Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 109
“Kakaros, is this the right way?”
The snowstorm was growing stronger, and Elonen couldn’t even keep his eyes open. Staggering, he shouted toward Kakaros, who was leading at the very front.
Kakaros had already returned to his wolf form to break through the fierce blizzard and search for the path. Apparently it made tracking much easier. The problem was that communication became difficult.
“Awooooo!”
Kakaros let out a loud howl, then turned back at the party.
“What is he even saying?”
Gerard grumbled as he wiped the wet snow from his face. There was no way Elonen could understand Kakaros’s howling either.
After walking through the snow all night, everyone was exhausted. Finding Kyle and Lysian was urgent, but wandering the snow mountains in such a worn-out state wasn’t a wise choice either.
“Wouldn’t it be better to hold out until only nightfall for today? If we keep going like this, we’ll all turn into snowmen overnight.”
Elonen said this as he looked around. The snow piled thick like a heavy blanket reflected the moonlight and glowed white.
There was a limit to tracking by scent alone anyway, and it might be better to find the way after daybreak.
“But the scent…”
“The scent is already gone, Gerard. That’s why Kakaros can’t find the trail.”
Elonen placed a hand on Kakaros’s back as he spoke. Since Kakaros didn’t give any particular response, it seemed to be true.
Gerard had no choice but to nod. After wandering the snow mountains endlessly, he was beginning to feel hungry as well.
“Is there anywhere nearby where we can shelter from the snow?”
Kakaros scanned the surroundings with his sharp wolf eyes, then nodded firmly.
“Then let’s go there and just spend the night.”
At Elonen’s suggestion, Kakaros immediately began moving. He led the party toward a nearby cave.
Once they entered the cave, they finally escaped the chaotic blizzard, and it felt like they could breathe again.
“Whew, it’s a relief there’s a cave in a place like this.”
While Elonen brushed the snow off himself, Gerard took a brazier out of his subspace. After lighting it and sitting around it, their frozen bodies slowly began to thaw.
“Let’s eat something first.”
Gerard let out a deep sigh as he pulled out a pot and various ingredients from his subspace and laid them out.
Finding Kyle and Lysian was the priority, but that was only possible if the three of them stayed alive.
“I’ll go gather some snow.”
Gerard filled the pot with snow and placed it over the brazier, and Elonen began cooking. In no time, he added sausages and various vegetables and made a thick cream stew.
After eating warm food, the fatigue finally hit them. Kakaros, still in wolf form, finished a simple meal and curled up in a corner of the cave.
“Let’s get a little rest and then start searching again. Don’t worry too much.”
Elonen patted Gerard on the shoulder as he cleaned up the dishes with a gloomy expression.
“Yeah, good work. Let’s all get some sleep.”
In truth, his mind was tangled with worry, but Gerard forced himself to speak cheerfully because he didn’t want to make Elonen anxious too. He lay down beside the brazier.
‘I hope Lysian is alright.’
Kyle, well, he was actually sturdier than Gerard himself, so there was nothing to worry about. But he was worried about the frail Lysian.
What if that guy was injured and couldn’t move? If he was hurt, how badly was it? Would it be something Elonen could treat? Well, he could bring someone back as long as they were still breathing.
One thought led to another. Unable to fall asleep easily, he tossed and turned before finally drifting into a light sleep.
How long had he slept like that? It was clear he hadn’t rested much at all. Then Gerard suddenly opened his eyes wide at the presence he felt from deeper inside the cave.
The first to react to the sound was Kakaros. As his curled-up body sprang upright, Gerard also got up.
“There’s something inside the cave, right?”
Forcing his stiff, exhausted body to move, Gerard asked. At the sound of his voice, Elonen barely opened his eyes.
“Grrr…”
Kakaros let out a low growl as he stared into the depths of the cave. Elonen, still half-asleep, staggered to his feet and stood behind them, peering inside as well.
Soon, the sound of many footsteps echoed, and a group of dwarves came rushing toward them.
“Humans!”
