Chapter 51

#051 Chapter

"Damn it, why are there so many...?"

Miguel muttered as if sighing.

It was a group that seemed to number over thirty.

The mounted guards escorting the group numbered over ten.

"They are from the Empire's merchant guild."

Ian spat out.

The merchants from the Empire also traded with the border kingdoms.

It was the same in the game. They appeared randomly and sold items made by the Empire, which had superior performance.

Of course, the prices were also exorbitant, but they were the ones who significantly reduced the difficulty of the early game.

Back then, they were so welcome.

While Ian clicked his tongue, Miguel, narrowing his eyes, nodded.

"That's right. They are indeed from the Empire. They usually come only once a year. ...Wait a moment. Is that the Imperial flag? Damn it. Could it be?"

His face also crumpled belatedly.

The fact that the Imperial flag was attached to the guild's banner meant that a noble from the Empire was included in the group.

Envoys from influential families or nobles often traveled under the protection of merchant guilds with the same destination.

For the guild, it meant additional income from protection fees and the advantage of being able to carry the Imperial flag, a form of mutual benefit.

In any case, it was a fortuitous time.

"Don't cause a commotion. Just pass by naturally."

While saying this, Ian took in the approaching group.

They were all covered in black, from their horses to their carriages.

Even the drivers and servants wore black to reveal their affiliation.

Yellow scales, the same as those on the guild's banner, were engraved everywhere.

'What was that guild's symbol again?'

While thinking, they had already approached.

Miguel pulled his hood deeper as he drove the baggage cart to the side of the road.

Ian, pulling Lucy's head closer to his thigh, took in the guards.

Black horses with gemstone-embedded armor.

The riders were all clad in black armor.

While their components were slightly different upon closer inspection, there was no denying that their equipment was excessively excellent for a mere merchant guild's guards.

Even the Agel Ran's royal knights were not as heavily armed as these.

But this sense of alienation was, in fact, proof that they were from the Empire.

The Empire's level of civilization was at least a few centuries ahead of the border kingdoms.

If it weren't for the past invasion of the demons and the rise of the Black Wall, the continent would have been unified under their rule.

In fact, it wasn't too late even now.

The Empire chose to have the kingdoms protect their own territories and pay tribute rather than waste troops on the border.

The larger the nation, the more it needed those who envied and admired it to maintain internal cohesion and national pride.

The baggage cart and the merchant guild crossed paths.

Guards. The leading black-covered baggage cart. A luxurious and sturdy carriage whose interior was not visible.

Ian's gaze, which had been steadily following, eventually stopped on the guard protecting the carriage.

'Beastman...?'

The one, or perhaps the one, sitting upright on the black horse, was a hybrid of human and beast.

Features reminiscent of a puma or leopard, and dark brown fur.

Even the skin visible between the armor was covered in fur like a carpet.

Beastmen were a rare race to encounter, even in the game.

Like how mages were treated as madmen or potential corrupters.

People regarded them as the minions or potential beasts of the demons.

This dark age had discrimination not only between races and nations but also between species.

But the beastman guard looked very composed and dignified.

A unique sense of ease, possessed only by the strong, emanated from his entire body.

"......"

At that moment, the beastman suddenly turned to look at Ian.

Orange eyes.

Ian met the vertically slit pupils without flinching.

At the same time, he subtly placed his hand on the sword hidden under his robe, ready to draw it at any moment.

The beastman growled threateningly a moment later.

"......"

Ian, who showed no reaction, found it amusing, and the beastman, licking his fangs, passed by the carriage.

On the saddle, the tail armor, layered like scales, moved leisurely.

The merchant guild's procession moved away.

There was no need to think about their destination.

"Damn it......!"

Miguel, who had been frozen, finally sighed.

He took off his hood and gasped for breath.

"I thought my heart was going to burst. Brother, is it really okay to just let them go? They won't come back, right?"

"Don't cause a commotion. Do you think they know who we are and will come back?"

Ian's reprimand made him wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Well, but... Didn't you see that damn Imperial flag? I bet there's someone from a noble family of the Empire, like a marquis, who's come to meet the king."

"Even I thought it looked that way."

Ian nodded calmly.

"I didn't hear they would come so soon. Even the Duke probably didn't know the exact schedule."

At least it was fortunate that they met after crossing the Agel Ran border.

If they hadn't left Agel Ran yet, it would have been quite a headache.

"Are we in more danger now?"

Lucy suddenly asked.

Ian looked down at her, still lying on his thigh.

"It's been dangerous since we fled with you. It's just a bit more dangerous now."

"...Brother, isn't it better to just tell her not to worry in such situations?"

What do you mean? Even a child should know.

While Ian chuckled, Lucy suddenly added,

"If a really dangerous moment comes, just leave me behind and go."

"......?"

"I won't be killed. It's better than both of you dying."

What are you saying, you damn brat?

Ian swept his hand across Lucy's face.

"......?!?!"

Lucy blinked her eyes, not understanding what was happening.

"There won't be such a situation, so stop talking nonsense."

"I agree. What are you saying, leaving us behind? What nonsense is this?"

Miguel, looking more composed, looked at Ian.

"I think they will arrive in Agel Ran in at most a week."

"How long will it take to reach the Temple of Fire?"

"A month...? I'm not sure. It might take longer. I haven't been there in a long time, and I've never moved with a carriage."

"Hmm."

Ian wiggled his fingers for a moment.

The best scenario would be for the Larumut's guy to return empty-handed.

"If not, we might have to eliminate the trackers at least once. If the kingdom also sent trackers, twice."

