Chapter 147
The carriage traveled along the neatly maintained highway surrounded by the patrol guards at a respectable distance. None of them spoke. Occasionally they would cast a sidelong glance at lan seated in the carriage.
It was the same with others they encountered on the road. Various passersby including the other patrol guards came and went frequently proving that this was indeed the Empire. Everyone seemed curious about the identity of the carriage under guard.
This is such a pain...
lan didn't expect to attract this much attention. Contrary to his thoughts he chewed on jerky with a nonchalant face. In any casc he realized that he had set foot in the Empire carlier than in the game and through a somewhat illicit yet legitimate procedure.
In the game one couldn't enter the Empire or the North from the start due to a lack of qualifications. Anyone entering recklessly would be killed by the patrol or inspection soldiers. This went without saying for arcas near the South or the Black Wall could only be reached by passing through the Empire.
Thus being able to step into the Empire meant starting the next chapter. However there were still major quests in Chapter Two to complete as the order of progression had changed.
ou are not allowed to do this
"I think lan told you to manage your expression carlier." action on the current page!!
It was at this moment that Charlotte spoke softly. Philip who had been staring intently at lan turned his gaze away.
"Did I do it again...? It was unintentional."
Bullshit.
lan just snorted briefly. In a few minutes Philip would be back to watching him again just as he had been doing. While they couldn't speak openly due to the soldiers nearby he knew that Philip would start fussing the moment they parted ways with them.
On the other hand Mev who still had her face covered silently followed alongside the carriage not even glancing at lan's way.
"That's Burbrook ahead." Gregory who approached cautiously near the carriage said.
lan just nodded taking in the city that spread out beyond the highway. The moderately high and sturdy walls spread wide and beyond them the roofs of various large and small buildings poked through.
The gates were half open and people passed through without much hindrance. Despite being just days away from the border there was no sign of war.
Unlike the cities in the North which were almost always in a state of war due to the snowy regions and the Black Wall. This place a border town within the Empire had no relation to the Black Wall or war.
Morcover patrols had been intensified making it especially safer. With agricultural fields also in view it had likely never been neglected.
If I remember correctly this area should also have been affected by corruption....
As lan took in the approaching city he finally spoke. "Sir Gregory."
Even with his not-so-loud voice Gregory quickly closed the distance.
"Speak Sir Ian."
"This should be enough. It might get a bit tiresome if we attract the attention of the townspeople."
"I see. Then we'll stop here and I'll escort you with just one of my men."
The middle-aged man with a somewhat stubborn appearance was quicker on the uptake than he seemed. At his signal the soldiers halted. Their eyes fixed on him seemed to implore him to say something.
lan suppressed a bitter laugh. They hadn't even seen him fight yet this was their reaction. Then again rumors always tended to be exaggerated. In the North he was already regarded as a living miracle. Here it might be even worse. In any case since he had received their help he couldn't avoid saying a word.
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At lan's calm words the soldiers clasped their hands and bowed their heads.
Right. They're outright treating me like a saint.
The carriage moved ahead. Only Gregory and his lieutenant followed the group now.
"I pray you complete your sacred mission safely sir. And should there be any need to report to the church--*
"Tell them I appreciate your help."
A faint smile brushed Gregory's lips at lan's words. Perhaps Gregory had taken such initiative because he was concerned about the church. The church's influence in the Empire was far beyond that in the frontier or the North.
Clack clack-
The carriage approached the city gates. The guards eyes filled with curiosity about the newcomers didn't stop them.
Charlotte taking in the street view finally spoke. "This place hasn't changed."
*Have you been here before?" lan asked looking more relaxed.
Charlotte nodded. "This place is acts as a crossroad since it's adjacent to both Bel Ronde and Lu Sard. Merchants heading for the frontier also make their last stop here. I had some idea they would guide us here."
She looked at lan slyly.
"When I was headed to Agel Lan before we passed through here to get to Bel Ronde."
She's talking about the first time we met.
lan chuckled briefly and spoke. "Will you be alright? Running into the Libra Trading Company could be troublesome."
"It doesn't matter. We probably won't meet them and even if we do they won't care about me. Javier's part would've been divided among other heads. You wouldn't know but the business back then wasn't a failure."
*1 scc... Well that's good. I'll leave the guiding to you then."
