#591
Ian’s expression didn’t change at all.
“I see….”
He just nodded and muttered, then picked up his glass. His eyes twitched slightly, right after he took a sip of wine. The taste and aroma were unexpectedly excellent.
He glanced down at the wine and brought the glass back to his lips.
“Are you saying that all the neighboring kingdoms have abandoned their borders?”
Lucia asked, her mask lifted up. Simon, who had brought a chair between them and sat down, looked back at her as if being led, and Ohara nodded.
“That’s right. I don’t know if it was intentional or if it was unavoidable.”
“At least the illegitimate king is clearly intentional.”
“Tessiah said, her chin raised. She added, rolling her eyes at Ian and Lucia.
“He’s got red hair and a pair of ears. He might even have that ugly prosthetic arm. He’s probably got a bunch of other useful guys. If he wanted the land in the south, he would’ve done it a long time ago, somehow.”
“Yeah… I guess so.”
Ian put down his glass and nodded. He pretended not to notice Lucia’s secret gaze.
“Anyway, because of that, this fake kingdom also fell.”
While Ohara spoke with his arms crossed, Max returned and placed the bottles and glasses on the table.
“Now, this city is the only one left. It looks like we’ll all be called back to the archipelago soon.”
“Well, at least not for the time being.”
Tessiah turned to her, gesturing for her to follow.
“Because there will be a lot of crazy sea creatures swarming around those island pieces.”
“So the sea route is completely blocked?”
Ohara smiled as he poured drinks into each glass.
“It’s something I never imagined… but it’s fun.”
It was a look in his eyes that showed no sign of worry or anxiety.
Of course, Ian had no interest in her inner thoughts.
“Anyway, it’s become simpler. Just take the quick route.”
Ian put down his glass and muttered. O’Hara smiled as she refilled his glass.
“That’s right. Just follow the path leading to the valley. There are no patrols or guards guarding the fort.”
Instead, there would be demons and devils waiting for him. But this was nothing new or surprising to Ian.
Once they crossed the border, they would soon reach familiar places. There would be no need to go through the town. Ian was mentally mapping out the quickest route to Orndel.
“Choosing to coexist with the monsters… .”
Simon, who had been quietly sipping his drink, continued speaking leisurely.
“I’ve heard rumors that the border is in chaos, but it’s even worse than I imagined.”
“This is not the empire, your highness.”
Ohara playfully spat out the words and brought his glass to his lips.
Simon nodded, looking at the tattoos covering her arms.
“That’s right. I heard that they even eat monster meat in the border areas. I thought those were just rumors, but I wonder if they’re actually true.”
“It’s not to the point where I can’t eat it at all.”
It was then that Lucia blurted out. When Simon turned around, she took a sip of her drink and added with her characteristically expressionless face.
“I’m talking about monster meat.”
“Ah… haha. I… see… I’m a little curious about what it tastes like… .”
Simon smiled awkwardly. His eyes seemed like he couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious.
It was then that Ian put down his glass, which he had emptied cleanly once again.
“It was a useful conversation.”
He took a leather pouch out of his pocket and placed a gold coin on the table.
“Feed the horses well. My black horse eats meat, so bring him a big piece.”
“That’s a horse with a peculiar appetite. I guess so.”
Ohara said, covering the gold coins with his hand. He was looking at Ian with the observational gaze characteristic of a conjurer.
“I want to take a bath too.”
Ian added, pretending to put the bag in his bosom and returning it to the subspace. O’Hara nodded.
“If you go out the back door, there’s a well nearby. Use that. Surely you weren’t expecting a bathtub or something?”
“I did it. It’s a shame.”
Ian, who had been chewing on something, stood up from his seat.
“We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, so get some rest today.”
Simon’s eyes widened.
“Tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. Tomorrow. Right away.”
Ian turned around, glancing at Lucia.
“Then I’ll see you in the afternoon. I need to get some sleep.”
Before that, wash up a little.
***
The dead were buried behind a hill, far from the road, behind the city.
The faces of those returning from the funeral were filled with relief rather than sadness.
“Thank you, Father.”
“…Thank you.”
The same was true for Brennan and Simon, who greeted each other several times. It must have been because the Holy Spirit was softly blooming on Lucia’s hooded cloak as she prayed earnestly.
It meant that the blazing goddess was watching over their funeral. To those present, it was no different from proof that the souls of the victims had come to rest.
By the time Ian had passed the gateless fence and entered the city again.
“That… Ohara was very curious about Nari’s true identity.”
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Sanford, who had been walking ahead, whispered as he joined him, leaving Hashim alone in front of him.
“It seems like all the decision-making power is in Nari’s hands.”
“So, did you tell me?”
Ian asked back indifferently.
What didn’t really surprise me was that Sanford had been watching him the whole time. Sanford shook his head and muttered.
