Chapter 296: Poaching and Being Poached
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 296: Poaching and Being Poached
"So leisurely, you little brats."
That night, atop the carriage, Pink Bear was flipping through a crumpled map. He glanced at the group not far away, gathered around the campfire, chatting and laughing excitedly while feasting on the food and wine Muen had prepared. They looked as if they were truly on a vacation. He scratched his backside disdainfully.
"I hope you don't piss yourselves when you actually run into danger."
"Will there be danger?"
Muen, carrying a plate of food, appeared beside him at some unknown moment. He peered curiously at the map in the bear's paws, only to find it looked like a child's scribble—completely incomprehensible. He could only turn back to his question.
"Hmph. Kid, are you looking down on me again?"
Pink Bear grabbed a handful of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling through the food, "Who do you think I am? Even that total tsundere fiancée of yours has to bow and call me 'Uncle' when she sees me. You think the route I picked could be wrong?"
"Hmm? Uncle?"
Muen keenly caught the keyword.
However, Pink Bear jerked his neck to the side, abruptly changing the subject.
"With the speed of those Dragon-blood steeds you provided, even with the remote path I chose, we’re moving at least fifty percent faster than a normal carriage. At this rate, we’ll cross the empire’s southern border in another two days."
"I have noticed the temperature rising slightly," Muen said, rubbing his chin. "Does that mean we’ll reach the Holy City in about five days?"
"If nothing goes wrong, definitely."
"Why do I feel like saying 'if nothing goes wrong' is a surefire way to make something go wrong?"
"Watch your mouth! Don't jinx us. With me here, who would be bold enough to attempt an ambush?"
Pink Bear glared at Muen, then held out the hand he had just used to scratch his rear.
"Uh... what's this for?"
"The craving hit. Give me a cigar."
"Where the hell would I get a cigar?"
"You knew yours truly was leading the team, yet you didn't even prepare top-tier cigars to show some respect? Instead, you spent your time on this useless gourmet food to win over those little brats?" Pink Bear slammed the food tray, looking outraged.
"Believe it or not, I'll go to that brat Audrich and file a formal complaint against you!"
"What do you mean 'useless gourmet food'..."
Muen’s lips twitched. Ignoring the bear’s blatant disrespect in calling the Emperor by his name, he said helplessly, "Besides, I didn't even know it was you beforehand. Professor Prang kept it a secret the whole time. How was I supposed to prepare?"
"Dammit, that old bastard!"
Thinking about how he was being handled so easily by a mere Professor Prang, Pink Bear felt a surge of grief and indignation. He flipped a middle finger toward a certain direction, then turned back, holding out his hand again.
"If you don't have cigars, you must have some smut. Hand over a book; I need to kill some time."
"Huh?"
Muen was stunned by the bear's train of thought. "Why on earth would you think I have smut?"
"A young lad your age, not having any smut?" Pink Bear looked even more shocked. His gaze turned suspicious, his round, black beady eyes scanning Muen up and down. After staring for a long while, he said, "You... you aren't 'incapable,' are you?"
"You're the one who's incapable!"
Muen gritted his teeth and sneered. "I have a fiancée and a girlfriend. Why would I need smut?"
"...Dammit, you filthy normie."
Pink Bear cursed bitterly. He remembered his own ambition to see all the beautiful legs in the world, yet to this day, he hadn't met a single woman with enough vision to see the "interesting soul" beneath his mascot suit. In his frustration, he could only take a massive, spiteful bite of the "useless gourmet food."
But as he chewed, he suddenly paused.
Wait, something’s not right.
The girlfriend and the fiancée this kid mentioned... are they the same person?
"Ahem..."
Ignoring Pink Bear’s suspicious, probing gaze, Muen coughed twice and changed the subject. "Aren't you going to join the others?" He pointed toward the campfire.
"Hmph. What's there to talk about with a bunch of brats? Their hair hasn't even fully grown in. They'd probably blush for half a day just looking at a dirty book." Pink Bear crossed his arms, scoffing disdainfully.
"Alright then."
Muen shrugged. He decided not to tell Pink Bear that after chatting with the group, he’d discovered that the two third-year seniors also had girlfriends.
