If I hadn't managed to cling to the suspension bridge using Nature Magic, the lava flow at the bottom of the canyon would have claimed my life.
Saving Fiona had left me with no other choice. Even if it meant doubling back to the fort, survival was the priority.
"...I am sorry. This is all my fault."
Ren and Fiona stood on the roof of the fort they had just returned to. They were there to survey the landscape and plan their next move.
"No, this wasn't your fault, Lady Ignat," Ren said, trying to comfort her.
Despite his words, her shoulders trembled with regret. She was consumed by self-reproach, convinced that she had dragged Ren into her mess and put him in mortal danger. Ren admired the nobility of her spirit, even as he focused on the practical problems ahead.
I managed to handle the situation just now, but the real trouble starts here.
Immediately after escaping the bridge, Ren had searched for a way to descend the mountain from nearby, but the surging lava flows had made it clear that such a route was impassable. He had been forced to retreat to the fort.
The people who crossed the bridge should be safe. I just hope the ones still clinging to the ropes made it, too.
He believed the path taken by the knights, adventurers, and examinees they had parted from was likely secure. If the lava followed the natural terrain as Ren remembered it from the game, the primary ascent path would remain untouched.
On the other hand, the options available to Ren and Fiona were dwindling. Only the longest, most circuitous routes remained. This raised the question of whether their best choice was simply to wait for rescue, but...
If we stay here, this place will eventually be swallowed by the lava.
There was no sign that the volcanic activity was subsiding. If anything, the number of fissures spewing lava seemed to be increasing.
"Mr. Adventurer. We..."
Fiona had noticed it as well. She realized that they couldn't count on rescue if they stayed still, and that it was only a matter of time before the flows reached the fort.
"...Our only choice is to aim for a descent using a different path," Ren said.
There were several other routes down the Baldur Mountains. Ren pointed toward a specific horizon.
"The closest one leads toward Viscount Given’s territory."
"Right... we can descend that way as well."
However, compared to the path toward the Clausel territory, it would take significantly longer. Yet, in a situation where they were being boxed in by molten rock, they didn't have the luxury of being picky. Fiona didn't seem to mind the detour.
If this doesn't work, we're in real trouble.
There were other paths, including the one the examinees had originally used to climb the mountain, but Ren wanted to avoid those. It would take far too long, and he didn't want to linger in these mountains while they were being warped by such an anomaly.
"Still... I wonder if it really was the Hero Faction," Ren whispered to himself.
The series of disasters was so incomprehensible that he couldn't help but suspect a hidden hand at work, much like during the incident with Viscount Given.
Fiona, hearing his mutter, shook her head. "The heir of a family associated with the Archduke was among the examinees. Do you remember the boy being watched over by the adults before we reached the bridge?"
"Ah... I think I recall seeing someone like that."
"That was him. I don't believe the Hero Faction would do anything that would put his life at risk."
"I see. That makes sense."
To the Hero Faction, a member of the Archduke's lineage was irreplaceable. While there were certainly men like Viscount Given among them, the faction as a whole usually maintained certain standards. It was unlikely they were responsible for this.
That left the question of who was.
Did this happen because the Academy Principal is away? No, it’s more likely the culprit timed this specifically for her absence.
Even more mysterious was the role of Marquis Ignat. If that man were present, no one would dare cause such a scene so easily. Despite his many political rivals, few had the courage to cross him directly. This suggested the involvement of someone with influence equal to or greater than the Marquis.
Or perhaps...
The Other Faction?
It was possible that those plotting the Demon King's resurrection had made a move. Regardless, playing detective wasn't going to get them off the mountain. The priority was self-preservation.
"Let's get off this mountain as quickly as we can. We need to prepare and leave immediately."
"Yes! I'll go check our supplies right away!"
It was still early afternoon, so they could move while it was light. Ren also realized that the glow from the lava would likely provide enough light to keep moving even after sunset. Sharing a sense of urgency, the two of them turned to head back inside, but Fiona suddenly stopped.
"..."
She pressed a hand against her chest. Her heart had just given an inexplicably strong, sharp pulse.
"Lady Ignat?"
"N-No! It's nothing!"
The sensation lasted only a second. She had been momentarily afraid that her condition was returning, but the feeling passed. Fiona slapped her cheeks and put on a brave, lovely smile. Like a beautiful gem, her expression was radiant enough to be mistaken for an angel’s.
Lava flowed down the jagged mountain slopes, painting the landscape a hellish red. The very geography of the Baldur Mountains was being reshaped by the molten rock.
Nevertheless, some stable ground remained. Ren led Fiona through these safe zones as they worked their way down.
Two days had passed since they left the fort.
Night had fallen once more, and the sky was a deep canopy of brilliant stars.
"...Whoops."
Ren, sitting by the campfire, suddenly jerked awake. He blinked, shaking off the fog of sleep as he remembered where he was.
They had decided to camp for the night, and he had spent the evening packing down the snow and setting up their tents. After dinner, he had told Fiona to rest because she looked exhausted. He was supposed to be standing watch, but his own fatigue had apparently caught up with him.
"It's quite all right, Mr. Adventurer."
Fiona’s voice came from right beside him. He looked over to see her sitting in front of the fire.
"Nothing attacked while you were sleeping."
"...I'm sorry. I'm supposed to be your guard, and I fell asleep on the job."
Fiona shook her head quickly. "I should be the one apologizing. You were awake all last night watching the fire, weren't you? You looked so tired today."
"Don't worry about it. It's my responsibility."
"No. We're in this together, so please let me help."
Fiona gave him a kind smile. She was bundled up in her winter gear, but she was still huddled close to her knees, likely shivering from the mountain chill. She held a wooden cup that emitted a warm, aromatic steam.
Recalling her manners, she handed the cup to Ren and then used a small pot by the fire to brew more.
"Some of the attendants who serve the Ignat family used to work at the Imperial Castle," she said.
"Wow. That's impressive."
"Yes... but even those attendants used to smile wryly whenever they drank the tea I brewed."
Ren wasn't sure how to respond to that, but he certainly wasn't going to refuse the gesture.
Fiona looked a bit embarrassed as she said, "Please throw it away if it doesn't taste good."
Ren offered a calm smile and brought the cup to his lips.
...Well.
It certainly woke him up. The tea was incredibly astringent—bitter enough to make one's tongue curl.
"It's delicious," he said.
"That's a lie. Your eyebrow just twitched, Mr. Adventurer."
"It's just a habit. Don't read too much into it. I really do think it's good."
"Um... I'm happy you'd say that, but please don't force yourself. I'd feel terrible if I gave you an upset stomach!"
In truth, he didn't think it was bad. It was bitter, yes, but it was brewed better than anything he could have managed, and the rising steam was genuinely soothing.
As Ren took another sip, and then a third, Fiona finally let a small, relieved smile play across her lips.