Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Parting Ways
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He watched the man vanish into the darkness.
The unidentified man who had been by Inebil’s side. He had many personal questions, but now was not the time to get distracted.
He climbed a tree and surveyed the village. Focusing his mind sharpened his vision until he could even make out the faces of the villagers.
Neither the streets nor the darkness posed a problem. His reborn body made everything possible.
‘Now, your body is no longer your personal possession. So do not let it get hurt. There is so much work ahead for that body.’
Those were the words he had heard on the day he received his new flesh. They had moved him deeply.
The one he served was not some loose-lipped lowlife. He had clear goals, unwavering will, and even the means to achieve them.
You can do it. For the new era that would one day come, he had sworn to become the foundation stone.
He wet his mouth with water and continued watching the village. The key to opening that new era was there.
Ensuring the safety of that key. That was the mission entrusted to him.
‘Unlike that man who leaves everything to fate, I believe in the power of people. So if he tries to entrust everything to fate and die, save him no matter what. We still need his strength.’
Recalling his lord’s words, he steeled his gaze.
* * *
“Once you arrive at ‘Blue Button,’ be sure to check out the reed fields to the west. The flower spikes should be blooming by now—it’s a spectacular sight. It was one of his favorite views.”
Gilliu said, holding his wife’s hand.
“I’ll make sure to go.”
Guchi finished his brief farewell with Gilliu and stepped aside. He wanted to give Lander some time. There was probably more to say.
“Lander, brother. Looks like this is goodbye. I’m sorry to see you go.”
“We’ll meet again someday.”
“I hope so.”
“Where are you two headed now?”
“We’re thinking of going to the Holy City. It’s where everything in the Empire gathers, so there must be a cure there.”
“That’s a long way.”
“That’s what worries me. My sprained leg has healed, and I’m healthy enough, but my wife’s stamina…”
Lander pulled a pouch from his pocket as he listened. It was a money pouch.
Guchi knew how much was inside. Enough to enjoy a comfortable carriage ride all the way to the Holy City.
“What’s this?”
Gilliu asked without taking the pouch.
“I hope it helps. It’s not much.”
Lander placed the pouch in Gilliu’s hesitant hand. Gilliu peeked inside, startled, and tried to return it.
“How could I accept so much money?”
“I don’t need it right now, so it’s fine.”
“But this much…”
“It might seem like a lot, but once you get to the Holy City, it’ll feel woefully insufficient. So take it.”
“Brother.”
“To fight illness, you need to conserve your strength. Use this to hire a carriage.”
Gilliu gripped the pouch with both hands and bowed repeatedly in thanks.
Riselra giggled at the sight, then bowed alongside her husband.
“We won’t forget, and we’ll pay it back.”
“You can forget. I’m not giving it expecting repayment.”
“Thanks to you, brother, I’ve steadied my resolve, and now I’ve received this generous sum—how could I forget? We’ll repay it for sure. So please don’t forget me either.”
Gilliu grasped Lander’s hands with both of his. Having received help in his desperate situation, he must have felt both guilty and grateful.
Gilliu held on for a long time before releasing with a soft laugh.
“Lander, brother. Guchi, brother. And Inebil. Meeting you all in this village was truly a blessing. Thank you.”
“Hey, friend. You planning to keep thanking us until sunset? You need to get going so we can too.”
He patted Gilliu’s shoulder. Gilliu took his wife’s hand—she was smiling vacantly beside him—and turned away.
The Gilliud couple stood with the others leaving the village.
“We’ll come find you for sure!”
Gilliu shouted a final farewell just before departing.
Guchi raised his hand high and waved vigorously, telling them to be careful.
“I’m not religious, but today I want to pray to the gods. For fortune instead of misfortune for those two.”
Inebile said.
“Time for us to head out too.”
He said, watching the couple fade into the distance. Lander agreed and turned.
“Still, thanks to you, Gilliu seems to have perked up. Was meeting you really a blessing, like he said?”
Lander shook his head at the question.
“Gilliu pulled through because of his strong will. Even if he’d met anyone else, he would have healed himself and endured. He’s tough. Unlike me.”
“What’s so different? To me, you’ve both held up well. I hate vague notions like blessings or fate, but today’s different. You two met each other perfectly by destiny. How easy is it to find someone who understands you?”
“Guchi, you should’ve been a counselor instead of a hunter. There are always openings for ones who listen to nobles’ woes—why not apply?”
