Chapter : 14 Giant, Land of Opportunity (1)
“….”
Because it was an unplanned companion, Rotem had expected no warm welcome.
But he never imagined that his very first journey in life would begin stuffed into the back of a cargo wagon like baggage among supplies.
Tulcas was sweating and repeatedly apologizing, but Rotem knew better than anyone that this was not his fault.
In fact, without him, Rotem’s trip to Calpheon would have been delayed by at least a month.
Horses had to be rented or bought. Cash had to be prepared. Food had to be secured. Guides and escorts for safety also needed to be hired.
Even a simple “trip” to Calpheon required this much preparation.
By joining the Cyan Trading Company’s convoy, all of that trouble was solved in one stroke.
From Rotem’s perspective, even this cramped wagon was more than he deserved.
And above all, being alone among the supplies wasn’t entirely bad.
“How much longer do we have to go? My back’s going to break.”
If anyone were watching, they would have thought Rotem was talking to himself.
But his dull gaze was fixed on the dark shadow resting on a crate.
[Let’s see… we passed Bernianto Farm the day before yesterday, so maybe we arrive the day after tomorrow.]
“…Ugh, my back feels like it’s going to snap.”
[Stop exaggerating.]
“Why don’t you try sitting here?”
[Oh? So you’re offering me your body?]
“…Wow, for a second I was tempted.”
Rotem waved his hand as if shooing away a fly, and the Black Spirit laughed, circling through the wagon.
After watching it for a moment, Rotem spoke again once the shadow settled.
“Anyway… shouldn’t you tell me now?”
[About what?]
“What I need to get in Calpheon.”
[Ah, right.]
The dark shadow slowly floated down in front of him.
[What you need to get in Calpheon… is ‘worthless Black Crystals.’]
Its voice was calm, but Rotem’s face filled with confusion.
“Buy Black Crystals? Isn’t that dangerous? Can someone like me even get them?”
[That’s why I said it—‘worthless.’]
The Black Spirit’s red eyes slowly closed in.
[Like you said, well-preserved Black Crystals are highly valuable and strictly controlled by the state.
Especially in the Western Continent, high-purity ones are rare. But in Calpheon, even low-grade ones barely exist.]
“I know. That’s why there were wars—to control Black Crystal mining and trade routes.”
[After the unification war of the Western Continent, Calpheon became almost obsessive in monopolizing and controlling all Black Crystals.
Everything produced in the region is gathered in the capital.]
Rotem nodded slightly.
[High-quality ones are seized by the council.
Slightly defective or low-grade ones are sold to major trading companies.
Those companies refine and process them through alchemists to increase purity or use them in other industries for profit.
But there are also “waste-grade” ones that never even get refined—completely worthless products.
Things only good enough to be used as firewood.]
As the explanation continued, Rotem finally understood.
“So you want me to collect those firewood-level ones?”
The Black Spirit nodded eagerly.
[Those “worthless Black Crystals” usually aren’t even handled by trading companies, so they often end up in small workshops or private homes.
Meaning they fall outside Calpheon’s central control.]
“Oh, so they’ll be easy to find.”
Rotem spoke casually, but the wagon suddenly jolted hard, making him bite his tongue.
[Idiot. Just because they’re not controlled doesn’t mean they’re easy to obtain.]
The shadow laughed as if enjoying his reaction.
[It also means there are almost no official sellers or buyers for them.]
“…So I’ll have to search everywhere.”
[…]
The Black Spirit suddenly went silent.
Rotem frowned.
“What? Why are you quiet?”
[…]
Its red gaze shifted toward the wooden wall of the wagon.
Rotem slowly straightened up.
“What is it?”
[…I smell blood.]
“Eh?”
Before he could react, the wagon jolted violently and came to a full stop.
Then a familiar voice came from outside.
“Hey, Rotem! Get down here! Let’s have lunch before we go!”
“…Here is…?”
At first, Rotem thought he had arrived on a battlefield.
Towering walls surrounded them. Shouts echoed everywhere.
Heavily armed soldiers moved quickly in all directions.
At the center of the fortress, under the Calpheon flag, a tower stood with piles of cannon shells stacked beneath it, radiating a grim presence.
“This is a troll defense base of the Calpheon army. Recently, trolls have been rampaging in the area, so this is a forward outpost to stop them.”
Following Tulcas’s explanation, Rotem turned his head.
He saw Cyan Trading Company members unloading supplies from wagons.
He instinctively moved to help, but Tulcas blocked his way.
“Don’t. Just stay put.”
“But—”
“We’re not trying to be rude. You understand, don’t you?”
Rotem didn’t need to ask what he meant.
Even with Tulcas’s approval, Rotem was still an outsider to the Cyan Trading Company.
He could feel the cold glances passing over him.
So he simply stepped back.
The area near the rear gate was less bloody than the battlefield, but it was still not a place for wandering.
And Rotem, with no affiliation to any faction, could only move cautiously and observe.
Eventually, someone approached him.
“Excuse me, are you with the Cyan Trading Company?”
He turned around.
A heavily armored officer in silver armor was looking up at him.
“Ah, no. I came with them, but I’m not part of the company. I’m an alchemist.”
The officer’s next question made Rotem tense.
“An alchemist? What is your name?”
“Rotem.”
The moment he answered, the officer’s eyes widened.
“Rotem…? Rotem of Florin Village?”
“Yes… that’s me. How do you know my name?”
Before he could finish speaking, the officer grabbed his hand.
Startled, Rotem stiffened.
The officer, despite being much smaller than him, smiled brightly like this was a celebration instead of a battlefield.
“Ahh! So you are Rotem! I’m Captain Damien of the Calpheon Defense Army. It’s an honor to meet you!”
“Eh? Huh?”
Rotem was completely caught off guard.
“You know me?”
“Of course! Every soldier and officer here knows your name.”
“How…?”
Damien smiled and answered by pulling something from his waist.
A small bottle filled with familiar crimson liquid.
“Do you recognize this?”
“…Yes. That’s my healing potion.”
At that, Damien stepped closer, speaking excitedly.
“This potion is unbelievable! The recovery speed, the short usage cycle, the almost nonexistent side effects!
Because of it, survival rates and recovery speed of injured soldiers have increased dramatically!
It’s my first time seeing a base where soldiers can operate without exhaustion like this!”
He shook Rotem’s hand vigorously, overflowing with gratitude.
Rotem’s mind went blank from the praise.
Damien continued, talking about how badly injured soldiers used to suffer due to poor-quality potions, low survival rates, and failed operations.
His “thanks” carried the weight of everything Rotem did not know.
“Oh, I didn’t expect you to be a giant. I thought you were a Shai from Florin.”
“Ah… yes, circumstances.”
“By the way, what brings you to this outpost? Are you employed by Cyan Trading Company?”
“No, I just have some business in Calpheon and am traveling with them.”
At the word “Calpheon,” Damien’s face brightened even more.
“Oh! My family lives in Calpheon. If I had vacation time, I would’ve hosted you properly. What a shame, haha!”
“Haha…”
Rotem never expected this outpost to belong to his contracted military unit.
He felt awkward, but seeing such sincere gratitude made him quietly smile.
“Is there anything I can help you with? I can at least recommend good restaurants in Calpheon.”
Damien said it casually, just trying to help.
But Rotem suddenly realized something.
He took a step forward.
“Then, Captain… there is something I need to get in Calpheon…”
