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Chapter 108

Thesaya laughed, and Ian, letting her comment pass through one ear, looked back at the receding settlement. It appeared complete from the outside but was still under construction. The immigrants were building log houses. There were clearings left untouched after logging and the outskirts directly connected to the forest without any fences. It meant the residents of the Black Forest Hill Village had enough resources to migrate.

That should do it, I guess.

Ian shifted his gaze without any attachment. There shouldn\'t be any more linked quests, so he likely wouldn\'t have to deal with those Northern barbarians again.

"Why do I always have to share a horse with the kitty?" Thesaya suddenly complained.

Pulled from his thoughts, Ian looked back at her. "Do you think you can maintain your sanity while continuously smelling me?"

"I\'m confident. Want to test it? ...Oh, that meant no. Got it."

Thesaya quickly turned away, and then Charlotte, frowning, turned to Ian.

"Ian, can’t we just make this one walk? She keeps pulling on the mane."

"What can I do if it\'s made to be grabbed? It\'s comfortable this way."

Really, not a single day goes by quietly.

Ian snorted indifferently and gripped the reins of the horse tighter.

***

After traveling for a full day and a half, they finally saw Travelga appear. A fortress-like castle at the center, and several layers of dry city walls. The landscape of the gray city, devoid of any decoration or color, blended with the cloudy sky, creating a rather gloomy view.

Yet, its size was fitting for the capital of a free territory. There were even residential areas formed around the outer parts of the city walls, and numerous people bustled about the main roads. It was the busiest and most crowded scene among all the Northern cities they had seen. No wonder, if Travelga appeared desolate, it would mean the free territory was facing a crisis, just like in the game.

"...?"

As Ian entered through the North gate of the castle, his brow furrowed suddenly. The face of the gatekeeper seemed oddly familiar. The gate captain also recognized Ian and momentarily showed a surprised expression, then smiled faintly.

Ian, stopping, said, "Are you managing all the cities of the free territory?"

It turned out it was the same gate captain who had been at the gate of Ninglosth.

The man burst into laughter and replied, "I only manage the North gate here. I knew we\'d meet again someday, but it’s nice to see you."

As he nodded to Charlotte and Thesaya, Ian, who had dismounted, looked at him.

"Why are you here? Don’t you have a family?"

"No, I don\'t. It\'s for the best. Even if I had one, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Anyway, I\'m here because... well, it\'s thanks to you."

The gate captain met Ian\'s gaze with a curious smile.

Ian\'s eyebrows rose.

The gate captain shrugged and continued, "I came here following Sir Lucas. I was lucky, I guess. Otherwise, I would have been dragged to Karlingion. Since I knew you, I came along."

"So, why does knowing me matter?"

"Sir Lucas was very interested in you. He needed someone who would recognize you and report back as soon as you arrived in Travelga. Turns out, I was that person."

"Ha..."

A sardonic smile spread across Ian\'s face.

Was this some kind of butterfly effect?

Regardless of the reason, encountering a familiar face wasn’t a bad thing, especially if it was a seasoned soldier from the defense forces.

"Thanks to you, I was put in charge of the North gate right away. And here we are. I was half-doubting, but you really did come back alive. So, did you complete the task?"

The gate captain asked quietly, almost whispering.

Ian shrugged. "That\'s one way to put it."

"You have no idea what we saw in the mountains—"

Thesaya began to boast as if it were her own accomplishment, but Charlotte quickly covered her mouth. Red and orange eyes glared at each other as the gate captain laughed again.

"You still get along well. Well, just coming back alive is the answer enough. But... It\'s unfortunate. Just when the commander happens to be away."

"I\'ve already met with Sir Lucas," Ian said, handing over a parchment.

Without even unfolding the certificate, the gate captain blinked.

"You\'ve already met him...?"

"At the barrier gate. We\'ve discussed everything. Hmm... now that I see."

Ian scratched his chin and added, "It seems like you\'re the one in an unfortunate situation now."

"What could possibly be unfortunate for me?"

