Chapter 53: The silent massacre

It was a very gruesome sight to see. In the lovely night were the five moons radiated their blue light all around, the contrasting red colour was painted all over the ground.

It was a sight that Kiel will never forget for the rest of his life. Fresh blood was splattered everywhere painting the whole campground a dim red. The orange hue of the campfire illuminated the scattered body parts and the numerous dead bodies like painting a cruel and vicious painting.

Standing at the edge of the forest Kiel could smell the nauseating smell of fresh blood permeating his nose. The foul and iron stench of blood filled the whole campground. 

All the courage he had previously and all the plans he had in mind all vanished into nowhere just at the witness of the gruesome scene. He was like an ignorant child who had viewed upon the truth of the world. 

The cruel and naked truth- Might is right. 

The night was so silent that it filled one with dread. Kiel stood there too stiff to even look at the sight, holding back the urge to vomit his whole stomach out. He looked around but only to not even find the trace of a single living being.

The guards and mercenaries that we're partying until a moment ago, were now lying in pieces creating blood pools.

The civilians and a few lucky people were considered fortunate enough to leave their bodies complete.

The staunch smell and the deep red liquid signified that whatever happened here was not too long ago.

He could feel cold sweat running all over his body. If he had been here for even a few moments, he could only imagine whatever would happen to him looking at the hellish sight in front of him.

Yes, it was like hell had descended on earth itself. Blood and gory in place of compassion.

'Kiel you need to stay calm! You have to face this later on in life too. So prepare yourself from now on. No need to feel scared. These are just corpses. And you had your fair share of them. Why are you then shivering? Stay focused! S-stay focused…'

Although not willing to come to the campground, at least he could bring out his luggage with him to go back to the girl's group and travel with them. However, he felt so stiff that his legs didn't want to move at all.

Gathering all his courage he moved closer to view what has actually happened here. Walking closer Kiel could feel stepping on some pieces of flesh along the way. 

Goosebumps covered up all over him at the thought of waking on human remains. However, he still had to go on.

As he came to the carrier that he was on earlier, Kiel could feel something unusual. Looking at all the corpses lying around Kiel felt something was out of the blue. 

His instincts we're telling something was wrong here. Instincts like these which were very vague in his previous life we're very clear now. Like a ringing sense if alarm. However, he just could not pinpoint what was wrong. 

So he took a deep breath and calmed down. Going forward he first took his small bag that composed of his important things then he kneeled beside a few corpses to observe them closely. 

However, the nauseating smell was still too hard to deal for a child's body.

He had to cover his nose because of the bloody stench. However, he still had to look for a few clues because whatever caused this may be closer. SO he had to do this to increase his chances of survival. 

Steeling his heart and closing his nose, he slowly looked down at the dead bodies.

'I first thought that it was a group of wild beasts who had chanced upon a hearty meal. However, looking at the way they were killed, I can even find sword and axe wounds. Some of the people are even bashed up. The work of a blunt weapon. A mace probably.'

'Was it a bandit attack? But then why are the stuff and goods still here? Is it because they are still in the vicinity?' Just thinking about the bandits still in the vicinity gave rise to goosebumps all over him again 'No they better not. Otherwise today I may meet my end'

*Gulp* In the totally silent environment Kiel could even hear his gulping sounds echo. 

Just a few minutes ago he was with the girls arguing and now here he was looking at the still-warm dead bodies staring back at him with the black and dead eyes covered in blood

[Beep… This is not the work of bandits. It was a silent massacre Host. The people didn't even get know what came before them they were killed!]

Just as Kiel was pondering, he heard the system's deduction in his mind.

'Huh? How can you say so?'

[Just look at the guards' face. They look quite relaxed. And the cut is on their back neck. Also, look at the corpses away from the caravans. They have similar cuts on their bodies. Just one slash. That means they were ambushed.]

'But most corpses near the caravans and the one's inside are cruelly killed. Like some brutal beasts.'

[Beep… that means they were inside the caravans and were not killed by ambush but by frontal assault!]

'Wow, system didn't know that you had a detective function! Cool we can open a criminal investigation agency later on like in those movies' 

Kiel tried to lighten his mood with some jokes but still, it did not seem to work. 

[Host please be serious now. I am only stating what is available through your visions here. The deduction can only be done by you.]

'Hmm fine but it is still cool… So it's like these civilians and guards at the middle were killed by frontal attacks where they tried to save themselves from the ambushers. But they were no match. 

But still, something still doesn't add up. System do you still perceive anything else? '

Kiel was sitting on a knee with his left hand on his nose. Although he looked a little comical, this matter could very well decide his life later on. So he had to give it his all.

[Host I can only see the visions you see through your eyes. So my visual prowess is limited. But there are still some things that are different. Although the number of adults corpses match, the number of child corpses don't add up. A few kids seem to be missing.]

