The Road to the North (1) - The Lost Beauty in the Forest
The Road North (1) - The Lost Beauty in the Forest
Hidden among the leaves, Rose's gaze fell upon a group of people slowly moving along the forest's dirt path.
[Clatter, creak.]
Two heavily laden wagons, a middle-aged man perched on one of them, and about a dozen men walking around the wagons.
Their crude armament, a mix of leather armor and chainmail, and the ununified emblems on their shields indicated they were neither regular soldiers nor a Lord's knight order.
'A merchant caravan... and escorting Mercenaries, then.'
Rose moved from branch to branch high above, unseen, following them.
Mercenaries.
People who lent their strength for a price.
To Rose, their image was close to the worst.
During her time in the Entertainment District, they were the men who would throw a few coins around and vent their desires with particular roughness and brutality.
The trashy bastards who tried to assault her when she was being dragged to Cassian's castle.
The Mercenaries in her memory were just thugs wielding swords.
Bowing to those with power, tormenting the weak.
'But... these guys are a bit different.'
Rose's red eyes swept over the escorting group.
They were walking and chatting, but their gazes constantly scanned the left and right of the forest, maintaining vigilance.
The distance between the vanguard and the rearguard was consistently maintained, and they quickly approached to check the wheels whenever a wagon rattled, showing a certain level of discipline.
'But instead of escorting merchants with so much cargo, wouldn't it be much more profitable to just slit their throats in a secluded spot, steal all their goods, and run away?'
A cynical mindset formed by the horrific worldview of dark fantasy novels and being ravaged by the absolute evil that was Cassian.
But then, Rose let out a small laugh and shook her head.
Not all men in the world would be monsters consumed by desire like Cassian or his Guardian.
Just look at Priest Elian, who had warmly embraced her only a few days ago.
'Well, it worked out. I was getting a bit bored walking alone anyway.'
She didn't know the exact geography to Deluna, and spending nights camping was quite arduous.
If she could just join that merchant caravan, she would not only get directions but also feel the warmth of human company and safely reach the big city.
Having made up her mind, Rose concentrated mana in her legs.
This was to predict the caravan's route and position herself ahead of them.
[Thump-thump.]
How long had she run?
She settled on a large rock in a secluded path where the caravan was bound to pass.
Then, she pulled down the old gray hood she had received from Elian,
placed her Shortsword on her lap, and huddled her body like a weary traveler.
And not long after.
[Rustle, clatter.]
"Captain! Something's up ahead!"
At the scout's shout from the front, the caravan's movement halted.
Mercenaries with their hands on their sword hilts fanned out in a semicircle around the rock where Rose sat.
A moment of silence and tension.
A man with a long scar on his face, who appeared to be the Mercenary Captain, drew his sword and stepped forward.
"You, sitting on that rock! State your identity!"
A deep voice laced with killing intent.
Rose took a deep breath inwardly,
then slowly rose from her spot, placing the Shortsword, scabbard and all, on the ground.
"I mean no harm. I am just a traveler who lost her way."
And she raised both hands, pushing her hood back.
"...!!"
For a moment, it felt as if the forest air had stopped.
From the mouths of the Mercenaries, who had been holding their swords with grim expressions, a collective gasp erupted as if on cue.
"Uh... hmm... haa..."
"No... how can a woman like that..."
A stranger in a worn, drab gray hood deep in the forest.
The fact that what was revealed beneath it was a woman of dazzling beauty was an unfamiliar situation that even experienced Mercenaries could not easily imagine.
Red hair shimmering in the sunlight,
skin as transparent and smooth as white jade,
and deep, alluring red eyes that captivated the men.
This was the reaction, even though her voluptuous figure, which could be called her true weapon (?), was hidden within the ample hood and not revealed.
"C-Captain-nim... is that, a human?"
"There's no way such a beauty would be alone in this deep forest! Could it be a monster or a succubus disguised as a human?"
"I heard some Magical Beasts can imitate humans..."
When beauty is too excessive, it can often evoke fear and wariness instead.
The Mercenaries gulped and began to whisper.
The Mercenary Captain, too, struggled to steady his wavering gaze and pointed the tip of his sword at Rose.
"What is your identity! Why are you alone in this forest?"
"I'm not a Magical Beast or a monster. I'm just a novice adventurer who got lost on her way north to Deluna."
As her soft, clear voice echoed through the forest, the Mercenaries' wariness began to melt away like snow.
If the woman before them was a Magical Beast...
They thought, 'It wouldn't be so bad to just offer my soul to a Magical Beast like her.'
"A novice adventurer... you say?"
The Mercenary Captain slightly lowered his sword and observed Rose's appearance.
Indeed, the Shortsword on the ground was a common mass-produced type, and the hood she wore was stained with dirt in places.
Could a Magical Beast or monster that bewitches humans create such details?
While he was still unable to judge easily and hadn't lowered his guard, a middle-aged man who had been watching the situation from atop a wagon stepped forward.
"Oh dear, to be lost in such a harsh forest, how much hardship must you have endured alone, young lady."
The man, who appeared to be the head of the merchant caravan, approached with a kind smile, completely captivated by Rose's beauty.
"Head Merchant-nim! It might still be dangerous!"
"Tsk, man. Can't you see she's just a poor young lady, clearly terrified? A monster, you say? Do you see that beautiful young lady as a monster?"
The head merchant chided the Mercenary Captain and extended a hand to Rose.