"Of course. First lot's take care of the carriage."
lan's brows furrowed slightly as he nodded. He could feel the stinging stares again. He eventually spoke up.
"Why do you keep staring like that?"
Philip glancing back and forth between lan and Charlotte widened his eyes even more.
"How could I not? But the two of you this doesn't seem like the right time for a casual conversation."
"What could be more important than taking care of the horses and finding an inn?"
*An explanation is due. Isn't it natural...? To find out that the person we've been with all this time is the legendary Great Warrior
and Dragon Slayer. And what about being the Agent of Platinum Dragon...?"
"You should speak louder. So that everyone in Burbrook knows who I am."
*...'m sorry. I got carried away. Anyway my point is how did you manage to keep this a secret?"
"It wasn't a secret. I just didn't talk about it. It's a hassle."
*.. Huh." Philip sighed as the carriage stopped in front of a stable.
It was at the end of a street leading to the marketplace. Several horses and carriages were already stored. The stable keeper
hurried out.
"We'll leave tomorrow. Clean the carriage and give the horses the best feed and rest." Charlotte said as she got out of the
driver's seat.
*There are other guests ahead of...Yes I will." The cautious stable keeper quickly bowed upon seeing the gold coin in Charlotte's hand. Traveling with lan she had learned to spend money wisely where necessary.
"Let's go." Charlotte turned around and lan followed her taking in the bustling street scene.
From a modern person's perspective it was still dirty and gloomy. Nevertheless there were many passersby all of different appearances. The merchants who traded with travelers had an air of relaxation.
This place is as prosperous as the capitals of the frontier kingdoms....
The disparity was no longer surprising. And this gap would only widen as they got closer to the capital. Here even the clouds in the sky weren't that thick. The sun was setting and it might be visible by tomorrow.
Soon Charlotte's pace slowed. They had entered a back alley of the bustling city. The two-story building bearing the marks of time was the inn and tavern where they would be staying.
"If I remember correctly this place was decent."
Charlotte opened the door.
Despite being in the Empire the stuffy air mixed with food smells was no different. Even in the larger city of Travelga the taverns were filled with stench. The only difference here was it was wamer and more relaxed.
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In the hall which appeared to be both a tavern and a restaurant a few merchants mercenaries and locals were scattered around. Charlotte naturally chose a scat in the corner with the fewest pcoplc.
"Would you like to order?"
The approaching waitress was surprisingly a dwarf. Ian hadn't seen a dwarf waitress even in the North. Perhaps Charlotte had
brought them here because of the presence of this non-human worker.
lan spoke calmly. "Four meals with meat. And some liquor. How many rooms do you have available?"
*Four small rooms and two large ones."
*Then we'll take four small rooms. We'll also be taking baths after dinner so prepare for that too."
*All four of you?"
"Yes all four."
Ian handed over a generous amount of silver. The waitress nodded and turned away. Philip shifting uncasily spoke up
immediately.
*Please tell us now my lord."
*Tell you what exactly?" lan glanced at Mev as he spoke.
She sat with her back straight and her face still covered. Philip covering his mouth with his hand whispered urgently.
"Great Warrior! Dragon Slayer! Agent...!"
"You know it well. It's just as you said. For the most part." lan shrugged and replied.
Philip blinked. "Surely you don't mean that's all there is to say."
"That's exactly what I mean."
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"But still--* Philip about to raise his voice closed his mouth.
The waitress had returned placing beer mugs in front of them before quickly leaving again. Despite her short legs she moved
swiftly.
Philip whispered again. "...You should at least tell us how it ended up that way."
"It's exactly what you said. It just happened to turn out that way."
lan raised his glass and Philip's eyebrows knitted in frustration.
"Those don't seem like achievements that just happen by chance."
*I did stab the heart of the Corrupted Dragon but the Platinum Dragon did most of the fighting. I'm a Great Warrior but I haven't
really played that role often. The Agent title is just a name given for taking on a request."
*...I suppose I'll have to ask Charlotte instead. Charlotte it's unfair. You know all this and didn't say a word until now."
Philip turned his gaze to Charlotte who calmly took a sip of beer and licked her lips.
"I didn't intend to hide it. It's just that the conversation hadn't gotten to that point yet."
"What does that mean....?"
*A deal's a deal. Isn't that right lan?"
*An excellent mercenary attitude" lan answered nonchalantly bringing the beer to his mouth.
