Chapter 159

Hotel Ormalon was a lodging frequently used by wealthy merchants…. people who were by nature sensitive to information.

That’s why, just by quietly listening in, one could pick up on how the city was moving behind the scenes.

“I heard O’Connor got all three of his cargo wagons cleaned out.”

“Is that true? I remember he brought a dozen guards with him, swearing he’d turn those bastards into dog food if they showed up again.”

“Honestly, there were a lot of them, but weren’t they just a bunch of nobodies? Turns out, as soon as the bandits appeared, they dropped their weapons and ran for it.”

“So O’Connor’s flat broke now? Feels like just yesterday he was showing off the jewels he got rich from in that saffron deal.”

“I doubt he’s penniless. You know where he hides his gems, don’t you?”

“Tsk, disgusting stuff. But did that really work? Maybe I should start keeping my jewels in my underwear too.”

“Don’t rely on luck. When those guys show up, they stay camped out for at least five days. I’m just pushing my trip to next week.”

“What the hell is the mayor of Maronford even doing? Isn’t the whole point of paying taxes to avoid this kind of crap? If they won’t do anything, at least lower the damn tax rate.”

“No point griping down here. Let’s go upstairs and play some Cannonball. Neither of us has anything to do until those guys clear out.”

“Loser pays for drinks?”

“Deal.”

I found myself puzzled by what the merchants were saying.

Were bandits really roaming this area?

The Kingdom of Laurencia is known for having relatively good public order…

Just as I was thinking that, the train robbery from last month came to mind.

I guess no place where people live is truly problem-free.

In any case, I decided not to dwell on it.

I’d be leaving this city by tomorrow. This had nothing to do with me.

As long as those bastards didn’t show up in front of me, that is.

And so, the next day, before the city had even fully awakened, a carriage pulled up in front of the hotel to take me and Dahlia.

It was a long-distance travel carriage we’d ride all the way from Maronford to the Winslet mansion. It was a full week’s journey.

Compared to the usual ones operating within the city, long-distance carriages had sturdier, larger wheels and a much more spacious interior.

Because I’d paid extra in advance, the coachman had stocked it with drinking water, food, blankets, and other travel necessities.

We’d be stopping in several towns and villages along the way, but there was a good chance we’d have to sleep inside the carriage at times.

The coachman took our bags, placed them in the luggage compartment, and removed his hat to greet us.

“I’ll serve you with utmost sincerity. But… will there be no escort?”

“Is one necessary?”

“The atmosphere around here has been rather unsettled lately. And since a lady will also be traveling with you… If you’d like, I could arrange for a guard from our guild.”

The conversation I’d overheard from the merchants yesterday came to mind, but I shook my head.

For one, it would be hard to find a better escort than me, an eighth-class mage, anywhere on the continent. And besides, the more people traveling with us, the more luggage we’d have, which would only slow the carriage down.

I was planning to wrap up my business in the Winslet County as quickly as possible and return to the capital.

After all, the bombing incident which could be seen as the trigger for the main story of Candela of Judgment was set to happen this summer.

I may have taken Caraphine out of the hands of the Longsoniere scum, but I still wanted to see for myself that nothing else would happen.

“We depart now.”

The coachman looked a little dissatisfied with my decision, but perhaps not wanting to get on my bad side, he simply nodded and took the reins.

Soon, the wheels of the carriage began to roll.

There were six horses hitched to the front, but the carriage wasn’t particularly fast.

That was because the horses took turns pulling while others rested.

Thanks to that, we had a good view of the scenery.

Except for the northern part, where a branch of the Hen River flowed, Maronford was surrounded by forest.

The old chestnut forests were an important source of livelihood for those living near the river.

Residents gathered nuts, mushrooms, and firewood…but most importantly, they harvested timber.

Chestnut wood, being both sturdy and easy to work with, was ideal for construction, but for people in port cities, it was especially prized for building ships.

As if to prove that point, the closer we got to the forest, the more lumber yards came into view.

However, there were no workers in sight.

In summer, trees absorb a lot of moisture, making them hard to dry once cut. And even when dried, they tend to warp.

That’s why logging was usually done in winter. In summer, instead of felling trees, people harvested honey.

The chestnut blossoms, which began blooming in May and peaked in July, were like treasure troves to beekeepers.

Even now, bees were buzzing among the dense clusters of white flowers.

Some of them, having lost their way, flew toward the carriage, and the coachman waved his hands in alarm.

“Apologies, but would it be alright if I burned some incense up front? Bees don’t like smoke.”

One bee had been buzzing around inside the carriage for a while now, making Dahlia pale, and the sour smell of the chestnut forest wasn’t exactly pleasant, so I told him to go ahead.

But as he was fiddling with the fire, the coachman suddenly cursed.

“Damn it, no way…”

The side window at the front of the carriage swung open, revealing the coachman’s panicked face.

“This is bad, sir!”

“What is it?”

“They’ve appeared, sir!”

