Chapter 26
Chapter 26: One Knows while the Others Don’t
「Ann . Are you coming with us? 」
Caria asked her before we left .
We were at the front gate of the wall that separated the city-state from the outside . The gate was still closed, but Largud Ann moved her shoulders and answered us .
「I don’t have any fighting ability . I’m just a guide . I won’t be able to help you more than that . I’ll use my free time today to meet with other trading partners . 」
Largud Ann waved us goodbye with her small hands .
On the other side of the walls, we could see another town in the distance . It could be a merchant town or a residential area . We were not sure .
But, we heard that this town was the only town with permission to build a settlement this close to the walls of Garoua Maria . However, only merchants and adventurers had the authorization for free traffic . Other people were not allowed beyond the walls without a valid citizenship . But, that didn’t forbid the circulation of people from other places . Garoua Maria was famous for its independent economy . That’s why many people came to this city-state looking for jobs, looking for a glimmer of hope .
Yet still a glimmer without much hope, since many of those people were not allowed inside the walls . The result was apparent outside the gate . The slums of poverty filled the landscape outside of the walls . The General-Governor of Garoua Maria never acknowledged this existence . Neither the citizens . They just continued their wealthy lives as if nothing happened elsewhere . This sounded familiar to me . I remembered what I went through all my life . My eyes looked upset .
I was probably the only one who felt this way . Largud Ann was not only a guide; she was a woman of business . That’s why she was more interested in trading partners than coming with us on our quest . Numbers were what mattered to her . Not poverty . Ms . Ninz wrote about her traits on the letter she sent me .
Caria was the one who was less interested in poverty . Even Largud Ann’s preferences were more comprehensible when compared to Caria’s cold-hearted feelings . At least, our guide had some sense of courtesy . While Caria only used her bitter words, even when we went shopping she only complained to me .
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「What are you doing? I understand that the common folk hate luxury . But, not using money for what they need is no longer a virtue of temperaments, but a virtue of stinginess . Lugis . Are you sure that what you bought is what you really need? 」
「I should be the one to ask what the hell are you doing, Caria . New weapons, especially knives, are important . Even my chewing tobacco . It’s something I need . It might not be a luxury to you, but it is to me . The rest of the stuff I bought will be useful for our trip . 」
I took a deep sigh . But, Caria looked at me as if I was a selfish man, who only cared about himself and nothing more . I just bought what was necessary for our trip and for our needs too .
It didn’t matter what I said . Caria would never be able to accept whatever I do . Why did she act as if she was the person with common sense? She was far from being a reasonable person .
*warning bells*
The bells announced the beginning of the day . The sound echoed through the surroundings . At the same time, the guards began to open the large gate by moving the trigger .
Many people went inside and outside of the walls after passing though the security point . Suddenly, we heard a familiar voice that remained stuck in my earlobe .
「…Thank you for waiting . We should go . The second bell hasn’t rung yet . 」
Next to us, a woman dressed in a reddish black coat raised her hand . It was Filaret la Volgograd, the Sorceress . The coat’s pattern matched quite well with her dark hair and eyes . She brought heavy equipment that looked like proper preparations for a long journey .
Next to her, someone shook his blonde hair with confidence . It was Helot Stanley . He also had the appearance of someone ready for a long journey . His equipment was well placed, so that it won’t interfere with his movements . He also had a sword mounted on his waist .
「Everybody is ready . Let’s hope everything goes according to plan on this journey . 」
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*warning bell rings* The four of us gathered in front of the gate when we heard the second sound of the bells .
—
「…Please wait a minute . I understood the purpose of your first condition for our request . But, I don’t think your second condition is that reasonable . What you’re asking is too far-fetched . Who thinks to ask for an oath as a condition? This is absurd . 」
The perplexed words of Helot Stanley echoed through the tavern .
Yeah, I knew it too well . I was aware that he would bite my bait . I knew him too well to know how he’ll react .
Words of Oath . It was an important contract that a Sorcerer makes with other being . It was an unbreakable vow . A chain that tied the Sorcerer with that said being . People said that it was like a dramatic medicine, a powerful matter that could change one’s life .
That’s why he was quite astonished to hear my condition . No one probably heard of a request for a Sorceress’ words of oath in exchange for a quest . However, even though there were no precedents, that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen . But, he wasn’t my negotiating partner . The deal didn’t matter that much . As long as both parties agreed with the negotiating, the deal was legitimate .