Philip momentarily speechless saw Mev lift her face covering. She brought her drink to her lips without making cyc contact with
lan.
You're doing things that don't suit you.
*The sword you gave me broke when I stabbed the dragon's heart' lan said as he set down his glass.
Mcv's shoulders twitched and she coughed quictly as if choking quickly averting her gaze as she set down her glass.
*There were...such circumstances-"
At that moment the waitress returned. She carried a large tray that almost looked like a walking table. lan smirked inwardly at
the numerous plates on the tray. Dwarves it seemed were strong even the females.
*Enjoy your meal. Let me know when you're ready to go up to your rooms."
After quickly setting the dishes on the table she left.
lan picked up his fork and added. "Are you disappointed?"
*disappointed...not at all! Sir..."
...Sir?
One of lan's cycbrows rose. Ignoring his gaze Mev stammered on.
"By the rumors...a hero representing the North and the Agent of the Platinum Dragon....who is also a saint of the church...
As her voice shrank her head also lowered.
"Not knowing that...I've been...disrespectful..."
*..*lan's eyebrow relaxed.
So that's what was bothering you.
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Well from the perspective of someone in this world it might be shocking. After all she was an Apostle of God. It wouldn't be strange for her to feel guilty about her actions being irreverent. However to lan it just seemed like an unexpected overreaction.
He eventually let out a bitter laugh and said "Well now I feel a bit upset."
*...?!"
*A comrade and friend you said? So it all changes just based on position?"
Mev's eyes widened as she looked at lan.
He added. "Just be as you were. Unless you want a formal relationship."
"...I don't. I mean. Yes. No matter what feats you've accomplished you're still lan. That's truly noble-*
"I don't think what I did is more noble than what you did on the frontier. I just took on requests and solved them. It was all for
myself. That's all."
While it wasn't entirely unpleasant to be treated as a great person it wasn't exactly comfortable either. Of course if these people were priests blinded by money or fattened nobles with too much in their hands he might have wielded his reputation.
But these were few trusted comrades who made the harsh world bearable. Despite trying not to get too close or attached that's
how it ended. He didn't want to be treated like that by them.
Mev who had been caressing her drink finally spoke up. "In that case can you talk to me informally as well?"
I'm quite comfortable as it is now."
*...it would make me feel more comfortable if you did."
Good grief.
lan snorted and lifted his glass.
"Whether I do or not I'll speak as I please. Informally. Will that suffice Mcv?"
He held out his glass. Mcv blinked and then clinked her glass against his.
*_Yes lan
Awkward but nice.
lan drank and picked up his fork. The meal began. It wasn't long before Philip lost in thought spoke again."It's truly a blessing that
the two of you have become genuine friends but...you ended up glossing over what actually happened didn't you?"
What an annoyingly persistent fellow.
lan clicked his tongue and added. "Ask Charlotte."
"Ha...I miss Miguel. If he were here he would have--*
"Been told to shut up by me like you are now."
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*Yos."
Finally a quict meal ensued. Ian fully savored the dishes which were generously scasoned with spices and herbs. Before he knew
it the hall was flickering with an orange glow. As night fell candles and lamps were lit.
There were more guests now people he hadn't seen before. It seemed to be mealtime as more and more people were coming
in. Freemen peddlers with their guards and even mercenaries-all sorts of people were settling into their places.
They say war brings money.
It seemed that the Emperor was the only one uninterested in the frontier. Perhaps the Emperor was intentionally neglecting the
situation. The power of the frontier was naturally weakening and free labor and money were flowing in effortlessly. If one were confined to the palace experiencing the world only through words and letters this would be a reasonable course of action.
The hall became a bit more tumultuous shortly thereafter. A group of merchants was entering. As if it had been arranged in advance a dwarf waitress guided them to a room located to the side. One of them glanced at lan shortly after.
Sensing their presence lan looked up. Two men with vaguely familiar faces were approaching. One was an Imperial man in his
mid-thirties with a stylishly groomed beard and the other was a large Northerner carrying a long spear on his back. To an
outsider he would likely be mistaken for a barbarian warrior.
"Hmm...?" lan's cyes narrowed slightly.
"I could hardly believe it but it truly is Sir Ian..!"
The Imperial wearing a friendly smile spoke as he approached the table.
*Do you remember who I am?"