Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Golden Highway (2)
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You didn't need ears as sharp as Kadim's to hear it. The guard captain's voice barking at his men from outside the door came through crystal clear.
"You fucking halfwit idiots!! ...I told you, no one blocks the Turis Family's special envoy from coming through..."
"...But Captain, we had no way to recognize..."
"...You should've figured it out!!! Damn it, who the hell taught you morons to pull weapons first thing..."
"...Ugh, aaagh!!"
"...Aagh, aaah!"
The scolding ended with the sounds of beatings and screams. Enrico cleared his throat and pretended not to hear. Kadim listened indifferently before asking offhandedly.
"Must be a higher position than I thought. Didn't expect them to grovel like that."
Enrico shook his head.
"It's the rank, but the main reason is probably my family. I can't directly influence personnel here as an envoy, but if my brother—a senior councilor—or the Turis Family steps in, the guard captain and everyone above him would be done for."
Moments later, the door burst open, and the burly guard captain stormed into the reception room. He slammed his forehead into the floor in an unprecedented salute.
Thud!
"Loyalty! Glory to the Golden City! Guard Captain of Golden Highway Checkpoint 2, Gradin Anglor, at your service, Special Envoy! My men were so ignorant they dared commit an unforgivable rudeness against you! I deserve to be stripped of my rank and torn limb from limb, but if you could mercifully forgive us just this once..."
"Get up. I have no intention of holding you or your soldiers accountable. It was my fault to begin with for not revealing my identity right away."
"No, sir! You bear not the slightest fault, Special Envoy! I will reflect on my failure to manage my men and listen intently to your words!"
"...Get up. I'm worried your neck might snap."
The tedious back-and-forth dragged on. Only after turning his face beet red did the guard captain finally stand. Enrico seated the heaving man and asked.
"Anyway, explain yourself now. Why the blockade on the Golden Highway? Who issued it? Even a single day of closure causes massive damage."
"Huff, haah... It's... but if I may be so bold, who is the gentleman beside you...?"
"Ah, this is my benefactor who provided great aid and saved my life. He's not one to blab what he hears, so speak freely."
"......"
He didn't like outsiders overhearing military secrets, but with the envoy's guarantee, he couldn't object. The guard captain wiped his sweat, his jowls quivering, and cautiously began.
"Whew, you probably know already... Forgive my rudeness in reconfirming. Everything I'm about to say is strictly confidential. If this leaks, it'll cause chaos across the alliance."
He leaned his massive torso toward the envoy and lowered his voice.
"Demons have overrun the central section of the Golden Highway. There are too many; we're still struggling to suppress them. That's why all the councils issued a blockade simultaneously. To prevent monsters or demon thralls from spreading along the road, special envoy troops have set up defense lines at each checkpoint."
"...!"
The guard captain added that they were still assessing details on the demons and exact casualties. Kadim narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. Enrico furrowed his brow and touched his mouth.
"Weren't Magic Tower mages stationed at each checkpoint for anti-demon combat? What are they doing?"
"Right after the outbreak, mages from nearby checkpoints were deployed as the initial suppression unit, but they've all gone missing. The rest are hunkered down on the defense lines, focusing solely on fortification..."
"What? So these aren't ordinary demons? No word on high-ranking mages from the Tower?"
"Well... The Tower and Vesta council don't seem to grasp the severity yet. They sent more mages, but not a single conjurer-rank or higher."
"......"
"This is just hearsay, but some speculate other cities are hoping someone else handles it and deliberately holding back... Especially places like Galentana, right next to the outbreak zone—they'll go all-out if demons get too close."
Grind. Enrico clenched his teeth.
This was grossly unfair. Hadn't the other councils covered the Magic Tower's share of Golden Highway maintenance costs precisely so the Tower would handle crises like this?
The guard captain looked conflicted, fully aware of it. But fearing he'd upset the envoy further, he quickly added that the deployed mages were still strong, and since the demon zone was toward Galentana and Vesta, it was safe to Delutana from here.
Enrico couldn't exactly rejoice at that. The barbarian was headed right into it, even if he wasn't.
"......"
With all the info gathered, they dismissed the guard captain. He bowed deeply one last time from his ample waist and left. For a while, only the tap-tap of the envoy drumming the desk filled the room.
After deliberating, Enrico proposed to Kadim in a cautious tone.
"...How about detouring northwest, above Delutana, to Vesta? It'd take longer, but much safer."
"No, I've wasted enough time. Don't want to delay here."
"Think it over once more. If the Tower mages can't handle it, they're no ordinary demons. I'm not doubting your strength, but maybe caution this time? There could be two-horned upper demons or worse..."
Enrico glanced back slyly. He jolted in shock.
He hadn't expected the barbarian to be scared. This was the undefeated warrior who'd slaughtered trolls and monster hordes, high paladins and archmages single-handedly. But even so, he never imagined this expression.
Kadim looked like there could be no better news, his face twisted into a chilling grin.
"Perfect. I could use some good blood right about now."
