Chapter 16
Having swiftly wrapped up the revenge Theo of the Red Evil Mercenaries had begged for, we finished our preparations to leave the city and head straight for our destination.
"Really, thank you. Big bro."
Theo, who had come to see us off, bowed deeply with a voice choked with emotion yet brimming with relief. I roughly ruffled the back of his head, which was exposed from his bow, and replied in a playful tone. I didn't want to burden this kid too much.
"Thanks? Cut it out, kid."
"No, I really mean it. We've suffered so much from those bastards until now, but now my chest feels so much lighter."
He lifted his head, wiped the tears pooling in his eyes, and smiled. It was a bit bittersweet that his smile didn't quite match the innocence of a boy his age—he'd matured far too early for that—but it was still refreshing to see him beaming so brightly.
"It's all thanks to you, big bro. Really grateful."
"Nah, I didn't... uh. Hey, but hearing 'big bro' from a kid like you kinda rubs me the wrong way. Just call me 'bro' or something casual."
"Bro?"
"Yeah. And..."
His admiring gaze made me a little embarrassed. I scratched my cheek and pointed to the party waiting behind me.
"Honestly, I didn't do jack. You saw, right? I was just spectating from the sidelines. If you're gonna thank someone more, shouldn't it be those pretty ladies back there instead of me?"
"Got it, I'll do that. But that doesn't mean I'm not grateful to you, bro. Thanks a ton."
"Alright."
Theo scampered back to them at my words, then bowed just as deeply to them and shouted his thanks.
"Thank you so much!"
"Yeah, sure..."
Bella, who had originally opposed helping him, flushed red—whether from the awkwardness of receiving thanks from Theo or embarrassment, I couldn't tell. Cheong-ah giggled at the sight.
"What's this, Bella? Getting all shy now?"
"Shut up, I'm not."
"Heh, leave her be. Beasts like her act stingy like that every time, right?"
"Hehe, true enough."
"Hey, you bitches...! No, screw you crazy wenches!"
Bella yelled in protest as Dina joined in teasing her. With that, the women climbed into the carriage for departure. As I moved to take the driver's seat, Theo handed me a rolled-up leather scroll.
"Bro. Here, this."
"Huh? What's this."
"I owe you for the commission, but as you know, I don't have a single coin to my name... So I brought this instead."
"Come on, I told you no need to worry about payment. We did it 'cause we wanted to."
"Hehe, still, I wanted to. It's nothing I need anyway, so just take it."
"Tch, fine. So what's this?"
"Oh, it's a map of the northern region of our Durumil Kingdom."
"A map...?"
"Yeah, I heard you and the sisters are heading to Soboro Territory. Luckily, I had this map of the northern area including Soboro. It's a bit old, but better than nothing, right?"
Why did this kid have a map? Puzzled by the mention, I took it from him. Maps were typically classified as either vital strategic assets depending on their type or mere trinkets. To put it simply, the former detailed terrain, place names, military facilities, and troop positions meticulously, pinpointing a nation's weak spots. The latter were rough sketches of roads and landscapes, often issued by the Adventurer's Guild for quests or used by merchants venturing into new areas—simple enough for common folk.
Of course, a map from a kid like Theo wouldn't be the detailed military kind; it'd be the latter, easy to come by. But as I unrolled it, I realized I was wrong.
"This is..."
The illustrations were incredibly detailed. Whether magic was involved or not, it rivaled satellite images from my old world on Earth... Well, not quite that precise, but still remarkably accurate. Beyond territory names, families within them, and local specialties, it noted all sorts of details. The roads especially looked useful—a shortcut not on the map we'd bought before, one that could shave at least three days off our trip to Soboro Territory.
A thing like this would fetch a good price if sold... Why hadn't he?
I got my answer talking to Theo.
"Mom said my dad used to be a famous mapmaker in the kingdom. Then for some reason, he got kicked out and drowned himself in booze after. Before that, everyone who mattered knew his name."
"Uh, yeah...?"
"Yeah. I heard this was made before he hit the bottle. I can't really make heads or tails of it myself. I did wanna sell it once... But Mom said selling it carelessly could get us in big trouble. Something about laws and getting arrested? Even throwing it away wasn't allowed— we'd still get caught."
