Chapter 78
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Move- Move-
They approached the northern gate of Ninglosl.
Hoo
A low exclamation escaped the captain of the guards mouth.
The carriage had changed in many ways from what he remembered.
The two well-fed draft horses had fur skins covering their saddles, and the four wheels of the carriage were bound with wide, flattened chain belts.
But what caught his eye more was the figure sitting on the drivers seat. It was Charlotte, whose name was now known to all in Ninglosl.
She was wearing a fox fur hat, boots, and gloves, along with a cloak made of wolf skin like hunters wear.
The woman covered in fur of all kinds of beasts looked quite strange, even to the eyes of the captain of the guard.
So youre really leaving today. As the carriage stopped, the captain approached and spoke.
Ian gave a wry smile.
Do you guard all the gates of Ninglosl?
Its rotational duty.
The captains gaze swept over the black fur hat Ian wore on his head and the cloak made of marten fur.
You wont freeze to death, at least.
Everyone says that. Anything left to inspect?
No, I cant discriminate.
The plush interior of the carriage is lined with all kinds of fur. The tightly packed luggage bags.
The captain chuckled after giving a last look at Tessia, who wore a robe made entirely of a wolfs head skin.
I wondered what that was about not taking money. But you made quite a profit.
I never forced them. They all brought it themselves.
I know.
Ians way was radical for the people of this dark age.
He wouldnt turn down even trivial requests like asking to catch a pack of rats in a warehouse, as long as the reward suited him.
He didnt even slack off. Requests were accepted and resolved almost instantly.
It was natural for Ian, who didnt stay in the city long, but not to the locals.
On top of that, he solved problems that were abandoned like haunted manors that even soldiers feared, or cursed mines they didnt know how to deal with, without much difficulty.
The next day, even soldiers who heard the rumors came carrying items they had kept at home.
Ian took requests in bulk, then mechanically resolved the accepted requests one by one.
After repeating this for several days, it was no wonder the carriage took on such a luxurious appearance.
The residents will miss you
Not for a while.
I hope youll be safe up north too.
I hope the same for you all.
Well, what danger could there be in this town?
The captain shrugged.
Ian didnt smile.
Soon, the captains brow furrowed.
You think there will be trouble?
I dont know either. But it doesnt hurt to be prepared for anything.
If it were me, Id reinforce the defenses on this northern wall.
Though his tone was irresponsible, the captain nodded.
Considering what this man had accomplished, it was not something he could dismiss lightly.
Especially now that they were heading north.
Ill keep that in mind.
The captain nodded curtly.
The soldiers stepped aside, and the carriage passed leisurely through the gate.
Behind the carriage, Tessia, wearing the inverted wolf head skin, poked her head out and waved at them.
Unlike Ian or Charlotte, she became a subject of rumor for her beautiful appearance and strange behavior.
There was even a joke that fairy mages were weirder than normal mages.
As soon as the shift is over, Ill have to report right away
Muttering, the captain climbed up onto the wall and followed their receding figures with sunken eyes.
Until the carriage passed over the gentle, desolate hills and eventually disappeared from view.
***
Ippotranslation
***
The carriage proceeded along the highway. There was a fork in the road leading to another village, but the group did not enter and continued on.
They had enough supplies and did not forget the captains advice.
Ian and even Charlotte silently chewed on jerky. She had already been influenced by Ians doctrine of eating when you can.
The one who broke the ensuing calm silence was the sprawled out Tessia.
Ive been wondering about something.
With only her head turned toward Ian, she spoke. Why are we heading toward the mountain range?
Ian and Charlotte turned to look at her simultaneously.
Soon, Charlotte spoke up.
Are you asking seriously?
Of course. Why wouldnt I be?
HahI guess youve just been focused on your own business, not caring if youre out of the loop.
Then dont answer, kitty cat.
Ian let out a dry laugh.
Well, Tessias only concern until now had been survival.
Not only the judge, but Ian and Charlotte also looked ready to kill her at any moment.
It was only now that some issues had been resolved that she finally had the leeway to think about other things.
Tessia looked at him.
So. Why, Ian?
Were not going to the mountain range, but to the forest beside it.
The forest? Whats there?
I dont know.
You dont know?
Though Tessia repeated the question, that was the end of Ians explanation.
After blinking her eyes, Tessia soon shrugged.
Ian is still unfriendly as ever. Its okay, thats part of your charm. Kitty cat, can you tell me instead?
Sure. Ill tell you. If you call me that one more time, youll lose your tongue until nightfall.
Alright, alright, tell me Charlotte.
I dont know either. And Im not curious.
Not curious? How can you not be?
Well find out when we get there. Whatever it is, I just need to be able to fight it.
Such a beastly answer. WellIn any caseTheres something dangerous there. Just from your reactions, I can tell.
Tessias voice lowered.
Charlotte glanced back at her with a cold look.
Now that youre alive, youre having other thoughts? Id appreciate it if you acted on them too. Ill be waiting.
I just dont like danger. Ian knows better than anyone that I dont have ulterior motives, since we risked our lives fighting together. Right, Ian?
When no answer came, Tessia turned her head.
Ian? You know, right?
Was she asking sincerely?
Ian thought about it again.
