Chapter 78
Thud— thud—
As the carriage drew nearer to the northern gate of Ninglosth, a low exclamation escaped the lips of the captain guard.
The carriage had undergone several changes since he last remembered it. The two steeds, now plumper, were covered with fur pelts over their barding, and the carriage's wheels were wrapped in broadly trimmed chains.
However, what caught his eye, even more, was the beastfolk seated on the coachman's seat—Charlotte, whose name was now known to everyone in Ninglosth, clad in a hunter's fox fur hat, boots, gloves, and a cape made of wolf skin.
"Looks like you're really leaving today," remarked the captain guard as the carriage halted, to which Ian responded with a light chuckle.
"Is it you who guards the gate of Ninglosth all by yourself?" Ian joked.
"It's a rotating duty," the captain guard explained, scanning Ian's attire, which included a black fur hat and a cloak patched together with snow leopard fur.
"You won't freeze to death, that's for sure," he noted.
"Everyone says so. Anything left to inspect?" Ian asked.
"Nothing. But I can't show any favoritism," the captain replied, his gaze then sweeping over the carriage's interior, filled with fur pelts and overstuffed luggage bags. He laughed upon seeing Thesaya wearing a robe with the wolf's head fur still attached.
"I thought it was strange you weren't accepting money. Seems like you've made a profitable venture."
"No coercion involved. They brought it willingly."
"I'm aware."
Ian's method was revolutionary for the people of this dark age. He wouldn't shy away from any request, no matter how menial, as long as the reward was right. Moreover, he never procrastinated; tasks were almost instantly accepted and resolved.
This was natural for Ian, whose stay in the city was brief, but for the locals, it was astonishing. Even the issues ignored or feared by soldiers, like ghosts haunting a mansion or a curse in the mines, were effortlessly resolved by him.
By the next day, rumors had soldiers bringing items from home for him to tackle. Ian accepted batches of requests at once and mechanically worked through them, leading to the carriage's current luxurious state.
"The locals will miss you," the captain guard remarked as the carriage prepared to leave.
"For a while, perhaps," Ian responded.
"As you head north, I wish you safety."
"What could possibly happen here?" The captain shrugged.
Ian didn't smile.
After a moment, the captain guard's brow furrowed.
"...Do you expect trouble?"
"I don't know. But it's best to be prepared for anything."
“...”
"If it were up to me, I'd strengthen the defenses of this northern barrier."
Despite the nonchalant tone, the captain guard nodded in agreement.
Considering the feats accomplished by this individual, his words could not be taken lightly, especially now as they were departing northward.
With a gesture, the captain guard gave the signal. The soldiers stepped aside, and the carriage passed through the gate leisurely. From behind the carriage, Thesaya, wearing a wolf head fur cap, popped her head out to wave at them. Unlike Ian or Charlotte, she was known for her beautiful appearance and bizarre behavior, to the extent that jokes about her being stranger than a fairy mage had started circulating.
"I'll need to report this as soon as my shift ends...." Muttering to himself, the captain guard climbed the wall, his gaze following the carriage as it smoothly crossed the desolate hills until it disappeared from view completely.
***
The carriage advanced along the highway, bypassing a fork that led to another village without entering. Thanks to sufficient supplies and heeding the advice of the captain guard, they continued on their journey. Ian, as well as Charlotte, chewed on dried meat in silence, influenced by Ian's principle of eating when you have the chance. It was Thesaya, lounging about, who broke the ongoing calm silence.
"I've been wondering," she started, turning her head toward Ian, "why are we heading toward the mountains?"
“...”
“...”
Ian and Charlotte turned to look at her simultaneously.
After a moment, Charlotte spoke up, "Are you seriously asking?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
“Ha... What a typical pointy-ear, only interested in their own business”
"If you're going to be like that, don't bother answering, kitty."
Ian let out a hollow laugh. Indeed, Thesaya's primary concern had always been survival. Both the adjudicator and even Ian and Charlotte had been prepared to kill her if necessary. It must be only now when some of the problems had been somewhat resolved, that she finally found the leisure to entertain other thoughts.
Thesaya looked at him, "So, why are we going, Ian?"
"...We're not heading to the mountains, but to a forest beside them."
"A forest? What's there?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know...?" Thesaya asked back, but Ian's explanation ended there.
Thesaya blinked and then shrugged, "Ian is as unhelpful as ever. That's fine, it's part of your charm. Hey kitty, can you tell me instead?"
"Tell you once more like that, and you'll be without a tongue till evening."
"Okay, okay, tell me, Charlotte."
"I don't know either. I'm not curious."
"Not curious? How can you not be curious?"
"We'll find out when we get there. As long as I can fight, that's all that matters to me."
"Such a beastly answer. Well... anyway... it means there's something dangerous there. I can tell just from your reactions." Thesaya's voice faded.
Charlotte looked at her with cold eyes, "Now that you've had your fun, you're starting to think differently? I hope you act on those thoughts. I'll be waiting."
"I just don't like danger. Ian knows best that I'm not distracted by other thoughts, right? Since we've fought side by side, risking our lives. Isn't that right, Ian?"
When no answer came, Thesaya turned around.
"Ian...? You know, right?"
Silence followed.
