Chapter 699

Clark held up his compass, scanning the surroundings. The advance soldiers, already exhausted, sat slumped on the rocks, sleeves rolled up, while their horses stamped impatiently.

The river ran right beside them, but it was as good as poison—useless. The foul stench only seemed to fray their nerves further.

“Is the compass still working?”

“Yes. Doesn’t seem broken.”

“So, you intend to keep pushing north? We must have crossed the Burgos border some time ago. There hasn’t been a single sign of life for days. If the Toorun find us, it could spell trouble. I think it’s best we turn back here.”

“With water running low, I agree.”

They could hunt for food, but water was another matter. Unless they distanced themselves from that filthy river, even spring water would be undrinkable.

Eirin toyed with her sword, her face weary. Turning back seemed the right choice, but—

“I can’t go back.”

She couldn’t. Clark’s resolve was unyielding.

The soldiers snapped back irritably.

“Enough already, okay?”

They weren’t part of Bariel’s army, nor did they seem to hold any noble rank. Until now, the soldiers had been awkward around Clark, unsure how to treat him.

But this situation was different. If they pushed on a little further, they’d all die of thirst. Noble or not, no one could stop them from turning back.

“We came under the Emperor’s orders. Until we fulfill our mission, there’s no turning back. Isn’t that the duty of those under command?”

“Oh, look at that, Clark. Duty, you say?”

Voices rose among the soldiers, and Eirin sighed deeply. Finally, the tension snapped.

“You shouldn’t say that! We’re here risking our lives for the country, but you’re only doing this to get a pardon, aren’t you?”

If they investigated the polluted water up north, they’d wipe away Clark’s past ties to Rutherford and send him straight to Merelropr.

Clark’s jaw tightened as he glared at the soldiers, who met his gaze with equal sharpness. The atmosphere grew tense until Eirin stepped between them, sword raised.

“Losing your temper will only wear you out.”

“Anyway, we’ve done all we can. We have to report that there’s nothing to report. I volunteered to protect my family from threats to Bariel, not to follow some filthy river and die of thirst.”

Others nodded in agreement.

The whole mission had been a stretch from the start. Even if they shared a goal, their stakes were worlds apart. The soldiers needed to return to survive; Clark needed to push north to live.

“We’re done here. We’re turning back. Clark, you can choose for yourself. We won’t stop you if you want to go on alone.”

Clark tucked away his compass and began packing his loose gear, reaffirming his refusal to retreat.

The soldiers sighed quietly and gripped their reins.

“Eirin, what about you?”

“Ah, I—”

Eirin glanced between Clark and the soldiers, then resigned herself.

“I came here to prepare for possible monster purges. If the investigation continues, I’ll go along.”

“Don’t be foolish. If you stay here, you’ll die a meaningless death.”

“I’m fine. It’s been a while since I sent a dispatch. You should hurry back and report the situation. I expect they’ll advance from Kalamath toward Toorun. That way, we can join forces naturally.”

Tch. The stubbornness runs deep. The soldiers gave up trying to persuade her and quickly mounted their horses. Since they were turning back, there was no reason to delay. Without even a final farewell, they galloped back the way they came.

Tap tap tap!

“Are you not coming back?”

Clark cut through the thick underbrush with his dagger and asked. Eirin followed, slashing branches aside with her sword.

“I told you, I have a role to play. And all rivers eventually connect.”

The soldiers said this wasn’t about Bariel, but Eirin couldn’t agree. Nature was interconnected, and this was a problem for both Bariel and Gaia.

“Ah.”

Clark, leading the way, suddenly paused, sensing something. He sharpened his dagger and slowly thrust it forward. The air before him rippled like water, distorting.

His dagger appeared on the other side.

“…A barrier.”

It was similar to the one at Purpato—a ward that refused entry, sending back anything that tried to pass.

Eirin wiped the sweat dripping down her chin and frowned in confusion.

“We must be close. To follow the river upstream, we have to get through here.”

She instinctively knew they were near the source of the pollution. Nothing else could explain this phenomenon.

Clark tried punching the barrier several times, but each time he was repelled.

“Wait a moment.”

“Looks like this is as far as we go. We’ll need help from the magic division—”

Shhh.

Unable to stand it, Eirin relaxed her body and stepped forward. Unlike Clark, she passed through the barrier smoothly.

Clark reached out to grab her collar but missed.

“Eirin?!”

“Huh? Can you hear me?”

“Yes, loud and clear. I guess I can’t get inside.”