"I am Barman, the head merchant of the 'Silver Scale' caravan, heading to Deluna. Did you say you were also going to Deluna, young lady?"
"Yes... but I was at a loss after getting lost in the forest. If it's not too much trouble... could I accompany you to Deluna?"
A pitiful gaze like a lost cat, unsuited to her alluring appearance.
A flush spread across Barman's face as he met her eyes directly.
"Haha! Of course, of course. Helping a beauty in distress is a man's duty before it is a merchant's. We still have a few more days to Deluna, so please join us. You can ride comfortably if you get on the wagon with me."
"Oh... really? Thank you!"
As Rose smiled brightly and bowed her head,
the robe and loose shirt she wore fell under gravity,
revealing her ample cleavage.
At that breathtaking sight, not only Barman but even the surrounding Mercenaries flushed and cleared their throats.
"Ahem! Form up! We're departing immediately!"
The Mercenary Captain shouted, trying to hide his reddened face.
And so, Rose naturally joined the merchant caravan.
[Clatter, creak.]
The wagon rolled slowly along the dirt path.
Rose sat on a soft blanket prepared in one corner of the cargo area, facing Barman.
Beside the wagon, Carlton, the Mercenary Captain with a scar, and Luke, a young Mercenary with a fresh face, walked in step.
"So, you said your name was young lady Rose? How did you end up alone in such a harsh forest?"
Barman asked with a kind smile.
His gaze occasionally drifted to her chest, as if trying to gauge the ample breasts hidden by the robe.
But that was a cute desire she could tolerate, so Rose smiled as if she didn't notice.
"Originally, I had companions... but we were attacked by Magical Beasts and scattered. I barely managed to escape alone and was wandering lost."
Rose replied, mixing a sad expression with a suitably fabricated lie.
At her pitiful appearance, the young Mercenary Luke interjected with sympathy.
"Oh dear... you must have suffered so much. But now that you've met our caravan, you can rest assured! Our 'Black Wolf' Mercenary band is quite renowned in Deluna for its skill!"
As Luke beat his chest and spoke proudly,
Carlton cleared his throat and lightly smacked him on the back of the head.
"Stop spouting nonsense and keep a proper lookout, you rascal."
"Ah, Captain-nim! I was just trying to reassure the young lady!"
As Luke pouted indignantly, Rose let out a small laugh.
At her clear laughter, the men's faces brightened once again.
"By the way... what kind of place is Deluna? I've never been there before."
Barman, who had been stealing glances at Rose's smooth nape, cleared his throat and adjusted his posture.
"Haha, you don't know Deluna? It's the largest and most bustling commercial city in the northern continent. But just a few years ago, that place was no different from hell."
"Hell?"
"That's right. The previous Lord was an incomparably greedy and cruel tyrant. Taxes were murderous, and anyone who displeased him even slightly was mercilessly hanged. Furthermore, he was confined to his Lord's castle, indulging in pleasures every night, and didn't even care when Magical Beasts ravaged the territory."
A deep disgust crossed Barman's face.
Rose silently nodded, recalling Cassian's face in her mind.
"But now it's different. Three years ago, a new Lord-nim appeared, drove out that tyrant, and took over Deluna. He is truly... a wise ruler sent by heaven."
"A new Lord-nim?"
"That's right. He drastically lowered taxes, relieved the poor, and most importantly, he perfectly protects the residents of the territory from Magical Beasts. Thanks to him, Deluna is now the most livable and safest city on the continent."
Barman's voice was filled with sincere respect.
Carlton, walking beside him, added in a deep voice.
"That Lord-nim is no ordinary noble. He is a great Lord who wields mana."
"A Lord..."
Rose's eyes trembled slightly.
Was this why Lucian had told her to go to Deluna?
Because it was a safe city ruled by a good Lord like himself?
"Furthermore, Deluna's public order and mercenary management are handled by the Lord-nim's direct 'Guardian'."
Carlton said, tapping the Mercenary Guild emblem on his chest.
"Our Mercenary Guild Leader-nim is that very Guardian. The rules are incredibly strict, so it's unimaginable for Mercenaries to plunder civilians or cause trouble like before. If you get caught, your head will be off that very day."
"That's right! But in return, the rewards are definitely taken care of when you complete a mission. That's why Mercenaries like us follow the guild's control without complaint."
Luke added excitedly.
'A Guardian as the Guild Leader...'
Rose listened intently to the interesting fact.
Lucian had said that a Guardian was a shield that protected the powerless from Magical Beasts on behalf of the Lord.
It seemed Deluna's Guardian was fulfilling that role by controlling the Mercenaries to maintain public order in the territory.
"What kind of person is this Guardian-nim?"
At Rose's question, Carlton and Luke exchanged subtle glances.
"Hmm... incredibly strong, blunt... and..."
"She's an incredible beauty! She's comparable to you, young lady...!!"
As Luke shouted, his face flushed, Carlton smacked him on the back of the head again.
"You rascal, how dare you be so disrespectful to the Guild Leader-nim!"
"Ouch! But it's true!"
Watching the two bickering, Rose smiled faintly.
A safe city, a good Lord, and a strict but fair Guardian.
Deluna seemed to be a much more interesting and appealing place than Rose had imagined.
'I hope we arrive soon.'
Rose entrusted her body to the swaying of the wagon,
and closed her eyes with anticipation for the new city.