BSS 41

Chapter 41

As we exited the lower part of the mountain range, the surrounding vegetation noticeably thinned. And in the distance, we could see the outer walls of Bailan’s capital, Valen.

Compared to the sky-piercing, grand walls surrounding Dmitri’s capital, Charan, it looked rather small and humble.

“Jini, that over there is Bailan’s capital, Valen,” Anel said, pointing toward the still-far city.

“I see it. But compared to Charan’s walls… it does seem a bit small.”

“But don’t underestimate it. Charan’s walls are high and solid, but Valen’s walls are engraved with barrier magic powerful enough to make up for that.”

“Aha… barrier magic. I see.”

One of the first things I learned in the academy’s history classes was that Dmitri and Bailan used to be a single nation.

The two massive empires now dividing the continent— the Holy Empire Elan and the Dark Empire Koiren.
And between them once stood the neutral empire, Dmiran.

A symbol of neutrality that no longer existed.

Dmiran was split from within, which led to the creation of Dmitri and Bailan.

Back then, Dmiran struggled to maintain neutrality between the two empires that kept asserting their own agendas. As internal arguments grew—those who said they should support one side and help unify the continent, and those who insisted on maintaining neutrality even if difficult—conflict escalated into civil war.

In the end, the nation split into two across the Dragonia Mountains. One of the once-great three empires vanished so helplessly.

Naturally, the two empires weren’t going to leave the newly-divided kingdoms alone.

Elan and Koiren began a fierce secret battle.

Dmitri, which had gathered most of the warriors, quickly declared its alliance with Elan. Bailan, which had insisted on neutrality until the end, had some sort of conflict with Koiren, and eventually also declared support for Elan.

Thus, the relationship between Bailan and Dmitri worsened even more.

If they were going to end up doing that anyway, they could’ve united from the beginning and not lost their imperial standing.

There were always reasons for mutual resentment.

“Jini, once we enter the city, you have to be careful with what you say. Okay?”

“Why?”

“Even if we’re all using the continental common tongue, there are differences in accent. Your Dmitri accent is strong. And everyone knows Bailan and Dmitrians are enemies, right?”

“True.”

“The bigger the city, the worse the discrimination.”

The reason Dmitri’s delegation was heading into hostile Bailan was because of a message from Elan—telling us to use teleportation.

Neither Dmitri nor Bailan could defy Elan’s orders anymore.

It would be better if the two countries joined hands again, but that was even more impossible.

“All right, it’s a steep downhill from here, so hold on to me.”

Anel extended her hand.

I grabbed her bronzed hand as I looked down the sharply-cut slope. Suddenly, I realized I was curious about Anel’s origins—her tanned skin and shimmering silver hair.

“Anel, which country are you from? Dmitri?”

“If we’re being technical, I’m from the Korann Kingdom. But I only grew up in the Black Jungle, which happens to be part of Korann.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m from the jungle. We don’t have the concept of a ‘homeland.’ We have a home village. We’re a tribal society, so we don’t serve a king. Have you heard of the Silverwolf Tribe? It’s quite a large tribe.”

“I’ve heard of it.”

“Oh? That makes me happy.”

“One of the outstanding minority tribes in Korann’s tribal union nation… right?
Their traits: silver hair… and everyone in the tribe is a dual-blade fighter.”

Now that I thought about it—this was exactly Anel’s description. They worship wolves, believing their ancestors were silver wolves. Whether that’s true… who knows.

My memory was vague since I barely paid attention in class.

“You know quite a bit. Where did you learn that?”

Anel blinked in surprise. Usually, knowing the characteristics of specific tribes was considered very detailed knowledge.

I simply studied more than necessary, but normally nobody knew that much.

“Just… at the academy.”

“Hm.”

“They make us study a lot.”

I wondered if I would be able to tell her I was actually a noble before we parted.

It felt too late now, and I regretted not mentioning it at the start.

After walking down the mountain for a bit more, the city gates appeared.

Shavel, the mercenary captain, greeted the gatekeeper familiarly.

Judging by how the gatekeeper nodded back, they clearly knew each other.

“Long time no see, Captain.”

“There hasn’t been much work lately.”

“I see. As you know, I need to check your transport permit, mercenary license, and cargo list.”

After a short chat, Shavel handed over two documents and his mercenary badge.

