Chapter 40
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Elberra (1)
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“Ugh!”
Lindelmann groaned as he dipped his feet into the river.
The cold water stung his blistered, swollen soles where the blisters had burst.
“Here, rub this on.”
Rubens grinned and held out a mixture of medicinal herbs and ointment.
“Oh, thank you.”
Having already received all sorts of help from Rubens over the past five days, Lindelmann gladly took it and smeared it on his feet.
“Is there anywhere you're feeling discomfort, Mr. Blake?”
“No.”
Blake, having washed his face and neck, gave his usual curt reply.
Even the mercenaries who had rolled through rough times were calling it a miracle, but after completing such a long and grueling march, Blake showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever.
And that was while carrying the ultra-heavy greatsword and combat pack that even Lindelmann struggled to lift briefly—yet he was in far better shape than the other two, who carried gear light enough to call feathers by comparison.
“Do you have any idea where we are, by the way?”
Lindelmann asked, hobbling over with a furrowed brow.
“No. We'll just keep following the river downstream for now.”
The map provided by the White Family was now useless.
As a family based in the north, their map only marked up to the Crimson Giant Mountains.
“Ruby, you don't know either?”
“No. This is my first time coming this far.”
Rubens shook his head.
“Tch. I see.”
Lindelmann smacked his lips, having asked just in case.
Then, as if something occurred to him, he kept talking to Rubens.
“By the way, now that we've reached the Bran River, what are your plans from here?”
“W-Well...”
Rubens trailed off with a troubled expression.
The promise he had made with Blake before crossing the mountains was to travel together only until they reached the Bran River.
Now that they had arrived at the river, it was time to decide whether to continue together or part ways.
And the one who would make that decision was none other than Blake.
Blake stared silently at Rubens for a moment before speaking.
“What's your final destination, wizard?”
“The Valtan Mountains in the south.”
Rubens answered promptly, as if he had been waiting.
“Valtan Mountains?”
Lindelmann tilted his head. He knew quite a bit for his age, but southern geography was a blind spot.
But Blake knew where the Valtan Mountains were.
“We'll have to take a ship from Revat Harbor, then.”
“Yes! From Revat Harbor, through Soria, and a bit further southwest...”
“Hm.”
Blake fell into thought at Rubens's response.
Over the past five days, he had seen that the wizard Rubens was useful in many ways.
His various spells were quite handy, and his knowledge spanned a wide range at a high level.
Plus, having grown up in the mountains, he had decent stamina and perseverance despite his small frame.
At the very least, he was as useful as 'that someone'—no, depending on the situation, possibly even more so.
“Huh? Why are you looking at me?”
Feeling Blake's gaze, Lindelmann tilted his head while blowing on his freshly medicated soles.
“Nothing.”
Blake looked away.
Lindelmann certainly had many unreliable aspects. He'd even caused a few incidents.
But compared to the beginning, he listened obediently now, and he was becoming somewhat helpful in combat.
Especially against the troll—he had exceeded expectations.
No matter how much of a criminal scum he was labeled, anyone would panic at the sight of a real troll. But Lindelmann had boldly attacked it.
And precisely as ordered, stabbing his sword into its heart.
Showing that kind of courage and focus in real battle was impressive.
'Depending on the situation, both could be useful. But Zaroph will have to part ways soon since we're nearing the capital. The wizard, on the other hand, could be useful all the way to the destination.'
With that in mind, Blake looked at Rubens's face—mixed with anxiety and anticipation—and spoke in a low voice.
“To Revat Harbor for now. And depending on the situation, to Soria in the south. Let's move out.”
“Ah!”
Rubens's eyes widened at Blake's permission, then he bowed frantically.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you. I won't be any trouble!”
“Haha! Good, I'll part ways midway, but until then, let's get along. Traveling with Blake means safety all the way to Soria... Ah, no! Wait! You just said southern Soria!”
Lindelmann whipped his head around in surprise.
But Blake was already walking ahead with his combat pack on.
“He definitely said Soria...”
Southern Soria.
That was the main estate of Prince Henrik, commander of Northernrocks Fortress—the recipient of the letter Blake carried.
'Which means...'
Blake's destination was likely Soria.
“Hm!”
Suddenly, a memory flashed through Lindelmann's mind: someone's face and the words they had said to him.
-It'll be good experience for a knight aspirant who wants to become an imperial knight. Who knows? Prince Henrik might even write you a letter of recommendation. Oh, right! If His Highness ever writes a recommendation to nobles in the capital or Soria, make sure to report it to me first. How can I help you if I don't know who you're recommending to?
Darlington, the count among the top three great nobles of the central region and a power broker in the capital.
The words he had said when sending Lindelmann to Northernrocks suddenly resurfaced, making his heart race.
At the time, excitement from meeting a real power player had blinded him to how odd it was, but Darlington had talked more about Prince Henrik than the mission or Northernrocks itself.
