Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: The Destroyed Caravan
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‘E-Everyone begged me, so I came along.’
Who in the world came up with this idea? When I grilled them for answers, it turned out the culprits were all my companions, Snow-Covered included.
They’d secretly sent Black Arrow to tag along, worried something might happen to me if I set off alone.
I was dumbfounded when I heard the truth. In fact, as time passed, I started getting genuinely annoyed with my companions for the first time.
Black Arrow had been a key pillar in defending the coastal fortress and bolstering national defense.
No matter how worried they were about me, pulling away a commander of her caliber was an enormous loss.
Of course, I had to send her back. Steel ing myself, I told the flustered woman to return to the capital immediately.
‘Ugh.’
But in the end, my persuasion failed.
I couldn’t say another word in the face of her chicken-shit tears.
‘I absolutely won’t get in your way, okay?’
Of all people, it had to be Black Arrow—the one with too many missed moments together and broken promises.
Forcing her back now might make her hole up in the Black Forest forever.
In the end, all this stemmed from my past debts.
After agonizing for over half a day, I had no choice but to permit her second escort.
Purruluk!
Black Arrow came bounding over with a beaming smile, as if she’d never shed a tear. The black horse, suddenly saddled with two riders, snorted irritably and tossed its head.
‘Come back safe, Sir Knight.’
And so, the noisy day passed, giving way to an even colder winter morning than the day before.
We rose at dawn, picked up supplies from the general store, and headed straight for the inner castle.
Clack, clack, clack.
“The tax collector’s disappearance is definitely suspicious. He must’ve had soldiers with him.”
“……He didn’t run off.”
Originally, I’d planned to leave Northplomb right away and find a guide in High Mountain Village.
But with trouble brewing at our destination, we couldn’t just pass it by.
I needed details from the lord.
We left the inn and cut through the city center toward the inner castle, personally designed and built by Red Iron himself.
“Halt! State your business!”
This was the inner castle housing Northplomb’s governing lord and the garrisoned soldiers.
Unlike the lightly armored sentries, heavily armed Huskarls guarded the entrance.
“We seek an audience with the lord.”
In the Northern Kingdom, where royal authority reigned supreme, lords were essentially dispatched bureaucrats.
That meant anyone could meet one by following procedure.
Thud.
“Tell him it’s urgent.”
Of course, formalities took time—proving your status was far more efficient.
I pulled out the gold-embossed seal Black Arrow had brought and showed it to the Huskarl.
“P-Please wait just a moment!”
It was a golden deer-horn seal, reserved for capital ministers and commanders.
The startled Huskarl snapped a crisp salute and hurried inside.
Thank goodness she’d brought the seal.
Black Arrow, well aware of her contribution, smirked smugly and asked,
“Glad I came along, right?”
“……Yeah.”
“I’m truly sorry the accommodations are so modest. I should’ve prepared in advance.”
“Think nothing of it.”
All kingdom lords were elite selections vetted by the prime minister’s strict standards.
True to form, Northplomb’s lord, ‘Windy Hill,’ proved highly capable.
His spartan office and meager breakfast screamed integrity.
With nothing to be ashamed of, he faced us without a hint of unease.
Not a bad first impression.
We shared coarse rye bread and cheap grape wine as we talked.
“I heard you’re heading to High Mountain Village. You must’ve caught wind of the rumors, then.”
“More or less.”
“We were planning to dispatch investigators ourselves. But with all contact severed……”
The lord was fully aware of the missing tax collector issue.
He’d kept it quiet to avoid panic, but he hadn’t been idle.
“Any leads?”
“That’s the problem. I can’t think of anything.”
Steady barbarian subjugation and law enforcement had made the North safer than ever.
So a tax collector vanishing? From the lord’s perspective, it was exasperating.
“I’ve already mustered soldiers. They’ll head out tomorrow or the day after.”
This kingdom existed for Northerners alone. No matter how remote the village, its people under royal sway must be protected.
Embodying that spirit, Lord Windy Hill readily committed his troops and investigators to High Mountain.
A fine opportunity for us.
Reading his intent perfectly, I asked as he fetched documents,
“Mind if we join you?”
“You could investigate after we clarify things. It might be dangerous……”
He started to politely decline out of caution.