Blinking, Tessia said, Why arent you answering?
Tess.
Yeah?
How long have we been together?
Lets see. About Ten days?
And how long have you been after my life?
Ugh, whats this? So you still dont trust me?
No.
Figures, huh?
Ive never trusted you even once.
Oh?
I just made a contract with you, not trust you.
Tessias mouth, which had opened wide for a moment, closed tightly again.
She looked hurt, but Ian didnt care.
Its not like trust would sprout where there was none before.
Originally in this world, the number of people Ian trusted could barely be counted on one hand.
Right. A contract and trust have nothing to do with each other. Youre right.
Eventually, Tessia murmured and looked up at Ian.
But I really have no intention of betraying you, Ian. As Ive always said.
Her voice was full of sincerity. But Ians gaze remained impassive as he looked back at her.
Words mean nothing, Tess.
!
If you want me to trust you, prove it yourself.
That I wont betray you?
That youre different from other demons.
It may sound cold, but it was the best advice Ian could give.
From what hed seen so far, the only good monsters were dead monsters, and the same went for demons and the fallen.
On top of that, he had only spared her out of necessity. Originally, he should have killed Tessia on sight, and that fact remained unchanged even now.
After killing all the other vampires, it would be her turn.
And even if she betrayed him before then, it would be the same.
Tessia, who had not absorbed the bloodline of other vampires, could never be a match for Ian.
The only way for Tessia to survive was to prove on her own that doing so would help him.
Like Meave and Luci, like many others who died by his hand in the game.
But I doubt this one is capable of that.
In any case, Tessia still had quite a bit of time left.
By giving her these words, Ian was giving her a chance from his perspective, and the rest was up to her.
Difficult words. But.
After a brief contemplation, Tessia eventually murmured.
I think I somewhat understand. Ill try, Ian.
Though running away in the middle of the night might be faster.
Thinking that, Ian bit into his jerky again.
Not expecting an answer, yet Tessia, as if she had expected one, suddenly added. By the way, if you dont believe me, surely you dont believe Charlotte either, right?
What a ridiculous thing to say. Ian and I are the ones who risked our lives against each other, you impertinent imp. My start with you, who was captured by me, is different. Isnt that right, Ian?
Charlotte raised her eyes and looked back at Ian.
Ian?
Why does my belief matter so much?
Looking back and forth between the wide-eyed Charlotte and the amusedly smiling Tessia, Ian eventually clicked his tongue.
Dont get so hung up on it. Whatever I say, words have no meaning.
As Charlotte looked shocked and dropped the jerky from her mouth, Tessia narrowed her eyes and smiled.
In the end, were in the same boat, Charlotte.
***
Ippotranslation
***
Snow began to blanket even the unshaded areas.
In the far distance, the peaks of the year-round snow-capped Aghorn Mountain Range came into view.
Called the edge of the world, hardly anyone knew what lay beyond those mountains, Ian included.
But Im not interested either.
It would only be a matter of days before they approached the vicinity of the mountain range.
According to the map, they would have to enter the valley leading to the lowlands.
Not long after night fell, the group came upon a fork leading into an abandoned village.
Though in ruins, it seemed a suitable place to make camp.
According to the locals, from the snowy regions onward it would be like a demon realm, so it made no sense to travel at night.
Dark clouds were even gathering increasingly in the sky.
They needed shelter in case a snowstorm struck.
Fortunately, the village retained its original shape to some degree.
Most of the palisades were intact, and apart from places buried in snow or partially collapsed, most of the abandoned houses maintained their original forms.
Of course, they didnt just waltz right in either.
Ian and Charlotte entered the ruins first.
Such abandoned villages were the perfect environment for monsters to make their nests.
Lucky us.
What a shame. Theres nothing here.
Luckily, the village was deserted.
Perhaps the northern monsters had no need to make dens.
Charlotte drove the carriage into a house with one wall collapsed.
Since it was an abandoned village anyway, she figured she might as well park the carriage in the safest possible spot.
While Charlotte tossed some dried beans, a reward from a request, in front of the horses, Tessia gathered firewood.
A natural division of roles.
In the meantime, Ian was preparing dried rations to roast over the fire.
Having skillfully lit the campfire, Charlotte stepped out into the open area in front of the building.
Since it had been a while since any proper combat, she was waking up her senses in advance.
The shock of being unable to do anything against the judge was enough to motivate her to start training again.
More practice? Im eager to watch, kitty cat.
Tessia mocked.
Charlotte paid her no mind and drew the twin swords from her waist.
Soon, she began swinging her swords in a dance-like motion. The blades moved slowly then quickly, employing tricks and feints as if cornered, as if fighting an unseen foe.
Ians eyes narrowed with an odd premonition.
Isnt that how she fights me?
It made sense, as he was the only one who had ever defeated her.
Even as the snow began drifting down, she continued her sword dance undeterred.
Thats enough for today, Charlotte.
It was Ian who stopped her.
Turning her head with a puzzled look, Charlotte narrowed her brows upon meeting his gaze.
Could it be?
Yeah.
Ian opened his palm.
Its started.
The patterns on his palm were resonating.
More vividly than ever before, incomparable to the previous times.
Translator; ippo
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