"Then enjoy your meal. Call me if you need anything."
Muen prepared to leave, but Pink Bear suddenly called out to him.
"Wait. There's something I need you to tell those kids."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Nothing major."
*
"The Independent City Arielze?"
Faced with Muen’s announcement, Liya asked curiously, "So you're saying we'll be staying there for a while in three days?"
"Yes, exactly. That's what Pink Bear said," Muen replied. "The purpose of the stop is simple: to give you all time to stock up on supplies and buy equipment. After all, your preparations back at the Academy might not have been sufficient."
"Can't we just buy things in the Holy City?" Fanny asked, raising her hand.
"In the Holy City, you can only buy overpriced Holy Light artifacts and goddess statues that aren't worth a damn. If you aren't careful, the Tribunal will haul you in as a suspicious person for questioning. Especially someone as handsome as me—those Tribunal guys watch me like perverts lusting after a beauty... Those were Pink Bear's exact words."
"That doesn't sound right..." Liya said doubtfully. "While there are many fanatics in the Holy City, it's not so strict that they just arrest people at random. It's just that compared to other cities, they're much more vigilant against evil cultists and contraband."
"Who knows? Maybe it's just because that bear did something, so they're only that strict with him." Muen spread his hands. "However, I also think staying in Arielze is a good idea. As one of the few free city-states on the continent, Arielze has always been a major trade hub due to its location and open policies. Although its population and prosperity don't match Belland, you might find some treasures there that can't even be bought in the capital."
"Treasures..."
Ariel, who had been sitting silently in the corner, suddenly looked up. A strange glint flashed in her eyes.
Muen’s gaze happened to sweep past her. His brow twitched slightly, but he quickly looked away and continued, "That's the situation. Although Pink Bear proposed it, I felt I should ask for everyone's opinion..."
"What's there to ask?" Senior Fanny blinked and teased, "We're all hitching a ride on Junior Muen's carriages. Even if you wanted to drag us to Arielze and sell us off, we'd be helpless. So, you decide."
"I'm just providing a bit of modest sponsorship." Muen smiled and looked at the others. "What about the rest of you? If there are no objections, then it's settled."
Naturally, there were no objections.
In fact, the girls—Vicky and Fanny—expressed great interest in the trip to Arielze, even suggesting they stay for a few extra days.
As expected, no matter the world, girls have a natural affinity for shopping.
Seeing the girls already chattering away—with Fanny even familiarly pulling in a shy Liya—Muen shook his head with a chuckle.
He went over to chat with the other two boys, Marshall and Aaron, for a bit. Then, his figure shifted inconspicuously as he made his way to the corner.
"Why are you still eating black bread? I'm pretty sure I prepared plenty of food."
Muen sat down by the campfire and poked at the logs. The orange firelight reflected brilliantly in his eyes.
"Who—who's eating black bread!" Ariel’s eyes widened. "I'm not eating it!"
"You say that, but there are still crumbs on the corner of your mouth."
"Wh—what?"
Ariel hurriedly wiped her mouth. Halfway through, she noticed Muen’s teasing gaze and realized she’d been tricked. She flared up in embarrassment. "Muen Campbell! Are you—are you looking for a fight?"
"Whoa, whoa, now is not the time for fighting." Muen waved his hands dismissively, offering a wry smile. "I'm just showing some concern for you."
"I don't need your concern," Ariel muttered, hugging her knees and burying her face against her thighs.
"..."
The atmosphere fell into silence.
On the other side of the campfire, the sounds of silvery laughter and playful rebukes grew clearer, making it sound like a pleasant excursion.
Ariel peeked up, watching the group playing around, then turned her head to look at the man beside her. He was also silent, but a gentle smile played on his lips.
She realized only now that the person beside her seemed very different from the guy in her memories.
Of course, she didn't need her own feelings to confirm this. This man had used his own strength to prove to everyone that he was no longer the Duke's son who was useless in everything but status.
The one who had been blind was her. Perhaps even the "clumsy" Liya had noticed it sooner than she had.
"Hey, Muen Campbell."
"Yeah?"
"Why did you suddenly become so strong?"
"Early to bed, early to rise, looking at beautiful women often, and diligent cultivation..."