"Sir Lucas is probably on his way to Karlingion by now."

"Uh...?"

"It seems he\'s settling down there. He might call you over."

"Ah, darn it."

The gate captain sighed deeply with his eyes tightly closed.

"I really don\'t want to go to that cursed place... there are more than a few mages there."

Ian\'s smile turned wry. "Not fond of mages, I see."

"Who would be? Everyone knows those folks are in Karlingion just because it\'s close to the Black Wall. People secretly studying the Black Wall aren\'t exactly sane."

The guard captain shook his head disapprovingly.

"They don\'t even disclose the location of their lair. I even doubt whether the Tower of Mages really exists. If there are so many towers, at least one should be known, shouldn\'t it?"

That’s because they have built a huge basement underground or beneath lakes, and claim it’s an inverted tower.

"Indeed. It\'s common knowledge that those fellows aren\'t sane."

Hiding his true feelings, Ian casually shifted his gaze. Charlotte and Thesaya, who had been staring at him, quickly looked away.

Ian suppressed a chuckle and continued, "By the way, I heard there’s a Church of the Light here. Which way to it?"

Only then did the gate captain casually unfold the certificate and say, "You’ll need to cross another wall to get there. Do you have business with the church too? I’m curious..."

"Better you don’t know. Now, where\'s an inn frequented by mercenaries or traders?"

"There are a couple, but whatever you do, don’t go to the Snowy Toad Inn. It’s just around the corner in the southwestern alley. That place is mainly for mercenaries who\'ve been around here a long time. Outsiders often cause trouble there."

"Then that’s where we’ll go."

"...?!" The gate captain raised his eyebrows as he looked at him.

Ian, taking the parchment from him, nonchalantly added, "I plan to get acquainted with those who are quick on their feet. Getting to know each other through a few punches usually works fast."

After a moment of gaping, the gate captain\'s expression turned serious.

Glancing around, he covered his mouth with his hand and whispered, "It would be fine as long as it ends with just brawling, but don’t kill anyone. If you do, make sure not to get caught."

"Don’t worry. It won’t come to that." Ian grinned and said goodbye, starting to walk away. Charlotte and Thesaya leisurely followed him, leading the horses.

"...You mean there won\'t be any killing, or you won\'t get caught?"

The gate captain muttered as he watched the unusual group\'s backs, then sighed and looked forward again.

"Karlingion..."

Now was really not the time to worry about others.

***

After handing over the horses, Ian immediately bought new clothes for Thesaya.

"So, are we fighting again?" Thesaya asked, awkwardly adjusting to her new shoes.

Ian shrugged as they turned into an alley.

"If necessary. First, we’ll try methods that don’t require it."

"Methods that don’t require it...?"

Charlotte looked at Ian as if questioning whether such a thing existed.

Ian said, seriously considering if she was asking in earnest, "People usually call that conversation."

"...Ah, right."

"Let\'s eat first."

"I’m hungry too." Thesaya licked her lips.

Her red eyes blurred slightly. Blinking under Ian’s gaze, she clumsily pulled out a leather eyepatch and put it on.

Stepping ahead, Charlotte said, "Don’t bother and wait. I’ll catch a few rats for you before bedtime."

"At least two. Plump ones."

Charlotte glanced back at Ian nonchalantly as she nodded.

Not to worry, right?

Ian smiled slightly and pushed open the door of the inn. A small wooden sign with a toad painted on it swung above. Ian entered, receiving the stale and musty air mixed with warmth on his skin.

".... "

The noise inside the inn suddenly quieted down.

The fairly spacious first-floor tavern was quite busy, even though it was early evening. The eyes of those seated turned toward Charlotte and Thesaya.

Now this kind of reception almost feels welcoming.

Thinking to himself, Ian leisurely made his way to a table in one corner.

Soon after the group entered, a waitress who had been watching them came over. She was tall with a typical Northern demeanor, looking like she could handle herself.

"What\'s good here?" Ian asked, to which the waitress blinked and then lowered her voice.

