As the sun dipped toward the western horizon, painting the sky with hues of gold and crimson, Alcard and his remaining group finally arrived at their last resting point before heading back to The Wall. Waiting for them were Ridham and Jarren, the two members who had left earlier with the Folwestian Bloom and Rotrofila Root. Along with them, Baluk's group had also arrived ahead of time. Their faces were tense, reflecting the unspoken concern that grew upon seeing fewer people returning than had originally set out.
Now, only nine of them remained from the initial mission. Considering that they had faced a two-headed ogre—a mutated creature far stronger than any ordinary foe—this could be seen as an achievement. But the loss of two comrades was still a wound that would not heal easily.
With a tense expression, Ridham stood up immediately and asked with evident concern, "Senior, are you all right? We heard the roaring from the direction of the mountain."
Alcard did not answer right away. His gaze remained cold, but there was a heavy weight behind it. In a flat tone, he finally said, "We lost two. But we got what we needed."
There was no excess emotion in his voice, but the words alone were enough to create a suffocating silence among them. Some of the newer members lowered their heads, realizing the brutal reality they had just faced.
Alcard then inspected the sacks containing the Folwestian Bloom and Rotrofila Root. Carefully, he made sure all the materials were intact and secure. This was their top priority—without these materials, the sacrifices made would be in vain. Even so, his group was in poor condition. Some bore minor wounds from the long journey and harsh battles. Their faces were exhausted, sweat and dust still clinging to their skin. The horses they rode were visibly drained, some on the verge of collapse from the lack of rest and the grueling expedition.
One of the group members responsible for provisions spoke in a serious tone, "Boss, our food and water supplies are gone. We finished the last of it this morning while waiting here."
Alcard nodded slightly, his face showing that he was carefully weighing the next step. There was no time for mourning, no time for prolonged rest. Given their current condition, a decision had to be made swiftly.
Finally, he spoke with firm resolve, "We have no choice. We need to move north immediately. The faster we leave this area, the greater our chances of survival. We cannot risk staying here."
After checking each member's condition, he issued his next command, "Rest the horses for five minutes. Use that time to steady yourselves, control your breathing, and make sure your gear is intact. After that, we move without stopping."
Some members hesitated, clearly longing for more time to recover, but they knew Alcard's decision was the best course of action. There was no room for debate. Their mission wasn't over yet.
In a more serious tone, Alcard added, "We are still within the southern forest. Staying here is nothing more than waiting for death to come for us."
Without further words, the group began preparing. Some worked on calming the horses, while others checked their weapons and gear. Despite their exhaustion, they had no choice but to push forward.
The five minutes passed faster than they had expected. When the time was up, Alcard signaled for them to move out. With careful steps, they resumed their journey along the path they had previously taken, avoiding open or overly risky routes.
As they traveled, Baluk approached Alcard hesitantly. His face was filled with uncertainty, and in a quiet voice, he asked, "Captain… we lost two people. Do you really think this mission was worth all the sacrifices?"
Alcard glanced at him briefly, his gaze sharp but carrying a depth that was not always present. He exhaled slowly before responding in a calm yet resolute tone, "We are Outcasts. Our lives were discarded long ago. But failing this mission doesn't just mean losing our own lives. It means sacrificing every life that depends on The Wall."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before adding with a colder edge, "I won't let that happen."
Baluk fell silent. Though simple, Alcard's words held an undeniable truth. This mission wasn't just about their own survival—it was about the countless lives relying on the Bloody Potion, which could only be obtained through missions like these.
The others who overheard the conversation also remained quiet. But even without speaking, their expressions began to show a deeper understanding. No one wanted to die, but they knew that without them, more lives would be lost at The Wall.
With their determination reinforced, the group continued their journey north. Despite their weakened bodies, their depleted supplies, and the lingering sorrow from their losses, they knew one thing for certain: they had to complete this mission. Not just for themselves, but for every Outcast still fighting to keep The Wall standing.
Step by step, they distanced themselves from the darkness of the southern continent. In the distance, the sun had fully set, leaving behind a sky painted in deep shadows. But for them, the journey was far from over.
The only option was to keep moving—because returning alive was the only victory they could claim.
****