Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Mayatrei (1)
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“Nice to meet you. I’m Jack O’Brien, captain of the Pier Knight Order, assigned to escort you this time.”
Jack was a sturdy knight in light armor, his brown beard a striking feature.
Behind him stood the knights of the Pier Knight Order, perfectly aligned in rows.
“Before we depart, allow me a brief explanation of the journey ahead.”
From Hys to Abton was at least a fortnight, even at a brisk pace. It wasn’t a short trip, so details on safety and the route were necessary.
“With such esteemed guests among us, we’ll prioritize safety above all, even if it takes a bit longer.”
The entire Welton family except for Count Welton was heading to Abton.
To the Pier Knight Order, the Weltons were their lords—people to protect above all else.
On top of that, Riki and Anna were key figures from the Pyro Church, treated as VIPs.
Ras was classified as a VIP too, but he’d insisted on helping out and was now part of the escort team.
Jack continued.
“We’ve plotted our route through major cities after leaving Hys: Blanqui, Nesman, and Phil, before reaching Abton. Letters have been sent to the lords of those first three cities, so you’ll be comfortable there.”
“And outside the cities?”
“Excellent question, Young Master.”
Jack smiled at Jamie.
“We’ll overnight in villages as much as possible, but camping is unavoidable.”
Avoiding campsites entirely on a long journey was impossible.
“We’ve scouted several good spots. It’ll be less comfortable than indoors, of course, but we’ve prepared to minimize that. No need to worry.”
Jack was a knight skilled in ranger techniques.
He knew how to make outdoor living bearable.
Count Welton must have considered that when assigning him.
“Any questions?”
“That covers it.”
Sears’s reply earned a satisfied nod from Jack.
“Thank you. We’ll depart shortly.”
Now they were leaving Hys for Abton, nearly on the opposite side of the continent.
‘Pyro.’
Jamie recalled the goddess Pyro who’d summoned him there.
Isolated among the 12 Gods, apparently. What would she say when he arrived?
‘Guess I’ll find out.’
She’d said he’d inherited Diablo Volpir’s legacy.
Her head must be spinning right now.
As Jamie hoisted his short legs to climb into the carriage, his body suddenly floated up.
“Huh?”
“Up you go.”
Startled, he looked back to see Count Welton chuckling as he set him down.
He ruffled Jamie’s emerald hair roughly.
“All set?”
Count Welton stopped petting and turned to Sears.
“Thoroughly.”
“You’ll have your hands full.”
“Jack’ll handle the hard part.”
“Safe travels.”
“Don’t get too lonely without me.”
The count and Sears shared a light kiss.
Riki, already inside, blushed at the sudden display. Anna just tilted her head curiously.
Jamie, used to such sights, remained indifferent. Sara was asleep.
After the kiss, the count turned to Jamie.
“Jamie. Protect your mom, sister, and friends.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Come here.”
“...Okay.”
Unable to refuse, Jamie approached, keeping his expression neutral.
The count kissed his forehead and pinched his cheek lightly.
‘Damn...’
Mom earlier, now Dad.
Still, the count’s affection was mild compared to Sears’s, so it was bearable.
“Our girl sleeps like a log.”
He kissed Sara’s forehead too, then stepped back.
“Safe journey to you all. See you when we can.”
“Th-thank you. Anna, say goodbye.”
“Oh. Yes. Thank you.”
Not sure what for, but Anna bowed toward the count as her brother instructed.
Count Welton smiled contentedly and ordered Jack.
“Let’s move out.”
“Yes, my lord. We’ll bring them back safe.”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Depart!”
At Jack’s signal, the Welton carriages rolled toward Abton.
‘Finally. To Abton.’
Jamie gazed at the receding estate, then forward.
Hys’s landscapes whisked by.
What changes would he have by the time he returned?
Imagining that day, Jamie leaned into the plush seat.
Thud-
The carriage jolted hard.
Sara, asleep in Sears’s arms, slowly opened her eyes.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and lifted her head.
“Awake?”
Sears wiped the sleep from Sara’s eyes.
The young girl nodded slowly, yawning widely.
Glancing aside, she saw her brother Jamie staring out the window. Realizing they weren’t home, she shifted uncomfortably.
Looking forward—
“...?”
“Uh, hi?”
A stranger grinned awkwardly and waved.
Sara squinted her big eyes and burrowed into her mother’s embrace.
Her blatant displeasure made Riki’s face fall.
“Sara. That’s not nice.”
“No?”
“What do we do when someone greets us first?”
“Greet back.”
“Right.”
At Sears’s firm tone, Sara peeked at Riki again.
Riki’s gloomy expression brightened into an awkward smile as he greeted her.
“Hi.”
“...Hii.”
She greeted back, but still nestled deep in her mom’s arms, clearly unimpressed.
Even so, Riki beamed, pleased with the greeting.
Jamie was dumbfounded by Riki’s ever-shifting expressions.
“Greet Anna too.”
“Sister?”
“Anna. You first.”
“Okay.”
Anna, who’d been quietly listening, turned toward Sara with Riki’s help.
“Hi. I’m Anna. Nice to meet you.”
“Sister.”
Sara’s expression softened subtly at Anna’s greeting.
A stark difference from with Riki.
It stung Riki, but young girls naturally preferred chatting with peers of the same sex over boys.
Sara raised a tiny hand shyly toward Anna.
“Hii.”
“Hi.”
The two girls smiled at each other.
Sears watched them fondly.
“Hang in there.”
“...Yeah.”
Jamie gave a brief pat to the dejected Riki.
Two days since departure.
The knights and hired laborers were packing up camp.
Jack’s chosen sites were indeed better for sleeping than most.
Less damp, and not as stiff as expected from outdoors. Still, it was camping.
‘This sensation... been a while.’
