Ch. 175

By sunset, land finally came into view in the distance.

Heidrike was much larger than I’d expected, and by the time we disembarked, twilight had already deepened into full darkness. Even the sea had turned completely black.

We’d made it to Femmington earlier than expected and boarded the first departing ship — good luck, or so it seemed — but that meant we arrived at Heidrike half a day earlier than planned. By the time we set foot on land, it was the dead of night.

To make matters worse, everyone from the ship rushed straight toward the inns, and when we followed, every single one was already full.

We should have made reservations.

“Any rooms left…?”

“Doesn’t look like it.”

“What now? We can’t travel tonight. It’s too dark to move.”

The men began a strategy meeting while I sat on top of the luggage pile, waiting impatiently for them to make a decision. When they didn’t, I ground my teeth and snapped,

“Let’s just go!”

“Do you have any idea how dangerous fighting monsters at night is? Even if Heidrike’s safer than most—”

“Idiot! I’ll kill them all myself! You guys just stay behind me and thank me on your knees for protecting you!”

“…Honestly, you probably could.”

“Ugh, so smug.”

Lox, that bastard!

I tried a flying kick, but of course, before I could land it, Ash caught me midair, spun me around once, and set me down.

Still in his grip, I flailed my legs a few times before giving up. It wasn’t worth the energy.

“The real problem isn’t that. We can’t rent horses. Look — all the inns are full, and the stables are closed. Not because it’s late, but because there are no horses left to rent.”

“Lox! Why didn’t you book ahead!”

“…That’s my responsibility, yes! But how was I supposed to know it’d be this crowded! I was busy analyzing maps and translating letters!”

“Useless.”

I clicked my tongue, still held in Ash’s arm. Chad frowned at me.

“Hey, that’s harsh!”

“If you’re gonna act all competent, you better ‘be’ competent!”

“Wow, if you were my boss, I’d quit. People make mistakes, you know.”

“If I were your boss, I wouldn’t hire you in the first place! Even if you are surprisingly decent!”

Fighting among ourselves wouldn’t help.

All of this was that damn Rovenin Fedri’s fault.

Because of his duel, the whole island was flooded with tourists — no rooms, no horses, nothing.

“For now, let’s camp nearby…”

“The seaside’s damp and cold!”

“We’ll look for horses at dawn.”

“And if there aren’t any? We need five!”

“Then… we’ll have to buy them or rent a carriage.”

Of course. Things had been going too smoothly; something had to go wrong the moment we set foot in Heidrike.

And judging by the situation, even ‘buying’ horses might not be easy.

Half a day’s journey to Hirilike wasn’t bad — but the trip to the capital, where the duel would be held, was another matter entirely.

The idea of walking ten days made my skin crawl.

“Miss!”

“Oh, the brooch girl.”

As we stood stranded between the port and the inn district, someone called out.

At first, I couldn’t see clearly in the dark, but it was the little girl from the ship — Lill.

She sat on a cart, probably owned by someone she knew nearby.

Prey!

“My name’s Lill!”

“Of course, Lill. Such a sweet, polite young lady.”

“Uh? You sound different than before…”

“Your imagination.”

“So why are you just standing here?”

“We couldn’t find a room, so we’re sleeping outside. Tragic, isn’t it?”

I put on my best pitiful face, and Ash finally released his hold on my waist — both of us momentarily forgetting that he’d just been holding me like that out of habit.

“Really? Dad! Grandpa! It’s the lady who found my brooch!”

“Oh, so that’s the one you kept talking about.”

“She’s a water… water something.”

“Spirit Mage.”

“That’s a hard word.”

Excuse me? My sacred title deserves better than ‘‘water something.’’

“A Spirit Mage, you say? Then we truly owe you. Lill, mind your manners.”

The old man driving the cart said this in a tone of sincere respect. The people of Heidrike seemed more familiar with spirits than most — perhaps because the continent’s only high-level Spirit Mage was from here.

In most countries, people only admired mages and didn’t even know what a Spirit Mage was, so this reaction was refreshing.

“I heard what you did. You found my late wife’s brooch. We’re very grateful.”

“Speaking of that — any chance you’ve got a spare room we could stay in?”

“…That’s exactly what I was about to offer, but you beat me to it…”

“Well, what’s the point of being shy? We’re all just passing strangers in each other’s lives.”

“Geenie!”

Ash hissed quietly, but my shamelessness was a weapon sharper than a dragon’s breath.

It was, after all, one of my greatest strengths.

