Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Ehalin Village
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Empire's south.
The vast grain belt known as the empire's food storehouse.
They say gentle, bountiful winds always blow there, but exceptions exist everywhere.
The rural Ehalin region in the south greeted us with a completely different scene.
Nellin slumped in her seat like she was melting into the dead wheat outside.
"Young master, wasn't this supposed to be a trip?"
Marian licked her lips, parched like a withered tree.
"The grass is all scorched, and the ground is cracked dry."
"It's a trip. I never lied about that."
"How is this a trip? Young master, this is penance!"
Nellin dove into the luggage she'd packed in excitement at the word "trip."
I felt a little bad.
I'd only aimed for Ehalin Village, where Bernard Sherman was.
Who knew such a barren land lay ahead?
Even I hadn't expected it.
Then.
Hiiing!
The carriage halted with a vigorous neigh.
Jayvolg, who'd been up front with the coachman, approached and shook his head.
"The road's too rough from here. We have to go on foot. I thought imperial road projects had eliminated paths like this, but this place is truly backward."
Eliminated? Why would they?
In my first life, I'd walked countless such roads.
I clicked my tongue and replied to Jayvolg.
"It's not just here. The empire's the strongest on the continent, but the wealth gap is just as vast."
"Y-Young master, that's..."
Jayvolg glanced around at my criticism of the empire.
For a man brimming with imperial patriotism, it must've been shocking, but facts are facts.
In my first life as a fugitive, I'd faced the brutal reality firsthand.
Unlike me in the Pador mansion, there were starving folk with nothing to eat, slash-and-burn wanderers without homes.
Plenty more besides.
But what's the point in dwelling on trivia?
I told Jayvolg, who kept scanning for listeners.
"No one's around anyway. And even if there were, I'm not taking back what I said."
"Ugh, understood. Young master, let's go. It shouldn't be far."
Jayvolg unfolded the map.
He pointed to the spot marked Ehalin.
"About an hour on foot, and the village should come into view."
Nellin nearly fainted, trembling.
"An h-hour?!"
For trained folk like me or Jayvolg, it'd be quick, but not for the two girls.
This... We'd be traveling together a lot.
Maybe teach them some basic martial arts for stamina.
But no choice now.
"Send the coachman back. We'll walk."
"Yes."
Jayvolg handed the coachman fair pay—generous enough to earn bows.
In gratitude?
He offered advice.
"If you head to the village, be careful."
"Careful?"
"Yes."
He surely guessed our status.
There must be a reason for the warning.
The coachman eyed us, wary of offense.
He was commoner; I, noble.
Others might've whipped him, but not me.
Extra coin bought goodwill.
Such tiny intel can save lives.
I asked the coachman.
"Careful...? Tell me more."
"Don't know details, but a friend from that village visited home after ages. Said folks' eyes were fish-dead dull, though they'd always been lively. Felt something off, so he left without prying—didn't want trouble."
The coachman stroked his chin, continuing.
"Might be overstepping, but they used to laugh more than anywhere. If they've changed, there's a reason."
His friend was from there?
If even a native sensed weirdness, Ehalin was off.
Valuable advice.
Terrain shapes mood, but people define a place.
The coachman inferred from his friend's tale.
His wandering trade gave insight into villages; couldn't ignore that hunch.
I thanked him sincerely.
"Appreciate the advice."
"Sure, take care. Don't overthink it!"
He scratched his head sheepishly.
"Just ramblings from a coachman. Haha."
"Far from it. You earned your pay—reliable man."
"Really? Thank you! Safe travels!"
The coachman drove off cheerfully.
I eyed Nellin and Marian, stroking my chin. Rough path for them.
What to do?
Carry them.
"Hm... Jayvolg, we'll train lower body on the way."
"Pardon?"
"You carry Marian; I'll take Nellin."
"No need, young master...!"
"Yay!"
Unlike hesitant Marian, Nellin hopped on gleefully.
Thud...!
Decent weight.