“You brought up old events… and threatened me. Well, anyway… if we’re going to talk about crossing the ocean, isn’t this something that we’ll definitely have to touch on at least once…?”
“You said you told me.”
Ian let out a low laugh, his gaze still fixed on the street that was quickly becoming dark again.
The city was still gloomy and dirty, with no sign of life.
“D-Damn, I got a promise to keep quiet until Nari leaves. I mean it…!”
Ian nodded in defeat at Sanford’s pleading addition.
“Okay. I’m glad you at least did it.”
He had never expected Sanford to keep his mouth shut. Besides, the sailors all knew about it. As Simon had said before, it was going to be known anyway.
Sanford smiled, clearing his throat.
“Don’t worry. O’Hara rarely leaves the inn, Anna doesn’t care about other people’s business, and Max has no tongue.”
“Just know that if anything goes wrong, you have to take care of it yourself.”
Ian turned into the alley and glanced back at Sanford.
“Or else you’ll become Max too.”
“I will keep that in mind…!”
Sanford nodded his head as if his neck was about to fall off, then hurried his steps toward Hashim as if he was running away.
Before I knew it, a loud noise was spreading from up ahead. It was clear that all the guys who had been sleeping had woken up.
“… Is it true that once you enter the Temple of the Hearth, you can’t leave as you wish?”
“Not all of them are like that.”
“Then, what about you, Apostle?”
“In my case… maybe.”
As the conversation continued to pierce his ears, Ian glanced back. Simon, who was stiff, and Lucia, who had an unchanging face, were walking side by side.
“Then… if it’s not too much trouble… could I… visit your temple someday?”
“Of course it’s okay.”
“… …! Are you sure about this?”
“If it’s for performance or support, then yes. If you have other personal purposes, you’ll probably be kicked out.”
“Ah, that… I see. Training or support… I understand…”
Isn’t that a evangelist?
Lucia met Ian’s eyes as he let out a hollow laugh, and approached him nonchalantly and spoke.
“I guess everyone is already celebrating.”
The commotion was becoming more and more apparent. Sanford and Hashim, who had arrived first, opened the door and were waiting for them. As Ian and Lucia approached, Sanford entered the room ahead of them.
“Everyone, greet me properly! The blazing goddess has accepted you!”
“Oh, oh…!”
Amidst the cheers, Ian and Lucia entered the room.
Sailors, with bandages and splints wrapped all over their bodies, scrambled to their feet.
“thank you-!”
“Thank you! Glory be to the Burning Goddess!”
… They’re not some gangsters.
At the shouts that continued uncontrollably, Ian just shook his head and walked away. He ignored Ohara’s gaze as she stood in front of the kitchen.
“Ian…!”
Shahin, Mukafa, and Tessaiah were sitting together in a corner. Tessaiah spat out, looking at the approaching Ian with sparkling eyes.
“Those guys are going to have a gambling party in the room soon. Can I join in?”
“… You’re going to give the money you saved to those guys?”
Ian asked, sitting down next to her. Tessiah snorted as Shahin quickly stood up and brought Lucia’s chair over.
“You’re going to get what you want? I guess that’s what you’re going to get. I’ve also made the most money.”
It was a confident tone. Well, fairies are natural gamblers, aren’t they?
Ian, who had been chewing on the food, finally shrugged his shoulders.
“Just remember that you’re leaving tomorrow.”
“Of course. I got enough sleep.”
Tessiah, who had curled the corners of her lips and spat out those words, stood up abruptly. While some of the people who had been quietly eavesdropping had their eyes sparkling, Tessiah lifted her chin and looked around the room.
“Make sure to leave my seat empty, too. And know that if you get caught doing something stupid, your fingers will be taken off one by one.”
“No, what are you saying…? Are you saying that the injured guys are gambling?”
The one who spat it out was Sanford, who had picked up his glass. He looked around the room with glaring eyes.
“How dare you, without a captain? Leave my seat empty too! You little brats!”
The sailors who had been frozen in place then finally burst into laughter and cheers and raised their glasses. It was then that Simon, who had followed suit and taken his seat, raised his right hand.
“No matter how I look at it, it seems like the room is too small to hold a game.”
As the sailors who had stopped one by one looked back, he picked up a glass from the table and smiled refreshingly.
“How about we gather in my room? I heard it’s the largest room!”
“… You are indeed wise, my lord!”
“For the young master who knows how to have fun! Cheers!”
The sailors shook their glasses and shouted, and Brennan squeezed his eyes shut and held his forehead. Of course, Simon just drank his drink coolly and burst out laughing.
It was then that Ohara approached with a tray amidst the commotion.
“After you finish eating, could you spare me a moment?”
She whispered as she placed the plate of food in front of Ian. When Ian turned around, a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.