“You’re right. It’s fate, isn’t it? It’s been a while since we’ve hosted travelers. The house isn’t much, but if you don’t mind, please come.”

“Bless you! See? Good things happen to good people!”

Someone was staring at me — but I ignored it.

Just because I looked ordinary didn’t mean they had to stare holes into me.

“I raise goats out in the fields. The house is old, but there’s plenty of space — though my son-in-law’s family came to visit, so there’s only one bed left.”

“Must be mine, then!”

“I’m afraid the gentlemen will have to use the stable…”

“Oh, no, no! We’d be grateful just to have shelter.”

“Thank you for your kindness, sir. Truly.”

While the men busied themselves thanking him, I gently nudged them aside.

Move. I’d just heard something important.

I stepped closer to the old man.

“You have a stable, meaning you also have horses, right?”

“Of course. Can’t run a farm without them.”

I clasped his hand warmly.

“What a generous, kindhearted man. You’re not only giving us a place to sleep, but also lending us horses. Truly angelic.”

“Eh? I didn’t say—”

“How much?”

“…Well, if that’s the case…”

He clasped my hand back. Though we’d just met, understanding passed instantly between us.

We looked into each other’s eyes, shimmering with mutual trust — until Ash quietly pulled me and the old man apart.

“Alright, Miss. We’ll handle the rest. Please get on the cart.”

Ah, so the royal servant instincts had truly awakened.

Ash easily lifted me onto the cart while the others loaded the luggage, whispering among themselves.

“Wait, is this some karma thing? Like, she did a good deed and now it’s coming back?”

“Seems like it.”

“Weird. That doesn’t sound like her. Maybe those people are being scammed.”

“Oh dear, that could be it.”

Lox even covered his mouth as if he were in shock.

Was this guy my anti-fan or what? Pretending to admire me, yet doubting everything I do!

I’ll have you know — I’m the saint of this region!

“Quiet! Stop gossiping and get the luggage loaded already!”

One day they’ll look back and call this journey with me the highlight of their lives!

“Ugh, tyrant.”

“She’d be a nightmare boss. She’d work you to death in three days.”

“One day. I’ll bet a gold coin on it.”

Ungrateful brats.

[I’ll bet 8,392,029 gold…]

Rai didn’t get to finish — I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck (or rather, his chest fur).

You’ve got guts, saying that right next to me.

[Ow, that stings! Well, not really, but still! Heheh!]
[I’ll turn you into a manure shovel, you stupid spirit.]
[Ah! Monster!]

I knew well — words alone don’t inspire fear. To truly terrify, you must only make threats you’re willing to carry out.

[I’m sorry, Master! Please! I won’t do it again! Mercy!]

And that, right there, was why sincerity was power — and why Rai was the ultimate test of my patience.

—

Maybe this was a good omen for our journey — we’d found both a place to sleep and sturdy horses to rent for cheap.

Even better, the old man knew exactly where Hirilike was, much to Lox’s delight.

“So it’s north of the plains? We almost went the wrong way over the mountains.”

“I’ve lived here my whole life. Cross the fields and you’ll find a narrow mountain path lined with purple flowers. Follow it and you’ll come to a suspension bridge that leads straight to Hirilike. Outsiders usually miss it.”

“You’ve been an immense help!”

“Can’t imagine why you’d want to go there — there’s nothing, really. But may luck be with you.”

The old man, perhaps cheered by his visiting grandchildren, even treated us to a lavish dinner.

Maybe because the hospitality was too good, Ash looked restless — eager to repay the kindness somehow.

“I feel bad just eating for free. Please, if there’s anything we can help with, tell us.”

There he goes again — volunteering for charity.

“Don’t worry. Just having company from across the sea is reason enough to share a meal.”

“No, really. If there’s any work to be done—”

“No need. It hasn’t rained lately, so the crops aren’t doing well. There’s nothing to harvest.”

Don’t look at me like that!

Epiros boy, I’m not your personal watering can!

Ignoring him, I lifted my bowl and downed the rest of my lamb soup, then glanced toward Undine, who was playing with Lill — showing her little floating water droplets.

[Undine, can you make it rain?]
[Rain? Of course! It’s a joy to bless the earth with water!]
[How large an area can you cover?]
[Area… I’m not sure what that means. But with your power, Master, very, very much!]

Rainmaking — simple, but rarely used in battle.

Well, we’d eaten well. Maybe I’d practice a little magic and give their fields a nice shower.

I set down my third bowl of soup.