16. Red Evil Mercenaries
The gates at the Durumil Kingdom border, where the Red Evil Mercenaries had passed through, turned out to be surprisingly straightforward. There wasn't any special reason—it was simply thanks to Cheong-ah and Bella's status. Just flashing a platinum badge proving they were platinum-rank adventurers affiliated with the Adventurer's Guild granted them free passage through the inspection. That was possible because the Adventurer's Guild was one of the few organizations on this continent with considerable credibility, alongside the Mercenary Guild and the Temples.
The temples had their issues—worshipping only the main goddess and treating other goddesses as mere servants—which led to divided opinions across nations. The Mercenary Guild, by nature, had a rougher reputation than adventurers, so even skilled mercenary bands were judged by their conduct and rumors. In contrast, the Adventurer's Guild tended to be a bit more welcomed than the other two.
Come to think of it, mercenaries and adventurers did similar work, so why the difference? The reason was simple. Adventurers took requests for local safety, while mercenaries handled regional conflicts. The guild's main quests involved monster subjugation, dungeon exploration and conquest, material gathering, and the like—mostly for protecting the area. Mercenaries, on the other hand, focused on VIP escorts, participating in disputes, wars, duels, or hired muscle. In short, violent resolutions between people.
Of course, mercenaries could handle monster subjugations too, but it was like asking a Korean chef to make sushi. They could do it, but it wasn't their specialty. To the average person, this subtle difference made adventurers seem like protectors, while mercenaries often appeared threatening. In the end, though, whether adventurer or mercenary, people were people—personality and behavior varied by individual.
Anyway, the point was this: platinum adventurer status bypassed all the annoying inspections in one go. Long live platinum adventurers.
"The Adventurer's Guild really delivers. Just one flash of the platinum badge, and we're through the border. That thing's got some serious pull."
"It really was that easy. Makes all that waiting feel pointless."
"Good thing, right? We just had to wait it out. Anyway, let's find an inn quick. I'm starting to feel beat."
We drove the carriage into Durumil Kingdom territory. Unfortunately, no city lay right after the border—we had to head a bit further in. The silver lining? Paths for pedestrians and carriages were separated after crossing. Though compared to Tronen's meticulously paved stone roads winding through the kingdom, these were crude—just packed dirt. At least better than mountain trails; they'd cleared out the bigger rocks. My ass bounced and ached more, but we'd endure it a little longer...
Bearing the pain, we followed the crowd on horseback and soon reached Redbin, Durumil's border city. There was a minor checkpoint before entering, but luckily, carriages and people were inspected separately, so our turn came quicker than at the border. Cheong-ah's platinum badge got us through on a free pass again.
Now then... hope there's a decent inn around.
None of us, including me, had been to Redbin before, so asking around felt awkward. I slowed the horses to a walk, scanning the surroundings, when a boy approached the coachman's seat.
"Mister."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Over here."
"Eh? What?"
The coachman's seat was about level with the kid's height, so I hadn't noticed, but Cheong-ah spotted him first and pointed him out. He looked around seven to nine years old. His hair was a bit matted, but his face was clean. His clothes were worn but laundered neatly—clearly, he kept up appearances as best he could.
I turned, and our eyes met. He bowed politely, though awkwardly.
"Hello! Handsome gentleman and beautiful lady! First time in Redbin?"
Handsome gentleman and beautiful lady, huh. Cheong-ah was pretty, sure, but I wasn't exactly a looker—it was just flattery. Still, it felt nice. Nobody hates hearing they're handsome or pretty.
"Yeah, it is. Who are you?"
"I knew it! First-timers! I'm Theo. I was wondering if you've picked an inn yet. If not, I can recommend a good one. That okay?"
An inn tout, huh. Perfect timing—we were looking. I asked,
"Yeah, we're hunting for an inn. Not the cheap kind, though. Something pricier but with good facilities."
The boy who'd introduced himself as Theo rolled his eyes thoughtfully.
"Uh... how fancy?"
"Hmm? Not noble-level luxury, but decent for a wealthy merchant. Good soundproofing, soft beds, no bugs. Tasty food's a bonus."
"Ah, got just the place. Want me to show you?"
"Yeah, please."
"Um, sorry to ask, but... could I get a small guide fee?"
He asked hesitantly, peeking at us. I nodded.
"Sure. Cheong-ah."
"Yes, one moment, dear."
Cheong-ah pulled a coin from the leather pouch at her chest and handed it to me.
"Here you go, dear."
"Huh? Uh... yeah."
A silver coin marked with 10. Worth exactly ten silvers. Way too much for a guide fee—overkill, really. She must've pitied his ragged look. Before meeting her, I could barely scrape one silver a month...
Cheong-ah had a soft spot like that sometimes.
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing."
I shook my head at her innocent smile and handed the coin to Theo.
"Here, your guide fee."
"Ah, th-thank... Whoa?!"
He jumped in shock.
"What's up?"
"It's... too much."
"How much do you usually get?"
"Well, uh... you see..."
He hesitated, probably thinking I'd adjust to the norm.
"I won't take it back. Just curious."
"Right, yep. Usually one or two coppers. Generous folks give up to three."
"So we're your first silvers?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Great, then guide us well?"
"Yes! I'll take you to the best inn I know!"
Theo led the way, and I followed with the carriage.
"What do you do, mister?"
"Mister? Call me bro—more casual. Uncle works too."
"Oh... Bro it is. Sounds younger."
"Whatever. Anyway, we're adventurers."
"Whoa! Adventurers? Cool! Is the pretty sis one too? What rank? Bronze? Silver?"
"Yep, this super pretty sis is too. I'm bronze; she's... a secret."
"Ooh... Impressive. Just colleagues, then?"
I started to nod, then paused—remembering how Cheong-ah and Bella got mad last time I said that.
"Nah, we're lovers. Right, Cheong-ah?"
"Yes, hee hee..."
Cheong-ah nodded happily, her radiant smile leaving Theo wide-eyed.
"Whoa..."
"Jealous?"
"Heh heh, yeah. She's the prettiest I've ever seen."
"Oh my, thank you."
"Y-Yeah..."
Cheong-ah leaned in, meeting his gaze, and his eyes glazed over a bit. A twinge of jealousy stirred in me toward this little kid.
"Ahem. Hey, don't stare so hard. She's mine."
"Oh, come on, dear."
"S-Sorry!"
"Got more questions?"
"Uh, yeah..."
Answering Theo's chatter, we soon reached the inn. It looked clean enough—worth the silver.
"There it is."
"That one? Hmm."
"Nice, right?"
"Decent enough."
"I'll fetch the owner. Wait here."
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Not sure about the inside, but Theo dashed in, and soon the owner and staff came out to handle the carriage—looked promising.
I parked Betty in the stable and went to wake Dina and Bella from the luggage compartment when Theo bowed.
"I'll be off, then. Rest well."
"Yeah, thanks for the guide."
"Sure thing! Thanks!"
As Theo left, Cheong-ah smiled after him.
"Cute kid, dear."
"Was he?"
"Think we'll have one like that someday?"
"Who knows."
"Pardon?"
"Our kid would take after you—cuter than him."
"...Oh my."
While we talked, Bella stretched from the compartment, yawning.
"Ugh, you two are so damn sappy."
"...Ahem."
"Look, I'm getting goosebumps. Gross."
Cheong-ah and I flushed and looked away in unison.