As expected.
"Good weight."
"Light, right? Young master?"
Nellin beamed.
"No, heavier than Marian—perfect for leg training."
"......"
No need to sugarcoat truth.
Nellin hid her flushed face, yelling.
"Young master!! How could you! For real!"
Some lungs on her.
Ears ringing. Changed my mind—truth needs veiling sometimes...?
Better move before worse.
I gripped Nellin tight.
"Departing!"
Whoosh!
To escape her nagging, I sprinted full tilt.
Arrived in under half Jayvolg's estimate.
"Hm......"
Combine travel and training like this occasionally.
Builds strength nicely.
"Jayvolg, good workout, right?"
"Next time, I'll carry Nellin! For more intense... Gah!!"
Jayvolg tumbled from a flying shoe.
Nellin huffed off toward the village, pouty-faced after dismounting.
"You guys are too much!"
Her waddle screamed fury.
I knew her feelings, but she was fun to tease.
"Jayvolg, should've toned it down."
"You started it, young master."
"Me? When?"
Playing dumb as we entered.
Nellin, who'd gone ahead, returned, hands cupped whispering.
"Th-those people are scary..."
I followed her gaze.
A rough-looking crew stood guard, claiming sentry duty.
Coachman was right.
Explains the warning.
Too shady for village watch.
Definitely not imperial soldiers—reeking of unorthodox thugs.
Looking for a fight?
They spotted us, slouching cockily.
"I'll lead."
Jayvolg stepped forward.
Trouble brewing.
No corpses to clean.
I stopped him.
"Hate commotion. Leave it to me."
"You'll cause more..."
I flashed a needle silently.
Jayvolg shut up.
I calmed him and approached the guards.
Two eyed us brazenly.
Wary of outsiders?
Bernard here in such a sketchy spot? Surprising.
A guard blocked me.
"H-Hey, hold up. Toll here..."
"Here."
"Huh?"
Silver coin in his palm.
They smirked.
"Reasonable fellow. Go in. Not much to see anyway!"
Passed giggling guards. Trailing Nellin glared daggers.
"Why pay them, young master? Show your status, they'd bow."
"True, but can't stir trouble blind to the place."
As Dark Venerable, I'd bulldoze asking "So what?" But not now.
I'm no rampaging ape ignorant of limits.
Act cautiously.
Especially seeking Bernard—fuss would complicate.
Better pass smoothly if possible.
Though I'd have broken limbs if greedier.
Still...
Marian scanned the village, tilting her head.
"Not like the coachman said? Too normal... Did we misjudge from the guards' looks?"
Farmers with tools, a woman weaving straw hats, men eating.
Ehalin seemed mundane.
Less bleak; lively like tavern row, folks standing out.
"Hrm... Hrm."
Man sprawled starfish midday.
"Heeheehee! Told ya?"
"For real?! That punk said that?!"
Constant maniacal laughs.
Day-drinking?
Embarrassing louts. Checked for taverns—none open yet.
Occasional weirdos ogled us.
'Huh? Outsiders?'
'Hey, handsome. Handsome...? Wait, why you look like a fish?'
Drunken nonsense.
Jayvolg bristled at harassers, but I said ignore.
Never tangle with crazies.
Villagers frowned at yellers and us, then resumed work.
Jayvolg surveyed, frowning at Marian's words.
"Seems so, but I wouldn't call it normal. Kinda unique."
"Explain."
"Minus drunks, folks look hollow. Few smiles."
Experience talking?
Jayvolg differed from Marian.
Spot on.
Not barren or silent—unique vibe.
Villagers' sunken eyes, dried like pickled plums.
Hard labor?
Newcomers might think so.
But we knew better.
Coachman's tip primed us.
Everything suspect.
Stay vigilant, subtle.
Marian and Jayvolg handled glances well unprompted...
Sigh, always one standout.
Like Nellin beside me.
"Nelllin, quit gawking."
Nellin yanked her ostrich neck.
