finished.”

“Then what about leading them deeper into the Underdark? The tunnels here are endless—get them lost, and they’ll never find their way out…”

“He knows the Underdark better than you! If we get lost ourselves, who will save us?”

Their bickering only deepened Corden’s frustration. What a band of incompetents—useless in both battle and intrigue.

“Wait! My lord, I have an idea!” Suddenly, one of the retainers clapped his hands, inspiration striking. Corden’s spirits lifted.

“Oh? What idea?”

“Have you noticed that young lady?” The retainer gestured discreetly in Elise’s direction. Corden followed his gaze.

“What about her?”

“My lord, haven’t you realized? She seems somewhat afraid of that man. I’ve observed them: they usually walk together, but whenever he looks at her, she instantly falls back a few steps, as if putting distance between them. I think she must be here against her will. If you approach her, perhaps you could win her favor. With your charm, my lord, she would surely be taken with you. At the very least, we might be able to learn something about Jan through her. And if not, well, we could always seize her—then, my lord…”

The retainer trailed off with a sly chuckle, but his meaning was clear. Elise looked delicate—how formidable could she possibly be? If they all acted together, even the strongest could not resist.

Corden considered the suggestion, then turned to gaze at the enchanting figure by the fire. A greedy light flickered in his eyes.

Perhaps this was not such a bad idea after all.