Chapter 13 Hindrance

Translator: Skye Editor: thursdays PR: sj_myself

Raphlet raised himself up carefully while holding an unconscious Yuriel in his arms.

He had forcibly knocked her out, unable to watch her cry to the point her breathing became erratic. It was clear that she would have fainted due to the lack of air if he let her be.

His heart ached when he saw that her tremors after a dream were more severe than they were in the past.

This place was full of things that posed a threat to Yuriel: monsters that appeared frequently, Raphlet himself, and not to mention Helio, who was showing interest towards her.

Helios interest was particularly unwelcome.

Raphlet breathed a heavy sigh and moved Yuriel to his tent. After carefully brushing aside the hair that clung to her wet cheeks, he lit several candles so that she wouldnt wake up to a dark tent.

As the artificial light of the magic stone-embedded lamp wouldnt help calm her nerves, Raphlet had chosen to light the candles instead.

He swept his hand through her hair roughly, then gently rubbed her forehead with his thumb. He only stood up once he saw her wake, an embarrassed expression on her face.

It seemed his decision to light the candles had been the right choice, as Yuriel scratched her cheek sheepishly, glancing around the candlelit room before giving him a bright smile.

Just the sight of her relaxed expression almost made him inadvertently smile, but he quickly caught himself.

This incident only convinced him further that he needed to send Yuriel away.

Yuriels head cleared after waking up from a sleep in which she didnt have a single dream. Every time someone gently swept her hair, her breathing evened.

Taking slow breaths, Yuriel scratched her cheeks bashfully when she found a pair of golden pupils observing her.

She recalled that she had been crying in Raphlets embrace before she had passed out and the memory of him comforting her.

She always thought the most terrible thing would be to hear about Raphlet getting injured. But she was embarrassed and ashamed for showing him such a statequivering in fear due to something that was only a dream.

Sleep in my tent tonight. Youll also feel more at ease if you sleep here, Raphlet said with a worn-out face. His tone was a cold contrast to the warm touch of his hand that had stroked her hair.

But

If you appear restless like that in front of the knights, youll only intensify their nerves. If you want to help, please stay in my tent today.

Yes Im sorry, Raphlet.

Although she wanted to stay outside to make use of her ability more accurately, she couldnt refuse him. Recalling how Raphlet had been comforting her, Yuriel became sullen and apologized.

At the sight of her drooping shoulders, Raphlets hand flinchedas if he wanted to reach out to herbut soon sank, unable to approach Yuriel when she was awake.

With her shoulders still slumped, Yuriel pulled out her watch.

Oh, its already five oclock. Raphlet, it was six oclock when I met a monster in my dream. Wed better move fast.

Its fine. Dont you think it would be better for you to rest a little more?

Yuriel shook her head and got out of bed.

No, Im fine now, she answered sincerely. She genuinely felt all right to the point where she was surprised at how okay she felt.

It almost felt like a lie how she had shuddered so much before passing out. It was most likely because of the touch of his hand.

Yuriel thought so, frowning as she lowered her gaze to stare at Raphlets fingers.

She had been able to calm down as soon as his hand had touched her.

Yuriel continued to stare at Raphlets fingers as they moved to the tent where Helio was waiting for them.

When Raphletwho noticed the intense gaze directed towards his handclenched his fist, Yuriel regrettably lost her focus.

Raphlet pulled up the cloth of the tent with his hand, waiting until Yuriel passed under his arm before lowering the cloth back down behind him.

Confirming that there was no one else other than Helio around, he stepped forward into the center. This tent was specifically set up for planning strategies and was thus equipped with maps of the hunting grounds, large tables, and small flags to mark the locations of the monsters.

Helio stood before the map of the hunting grounds and welcomed them.

Im not sure if you were able to get a good nights sleep, but Ive been waiting to hear some good news. Do you have any to share?

Unlike how he talked to Yuriel when she first came here, Helio didnt have a playful expression. Instead, he pressed her with an expectant look.

