Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Black-Haired Knight King
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There is something more truthful than a hundred words.
For us, it was the sword we had wielded, and the single scroll of martial arts that had suited us like a dance.
If there's been no buildup, how could there be any lingering resentment?
Snow-Covered, who had washed everything away with her tears, had finally prepared herself to let me go.
"I'll wait for you, Master."
The disciple vowed to wait until the very end. The master promised to return without fail.
And so Snow-Covered bowed politely beneath my hand and retraced the path she had raced down to reach me.
The child headed south, while I turned north.
The road that had always borne two sets of footprints split into a fork, dividing into two paths for a time.
But no matter how much time passed or how bitterly cold the weather grew, the warmth of our clasped hands never faded.
With my heart light and brimming with that lingering warmth, I galloped along the endless road.
Clop! Clop clop! Clop clop!
Prff!
How much farther did I ride along the snow-covered road? At last, with the early dawn light breaking, the end of the path came into view.
Northplomb.
The place where Snow-Covered and I had first settled, the birthplace of the Northern Kingdom.
Now a proper city, Northplomb slumbered beneath the shadow of towering mountains.
Clop, clop.
Winter had brought farming and logging alike to a halt, everything at rest.
I urged my deer across the harvested barley fields toward the firmly shut gates.
"Halt! Dismount!"
A diligent sentry patrolling the walls called out to stop me.
Though this was the kingdom's rearmost frontier, where vigilance might slacken, his response was quicker than expected.
"The gates won't open for a bit—you'll have to wait! Take shelter from the cold nearby in the meantime!"
With the sun rising late in winter, the gates opened later than usual.
I nodded politely to the courteous sentry, then dismounted from my saddle.
Prff.
I gently scratched the black-nosed deer's neck for its hard journey here.
It snorted hot breath and surveyed the lands around Northplomb.
"Yeah, you recognize it too, huh."
All the White-Horned Deer aiding the Northern Kingdom hailed from this Northplomb.
Born and raised here, these vast forests and plains were their homeland.
This clever beast knew it well. I stroked its moist, soft black nose, then set about gathering firewood for a fire.
"Are you from the capital, by any chance?"
But just then, a familiar voice rang out from the wall directly overhead.
It was the same kind sentry who had told me the gate-opening time, now showing himself.
"That's right."
"Are you perhaps the newly assigned knight...?"
"No, just a traveler."
His sharp eyes spotted the sword at my side and the saddle.
He pondered my answer for a moment, then walked back into the gate tower.
"Don't go anywhere—wait just a second!"
The sentries, who had been on watch, sprang into action at the command.
With a massive rumble, Northplomb's heavy gates began to creak open.
Rumble...
Screeech!
Suddenly, I was cleared to enter.
Gripping the reins, I rode the black-nosed deer through the opened gates and soon spotted the approaching sentry.
"Sorry for the trouble..."
"Haha, no worries. We have some leeway with five or ten minutes—don't sweat it."
In the Northern winter, you could freeze to death outside before you knew it.
Mindful of that, the sentry had shown flexibility by opening early.
"Are you a retired knight, perhaps?"
Ah, so that's why he asked if I was the new knight. White hair, scar-covered face, knight's saddle, sword sheath at the waist. It was the perfect look for a retired knight.
"If we're splitting hairs..."
"An honor! Speak freely, sir!"
Grinning awkwardly, I shook hands with the saluting sentry who extended his.
Wanting to tour Northplomb after so long, I asked him,
"Any good general stores nearby? I'm looking for sturdy winter gear."
"Sturdy winter gear... Ah! I know a place—head there. Mention Water Skimmer sent you, and they'll treat you right."
It wasn't far from the gates.
Thanks to him, I saved time and energy. I expressed my gratitude.
Prff!
Mounting up, the black-nosed deer eagerly started walking as if it had been waiting.
The sunlight, now past dawn, gently roused the familiar Northplomb from sleep.
"Safe travels, sir! May Mother North be forever at your side!"
* * *
Not quite on the capital's scale, but Northplomb too was a thriving hub of trade and commerce.
Its timber from abundant forests and high-quality hides were the North's finest.
Proving as much, the city streets bustled with merchants and laborers despite the harsh winter.
Just a few years ago, this had been barren land overgrown with wild grass and trees. How had so many gathered to live here now?
Remembering fond memories and the Village Chief who had gone ahead to Mother North's side, I smiled faintly and pushed open the general store's door.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
A middle-aged man exuding seasoned poise manned the shop.
