Episode 7. The Night Before the Storm (3)
In other words, our destinations were decided first and foremost based on whether Asha could enter them or not. Even if that hadn't been the case before, once we started traveling with her, that's how we'd choose from then on.
Places like the Veritas Hotel, where anyone could enter, or the Creasio Workshop, home only to artisans. If they had been spots that scrutinized status or identity, we probably would have passed them by. The same went for the cities and villages we stopped at to restock supplies or catch up on recent news and trends.
We skipped towns with strict, heavy inspections on sight, researching ones with free passage before heading there. We'd heard to avoid places with powerful mages or swordsmen. There was no need to go anywhere someone might spot Asha's identity at a glance.
So, coming all the way here without stopping in any other city for a full week was a choice made by those same criteria.
But something felt off.
"What is it? The inspections seem stricter than I heard."
"I think so too, Ain."
From what I'd looked into, this city had a pretty free atmosphere, which was why we'd come all this way to stock up and push on. But strangely, the checkpoint at the walls was taking forever and felt intensely guarded. It was chaotic and bustling.
There were more soldiers guarding the gate than expected. We were still far off, but I could clearly see them searching carriages one by one and questioning every passenger.
"This isn't good."
A bad feeling. The strange intuition that kicks in for the weak sharpens in moments like this, so I frowned, staring at the long line of wagons stretching ahead.
In the midst of it, the small window between the driver's seat and the carriage compartment slid open with a clack, and children's voices piped up.
"What's going on, Ain oppa?"
"Is something wrong, hyung?"
The twins poked their heads out the window, asking just like that, their bright eyes sneaking a peek ahead like mine.
"The inspections are stricter than I checked. If it suddenly got like this, there must be a reason, so I'm a bit worried."
Not knowing recent trends or news made it even more unsettling. Anyway, after answering the kids like that, they lit up even more and shouted.
"Ah! Then we'll go ask the wagons in front and behind!"
"Grown-ups always kindly answer kids' innocent questions!"
Without waiting for my okay, the two flung open the carriage door and pat-pat-pat-ed off toward the wagon ahead. They dashed to the driver's seat, bouncing excitedly and chattering away, gazing up at the driver with sparkling eyes.
Then, after hearing his answer, they turned back, their expressions changing in an instant. How to describe it...
"Hm, sly in a clever way."
"But that's cute, right, Ain?"
At least to my eyes, they seemed pretty sharp. The kids came dashing back pat-pat-pat and reported.
"That uncle doesn't know either!"
"Mission failed!"
"Pfft... It's fine."
""Should we check the wagon behind too?""
Unfortunately, even the wagon ahead didn't know why the inspections had tightened. Disappointed at not getting the info, the kids looked up at me with slightly puffed cheeks.
"Nah. Just hearing a regular driver say he doesn't know is info enough, so get back in the carriage and rest."
""Okaay~""
That was plenty for me. At least it seemed the reason hadn't spread to ordinary travelers yet.
Like that. While I pondered what to do, the carriage slowly advanced toward the walls.
"Hmm..."
"Doesn't feel good to me either. What should we do, Ain?"
Asha was glancing between me and the gate with uneasy eyes.
"We could just skip this city too. Food-wise, we could tough it out with wild game or foraged plants even if we run out."
"Th-that's true, but if we can't even enter a city that's supposed to be relatively fr-free, other places might be the s-same..."
Horn and Aberly, who'd been listening quietly, chimed in with their thoughts.
"I was more hoping to gather recent news and trends than just food. We need books for planning the next destination, and personal supplies too."
Plus, like Aberly said, the cities beyond probably felt the same.
"Decide quick. If you wait till it's our turn, it won't mean shit."
Horn grumbled at me mid-thought, and sure enough, our turn was approaching.
So I decided.
"A few of us will go in. The rest stay out of the city, grab camping gear, and wait here."
We'd enter, but not all of us.
"List anything you need for me. I'll head in, scout the situation and news for a day, buy essentials, and come straight back."
Check the vibe inside, gather intel, grab necessities, and bail fast. That seemed the most reasonable to me.
And I named just one person.
"Eileen."
"Nngh, y-yes...! Ow, it huuurts..."
Caught off-guard by her name, the noble lady had dozed off and bitten her tongue, making a miserable face.
"Eileen and I will go in. Everyone else, pack your stuff and basic camping gear and get down."
"Nnh...? M-me...?"
Just Eileen with me into the city.
Me? Why me?
"Listen up, Eileen."
"Ugh..."
S-so, you see. At Ain's words, the other companions got down from the carriage without complaint or question and headed into the nearby woods. Just two of us left. Only two.
Before I knew it, Ain had turned from the driver's seat to face me, but I was overwhelmed by the sheer pressure and anxiety of the situation...
I mean, I'm just a woman who barely became an adult, with no power or skills whatsoever.
"Eileen."
"Wh-why meee..."
I didn't want to admit it, but I was a coward through and through—always trembling, committing blunders, no talent, not especially bright so learning took forever.
"Eileen Phrygia Delfinium, focus."
"..."
Someone so foolish and stupid as to dream of romance despite all that, the worthless lady of the Delfinium count family.
I was lost in those thoughts, shrinking as I looked at Ain, but his eyes sparkled like stars—bold and confident in a way that made me envious.
"From now on, you're a noble lady from the Delfinium count family of the Haven Kingdom."
"Uh... I am originally a noble lady of the Delfinium count family, though..."
Nooo...
"No, you weren't acting like one until just now. But starting now, you're a proper noble countess lady. Got it?"
"No, I... ugh... Y-yes..."
Those were pretty rude words for a noble, but I couldn't even get mad properly and just nodded vigorously.
And then.
"On top of that, you're a talented mage, so hold the jeweled staff and wear that pointed hat."
"Y-yes...?"
I figured it'd take me a bit to process what Ain was saying.
"That perfume you bragged about from Tebris before—the one that gives off an aura. Take it out and spritz some on, now."
"Eeh...?"
My brain overloaded from his barrage of words, and even as the carriage inched toward the gate, my mouth hung open.
"I'm your hired guard and warrior adventurer. You're a graceful noble lady traveling to broaden your knowledge. Understand?"
"Ugh, eh...?"
With my head empty, was he saying I should at least try to gain some knowledge?
"Sigh... Eileen, come closer."
"..."
To stop trembling, I bit my lip hard and approached the small window connecting to the driver's seat.
"Give me the pointed hat."
I handed it over since he asked, and he personally pressed it firmly onto my head.
"Hold the jeweled staff. Not gripped tight—loose, like a relaxed noble."
He slipped white gloves onto my shaking hands from nerves and fear, advising me like that.
"Perfume for a sec. I'll spray it, so stretch your neck out."
I pulled it from my bosom and handed it over; Ain gently brushed my hair aside and spritzed the back of my neck.
"Breathe. Breathe. Don't pant like you're about to die."
At his final words, I squeezed my eyes shut and did deep breaths over and over.
By then, the gate had finally come right up.
So.
Several soldiers were approaching our carriage now.
"Lady Eileen Phrygia Delfinium."
"Y-yes...!"
"I'll give you special noble treatment just this once, so try acting like a haughty noble."
"O-okay..."
But y'know.
I am originally a noble, Ain. Telling a noble to act like one is kinda rude...