That’s right . In this world, there were people who would sell their dignity for a piece of bread as a condition . Others would sell their bodies for riches . Trading deals were not that unusual .
「Helot Stanley . I’m not doing business with you . I would like to ask you to step aside respectfully while we’re negotiating . It’s not as if we’re having a life threatening conversation . After all, we’re just talking, aren’t we?」
I looked attentively at him . I gathered my courage and spoke to him with sharping eyes .
No one would like to travel with a Sorcerer, much less be his or her escort . They were always involved in difficult quests, for example, fights against demons or other impossible tasks that would test their own humanity . At least, that was widely believed by adventurers .
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So, when a Sorcerer made a request, there usually weren’t many adventurers who would rush to accept such requests, even if lots of money were up for grabs .
Yes . Even if a Sorcerer asked someone for said request, it would not be a mere business of the local Guild . It would be a matter of all Guilds . That’s why it was so troublesome . Even if someone was new to this kind of job, or even if he or she didn’t know how to create a request form, everybody would know at least this much . Of course, Filaret la Volgograd wouldn’t take that measure too lightly . However, the hateful hero continued to intrude .
「We can’t give you what you ask . There are a few Guilds on this city that can help you with your needs . You should find a Sorcerer for yourselves in there . You should leave this place . 」
The undeniable weakness of my opponent . I proposed a balanced condition in exchange for the request . It would be dishonorable if they refused . It was fair and square . But, I was sure she knew about it .
Helot Stanley’s cheeks distorted for a moment . He looked frustrated . It seemed that he did indeed bite my bait for real . He really wanted to stop this negotiation at any cost . Ah, but it was too late, hero .
「…Shut up, Stanley . He’s right, we’re just talking . Besides, the deal is fair . If we don’t do it, then, the balance of our request won’t be fulfilled . 」
Filaret’s words were absolute . Helot Stanley looked even more frustrated than before . But, he was obliged to obey her words . In this deal, she was the one in charge, while he was just her companion .
And knowing his personality, her words must’ve been hard to swallow . It was cruel . It was repulse too . But, it was amusing to me .
「If that’s the case, then give me permission to accompany you . I can’t pretend that I’m feeling good about this . But, there’s nothing I can do . I need to show my dignity and act like a proper gentleman . 」
So, that was the words that spilled from his mouth after great suffering . It was understandable . It was obvious that he’ll offer himself to accompany her after the condition I gave her . It was bad for him, but he pretended to be good . That was Helot Stanley . That’s why he was the hero .
Ah, his frustration…such an amazing feeling .
—
The journey to the ruins took around one day by carriage . That was only my estimation, because not many people traveled to that sort of place before . Therefore, we had to prepare everything in advance in case the journey took longer than expected . The carriage was full . To be honest, I didn’t have fond memories of riding in horse-carriages . But, I guess it didn’t matter much as long as I didn’t pay to ride this one .
The carriage was quite spacious . We were four people, but we had good distance among ourselves . It was not a noisy journey as we only heard the sound of wheels and hooves .
It was like an idyllic journey . There was no dispute . It was a journey that surrendered to the sound of nature .
…The fresh air of nature went through my lungs . It was as if my health was rejuvenated . My stomach was not upset neither was my back .
That’s right . It was peaceful, but something was fishy . The outside scenery was beautiful, but inside it was weird and awkward . At least for me . I looked at my surroundings and my mind became puzzled . Caria Burdnick . Filaret la Volgograd . Helot Stanley . And, me .
Ah, Ah . My senses finally returned to the harsh reality . This group reminded me of my painful and shameful journey of my future self . My dignity was thrown to the ground . They stepped on it several times . The peaceful atmosphere I felt before slowly transformed into a suffering atmosphere . It was as if my body fell on a garden full of needles .
I didn’t even swallow my own spit properly . Suddenly, my throat became dry and my stomach was upset . It was full on unwanted emotions . I rubbed my chin with my fingers and, then, I gripped my teeth .
I remember . But, they didn’t know anything about it . Still, I did remember everything .
Amidst the silent, they could only hear the sound of hooves and wheels echoing around… However, what they didn’t hear was the turmoil that I felt inside .