Chapter : 15 Giant, Land of Opportunity (2)
“Hey! Rotem! Are you asleep?”
“……”
At the rough voice of the dwarf calling him, Rotem let out a groan as he slowly woke up.
The inside of the creaking wagon—shaking nonstop and sealed off from even the wind—was just as miserable as before.
But perhaps because he was a giant by nature, or perhaps because he had simply grown used to such treatment, he was now able to sleep here without much discomfort.
“Hey, old man?”
Rotem pulled back the wagon’s rear tarp halfway and looked out with sleepy eyes. He saw Tulcas riding a donkey, following behind the caravan.
“Take this.”
Tulcas handed him a hood with two loops on each side.
Before Rotem could even ask what it was, Tulcas pulled out an identical one, hooked it over his ears, and covered his mouth and lower face.
Rotem immediately understood how to use it.
“Uh… why are we suddenly using this?”
“We’ll reach Calpheon by this afternoon. But before that, we have to pass through the ‘Forsaken Land’.”
“Forsaken Land?”
“It’s an area where an unknown plague has spread.
Now it’s basically abandoned, and entry is strictly controlled unless you’re an alchemist researching a cure or someone from the Church of Elion.
But it’s the fastest route to the Calpheon northern trade post, so our merchant guild just takes the risk.”
“Ah… but does this actually help?”
Rotem tilted his head, still unsure about the hood.
The merchant guild alchemists and military physicians apparently said it was “better than nothing,” according to Tulcas.
Rotem awkwardly put it on, copying Tulcas by covering his nose and mouth.
It felt a little strange, but it was sized for giants, so it wasn’t uncomfortable.
“By the way, what kind of plague is it?”
“I don’t know the details. That’s why all the alchemists and apothecaries in the Republic are going crazy over it.
There are rumors it was spread by followers of Belmorn or something like that.”
“What are the symptoms?”
“When infected, the body turns gray like dirt.
They lose awareness—don’t know if they’re alive or dead—and start attacking and devouring anything nearby in a frenzy.”
[Oh? That sounds familiar.]
Rotem ignored the Black Spirit’s giggling voice beside him and continued speaking.
“So there’s still no cure?”
“Yeah. They say a famous alchemist made some progress, but then there was no more news.
Besides, the Church of Elion doesn’t really want a cure to be developed anyway.”
“Why not?”
Rotem’s question made Tulcas’s expression twist in disgust.
“You really want to know? Those lunatics are selling false hope to the refugees in the Forsaken Land.
Telling dying people that faith in Elion will heal them and grant blessings.
While secretly stealing the relief supplies meant for them.”
“……”
Rotem had heard about corruption in the church before, but hearing it from someone close to it felt different.
“So if the priests are doing that, why doesn’t the council—”
His question was cut off.
A sudden shout erupted beside their wagon.
“An infected!”
“Careful!”
From the bushes, a figure staggered out.
A dull, dirty shadow of a human.
Her hair was tangled with grease and blood, shortening what should have been long strands.
Her eyes were hazy, reflecting nothing.
Her dress was torn below the waist, exposing gray, sagging skin.
There was no trace of life anywhere on her body.
“Capture it!”
The creature lunged toward a nearby horse—but even after a spear pierced its shoulder, it didn’t stop.
Only after two more soldiers struck it down with swords and a mace did it finally fall silent.
“…If you leave corpses like that without proper disposal, they just wander around and attack people.”
Tulcas frowned as he watched.
“Damn Church bastards. I don’t know how they manage anything.”
The wagon moved on, slowly leaving the scene behind.
Rotem stayed at the back, staring at it long after the others returned.
Not truly alone, of course.
[Hey, Rotem. You saw that, right?]
“…Yeah.”
[I think we’re thinking the same thing.]
“Yeah.”
“That wasn’t a disease. That’s a possessed being.”
The plague of the Forsaken Land—and what they had seen in the cave before.
Rotem let out a faint smile.
[Anyway, let’s handle the immediate stuff first.]
“Wow…”
That was all Rotem could say.
Pure awe.
A massive gate that forced him to tilt his head all the way back.
Countless people crowding the trade post entrance.
Wagons lined up endlessly.
Stables filled with more horses and donkeys than he had ever seen in his life.
Soldiers guarding the gate wore armor of a level Rotem had never encountered before.
Even giant soldiers—like himself—stood among them.
Seeing them, Rotem understood why the Shai of Florin had once been wary of him.
It took over thirty minutes just to pass inspection due to the long line of wagons, but Rotem didn’t mind at all.
Humans, giants, dwarves, shai, elves, even lizard-like Saunil.
Just watching the endless flow of races was fascinating enough.
“Hey, Rotem. Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes.”
Calpheon’s northern gate alone was as large as Florin itself.
And Rotem was completely overwhelmed by his first glimpse of the capital city of the Calpheon Republic.
“Over there on the right is the slum district. Don’t go there unless you absolutely have to, and don’t talk to anyone if you do.”
“What are those people doing?”
Rotem pointed toward a chaotic crowd where various races were clashing with guards.
“They’re protesting.”
“Protesting? About what?”
“…It’s complicated.”
Tulcas turned toward Rotem at the intersection.
“I’m going to check on my house and workshop. What about you? You’ll be okay alone?”
“Ah, I’ll be fine. I want to look around a bit anyway.”
“Then come to a tavern called Russo in the craft district tonight. The beer there is incredible. I’ll treat you.”
“Sounds good.”
“Alright, see you tonight.”
Tulcas had his own duties within the Sian Merchant Guild, so Rotem didn’t mind being left alone.
But standing in the middle of a massive intersection in a city he had never seen before…
Finding direction was not easy.
Eventually, he walked toward a boy shouting in the center.
“Welcome! I’m Rubin, the one who knows everything about this city! If you want the latest news for just—”
“Hey, do you know which way the cathedral street is?”
The boy, wearing an oversized hat, looked up at Rotem.
“…You’re new to Calpheon, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
Rubin studied Rotem carefully, then sighed.
“Normally I’d only give directions if you buy a flower basket… but since you’re new, I’ll help you. Go straight down the left road you see ahead.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“If you ever go to the market street, look for a girl named Aru selling flowers. Buy one from her, okay?”
“Got it. I’ll remember.”
“Have a good trip!”
Rotem waved in thanks as he disappeared into the crowd.
Rubin nodded proudly.
But neither of them knew—
That among the many people passing through the northern gate,
There was a pair of eyes watching only Rotem from the very beginning.
