Chapter 21
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 021
Chapter Title: I'm a Mage, You See.
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The day dawned, and the group pressed on southward.
The journey was relatively comfortable.
The weather had finally cleared up, with temperatures climbing back above freezing, and they'd replenished their strength with plenty of horse meat.
Thanks to that, the party's steps toward the south brimmed with vigor.
On top of that, Kurt's howl joined in.
Kurt's resonant, powerful cry spread far and wide.
As a spirit beast, Kurt embodied immense power and mystery. Wild animals sensed his aura and steered clear of the group.
Thus, they made swift, smooth progress southward, covering in one day what should have taken two.
At last, they arrived.
"Everyone, look over there! It's a city!"
Village Chief Patrick pointed into the distance. A city loomed faintly ahead.
Truth be told, it was a bit underwhelming for a city.
Instead of towering walls, there was a shallow wooden palisade barely taller than a man. Instead of grand gates, just a modest wooden entrance.
Though called a city, it was really just a small town of around a thousand souls—more like a large village in scale.
But it was a city nonetheless.
Cities were places that welcomed outsiders. Surely, they'd take in refugees like them...
As Andy gazed at the city, Kurt let out a small bark. Andy turned to him.
"You heading out now, Kurt?"
Kurt nodded and rubbed his cheek against Andy. Andy murmured with a hint of reluctance.
"Yeah... I figured. You wouldn't want to live in human territory."
Kurt was a spirit beast first, Andy's friend second—a noble creature with its own domain.
Human realms, teeming with dozens to thousands or even tens of thousands, weren't suited for him.
Kurt rubbed his cheek in farewell, and Andy stroked his back wistfully.
After lingering in parting sorrow for a while, Kurt turned without regret and headed north.
Andy called after him.
"See you next time, Kurt!"
Andy felt the parting keenly but not sadly. He was sure they'd meet again soon.
This journey had confirmed it for him.
His bond with Kurt was no ordinary one.
His keen spiritual senses vaguely revealed that he and this spirit beast were tied by some fated connection.
They wouldn't part easily. They'd reunite before long.
Kurt let out a long howl before vanishing into the forest. Andy stared at the spot for a moment, then resumed walking.
The group finally entered the small town.
"Halt! Halt! Refugees?!"
"Refugees again? How many is this now?"
The town's guards squinted at the approaching group of dozens.
Some carried backpacks, others pulled carts. Exhausted, ragged people—clearly refugees.
In the past week alone, they'd handled five such groups.
This was no normal situation.
Villagers rarely abandoned their homes, yet here they were, fleeing in droves.
'The north must really be in chaos. No way the Empire's army is pushing this far south... right?'
The northern front was crumbling, spawning countless refugees.
The town had already absorbed five villages' worth. The guards were used to them by now—and knew the drill.
A few guards blocked the gate and shouted.
"We'll check your identities and belongings! Wait here!"
The guards began inspecting luggage and verifying identities.
War was on, and the Empire was advancing rapidly south. Empire spies could lurk among refugees.
So they checked thoroughly.
And soon, they found it.
"This is...?"
"Looks like Empire cavalry gear."
It was Empire cavalry equipment.
Armor, lance, and stirrups from an Empire light cavalryman, pulled from Gavory Aunt's cart.
The guards tensed and interrogated the group.
"What the hell is this? Why's Empire regular army gear in this cart?!"
"Th-that's..."
The chief stammered, sweating bullets.
He'd never imagined their looted gear would brand them as spies...
It was understandable, though.
They looked like ordinary weary refugees. Who'd believe they'd stripped Empire soldiers?
It made more sense to suspect spies among them.
As the guard barked and the flustered chief sweated, Andy sighed and stepped forward.
"Those are my spoils of war. I took down the Empire cavalrymen."
"...You? Ha, right."
"Who do you think you are, spouting nonsense..."
The guards clicked their tongues at the scrawny boy.
How could a kid like him kill Empire regulars? Absurd.
But they shut up fast. Electricity crackled from Andy's right hand.
Zzzt! Zzzt!
Blue sparks danced around Andy's hand.
Andy channeled lightning into his right hand. Blue light flickered, illuminating the surroundings. The crackling sparks stimulated everyone's ears.
Andy declared.
"A-a mage, sir...?"
"Yes."
That explanation sufficed.
Mages wielded mana to cast spells—miracles made flesh.
Even a young boy like him could dispatch trained soldiers if he commanded magic.
Of course, no one understood why a mage wore rags or traveled with refugees.
"..."
Still, the guards dared not pry further.
He'd used magic; he wasn't some mere refugee. He deserved treatment like a noble or knight.
No guard questioned nobles lightly—and mages demanded even more caution. They had real power, unlike some nobles.
Irk one, and you could die in an instant. The mighty often viewed the lowly as disposable.
"W-we'll open the gate. Hey! Open it up!"
"Got it!"
Creeeak—
The gate captain's order swung open the crude wooden gate. Nothing impressive, but the way was clear.
Andy slipped into the city amid the crowd.
Once everyone was inside, the captain ordered a subordinate.
"You there! Send word to the mayor now! A mage has arrived!"
"Right away, Captain!"
At the captain's command, the soldier dashed into town.
A mage's arrival was big news. The mayor, as city administrator, had to know.
The captain urgently dispatched the message.
At last, the group entered the city and followed the main road.
Andy walked with them, eyes wide with curiosity as he took it all in.
'So this is a small town.'
Andy had lived his whole life in tiny rural villages. He'd never visited another town or city.
So even this modest place amazed him.
'Way more people... and the buildings are bigger.'
The townscape differed from villages.
Two- and three-story structures dotted the area, and streets bustled with folk. A permanent market meant trade without merchant caravans.
'And shops.'
Cities had "shops."
Places selling food, daily goods—buildings built to vend.
His old village had none. Only Gavory Aunt's inn sold food.
Villagers focused on production: farming, hunting, herb gathering.
They bartered needs; no specialized shops.
Towns brimmed with them.
'No bookstore, though. Too bad.'
Disappointingly, no books in sight.
Made sense—books weren't commoner fare, hard to stock in a small town.
Thus, Andy and the villagers reached the town center.
"...You've all come far. Good work."
The chief spoke slowly.
They'd reached their destination. Time to part and fend for themselves.
"Losing your homes was hard. Some injured, some lost family... But our lives aren't over."
A few burst into tears at his words.
The frantic flight had let them ignore harsh truths: village gone, family gone, now wanderers.
The chief continued.
"We've lost our home, but we must survive. You've endured much—keep it up."
"..."
Most wore blank, hopeless expressions.
Some had kin or friends here, but most had no ties—just scant cash after losing homes and wealth.
The future loomed bleak. Even tomorrow's meal was a worry.
Their cash would last awhile, but not long.
They needed jobs fast, or they'd become street beggars.
Andy, though, wasn't concerned.
'I'm a mage... I'll manage.'
He'd revealed himself as one. Mages held powers beyond commoners—no starving for them.
Even half-baked without a circle, he could earn somehow.
City life didn't faze him. He looked forward to it—not as an orphan, but as a mage.
As Andy pondered plans, a shout rang out.
"Mage! Mage sir! Are you here?!"
Thud thud thud.
A guard ran up, seeking Andy. He approached.
"If it's the mage you're after... that's me."
"Ah, there you are. The mayor invites you. Here's the letter."
"An invitation? For me?"
The soldier bowed, offering a letter envelope with both hands.
Andy eyed the curious invitation.