Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Elberra (2)
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"Does having permission mean you're directly connected to the Blue Falcon Knights?"
"Well, you could say that. Think of them as a subordinate organization."
"How large is it?"
"Hard to say. But since Luther the Baron's from a wealthy family, he's probably gathered quite a few capable knights. Being affiliated with the Blue Falcon Knights has its perks, after all."
"I see. So, is the Crimson Wind Knights the Blue Falcon's main subordinate force representing Elberra and the surrounding area?"
"No, that's not it. The Blue Falcon influence in Elberra is led by... the Graim family. Compared to them, the Crimson Wind Knights are definitely second-rate."
Lindelmann's eyes flickered slightly at the mention of the Graim family.
Blake noticed but didn't dwell on it, pressing on with his questions.
"Any other major players?"
"The Slayver Viscount family's knights, and then the Templars from the Shainar Grand Cathedral, along with the Rotten Swordsmen Corps. Those are the big names."
"Templars? You mean the knights from the Luminous Temple?"
Rubens chimed in knowingly.
Though their paths differed slightly, the Luminous Temples were still somewhat familiar territory for a mage like him.
"That's right. The largest Luminous Temple in Elberra is the Grand Cathedral on Mount Shainar."
"So the temple's Templars are tied to the Blue Falcons too?"
"Not at all. The Templars don't meddle in worldly greed. It's not a bad relationship, but even the Blue Falcon Knights can't boss around the temple or its Templars."
That meant the Templars weren't worth worrying about much.
Blake let his guard down regarding the Shainar Templars.
"What about the Slayvers and the Rotten Swordsmen?"
"No connection with the Slayvers. In fact, about ten years ago, the Blue Falcons backed the Graims as they started encroaching on the Slayvers' territory, so there's bad blood there. The Rotten Swordsmen are like a mercenary band—neutral."
"Got it."
Blake nodded lightly and kept walking.
As he headed toward Elberra's outer castle gate, the courier he'd passed earlier popped into his mind.
'Definitely a courier.'
Putting together Lindelmann's words, it didn't seem odd for a Crimson Wind Knight from nearby to be heading into Elberra.
But a courier riding urgently like that? That couldn't be ignored.
Memories of Dunfris and Silverlake Village stirred, his instincts flashing a sharp warning.
'By my calculations, Roderick Swent should take about a fortnight to reach here. But if they sent a relay courier swapping horses, he could arrive any moment.'
Worse, it might concern the letter between him and the commander.
'Bad feeling about this. Better hurry.'
"Let's move."
"Yes, sir!"
"H-Hey, wait up!"
They'd left the North behind, but the bad blood with the Blue Falcon Knights wasn't fully severed.
Once inside Elberra, they needed to scout the soonest ship out.
"Whoa!"
"Damn, he's huge!"
Just like in Headgates, Elberra's passersby jumped aside in surprise at Blake's size, stealing glances.
"They look like mercenaries. Adventurers, maybe?"
Gazes shifted to Lindelmann and Rubens trailing behind.
Their ragged appearance, worn from days of hard travel, stood out sharply in Elberra.
Feeling the stares, Blake strode ahead briskly.
Elberra, packed with towering buildings, dwarfed places like Headgates or Dunfris in size and bustle.
To Blake—who found even small towns stifling—it was downright chaotic. He'd take fighting beasts daily over living here.
And the curious stares, devoid of hostility, dredged up uncomfortable memories from Headgates.
'One solution.'
Blake lengthened and quickened his pace even more.
"H-Hey, slow...!"
"C-Come on, ease up."
They weren't sightseeing—yet they were the spectacle. Still, Lindelmann and Rubens felt oddly proud as they hustled after him.
Soon, the trio stopped before a building.
It was one the gate guards had pointed out in the travelers' district.
"Wow!"
"Y-You sure about this?"
Rubens gaped while Lindelmann eyed Blake cautiously.
A gaudy five-story building loomed before them.
Impeccably dressed attendants with silver-embroidered sashes waited at the entrance—a top-tier inn.
"It's fine. Let's go in."
"W-Well, if you say so..."
He had no idea why Blake chose such luxury, but Lindelmann had zero complaints. He trailed off but took the lead.
