Chapter 78

#078

Clack-clack-clack.

The carriage drew closer to the northern gate of Niglors.

"Hmm..."

A low exclamation escaped the lips of the gate captain. The carriage was different from what he remembered in many ways. The two fattened war horses were draped in fur over their armor, and the four wheels of the carriage were wrapped with broad, polished chain belts.

More striking was the figure sitting on the driver's seat. It was Charlotte, whose name was now known to everyone in Niglors. She wore a fox fur hat, boots, and gloves, and was draped in a cloak made of wolf fur.

The figure, covered in various animal furs, looked quite bizarre even to the gate captain.

"Looks like you're really leaving today."

As the carriage stopped, the gate captain approached and said.

Ian smirked.

"Are you guarding all the gates of Niglors?"

"It's a rotating shift."

The gate captain's gaze swept over the black fur hat on Ian's head and the cloak made of fox fur and wolf fur.

"You won't freeze to death, I suppose."

"Everyone says that. Is there anything left to inspect?"

"Nothing, but I can't show favoritism."

Inside the carriage, lined with various furs, were bulging luggage bags. The gate captain's eyes also fell on Tesayia, who was wearing a robe made from a wolf's head.

"I thought you didn't take money. Looks like you made a good deal."

"I never forced anyone. They all brought it of their own accord."

"I see."

Ian's approach was radical for the people of this dark age. He didn't refuse even trivial requests, like catching a horde of rats in a warehouse if the reward was to his liking. He didn't even slack off; the acceptance and resolution of requests were almost instantaneous.

Since he didn't stay in the city for long, it was natural for Ian, but not for the locals. Moreover, he solved problems that even soldiers feared, like the spirits haunting abandoned houses, or curses in mine shafts, with the same ease.

The next day, soldiers who had heard the rumors also brought items from their homes to seek his help.

Ian accepted all the requests at once and mechanically resolved them one by one.

After a few days of this, it wasn't surprising that the carriage had become so luxurious.

"The residents will miss you..."

"They won't. Not for a while."

"I hope you stay safe in the north."

"I hope the same for you."

"Well, what could happen in this town?"

The gate captain shrugged. Ian didn't smile.

After a moment, the gate captain's brows furrowed.

"Is something going to happen?"

"I don't know, but it's better to be prepared for anything."

"..."

"I would strengthen the defenses of the northern wall."

Though his tone was irresponsible, the gate captain nodded. Given what this man had accomplished, it was a warning he couldn't ignore, especially now that they were leaving for the north.

"I'll keep that in mind."

The gate captain nodded, and the soldiers stepped aside as the carriage slowly passed through the gate. Tesayia, wearing a wolf's head, poked her head out from the back of the carriage and waved to them.

Unlike Ian and Charlotte, she had gained a reputation for her beautiful appearance and eccentric behavior. Jokes about her being even stranger than a wizard had started to circulate.

"I'll have to file a report as soon as my shift ends..."

The gate captain muttered as he climbed the wall, watching their backs with a serious expression until the carriage disappeared over the desolate hills.

***

The carriage moved along the main road. There was a fork leading to another village, but the group continued without entering it. They had enough supplies and hadn't forgotten the gate captain's advice.

Ian and Charlotte silently chewed on dried meat. She had been influenced by Ian's philosophy of eating whenever possible.

The silence was broken by Tesayia, who had been lying around.

"I have a question."

Turning her head towards Ian, she asked.

"Why are we going towards the mountains?"

"..."

"..."

Ian and Charlotte turned to look at her simultaneously.

Charlotte finally spoke.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Huh... I thought you were only interested in your own affairs, afraid of being called a nosy elf."

"If you're going to answer, don't call me 'meow.'"

Ian chuckled.

Indeed, Tesayia's concerns had been limited to survival. Both the Inquisitor and Ian and Charlotte had been ready to kill her if necessary.

Now that some issues were resolved, she finally had the leisure to think about other things.

Tesayia looked at him.

"So, why, Ian?"

"...We're not going to the mountains, but to the forest beside them."

"Forest? What's there?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know...?"

Tesayia repeated, but Ian's explanation ended there.

Blinking, Tesayia shrugged.

"Ian is still as unkind. It's okay, though; it's part of his charm. Meow, will you tell me instead?"

"Sure. I will. But if you call me that one more time, you'll lose your tongue by nightfall."

"Alright, tell me, Charlotte."

"I don't know. I'm not curious."

"Not curious? How can you not be?"

"You'll find out when we get there. As long as I can fight, it doesn't matter what's there."

"Such a beastly answer. Well... anyway... it sounds dangerous. I can tell from your reactions."

Tesayia's voice grew serious.

Charlotte looked at her coldly.

"Feeling better, are you? I hope you act on it. I'll be waiting."

"I just don't like danger. Ian knows I have no other thoughts, right? We've fought together, risking our lives. Isn't that right, Ian?"

No response. Tesayia turned her head.

