Chapter 136
Chapter 136
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: The City Where Black Rain Falls (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-Flutter, flutter...!
A purple butterfly flew into the carriage. Scattering sparkling grains of light as it fluttered in, the butterfly circled the interior once before lightly landing on the tip of my finger.
-Snap!
Legion swung its fluffy front paw to catch the butterfly.
"Hey now, Legion. You can't do that."
-Meeow!
Dodging Legion's paw and moving to my shoulder, the butterfly was promptly attacked by Pip.
"Pip, not you too?"
I waved my hand to shoo the two away, then caught the butterfly and carefully spread its wings. I could feel Khalid's magic.
-Theodore. What's the point of running away like that?
"I'm not running, Sir Khalid."
-'The gift' was appreciated. But isn't it too meager compared to a godfather position?
"The first shed skin of a dragon in perfect form is 'meager'? That's quite the exaggeration."
-Of course, it's impressive. Enough that I'm willing to forgive your deceit. But...
"Go on."
-All the shedding byproducts from Legion's growth from now on. Hand them over to me. That's the least you can do.
"Dragons grow until they die. You want everything until then?"
A dragon's shed skin had different advantages depending on the timing. Of course, the most precious was the first shed skin, which contained the purest magic. That's why I'd given it, but true to form as a mage, he wasn't satisfied.
The twelve shed skins produced in the first year after birth were extremely soft and easy to process, while later ones grew in magical potency with the dragon's development, offering even more uses. Shed skins at ten years, fifty years, a hundred years were practically superior versions of magic stones.
"No can do."
-I'll be direct. What do you want?
"......"
But if this turned into a 'deal,' that changed things.
"I'll give you an answer after thinking it over properly."
-Theodore. If you hand those over to anyone else in the meantime, I swear I'll...
"Have you ever seen me break a promise?"
-The godfather position alone...
"Come on, that wasn't my fault. Legion chose it."
-You little...!
"Aigoo, why can't I hear you? Is the magic getting unstable? Legion's fault maybe?"
-The...
Before Khalid could say more, I quickly handed the butterfly to Legion.
-Chomp!
Legion grabbed the butterfly with its fluffy paw and devoured it on the spot. Crunch, crunch, crunch. It seemed to enjoy it. Khalid's magic was high-class, after all—probably a decent snack.
-Yaaawn.
Letting out a long yawn and smacking its lips, Legion flopped back onto my lap. It curled up round, clearly intent on napping—adorable. Pip had settled on my head, glaring down at Legion warily. It had been a whole month since Legion and Pip met, but they still eyed each other like that. It'd take quite some time for them to warm up.
I gazed out the window. Outside, a light drizzle fell. Thick fog shrouded everything, with not even a cricket chirp to be heard—the atmosphere felt eerie.
'Something feels off...'
We had left Solen and were traveling along the massive river between the Barak Empire and Lüset. Our destination was the Barak Empire. We'd spent more time than expected in the Silver Mountains, growing out of touch with the world, so we headed to the empire—where everything on the continent converged, or so they said—to gauge the overall state of affairs.
-Tap tap.
Lost in thought, I heard Lloyd tap on the window. Riding a sleek black horse ahead of the carriage, he shook the rainwater from his raincoat and said,
"The rain isn't heavy, but the ground's getting muddier. The riverbank might have collapsed... Hard to check with this fog. Should we keep going?"
Sunset was still a ways off. I hesitated a moment before asking him,
"But camping here would be tough, wouldn't it?"
"......"
"We might find a place to stay near the bridge..."
"Hard to tell."
"Then we'll do this."
I tapped the ceiling to stop the carriage. Placing the sleeping Legion on the seat beside me, I grabbed my raincoat, put it on, and stepped out. Behind me, I heard Legion meowing and scratching at the door belatedly.
"Be good, Legion... Alright, Elle. Your turn."
"Oh, sure!"
Elle climbed down from the driver's seat, shook off her raincoat, and entered the carriage. As I unhooked the harness connecting the carriage and Storm, I said to Lloyd,
"You drive the carriage for a bit, Lloyd. I'll smooth the road with Storm."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely."
