72
Chapter 72
The next day.
We exchanged light greetings with the soldiers we had spent the last few days with and left Mondak.
Unlike what we had worried about, there were no particular restrictions.
The city was still in a state of disarray.
The lingering aftermath of the battle could be felt from the sight of barricades piled up here and there and the broken castle walls being repaired.
Tension enveloped the city, as if it wasn't over yet.
We loaded ourselves into a carriage heading west.
The horse Silon brought from somewhere looked rather old, but it seemed like we could use it without any issues for the time being.
"Where did you get such an old thing?"
"This was the best I could do with the money I had."
"Hey, you got paid this time too. Where did you spend it?"
"I need to get equipment! I can't walk around in these rags forever."
"Still, a horse is more important than equipment right now."
"That's why I at least got a horse. At least we're not walking."
Silon gripped the reins again as if he felt wronged.
Lifting its head slowly and plodding along, that horse certainly wasn't fast.
But fortunately, it didn't look like it was going to stop or collapse.
"Does it at least have a name?"
"Ah, yeah. They said it's 'Dore'. The previous owner called it that, so I just went with it."
"Dore... The name is decent."
When Baldic shook the liquor bottle he was holding inside the carriage toward Dore, the horse folded its ears slightly and ignored him, continuing to walk.
"It has a calm personality too. Better than you, Silon."
"...."
Everyone exchanged jokes and laughed, but tension secretly spread among us at the fact that we were leaving the city.
The dirt road outside the castle gates, the scenery of the fortress gradually growing smaller, and the uncertainty of what kind of request awaited us.
Everything was still unknown.
"But what are you doing?"
"This?"
Eileen asked from the side, looking at the water drop floating above my hand.
"I'm training. I don't know if it'll be effective, though."
In the past, I lacked mana, so I had neither the luxury nor the ability to prepare.
But things are different now.
As my level went up, my mana increased, and more than anything, I desperately felt my own shortcomings.
I don't know if there will be definite results.
This isn't a game, it's reality.
Well, I'll improve as I keep doing it.
Practicing alone makes you realize several things.
First off, the maximum range I can draw water from is about ten meters.
Of course, I couldn't handle this much distance from the beginning, and it seemed to vary depending on the amount of mana or my proficiency.
Next is regarding the range of application for the target known as water.
Just because it was moisture didn't mean I could only handle clean water.
Somewhat dirty water or low-alcohol liquor were perfectly fine.
But there were things that didn't work, typically blood.
Blood was a no-go.
They looked similar in color so I thought it would be possible, but when I tried, my magic didn't work at all.
Maybe it's because of the various components mixed in the blood, or perhaps it has some property different from moisture.
I don't know for sure yet.
What's certain is that blood doesn't move freely like water.
Therefore, magic utilizing an opponent's blood during combat was impossible from the start.
It would have been a pretty terrifying ability if it were possible, though.
Still, I believe every single sensation I feel while repeating this alone is meaningful.
Magic in this world isn't simply memorized; it's understood and learned through experience.
"It's amazing every time I see it."
"It is amazing."
Next to me, Baldic also nodded.
Honestly, I think so too.
It feels somewhat strange to be using it without knowing how it works.
I also wonder how it would have been if I had learned more, and a bit earlier.
But well, what can I do?
I just have to use what's been given to me.
Lately, I often find myself wanting to properly meet some magicians.
How real magicians act and how they use magic.
There's more than just one or two things I'm curious about.
However, reality isn't that easy.
That task, that opportunity...... somehow they seem to be slipping further away.
Drip.
"Ah."
Lost in thought, the water drop slipped from my fingertips.
Considering it fell faster than before, there must be some sort of progress.
Even if it's not immediately noticeable, it feels like something is accumulating.
If I'm improving even a little bit, I want to believe that's enough.
Like that, a week passed.
After running almost without rest, we finally reached the western edge of the fief.
It was the last gate before entering the area called the Laden Plains.
Below the narrow mountain path, a large timber gate was firmly shut, and a few soldiers stood guarding it with spears in hand.
"Halt!"
Silon, who was leading the way on a horse, lifted his head.
