Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Domain
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Guchi swung his fan to shake off the water. Fate was such an unpredictable thing.
A knight who had held a blade to his throat—and now they were sharing meals, camping, and chatting. The chilling touch of that sword edge hadn’t fully faded, but his wariness toward the human Inebil had eased considerably.
If he’d been traveling alone, he would have turned tail without a backward glance. He’d have scolded her and told her to cut the nonsense.
But Lander was with him. That alone gave him some peace of mind, allowing him to consider others.
Above all, he hadn’t disliked the way she’d chased after him with that desperate expression, apologizing and pleading.
Guchi recalled Inebil’s past that she’d shared the night before.
She’d called it a common story, but it must have been utter hell for her. How much helplessness and betrayal had she felt?
Being abandoned by one’s parents was an indescribably horrific thing.
It wasn’t pity. What pity for a woman who’d overcome it all and now grinned broadly?
He was just wondering how to deal with this stubbornly resilient woman going forward.
As he scanned the surroundings and headed back to the campfire, he spotted two figures in the distance. For some reason, they had drawn their weapons and were facing each other.
The atmosphere didn’t suggest a serious fight—likely Inebil had nagged him into a spar.
She really was a brave woman. To think of charging at him even after seeing that monstrous movement two days ago.
He approached, gently shaking his fan back and forth. As he drew nearer, their expressions came into clearer view.
Inebil was glaring fiercely, while Lander looked as relaxed as ever.
He suddenly wondered if there was anyone who could make this man tense. An absurd thought crossed his mind: Could he even fight a Giant Soldier? No, maybe he actually could?
He let out a hollow chuckle and took a step forward. That was when Lander’s sword moved. At the same moment, a dizzying energy swept over his body. He felt himself pushed slightly back and quickly regained his balance.
He was stunned. There hadn’t even been a strong gust of wind. He figured the source of that power was Lander.
Anyone else, maybe not—but this guy? He could probably pull off something like this.
Inebil staggered and collapsed outright. The spear she’d been gripping fell with her.
“Is it safe to come over now? I’d rather not pass out like that girl.”
He shouted from a safe distance. If some unknown force was swirling around Lander, approaching now would be dangerous.
“You can come over.”
Lander said as he sheathed his sword. Guchi slung his fan over his shoulder and approached the fallen Inebil. He tapped her cheek, where her eyes had rolled back in a faint. No response.
“Keep your mouth open like that, and a bug’ll crawl in.”
He gently nudged her jaw shut with his hand. Lander walked up beside him.
“I can guess the situation, but tell me anyway. What happened?”
“I showed her what she needed to see.”
“What?”
“What I’ve comprehended.”
“People keel over just from seeing it. So when will this one wake up?”
“I can’t say for sure. It depends on the individual’s stamina. If she’s tough, she’ll open her eyes within two hours. Otherwise, it’ll take longer.”
“No choice but to wait, then.”
As he muttered, harsh snorts approached. It was the horse Inebil had ridden. Its eyes bulged as it stood by its owner, ready to charge at any funny business.
“That’s a fine beast. Bet it’d fetch a good price.”
“No one but Inebil could ride it. It seems to have a lot of pride.”
“Just kidding. One kick from those hind legs, and it’s lights out for life.”
The horse bent its front leg and nudged its muzzle against Inebil’s face. It seemed worried about its unconscious owner. He waved his hand to shoo it away, whistling sharply.
“She’s not dead, so don’t worry.”
He was straightening Inebil’s awkwardly twisted neck when her eyes fluttered open. She screamed and bolted upright. Her sudden movement startled him too.
“That gave me a scare.”
He patted his chest.
Inebil panted heavily, then ran her hands over her body. Her touches were cautious, like groping her way in the dark.
“Is my head still attached? My arms and legs too?”
“Hey, Lander. Looks like something’s wrong with this woman’s head. Your responsibility, so fix it.”
Guchi smacked her dazed arm hard and stood up. Inebil winced, rubbing her brow.
“If you feel pain, they’re definitely still attached. Quit babbling and pack your gear. Time to get moving.”
He tidied the area and stuffed the blanket into his pack.
“Sir Lander. What was that just now?”
“My domain. More surprising is how quickly you recovered...”
If Lander was impressed, Inebil’s stamina must be no joke.
“Now that you’re awake, shall we head out?”
There was a village nearby. A small settlement with few households, but a must-stop for those taking the back roads.
It had a general store and a small inn. They could stock up on missing supplies and buy a new pack to replace his torn one.
“We can talk on the way.”
Lander said politely. Inebil, who’d been bombarding him with curious questions, obediently mounted her horse.
