CH 189

Words : 973 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

In Spite of Injury, I Chased After the Merchants If we chased them with Leo, then we should be able to catch up with the horses in no time. Sebastian wanted Leo to stay with me. And so that just meant that I had to go with Leo. Besides, I was still angry towards the merchants for unleashing the orcs on us. “Very well. In that case…Johanna and I will go with you.” “Certainly!” So Sebastian and Johann would come too. Well, even with Leo, it would be better to have others there if we were going to capture them. This was a little different from killing some orcs. “All right. Leo. While you’ll have to run again, can you take us?” “Wuff… Kuuun. Kuun.” “What…what is it?” When I asked Leo to carry us, she rubbed her face against me and licked the side of my head. Usually, she would have agreed right away… What was the matter? “…Mr. Takumi…!” “Huh? What is it, Sebastian?” “Your head!” “Head…? Ah…” “Wuff. Wuff.” As I tried to think of what Leo was doing, Sebastian raised his voice in surprise. He was looking at the side of my head… And when I touched it, I felt that it was wet. I then looked at my hand, and it was red with blood. Apparently, my head had started to bleed after being bludgeoned by the orc. So that’s why it had continued to throb with pain… Leo was worried, and started to lick the blood off… “I suppose I’m a little injured… Uh, does anyone have a cloth…” “Please use this.” “…Are you sure? It is such a pretty handkerchief.” “Nevermind that! Your injury is more important!” As I asked for something to wipe away the dripping blood, Johanna offered me a clean handkerchief. While I felt bad about ruining it, I accepted it gratefully. “All right. Now, let’s go and catch those merchants.” “Mr. Takumi… Are you sure? A head injury can lead to something much worse…” “Well, while there is some pain…I should be fine. And if necessary, I’ll make some Loe and heal it.” “…Very well But if I determine that it’s too dangerous, you must stop and heal yourself at once.” Both Leo and Sebastian were looking at me with concern. And so I smiled and told them that I was fine. Besides, I thought that catching the merchants was more important now. If we didn’t hurry, we might lose them for good. I had always been like this, back during my other job. Where I would prioritize other things than take care of myself. “Sorry, Leo. Can you take us?” “Wuff.” I asked Leo again. Leo replied with resignation and then lay low so that I could climb onto her. “Good. Now, let’s chase after them. In the direction of Ractos town, yes?” “Yes. That’s where they were headed when we passed them by.” “You heard him, Leo. Try to run as fast as possible without shaking us off.” “Wuff!” After Sebastian, Johanna and I were on top of Leo, she ran from the Range village entrance and towards Ractos. We had asked Phillip to stay behind and help the wounded villagers. “Tsk…it hurts more when you’re shaking…” “Should we stop?” “No, I’m still fine.” Leo was running a little slower than she had when we first went to Range village. Still, I couldn’t help but grimace from the pain as I held onto her. Sebastian looked at me from behind with concern. But while it was worse than when I was standing still, it wasn’t unbearable. Of course, I wouldn’t want it to continue much longer, so I would treat it with Loe as soon as I had time. “Wuff?” “I’m fine, Leo.” Leo also barked as if worried. She was doing her best to slow down. I’m sorry for making you worry, Leo. “Ah, there they are!” “Two horses… Yes, it must be them.” “Indeed. Leo, approach those horses.” “Wuff!” After bearing the pain in my head for a little longer, we found the merchants near the area where I had met up with Phillip and Mr. Hannes. They were clearly riding towards Ractos. While it was darker now that the sun had gone down, the effects of the herbs had not died yet, and I could see well enough to confirm that they were the same merchants. Though, they would have been blurry shadows for Sebastian and Johanna. …Now that I thought about it, Leo could also see well in the dark. “Leo. Go and surprise those horses!” “Wou!” Once we were close enough, I gave Leo the order. While I felt bad for the horses, it would be the easiest way to stop them. …Well, perhaps there were other ways. But I was in no mood to rack my brain for them. “Hah-hah-hah…Grau!” “What!?” “Huh!?” By the time they could hear Leo’s heavy breathing as she stuck out her tongue, she was already right next to them and barking. The horses were so startled that they stopped and began to move around wildly. The merchants could not control them, and they fell to the ground. …I hope they were not injured… Such thoughts did not occur to me at all. Even someone like me could feel no concern over the wellbeing of someone who had unleashed orcs on a village. “Ha…thanks, Leo.” “Wou.” “Johanna!” “Yes!” After passing the horses, Leo stopped suddenly. Severe pain shot through my head, but I ignored it and thanked Leo. Then Sebastian and Johanna immediately jumped off and dashed towards the fallen merchants.

CH 189

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