It felt like peering into the bottom of a deep blood pit stained with malice and murder.
Enrico bit his lower lip until it nearly burst. He had to, to hide the unfamiliar terror shaking his jaw.
*
The companionship ended. The barbarian and merchant to Vesta, the rest to Delutana. Time to head to their destinations.
Enrico had the guard captain issue a pass to let Kadim cross the defense line smoothly. The captain thought it was for Kadim's safety—but it was the opposite. It protected the soldiers guarding the line.
With the council seal and captain's stamp boldly imprinted, he wouldn't be stopped like this again.
The soldiers were reluctant to part with Duncan. They'd grown fond of the affable, witty merchant. They clapped his shoulders warmly in farewell.
"It was fun, Duncan!"
"Come back to Remtana sometime! We'll treat you right!"
"...A-ah, sure."
But Duncan had no leisure to smile and wave.
Unlike the clueless soldiers, he'd heard from Kadim why the highway was blocked. The peaceful journey was over; they were plunging into a demon-infested hell. His legs already trembled, his hair standing on end.
Meanwhile, Gullak pulled Kadim aside before parting. He spun his iron hammer and stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Mercenary, remember our deal? I'd craft you a masterpiece, so stop by Delutana later."
"Yeah, I remember."
"Thing is, getting old's made it hard to think of what to make. Got any requests? I'll use your input for the gear."
Kadim saw little chance of visiting Delutana. He tossed out the first thing that came to mind.
"Something big."
"...Big?"
"Big's good. My current weapons are too small and light."
Deep wrinkles doubled on the hammer master's face.
He muttered "Big, big..." gravely and climbed back onto the soldiers' cart without proper goodbyes. Kadim watched impassively before looking away.
What he truly needed was his first-playthrough weapon, the "Cataclysmic Relic" that severed great demons' necks. Telling the old man was pointless.
'...That's not the kind of weapon human effort can forge.'
He flicked his head to clear stray thoughts. Enrico approached last in the hammer master's spot. Still haunted by fear, he hesitated but soon masked it adeptly for farewells.
"Plenty of twists and turns, but... it was an honor traveling with a warrior like you. I'll handle the jurisdiction mess as best I can, no worries. I'll scour for ways to check Tower records and send word—wait for it. May Lord Remillion's radiant golden blessings light your path."
"Yeah. May Atala's fury be with you."
They blessed each other in their lords' names. Envoy and barbarian turned without hesitation.
One toward the den of politicians rife with compromise, deals, plots, and betrayal.
One toward the land overrun by demons feeding on pain and despair.
They stepped toward their battlefields.
*
The Golden Highway under shattering sunlight.
Granite slabs paved firmly and tightly stretched straight under the soft sky. Towering stone walls fit perfectly along the edges, with neatly planted roadside trees beyond. The uniform vista to the distant vanishing point truly inspired awe at human engineering.
But neither Kadim nor Duncan was admiring it.
Kadim was lost in thought. Duncan had to guide despite his unease.
"This is Checkpoint 2, so... half a day's walk to 3, milord... Between 6 and 7, detour slightly off-road to Kivon Village—stay there overnight. If no demons, that is..."
Duncan shot a worried glance. Kadim wasn't even listening.
"Who's Remillion?"
"...Pardon?"
"Who the hell is Remillion? Alliance folk toss his name around like a god's, but no deity by that name in my memory."
Duncan panicked twice: at the timing, then the content.
He nearly blurted "You don't know?!" but recalled the man hadn't even known of the Lucaonia Empire—and his life still hung by this thread.
"Lord Remillion unified the scattered kingdoms and city-states long ago, forging the alliance..."
Duncan explained without protest.
Born son of a great merchant, he unified and advanced the alliance, laying foundations that let it resist the empire until defeat. Nicknames like Golden Lord, Savior of a City with One Coin, Dragon Slayer. He remains godlike in alliance hearts...
"Maybe alliance folk dream of a second Remillion to reunite the three councils and free them fully from imperial oppression..."
Duncan ended lamenting the grim reality.
Listening, an odd glint entered Kadim's eyes. He pondered old memories before asking.
"Dragon Slayer?"
"Yes. Legend says as a child, kidnapped by a dragon, he used its treasure to repel it and return."
"Not by begging endlessly and negotiating?"
"Pardon? Wh-what do you mean! Say that around others and you're in deep trouble!"
It bordered blasphemy in the alliance. Despite the empty road from the blockade, Duncan frantically scanned around, fearing eavesdroppers. Kadim ignored it, deep in thought as if something clicked.
The tale of the alliance founder ended; silent steps resumed. The highway unchanged, but the midday sun had tilted west. Duncan pocketed the map and murmured.
"Why'd demons overrun the Golden Highway of all places, milord?"
"No idea. But one thing's certain."
"...What's that?"
"Pack plenty of rations and water skins."
"......"
No escaping the demons, then.
Duncan squeezed his eyes shut in agony, groaning. Kadim gripped his subtly quivering hilt like it held blood and flashed a feral grin.