Was this a sincere inquiry? Ian thought again.
Thesaya spoke up, "Why isn't anyone answering?"
"Thesa."
"Yes?"
"How long have we been together?"
"Let's see... about ten days?"
"And how long did you spend trying to take my life?"
"Ah, come on. So you still don't trust me?"
"No."
"I thought so."
"I never trusted you in the first place."
"Huh?"
"I made a contract with you. It doesn’t mean that I trust you."
Thesaya's mouth, which had opened in surprise, snapped shut again. She looked hurt, but Ian remained indifferent. It wasn't as if the nonexistent trust would suddenly appear because of that. After all, in this world, the number of people he could trust could be counted on one hand.
"Right. Contracts have nothing to do with trust. You're correct."
After a moment, Thesaya looked up at Ian, "But Ian, I really don't intend to betray you, as I've always said."
Her voice was sincere, but the look in Ian's eyes as he turned back to her remained impassive.
"Words mean nothing, Thesa."
"...!"
"If you want me to trust you, prove it yourself."
"That I won't betray you?"
"That you're different from the other demons."
It may sound harsh, but that was the best advice Ian could offer. According to his experiences, the only good monsters were dead ones, and that was equally true for demons and the corrupted.
Moreover, Thesaya's survival had been a matter of convenience from the start. Under normal circumstances, she would have been killed on sight, and that fact remained unchanged. After all the other vampires were dealt with, it would be her turn. And should she betray them before then, the outcome would be the same.
Without the power absorbed from the bloodline of other vampires, Thesaya would never be able to match Ian. The only way for Thesaya to ensure her survival was to prove her usefulness, much like Mev and Lucy, and many others who had died in the game at his hands.
...But I doubt she can manage that.
Still, Thesaya had plenty of time left. Offering this advice was, in Ian's view, giving her a chance. The rest was up to her.
"It's a complicated statement... But...”
After a moment of contemplation, Thesaya finally murmured, "...I think I understand a little. I'll try, Ian."
She might find it easier to flee in the middle of the night. Thinking this, Ian bit into his jerky again.
Thesaya, who hadn't seemed to expect an answer, suddenly added, "But if you don't trust me, you surely don't trust Charlotte either, right?"
"Such nonsense. Ian and I have faced each other with our lives on the line, you insolent brat. Our beginnings are entirely different from yours, who was captured. Right, Ian?"
Ian remained silent as Charlotte looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Ian...?"
Why is my trust so important to you two?
After alternating glances between a defiant Charlotte and an amused Thesaya, Ian finally clicked his tongue.
"Stop with these pointless obsessions. Whatever I say, words are meaningless."
As Charlotte dropped the jerky she had been chewing on in shock, Thesaya, with her eyes narrowed, cracked a smile.
"It seems like we're on the same boat, Charlotte."
"...."
***
Snow began to cover even the shadow-free areas. Far off, the peaks of the mountains covered in perpetual snow came into view. They were the Ahigorn Mountains, also known as the end of the world. Almost no one knew what lay beyond, of course, including Ian.
I'm not interested anyway.
In a few days, they would reach the vicinity of the mountains. According to the map, they should enter a valley that leads to the lowlands.
Soon after dusk, the group found a fork leading to an abandoned village, an ideal spot to set up camp. Given that the snow-covered region was considered a demonic realm, there was no point in traveling at night. Moreover, the sky was gradually filling with dark clouds, indicating the potential for a blizzard. They needed a place to shelter from a potential blizzard.
Fortunately, the village had preserved its original form to some extent. Most of the palisade was intact, and the abandoned houses maintained their original shapes, except for some snow accumulation and partial collapses. Of course, that didn't mean they readily entered inside. Ian and Charlotte were the first to enter the ruins. Such abandoned villages provided an ideal environment for monsters to nest.
"...We're in luck."
"Disappointing. There's nothing here."
Fortunately, the village was empty. Perhaps the monsters of the north had no need for dens. Charlotte drove the carriage into the village, steering it into a house with one wall collapsed, seeking the safest place to keep it.
While Charlotte was throwing dried beans to the horses they got from completing a request, Thesaya collected wood for a fire. It was a natural division of labor.
Meanwhile, Ian was preparing dried food to roast over the fire. Charlotte, having become adept at lighting fires, stepped out in front of the building onto the open ground to wake her senses with practice, as there had been no real combat for some time. The shock of being unable to do anything during the battle with Ascold was enough motivation for her to start training again.
"Going at it again? What a hard-working kitty." Thesaya remarked mockingly.
Charlotte ignored her and drew her twin swords. She then began to swing her swords as if dancing, the blades moving slow then fast, sometimes performing feats, and at times retreating as if cornered, fighting an invisible enemy. Ian's eyes narrowed with a strange sense of déjà vu.
...Is she practicing fighting against me?
It made sense, as he was the only one who had ever defeated her. Despite the falling snow, she continued her sword dance unabated.
"...That's enough for today, Charlotte."
Ian stopped her. Turning her head with a puzzled look, Charlotte caught his gaze and furrowed her brow.
"Perhaps?"
"Yes."
Ian opened his palm.
"It has started."
The sigil in his grasp resonated, clearer than it had ever been before.
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