But then he remembered who we were and burst into laughter.
“I worried needlessly. With you two along, I’m relieved. I’ll inform the investigators ahead of time.”
The White Gate and Snowgarden in Northern territory were undoubtedly cold.
But compared to Northplomb, they were a drop in the ocean—or a candle before the sun.
The lord had mentioned this year’s unusually harsh weather hastened the harvest and first snow.
Dawn flurries and biting winds gave us no respite.
“C-C-Cold!”
“Such a fuss.”
“It’s freezing!”
Black Arrow, weak to cold, clung to my back, head buried.
Good thing we had the investigators—alone, it would’ve been disastrous.
“Haha, you okay? This is mild; brace yourselves for the mountains.”
“Born and bred Northerners, eh?”
“This is our job and daily life. All Northplomb natives, so we’re used to it.”
The ten investigators and soldiers were all local born-and-bred.
It took half a day to bond, turning the grueling march bearable.
“They all fought to join. These are the picks of the litter—use ’em as you need.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Anytime, Sir Knight.”
Northplomb formed from the first slash-and-burn settlers and Wolf Village folk.
As their descendants, pride in aiding the Knight King and me ran deep.
No wonder the lord offered postings here.
I felt embarrassed, yet a swell of pride filled my chest.
Clack, clack, clack.
Purruluk! Puruk!
The path to High Mountain was treacherous.
Dirt gave way to endless frozen tundra.
Whiiiiiing——!
Fierce gusts forced the caravan to halt and press on repeatedly.
Snow piled thick on the single-file White-Horned Deers’ antlers.
But as elevation climbed and terrain steepened, the heavy clouds parted.
Cold air seared our lungs. We lifted our heads.
“Whoa……”
A white world under a white sky. Endless ridges stretched forever.
Involuntary awe at this primordial land—the range closest to the heavens.
“Folks pilgrimage here for the view. A path to Mother North.”
Cute snowmen dotted the snowbound trail, marking safe paths.
Handmade by Northern pilgrims seeking Mother North.
Snowmen awaiting uncertain fates in the eternal freeze.
A twinge of nostalgia curved my smile. Black Arrow asked softly,
“This your hometown?”
“Yeah.”
Even an outsider like me had a homeland.
Gone with lost memories, irretrievable—but my second home, High Mountain, endured.
From aimless barbarian wanderer to squire under the Knight King.
In Broken Sword’s sanctuary, where both lives converged, I stood tall.
“She’d be proud of her son.”
“Who?”
“Mother North.”
Mother North, your son has returned. Her cheeky comfort drew my laughter as I gazed at the clearing sky.
Clack, clack, clack.
Purruluk!
“We’re almost there.”
Seasoned investigators and soldiers got us over the range worry-free.
Soon after, one spotted an ancient milestone.
“People live in this freeze? No farming possible……”
“Wise folk. They find life in barrenness, content with little.”
High Mountain Village was the back of beyond.
Without the old Knight King legend, it’d remain unknown, beyond the kingdom’s reach.
Yet to pilgrims, no people were more grateful.
Devout High Mountain made the perfect waystation.
Ten years since I saw those villagers in memory—hope they’re thriving.
Sensing the past drawing near, I urged my deer onward.
Purruluk!
“———?”
Suddenly, the lead soldier halted in shock.
We stopped abruptly, throwing the line into chaos.
“Investigator!”
The soldiers’ faces were grim.
The stern investigator spurred his deer forward and found the cause.
“Damn it! Secure the perimeter!”
A wrecked wagon and strewn White-Horned Deer corpses littered the road.
Soldiers drew weapons; Black Arrow and I unsheathed ours.
Shring!
High Mountain was close.
But finding the missing wagon meant an ambush before arrival.
The surrounding forest and road lay still, as if a storm had passed.
I cautiously advanced to the investigator.
“……No bodies.”
Frozen deer carcasses and wreckage everywhere.
But oddly, no tax collector or soldiers.
Deer wounds suggested massive bites—too big for birds or wolves.
“They’re no easy prey.”
“Collector might’ve survived?”
“We can hope. Let’s check the village first.”
Northern cavalry on smart White-Horned Deer wouldn’t fall to mere beasts.
Sensing something amiss, the investigator and I rallied soldiers toward High Mountain Village.