Nighttime.
Anna's grandfather, who had lost an arm and an eye, was still one of the luckiest hunters. Few hunters lived to his age; most, like Relo's father, eventually perished at the hands of their prey. The difference between beasts and magical beasts was vast, and ordinary hunters were mere bipeds before the latter.
Anna's father was a humble farmer, tilling the land for the local baron, while her mother was a housewife, supplementing the family income with needlework.
In the glow of the fire, Anna, knowing the topic at hand, shyly kept her head down without speaking.
"Come on, Relo, eat up. The more you eat, the more strength you have to devote to the God of Light," Anna's grandfather said cheerily, his usual sternness gone, showing genuine fondness for Relo, perhaps because of Relo's father.
"Grandpa, I'm really full," Relo insisted for the third time, smiling helplessly.
Anna's grandfather glanced between the silent Anna and Relo, then slowly said, "Relo, have you really decided to serve the great God of Light all your life? Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm a faithful follower too, but… serving the God of Light, you could choose to become a Knight of Light. After all, they can marry and have children."
Relo understood his grandfather's implication, replying softly, "Due to my mother's difficult birth, it's hard for me to meet the conditions to become a Knight of Light."
A look of disappointment crossed the old man's face.
"Ah, what a pity. I would be at ease if Anna could be with you," he sighed, saying no more.
Relo stole a glance at Anna, her freckled cheeks reflecting the firelight, her shy, longing eyes bringing back memories of their innocent childhood friendship.
If only he wasn't a wizard's descendant, if only he could become a Knight of Light and live here with her forever, simply and happily.
With these thoughts, Relo masked his inner sorrow with a content smile, excitedly saying, "Thank the Lord! Just yesterday, I received a special grace from the church, deciding to send me to a remote town called Sophiel as a trainee missionary to spread the Lord's light. I can finally devote my life to the Lord!"
"Ah!"
Everyone around the stove, hearing Relo's words, showed surprise and joy, even Anna, amidst her inner loss, sincerely blessed him with a prayer gesture.
...
Half a month later.
The snow melted, reviving all life.
Snowmelt filled Onyx Lake, its green waves reflecting new buds on the lakeshore. People trod the muddy ground, starting another year of labor, praying for a bountiful harvest in fields and mountains, praising the God of Light with all their might.
Though life was hard and poor, the people were easily content, their weary faces bearing simple smiles.
Relo stood on the street, his travel chest on his back, taking one last look at Onyx Lake Town, his reluctance gradually turning into resolve.
"Father, Mother, I'm leaving!"
Turning, Relo resolutely walked away.
Walking the muddy road, his eyes reddened, abandoning everything familiar for an unknown journey, unsure when he could return, if ever.
His leather shoes followed the ruts of carriage wheels, inevitably splashing mud on his clothes. His father had said, following this road through the Eagle Forest would lead to Saint Glan Fort, the capital of Glan.
Unnoticed by Onyx Lake Town, the boy who aspired to be a missionary silently departed. To the town, he was insignificant, perhaps only remembered by the priest at next year's qualification selection, wondering why the usual devotee hadn't appeared.
Walking for nearly two hours, farmland gave way to shrubs.
Beyond, endless greenery stretched out, with occasional bats darting through the trees.
Ahead was the dreaded Eagle Forest, the hunting ground for townsmen.
Legend had it that within its depths lived terrifying eagles. Any prey caught in their gaze would have their souls frozen, making escape impossible.
Moreover, unimaginable creatures roamed the forest, where only formidable mercenary groups dared venture, seeking fortune.
Fortunately, this path only skirted the forest's edge, frequently traversed by trade caravans, generally safe from magical beasts, at most encountering ordinary wildlife.
After the initial loss, nearing the forest beyond his furthest exploration, an inexplicable excitement surged in Relo's heart. It was as if cells that had slept for years were cheering, thrilled to leave the monotonous life of the town, eager for the unknown, yearning to see the wider world.
Relo's steps lightened.
Thinking back, hadn't his lifelong devotion to the God of Light been about leaving the town to venture into unknown lands as a missionary?
"Heave-ho, heave-ho..."
Ahead on the muddy road, men's shouts echoed in the distance.
Curious, Relo quickened his pace, and after passing some shrubs, he saw several men carrying a hefty black boar, heading back to town.
Relo didn't recognize them; they were probably hunters from a nearby village, their faces beaming with the joy of their bountiful catch, greeting him from afar.
"Young lad, venturing into the woods alone?"
A burly, bearded man, towering over Relo, stopped to rest while greeting him, wiping sweat from his forehead.
The other two hunters sat beside the boar, lighting pipes and chewing on jerky.
"All winter, and still such a fat one!"
Relo complimented, replying, "Yes, I'm heading to Saint Glan Fort."
"Ha ha, thanks to the God of Light's blessing, we caught this big fellow. We're planning to take it to the church first, offering its finest leg to the priest!"
Hearing the mention of the God of Light, the resting hunters quickly made prayer gestures, fearing disrespect might cost them their luck. Relo hastily did the same.
'Was it really the God of Light's blessing? Does the God of Light truly remember each follower's self-sacrifice?'
The bearded hunter chuckled, then frowned at Relo's thin frame, cautioning, "This road only skirts the forest edge, generally safe from magical beasts, but wandering wildlife is still dangerous. They're all out foraging after the long winter. Be careful on your own."
Meeting such kind-hearted hunters so soon after leaving town warmed Relo's heart. "It's okay, I brought some beast repellent."
Beast repellent, a term used by Onyx hunters, was made by grinding magical beast dung into powder. Wild animals had sensitive noses, so hunters often sprinkled it around when resting in the forest to ward off danger.
Hearing about the repellent, the bearded man smiled and said no more.
After bidding farewell, Relo continued onward, soon entering the Eagle Forest, leaving the hunters behind.
(End of Chapter)