And now, the bearer of Prince Henrik's handwritten letter was heading to the prince's estate to deliver it.
All while being pursued by the chief knight of the Blue Thrush Order, who had close ties to Count Darlington and was soon to be his son-in-law.
“Ugh!”
Lindelmann frowned, feeling like he was groping through fog—something within grasp but slipping away.
“Sir Zaroph, what are you doing?”
Rubens's voice from afar snapped Lindelmann out of it.
“Huh? Oh, coming! Right now!”
He pushed down his unease and hurried after the two.
Where a wide river flows, people naturally gather to live, and as the population grows, villages expand into great cities.
And if the deep channel allows large ships to converge and diverge easily, with fertile plains ideal for farming nearby, it's perfect.
Elberra, located in the mid-upper reaches of the Bran River, met every condition.
Its stunning scenery of nearby mountains and lakes drew crowds daily via carriages and ships, especially in this season.
Today, too, many boats plied the Bran River toward Elberra, including a small ferry heading to a landing far from the city center.
“Oh! There it is at last!”
Rubens and Lindelmann beamed as Elberra came into view.
“Wow! Look at that spire! I've never seen one so tall! Ooh! How did they build a bridge that big and long? Whoa! That ship's huge! Over twenty oars on one side!”
Rubens, visiting a big city for the first time, exclaimed endlessly with a bright face.
To a young wizard who had lived his whole life in the mountains, a metropolis like Elberra was a whole new world.
Lindelmann smirked at him and turned to Blake with a sly glint in his eyes.
“Ahem! What do you think, Blake? First time in a big city like this? Ask away if you're curious. Your most helpful com·pan·ion, Lin·del·mann Za·roph, will answer with all sincerity.”
Now in a city, he could restore his diminished value and regained his old confidence.
But to Blake, only one thing mattered.
“Are there ships from here to the capital or the Balt Strait?”
“Tch! No idea about the strait, but there are definitely ships to the capital.”
Sensing his enthusiasm deflate a bit, Lindelmann smacked his lips and replied.
“I see.”
Blake nodded lightly and fixed his gaze on the distant city.
It was impressively huge—so big it could grow tiresome.
The visible walls alone were several times longer than Headgates'.
And proportionally, his ominous feeling was stronger than at Headgates.
Blake didn't like entering such massive cities.
Not just the bustle, but crowds always meant trouble.
He preferred land routes to harbors whenever possible.
But he couldn't this time.
They had reached the central region faster than expected, seemingly free of hassle, but his instincts told him otherwise.
So he needed to move as swiftly as possible, which meant taking a ship downstream from here.
“You can get off here, folks.”
Leaving the ferryman who docked at the landing, the three finally set foot on the road to Elberra.
A wide, well-paved road fit for two large carriages side by side.
This was the Imperial Road.
Begun the moment the emperor ascended the throne, it connected the empire's key regions and cities, earning the highest praise among his achievements.
“There are really a lot of people on the road.”
As Elberra drew nearer, Rubens—unfamiliar with cities and crowds—looked a bit shrunk.
But Lindelmann was like a fish in water, thrilled.
“Haha! If you're overwhelmed already, wait till we pass the gates. It'll be nothing compared to this.”
“Really?”
“Of course! Elberra has tens of thousands of residents. Tons of sights too.”
“I can't wait.”
Rubens flipped up his hat brim and grinned.
Seeing that smile, Lindelmann thought maybe it was the people of Elberra who'd gawk at Rubens, not vice versa.
“Ahem! You should keep your face hidden as much as possible.”
“Oh? Ah, right. Makes sense.”
Rubens looked puzzled briefly, then sheepishly pulled his brim low again.
He now knew well enough the stir his looks caused.
Thud thud thud thud!
The ground rumbled lightly from behind, and Blake glanced back.
A black horse kicked up thick dust as it galloped fast.
“Out of the way! Move!”
At the rider's shout, pedestrians scrambled to the roadside.
Lindelmann and Rubens covered their faces with cloaks and robes and stepped aside.
Clop clop clop!
“Ack!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Despite covering up, they ate a full face of dust and flailed, scowling.
“You mannerless bastard!”
Lindelmann, finally blinking properly, cursed at the black horse, then dusted his clothes.
“What luck!”
“Sir Zaroph.”
Blake, who had stood still watching the horse vanish, called him.
“Hm? What's up?”
“Do you know a crest of red wings spread on a white field?”
“Huh? Why ask?”
“It was on the rider's left chest.”
“Ha! You saw that clearly amid the dust. White field with red wings... Probably the Red Wind Knights.”
“Red Wind Knights?”
“Formed three years ago by Lutherus Baronet, a long-time Blue Thrush Knight, after getting official approval. Based in nearby Brix.”
“Blue Thrush...”
Blake's eyebrow twitched at the name again.
(To be continued next time)