Ambush (3)
They pulled out arrows themselves or helped each other with those lodged in hard-to-reach spots. The arrowheads, designed to slip easily into flesh but resist removal, were caked with dried bits of meat. And yet, not a single drop of blood flowed.
As Suhwa watched this bizarre scene straight out of a twisted fairy tale,
the carriage carrying Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek and Gustav had already reached the outskirts of Manrmursk.
"When do we get there?"
Every time the scenery shifted. Every village they passed. Even after taking a single sip of water.
He whined like a seven-year-old, but Gustav answered calmly.
"The roads are in good condition, so we'll arrive sooner than expected."
"So, when?"
"I think we'll reach Manrmursk territory by evening."
After the long string of questions, he finally got the answer he wanted. He stretched his back and yawned hugely.
"Kwaaah~!"
Clunk!
"Ow!"
Did they hit a mud puddle? Or had the lead guards spotted something?
The carriage screeched to a halt as if slamming into an invisible wall.
"What the hell."
"What's going on?"
Instead of Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek, who rubbed his knee with a scowl, Gustav called out to the guards.
"An armed force is blocking the road ahead."
"Any flags or crests?"
"They're flying a fox banner—the ones who patrol the roads... Someone's approaching!"
Shing! Clang!
The knights drew their swords, slicing through the air.
The approaching rider's horse made light hoofbeats—only one.
"Halt! Approach further, and we'll treat it as hostile action. Can't you see the Manrmursk crest on the carriage!?"
The banner bearing a reindeer with three crowns fluttered in the late afternoon breeze.
Whether the guard's threat worked or not, the figure in dark red armor reined in.
"State your identity!"
"...?"
The voice was too sharp for the bearish guard knight. The surrounding knights turned, thinking they'd misheard.
"You're trespassing on Sachsen roads without authorization. State your identity or present your pass!"
This time, the guard's mouth was clearly shut. So the impudent demand came from the rider.
"You bastard! Can't you see the Manrmursk crest? If you want the pass, get off your damn horse!"
The reindeer's emblem on the guard's shoulder gleamed iridescently.
The rider, who had shown no reaction, slowly urged the horse forward.
With the sunset dyeing the sky puppet-string pink behind them, their face was shadowed.
"H-hey, stop or—"
"Shut up already."
"My lord! It's dangerous out here. Stay in the carriage!"
When the carriage jolted to a stop, Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek—still rubbing his knee from the impact—stepped out beside the guards.
"With you lot and Gustav here, what's dangerous? More importantly, who grabbed the pass when we passed that last town?"
"Here it is."
Byeon Gyeongbaek snatched the pass from one knight and eyed the rider.
"My lord. The guards are right. I'll handle this—please return to the carriage."
"You keep saying that. And I wanna see for myself who's blocking my path."
About ten paces away—a distance the rider could close in two seconds with a spur.
"Final warning. Without a road pass..."
Whish. Thud!
The pass dropped between Byeon Gyeongbaek and the rider.
"That's the pass you were barking about. What're you waiting for? Pick it up."
Overwhelming confidence. Byeon Gyeongbaek balanced on the knife-edge between bravado and recklessness, making the rider falter briefly.
But only for a moment. The rider dismounted with practiced ease. Hair tied back in a single ponytail swayed.
A woman? Do the Road Guards have women?
As Byeon Gyeongbaek faced this new puzzle, the knight reading the pass removed their helmet.
Scarlet hair like the sunset at their back. A sharp jaw and nose—pretty for a man, handsome for a woman. Crimson eyes mirroring her father.
Sachsen Road Guard Captain, Elizabeth von Sachsen, spoke.
"Pass verified. Pleased to meet you, Lord Byeon Gyeongbaek of Manrmursk. I am Elizabeth von Sachsen, Captain of the Road Guards."
Clack!
Unlike the rude first encounter, she slammed her heels together in precise northern salute.
"Yeah, yeah. Now that you know, get the hell outta the way. I'm dying for a hot soak."
"As bold as it is presumptuous, I cannot."
"What?"
"We're transporting a thousand 'items' to Manrmursk territory, so the road is temporarily closed. Therefore."
Whish!
The wingless pass fluttered to Byeon Gyeongbaek's feet.
"We'll return your pass."
They say rage fills you to the brim, then circles back to laughter? Byeon Gyeongbaek let out a hollow chuckle and strode toward Elizabeth.
"My lord! No!"
"Touch me now, and you're dead."
A heat-haze aura shimmered around Byeon Gyeongbaek like desert mirage.
Gustav shouted at the hesitating knights, torn between protecting their lord and obeying orders.
"All guard knights! Flank the lord on both sides!"
"Yes, sir!"
