Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Only One Tent
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Nameless rubbed his forehead, furrowing his brow as if he felt deeply wronged.
"Master, I didn't say a word."
"Don't you know that's silent affirmation?"
Nameless rolled his eyes this way and that before letting out a small sigh and opening his mouth.
"...If we want a carriage at a good price, it might be best to arrange it now."
It felt like he was clearly changing the subject, but as a kind master, I decided to let it slide with just a poke to his side.
Instead, I asked about the question that had been nagging at me since earlier.
"But why bother renting a carriage?"
Nameless and I didn't really need one—unless it was an extremely long distance, we didn't tire easily, and walking was actually faster.
I shot him a displeased look to convey that meaning, but Nameless only looked baffled in return.
"Master, you weren't planning to run there again this time, were you?"
"...Wasn't I?"
Nameless let out a deep sigh and dragged both hands down his face.
"...We should go find a carriage first."
"Mm, alright."
I hadn't realized he'd hate the idea so much. It seemed his thinking differed from mine.
Feeling oddly deflated by his firm attitude, I pouted, and Nameless extended his hand to me.
"Master, there are a lot of people around."
I looked up at the hand he'd offered.
Nameless was scratching his cheek with a finger, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"Sure."
My lips curved up naturally as I took the hand of my disciple, who seemed afraid to be separated from his master.
We walked through the streets, feeling each other's warmth.
Finding a carriage turned out to be surprisingly straightforward.
At first, when I saw Nameless heading toward the village entrance, I thought, 'He's set on walking after all?' But then I spotted the carriages parked nearby and changed my mind.
Each one had a signpost embedded in front, engraved with the name of a different village.
It wasn't like they took passengers to their desired destinations; the villages they went to were predetermined, and people with business there paid a set fee to ride along.
Nameless looked over the signposts in front of the carriages, then approached a man with a striking brown 5:5 part in his hair. After some back-and-forth, he pulled a few silver coins from his pouch and handed them over before returning.
"All set?"
"Yes, Master. It leaves in two hours."
"Two hours..."
It was plenty for handling simple errands, but a bit short for focused training or anything like that.
I crossed my arms, pondering how to make use of the time, when Nameless pointed to my bag.
"Master, since we'll be spending a few days in the carriage, shouldn't we stock up on more food?"
"Mm, good point."
The strawberries were just about gone anyway. We could spend the remaining time browsing the market.
Nameless eyed my bag with a look of dismay.
"Even so, isn't that too much?"
I'd actually been thinking it was still too little, but apparently, he saw it differently.
Feeling embarrassed by how bulging the bag had become, I hoisted it over my shoulder and turned my head away.
"Fruit goes bad if you leave it out too long. You sure that's okay?"
"Don't worry. This amount should be gone in two days."
"...Really?"
I didn't even need to look to know what expression he was making.
Mm, was it so strange for someone my age to love strawberries?
My cheeks flushed.
Wanting to escape the slightly shameful situation, I hurried my steps.
"The carriage leaves soon. Let's head over."
"Yes."
Nameless boarded first and offered me his hand.
"Hm?"
"Isn't it uncomfortable climbing up?"
Did this guy think I was some elementary school kid?
I wasn't that short.
I didn't know the empire's average height, but back in Korea, I was only about 10 cm below it.
Irritated at being treated like a dwarf, I puffed out my cheeks, slapped his hand away, and leaped onto the carriage.
"I don't need it."
Nameless smacked his lips regretfully at my attitude before withdrawing his hand.
I ignored him as best I could and looked around the carriage interior. Aside from us, no one else was aboard.
Maybe they hadn't arrived yet? But with departure so close and not even luggage loaded, it seemed we had no companions.
Did that mean our destination wasn't popular with adventurers or merchants?
The thought made me feel oddly uneasy, so I asked Nameless.
"Just us going?"
"Yes. I paid extra to buy out the other seats."
"What a waste of money."
"Doesn't traveling with strangers make you uncomfortable, Master?"
"Mm, it does... but still."
I appreciated his consideration, but wasn't travel about meeting all sorts of new people and forging connections?
And it would be a good chance to scout a match for Nameless, who was of marriageable age.
What master wouldn't worry about her disciple's future prospects?
With a triumphant expression, I opened my mouth to share my thoughts.
"Nameless, it's about time you got marri—"
"Master, I bought some famous strawberries at a premium. Want to try them?"
As soon as he cut me off, he pulled a handful from the bag, as if he already knew my answer.
"Ooh, yes please."
Of course I didn't refuse.
Soon enough, the carriage set off. The horse pulling it was sturdy, making for impressive speed, and the outside scenery shifted by the moment.
Shortly after leaving the village, there had been nothing but vast plains—boring as could be—but now that we'd entered the forest, there was plenty to see.
Like this right now.
"Oh, Nameless, look over there! A frog's eating a wolf!"
"...Pardon?"
Maybe he couldn't see from this distance?
Missing such an amusing sight would mean half his life wasted.
Eager to show him, I hooked his arm in mine and dragged him to my spot, pointing in the direction.
"There!"
"M-Master!"
"Can't you see? That way!"
To check his reaction, I turned, and sure enough—eyes wide, cheeks red—he'd clearly never seen anything like it.
Excited by his response, I shoved my face right up to his.
"See it?!"
"...Yes."
He looked so amazed that his expression came off as dazed.
"Wow, I never saw anything like that back on the mountain where I lived!"
The mountain I called home had only grotesquely huge beasts, not tiny critters like this, and even those had vanished over time. Scenes like this were rare.
Suddenly curious about how Nameless—who'd lived in the same place—felt about it.
"The outside world's full of wonders, huh? What do you think?"
"...Yes. It's cute."
"?"
His impression was a bit hard to grasp.
'Does this guy find a frog eating a wolf... cute?'
He was my disciple, but even I couldn't quite get that.
"Mm, if you say so?"
Bored by his lackluster reaction, I released him and leaned out to watch the view.
Nameless stared at me blankly, but with my attention fixed outside, I didn't notice.
As the sun set and darkness fell, the carriage halted. The coachman's voice soon followed.
"We'll camp around here. That alright?"
I glanced around at his words.
A serene clearing appeared, so peaceful it was hard to believe we were in the mountains. Scorched earth from fires and dug-out pits dotted the area—clear signs of prior visitors.
Other coachmen must camp here too.
"Yes, that's fine."
Nameless answered for me, rummaged in the bag, and pulled out a portable tent I'd never seen before.
Fascinated by the thing itself, I approached for a closer look.
"When did you buy this?"
"I didn't buy it. It came with the carriage."
Mm, so that's why he hadn't packed bedding when we first came down from the mountain.
Nodding to myself in realization, I watched as Nameless began setting up two portable tents.
"Two?"
Without even glancing my way, he spread out the tents as he replied.
"Yes. No point using just one when there are two."
True enough, but sleeping alone felt a little lonely.
And while I wasn't affected by the weather, Nameless was.
Sharing body heat against the early morning chill was important.
"Mm, no need to bother with that. How about we share one?"
I tucked the second tent back into the bag from his hand.
"...Yes."
"Good thinking."
I flashed a bright smile.
The coachman's voice drifted from afar.
"...Damn."