Chapter 24

At least it was always so with orcs. And apparently the same was true of ogres, since Ludo now stood, eyes bulging in surprise. “Run.” “Hahhh… Gah… Run? But where? It’s going to be getting dark soon, and… Guh!” Bash kicked Ludo again. Those claiming they could no longer run on the battlefield often miraculously found themselves able to do so after Bash did this. Looking back, this was common to all races, not just to orcs. You could kick them or slash them with your sword, it didn’t matter which, but when attacked, all would run for their lives. Ludo landed, dropping his sword, on his hands and knees and dripping mud as he looked up at Bash. His facial expression seemed to ask Why? So Bash spoke his mind. “Are you going to look up at your mother’s killer with that same weak look on your face?” When Bash said that, Ludo bit his lip as he slowly stood up and then started running. Like he was fleeing from Bash through the downpour. From the look on his face, the composure he’d had before starting the training had completely disappeared. Bash pursued him with full murderous intent, as if he was hell-bent on killing the kid when he caught up to him. But also slowly, so that he wouldn’t catch up to him too soon. This was a technique used for hunting fleet-footed prey. It was better to tire them out first. “…” Bash knew that people often performed their greatest feats of strength when they were on the verge of death. It was the same for him. As it had been for all those he had defeated. And Bash had been strengthened by those desperate battles. Exerting one’s power to the absolute limit always pushes a warrior to a higher level. “Hah… Agh… Guh… Hah…” Ludo ran with all his might. So fast, in fact, that his earlier show of slumping in the rain seemed odd. Through the rain, slipping and tumbling over and over, he kept getting up and running as fast as he could. Was it fear of Bash? Or pure determination to get his revenge? Perhaps Ludo himself did not know. Ludo ran himself into exhaustion. Until even Bash’s kicks could no longer motivate him. The rain was relentless. But Bash and the twins set off the next day. It was Ludo who had suggested heading out. If they remained, the enemy, who still ought to have been close by, might get away. The younger sister, Luca, had a slightly dubious look on her face, but she said nothing. Bash had wanted to stay in the cave and train Ludo until he’d managed to make something of the boy. However, he also had a strong desire to end his participation in this little revenge arc as soon as possible and get a move on to the demon country. Time was always in limited supply. So they continued to train, even as they traveled. Ludo swung his sword at Bash and sometimes attempted to dodge Bash’s attacks. But after a certain point, he gave up and chose to flee instead. It was messy, uncoordinated. You could hardly call this training. Ludo himself seemed displeased with how things were going, but he kept up with his practice anyway. Bash took note of how Ludo’s speed in regaining his feet was increasing and how he was able to create more distance between them when fleeing. The boy was making steady progress. Luca always simply watched the two of them. Not speaking. Just staring. A hint of sadness in her eyes.