Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Small Beast
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Time passed slowly, but surely.
On a winter morning with the dawn moon rising, Ian inspected the line of carriages while blowing on his hands. The snow made the weather bitterly cold.
“Oh dear, you’re setting off on such a cold day.”
“It’ll get warmer as we head to the capital, so that’s better.”
“The wheels are rolling! You there! Wedge that stone in front!”
“Good morning, Lord Ian.”
“Ian! Ian! Can I take this too?”
“Lord Berik, why bother? Leave it!”
“Eeeh. No way!”
Fewer than ten people were leaving the territory, but nearly dozens were bustling about preparing. Not only the estate staff, but also locals who had come to see them one last time crowded around.
“Lord Ian, please check once more if anything’s missing. This is the last call, and the coachmen say they’re departing right away.”
At Hanna’s words, Ian checked the luggage-only carriages. Lumps of Luron mana stones, the Dripper machine from Lady Rien, the jewelry box with the alchemist’s necklace and ring, identity papers, and more. For someone who had arrived empty-handed, there was surprisingly a lot.
“I’m good. Berik?”
“I’m good too!”
Berik replied by hoisting his single sword. Aside from some shabby clothes, that was all he was taking. Ian let out a dry chuckle, impressed.
“Then the rest must be Lord Romandro’s luggage.”
“Eh, what can you do? I’ve got five subordinates coming with me! Ahahaha!”
Romandro laughed heartily at Hanna’s words. He looked happier than ever at the thought of going home. After checking the carriages, Ian looked for Ner Sarne.
“Lord Ner Sarne, we’ll be off now.”
“Please take care, and good luck.”
With Ian receiving his title and shining at the imperial palace, the position of the allied Cheonryeo would naturally rise. It was encouragement weighed with pros and cons, but Ian somehow felt genuine warmth.
“Demosha.”
“Demosha.”
Under the gods’ blessings, the two clasped hands and shook. Ian slowly bid farewell to the estate staff as well.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“Worked hard? What are you saying?”
“Please go safely. Don’t worry about things here.”
“The imperial palace! Be sure to take it all in and tell us everything!”
“No Lord Berik means our food costs will drop for a while! Hahaha!”
The servants surrounded Ian, offering reluctant words. He patted each shoulder in turn, entrusting them.
“Everyone, look after the estate in my place. Center around the steward Hanna and get through the winter well.”
Steward, Hanna.
The servants let out exclamations as if they’d known it all along, and Hanna blushed, beaming. What an embarrassed yet delighted expression.
“Lord Ian, I’ll protect the estate! Leave it to me—I’ll stake my life on it!”
“No need to overdo it. But thank you for saying so.”
She wasn’t perfect as a steward yet, but she had plenty of room to grow. Besides, Ner Sarne and Romandro’s men would help, so there was no worry.
“Alright, let’s depart.”
Ian signaled the coachmen to prepare. Philia, who had been hesitating, cautiously approached and hugged her son. Ian embraced her, whispering tenderly.
“Mother, take care. Live freely, whether at the estate or anywhere you wish.”
Philia bit her lip, tears streaming down. It might be the last time, but she wanted to leave him with a bright smile.
“Depart!”
“Depaaart!”
“Oh boy, let’s run for a fortnight!”
Clack!
Ian climbed into the carriage and waved out the window. Berik and Romandro across from him did the same. Their carriage led the way out of the estate.
Neigh!
“Goodbye!”
“Go safely!”
“Lord Ian!”
At the estate staff’s cries, Berik pouted lightly.
“They’re all calling for Ian. What about me?”
“You? They probably think you’re just tagging along.”
“Hmph. They’ll miss me once I’m gone.”
Ian smirked and went to close the window, but stopped. It was early morning, but locals who heard of his departure filled the streets.
“Congratulations, Lord Ian!”
“Congratulations! Lord Ian Viscount!”
“Please bring back a new name for the territory!”
“Waaaaah!”
Children ran alongside the carriage, and far off, a brilliant morning sun rose. What a delightful send-off. Ian waved back, offering his final farewell.
* * *
Clatter clatter!
The carriage raced down the unpaved road. Berik stared out the window with a bored expression. Day and night, all that was visible were bare branches blanketed in snow.
“Bored. So bored I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
“If you’re bored, switch with the coachman. Won’t have time to be bored then. You’ll perk right up.”
Ian chuckled softly at Romandro’s words.
It had been four days since leaving the territory. Aside from stops every four hours or so for the horses and coachmen to rest, they were trapped in the jolting carriage all day, which was no small discomfort. For the energetic Berik, he was holding up remarkably well.
“How much farther? If there was even a decent view, I could endure, but it’s all forest. Nothing but white on white!”
“It’s only the fourth day, so about ten more. Assuming no issues.”
“Crazy. For real.”
Snow slowed the carriage, but the coachmen’s skill kept them moving without halt. Their carriage led, followed by the luggage wagons in a line.
“Still, we should reach a village tonight. A hot bath and soft bed await, so hang in there.”