'Huh… Maybe they ran away and the bandits are giving chase. But then the questions remain why was everyone killed? Is it because to steal some potential starlets and then silent everyone? Are the mountain bandits even capable to fight so many knights and mercenaries?

Moreover, even if it were so why kill everyone? They were bandits they should have taken the women and a few men as slaves. That would have worked  But the women are all here. This states that this is not done by some bandits.'

'Wait is it…! Damn!'

Suddenly something dawned upon Kiel. Just as soon as he thought up a reason, he quickly got up and dived into the forest in the way he came from with utmost urgency.

'Damn it was all so easy! Why didn't I figure it out earlier? But damn all this is like something that came straight out from a third-grade movie plot. But only then everything fits up what's happening. No-no time to think this. I need to hurry up!'

Cold sweat dripped from all over this body as he thought of the reason for all this. But all he could do was run as fast as he could to reach where he started.

'If what I think is true, this whole thing is just a cover-up and the real target for the people is actually Tia!'

***

"Mylady the information we got was the beast was easy to handle! But… " Ruyu could not help but pout out loud because of the mistake of their informant. 

"Hmm? Right! But Ruyu do you really think everything was a misunderstanding?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Wasn't it the mistake of those shitty adventurers. When I get back to them, I will beat the shit out of them!" Ruyu was as naive and straightforward as always.

But as soon as she finished, she was chopped at the back of her neck by Shina. 

"Ouch-ch-ch. What was that for!"

"Manners! Behave like a lady! Don't embarrass my lady here!"

Seeing the dark eyes of Shina, Ruyu could not help but tug down gulping down all the complaints inside, her ears drooping down a notch. She knew what would happen if someone incensed Shina any further.

As the regular chitchats of the group continued Tia could not help but chuckle. She for a moment thought that she had lost all of it. But looks like the little boy really helped her. 

'Looks like I really owe someone a debt of gratitude now' Tia's heart skipped a beat as she thought about the warm touch if the little boy without whom she would have lost all her hope.

"My lady do you think it was the right thing to do? How can we trust the little boy? Although he looks innocent and is quite cute, he may still be a spy" 

"Yes, my lady! We don't even know his origins. Who knows what motives he has."

It was Lia this time that was started speaking. Usually, she was a quiet figure. But seeing her asking something, everyone perked their ears. 

And even Ruyu could not help herself from agreeing. Only Shina was silent, with a big smile on her face, like she already knew the answer to this question. But she still couldn't help 

"Quiet you two. Don't doubt my lady's intention. And didn't you all chat with the boy quite amicably before? So stop doubting him"

"This… but "

Being reprimanded by the gentle Shina on their behaviour was quite embarrassing and they couldn't help purse their lips tightly. 

"Alright stop arguing. I know what I did and why I did it. I was him the whole time. And from my observations, he was definitely not someone whom you think. And do you think five gear kids have that much idea to do this?"  

Tia's face had a stern attitude this time, unlike the naive and cute expression she had before Kiel.

Although Tia was gentle and naive, that didn't mean she was dumb. Growing up in a wealthy family where there was competition for everything all year around how could she survive still now being naive and innocent.

In fact, she was quite a clever and smart girl. It was just this three girls hat had been accompanying her through her life that was why she was emotional before them.

"Didn't you see how young and talented he was despite such a young age. And he didn't bow his head to nobility. He will definitely be something in the future."

Tia looked quite stern however she couldn't stop a faint blush from appearing on her face.

"And most important he could even reject a blood soul contract which is quite straightforward. A blood soul contract is a contract that is invoked by a user and cannot be stopped. But it didn't have any effect on him."

This time even the girls nodded. It was true. That a blood soul contract unlike regular can not be stopped once initiated. So it was quite shocking to see someone who could reject one. 

Luckily they didn't know about Kiel's system. If they would have another whole round of shock. 

"And even his magic is quite unusual. I didn't sense any mana coming from him at all. How did he do it? Like a mysterious hero saving a damsel in distress. Wasn't he cool!"

In the midst of explaining Tia lost herself in her imagination.

"Ah, my lady has fallen in her love!"

"True Shina this time I agree!"

"Huh? Wait Ruyu Shina w-what are you talking about. It is not like that. H-he is just like a brother to me. Nothing more." Although she was denying a faint rosy blush still silently crept on her face.

"See Lia isn't this the sign of puppy love?" Ruyu couldn't help but grin at Tia's stumbling.

And the silent Lia nodding even added more to her the blush of the little lady.

"Moh! What are you talking about!"

"But my lady is a fine young man. If you don't keep him maybe I will steal him in the future!" Shina shrugged off.

"You…you… even Shina is teasing me, you big bully!" Tia grumpily replied due to the constant reading of the group.

000000

"Hehe" the others couldn't help but laugh at Tia's comical gestures.

As they were talking about various things and their future plans, they heard fast nearing footsteps. Alerted by the sudden footsteps they all picked up their weapons. 

Just from the sudden shift of their attitude from casualness to alertness, one could tell that they were not some naive little girls.