One of the soldiers in front of the gate raised his spear tip and continued speaking.
"State your identity and reason for passing."
The atmosphere was certainly unusual.
This was the only access road; a watchtower was built above the gate, and the soldiers' eyes were sharp.
Though it was far from the warring region, the border of the fief was clearly not something to take lightly.
"We are mercenaries from Mondak."
"Mercenaries?"
The soldier blocking the way narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"If you're mercenaries, why are you leaving the fief? Times like these are opportunities, aren't they?"
Just then, a cocky voice rang out from above the gate.
A soldier, not even wearing his helmet properly, looked down at us with a sneer.
"We're uh-"
Just as Silon was about to make an excuse, the guy grabbed a friend and slowly started making his way down from the gate.
His posture made it glaringly obvious that he intended to pick a fight.
"How strange. Three mercenaries fleeing to the west like they're running away? Shouldn't we shake them down?"
The other soldiers exchanged glances at the absurd remark, but showed no signs of stopping him.
They seemed to quietly step back, using gate security as an excuse.
"What are you talking about, we have a legitimate-"
"This bastard is resisting, huh?"
When Silon raised his voice, the cocky soldier yelled loudly as if he'd been waiting for it.
"Arrest them! These guys are refusing inspection!"
The situation suddenly took a sharp turn for the worse.
Spears were half-raised, and the soldiers' expressions hardened.
It was a clear frame-up, but if we backed down, we'd really get robbed.
"Damn it, are these guys out of their minds?"
I let out a quiet sigh and spoke.
"Silon. Take out what I gave you."
"Ah, yes."
Silon hurriedly rummaged through his bag and pulled out an old scroll with both hands.
Stamped clearly on its surface was a wax seal bearing the official seal of the Lord of Mondak.
"......What is this?"
The cocky soldier's tone dropped completely.
"It's an official pass stamped with the official seal of the Lord of Mondak. All four of our names are on it, and we are heading to Beldor."
I said calmly.
When Silon shoved the pass he was holding toward the soldiers, they briefly exchanged bewildered glances.
"...Why do mercenaries have that...?"
Why else? We have it because they gave it to us.
It was an item handed to me by someone who looked like a caretaker on my way down from the meeting with the Lord that day.
I figured there would be a use for it, but I didn't expect to pull it out so soon.
The soldier looking down from above silently shut his mouth.
The soldiers who had been aiming their spears also subtly lowered their weapons.
Even that cocky guy who had been picking a fight just a moment ago reluctantly accepted the pass and stepped back.
A brief silence.
At the sound of the brushing wind, the horse snorted.
I swallowed a long sigh inwardly.
This certainly wasn't a world where you could easily brush anything off.
Even the slightest carelessness would lead straight off a cliff.
I had to be careful with every single word and action.
Otherwise, it was a place where I might die a miserable death on some nameless roadside.
Literally, an age of savagery.
If reality were a game, I would just be a newbie fresh out of the tutorial.
Therefore, for now, I have no choice but to hunker down, adapt, and endure.
Let's be careful, and careful again.
Because this world is far too unforgiving of mistakes.
Not long after, a soldier returning from inside quietly nodded.
"...It's confirmed. You may pass."
The gate slowly opened, revealing the path ahead.
Heading down the narrow mountain path marked the beginning of the plains. And Beldor would be waiting for us.
"Tch, those pieces of trash."
Baldic clicked his tongue and muttered softly.
"I know, right? Dirty punks, it looked like they were just trying to extort money from us."
Silon added a word as well.
I didn't bother replying.
The carriage rattled as it slowly crossed the mountain path, and at some point, our vision suddenly opened up.
A wide expanse of grassland beyond the dense forest.
Far off in the distance, the plains swaying with the wind revealed itself.
"Oh, there it is. The Ladin Plains."
Silon said, pulling lightly on the reins.
"Wow, I've never seen a landscape like this before."
Eileen said in awe, looking out the window.
I silently nodded in agreement.
Certainly, out of all the feelings I've had since coming to this other world, these moments felt the most real.
The gentle breeze and the smell of grass. In the midst of it, I could let go of my tension, if only for a moment.
"Didn't they say Beldor was at the entrance of the plains?"