Though small and worn, it seemed stocked with everything. I asked,
"Sent by someone over there—do you have any good winter gear?"
The somewhat aloof man looked up at the mention of Water Skimmer.
Spotting my face, he burst into laughter and rose from his seat.
"You look like a retired knight."
"...That obvious?"
"Others might not notice, but we do. Water Skimmer's dad was Northern Army, so he was probably extra glad."
"Don't tell me you're..."
"Yep, Northplomb native. Fought to the end in the Spring Lord battle."
Looking closer, the shopkeeper wore a prosthetic in place of his right arm.
He had served under the Knight King, lost the arm, and returned to his hometown.
"Never thought I'd see you here, sir."
"- - - - - -!!"
One of the soldiers I'd fought alongside on the same battlefield.
I swiftly grabbed his outstretched left hand, grinning as I clapped his shoulder.
But seeing his unmoving prosthetic right arm made emotions surge that no smile could hide.
"I truly have no face to show you. The rewards weren't..."
"Haha, no need! The Prime Minister took care of everything—don't worry. This shop's from the compensation."
The Prime Minister had handled even the details I'd overlooked.
Easing my aching heart, I chatted happily with the veteran soldier.
"So, off on a trip? War's long over—why winter gear...?"
"Hm, heading north on some business. Probably climbing the high mountains."
"Midwinter highlands won't be easy. Whatever the reason, I'll kit you out properly—ready by tomorrow morning."
I'd worried about shoddy prep, but fate had led me to the right man.
Grinning, I pulled out a pouch far heavier than the cost in silver coins.
"Sir... but anyway."
"Hm?"
The man, rummaging for goods, paused as if struck by a thought.
Wrinkling one eye corner as if afraid of being overheard, he whispered,
"There's a weird rumor going around lately."
"Rumor?"
"You know there's a Northern village at the high mountains' base? Overheard by chance—they say officials sent there never come back."
The villages near the high mountains, my intended destination, were firmly Northern Kingdom territory.
Naturally under our influence, protected and taxed via dispatched officials.
But this year, for some reason, tax collectors hadn't returned—and neither had the soldiers sent after.
What outrage in a time of stern kingship and kingdom peace?
The Northplomb lord had likely tried handling it quietly, but rumors spread fast.
"Just thought I'd warn you. Best steer clear..."
"Thanks for the heads-up. But I can't just ignore it."
Could be lingering Orc remnants or resurgent Barbarians.
Learning of it en route to the mountains, I had to uncover the truth.
I couldn't turn a blind eye. Chatting as much as possible with the middle-aged man, I gleaned the local situation around Northplomb.
Clink clink!
"That's too much!"
"Just a small token."
I emptied most of my silver pouch onto the counter.
Revenge with a sharp blade, favors with shining silver—that preserves honor.
Though I'd likely never see him again after tomorrow, I wished him a lifetime of new bonds and happiness.
"See you tomorrow."
"Yes, it'll be ready."
He'd said prep by tomorrow. Ending our pleasant reunion, I turned to leave with a final farewell.
Crash!
Hiiiing!
But as I half-opened the door, a deer's wild thrashing and a woman's piercing scream filled the air.
"Kyaa! Let go! Drop it, you foal!"
It was the black-nosed deer I'd left outside.
Startled, I dashed out and ran toward the bucking beast.
"Whoa! Easy! Calm down!"
A frenzied deer could trample even soldiers—casualties inevitable.
Seizing the reins, I desperately tried to control it as it shook something in its mouth.
"Eek!"
"?"
But something was off.
The supposedly excited black-nose looked fine—thrilled, even.
A mysterious woman frantically shielding her face and hair, while the deer tugged at her collar as if demanding why she ignored it.
Releasing the reins in surprise, I approached cautiously, wondering if it was real, and peered at the struggling woman's face.
Grin! Snort!
The robe covering her face fell away.
Revealed was a half-elf woman smeared with deer saliva.
Tan skin, pointed ears, elven bow and sharp arrows on her back.
Utterly dumbfounded, I called the name of my old comrade and hero.
"Black Arrow?"
"Eek...!"
Black Arrow had vanished upon hearing I'd refused the elixir.
Yet here she was, far from the capital in Northplomb.
"...Did you follow me?"
Unable to bear the embarrassment, Black Arrow hid her flushed face with both hands.
Triumphant, the black-nosed deer straightened its neck and snorted.
Prff!