Chapter 19 ….
Goblin (2)
The mercenaries untied the ropes.
It would have been problematic if they looked like prisoners. They needed to appear as allies.
They approached the watchtower.
Bruno shouted toward the guard.
He asked for the gate to be opened. The guard, in turn, asked why.
It was a relief.
It wasn’t a dismissal. There was room for negotiation. Probably because he was a child.
He said the carriage needed repairs.
The guard asked several questions:
“Are you armed? Do you have anything separately stored in the carriage?”
Trivial things.
When Bruno mentioned the number of people, the frown that appeared on the guard’s face could be seen even from a distance.
It was not a good sign.
He also added that there was another child. He shouted that there were only five adults.
No response came back.
The guard looked the other way and shouted. It seemed he was asking for permission from a superior.
After a while, the guard looked back.
“I’ll open the gate. Wait a moment.”
A relief.
When he turned his head, the mercenaries were watching from afar.
He raised his arms to form an “O” shape. The mercenaries’ expressions improved.
The carriage slowly approached.
The palisade gate opened. The carriage didn’t stop until it passed the entrance.
It was a fairly large village. There was a local militia. A man who appeared to be their leader stepped forward.
It was an inspection.
They looked inside the carriage. Inside was Lorina. Her hands and feet weren’t tied. Even the mercenaries seemed cautious. Perhaps it was the captain’s orders.
The leader, looking suspicious, spoke:
“Who is the escort here?”
“I am.”
Bruno jumped down from the driver’s seat. The leader looked at his face and nodded.
“You said the carriage needs repairs. How long will you stay?”
“Until it’s fixed, I suppose.”
The captain looked at the carriage. The roof covering could be replaced easily with new cloth, but the wheels needed repairs or replacement.
The leader stroked his chin while looking at the carriage.
“Hmm. The carriage isn’t severely damaged. I’ll give you a day to stay. No more than that.”
“Understood.”
Bruno nodded. The leader also gave instructions about what they shouldn’t do. He added that causing a commotion in the village would get them thrown out immediately.
It seemed they were overly wary of outsiders, but Bruno quietly nodded. Either they had experienced similar situations often or it seemed natural to them.
Only after the leader finished speaking did Bruno open his mouth:
“Is there anyone here planning to leave the village?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Don’t misunderstand. I just need a guide.”
The leader didn’t look convinced. Rather, he frowned.
“You intend to cross into the Marquisate?”
“Is that not allowed?”
“You’d be better off not taking this route. Even the trade guilds don’t come here. Only fools would take the long road.”
There was sincerity in the leader’s words. Bruno felt it even more, having just encountered the goblin group on the way.
Bruno groaned.
“So, is there no guide?”
“Hmm. There’s someone suitable.”
The leader opened his hand, forming a circle with his thumb and forefinger.
“How much will it take?”
“One silver.”
“That’s expensive for mere information.”
“Then don’t.”
The leader acted as if he had nothing to lose. Bruno thought for a moment, then flicked a coin.
“Thanks.”
“Tell me the information.”
“Under the carpenter Korat, there’s a son named Ron. Take him along, and that will do.”
The leader disappeared. The two militia who came with him also left.
The mercenaries went to find an inn. Two stayed behind to guard the carriage. If someone tried to steal it, it would be a disaster.
They crowded into a quiet inn. The innkeeper greeted them warmly.
“Welcome.”
“Glad to be here.”
“It’s been a while for mercenaries. How long do you plan to stay?”
Bruno mentioned the number of people.
The innkeeper said two people could sleep per room.
He added that each room had only one bed. Since there were seven people, they needed four rooms. Naturally, Bruno stayed alone.
Rael could also stay in an inn room. He shared a room with Lorina.
Their hands and feet weren’t tied.
Perhaps because of a pledge, or perhaps because trust had already begun to form. Maybe it was also because there was nowhere to escape—outside, goblins swarmed.
However, the price was high.
Two silver for one night, excluding food and warm water.
“Why so expensive?”
“Go elsewhere if you don’t like it.”
The innkeeper smiled. The price was obviously unreasonable.
The mercenaries’ mood turned sour.
Perhaps still excited from the earlier fight, the smell of blood and aggression made their nerves tense.
The smile disappeared from the innkeeper’s face, replaced with fear.
“If you cause trouble, you’ll be thrown out. I can give a slight discount; think carefully.”
“How much?”
“One silver and forty copper.”
Bruno paid the fee.
It was still expensive, but there was no choice. The innkeeper had a reason for being obstinate.
The mercenaries were simple. They were satisfied just knowing the price was reduced.
Still, there was some grumbling.
One mercenary muttered:
“Damn. A night’s stay costing a week’s worth. Robbers.”
“Can’t be helped. If not for the kid, we wouldn’t have even gotten into the village.”
Their attention turned to Rael.
Various emotions were in their eyes. Bruno’s was the same.
After all, entering the village itself was thanks to him.
If they hadn’t come here, they wouldn’t have gotten a guide.
Bruno recalled what the leader had said with distaste.
This area wasn’t even visited by the trade guilds. Guilds usually hire escorts for any reasonable route. If they didn’t, it meant real danger.
Had they proceeded unaware, they might have been annihilated. No matter how strong Bruno was, he couldn’t cut down dozens of goblins alone.
“I’ll visit the carpenter’s first.”
“What about the luggage?”
The mercenaries showed some respect. Perhaps because Bruno was the leader, some even bowed to him.
“Leave only the essentials at the inn. Two will stay behind to guard it. There may be thieves targeting outsiders.”
