Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: Northbound (3)
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Having left Phileon, Ronan and his group made their way onto the Northern Main Road. It was to properly begin their journey. People roamed freely along the avenue that stretched out like an elongated plaza. Taking in the vast scenery after so long, Ronan muttered in a weary tone.
"No matter when I see it, it's ridiculously wide."
This broad road, which split the capital in two with the imperial palace at its center, extended all the way to the city of Asthan, known as the starting point of winter. As one of the empire's most vital trade routes, the Northern Main Road within the capital was always bustling with merchants and the wagons they hauled.
Coachmen raising their voices over a wagon collision accident, dozens of merchant and mercenary guilds lining both sides of the road. Merchants sighing deeply because they couldn't afford to hire guards, and freelance mercenaries approaching them with predatory intent.
As Ronan observed this behind-the-scenes world of the marketplace—one he rarely saw—with keen interest, Marya, who was leading the way, pointed to one corner of the avenue with her index finger.
"Ah, there it is!"
"What? Is that the Karabel Merchant Group?"
Ronan turned his head, his eyes widening in surprise. Twelve magnificent wagons were lined up in a row. Each one was large enough to serve as a temporary lodging, and sturdy horses—at least four per wagon—were harnessed to them.
Every wagon bore a metal nameplate emblazoned with the Karabel Merchant Group's insignia on its side. Compared to two years ago, it was like night and day. Marya turned to Ronan with a smug smile.
"Hehe. We worked hard even while you were gone. We're probably in the top 30 merchant groups in the empire now?"
"...Yeah, I can see that."
Ronan let out a disbelieving chuckle. It seemed far more comfortable than he'd anticipated. Adeshan, who had been following silently, quietly spoke up.
"Um, Ronan... could I ask you something?"
"Sure? What's up?"
"Why did the plan change so suddenly? The... mode of transport, and the schedule feels different from what I heard."
Adeshan spoke softly, suppressing her emotions as much as possible. She felt like she might shout without realizing it otherwise. She wet her lips briefly and mumbled in a voice so small even an ant couldn't hear it.
"And... I thought it was just going to be the two of us..."
Their current actions were quite a departure from the itinerary Ronan had first mentioned to her. Ronan scratched the back of his head apologetically. It had all happened so suddenly that he'd skipped the explanation. He gestured toward Marya with his chin.
"Ah, I should've told you earlier—sorry. Yesterday, I mentioned the plan to the club kids, and it just so happened that this girl's father's merchant group was heading to Rundalian."
"Rundalian? The city on the Tucan Plateau?"
"Yeah. As expected from someone from around there—you know it well."
Ronan nodded. Rundalian was a small city located in a rather remote part of the north. The trade route there hadn't been open for long, but the Karabel Merchant Group was heading there to procure hancheol—cold iron—a local specialty.
The problem lay in the road to Rundalian. The harsh terrain was secondary; the real issue was the poor security.
Except for a few major cities, hiring escorts was essential, and even then, if they were incompetent, bandit groups made up of beastkin would strip you down to your underwear. Straying from established trade routes was treated like wandering a back alley bedecked in jewels as a naked beauty.
It was almost inevitable, given how long that region had endured the empire's oppression. Yet merchants refused to give up on venturing north, because there were still plenty of profitable opportunities.
So Marya had suggested tagging along since they were heading north anyway. Since Rundalian was fairly close to Heiran—Ronan's primary destination—there was no reason to refuse. Hearing about the hancheol, Adeshan raised an eyebrow.
"Hancheol... you're going to fetch something expensive."
"Yeah. That's why they were recruiting skilled escorts, and we showed up just in time."
The group would get comfortable beds and good food, while the Karabel Merchant Group gained reliable protection—a win-win. Adeshan, who knew the north's dangers well, had to admit it was a wise choice. Nodding rationally, she said,
"Mm. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for telling me."
"No problem. We should take it easy as far as we can."
Ronan grinned. She wanted to complain about the sleepless nights he'd caused her, but she couldn't argue with sound logic.
In the end, all Adeshan could do was pout. At least from Rundalian to Heiran, it would just be the two of them—that was her consolation. Reaching the front of the caravan, Marya called out loudly.
"Dad, I'm here!"
"Ooh, my girl. Happy break. And Sir Ronan, it's been too long."
The merchant group was already prepared to depart. The caravan leader, recognizing Ronan, greeted him warmly with a handshake. It was Duon Karabel, Marya's father, whom he'd known since two years ago.
"Wow, you've bulked up so much you're unrecognizable. I could believe you were imperial knights."
"Not quite that much. How've you been?"
