Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Caravan Escort
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Chapter 15
“Departure is in ten days. We’ll travel along the Nahtal Mountains and then enter Dun.”
“Understood. I’ll be counting on you then.”
“We should be the ones asking. I heard from Well that you’re quite the skilled individual. The world may be at peace, but merchant caravans are always at risk. Having someone like you, Mr. Lander, as an escort puts our minds at ease.”
Thanks to Well’s introduction, the contract went off without a hitch. He even received an advance payment under the condition of accompanying them to the destination. Having realized his need for money, there was no reason to turn away funds rolling in.
“By any chance, are you part of a mercenary band? Or perhaps a guild or clan?”
The caravan leader asked.
“I’m operating solo at the moment.”
“Hmm, that could cause issues. Places like Dun, closely tied to commercial districts and military strongholds, sometimes don’t recognize caravan guarantees.”
“I do have a Free Citizen Badge.”
“When was it issued?”
“About four months ago.”
“Oh dear. Then it’s invalid. Where did you get it?”
“I received it in the Holy City.”
“If it was issued in the Holy City, renewal has to be done there too…”
“There’s still time before renewal is due.”
He checked the issuance date on the badge and replied. The caravan leader scratched the side of his head.
“The thing is, entry controls have tightened recently, and policies have changed. Especially for Free Citizen Badges, only those renewed within the last two weeks are valid. With the Holy City in turmoil, problems are popping up everywhere. Small fiefdoms like this might be flexible with entry permits or haven’t received the notice yet, but the place we’re heading to has strict oversight.”
“I see.”
Things that had been effortlessly handled during his military days were now tripping him up after discarding his name.
The Free Citizen Badge he’d obtained was effectively one-time use. Even if he tried to renew it, there was no past under the name Lander to back it up.
“Without proof of identity, entry to Dun will be impossible.”
“Yes. It seems you’ll need to make preparations.”
“Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
He shook hands with the caravan leader and stepped outside. He suddenly missed his adjutant. The clever fellow had always sorted out issues before they arose. Now, he had to handle even the smallest things himself.
“Is the branch chief inside?”
He headed to the guild building to find Bank. A guild-issued badge should solve the problem.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen someone looking for that guy in broad daylight. Sorry, but I don’t know where our branch chief has holed up. If you find him, tell him to quit screwing around and crawl back here.”
The woman, who had snapped irritably and turned away, stopped in front of Lander again.
“But why are you looking for the branch chief?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor? From him? You’ve got the wrong address. He’s not the type to grant favors. Did you bring money?”
“If there’s a fee, I’ll pay it. I have the funds.”
The woman clapped once and said,
“If you have money, you don’t need to find the branch chief. I’ll handle it for you. Don’t let that parasite bleed you dry—come this way.”
He followed the woman, who introduced herself as Ans. People passing by in the interior greeted her, suggesting she held a position of some authority.
“You must be close to the branch chief, since you’re looking for him.”
Ans asked as she sat down.
“Not really close, just happened to cross paths.”
“Oh no, another poor soul was about to be born. Don’t trust a word he says. ‘Trust only me, I’ll take care of it,’ while mooching off drinks—that scoundrel.”
“Ah, yes…”
Ans hurled insults at her superior without hesitation. Parasite was practically a term of endearment. If left alone, she’d probably rant about Bank all day using him as an appetizer.
“The branch chief really is trash.”
“Trash can at least become fertilizer, but that guy? No use whatsoever. Drinks, pisses, sleeps— he’s the pinnacle of inefficiency, a pure shit-producing machine.”
“You must have it rough, Ms. Ans.”
He chimed in appropriately to wrap it up. Ans covered her mouth with her hand, her face lighting up with emotion.
“You get how much I suffer? Even my husband doesn’t, but a stranger today sees it— I’m so moved I could cry.”
He gave an awkward smile. His adjutant crossed his mind again. Had that guy badmouthed him like this behind his back?
“Ah, you must be the one Guchi mentioned. Your name rang a bell.”
As they talked, the Lewis shop came up, naturally leading to Guchi. Ans seemed to know Guchi well.
“Guchi’s a bit cold, but he gets the job done cleanly. That’s why my husband likes him too. If only someone like that were branch chief.”
Every topic circled back to cursing Bank. Ans snapped her fingers. A young man coming up from the second floor brought over some documents.
“Can you read?”
“Yes.”
“It’s rare to see soldiers who can. Must have a strong thirst for knowledge.”
“I had a well-read friend in my unit. Thanks to him, I escaped illiteracy.”
“Good for you. Times are changing, aren’t they? From an era where writing was the nobility’s privilege to one where everyone must learn letters. Of course, the higher-ups dismiss our script as crude.”
Ans showed him the documents.
“The guild issues two types of badges: unlimited liability and limited liability. For you, Mr. Lander, a limited liability one is the way to go. They rarely grant unlimited.”
“How long will issuance take?”
“Soldiers are always welcome anywhere. You have your discharge papers or military ID, right?”
“Well… I left them back home. I had the Free Citizen Badge, so I didn’t bring extras.”
