Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Asking the innkeeper at the counter on the first floor about places handling carriages, he mentioned the "Carriage Transport Guild" and gave me directions. Fortunately, it wasn't far. Just as the innkeeper said, walking with the south gate wall on my right, I soon reached my destination and got a consultation. "There are no carriages from here to Acrom. It'd be best to head to the Empire first and arrange a new one from there." That was the consultant's answer. I'd wanted to know the travel costs to Acrom, but disappointingly, no carriages ran there directly
"How much does it cost to go to the Empire?" He rifled through the documents in his hand and pulled one out to show me. 'Arcana Empire Capital Lumerion Carriage''Standard Carriage: 23 days, 50,000 Jen per day, departs after gathering 6 passengers''Express Magic Carriage: 5 days, premium customers only, separate consultation''Freight Carriage: 32 days...''Notes: Meals and lodging excluded from carriage fee—personal responsibility. Stops at villages en route for resupply
Inquiries for mid-journey disembarkation, etc....' Reading it over, the standard carriage took 23 days to the Empire's capital, Lumerion. The cost was 50,000 Jen per day, totaling 1.15 million Jen. "Do you know roughly how long it takes from the Empire's capital to Acrom?" "Hmm, let me check the documents... From the capital to the border is about 13 days, so to Acrom another 7 days or so—around 20 days total." He added that prices in the Empire were at least 20 percent higher than here. Meaning the carriage fare alone for 20 days would be 1.2 million Jen, not 1 million
'Carriage costs alone come to 2.35 million Jen combined.' Factoring in meals, lodging, and some buffer money, it added up to at least 4 million Jen overall. It was a suffocating sum. Feeling like I had to do something right away, I hurried toward the request hall. Opening the door and heading down the right corridor, the atmosphere was the same as yesterday. Relieved by the indifference around me, I steadily made my way and soon found an empty request board to start browsing. I checked for yesterday's laundry request just in case, but it was gone from the list—probably because the laundry had been picked up
In the end, I looked for others and learned about more realistic reward levels compared to last time. 'Monster subjugations pay the most, as expected.' Probably because they required risking your life. With my skills boosted by blue magic support, I was mid-level warrior tier, so for my first subjugation, I picked one marked "Beginner, 1-2 recommended" to get a feel for it. It was to take out five "Plain Runners" at a farm three hours outside the south gate. The description noted their chicken faces on deer bodies and to watch out for beak attacks
'I've had some real combat, but this is still no joke.' Unlike ambushing defenseless chobs from behind, facing enemies that spotted me was tough. The Plain Runners charged like they meant to kill, and I instinctively backpedaled before recalling the info and stepping forward again. The details were spot-on. Beware the beak, and they weren't tricky otherwise. When they flapped their short wings and thrust their beaks, I'd block with the broadsword in my right hand and stab with Privé in my left
Repeating that shattered their mana coats quickly. It took less than two hours for all five. 'Do monsters have mana coats too? The chobs didn't seem to...' Maybe it varied by individual, like with people. Anyway, my first monster request taught me they had mana coats. "Plain Runner meat is just like deer meat. How about I dress it for you to take?" That was the request client—the farm owner—who showed up on site. "I've got no experience with that, so it'd be better if you handled it. If it's okay, could I watch the process?" I didn't know how anyway, so I figured I'd learn and take some tips
"Oh, sure thing. Let me call the workers." After that, I watched them slit the throats to drain blood, remove guts, skin them, and got detailed explanations on dressing. Finally, they salted the meat for curing, saying it'd sit a day or two to drain more blood and moisture before drying into jerky or smoking. Or grill it fresh without salting. 'At least Long Ears' memory is useful for once... If I focus, I won't forget.' Once everything wrapped up, "Here's some meat cuts and your request completion certificate." I received the cloth-wrapped meat bundle and certificate
I cast Preserve and Cooling on the meat before stashing it in the transforming pouch. Someday soon, I'll get tools and cook it up, I thought, heading off. Three hours back to Bellunia, then straight to the request hall. "Grade 6 monster Plain Runner subjugation: 50,000 Jen reward minus fees comes to 45,000 Jen. Mercenary reliability up 1 point." That was my payout at the "Request Completion" counter. 'Didn't think of fees—does that mean minimum 45,000 Jen a day from now on?' Not bad, I figured, wrapping up my first monster subjugation easily
And the next day. Buoyed by yesterday's success, I took a Grade 5 monster subjugation and left the city. 'Grade 5 Monster Rabbit Dog Subjugation, Mid-Level 1 Recommended''Rabbit face on a hunting dog's body; fast movement, deadly teeth and claws''One appeared at Jairas Mine entrance, lured into large warehouse and contained' As the info said, the Rabbit Dog looked like a rabbit-hunting dog mashup. The mismatch between face and body, sharp long fangs bared as it opened its mouth, bloodshot red eyes
'Damn, that's scary-looking... Whoa, check out those muscles.' That brief thought, and suddenly the distance closed—the impact hit me hard, sending me rolling across the ground.