"Ian...? You know, right?"

"..."

Are you really asking?

Ian thought again.

Blinking, Tesayia asked.

"Why no answer?"

"Tesayia."

"Yes?"

"How long have we been together?"

"Um... about... ten days?"

"How long did you try to kill me?"

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? You still don't trust me?"

"No."

"Of course not?"

"I've never trusted you."

"..."

Tesayia's mouth opened in surprise, then closed tightly. She looked hurt, but Ian didn't care. Trust wouldn't suddenly appear just because he said it.

In this world, the number of people he trusted could be counted on one hand.

"...Right. Trust and contracts are unrelated. You're right."

After a moment, Tesayia looked up at Ian.

"But I really have no intention of betraying you, Ian. I've always said that."

Her voice was full of sincerity, but Ian's gaze remained indifferent.

"Words mean nothing, Tesayia."

"..."

"If you want me to trust you, prove it."

"That you won't betray me?"

"That you're different from other demons."

It might sound harsh, but it was the best advice Ian could give. So far, the only good monsters he had seen were dead, and the same went for demons and fallen ones.

Moreover, he had only kept her alive out of necessity. Originally, he should have killed her on sight, and that fact hadn't changed.

After killing the other vampires, it would be her turn. If she betrayed him before then, it would be the same.

Without the blood of other vampires, Tesayia would never be a match for Ian.

The only way for her to survive was to prove that she was useful to him, like Meve and Lucy in the game, who had died at his hands.

'...I doubt she can do it, though.'

Regardless, Tesayia still had plenty of time. Giving her this advice was, in a way, giving her a chance. The rest was up to her.

"Difficult words... But..."

After a moment of thought, Tesayia murmured.

"...I think I understand a little. I'll try, Ian."

Running away in the middle of the night might be faster.

Thinking this, Ian put another piece of dried meat in his mouth. Tesayia, who had been waiting for a response, added after a moment.

"But, if you don't trust me, surely you don't trust Charlotte either, right?"

"..."

"That's a ridiculous question. Ian and I have fought to the death, arrogant elf. Our relationship is different from yours. Isn't that right, Ian?"

"..."

Charlotte looked at Ian with wide eyes.

"Ian...?"

Why is my trust so important?

Looking at the wide-eyed Charlotte and the smiling Tesayia, Ian finally clicked his tongue.

"Stop being so obsessed. No matter what I say, words mean nothing."

"..."

As Charlotte, shocked, dropped the dried meat from her mouth, Tesayia smiled with narrowed eyes.

"Ultimately, we're in the same position, Charlotte."

"..."

***

Snow began to cover even the places without shade. In the distance, the peaks of the Ahigor Mountains, covered in perpetual snow, were visible. Few knew what lay beyond, and Ian was no exception.

'I don't care, anyway.'

They would reach the mountains in a few days at most. According to the map, they would enter a valley leading to a plateau.

As the sky darkened, the group approached a fork leading to an abandoned village. It was a suitable place to set up camp, though it was little more than ruins.

Traveling at night in the snow-covered area would be pointless, as it would be like a demonic realm. Dark clouds were also gathering in the sky, and they needed a place to shelter from a potential blizzard.

Fortunately, the village was still somewhat intact. Most of the wooden palisades were undamaged, and the abandoned houses, except for those with collapsed walls or snow accumulation, were mostly in their original state.

Of course, they didn't enter immediately. Ian and Charlotte went in first to check.

Such abandoned villages were perfect for monsters to nest.

"...We're lucky."

"A pity. There's nothing here."

Fortunately, the village was empty. Perhaps the northern monsters didn't need to build dens.

Charlotte drove the carriage into the village and parked it in a house with a collapsed wall. She wanted to keep the carriage in the safest spot, given that it was an abandoned village.

While Charlotte threw dried beans, her reward from a request, to the horses, Tesayia gathered firewood for the campfire.

A natural division of labor.

Meanwhile, Ian was preparing dried food to cook over the fire. Charlotte, now more skilled at starting a fire, stepped out into the open in front of the building.

She wanted to refresh her senses, as they hadn't had a proper battle in a while. The shock of being unable to do anything during the battle with Ascolde was enough to make her start training again.

"Again? You're enthusiastic, meow."

Tesayia said mockingly. Charlotte, ignoring her, drew her twin swords from her waist.

She began to dance with her swords, moving them slowly and quickly, performing intricate maneuvers, and sometimes retreating as if cornered.

As if fighting an invisible enemy.

Ian's eyes narrowed with a strange sense of déjà vu.

'...Is she fighting me?'

The only opponent who had ever defeated her. It made sense.

Despite the snow falling gently, she continued her sword dance without hesitation.

"...I think that's enough for today, Charlotte."

Ian stopped her. Turning her head in confusion, Charlotte narrowed her eyes after seeing his expression.

"Maybe?"

"...Yes."

Ian opened his hand.

"It's started."

The pattern in his palm was resonating, more clearly than ever before.