“I have something to tell you privately. Your Excellency, Seongja.”
“…if we’re just talking.”
Silence, Ian muttered inwardly. Instead of answering, Ohara poured wine into her glass and walked towards Lucia.
Before long, the sailors were singing along to the sound of a pig being slaughtered, and talking about the ordeals they had each overcome.
Of course, there were also praises for Ian and Lucia interspersed throughout.
‘There really are no secrets.’
Despite the empty laughter, Ian continued eating without saying much.
Didn’t they all go through a near-death experience? There was no need to pour cold water on them in a place where they were all relaxed and celebrating.
“I’ll go with you, sis.”
“I wonder? But, do you know how to do it?”
“Of course. I learned all kinds of gambling techniques from Miguel.”
“Yeah…? That’s good. Let’s make all those guys into beggars.”
Lucia and Thessaia were quietly pairing off, while Shahin was going around among the sailors, clamoring for them to run errands for him.
Apart from Ian, only Mukapa was eating in silence. Of course, he was eating like he was going to rob the inn.
“Your Majesty! Let’s go!”
It wasn’t even thirty minutes later that Sanford shouted. Simon jumped up, clutching his glass, and the gamblers with grim faces rose up one by one. More than half of them were injured, but the faces of those who supported them were equally grim.
“Humans are like moths to a flame.”
Tessiah, who had let out a snort, also stood up leisurely. She looked back at Ian with one eye winking as she held a long cigarette in her mouth.
“I’ll be back soon. Get ready to become rich again.”
“I will come back winning.”
Lucia followed with a look of anticipation for battle. Soon, more than half of the group was climbing the stairs.
Ian let out a hollow laugh as he took in the sight.
“I don’t think it would be strange if he ended up wielding a knife like that.”
“… I will follow you and watch, Your Excellency.”
Mukapa said. Ian looked back at him and shrugged.
“If Tessa really does get all the money, tell her to return half of it to its original owners. Since we crossed the line together, we should part ways on a smile.”
“…If that happens, I will let you know.”
Mukafa stood up, holding a plate of meat in his hand. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about his eyes turning to gambling.
Before I knew it, the table was empty.
‘It’s finally a little peaceful.’
Ian shrugged his shoulders rather cheerfully. Of course, the room was still noisy. Anna, a waitress with an expressionless face, moved her glasses around the tables without stopping.
Sometimes, the face of a sailor who made a sinister remark would be hit with a fist without fail. The reason he laughed it off was because Max was watching from the kitchen.
“Saint’s agent.”
O’Hara came over to Ian just as he was putting down his fork and sipping his drink. She added as she slowly filled his glass again.
“Now, can you spare some time for me?”
“If we’re going to talk, I think it would be okay to do it here. There’s also an empty seat.”
Ian said calmly. Ohara’s smile became subtle.
“Because it’s the orderer’s business.”
What, are you going to show me some magic?
Ian shrugged his shoulders and stood up, holding his glass.
“Then, why don’t you go?”
The second floor hallway was noisy with the sounds of the gambling hall. It was clear that the game of a lifetime was already underway. Ian entered the room at the opposite end where the party was staying.
“It might be a little small for five people. Would you like me to give you another room?”
Ohara followed in and added, her eyes scanning the battle hammer leaning against the wall and the equipment she had taken off. Ian, who had set down his glass on the side table, looked back at her.
“Okay. Let’s get to the point.”
“Yes. It’s not really a big deal. It’s just that it might seem a bit… noisy.”
Ohara stopped in the middle of the room and said. Ian nodded and picked up his glass as if telling him to continue.
Ohara smiled brightly, took a moment to catch her breath, and then opened her mouth.
“There are many mountains and valleys, big and small, between the North and the border. Some of them lead to the Empire.”
As the soft voice spread, Ian’s eyes narrowed as he lifted his glass to his lips.
It was because he felt the magical power that began to spread and ripple within Ohara’s body. It was also a strangely familiar sound.
‘Magic overload…?’
The waves that spread from bosses on the verge of self-destruction. However, the magical power did not boil over as if it was going to explode, nor did her sixth sense send a warning. Instead, the tattoos covering her neck and arms turned red.
“There is a deep valley behind the mountain called Northnell. If you go inside….”
As Ohara continued speaking, the tattoo grew redder and redder.
It was clear that her tattoos covered not only her neck and arms, but her entire upper body. A reddish light shone through her clothes. Cold sweat dripped down Ohara’s face.
“There will be a winding… lake called Eldor… beneath it…”
She gritted her teeth and spat out the words, then suddenly bent down and gasped. Before I knew it, a faint smell of charcoal was spreading from her.
… I’m going to die like this. As Ian clicked his tongue and put down his glass, Ohara’s suppressed voice continued in an urgent tone.
“Underneath it, there is a gray tower…!”
fantasy,