“Two carts of plaster sacks, one cart of sculpture molds, one cart of gilded frames, one cart of artworks and valuables—total of five carts, addressed to the Dalp Art Museum. Sender: Saruka Trading Company, correct?”

“Right. It was tricky transport. We ran into an ogre.”

“An ogre? You must’ve had many injured.”

“We’re thankful to the gods that we had no deaths. We need to stop by the temple too. Ah, it says there are 23 mercenaries, right? There’s one more person with us—not a mercenary, but part of the group.”

At that, the gatekeeper looked straight at me.

A lone child among a group of burly mercenaries stood out weirdly.

I tried to look harmless, blinking with an innocent ‘I don’t know anything’ expression.

Since I had no belongings when I got lost, I had no ID, let alone a student badge to prove I was from Drike Academy.

In other words, I was completely unidentifiable.

“That child, yes.”

“We rescued her after she lost her group. In a few days, her group—Drike Academy, you know—should arrive here…”

“I’ll check. Many people are coming in using warp portals because of the upcoming festival.”

“Can she enter with us now?”

“Well, she’s just a kid… If you fill out a simple document, it’s fine.”

“Simple? What document?”

“A form saying you’ll take responsibility for anything she causes inside. It’s just formalities—nothing to worry about.”

Shavel turned to me with a grave expression.

He clearly didn’t think that was a simple document.

For the past few days, I had been at the center of every incident possible. Heh.

“If—just if—she causes trouble, what happens?”

“Simply put, you become her guarantor. You’ll either pay fines or go to prison instead.”

“…I see. No choice, then.”

As the discussion ended, Shavel went inside the guard post.

It was said that entering the capital could be strict without ID, but this was easier than expected.

Finally—Valen.
The capital of Bailan, the nation of magicians, which had always felt so far away.

The last gateway before reaching Elan.

Because we had taken a shortcut, I arrived a week earlier than the rest of the delegation.

That part was expected, but I wondered what I should do while waiting.

When thinking of Bailan’s capital, the most famous place was its massive public library—supposedly spanning a thousand pyeong.

I planned to visit soon. They should have more books on spirits compared to Dmitri.

Ancient-language texts might be restricted, though.

“The Place Where the Wind Rests.”

Following the mercenary group, we arrived at a small, ordinary-looking inn. Apparently, they were regulars.

It looked modest, but the fact that I could sleep in a bed made me instantly happy.

I imagined a simple plan: eat a proper meal, fill a tub and wash thoroughly, then drink warm milk before bed.

But the moment the inn door opened, my little dreams shattered.

I immediately covered my nose and stepped back.

“What’s wrong, kid? Not going in?”

“Here?”

“Then stay outside if you want. Suit yourself!”

The inn looked bigger than it appeared from outside.

The problem wasn’t the rough-looking men filling the room, nor the attention I was getting for looking out of place—I had thick skin!

The problem was the thick, white smoke filling the inn. So dense you could barely see shapes clearly.

“Cough! Cough! K-off!”

In my world before reincarnation, this would be unthinkable.

Here, even kids smoked, so expecting people to put out cigarettes because of a child was too much luxury.

Hesitating briefly, I was eventually pushed inside by the mercenary group. Breathing was genuinely difficult.

At this level of smoke, I felt like I could inhale without smoking myself and still recycle secondhand smoke.

Clinging tightly to Anel’s clothes, I frowned deeply to show my displeasure.

All eyes in the room were focused on me.

— Why is everyone looking at us?
— Who knows? Maybe Anel is famous?

If not that, maybe they’d just never seen a kid here…

“Tch.”

“Did you hear that? That tiny thing clicked her tongue. Cute, isn’t she?”

I turned toward the voice—grating, unpleasant, disgusting to the ears.

The man responsible—large, though not as large as Kenta—was watching me with heated eyes. His half-lidded toad-like eyes and thick lips made my skin crawl as he licked those lips.

Ugh…

“So the Shavel mercenary group escorts kids now? Heh.”

“No kidding. She’s pretty cute though. Raise her well and marry her off to me.”

Crazy bastard… Sure, this world allows marriage at twelve, but absolutely not! Never! Eww!

I turned away quickly, as if frightened.

I could forgive ugly—never creepy.

I clung harder to Anel’s collar.

Anel was the only one I could trust.

— Rai, do NOT get more than five meters away from me.
— Yes, ma’am!
— I mean it! Absolutely!

Even as I warned Rai repeatedly, unease prickled in my gut.