Duon looked a bit thinner than Ronan remembered. Despite the mountains of money he must be making, it seemed he still hadn't lost his drive and was immersed in work. Finishing the handshake, he glanced back and forth between Ronan and Marya.
"Hahaha, I'm just the same as always. So, when are you taking our girl?"
"Dad!"
Duon laughed heartily. Ronan responded with an awkward smile. Marya shrieked at the utterly dad-like joke.
"Is that what you say after not seeing me for two years? Why do you do this every time?!"
"Sweetie, landing a partner like Sir Ronan is much harder than you think. Why don't you appreciate your father's foresight? And Sir Ronan, honestly, isn't our girl quite the beauty?"
"She is pretty."
Ronan nodded. It was true—Marya was pretty, so there was no reason to lie. Covering her mouth with her left hand, Marya punched his arm repeatedly.
"Ugh, seriously, why do you go along with it?!"
"Ow. Hey. That actually hurts."
Ronan winced. Her natural strength made it hurt like hell. Marya fussed at him to stop, but the smile peeking from behind her hand suggested she wasn't that displeased. Watching from just behind, Adeshan gripped the hem of her shirt tightly.
'Don't take her.'
She knew it was a joke, but her chest still tightened. The way he answered "pretty?" without hesitation was shocking in its own right.
Of course, she's much prettier than someone like me. Marya suddenly turned and grabbed her wrist.
"Oh, right—this is the senior I decided to travel with. Come say hi, sis."
"Ooh, my apologies. I got so excited seeing Sir Ronan after so long... I'm Duon Karabel."
Duon bowed politely. He seemed surprised by Adeshan's height, which towered over his own. She bowed gracefully in return.
"I'm Adeshan. Nice to meet you."
"Haha, my daughter talked your ear off about how great your swordsmanship instruction was, but I didn't expect someone so impressive. I should be the one asking for favors."
"Impressive..."
Adeshan paused at the compliment. It was one she heard often, but today it hit differently. Ronan, standing quietly behind, nodded firmly.
"Senior's impressive."
That was true too. Adeshan's face stiffened for a brief moment. She wasn't sure how to take it. Wasn't "impressive" a compliment for someone you admired rather than romantically?
'No, Ronan might prefer impressive over pretty.'
She could overthink it forever. Quickly rationalizing it to herself, a smile returned to her lips.
"Thank you. But I really didn't do much. Your daughter's achievements are all thanks to her own talent and effort."
"Ooh, as expected...!"
Adeshan spoke sweetly. Emotion swelled on the faces of the Karabel father and daughter. Marya hugged her tightly.
"Sis, how do you say such pretty things? Hehe, let's bathe together later."
"You...!"
Unlike Eri, her body was firm. And strong—Adeshan couldn't break free. Watching the two women, Ronan nodded in satisfaction.
'Mm. Good call inviting her along.'
Women seemed to bond by sticking close like that. If Asel or Schlieffen tried something like that, he'd have knocked their front teeth out on the spot. Gathering the three, Duon spoke up.
"Then, a quick rundown of the schedule. Our destination, as you know, is Rundalian..."
There were twenty more escorts besides Ronan's group. They all looked tough and skilled, suggesting this was an important trip.
After hearing Duon's explanation, the group boarded a wagon. The other compartments were filled with the rest of the mercenaries, so they all had to share one.
The interior, half-filled with trade goods, couldn't even charitably be called spacious. Marya spoke apologetically.
"Bear with the cramped space. We sleep outside anyway unless it's raining."
"This is luxurious."
Ronan shook his head. Compared to the penal legion barracks, it was practically a palace. Cramped? You could fit seven if you squeezed.
"You okay with this, sis? Should we separate by gender...?"
"No. I'm good like this. Take care of me to Rundalian."
To be precise, she liked it like this. Adeshan actually preferred the tight space. Sitting face-to-face with Ronan, just a step apart, she smiled.
"What? Why are you smiling?"
"Haha. Just 'cause."
Suddenly, she realized she had a pretty low boiling point. Just looking at his face made her smile.
Coax a confession. Pounce while he sleeps. Of course, being as bold as Eri's advice would be ideal, but she didn't hate finding joy in these small moments.
It might turn out to be a pretty good trip. Soon, accompanied by the clip-clop of hooves, the Karabel Merchant Group began to move slowly. Ronan climbed onto the wagon's roof and sprawled out.
"The north after so long."
It wasn't a land of fond memories. Still, he had to go to do what needed doing. Heiran's forge and the Sea of Specters. Would he find decisive clues about his birth this time?
The distant summer sky shimmered blue. It was hot, but the breeze was cool, making it fairly pleasant. Their journey toward the land of snow and ice had begun.