"Their equipment was no joke. It was almost like seeing Lord Liurrel himself."

Of course, their equipment was all from the Empire.

While thinking, Ian continued,

"Nothing will change. You just need to find the right path and make sure the horse doesn't get sick. If you lose your way or the horse dies, that will be a bigger problem."

Their current travel speed was already fast enough.

It was almost impossible to increase their marching speed any further.

If they changed horses at every village, it might be possible, but one failure would mean they would have to abandon their belongings and travel on foot.

"Got it. Don't worry. I'll do my best. But... will that be enough?"

"What else can we do? If they catch up, we'll just have to cut them off."

It's not like we don't have a plan.

Ian, calmly declaring this, turned around again.

The beastman guard from earlier flashed through his mind.

"...We might end up with a lot of Imperial equipment."

Muttering this, he soon averted his gaze.

The worry about the trackers didn't last long.

Every moment was a new tension, dealing with wandering travelers during the day and monsters lurking around at night.

It took only five days for Miguel to stop mentioning the Imperial merchant guild.

***

"What do you mean? Kidnapped?"

Havier of the Scales Guild, who had planned to pay a formal visit to the King of Agel Ran and then plunder the treasury, changed his mind the moment he heard the scolding from the Larumut envoy.

He smelled a big problem.

He knew that their crisis was his opportunity.

The bigger the problem, the more gold he would get for solving it.

"We also did not expect this. The one who made great contributions to solving a tragic event has now created another tragedy."

King Erwin II, seated on the throne, could not hide his awkwardness and displeasure.

Of course, he could not display his anger as openly as the Larumut envoy.

"This is also a tragedy for the Empire! Have you forgotten what kind of child this is? A child personally chosen by the Duke. If such a precious child is kidnapped by a mere mercenary and goes missing, how do you think the Duke will react?"

"That... is..."

"He might think you are hiding it. He might feel humiliated."

King Erwin II's face paled.

"...I swear to the Radiant Goddess, that is not the case."

The Larumut family was one of the five great noble families of the Empire.

If they were offended, Agel Ran's great cause would end in a dream.

They might even support the kingdom's enemies and turn the kingdom into a sea of fire.

They had that much power.

"Can we find a replacement?"

"If there is no one with comparable talent, we cannot satisfy the Duke."

"...Damn. We have already sent a tracking team, so please give us a little more time."

"What kind of madman would kidnap a child chosen by the Larumut? Or, could it be that the Liurrel family is behind this?"

"Ridiculous."

King Erwin II jumped up.

In this situation, he couldn't afford to lose Meb Liurrel.

"The kidnappers are mercenaries who gained the trust of the royal family and the Liurrel family and then demanded an unreasonable ransom. When we refused, they kidnapped the child."

"Could it be that they know the child's true identity?"

"They were that trusted. This is a statement made by the head of the Liurrel family, who is a righteous apostle of the Goddess. It cannot be a lie."

"Such foolishness...! Then, can we have four days?"

"Only four days...? Hmm."

The conflict and dilemma reached a peak.

Havier's merchant instincts whispered that this was the moment for him to step in.

"I apologize, but may I make a humble suggestion?"

Bowing his head, he spoke.

King Erwin II and the envoy's gazes turned to him.

"May I make a presumptuous proposal?"

King Erwin II nodded.

"Speak. This is not the time to consider positions and ranks."

"You said the child was kidnapped less than a month ago. If that's the case, they haven't left Bel Londe yet. My subordinates... should be able to retrieve the child. If we have a little clue, that is."

"......"

King Erwin II's gaze turned to the four guards standing behind Havier.

Black armor. Upon closer inspection, their appearances and equipment were different, but they all exuded an extraordinary aura.

Even the one standing right behind Havier was a cursed beastman.

He was likely a corrupt, dark-worshipping creature, but his skills were undoubtedly solid.

"How can I refuse to help in such a situation?"

"Of course, it won't be one-sided help. As you know, I am a lowly merchant who puts a price on everything."

"Of course-"

"This is a serious matter."

The envoy cut off King Erwin II.

King Erwin II's face crumpled like he had eaten something foul, but he could not point out the rudeness of being cut off.

"I do not doubt the abilities of the Scales Guild, but I cannot send only your subordinates. If the child returns dead or in poor condition, it will incur the Duke's wrath."

I knew you would say that. Coward.

Swallowing his triumphant smile, Havier bowed.

"I will go myself. Sir, you should return with the guild. You can wait here while we sort out the items we brought."

"By going yourself, you mean you will stake your name and the guild's reputation?"

You're trying to pass the responsibility.

If it fails, it won't just be a failure.

Havier was confident that he would not fail in dealing with such a backwater.

It would only give him a reason to demand a greater reward.

With one of the four guild leaders retiring next year, he might even get that position.

If that happened, he wouldn't have to deal with these smelly backwaters and arrogant nobles anymore.

"Of course, Sir. In exchange for staking my life and the guild's reputation..."

"If you succeed, I will grant you a fitting reward. The Larumut family does not forget favors. Of course, incompetence is also remembered."

The envoy's gaze swept over King Erwin II.

A clear reproach: You caused a significant loss.

King Erwin II pretended not to notice and clasped his hands.

"Sending trials and then a savior. This must be the Radiant Goddess's way of teaching us not to be arrogant. So, what do you need to know?"

Havier and King Erwin II continued their conversation. After hearing all the necessary information, Havier bowed respectfully and stepped back. The envoy then looked up at King Erwin II.

"Then, I have one last request, Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"Allow