Though invisible, they could still communicate. Eirin lowered her stance and looked around. Soon, she spotted a towering white temple in the distance.

“…It’s a temple barrier.”

“A temple?”

It was the Masantar Temple, southeast of Toorun. The secret resting place of Rutherford and King Damon, and the seat of Toorun’s true ruling class.

Eirin felt a strange unease churn in her stomach. The temple stood proudly, square and pristine—surely a place of utmost sanctity.

“I think my sacred power lets me enter. Clark, would you wait here? The river connects to the temple…”

She trailed off, watching the clear water flowing gently. Compared to Burgos, this water was noticeably cleaner. She realized the temple was the source of the pollution.

“Looks like something’s going on inside.”

“It’s dangerous alone.”

“But you can’t get in.”

Eirin tightened her bootlaces and tied back her hair, steeling herself. Clark bit his lower lip, frustrated that he couldn’t help.

“We each have to do what we can.”

With that, Eirin cautiously moved toward the temple.

Once the soldiers’ presence faded, Clark looked around and hurried south along the path they’d come. The Bariel soldiers couldn’t have gone far. His best chance to help Eirin was to quickly inform the main force of the Masantar Temple’s location.

Swish.

Meanwhile, Eirin hid behind a tree, ears straining. All she heard were birds chirping. It looked peaceful on the surface, but what was really happening here?

Then—

“Drain—!”

A massive rumble echoed from the temple. A faint tremor shook the ground as the water flow intensified. Drain? They were pumping water out of the temple…

“…!”

The once-clear water grew murky. This long, winding current would poison the lands of Burgos and Clifford. Without thinking, Eirin grabbed a nearby stone—

Splash!

—and plunged into the water.

The polluted river still flowed, but it was manageable. If she could build even a small dam, she might buy some time. Soaked through, she moved stones into place.

Swish! Swish!

The sound of her pants slicing through the water echoed repeatedly.

Then, in the distance, dark shapes began to surge forward. The current was relentless, and Eirin alone couldn’t hold it back. As she pondered what to do, the water before her rose, forming a humanoid figure.

It was Banusa, the water spirit mage.

Banusa looked down at Eirin with a baffled expression.

“What on earth are you doing here?”

Eirin swung her sword, but Banusa, made of water, couldn’t be cut. Still, the blade sliced cleanly through the polluted water, and something remarkable happened.

Shhhhhh!

The section of water touched by the sword purified instantly.

Clear droplets splashed upward, reflecting the two of them perfectly. Their eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah!”

Could the pollution be linked to monsters? If so, as a paladin, Eirin could purify it. It would be tough alone, but she wasn’t the only paladin in the world.

“I asked what you’re doing here.”

“I’m telling you! Do you know how many people the polluted water has killed?”

Eirin straightened and pointed her sword at Banusa. Unaware Banusa was a spirit mage, she saw her as a monster.

Banusa lifted her head thoughtfully, then grabbed Eirin’s hair.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Let go!”

“Banusa! What’s going on?”

“Someone reported a disturbance!”

The guards stationed in front of the temple sensed something suspicious and came running. Banusa shoved Eirin underwater, then casually twisted her body halfway around.

“No, it’s nothing. Go back and keep watch.”

Glug! Glug! Water flooded into Eirin’s nose and mouth, leaving her disoriented, but she realized this strange woman was trying to hide her. Why? For what reason?

The temple guards soon said they understood and turned back, and Banusa yanked Eirin by the hair.

“Pah! Ha!”

Eirin crawled to the riverbank, gasping for air.

Banusa glanced at the spot where they had been standing and nodded with certainty. That woman has purification powers. As Eirin stepped out of the water, the filthy water began to flow downstream again.

“You’re not a mage.”

“Hah, ha…”

“You’re from Bariel, aren’t you?”

So what if I am? Eirin glared at Banusa, wiping her mouth.

“Cheeky.”

“You’re the one disturbing the order with your filthy water. Not the right person to talk.”

“Follow me.”

Banusa gestured toward the back of the temple and started walking.

Eirin suddenly noticed that Banusa’s clothes weren’t wet. They had both been standing in the river just moments ago.

“If you want to get caught by the temple guards, stay right there.”

With that, Banusa disappeared around the corner.

Eirin frowned as she watched the water grow murkier, but she had no choice. She grabbed her sword and sprinted after the path Banusa had taken.

Even while running, simple but clear clues were piecing together in her mind.

“Filth purified by holy power… most likely remains of monsters. If such things are flowing from this temple, it means there’s a crack or connection somewhere inside.”