“Don’t say such awful things. I’d go mad and throw myself out a window doing that. Nobles? Just imagining it gives me chills.”
“They say it pays well.”
“Sure, well enough—to compensate for your life. Sometimes I think you really hate me, suggesting such dangerous work.”
“Safer than roaming uncharted lands, no?”
“I’d rather face beasts that bare their teeth honestly. Listening to humans who smile to your face and stab you in the back.”
He ended, staring pointedly at Inebil. Sensing the gaze, Inebil whipped his head around.
“Why does my neck prickle right at that part?”
“Why do you think? Someone’s stabbing you.”
“I don’t smile to your face and stab from behind. I stab fair and square—from the front. Or the side.”
“See? Safer with beasts than people like that.”
“Mister. I’m a guy, you know.”
“Violence isn’t right. And I’m older. Respect your elders.”
“Big deal, a few more years.”
“Like I said before, if you’d married young, you’d have a daughter your age…”
“Enough.”
Inebile whistled long and clear. Ran appeared with crisp hoofbeats.
A spirit beast was a spirit beast. Even left in the fields, it didn’t run off but came straight to its master.
“I’ll wait at the entrance. Get the horses.”
Inebile moved first, fetching horses from the stable and heading to the gate.
“Mister. From Blue Button, where to next?”
“We go via Conne, so follow this path straight.”
“A path? I just see forest.”
“You’ll see if you follow.”
He led the way. Cloths hung here and there, stumps, weathered posts—these were the markers.
Signs only veterans would recognize. Follow them right, and it was a shortcut to Conne; wrong, and you’d end up lost.
“First-timers wouldn’t even find the village. Even in daylight, the sense of direction gets messed up.”
Inebile said, following behind.
“Sharp-eyed travelers might spot our markers and follow, but most circle around and end up on the main road.”
“It’s amazing how Rappas don’t get lost even in new places.”
“That’s why only those with the talent become Rappas. Plus, their falcons help. From the sky, even a maze looks like flat ground.”
Soon a stream appeared, along with a carved rock marker.
He urged his horse onto the side path. Well-trodden by humans, the horses moved easily.
“We can pick up speed from here.”
Guchi snapped the reins. Not as smooth as a city road, but good enough for a steady gallop.
Trees of all kinds whipped by on both sides. After a good run, he spotted a marker and raised his hand.
“Out to the main road now.”
The path to Conne came into view. Carriages with travelers plied it.
Likely heading to see Conne’s famous lake before the weather worsened.
“No spiderwebs to fight.”
Inebile said, shaking his hair.
* * *
“Grab a carriage in ‘Tuud’ first. It’s a hub for traveler coaches—you’ll find one easy.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“I’d love to take you all the way, but we have goods to deliver.”
“You’ve done more than enough bringing us here. We’ll manage to Tuud on our own.”
“Good. Next time we meet, let’s drink till we drop. Your wife will surely be healthy by then.”
Gilliu shook hands with the villager. Such kind people.
Staying in the small village, he’d received much emotional support. Without Lander and the villagers, he might have collapsed from exhaustion.
“It’ll be tough, but let’s walk a bit more.”
He took his wife’s hand. She followed with a childlike smile. He was grateful she wasn’t screaming.
As sweat beaded on his forehead, the village appeared. Carriages bustled in and out nonstop.
Three young men, likely vigilantes, guarded the fenced entrance.
“We’re looking for a coach to the Holy City—where should we go?”
“No direct operators from here. Head to Dun first. You can catch one to the Holy City there. Carriages go to the info booth inside.”
He followed the pointed direction.
The booth arranged coaches for a small fee. Easier and safer than shopping around.
For his wife who struggled walking, he’d gladly pay the service charge.
“To Dun?”
The driver was a plump-bellied man.
“Yes.”
“We’ve got two empty seats and need more passengers. Fancy chartering? Or wait a bit—plenty heading to Dun, so another’ll come quick.”
Lander’s money made funds ample, but he didn’t want to splurge.
Before he could say he’d wait—
“Coach to Dun by chance?”
A short-haired man asked the driver. The driver grinned.
“Good luck today. Yes, to Dun.”
“Seat available?”
“Yep. You’d share with that young couple there.”
“Fine by me. Departing now?”
“Need one more seat…”
“I’ll cover it. Schedule’s tight—gotta hurry.”
“Then hop on quick. You two as well.”
The driver hopped down from his perch and opened the carriage door.
(To be continued in the next installment)