"Makes sense..."
A map this precise? Yeah, probably. Was it okay to take it?
"Hey, Theo. Isn't this like your dad's heirloom or something?"
"Pfft, heirloom? I don't even wanna call him Dad. He'd just drink and beat up Mom and me when he was wasted. Anyway, it's useless to me. Better off with someone like you who can put it to good use, right?"
"Mm... Yeah. Thanks."
Fair enough. I tucked the map securely into my bosom.
"Wait a sec."
"Huh?"
I climbed into the carriage's luggage area. Dina greeted me first, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Ugh, what's up, Yeonja? We not leaving yet?"
"Nothing, it's fine. Sleep more, Dina."
"Got it... Yawwn. Aye. Ungh."
I patted Dina back to sleep and held out my hand to Cheong-ah.
"Cheong-ah, gimme some money. Two silver coins."
"Two silvers? Okay, hold on."
As Cheong-ah rummaged for her pouch, Bella asked slyly,
"What for? Spoiling the kid?"
"Yeah, he gave us a map as payment for the job, and it's top quality."
"Top quality map?"
"Yeah, I'll show you later. Should cut our travel time a lot."
"...Good. That's a relief."
Bella turned and lay down with her reply. She'd been on edge from my unilateral decision. Truth be told, I'd been worried too, even if I hadn't said it. Helping Theo had eased some of that guilt—at least we'd reach our goal faster now.
"Here you go, darling."
"Thanks."
I took the two silver coins from Cheong-ah and handed them to Theo.
"Here. For the map."
"B-bro? I said you didn't have to! That's commission money..."
"I subtracted the commission part, so no worries."
In my rough estimate, a map this quality was worth several gold at least. If we'd commissioned it through the guild, it'd match. But call it hypocrisy—I just wanted to make things a bit easier for this kid. Not that I'd take responsibility for his life or anything; just a show of goodwill.
"So take it. Makes me feel better."
"Okay. Thanks, bro."
I gripped the reins as he thanked me, ready to depart.
"Alright, we're off. Hang in there."
"Yeah, bro. Safe travels. Thanks again."
"Sure."
And so, with Theo seeing us off, we left Redbin for Soboro Territory.
Meanwhile, as Ian's party headed for Soboro Territory, in a remote corner of that very land, Countess Behena—the rightful heir to the countship—had set up a meager camp with her six loyal retainers and the remnants of the Red Evil Mercenaries. They hunkered down in a dilapidated fortress, built long ago to watch over other territories, now little more than a relic.
Morale had plummeted since Karlson, the current captain of the Red Evil Mercenaries, was captured. Perhaps because of it, even among their scant six retainers, cracks in their loyalty began to show. They met in secret more and more, excluding their liege Behena. But rather than reaffirming vows, they eyed each other warily, scheming how to save their skins and profit by siding with the usurper—Behena's uncle, Soboro Baekjak.
Behena and Kalon—Karlson's younger brother by ten years, now acting captain—knew of these gatherings, and their hearts were heavy.
"...They met in secret again?"
At Kalon's question, Behena nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes, Sir Uobo reported it. He says they're preparing to betray us soon."
"Sir Uobo... Thank goodness for him at least, Lady Behena."
"...Yes, truly."
Even if most of her few retainers plotted treason, one faithful soul remained among them. Far from that sage's quip about one trash in every five, here five of six were rotten—a dire state. Still, Behena was grateful for that one loyalist, who infiltrated their midst, staining his own honor to sacrifice for his beliefs.
"Word is, they'll soon send someone secretly to your uncle, revealing our position."
"This is bad. Those self-proclaimed loyalists..."
"It's not too late. You mercenaries should escape while you can..."
"No, with my brother in their hands, I can't."
"...I'm sorry. Because of me, Karlson..."
"It was his choice. I don't blame you, milady. Just..."
Kalon gazed wistfully at the sky, impatience gnawing at him. Why was the moon so bright tonight...? Had the letter arrived? Please, hurry. Their lord must arrive before it was too late.