The mercenaries dispersed.
Bruno climbed into the driver’s seat.
Two could sit there. The mercenary beside him flicked the reins once. The carriage moved slowly and began to distance itself.
It was time for some repairs.
As Bruno went with the guide to repair the carriage, the two remaining mercenaries moved the luggage to one side.
Rael lifted one of the bags. It was heavy. He struggled but managed. Lorina stayed in place. She was weak, and someone needed to guard the luggage.
The inn rooms were upstairs, requiring climbing stairs. That made it even harder. After finishing the task, he wanted water.
When he asked the innkeeper, the price was one copper. At Lance Castle, water would have been free. They were clearly overcharging.
The mercenaries were annoyed. It was strange that Rael wasn’t. He created water right there.
He poured it into empty containers, even for the mercenaries.
“A mage, huh?”
“Yes.”
“Impressive.”
The innkeeper watched.
He didn’t look defeated, but surprised by the droplets.
The party decided to rest in the room.
Rael asked for a water container.
The innkeeper said five copper. Rael said he didn’t need water, so the innkeeper handed it over anyway.
He didn’t ask why. He had just seen the water being created.
“You’re lucky to be a mage. That must be convenient.”
Rael just nodded and returned.
Lorina lay under the blanket on the bed.
She looked over but said nothing.
The door was closed.
Rael placed the water container and chanted a spell. It was magic practice.
“….”
He created hot water. Boiling hot water.
Steam rose slowly.
He reduced the amount produced at once.
Only when he reduced it significantly did steam rise. He condensed it. Originally, he should have created fog instantly without this step.
It was proof his skill was still lacking.
“What are you doing?”
“Fog.”
“Fog?”
“With this, I can subdue the mercenaries.”
“Really?”
“Still need more practice.”
“When will you be ready?”
“I’ll try until we reach the destination.”
“If it doesn’t work?”
“Then there’s nothing I can do.”
The girl said plainly.
“That’s probably better.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Don’t worry. I’m a mage.”
“Can you beat that captain?”
“No.”
“Then don’t try.”
She looked at Lorina.
Her expression showed resignation. Her feelings seemed to have shifted.
After today’s battle, she might have thought there was no escape from the mercenaries’ grip. Bruno’s skill was intimidating.
“If I don’t save you, you’ll be sold as a slave, right?”
“That probably won’t happen.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long explanation. Anyway, I’m fine. Don’t do anything dangerous.”
Lorina turned her back on the bed.
She didn’t want to talk further.
It was impossible to know her thoughts.
The girl seemed desperate for help. She clung to him.
But now she said it was fine.
There were many reasons that came to mind.
Among them, the most satisfying was that she was concerned about his safety.
He practiced more.
Creating fog seemed possible now.
The need was urgent, giving him focus.
He also created hot water.
Filling the container made his head throb slightly. He handed a towel to Lorina and left the room, locking the door.
It was rest time.
His mind was tired.
Just like resting the body, the mind needed rest.
Then it happened.
Noise erupted outside.
It was Bruno’s voice.
Someone was arguing at the inn entrance. The other party was the captain. The atmosphere was tense. A mercenary stood behind him. He tugged at the sleeve.
“What’s happening?”
“That guy gave false information.”
Apparently, Ron, whom they sought as a guide, refused to go. For Bruno, it was a loss of just one silver.
“So you won’t return it?”
“I told him properly.”
The captain crossed his arms.
Behind him stood two men from the militia, holding spears.
“Simply, he refused. The information isn’t wrong.”
He had a defiant attitude.
Seeing this, Bruno became curious about how things would turn out.
“I have no interest in your excuses. The important thing is I paid, but didn’t get what I paid for.”
“Hah, you want to pick a fight?”
“If you insist.”
Bruno drew his sword.
Silence fell.
Rael was surprised. Mana moved visibly.
He wondered if a swordsman could manipulate mana. Perhaps his movements were powered by mana. It was fascinating.
His sword exuded a shimmering haze.
The captain muttered something upon seeing it, but it was hard to hear.
He must have been trembling. Perhaps he saw something he shouldn’t.
“Someone is leaving the village. Go to him. No, I’ll bring him. So for god’s sake, put your damn sword away.”
“If that’s true, I apologize for drawing it.”
“Fine. Leave quickly. Damn, that’s why we hate outsiders.”
The captain left, saying he had called the guide to the inn. He added that they must leave tomorrow.
His words were true.
The party waited in the inn hall, and a person appeared.
An elderly man.
He looked spry for his age.
“Are you the guide?”
“Yes.”
“Why take such a dangerous path?”
“For my son.”
“Son?”
“There’s a son who went to the Marquisate. I want to see if he’s doing well.”
“You’re risking your life for that?”
“I’m old. I could die any day. At this age, I wanted to see if my child is doing well before I die.”
Bruno asked about the guide.
It seemed excessive.
But it was a necessary step.
The guide’s role was important.
To lead them safely past monsters.
If he wasn’t competent, it would be disastrous. Leading them into a goblin den would mean certain death.
They had to entrust their lives to him. They had no choice but to be cautious.
“Do you know the surrounding area?”
“I traveled a lot when I was young.”
“And now?”
“I haven’t had reason to go out…”
“So you don’t know well.”
The old man hurried to explain.
“Few people go outside the village. Especially now, goblins are in mating season, roaming. No one else could do it but me.”
Bruno crossed his arms.
He had no choice but to trust the old man’s claim about his younger days.
There seemed to be no alternative. Few would venture outside during such a dangerous time.
“Can you prepare by tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
