Chapter 35
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Silk Road
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Howard dismounted and approached Egar and Johann, who were there to welcome him, exchanging greetings.
"Welcome, Sir Howard. This is Sir Alpha, the overseer of the Gurkan trade route."
"I'm Alpha. I've heard much of your renown, Sir Howard. It's an honor to meet you."
Johann gave a slight bow, and Howard returned it with one of his own.
"Howard Crimford. I've heard my ears ringing from my father's tales of your accomplishments, Sir Alpha. First and foremost, allow me to express my deepest gratitude for watching over my brother's final moments in my stead."
"Not at all. We're still troubled by it ourselves. We sincerely hope young master Johann can rest in peace there."
"I hope so too."
Johann shook Howard's hand while half-jokingly wishing peace for his own soul.
With the brief greetings concluded, Egar and Howard finished their final checks at the trade route's entrance before following Johann and the viscountcy's troops into the mountains at a leisurely pace.
Cuckoo!
"Wh-what was that?"
Neigh!
"Everyone, stay calm! It's just a cuckoo bird! If you panic, the horses will too!"
The moment they entered the mountains, tension among the group spiked to its peak.
They jumped at the rustle of a small mountain critter in the brush or the cry of a bird.
Each time, the caravan halted as armed soldiers fanned out to surround and scan the area—it happened so often they crawled along like inchworms.
"This is problematic. At this rate, it'll take several times longer than our estimated arrival."
Egar voiced his honest concern, but Howard brushed it off casually.
"Considering the caravan's size and the dreaded reputation of the Gurkan Mountains, this pace isn't unexpected. But if this trade run secures the route's safety, its true value will shine from then on."
"Thank you once again for trusting me and accepting my proposal. I'll repay that trust with safety."
"That's reassuring. Haha!"
Johann smirked faintly at Egar's attempt to laugh off his worries.
'Nothing to worry about. They'll handle it themselves.'
Meanwhile, in the deep underbrush beyond the group's sight, monsters lurked, eyeing the caravan.
To them, the human-packed caravan was a buffet.
They itched to charge in and tear into that tender, fatty human flesh.
But...
"Hiding here too, huh."
"Told ya not to eye humans, but you never listen!"
Whoosh! Slash!
Gurkan Orcs appeared out of nowhere, their glaives cleaving through the monsters targeting humans. Chunks of flesh sprayed everywhere in an instant.
"Scram already!"
The surviving monsters snarled at the orcs but soon tucked tail and fled.
"Don't come back! Next time, we eat you all!"
"Let's mark this spot too."
"Ahh, that's satisfying!"
The orcs urinated to mark their territory where they'd driven off the monsters.
This way, no monsters would attack the caravan through here.
As they meticulously sealed every blind spot the orcs might have overlooked, the trade route grew safer without anyone realizing.
"How many days has it been since we entered the mountains?"
"Dunno, about a month?"
"Already? Safer than I thought."
"Yeah... Haven't seen a single monster shadow, right?"
Not a single monster had attacked the caravan so far.
It didn't match the Gurkan Mountains' infamous title as monster paradise.
"Yawn...!"
"How much farther?"
With no attacks—not even glimpses—people adapted quickly to the new route.
Soldiers who'd gripped spears outward in rigid tension now yawned, using them like walking sticks.
"You! Straighten up. That's a spear, not a cane."
"Heh heh heh!"
Knights scolded such soldiers on sight, but it underscored the route's guaranteed safety.
"If we keep this up without incident, we should reach Iteran in about a month."
"Unbelievable speed. It's a shortcut worthy of the name."
Howard affirmed Egar's sentiment. Johann, leading the way, replied.
"Not just worthy—it's the real shortcut. Just a bigger one."
"I see. Where's the rendezvous point you mentioned? The agreed meeting spot."
"We're almost there."
Johann halted the caravan nearby and proceeded to the site with Egar, Howard, and a few escort knights.
"Here we are."
The spot was a ridge not far from the route.
No one but Johann's group had arrived yet.
How much time passed...
"My lord, fall back behind me."