“Oh no, without those, it’ll take time. Checking military records in the Holy City via guild contacts will take at least two months. Us civilians keep getting pushed back in line.”
“Impossible within ten days?”
“You could cut time using relays on horseback, but even then, ten days is tough. And the cost is steep. Magic transmitters could do it, but we can’t access those, and the expense would be astronomical.”
He had used transmitters a couple of times in the military. Sending a paper smaller than a palm drained a Mana Condensation Rod, so they were used only after careful consideration even in emergencies.
Something even the Emperor couldn’t use for personal matters was impossible for a citizen to access.
“Any other way?”
“Why do you need identity verification?”
“I’m joining a departing caravan to head to Dun.”
Ans’s eyes narrowed at the word “Dun.” She seemed to have heard rumors.
“Entry procedures there are no joke lately. A 3rd Class Aristocrat got rejected and thrown in jail. Unheard of in normal times.”
“That’s troubling.”
“I don’t recommend going to Dun without ID. It’s already strict, and with recent incidents, it’s even tighter. Even if urgent, get the badge first. They’re jailing nobles— commoners don’t stand a chance.”
Truth be told, there was no rush. He could follow his wife’s diary slowly. Or change course southward.
Just as he was about to thank Ans for the advice, he turned to look at the door. Someone approaching rapidly outside, emanating an aura distinct from the others.
“The branch chief’s coming.”
“Huh? Where?”
As Ans asked, the door opened. Bank’s face, usually laid-back, was grim today.
Bank, who had masked his presence masterfully to blend with civilians, now exuded a stern aura. Beside him was an unfamiliar man.
Ans’s eyes widened in surprise at how he knew.
“Instinct. More importantly, something’s up.”
Bank, heading straight to the second floor, spotted him and halted. Lander raised a hand in greeting.
“Mr. Lander! Come see me a moment.”
Bank called out sharply and entered the second-floor room.
“Guess I’d better go.”
Leaving puzzled Ans behind, he went to the second-floor room. Opening the door, Bank and the man eyed him warily.
“Mind your manners; he’s of high station.”
As Bank spoke, the sharp-eyed man clasped his hands behind his back and gave a slight bow—an imperial military salute.
“What’s going on?”
Lander asked, scanning their faces. Tension hung in the air. Few things could rob a political officer of composure.
“We found traces of a Magical Beast.”
The man, introducing himself as Mekel, got straight to the point. What he cautiously presented was a black object in a glass tube, textured like dried mud.
“From the frontier? Or spontaneous generation?”
Lander narrowed his eyes.
“We haven’t pinpointed the intrusion path. But spontaneous generation is highly likely.”
“What’s the residue concentration?”
“Depth level 3 on measurement. Compared to samples stored here—no matches. Seems like a new variant.”
Depth 3 was highly dangerous. Trained soldiers could suppress it with organized action, but this place was full of civilians.
“We need an evacuation order first. Notify the lord to set up a search net.”
“We’ve secured cooperation.”
Bank gave instructions to Mekel, who saluted briefly and left the room.
“There really are remnants nearby. How long?”
Lander asked Bank. Spontaneous generation outside frontiers meant remnant roots were probable.
“The possibility was raised a year ago. I shifted residence here from then on, using cover identities for short stays.”
“Location confirmed?”
“Unfortunately, still searching. Holy City chaos means no mages to spare here.”
“The Emperor and Council know this trumps power struggles. Unless…”
A single political officer controlling a priority “remnant root.” Only one scenario fit.
“Our Blue Lion is greedy.”
“Planning to monopolize the Mana Condenser for himself.”
“Everyone needs an ace up their sleeve, right?”
Then it came—the tolling of bells from outside. Harsh, urgent ringing, laced with shouts amid the metallic clamor.
“Dangerous beast entered the village! Residents, return home immediately and secure your doors!”
* * *
“What the hell is going on?”
Ans glanced at the second floor, then sorted her papers. She hadn’t seen the branch chief that serious since four months ago. Curious, but with him upstairs, no way to know.
“Josh, prepare guild badge paperwork and…”
As she assigned tasks to her subordinate, outside grew rowdy. At the bell tolls, she opened the door to check.
Rarely seen lord’s castle guards, armed, were issuing warnings.
“No streets! A beast is prowling—stay indoors!”
Catching a guard’s eye, Ans quickly shut the door. Listening to the clamor, four months ago flashed back.
It had been similar then. Branch chief entered grim-faced, soon followed by a beast alert.
“Not even winter—why snoop around here?”
Josh approached and said.
“Who knows animal minds? Anyway, that guy said he was heading out today.”
Guchi had visited that morning and left with her husband. Her hunting-enthusiast husband always joined Guchi for hunts when he came.
“With Guchi and Perun, no worries. They’re rare beast hunters— the predator should be the one hiding. Relax.”
Josh laughed. She nodded too. Those two would survive even a rampaging bear.
Or rather, Guchi would look after her husband. Despite his big talk, his reflexes were abysmal.
“Will the lockdown drag like last time? I have errands.”
“Pray it ends quick. I’m not sleeping here again like before.”
She swept back her hair and returned to her seat.
(To be continued)