Chapter 39
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Hamburg County
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The Hamburg County was about a day’s ride from Hamburg Fortress.
Located at the foot of the Vulcan Mountains, Hamburg was a large city known for its jewelry crafting and mining industries, thanks to the abundant mineral resources found nearby.
Iron ore, silver, various gemstones, and rare earth minerals. All things the dwarves of Nidavellir, who lived further north, craved.
If it weren’t for its location on the border with Doom Land, the demon territory, Hamburg would have been even more prosperous.
While considered a backwater region by the capital, the Hamburg family, which had ruled this land since the imperial era, held a reputation as solid as a diamond.
Their title, “Shield of Humanity,” had remained untarnished since the founding of the Oz Kingdom.
Perhaps this was the source of Rachel’s excessive confidence. She had likely lived a pampered life as a princess in this harsh land ruled by her family.
***
The next day,
Dorothea—through Eva—provided everything I had requested: a horse, three days’ worth of rations, and a few mana stones for emergencies.
Since this mission involved entering a human city, I had to go alone.
It was a solo mission.
“Take care.”
“Safe travels.”
Dorothea and Camilla saw me off.
I thanked them and mounted the light brown horse Eva held by the reins.
Unlike a typical horse, this one had unusually long mane and fetlocks. I was told it was a crossbreed between a wild horse from the Vulcan Mountains and a military horse, making it resistant to the cold and ideal for traversing snowy terrain.
“What’s this horse’s name?”
I asked, stroking its neck, and Eva, surprised by the question, replied,
“I haven’t named it. If you like, you can give it a nickname.”
I pondered a name for the horse that would be my companion on this arduous journey.
The name I had given the Bicorn, Craigslist, had been too flippant. I wanted something more fitting this time.
“Hmm.”
I observed the horse’s features, its beautiful light brown mane and copper-colored coat catching my eye. A name came to mind.
“Gold Sun…”
No, that was too obvious.
I needed something more familiar.
I stroked its long mane and said,
“Your name is Gold Run from now on.”
That made it a distant relative of Eva, in a way.
***
I set off for Hamburg County on Gold Run.
Having been here once before as a member of the Hero’s party, it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar territory.
The only difference was that I had traveled on foot back then, as we had no way to return the borrowed horses.
I rode through the snowy plains, recalling my previous journey.
As Eva had said, Gold Run was resistant to the cold, showing no signs of fatigue even after hours of riding. This was why bloodlines were so important when choosing a horse.
“Whoa.”
After about two hours of riding, I stopped to take a break.
“It’s about 1 PM.”
I stuck a twig in the ground to check the time and then used magic to dig a small pit and build a fire.
Whoosh!
I was grateful for my magic. Building a fire manually in this weather would have taken forever.
I filled my trusty camping pot with snow, melted it, and then chewed on some dried rations from my pouch.
The rations Dorothea had provided consisted mainly of dried meat and biscuits. Preservation had taken precedence over taste; they were barely edible.
After a quick and quiet meal, I drank some hot water and gave the rest to Gold Run.
The horse, thirsty from the long ride, gulped down the water, licking the pot clean.
While there was no need to wash it, I wiped it with some snow and put it back in my bag.
It was time to continue.
Another five or six hours, I reckon.
I didn't want to sleep outside in this weather. It would be much better to reach the city, even if it meant pushing Gold Run a little harder.
“You’re going to have to work hard today.”
I patted Gold Run’s head and mounted the saddle.
***
I reached the outskirts of Hamburg County as the sky began to darken.
I didn’t know exactly how many hours had passed, but it had been a long ride.
Gold Run, having carried me all day, despite the occasional breaks, looked exhausted.
I made a mental note to reward him with the finest hay once we reached the city and approached the gates.
A long line had formed, as guards collected tolls from those entering the city. Among the ordinary humans, I noticed a few dwarves.
They had likely come here to purchase Hamburg’s specialty: minerals.
Unlike in demon territory, there was no need to hide my face in a human city, so I waited patiently for my turn.
When it was finally my turn, I pulled out my identification.
“Th-This is…!”
The guard’s eyes widened as he saw what I presented.
“What is it?”
His colleague, curious, leaned in and gasped.
“Mage! Please, enter!”
I had shown them my medal, identifying me as a mage from the Emerald Tower.
Furthermore, the gold plate I presented signified that I was a mage of the fourth tier or higher, a “Mage” as they were called.
It was proof that I was among the top 10% of the mage elite.
I pocketed the medal, which the guard respectfully returned, and rode Gold Run through the gates.
Crossing the narrow moat and passing under the arched gateway, I finally saw the snow-covered city.
After an eight-hour journey, I had arrived at Hamburg County.
***
The first thing I did upon entering the city was find lodging.
Fortunately, this was the easiest part of my mission.
Unlike in demon territory, where everything revolved around power, human cities operated on a gold standard.
In other words, money talked.
“A room at our establishment is ten silver coins per night.”
I pulled out my coin purse, which I hadn’t used in a while, and paid the innkeeper ten silver coins.
While it was the most expensive inn in the area, its excellent service and reputation made it worth the price.
I added three more silver coins as a tip and asked them to give Gold Run the finest hay.
The innkeeper nodded and handed me a key.
“Room 204. Second floor, on the left.”
I twirled the key around my finger and headed upstairs.
As expected of one of the largest cities in the east, the inn was bustling with travelers.
I kept the hood of my robe pulled low to avoid unwanted attention and finally breathed a sigh of relief once I reached my room.
“Finally, some peace and quiet.”
I removed my robe and collapsed onto the soft bed.
My back ached from the long ride.
I never used to feel this way. It was a stark reminder of my age.
I shook off the melancholy and sat up.
“…I’ve made it into the city, but…”
I wasn’t wanted by the authorities, and as a mage from the tower, I could enter any city freely.
But the next step was the problem.
To meet the Margrave of Hamburg, I had to reveal my previous identity:
Kaldrash, mage of the Hero’s party.
But that was the worst possible option.
With the Hero’s party missing since entering Doom Land, my sudden reappearance in human territory would raise suspicion.
Considering the constraints, only one option remained.
“I’ll sneak in.”
I would proceed as if I had never officially visited.