—Ting My mana coat taking damage. I scrambled up, but the Rabbit Dog was charging again.
—Whoosh I jumped to dodge. Instinctive move amplified by blue magic Balance. 'High enough to clear a person.' Surprised by the height, I spun naturally to land. "Kerrr..." After charging, the Rabbit Dog circled me, probing for openings Thinking it'd slipped my sight, it lunged from behind again.
—Ting This time, on the Rabbit Dog. I pivoted toward its leap and swung my broadsword, hitting its face and chipping its mana coat. Bounced back by the impact, it circled again. Then the same pattern from behind. I turned and swung, but it ducked mid-air, my attack whiffing.
—Ting I couldn't avoid the close-range bite on my thigh's mana coat. Unpleasant scraping as teeth raked it, but Heavy Blow's power let me hold firm while slamming Privé into its head with my left
—Ting We traded blows and separated, repeating the mana coat grinding exchange. 'Difference in combat experience?' Its movements grew savvier, reading me. My hits landed less; its connected more. Still, my coat had more left—its nearly gone. Probably my advanced mana realm giving durability edge. Just before my coat broke, After a brutal fight, I finally drove Privé under its jaw, ending it.
—Thud "Huff... huff... huff..." I collapsed, gasping. 'Almost lost
Grade 5 this tough? Grade 6 was a joke.' Catching my breath, resting, reviewing the fight. First real proper scrap, unlike before. 'Move sharper, use my feet more?' Kicks beyond weapons tempting, but would my body obey in combat? 'Just gotta grind experience. It outdid me there.' Conclusion amid thoughts. Grabbed proof, rested, headed to Bellunia. 4 hours out, 1 hour fierce fight and kill, 1 hour proof (hand/ear) and rest, 4 back. Total 10-hour request. Arrived Bellunia past 7 PM
'What? Why's it closed?' Exhausted after the long haul, but south gate shut tight. Guard said gates open 5 AM to 6 PM. Had to camp outside. In secluded spot, opened pouch for tent, Dirt Clear on proofs, strong Cooling to prevent rot/smell... Camped, passed gate at 5 AM next day. Request hall open already, timed for gates. "Grade 5 monster Rabbit Dog subjugation: 50,000 Jen reward minus fees = 45,000 Jen. Mercenary reliability up 2 points." 45,000 Jen after fees. Knew reward upfront, but yesterday's ordeal left me hollow
Contrasted with Grade 6 two days prior. 'Need better eye for requests. Same pay, but difficulty/time gap too big...' Bitter over bad pick, headed to inn.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A month passed after that. Kept completing requests as mercenary; realized my bad-pick thought was wrong. First subjugation just beginner's luck. Most took 1 day round-trip nearby, 10+ days far. Skipped far ones, stuck to 2-3 day averages. Local foraging ramped up, so meat dressing/cooking skills grew from prior lessons
'Probably only me dressing meat with king-grade magic tool.' Privé's mana-edged sharpness was wondrous, insanely practical for butchering. No dulling thanks to Preserve; dirty? Cloak with cloth, Dirt Clear. Bought spices/utensils, foraged herbs sometimes. Childhood botany paying off unexpectedly. Filling a transforming pouch slot with camp gear brought simple fun. Requests piled up over time. I stopped hiding my mana. Succeeding subjugations without mana use? That'd draw unwanted eyes. 'Hiding was dumb.' Had to for survival
Just hide mage-as-warrior part. Some days failed subjugations; my fault caused damage payouts sometimes. Days' work gone in flash—gut-wrenching. After months, only ~800,000 Jen saved. Today was one such day. Failed subjugation, fatigue-wracked return to inn at night. Small room mirror showed unfamiliar man. 'Who...? Oh, me.' Face changed post-puberty, Months of mercenary life etching sharp, shadowed features. Sudden thought. 'Would Grandmother recognize me now? What're Nellin and Kiru doing...?' 4 million Jen goal felt distant
Whoosh— Deep breath, steeling resolve. This hardship just process. Stockpiling fun tales, success stories for them later. And not much time passed yet. Need more. I can do more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Imperial Year 1488, July 2. One month since turning 28. Bellunia mercenary life: 1 year 4 months. Countless requests done; reliability built to Grade 5 mercenary. But no more subjugations. Lost one ear on recent one. Requests unpredictable; ended up facing three Rabbit Dogs unintended. Downed two barely, missed last off-sight; claws grazed cheek, severing ear
Pain groan, blood spray—still killed the last. But hearing down, direction sense off. Buried memories had minor earlobe cuts, but never this bad for hearing. Couldn't take subjugations like this. Consulted hall counter for ear regrowth; learned free treatment at Goddess church temple. Hurried there. In Bellunia's west gate district. "Limb regeneration only by special-grade holy mages. Long waitlist—at least a year." After two-hour line for consult. "But donate to the church, and the head priest will squeeze in treatment within a week."