* * *
“Here.”
Inebil handed a coin to the child. A fresh scent wafted from the laundered clothes the kid had brought back.
Not expensive perfume or anything. She hung her damp blouse over a chair and stepped outside.
“The laundry smelled amazing. Did you catch that?”
She approached the men at a table downstairs. Lander and Guchi nodded in unison.
“Great fragrance, right?”
“Probably branches from the white knot tree. Common around here.”
She said as she sat.
“I should grab some before we leave.”
“Won’t help. The scent fades in two days once it’s off the tree. Even on fabric, it won’t last. No real market value.”
“You know everything, old man.”
She reached for the bowl in front of Guchi. It held neatly plated grilled chicken breast. Before her fingers touched it, Guchi smacked the back of her hand with a spoon.
“Ow.”
“That’s why I hit you.”
“Why?”
“’Cause it’s mine.”
“Sharing’s what makes it tasty. We’re a team!”
She reached again. Dodging the incoming spoon, she snatched a piece. She thanked the glaring Guchi and popped it in her mouth. Too spicy for her taste.
“Not great.”
“Told you it’s mine.”
Guchi ordered food. Eat what suits you instead of eyeing his chicken, he said. For all his grumbling, he was a kind old man who looked out for her.
“I held back all the way here, so explain now. What was that this morning? What’s a domain?”
She still couldn’t wrap her head around it. The instant she saw Lander raise his sword, all her senses vanished.
Fear was the only thing proving she existed—a fleeting moment, like a blink, where she felt utter emptiness, as if everything was stripped away.
Just before blacking out, she’d seen a massive silver candelabra. She’d tried to block it, but couldn’t stop its fall.
It wasn’t a battle of attack and defense. Nor a proper duel.
Overwhelming power had seized control of her body. She’d felt like a puppet. A utterly powerless puppet, helpless against someone’s whims.
Nothing but “magic” explained it, but Lander wasn’t a mage. No scroll in sight. Purely his body and sword.
“You could call it the range my power affects.”
“Power?”
She leaned in, asking intently. The secret to strength might spill from those lips.
“Yes.”
“How do you learn it? And what does ‘power reaches’ mean exactly?”
“I’ve said it since two days ago: you can’t learn this. No one can teach it. You either awaken it yourself or are born with it.”
“Realm of talent and effort?”
“You could say that.”
“If I learn the training method, couldn’t I use that power?”
“A domain isn’t a specific power. It manifests differently for each person. And there’s no set training method.”
“Then how did you awaken yours, Sir Lander?”
Even without a method, knowing how he gained it might lead to one.
Lander took a leisurely sip of tea before replying.
“One day, I just knew.”
“Huh?”
“That’s the only way to put it.”
“You’re not messing with me?”
“I enjoy a joke now and then, but not now.”
“You really just knew one day out of the blue?”
Lander set down his teacup.
“Not sure if it’s a good example, but think of it this way. The potter who made this cup started with clumsy shapes.
Unstable forms, blemishes, cracks. After making countless cups, one day the potter realizes his cups are flawless. That’s a domain. A realm those who’ve honed themselves gain through resonance with mana.”
Food arrived just then. She tore off a piece of dry bread and chewed. Lander’s explanation made sense.
A domain was the culmination of a warrior’s path. Impossible to explain in a few words, as it encompassed everything.
And tied to mana, making it even trickier.
“Can all great swordsmen or knights use domains?”
“No idea. ‘Great’ is too vague to gauge. Strength itself is abstract.”
“Then let me rephrase. In your eyes, am I strong?”
“Yes. Inebil, you’re strong.”
“No. Let me ask again. Am I a threat to you, Sir Lander?”
“No.”
He answered without a hint of hesitation.
Her pride stung a bit, but it was unavoidable. She’d lost both pitiful excuses for duels.
“What if there were two of me?”
She crossed her arms.
“Same answer.”
“Fine. Ten of me, fully armored and charging?”
“Still the same.”
Inebil furrowed her brows. She scrunched her nose and pressed.
“Fifty? My master said fifty would be troublesome. That’s gotta threaten you, right?”
“If fifty toddling kids attacked you, what would that be?”
“Alright! A hundred! What about a hundred? And riding top steeds like Ran!”
That was when a hand swiped her bowl. Guchi picked up the bread topped with fried egg, folded it, and ate. The bread he’d been saving.
“Old man!”
“You weren’t eating it. Thought you’d finished with your childish bickering. Anyway, thanks for the meal.”
“...This your revenge?”
Guchi stood with a grin. Lander rose too. She watched the two men head out, then turned to the innkeeper.
“Redo my order from earlier. Lots of it!”