Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Signs of Disaster? (7)
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“……It’s hot, so please be careful.”
“Thank you.”
The woman replied in a delicate voice and took the cup with hands so white they seemed pale. She waited a moment for the tea to cool a bit, then began sipping it slowly. Through the translucent silk, I could see her drinking. It felt somehow wrong to stare so intently, so I turned my gaze to the campfire.
“It’s really delicious.”
“Is it?”
“It’s been so long since I last tasted…….”
“…….”
“A nostalgic flavor.”
A nostalgic flavor? “Nostalgic” implied she’d experienced it before. Yet it was unlikely a woman draped in such expensive silk had ever drunk tea like this. Layer upon layer, like the silk enveloping her, my suspicions piled up.
“If I may ask, are you traveling alone? Sequoia Forest is too dangerous for one person.”
“I have Ajin and Duba with me.”
At the names from her lips, the two watchdogs immediately looked her way. Their pointed ears perked up, and their docked tails—stumps now—wagged happily.
“They say one watchdog can kill a troll, two can wipe out a band of orcs, and three can found a kingdom. Seems it’s true.”
“Oh, you recognize them.”
Of course. I’d seen them in the game. One watchdog raised by Roshan’s emperor went mad with rabies for some reason. Unable to kill the precious gift, the emperor loosed it in his labyrinthine palace. There’s a thrilling sub-mission to infiltrate that palace. Everyone who cleared it raved about the watchdogs. I was one of them.
“Most people never see even a strand of their fur in a lifetime…….”
“On this continent, they’re the only dogs with ears and tails deliberately cropped. Even if you’ve never seen one, you’d know the instant you do.”
“You’re well-informed.”
“I just hear a lot of things. More tea?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I poured an appropriate amount into her empty cup, then sat across from her, letting my guard down a bit. She slowly stroked the scruffs of the two watchdogs pressed against her sides, then looked at me and spoke.
“I was on my way to Corin. I chose to cut through this forest to get there as quickly as possible. But…….”
Beneath the silk, her lips curved softly. She was smiling.
“The tea’s aroma must have been too enticing. Ajin and Duba bolted out. They’ve never done that before…… I was surprised too.”
She took another sip of tea.
“It’s worthy of that. You’re truly skilled.”
“Haha, it’s just ordinary tea.”
“The blend of herbs is excellent. The balance of tartness and sweetness too.”
“Oh dear, you’re embarrassing me. Haha.”
I scratched the back of my head and chuckled for a moment. If she really were nobility or royalty…… she wouldn’t bat an eye at spilling that tea on the ground. Just who was she?
‘The watchdogs charging out over mere tea scent is suspicious too.’
Watchdogs existed solely to protect their master—their lifelong mission and instinct. For them to abandon her over the smell of plain tea? And……
‘The watchdogs were wary of us.’
Sure, it could’ve been because of Ayla, the shadow wolf. But…… looking back, Ayla reacted first to them, yet they might have targeted us from the start.
“What brings you to Corin?”
At my question, she tilted her head thoughtfully, then spoke calmly.
“By chance, have you been to Corin…….”
“Yes. We’re just leaving it.”
“Then you must know. About the heretics’ atrocities there…….”
“……Are you from the temple?”
“Truth be told, I shouldn’t say, but…… someone who brews tea this wonderful couldn’t be bad, right?”
“Haha…… probably not.”
“Yes. I’m from the capital’s Grand Temple…….”
Grand Temple!
The capital of the Barak Empire housed the Grand Temple, enshrining all twelve gods. Even the emperor couldn’t touch it easily…… the pinnacle of the twelve temples spanning the continent. The Grand Temple.
That explained her attire. But what still nagged……
‘……owning two watchdogs.’
Pushing further wouldn’t help. With an unexpected figure like this, best to leave a vague impression. No solid info yet—revealing myself would be foolish. Before she could say more, I deflected casually.
“I see! I didn’t realize I was in the presence of someone so esteemed.”
“And you are…….”
“We’re mercenaries who stopped in Corin briefly. We were lucky to escape the heretics’ deeds with our lives. Heading to the next city now.”
Before she could probe, I gave a vague, honest answer and signaled my companions. Elle quickly grabbed the bag under the tree.
“Anyway, what a relief. The Grand Temple sending someone!”
“Have you heard? Something similar happened in Dihid. That’s why the Grand Temple can’t ignore this…….”
“Thank goodness. I don’t know much about heretics and such, but everywhere you go these days, the mood is foul. Hard times for mercenaries.”
“If you’re a mercenary, perhaps elsewhere too…….”
“I hope the next city has some easy jobs! Arjan, please bless us!”
I looked skyward, closed my eyes tight, and clasped my hands as if in prayer. And then.
-Rustle.
The bushes shook again. But this time, the two watchdogs didn’t react. Only we did, aside from the woman and her watchdogs.
“……!”
Pushing through the bushes were two burly men and one woman—clearly fit. Their identical attire—shining silver armor, white cloth, golden embroidery……
‘……Holy Knights!’
Yes. The three who emerged were Holy Knights.
“Theopa…… Gah!”
One man started to say what seemed her name, but the Holy Knight beside him brutally elbowed his side. He couldn’t finish, clutching it and dropping to one knee.
“……Here you are.”
Another Holy Knight approached and offered her his hand. She took it familiarly and rose.
“Ah, this…….”
She handed me the empty cup. Then, bowing her head slightly, she said.
“Thank you for sharing with a thirsty traveler.”
“……No trouble.”
“If Riadel grants a small fortune, perhaps we’ll meet again?”
“Perhaps.”
“Safe travels on your journey.”
“And to you on yours.”
I bowed politely and watched her vanish into the bushes with the two watchdogs. Her feet were still pristine.
“Ah.”
And.
“Come to think of it, I never asked your name. Kind traveler.”
Her sudden question left me staring blankly, meeting her eyes. Hidden by silk, yet somehow her gaze felt vividly clear.
“…….”
“…….”
“Theo…… dor.”
“Theodor.”
She pronounced it softly, smiled, and disappeared into the bushes.
* * *
‘Damn. Why did I tell her my name?’
In the rattling carriage, I tore at my hair. No hypnosis or anything! I handled the talk fine—why blurt my name at the end?!
Sure, Theodor wasn’t unique. Common name, a few in every city. So why this nagging feeling?
‘No, calm down. So what if I gave my name?’
Yeah. This was pseudo-medieval land. Knowing a name didn’t lead to disaster. Couldn’t do much with just a name anyway.
Plus, she was Grand Temple. My name already floated in temples as baby saint—no, Saint of Purification and Foe of Evil. What’s to worry? Grand Temple folk heading to Corin for heretics—what harm?
I stopped clawing my head and leaned back in the seat, nearly reclining. Staring blankly at the shaking carriage ceiling calmed me a bit.
Yeah. The real unease was her two watchdogs. Not just anyone could own them. Even if not nobility, someone equivalent…… no, beyond. High priest? Nah. Archpriest? Close, but no. Then……
“…….”
Only one option left.
‘Saintess.’
The continent’s one and only.
But heretics in Corin…… would the Grand Temple send a Saintess? Maybe high priests, but her personally?
And only three escorts. Watchdogs might match an army, but…… a Saintess warranted special honors……
‘A horde of Holy Knights, maybe. Three’s too few.’
Not the Saintess. Probably high priest, no, ultra-high super priest or something.
Anyway, unease aside, good news: Grand Temple watching the Crows. Empire and Grand Temple squeezing them— even flyers would hesitate.
“Leave the cleanup to them…….”
Perfect. It was perfect! Chastising myself, I gazed at the peaceful scenery rushing past the window.