“For real? A big city?”
“Not what you’re hoping for.”
“What am I hoping for?”
“Hmm, multi-story inns, gambling dens, fancy lodgings costing several silver per night, grand arenas—don’t expect any of that.”
Berik’s mouth dropped in despair, as if he’d hoped for every single one. Romandro pulled a small map from his pocket.
“We’ll reach Karenna soon…”
“Karenna? Never heard of it.”
“No surprise—it’s just a small town, nothing famous. The issue is the western plains around Karenna.”
Ian turned at Romandro’s words. Wondering what he meant, he spotted the ‘Hyman Bank’ seal on the map’s cover and understood.
“Karenna, Longin, Zailcoup. Those three cities?”
“Right. Didn’t the bank president mention it when you deposited gold with Count Merelrof? Bandits have been spotted in those areas.”
Berik’s eyes lit up at ‘bandits’. Excitement gleamed in his glassy pupils.
“Bandits! Awesome. First time I’ll see any.”
“You haven’t seen any yet?”
“We will soon. They’re all nearby, right? That’s why they’re mentioned together.”
Berik scooted next to Romandro, peering at the map. His instincts were uncanny at times like this. As he said, the three areas were close enough to reach in a day.
“We’re heading this way, so to get to Karenna, we cross that triangle. Perfect spot for bandits. Obviously.”
Ian wanted to retort, but had no ground this time. It was bandit territory, and tonight especially risky.
“Our luggage outweighs our guards. Best to pass quietly and quickly.”
“Mm. Yeah. I like that.”
“Wipe your drool before lying. At least control your face.”
Truthfully, Ian worried more about delays than material losses from bandits. Even with a leisurely start, variables could arise anytime.
Missing the New Year’s event was bad enough, but once it began, the palace would swarm with guests. No chance for leisurely exploring the Magic Department annex.
Clack.
Whoooosh!
Berik opened the small window and stuck his head out. Cold wind rushed in, flapping Romandro’s map wildly.
“Berik! Warn us before opening!”
“Coachman! When do we hit this Karenna?”
“Before sunset, I think!”
“Woohoo! Go faster!”
“I’ll try. If the horses hold up.”
The coachman laughed and yanked the reins. Speed picked up, and Berik gave a thumbs-up in satisfaction.
Clop clop!
The hooves beat a steady rhythm endlessly. Berik dozed off with his cheek to the window, Romandro scribbled gift notes on scraps. Ian passed time watching them.
Neigh!
“Lord Ian!”
“Hm? What is it?”
Ian opened the window at the coachman’s call.
“Is there a village between the forest we left this morning and Karenna?”
“A village? Hold on. Lord Romandro, the map please.”
“Ah, yes. Here’s the big one.”
“…Tch! What? We there already?”
Berik wiped drool and sat up. The horses slowed, so he poked out the roof hatch without hesitation.
“We’re here!”
Berik pounded the roof excitedly at the sight of the village. But Ian and Romandro, checking the map, exchanged puzzled looks.
“…Strange. No village nearby.”
“How recent is the map?”
“Made last year. Used it coming down—no issues with accuracy.”
No matter how they checked, the spot was deep in the forest. Berik waved at the coachman to hurry on.
“Karenna or here, as long as there’s a hot bath, who cares? Let’s go!”
“No, Berik. Don’t be reckless.”
“Aw, why!”
Berik dropped down and eyed Ian pleadingly. But Ian was firm, and Romandro unenthused.
“Don’t you get what a village missing from an imperial map means? An unregistered settlement. Plus, bandits in the area.”
“High chance. Very high.”
It could be a bandit hideout. Better to turn back than get tangled. Ian sat Berik down and ordered the coachman.
“Turn around now. Have the rear peel off one by one.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Hey! Rear! Turn from the last one!”
“We passed a fork 30 minutes ago? Back to there. Should’ve gone right, not left.”
“Turn, turn! Slowly!”
Ian, Romandro, and Berik dismounted to guide the caravan out. The narrow mountain path made turning each wagon a hassle.
“Sniff. Ugh, cold.”
Berik sniffled—or maybe smacked his lips in regret—peeking at the village, stamping his feet.
“Cold cold cold!”
“Berik, quiet down.”
“Lord Ian, we’ll need to unhook the horses and turn the bodies separately. Not enough space.”
Ten wagons maneuvering orderly was chaos. Amid the disciplined bustle, Berik, arms crossed, glanced around then slipped down the slope. Might as well take care of business while stopped.
Rustle.
Then, leaves crunching behind. Thinking rabbit, he looked—nothing. Blinking at the snow-white surroundings.
That moment.
Woof!
A white dog popped from the bushes. Berik stared blankly; it stared back. Black eyes, nose, red tongue.
Anybody’d call it a dog. A mutt.
“What?”
Woof!
“Some…”
From the village? Berik pondered, then ignored and turned. Business first.
-Hey there.
“……??”
Berik scratched his ear, looking around dumbfounded. Only living thing was this mutt…