I lightly mounted Storm's saddle and slowly trotted ahead with him, scattering grass seeds and using my skills. Sturdy grass sprouting on the muddy path would reduce the risk of the carriage getting stuck. I adjusted so the grass grew thick and even as we advanced. Storm, a wild horse at heart, seemed right at home in this foul weather and rough terrain.
Glancing back, I saw the carriage following without issue.
'Still, something's weird.'
It wasn't a downpour—just this light rain—and yet visibility was so poor. Plus, the riverbank collapsing from this? And as Lloyd said, the ground was unnaturally sodden.
'Feels unnatural...'
Weather could be fickle, but the climates of the Barak Empire and Lüset were mild and peaceful, like Europe back on Earth. This gloomy weather belonged in cursed lands or the Dark Forest...
'Am I overreacting?'
Weather's like that sometimes, right? I looked up at the sky. Indistinct clouds shed endless light droplets.
Feels sticky. First inn we find, I'm taking a hot bath.
-Neigh!
As if sharing my thoughts, Storm shook the raindrops from his mane and coat. We pressed on, reshaping the crumbling path as we went.
"...Ah, light."
How much time passed? A faint glow pierced the thick fog. I waved to Lloyd, who was driving the carriage. He raised a hand in acknowledgment. Storm and I picked up speed toward the light.
What we found was a small farmhouse with a sign calling it an inn—though it barely qualified. At least it had a stable. Far better than camping in this rain and fog. I should be grateful. Shaking rain from my coat and pulling back my hood, I knocked on the weathered wooden door. A middle-aged man with a bushy beard opened it. Behind him stood a plump, kindly woman who seemed to be his wife, and warm orange light leaked from inside. The savory aroma of dinner in progress wafted out too.
"Good evening. Looking for a room for the night."
"Alone?"
"No, with companions. One adult like me, one kid, one big dog, one cat."
"Odd group."
"I get that a lot."
The owner chuckled good-naturedly at my easy manner.
"Got two rooms available. Well, always do, actually."
"Lucky us. My group's arriving soon."
"Got it. Dinner?"
"Not yet."
"Good. Just prepping it. Tie your horse in that stable and come in."
"Thanks."
The 'stable' he pointed to was more like a rickety shed on the verge of collapse. One kick from Storm and it'd be dust. Hope it's fine.
I led Storm into the shed, tied him up, wiped him down with a warm-water cloth, and fed him fresh carrots. He seemed pleased, prancing happily on the dry straw.
"Rest well, Storm."
-Neigh!
Soon, the carriage pulled up outside. The group had arrived. We entered the house to the owners' warm welcome.
"Wait a sec..."
"Yes?"
"Didn't you say a dog?"
"...A 'big dog.'"
I flashed a shameless grin at the owner, startled by Ayla.
Anyway, we rented one big room and one small one. Elle and Ayla took the small, Lloyd and I the big. The beds were old and small but stuffed with fresh straw—decently soft. I gave Pip some grains and Legion a saucer of warm goat milk, then headed to the kitchen for the dinner the owners prepared.
On the wooden table, extended with an extra small one, sat clear potato soup and crispy roast chicken. Simple fare, but plenty of it. Home cooking like this hits the spot. Especially since it's been ages since someone else cooked for me! We gathered around the table and dug in amiably. Where from, where to, mercenary work, rumors of the Silver Mountains collapsing...
As the mood warmed, I pulled out some honey mead I'd been saving. The owners, Lloyd, and I raised glasses in a toast.
"Man, this weather... Heard the river views are spectacular, but can't see a thing. Common around here?"
"No, no. Like you said, the scenery is stunning. Sunlit river sparkling, green fields, forests... Something to brag about."
"So this weather..."
"This rain's been going for about half a month now. Not a downpour, thank goodness, but not exactly fortunate either. Ground's too soaked."
This light rain, like it could stop any second, for a fortnight? Now I get why the ground was like that.
"...Any particular reason?"
The owners looked at me with worried expressions.