Likath rose slowly, as if the weight of the entire mountain had settled upon his shoulders.
Then, all at once, he spun toward Novak and seized him with both hands, his voice exploding like thunder:
"You… you bastard.
You're the one who poisoned him!"
Novak trembled beneath Likath's furious roar, his frail body shaking like a dry branch caught in a storm.
As for Rolin, he watched the scene in silence, Lulu asleep in his arms—her small face peaceful, cruelly at odds with everything unfolding around them.
"Why did you do this?!"
Likath screamed, his eyes burning.
"Why did you kill him, you wretch?!"
The old man slowly pushed Likath's hands away, then adjusted his clothes as if brushing off ordinary dust—
not blood that hadn't yet dried.
"He would have gotten rid of us at the first real crisis."
Likath's expression hardened further, a dark aura surging from his body until it seemed the ground beneath his feet began to crack.
He drew his sword, the intent in his eyes unmistakable—
death, here and now.
But before the blade could fall—
Rolin took a single step forward.
He did not shout.
He did not raise his voice.
He spoke with a cold calm, more dangerous than any rage:
"Enough.
What happened… has already happened.
We can't turn back time."
The sword froze midair.
Then Rolin continued, his gaze never leaving Likath:
"And besides… this old man
will be useful in the future."
He paused.
Then lowered his eyes to Lulu sleeping in his arms—
to her small, steady breaths,
to an innocence that knew nothing of poison, betrayal, or slow death.
He added in a quieter voice:
"And there's something else…"
Likath raised his eyes.
"How exactly do you plan to explain it to her…
when two people from the group disappear at the same time?"
Silence fell.
Likath's sword trembled slightly…
then lowered.
As for the mountain—
it remained silent,
as if it were smiling.
He sheathed his sword.
Without a single word, Likath turned away and left the ravine, his figure vanishing into the pale morning light.
Novak approached Rolin and let out a relieved sigh, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his chest.
"Thank you, young man," he said softly.
"You knew how dangerous that man was."
One second passed.
Rolin smiled—a calm, gentle smile.
"No need."
Novak nodded and added with mild confidence,
"Even you understand my value to this group."
"Of course," Rolin replied smoothly.
"You are wise… and strong."
A sincere smile spread across the old man's face.
"Thank you, young man."
Then Novak walked away, his footsteps fading among the rocks.
Rolin watched his back in silence, Lulu still asleep in his arms.
Then he thought calmly:
That's not what I meant.
When I said you'd be useful…
what I meant was—
You'll make a wonderful meal… for the next monster.