In a fine city spot like this, it was time to shine.
"Welcome, guests."
Startled by Blake's bulk and their rough look, the attendant bowed anyway.
They didn't scream "high-end clientele," but rigorous training and their confident entry won out.
The manager, watching, frowned slightly.
Barbarians like these didn't fit here.
Tourists with deep pockets were flocking in this season. Time for some crowd control.
"Got a big room for three?"
Lindelmann caught the manager's shift, guessed his thoughts instantly. But experience had taught patience; he spoke smoothly.
"Sorry, guests, but we just filled up..."
Predictable.
"Is that so?"
Grinning, Lindelmann turned to Blake, subtly raising a hand.
Thumb and forefinger in a circle.
Clink!
Recalling how gold outshone vouchers, Blake promptly fished out a few coins from his pouch.
Lindelmann flashed a knowing smile at the manager.
"A big room for three."
Same words, but the manager's attitude flipped.
"Of course! I forgot—our premium suite in the rear garden's free! This way! Porters! What are you waiting for? Escort the guests!"
Luxury spots bent fastest to gold.
Thanks to Blake's coins, they got VIP treatment to the rear premium suite.
Like Headgates, it was southern-style: private rooms encircling a courtyard garden.
"Rest well, guests."
As the huffing attendant set their bags at the door, Blake—per Lindelmann's tip—handed over two silvers.
"Buy me a few plain outfits that fit. Everyday stuff. Keep the change."
His rags screamed "outsider" next to the others.
Fine in the North, but no one in the warm Central dressed like this.
"Y-Yes, sir. Right away."
Used to such errands, the attendant bowed deeply to the scary but generous guest and left.
"Ha! You're getting the hang of handling people."
Lindelmann grinned, approaching.
Unlike Headgates, his "apprentice" now dealt with folks properly. Pride swelled in the mentor.
"Thanks to you, Sir Zaroph."
Blake was frank.
Most town and village intel came from him—and proved damn useful.
"Aw, glad you noticed! Ha!"
Lindelmann beamed.
Blake never buttered him up, but owned praise when due. One of his few redeeming traits.
"Why this fancy place? Not like you."
Lindelmann voiced his nagging curiosity.
-In Headgates, we picked luxury on purpose. Folks think fugitives hole up in dives.
"Just in case."
The girl resembling her sister—Mia White—flashed briefly, but Blake's face stayed stone.
"In case of what?"
"Something like that. Anyway, what're your plans, Sir Zaroph?"
Blue Falcon business would soon part ways with Lindelmann anyway. Blake changed tack.
"Huh? Plans for what?"
"I heard ships to the capital leave easy from here. You don't need to travel with us anymore, right?"
North escaped, intel gathered—no need to drag him further.
And he probably felt the same.
"Oh!"
Caught off-guard, Lindelmann's expression twisted oddly.
True. In Elberra, no reason to stick with Blake.
Free of threats, he could go solo now.
"I-I was gonna bring that up anyway. Ahem!"
He faked nonchalance with a cough.
Blake wasn't wrong, but it stung oddly.
'No, come on. After all we've been through, he just blurts 'split up'? Sheesh!'
"I'll scout ships after a short rest. Decide by then."
"Decide what? I'm sailing too. Let's go together. Same ship or separate—we'll see."
Lindelmann snapped peevishly, unbidden.
"Suit yourself."
Blake replied indifferently, turning away.
But contrary to his words, Blake wasn't entirely at ease either.
Like nights ago, he "naturally" sensed Lindelmann's sour mood.
Plus, the instant rejection to his split-up query irked him.
"......"
"......"
An awkward silence hung between the grown men.
"Gah!"
Rubens's scream erupted from the bath.
Whoosh!
Blake snatched his dagger in a flash, eyes blazing as he lunged toward the bath.
But he froze mid-step.
"Check this out! Pull this, and water just flows! Whoa!"
Creak! Gush! Creak!
Rubens fiddled with the inn's plumbing lever, whooping nonstop.
"......"
"Isn't it amazing? Who dreams this up? Huh? Why the stares...? Not impressed?"
Creak! Gushhh! Creak! Gushhh!
For a split second, Blake wondered if he should keep this mage around.
(To be continued)