"Liar! I've never seen you work hard!"
"..."
Muen glanced at Ariel and said softly, "Hard work isn't something you do for others to see."
"...Is that so?"
Ariel lowered her head again, falling into thought. Muen’s words gave her a sense of loss, as if she had accidentally overlooked something important.
But she quickly pushed the thought aside and curled her lip. "Fine, I'll grudgingly acknowledge it—your change."
"Oh? In that case, you should accept my apology too, right?" Muen struck while the iron was hot. "I truly want to reconcile with you!"
"...No."
"Why?"
"Because compared to what people say or how they appear to act, I prefer to use my own eyes and hands to confirm things for myself." Ariel stared into Muen’s eyes, her expression serious. "So, once this trip to the Holy City is over, I will challenge you personally. When that time comes, use your strength to show me your sincerity!"
"Huh? No... you're kidding, right?" Muen’s lip twitched. "You really want to fight?"
"Of course!" Ariel stood up, hands on her hips, looking domineering. "Muen Campbell, I admit you've grown much stronger. But I will absolutely not lose to you! Not in strength, not in wealth, and not in Celicia either! I hope you can keep things interesting for me when the time comes!"
Without waiting for Muen’s reply, Ariel turned on her heel and vanished into the darkness beyond the firelight.
"..."
Watching Ariel’s retreating back, Muen rubbed his chin. After a moment of stunned silence, he couldn't help but let out a helpless, wry smile.
"How strange. I'm clearly trying my best to avoid conflict with her, so why does it feel like I'm getting more and more entangled? Is this the corrective force of fate? Is it impossible for a blonde villain like me to avoid clashing with the protagonist? But I'm the one whose 'wall' is being poached right now. Even if we fight later, Ariel probably won't kill me... right? Probably."
*
"Hmm? If you have something to say, come out. Don't skulk around, or I'll think you're lusting after my beauty."
On the front seat of the carriage, where the firelight didn't reach, Pink Bear suddenly spoke to the empty air.
Most of the group had already gone to sleep. In the quiet night, the sound of rustling leaves suddenly drifted over.
Ariel slowly emerged from the woods, looking at Pink Bear with some nervousness. She asked, "I wanted to ask... why haven't we encountered a single magical beast this whole way?"
"Hmm? Your tastes are even weirder than mine? You actually like magical beasts?"
"No, no, no..." Ariel lowered her head and said softly, "I... I just want the materials from them."
"Short on cash? If you're short on cash, why not go to that kid?" Pink Bear asked, puzzled. "That kid is loaded. If I had a daughter, I'd want to be his father-in-law. Audrich wouldn't have stood a chance."
"I would never take that guy's money!" Ariel bit her lip. "Not even if I died!"
"...Fine. You adolescent brats are such a pain." Pink Bear wriggled like a grub to face another direction. "See those Dragon-blood steeds? Even though they only have a trace of dragon blood, the aura they release is enough to drive away most low-level magical beasts. It's normal not to see any on the road. But if you really want to find some, based on my experience..."
Pink Bear pointed a paw. "That direction. You might find some there."
Looking in the direction Pink Bear pointed, Ariel compared it with the thoughts of her Master in her mind. Her eyes lit up. "Th-thank you!"
"Don't mention it, it's a small thing. But I must warn you: if you aren't back by dawn, don't blame me for leaving you behind."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely be back before dawn!"
Ariel was impatient to set off, but Pink Bear called her back.
"Wait."
"Is there something else?"
"Do you have any smut?"
"Huh?"
"Smut!" Pink Bear emphasized impatiently. "Yuri doujins are fine too, I'm not picky!"
"..."
*
In the dead of night, after confirming no one was watching, Ariel’s figure turned into a silent shadow and plunged into the increasingly dense southern forest.
However, what she didn't know was that a pair of eyes was silently watching her.
As those eyes watched her dive into the dangerous, unknown forest late at night, a trace of pity and worry flickered within them. Then, that pity and worry transformed into a certain resolve.
After Ariel disappeared, the figure in the darkness turned and approached a carriage. After a moment of hesitation, they lightly tapped on the window.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Liya."