"Me?! When!"
She tucked it turtle-like, embarrassed.
"Enough. Hungry, I bet. Hold out—Marian rations food."
"Y-Young master?"
Like a death sentence.
Her face paled dramatically.
I soothed her.
"Moderation, Nellin. Eat healthy."
Recalling my weight tease, she bristled.
"Ugh!! Saying I'm fat?!?!"
"Misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding! I'll diet! I will!"
Yet sniffed village food scents instinctively.
Pure instinct.
Not about weight—Nellin's slim by nature.
Checked her health once; fine.
Food Emperor Physique? Pair gluttony with energy-gaining arts, she'd excel.
"How much do I even eat? You're too much!"
Marian caught up to fuming Nellin.
"Calm down. I think it's cute."
"Right?! See?"
"Yeah."
"You're the best... Gimme a chocolate muffin?"
Marian smiled faintly.
"Of course."
I smirked at annoyed Nellin and soothing Marian, then scanned village slyly.
Odd indeed...
Like coachman's friend, my senses caught the weirdness.
That's why I warned Nellin against street food.
Native felt it; for me, sharper.
Sichuan Tang warriors observe keenly.
Poison and darts demand it.
Memorize locales, attire.
Habit for a clansman like me.
What caught my eye: sprawled drunks.
Strange, right?
Drunk, yet no open taverns midday.
Home-brewed wine or rum? Then flop indoors, not streets howling.
Maybe paranoia, but caution hurts none.
Details save lives.
"Hey."
Turned at the voice.
Sworded crew in red greaves, like gate guards.
"Show your pass."
Cocky tone.
Hey?
Arrogant bastards.
Gate ones irked too; these worse.
"Pass? Can, but qualifications?"
I sharpened; red greaves scanned us.
Judging status, garb—to beat or yield?
I knew their type from old days.
They nodded, done assessing.
One flashed ID.
[Ehalin Village Hired Mercenary, Naras.]
[Certified by Land Development Overseer Cecil.]
Village-hired, overseer-certified merc.
Guard equivalent.
Warranted pass demand.
"That enough? Overseer vouches. Yours now."
Mouth grated, but no fuss.
Handed pass. He glanced, smirked.
"Pardon. Young noble."
Imperial passes color-coded by rank.
Naras flipped attitude instantly.
Hate toadies shifting for status.
If commoner, fists first: "Defy state official?"
Bowed 'cause noble. See that gleam—beastly.
Naras masked ferocity.
"Why's a noble here in remote village?"
"Must I say?"
"No, no. Merc overstepped."
He nudged mates, gestured go.
"Enjoy yourselves!"
"Wait—one question."
"Ask away! Noble's queries answered."
Ignored mine, probes mine?
Thorny words.
Testing patience...
Deliberate.
My vibe irked; provoke clash, claim "Obstructed official duty," play victim.
Won't bite petty bait.
"Grateful. Lotsa mercs—state project?"
Look around.
Swords there, axes yonder.
Too many for village.
Non-city spots crawling with armed folk? Stinks.
Mercs as guards? Laughable.
Second oddity after drunks.
Naras replied smoothly.
"Ah, beasts aplenty. Monsters sometimes. Pay's good."
Makes sense for hires, but numbers? Beast horde or monster wave.
Something's up.
Hid suspicion, thanked.
"Kind answer. Now go."
"...Yes. Have fun."
Sly dirty look.
Clueless punk.
Jayvolg glared back, irked.
"Outsider wariness?"
Just that?
Possible, slim.
Appearance first. Our group's fine, attired nobly.
Practically screams "noble."
He probed intentionally.
"Yeah. Whatever. No issue. We're just finding inventor Bernard."
Jayvolg replied.
"True, young master."
Really?
Old saying: "Where armed men gather, no calm days."
Agree.
Armed mercs, daytime drunks stumbling, villagers' fishy stares.
No way normal.
Ominous, sure—back off? Nah.
More lunatics than poison here?