Among House Crimford's top knights and Howard's escort, Nobil, along with Egar's knight Cledor, stepped forward, tension high.
Not just them—the escorts ringed their lords, fully alert.
They sensed the approaching group from the ridge.
'Those must be the Gurkan Orcs...'
The Gurkan Orcs emerged one by one, and the knights readied for combat.
'Definitely... not to be underestimated.'
Cold sweat beaded on the knights' brows as they sized up the orcs.
Veterans knew from the orcs' natural aura alone that victory wasn't assured.
Then.
"You haven't been waiting long, I hope? If so, my apologies. Kahahaha!"
The knights paled at the newcomer's arrival.
Rumble...!
Merely standing there, it was a mountain of flesh, tougher than steel.
A natural sovereign's presence.
No introduction needed—the knights knew this massive orc ruled here.
"No need to apologize. We arrived early too. You beat the appointed time yourself."
As everyone tensed, Johann casually approached Garukan and bumped fists with him.
"Missed you, brother."
"Same here."
Howard and Egar watched in shock as Johann greeted Garukan so familiarly.
Seeing is believing—tales of their bond paled against this sight.
'Unbelievable... Even seeing it, I can hardly believe it! He truly shares deep ties with the fearsome Gurkan Orc chieftain, more terrifying than any beast...'
'No wonder Father trusted him. Scholars estimate the Gurkan Mountain orcs' forces rival a mid-tier nation. With ties like these, it's no exaggeration to say a kingdom backs Sir Alpha.'
Their esteem for Johann soared once more.
Oblivious or not, Johann introduced the pair to Garukan.
"This is Howard Crimford, heir to House Crimford and head of the Crimford caravan. And this is Egar Avangardi, head of House Avangardi and its caravan."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Garukan, chieftain of the Gurkan Orcs and son of the great orc warrior Arkan."
"Howard Crimford. It's an infinite honor to behold a mighty orc warrior in person."
"Egar Avangardi. They say Gurkan warriors are one-against-a-thousand, but seeing you confirms the rumors understated it."
With Johann translating, conversation flowed easily.
"We've heard from Sir Alpha that you've opened this path for the Gurkan Orcs' prosperity."
"Indeed. All I desire is my kin thriving in abundance. We saw humans as eternal foes... but my brother here showed me how foolish that was."
Garukan clapped Johann's shoulder with trusting eyes.
Egar nodded with a smile.
"Same for me. Sir Alpha showed me how narrow my world was. I'd have died ignorant otherwise."
Howard continued.
"If the Gurkan Orcs seek the same as us and walk the same path, we'll stand with you forever—as your strength."
"Music to my ears. I trust my word little, but I'll take yours at face value."
Garukan snapped his fingers, and an orc brought four bowls and a jug.
"I'd love to drink you under the table, but today, a sip will suffice."
Garukan filled the bowls, distributed three, and raised the last overhead.
"This bowl holds not liquor, but our blood. Those who break this blood oath will pay dearly—only the resolved may drain it."
Johann and Garukan downed theirs first, followed swiftly by Egar and Howard.
The pair stared in awe at their empty bowls.
"This... the taste is incredible!"
"Orcs take our fighting and our brew seriously. Kahahaha!"
Garukan boomed with laughter as Howard grinned.
"I see. Keeping this fine liquor to yourselves... We must discuss trading it soon."
"Please include Avangardi caravan then, both of you. Anyway, chieftain, we've stocked ample food and supplies at our rear as requested. Shall we check now?"
"No need. We'd just scare your humans senseless. No point in the fuss. I trust you."
'This guy...'
Johann smirked inwardly.
The route was round-trip, after all.
Garukan knew skimping or cheating here meant hell on return.
Howard and Egar knew too.
So Garukan's trust without inspection both honored and surprised them.
"Understood. Next time, we'll repay your kindness and faith with finer goods."
"See that you do, and I'll pave the entire route in silk."
"Silk Road... The thought alone thrills. Haha!"
No real silk paving possible, but if the route thrived, its value exceeded that—Howard meant it sincerely.