Camping was routine in his past life, but first since reincarnation. His body felt the ground faintly.
Lucky for the fancy tent’s cot; bare earth would’ve wrecked him.
“Still tired after sleep?”
Sears wasn’t at her best either.
Sara went without saying.
But some were fine.
“Good morning!”
“G-good morning!”
Riki and Anna, out early for stretches, greeted the Weltons brightly.
‘Right. They lived like this months ago.’
Street urchins till recently.
This camp was paradise compared to before.
“Sleep well?”
“Slept great! Right, Anna?”
“Yeah!”
Riki and Anna replied energetically.
Sears felt proud yet heartbroken, knowing their story.
“Breakfast’s ready!”
“Looks like morning’s set. Let’s go.”
Sears led the kids to the eating area.
After, they boarded the carriages again.
Jack approached Sears.
“Rain’s coming.”
“Rain?”
The sky was clear.
No sign of it.
But experts saw differently.
“Yes. Dark clouds building far off—rain clouds. Wind’s carrying them here; it’ll darken soon.”
“I see.”
“This Mayatrei range has a fierce rainy season. Bound to hit anytime.”
“Slow our pace then.”
“I’ll find a safe route.”
Jack left to command his men.
“No window today.”
“Can’t be helped.”
“I’m fine. Rain adds atmosphere.”
“I like rain sounds.”
The kids’ words all eased Sears.
She nodded at their maturity.
“Rainy travel could be nice.”
Jack was spot on.
The clear morning sky blackened fast.
Drizzle turned to downpour, soaking the dry ground.
Darkness hushed the carriage.
Riki watched raindrops on the window; Anna dozed on his shoulder.
Jamie, Sears, and Sara caught up on sleep.
“Everyone looks beat.”
Jack, cloaked in rain gear, pulled alongside.
Jamie rubbed his eyes and glanced out.
“How long was I out?”
“About two hours.”
“Decent nap.”
Sears, Sara, and Anna still slept.
“You slept soundly.”
“You didn’t?”
“Napped earlier.”
Riki looked bored but not tired.
‘Me too, kinda.’
Nothing to do but meditate, impossible here.
Jamie tsked inwardly and leaned on the window.
“Bored, both of you?”
“A little.”
“Stuck in here.”
No denials.
“Want a fun story?”
“Fun story?”
Riki perked up.
Jamie seemed meh.
Jack laughed heartily at the contrast.
“Origin of this range’s name.”
“Ooh.”
The mountains they traversed were called Mayatrei.
Jack went on.
“Legend says it was once a single massive peak.”
Long ago, no range—just one giant mountain, peaceful. Then two dragons appeared: a Blue Dragon and an evil Black Dragon. The Blue was named Mayatrei.
Mayatrei loved a human.
Together, they battled the Black Dragon.
The mountain split into ridges; fierce rapids formed in valleys.
But tragedy: her human died mid-fight.
Mayatrei won but drowned in grief, loss overwhelming.
She abandoned the world, retreating deep into the peaks to honor her love.
“After, rains plagued the area.”
“Wow.”
“Bards turned the sad tale to song, spreading it far. Enthusiasts dubbed these rains ‘Dragon Rain.’”
“Heart-wrenching. Time flew.”
“Glad you enjoyed.”
Riki’s sparkling eyes drew Jack’s grin.
Jamie alone stayed blasé.
‘Dragon romance? Not my problem.’
Rain intensified.
Jack pulled his hood tight, joking.
“Mayatrei must be sobbing.”
Then—
Flash-!
Blinding light pierced the windows, dazzling all.
A massive roar followed.
Boom!!
Thunder deafened them.
Neigh-! The horses reared.
The driver’s panicked “Whoa-!” drowned in rain.
Carriage shook violently.
Sears yanked her kids close, wrapping an arm around Riki and Anna too.
Thump!
A jagged rock snagged the wheel.
Crack- Left wheel splintered.
Balance collapsed.
The Welton crest door shattered.
Wind and rain lashed in.
Jamie surged mana, pulling Riki and Anna inward. He grabbed Sears’s arm—but inertia tore at her.
Sears felt her grip on Sara loosen.
She screamed.
“No!”
Crunch- Crash!!
The tilting carriage scraped earth, splintering.
Jamie lost hold of Sears’s arm.
Mother and daughter flung out.
Jamie leaped after without thought.
First sight: endless cliff drop. Next: raging valley torrent.
Sears and Sara plummeted toward it.
[Wire Play]
Thin, unbreakable mana threads extend from five fingers.
Fine, tough mana threads shot from Jamie’s fingers.
They first ensnared Sears.
“Jamie! Sara first!”
Sears’s near-scream.
He hesitated briefly, but trusted he could save both.
Ignoring her, he flung Sears upward first. Pier knights at the cliff edge caught her safely.
“Oppa!”
Sara wailed for her brother.
How many times had she called him that in this life?
‘Brother only when she needs me.’
Jamie smirked amid chaos.
“You’re okay.”
His calm voice eased Sara’s terror.
Jamie softened the mana around her.
Sara flew into his arms.
Grabbing her hand, he hurled her up.
A knight caught her securely.
‘Whew—close call.’
Sudden accident, but all saved.
‘Just me left.’
Jamie gathered mana for flight magic.
Then—
‘Mana!’
Ambient mana ignited entirely.
His internal mana wouldn’t flow out.
“Jamie!”
“Jamie! Climb up!”
“Damn it!”
Voices overlapped from above.
‘Black!’
Not even his soul-bound familiar responded.
Jamie knew this phenomenon.
‘Mana Burn!’
Advanced spell incinerating all nearby mana, neutralizing mages.
Mind reeling from the voice.
It spoke.
[A dragon?]
Jamie’s small body plunged into the valley.