Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: 4. Big Waters (2)
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Allen's group with Charlotte departed the trading city of Rbalra in the early dawn light on the fourth day after their arrival.
Sitting on the edge of the wagon, the sharp-tongued Julie puffed away on her rolled tobacco, gazing at the receding cityscape. She flicked the nearly burned-out stub with her finger and exhaled the last puff of smoke. The gray haze, like the dawn sky, trailed behind the wagon like a tail before vanishing.
The faintly wistful dawn scenery stirred strange emotions even in the parched hearts of the hardened mercenaries. Dawn held that kind of magical power.
Allen, too, sat on the rattling wagon, staring at the fading walls as he lost himself in old memories.
My homeland, Earth. Once repulsive, always regrettable, sometimes heartbreaking, yet still surfacing in my thoughts—beautiful, longed-for blue star—.
Soon, the sun rose.
Jihoo's wistful reverie faded quickly in the sunlight. He returned to reality.
...Allen felt something inside him dimming faintly.
Another grueling half-month journey followed.
This time, they encountered no bandits. Instead, they found the remnants of a merchant caravan utterly devastated. ...Likely struck by bandits.
There were no goods or survivors left—just corpses rotting under the sun. Yet they had no time to bury them.
Instead, the devout Manuel offered a prayer for their souls' journey. Whether it truly helped their path to the afterlife, no one knew. Still, it lightened the hearts of those who passed by without stopping.
After such a long ordeal, they finally arrived unscathed at the central city of Verher.
The city, reached after nearly a month, hadn't changed a bit from before. It remained the peaceful southern hub it always was.
Stepping down from the wagon and facing the manor after so long, Allen sensed a change stirring within him. But he still couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.
Uuuugh—. The mercenaries groaned and stretched their bodies the moment they dismounted.
"You've all done well. I'll pay you right now."
The leader handed out full wages on the spot. The men snatched the coins with thanks and went their separate ways. Only Aiden, who had signed a long-term contract with the mercenary corps, was escorted to a guest room in the manor.
Though weary from the journey and coughing faintly, Allen grabbed the report he'd prepared in bits and pieces beforehand and went to see Baron Pomwell. Even without that, as a son, he owed his father a proper greeting upon returning home.
As expected, Baron Pomwell was working in his study. But he treated his son, whom he hadn't seen in over a month, with the same indifference as if they'd just met moments ago. Of course, the son knew his father's temperament well and hadn't expected any warm welcome.
The baron scrutinized the report Allen handed him. His eyes lingered longest on the section about the war in the eastern region.
"...War?"
"Yes. Prices skyrocketed because of it, so we fell short of the expected haul. And there was no room for haggling either."
The baron didn't complain about it at all. Greedy as he was with money, he wasn't the type to force the impossible. It was a perfectly understandable situation, and thus acceptable. No individual could resolve something like that.
"Understood. ...But what's this at the end? Leaving? Tomorrow, right away?"
At the baron's question, Allen thought, Here it comes.
"Ah, that... yes."
"Why? Is there any need to abandon your homeland for some unfamiliar place?"
The baron's tone was sharp. He couldn't comprehend his son's decision.
The old timid Allen might have folded right there, but not this one.
He had made up his mind to leave, and nothing—not even the baron's approval or opposition—would make him back down. Even if it meant being struck from the family register. ...Though the baron wouldn't go that far.
"To grow big, you have to head to big waters. Verher's too small for me now."
"Do you really need to do the mercenary business? You could achieve greatness in other ventures."
"Then is the Pomwell Company a caravan outfit? Do they recognize Pomwell in other regions?"
The baron clamped his mouth shut and glared at Allen. He'd apparently touched a sore spot.
But Allen didn't stop. He didn't avert his gaze. Straight ahead, no detours. Nothing else mattered.
"I have no intention of staying cooped up here. Rbalra showed me that. Someday, I'll go to the heart of the empire. No—I must go."
He thrust up his index finger and jabbed it at the floor emphatically as he shouted.
For the first time in his life, he raised his voice in the baron's presence—right here, right now.
"In the empire—my name—Allen Dwight Pomwell—will be known to all—!"
And silence fell.
The two stared at each other wordlessly for a long while. The baron's piercing gaze bored into Allen's face relentlessly.
After the long hush, the baron spoke first.
"...Fine... ."
An affirmative start.
But the follow-up worried him.
"Then remember one thing."
"Yes, I'm listening."
Baron Pomwell lightly thumped the desk with his fist. His gleaming eyes and sharp jawline exuded even more intimidation today.
"Don't think of coming back until your name reaches my ears."
His father,
"Your name—Allen—Dwight—Pomwell—!"
pounded the desk with each name,
"won't make it here? Then don't return."
That was his declaration.
"Understood?"
After a brief silence,
Allen nodded without a hint of hesitation.
"Yes, Father."
"Good. Now go."
"Yes."
Allen gave a light bow and strode confidently to the study door. Just as he grasped the handle, a voice called from behind.
"...Have breakfast tomorrow before you leave."
Allen turned back to his father and bowed deeply this time.
Then he left the study.
The baron's wife sobbed throughout the entire meal. Though she was the type who spent her days gossiping with other noble ladies over tea, that didn't mean she lacked any maternal love. She'd just taken her husband and children always being by her side for granted.
"Madam, enough now. It's embarrassing for the boys."
"But, sob, but... ."
Normally compliant to her husband's words like dough, she couldn't stop crying easily this time.
Allen, unable to stand it, smiled faintly and soothed his mother.
"Mother, it's not like I'll never come back. I'll send letters often."
"Yes... you must. My son. Sniff."
The baron eventually gave up and focused on his meal. His older brother, who had felt some sibling bond before, offered a few words of blessing, but his sister looked annoyed, clearly wishing the moment would end quickly.
Thus ended the tearful breakfast, and Allen prepared to depart.
The baron's wife, waiting at the entrance, ran to him the moment she saw him coming and embraced her son.
"My son. Oh. Come back soon. You hear me? Don't make your mother worry too much. Okay? My son. My beloved son. Oh, Lord, bless Allen with your grace."
She planted kisses on her youngest's forehead.
"Don't worry too much, Mother. I'll return as a greater son for sure."
"Yes. I believe you. I believe in you. Your mother will pray every night. Achieve your dreams. I love you, my son."
Allen pulled away from his mother's embrace.
Now it was Borner's turn.
"I'll pray for you too. Stay safe. I hope to see you again, Allen."
"Yes. I'll come back for sure, brother."
The brothers hugged tightly before parting.
"Oh, and Father sent this. He said it's the fee from the last commission. He specially added ten extra gold coins."
Borner handed Allen a money pouch. He tucked it into his backpack. His shoulders felt noticeably heavier.
"Then I'll be off."
Allen gave his mother and brother one last bow and turned away. Aiden, waiting at the manor's main gate, naturally fell in step beside him.
"I'm jealous."
"A gift from the gods beyond my deserving."
The two headed straight for the east gate. To join the merchant group he'd asked in advance to prepare two spots for. They soon boarded the wagon waiting on the outskirts.
...Gonna be another hellish ride.
His fatigue hadn't even worn off, and now another forced march. He could already picture the suffering. But Allen believed that once decided, he couldn't afford to dawdle.
Mother, Father—I'll return as the greatest. Definitely... .
The group soon set off. Verher receded into the distance.
To clear his complicated thoughts, Allen discreetly counted the commission fee from his father inside his backpack, out of sight of others.
...Father said he definitely added ten extra, but it seemed three were missing.
Three... three...? Three would be... .
"Ah, damn it—."
The bribe claim was rejected.