"You seem new here. It\'s probably best if you leave soon."

"Why? Because this place is full of gang leaders?" Ian asked, prompting a wry smile from the waitress as she added, "It’s quiet now, but in an hour or two, it’ll get much noisier. Then, probably..."

Her gaze swept over Thesaya and Charlotte.

Ian shrugged. "Sounds good. We can hear a lot of interesting stories then. So, what\'s good to eat here?"

The waitress, eyeing Ian with a look of disbelief at his confidence, eventually shrugged and said, "The stew with beans and meat served with rye bread and eggs is the safe choice. The expensive item is the roasted meat."

"Then two servings of each, and bring us a drink each. The strongest you have."

"Okay. You’re not planning to stay the night, right?"

"No, that’s wrong. We’re staying for the night."

"...."

The waitress looked at Ian again as if to gauge his sincerity.

Ah, it seems these guys really do stir up trouble.

"Give us your largest room. Can we also take a bath?"

"...Yes, but there’s a charge for each pot of hot water."

"Then please arrange that as well."

Ian took out a few silver coins and placed them on the table.

The waitress’s eyes narrowed. "That\'s too much."

"Keep the change."

"Are you trying to prepay for damages?"

"...."

She\'s sharp.

Catching Ian\'s glance, the waitress lightly massaged her temples and whispered, "No weapons allowed, and no killings either. The city guard will be called immediately."

Ian nodded agreeably and added, "Do you often hear outside news here?"

"Well, I don’t know how reliable it is."

"I\'ll be here for a few days, so I\'ll listen carefully."

Ian pushed another silver coin across the table toward her. The waitress sighed with a complicated expression as she took the coin.

"I\'m not sure if I should accept this. You might not actually be able to stay the night."

"Take it, bring us the food. I\'m hungry."

"...." The waitress looked at Ian for a moment, then turned around abruptly.

Charlotte commented nonchalantly, "He\'s already befriending the waitress."

"Befriending? More like bribing."

Thesaya added, "I’ve noticed before, Ian is especially nice to the staff."

"They work hard." Ian chuckled nonchalantly and looked around the tavern.

Drunkards, ruffians, and mercenaries. Whatever name applied, they were all the lowest of the low.

Just the fact that they mingle with such types every day was enough reason for him to be kind to the staff, even more so considering his own past peppered with various part-time jobs.

Ian\'s eyes calmly assessed the glances thrown his way as the food was soon placed before him.

"This one’s on the house." The waitress whispered as she set down an extra drink and turned away.

Ian looked at Thesaya and lifted his drink.

"Every now and then, something comes back around."

He took a refreshing sip of the drink and then picked up his fork. No further conversation was needed. The only things that mattered now were the warm food in front of him and the drink that hit his throat.

Feels like I’m truly one of the locals now. To think this tastes good.

While Ian immersed himself in his food with occasional chuckles, Charlotte’s expression gradually hardened.

A group of six at a table across were making lewd jokes about them, particularly about Thesaya. The insinuations were that there could only be one reason a blind fairy would accompany them.

Their voices weren’t even lowered, making it easy for the group to hear.

I should start with those guys. Once I finished eating.

Thinking this, Ian was busy eating when Charlotte spoke up.

"...Ian, can I step out for a moment?" Charlotte set down her fork and spoke in a calm voice.

Ian didn’t even look up as he responded. "I was planning to go."

"I’d prefer if you left it to me."

"Hmm...."

After a brief pause, Ian dipped his bread into the stew and muttered, "Remember, no weapons, and don’t kill anyone."

"What about breaking?"

"As long as they can still talk, it’s fine."

"I’ll take care to ensure your meal isn’t disturbed." Charlotte smiled slyly, stood up, and looked back at Thesaya.

"Keep your mouth open. You might get some blind blood splattered in."

"That’s the coolest thing you’ve said." Thesaya smiled.

Charlotte turned and casually made her way across the tavern floor, then smoothly grabbed one man by the head and slammed it down onto the table.