"Yes. I heard it's near a river stream on the right if we follow this road on the map."
"So there's a river, too."
As a water magician, I couldn't help but care.
Having more means at my disposal is always a good thing.
Will I be able to put it to good use this time?
The carriage rattled again as it advanced toward the plains.
It seemed we still had a few hours left until our next destination, Beldor.
***
The size of the village was bigger than I expected.
I thought there would just be a few shabby cabins since it was a rural village at the entrance, but there were more buildings than I thought, and it was quite crowded with people.
"For a place like this, it's a pretty well-off neighborhood."
"I know, right? There's even a market open."
We drove the carriage and slowly entered the village.
Merchants selling goods and customers were busily coming and going all over the place.
It was a rather peaceful scene for a corner of a country at war.
'Now I suppose I should start looking for work in earnest.'
I unfolded the map in my hand and looked at what appeared to be the largest building in Beldor.
An insignia depicting a sword hung above the roof, fluttering slightly.
"There it is."
"Let's go."
"Let's finally act like proper humans again."
Getting off our horses, we slowly headed toward the building.
Befitting the number of people it drew in, the inside of the large Mercenary Guild was quite crowded.
A good dozen or so people were standing in front of the notice board, or sitting on chairs chatting while polishing their weapons.
Unlike what you'd expect from a destination reached after a long journey, a strange tension hung in the air.
It seemed the war was still affecting this place as well.
"There are more people than I thought."
"Well, the frontline is close by... so there must be that many more requests."
I looked around the inside before turning my gaze to the reception desk.
An old man with stark white hair was sitting there.
He was busily moving his pen in a hunched posture, as if writing something down.
Just by looking at him, he seemed to have been with this guild for quite a long time.
The ink stains on his fingertips and the file folders that looked too old compared to his neat attire seemed to tell a story.
"I guess that's him."
"Let's go."
I quietly approached the reception desk with Baldic, Silon, and Eileen.
The old man kept flipping through documents, seemingly completely unaware that we had approached.
"...Excuse me."
When I cautiously spoke to him, the old man stopped his pen and slowly raised his head.
"...Are you here for a new registration?"
His voice was low, but it rang out clearly.
I nodded.
"No, we came from Mondak. We'd like to take on requests in Beldor."
The old man slowly looked over each of us before quietly opening his mouth.
"If so, please show me your mercenary tokens."
As soon as he finished speaking, Baldic took out his token first, and Silon and Eileen also took turns rummaging through their pouches and waistbands to pull out their mercenary tokens.
I finally reached out, took out my token, and quietly placed it on the reception desk.
Clatter.
The old man carefully gathered our four mercenary tokens with both hands and slowly walked to the back of the reception area.
It was only after he completely disappeared from sight that Silon spoke.
"Are they that short on people here? Why are they using an old man for reception?"
Certainly, it was my first time seeing an old man handle reception at a Mercenary Guild.
However, in this world, an old man meant someone who had survived for a long time.
Whether it was skill or resourcefulness, there must be a good reason for it.
"He's probably a veteran. He might even be stronger than you."
"What? Come on, I'm still-"
"It would be best for you to watch your words."
Without us even noticing when he came back, the old man was already sitting at the reception desk again.
His voice was low and quiet, but it was firmly settled.
Silon flinched and lowered his head.
"I-I'm sorry... It was just a joke."
"Those kinds of jokes only work after mutual trust has been built."
The old man calmly continued speaking, slowly unfolding the documents he was holding again.
His movements were slow, but there was no hesitation in them.
They were as skilled and natural as if he had been doing this for decades.
"I have confirmed that all four of you came from Mondak."
The old man pressed a seal firmly onto the document and continued.
"The village of Beldor may seem quiet on the outside, but the nature of the requests is slightly different. Patrols, reconnaissance, searches, village guard duty... most of the requests are of that sort."
He quietly looked around at us and added one last thing.
"...That also means there are many things going on under the surface in this village. Please be especially careful."
His tone was polite, but it carried a clear warning.
Then again, there was no way a perfectly peaceful place existed in times like these.
I lightly bowed my head.
"I will keep that in mind."