Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Contract (2) - Departure
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"You're leaving!?"
The news that Amelia was departing the village spread that very morning. Well, less "spread" and more like they secretly overheard and figured it out.
"Th-then what about us?"
"Can we come with you, by any chance?"
The surviving villagers and militia crowded around the wagons, pleading. Amelia sat quietly with a smile on her face, while the maids hurriedly packed up the last of the items they hadn't finished loading.
And what were Anne and I doing?
"Get lost."
We were shoving back the people approaching us, swords in hand.
"At least explain! Why are you suddenly leaving the village like this?!"
"Does Lady Amelia, a noblewoman, owe you an explanation?"
"B-but even so..."
"We only used the items in the manor. We never received anything from you lot. Or is my memory faulty?"
They couldn't say a word. Their faces were full of resentment, but none were brave enough to voice it in front of a knight.
"Then there's no need for further explanation. Get out of my sight right now."
She swung her sword, and the people around her recoiled in terror.
"They don't seem too happy about it."
I approached her as the crowd backed away from the wagons.
"Is there any reason they should be?"
"Fair enough. But is it true you didn't receive anything from them?"
"It is."
"There were people guarding the manor."
"They were paid in food for their work."
I nodded at that.
"So it was a transaction."
"Exactly. Which means we have no obligation to take them with us or take responsibility for them."
"Maybe. But they don't seem to see it that way."
The villagers watched the wagons from a distance, their eyes filled with greed and a sense of betrayal.
"Their thoughts don't matter. What matters is that Lady Amelia thinks that way. And don't you find them cowardly?"
"Why? They are cowardly."
"They're trying to entrust their futures to Lady Amelia. I despise people like that. No, I loathe them. So we won't be taking them along."
Anne glared at the villagers with contempt. I'd felt it before, but her loyalty was something else. It earned my respect. I could never act like that myself.
'Maybe I should distribute my points before we leave.'
I'd leveled up three times taking down humans and zombie hordes. My gold had recovered to 1,800 as well.
In the past, I'd have dumped everything into Strength and Agility without hesitation. But things were different now.
⚔ STATUS UPDATE ⚔ ✨ Mana: 7 → 10 I dumped all my remaining points into Mana. It felt like a lump of mud had been added to my body—not unpleasant, exactly, but not great either.
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"What?"
"What does it feel like for you when you handle mana?"
"Handle mana?"
It was an unexpected question; she furrowed her brow and fell into thought. Then her lips parted.
"Hm. Refreshing, I suppose."
"Refreshing?"
"Like standing under a waterfall—there's a slight pressure on the body, but it's invigorating."
"Really?"
She shrugged.
"No reason to lie about something like this. Why? What's it like for you?"
"Feels like handling mud, I guess."
"Mud?"
"Yeah. It barely moves, and the efficiency sucks."
Anne chuckled.
"I was wondering why you were asking about mana all of a sudden. Don't worry too much about it. It's because you haven't been handling mana for long."
"So time will sort it out?"
"To a certain extent. But to truly wield mana like a limb, you have to cross a wall."
"A wall?"
It sounded like something straight out of a wuxia novel.
"I can tell you don't believe me."
"Not really. It's just kinda ridiculous."
"Naturally. I didn't believe my master when she told me either. But it was real."
"What changes once you cross it?"
"Everything."
Vague as hell, but that's what made my heart race. Maybe the world she saw was different from mine.
"So use mana often. Increase your mana capacity. Eventually, it'll seep into your body naturally, and enlightenment will come."
"When's that gonna happen?"
"Who knows. Depends on your talent. If you're quick, maybe even tomorrow. If you're slow, you might never do it in your lifetime. That's talent for you."
"I might never do it?"
"Yes. Plenty of people can handle mana but never reach knight-level mastery. They hit that wall."
That was me to a T.
"You don't need to worry. Figuring out how to handle mana on your own means you have talent. It's just a matter of time."
She meant it as encouragement, but as someone who'd bought his mana skills from the shop, it didn't help much.
'Mana I can just invest points into whenever... but improving how I handle it means buying from the shop.'
There were no more mana-related items in the shops I could access now. Guess I'd have to level up more.
"Thanks anyway."
It eased my frustration a little.
"Glad it helped. Now, let's get going. Looks like the luggage is all loaded."
There were exactly two wagons. One for cargo, one for passengers—which still had some cargo loaded too.
"No fancy noble carriage?"
"Lady Amelia will ride with the maids. Can't afford luxuries when we don't know how long the trip will take."
"Makes sense."
I climbed aboard, and soon the horses neighed as we started moving slowly. The villagers trailed us with resentful stares, but they didn't have the guts for revenge.
The wagons picked up speed, and we left Dina Village behind. Finally, out in the world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Boring.'
Six hours since leaving the village. Surprisingly peaceful outside. No monsters, no zombies.
'Am I too tense?'
Makes sense, comparing Korea's population density to medieval levels.
I sighed deeply and sprawled out awkwardly among the cargo. I was the only one on the cargo wagon. Anne had to guard Amelia and the maids.
'That's why she hired me—a dog to watch the luggage.'
Rumble—
As boredom set in, the wagon jolted to a stop. I sat up, wondering what was wrong, and hurried outside.
"What? What's going on?"
"Look at that."
Anne nodded ahead. Far down the road, a tree had fallen across it.
"What the hell?"
"Bandits nearby, probably. The world's gone to chaos."
This was a royal highway, maintained by the kingdom. Normally, you'd hardly see bandits or monsters, let alone them blocking it openly.
"What do we do?"
"Can't detour—the terrain's too rough."
"So we clear the tree. And the bandits with it."
"Yes."
I'd been bored, but not hoping for this.
"I'll come with you."
"What about the wagons?"
"The maids can handle it. Lady Amelia won't die, at least."
Does that mean the maids might? Shaking off the thought, I headed forward.
Anne drew her sword and chopped the tree into logs. Her cyan aura sliced through it like tofu.
'Amazing every time.'
I kept watch while sneaking glances, but no signs of ambush.
"Clear it."
Once she finished, I hauled the logs aside. No bandits showed even after we finished.
"Why aren't they attacking?"
Back at the wagons, I asked her.
"They spotted the knight and tucked tail."
"Could be. Safe now?"
Anne shook her head.
"They might not have retreated fully—just avoiding a daytime fight. Stay vigilant. Plus, they saw I'm a woman."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"Even among knights, women are often undervalued compared to men."
"Ah."
Mercenary life had that too. Clients preferred male mercs over females.
"Can't delay longer. We'll head out again. I'll report to Lady Amelia."
"Got it."
She wrapped up as the mood got awkward. We parted like at the start and boarded. Difference now: no slacking off.
'If you're gonna attack, do it quick.'
I prayed the unseen bandits would be brave.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A campsite on a low hill.
"Thank you."
The maids handed me a bowl of soup. Real veggies and meat—not like the slop from my mercenary days.
'No attack after all.'
Bandits never showed, even exiting the forest. Fled at the sight of the knight, like Anne said.
Slurp—
I sat near the maids, sipping broth. Anne stuck close to Amelia, scanning the surroundings.
The campfire crackled, sparks flying. Night deepened, darkness closing in.
Rustle—
Standing guard, eavesdropping on the maids' chatter. A sound came from nearby.
I raised my sword and shield, eyeing the direction.
Whoosh—thunk!
A black shape rushed in fast. I raised my shield just in time. A dull thud as an arrow embedded. I bellowed from my gut.
"Ambush!"