Manrmursk knights, armed to the teeth like coronation guards, lined up beside Byeon Gyeongbaek and Elizabeth.
Clop clop!
In response, Road Guard riders surged forward to shield Elizabeth.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"Hey."
"Yes."
"Hey!"
"Yes!"
Meaningless noise echoed between swords and armor.
"Your dad's the duke, not you."
"I know."
"Doesn't seem like it from what I just saw."
"By road monopoly rights, neutral-zone roads prioritize Road Guard use."
"Who asked you that crap?"
Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek still grinned. Elizabeth's eyes blazed openly with fury.
A powder-keg standoff where neither would yield. The moment Elizabeth tightened her grip on her spear—
"The Sachsen Duke arrives!"
"All mercenaries and mages here total one thousand. The remaining two thousand are en route from their start points to Manrmursk."
"Good work. Tell them to keep on schedule."
"Understood, Your Grace."
Clop clop!
Unlike the emperor's procession, the Sachsen Duke headed straight for his territory. While receiving reports from the Road Guards transporting mercenaries and mages, his rear cavalry stirred busily.
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure... I'll check right away!"
"No need. We're going that way anyway—I'll handle it."
The sea of dark red armor parted left and right. Like the prophet who split the waters to lead his people.
Flanked by knights bearing the golden fox, the Sachsen Duke appeared.
"What is the meaning of... Ah. It's you, Lord Byeon Gyeongbaek of Manrmursk."
"Well, if it isn't the Sachsen Duke, who doesn't even cast a shadow at the Round Table."
"I've been busy."
The words might suggest friendly reunion. But their gazes were ice-cold.
"Your Grace."
A crisp knightly salute, distinct from northern custom. Impressive precision—yet the duke merely nodded curtly at Elizabeth and spoke.
"What brings you here, Lord Byeon Gyeongbaek? Your territory isn't far—any reason to waste time on the road?"
"Didn't wanna name names, but your daughter's education is top-notch. Just chatting."
Only then did the duke's eyes linger on Elizabeth. Briefly, as if grasping the situation, he beckoned his Road Guard adjutant.
"Clear the road for Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek's carriage."
"Pardon? Your Grace..."
The flustered adjutant's gaze flicked to Elizabeth.
Hoo? Look at these guys.
Amused, Byeon Gyeongbaek's eyes curved slyly.
"Clear the road."
Only after Elizabeth's terse, forceful order did the adjutant wheel his horse.
"Clear the road! Clear the road!"
The Sachsen Duke eyed the adjutant oddly and said,
"How about we call it here? What say you, Lord Byeon Gyeongbaek?"
"Not bad. I'll be off then."
His anger melted like snow from the spectacle. Byeon Gyeongbaek snatched up the pass jauntily.
"Turn around then. 'Mistress' Sachsen."
"...!"
Mistress. A polite term for a noble's daughter. Fine for others—but not Elizabeth.
She held the clear title of Road Guard Captain, declared to Byeon Gyeongbaek.
Calling her Mistress Sachsen meant:
You're just a duke's lucky daughter. Don't shove that puny rank in my face.
As the duke rode off and Byeon Gyeongbaek boarded his carriage whistling, the road cleared.
Elizabeth hurled her helmet with a clang!, her spear hand white-knuckled and trembling.
The guards who'd rushed to protect her averted their eyes in unison. Long experience taught them: crossing her now gained nothing.
"Manrmursk Byeon Gyeongbaek..."
In Elizabeth's scarlet eyes, the Manrmursk reindeer banner trembled—as if burning away.
No need to hide their doll nature anymore, the servants whipped the horses to insane speeds and reached Moribwe Castle.
"Hard to believe, but even the carriage horses are dolls?"
"Not quite... but reinforced here and there."
Lady Moribwe smiled faintly from the shadows and beckoned a nearby maid.
"Show Junior Baron Suhwa Romanov to his quarters."
"Yes, Lady."
"And Suhwa Junior Baron?"
"Yes."
"Don't wander around like that—hit the hot springs first."
"An offer I can't refuse."
The crusted blood clinging below his neck felt grossly heavy. In his assigned quarters, he stripped bare and grabbed a bathrobe.
No clue how they built it, but steam rose invitingly from a hot spring in the bathroom corner.
"Ahhh... this is heaven."
The scalding water battered his body as fatigue crashed over his mind.
Slurp. Ha.
Submerged to the neck, floating amid steam, he breathed it in and out. His lungs moistened deeply, sleep crashing like a wave.
Am I this tired? Ugh...
Unable to bear his leaden eyelids, Suhwa passed out like the dead.
The maid watching from outside confirmed his state and murmured softly.
"Executing Lady's next command."