He looked at her as if he believed their whole situation would change based on what she had to share.

Yuriel recounted her dream to Raphlet and Helio. The map was still hard to read, so she explained by drawing the path on a piece of paper that was on the large table.

As she fumbled to the location where she first encountered the fiend, Heliowho had been listening quietlyraised his hand and stopped her.

What were some of the features or characteristics of the monster? he asked sharply.

Its body was thick, and its toenails were rather blunt. Its eyes bulged out, while its body was covered with fur Oh, it also seemed to be quite sensitive to sound.

I see. The monster you encountered is a monster that nests underground. Its eyes developed that way to collect as much light as possible while living underground. It makes a nest by digging a hole in the ground, similar to a mole. The creature isnt hard to deal with as long as were able to find the entrance to its den, Helio explained, nodding his head. Identifying the shape and form of a monster was the first thing to do in a subjugation.

In fact, while you were asleep, we sent a couple of knights to check for tracks. We ended up getting the same response from them.

She wasnt disappointed, as it was what she had expected. Yuriel had yet to figure out how to utilize her abilities herself, so using her ability as a reference while letting the knights handle it as theyve always done was advantageous for Yuriel as well.

If the knights hadnt gone out and found traces of the same monster she had seen, she would have been a little hesitant while making her claim.

But because Helio confirmed that the knights had seen the same indications, Yuriel was convinced that she had seen correctly.

It was reassuring to hear that the traces the knights had found were similar to those she had seen in her dream.

Yuriel gained confidence and continued. She knew the location of the nest entrance that Helio mentioned. She began to feel that there was a benefit in having to endure the experience of getting ripped apart by the monsters offspring.

I also confirmed the location of the dens entrance in my dream. Sir Helio, were the knights also able to find the entrance?

Seeing Yuriel say so with her chin proudly raised, the ends of Helios mouth curved upwards.

She looked confident, as if she was sure she could prove her use. The look of confidence was quite good to see.

Helio shook his head slowly. The nest was the place the monsters wanted to hide the most to protect their young from humans.

It was their greatest weakness.

They would have made the entrance of their nests difficult to find in order to shelter themselves from the eyes of humans.

In truth, it wasnt difficult to track the entrance of this specific monster, but Helio didnt interrupt because he needed to confirm Yuriels ability.

No, they couldnt find it. Could you guide us, Miss Yuriel?

Yes, of course.

Yuriel nodded confidently. Yuriel smiled and turned to walk out of the tent, saying that she would guide them. But Raphlet, who was sitting next to her, grabbed her wrist the moment she was about to brush past him.

Isnt it enough to figure out the nature of the beast?

What do you mean?

Its more than enough for you to remember and write down what you saw as you did just now. Please stay back here in the barracks with the other knights.

No, I have to go with

Its too dangerous.

Commander Raphlet, we need to confirm Miss Yuriels abilities. Whats the point if she doesnt show us the way herself?

To start with, its wrong to use Yuriels dreams for our advantage. Our knights arent so weak that we need help from a civilian. Finding the entrance to the cave isnt a difficult task, either. What Im saying is that we dont need Yuriels help.

The ends of Yuriels lips sank when she heard his matter-of-fact explanation.

Rather, its more of a hindrance. If she has a fit like that after every dream, it would only make the knights feel uneasy.

A hindrance Yuriel repeated Raphlets words with a pale face.

Are you going to cry that way every time you find out where the monster is? While hoping for someone to calm you down?

Unaware that she had a breakdown, Helio looked over Yuriel attentively and said, First of all, why dont we check if Miss Yuriels dream is correct and then discuss more afterward? The majority of monsters that burrow and hide themselves carry out attacks at night. Itll most likely attack tonight because weve plowed through the forest, so it would be best if we find its den and dispose of it beforehand.

Helio pulled out Yuriels hand from Raphlets grasp.

Itll be too late by the time the knights find the entrance. Please lead us there directly, Miss Yuriel.