Chapter 45 - Returning To Stonefort

With the decision made, Seraphina and Edwin returned to the area where the others were. Noticing Samuel was finally awake, they saw him clutching his head with his hand as he sat on the ground. 

His expression was pained but steady as if he was trying to shake off the lingering effects from Harold's assault.

"Samuel, how are you feeling?"

Seraphina asked with concern as she approached the man. She could see him wincing slightly as he tried to focus on her, seemingly pained by his head still.

"I'll be fine, Lady Seraphina. Just a bit of a headache. What happened after...?"

Seraphina quickly filled him in on the events that had transpired, explaining Harold's betrayal and what they knew of it, as well as what happened to the Crystal.

Finally, she told him their decision to lay low for the time being, all while the man listened intently. His expression changed from time to time as she explained, but as she finished he was very serious.

"So we're not going back to the estate?"

Samuel asked, his voice tinged with some hesitation and regret.

"Not yet."

Edwin replied as he stepped forward, joining the conversation after he had knocked out Harold.

"We need to figure out who's behind this before we make any moves. We're heading to Stonefort, it is the nearest city to the estate and the best place to lay low for the time being. It's a large enough place for us to blend in and gather information without drawing too much attention."

Samuel nodded, though hesitation lingered about the situation, because it meant being unable to see his family and friends for who knows how long, he decided to follow Seraphina.

"I understand. I'll follow your lead."

Seraphina offered him a grateful smile, before turning her attention to Harold, who remained bound and knocked out. Previously they had planned to take him back to the estate to learn more, however that was no longer possible.

"What should we do with him?"

Seraphina asked Edwin.

"We can't take him with us to Stonefort, it would stand out too much. Leaving him here isn't an option either because he might escape and alert whoever is behind this."

Edwin explained as he walked closer to the man. He already had an idea in mind, but he wasn't sure if he should voice it.

"Then let's kill him."

Seraphina already knew the only option they had in this situation, and she had no reason to hesitate either. He had made an attempt at her life, and she was not merciful to anyone who threatened her.

She may act friendly and nice, but Seraphina had no qualms about killing someone who threatened her life or got in her way; at least that is what she believed. She had been in this world for only a few months now, but she already understood the brutal reality of this world.

Edwin was surprised by Seraphina's words, but he completely understood her decision. In fact, it was also the idea he had, the only reason he didn't voice it was because he thought Seraphina would be against the idea of killing.

At the end of the day, the likelihood of getting information out of Harold was low, and they didn't have the time to torture him or carry him with them, ending it now would get this over with.

Edwin understood the assignment and made quick work of it. Using the fact that the man was unconscious, he easily sliced his throat and killed him before he could react; making sure he was dead by destroying his heart.

While it was uncommon, it wasn't impossible for a knight to be able to survive a fatal injury using the aura in their body. Destroying the heart would guarantee that he wouldn't be able to do such a thing.

With Harold's death dealt with swiftly, Edwin wiped his blade clean on the man's cloak before sheathing it and turning towards Seraphina. Samuel sat nearby, catching his breath and recovering from his injuries; but as he saw the man's body lying on the ground the reality of what happened began to sink in.

"That was... quick."

Samuel muttered under his breath, his voice laced with discomfort.

"We can't afford to hesitate. It's a brutal world and delaying will put us all at risk."

Edwin responded, glancing back at the young man. He had much more experience with such a situation being an experienced knight, but the boy was still young.

Seraphina didn't respond to the man's words, she stood gazing down at Harold's body— her expression was neutral but her thoughts raced. Despite everything, the unease in her chest remained.

This act might have removed the immediate threat, but it didn't bring her any closer to knowing who had sent Harold after her, to begin with; let alone why.

With a subtle shake of her head, she pushed those thoughts aside for the moment and gave her command.

"Let's not waste time, sunset is coming soon, and night in the forest will be dangerous. Let's move, we need to reach Stonefort before anyone realizes what happened out here."

Edwin nodded, moving to check the bindings of their gear one last time before they set off; once all was ready the group began their trip to Stonefort.

"Agreed. The sooner we reach Stonefort the safer we'll be."