“They? You mean bandits?”

“Something like that. They roam around this area, threatening anyone they see with swords and spears… Anyway, please hide quickly. Even the luggage compartment will do!”

“No need. I’ll handle it.”

“Huh? I don’t think that’s a very good idea… Are you perhaps a noble?”

When I nodded, the coachman’s expression brightened a little.

“Well, that’s a relief. No matter how reckless they are, they wouldn’t dare lay hands on a fellow noble.”

A fellow noble?

Before I could question what he meant, the sound of hooves echoed from within the forest.

By the time I opened the carriage door and stepped outside, more than a dozen mounted riders had already surrounded us.

And it was then that I realized two of my assumptions had been wrong.

The first: our opponents weren’t bandits.

Neighhh!

They were riding well-bred warhorses, clad in chainmail reinforced with plate armor.

Along with swords at their waists, they had bows, shields, and maces secured to their saddles. Clearly, these were professional soldiers.

And the second thing I’d been wrong about was that just because they weren’t bandits didn’t mean they weren’t going to rob us.

“Halt!”

The voice was young. The man who appeared to be the leader pointed his spear at me.

A flag bearing a noble family’s crest was attached to his weapon.

“We are knights of the Five Noble Houses who govern Lofield. All who pass through the lands of Lofield must answer the call of honor and declare themselves! Who are you?”

“A traveler. Just an ordinary one.”

“And you expect us to believe that?!”

“…..?”

“How do we know you’re not a fugitive hiding your identity or a smuggler on the run? You’ll have to prove your innocence!”

“And how do you suggest I do that?”

“We will confiscate all your belongings and the carriage. We’ll take them to the nearest inspection post in the territory for a thorough examination, and if it’s proven you’re innocent, they will be returned!”

They really had a talent for dressing up “Hand everything over and get lost, and maybe we’ll let you live” in such refined language.

Around that time, I heard harsh, mocking laughter spreading among the cavalry and realized something.

These men weren’t out on patrol. Their real objective was to harass travelers.

They seemed to be waiting for my response, so I raised my right hand and curled in all my fingers except one.

I almost left the middle finger up, but that wouldn’t have suited Winter Winslet’s dignity, so I extended my pinky instead and pretended to clean my ear.

“Must be all that time spent in the capital. I can’t keep up with backwater trends. Do nobles in this region commit highway robbery themselves now? Times must be tough.”

“What? Robbery?!”

Rough laughter burst out from among the cavalry.

Shing!

One of them outright drew his sword.

“How dare you insult me Francis, son of Count Duville! State your name and rank! If you’re a noble, I’ll challenge you to a duel on the spot. If not, I’ll take your head and make you pay for your insolence!”

“Winter Winslet. Baron of Winslet and son of the Count of Winslet. I’m on my way home, so back off and get lost.”

The cavalry exchanged glances and then started laughing under their breath.

“Winter Winslet? Hahaha!”

“The Winslet Count’s eldest son abandoned his family over ten years ago! Why the hell would he come back here now?”

“Looks like he’s picked up some gossip somewhere, but of all names to use… What rotten luck!”

“…..”

Well, I am the one who came back after ten years.

“Stop spouting ridiculous lies and tell the truth! Do you not value your life?!”

“…Is there seriously no one here who can recognize me?”

“Look at this guy pretending….he’s got nerves of steel, I’ll give him that.”

“Fools might’ve fallen for it, but not us!”

“…Hah.”

“Looks like you’re finally starting to grasp the situation.”

“I was going to let you go after toying with you a bit, but you’ve dug your own grave. Impersonating a noble is a grave crime. I’ll carry out the sentence right here.”

“How about we chop off his head and send it to the Winslet family? They might even send us a box of saffron as thanks.”

“Now that is a good idea.”

At this point, I couldn’t even feel angry anymore.

What a bunch of truly delightful young men.

Still, the fact that they weren’t waving death flags over their heads yet meant they weren’t being completely serious…

That’s when the incident happened.

“Well then, if you want to keep your life, try running. I’ll start chasing after a count of ten. What are you staring at? If you don’t run soon…”

One of the cavalrymen in the back suddenly loosed an arrow, clearly meant as a threat.

Since it didn’t look like it was aimed at me, I didn’t bother stopping it—

But that arrow ended up hitting the wheel of the carriage.

“Kyah!”

A scream came from inside the carriage.

A moment later, Dahlia opened the door and peeked her head out.

“Are you all right, Master? What was that sound just now…?”

I sighed and gestured for her to go back inside.

The moment those bastards saw Dahlia, the look in their eyes changed.

[Notification]

[A death flag has been raised by this character.]

“Oh… she’s not bad. Should we kill the coachman and that guy, toss their bodies in the river, and just take the girl?”

“Sounds good to me.”

At that moment, their fate was sealed.

I crooked my finger as if to taunt them—

And the two who had just spoken began to rise into the air, horses and all.