Chapter 507
"Why a snub-nose all of a sudden?" Diana muttered, eyes narrowing. As she said, he was an orc.
Ian, without stopping the glass at his lips, tilted it and took in the sight of the orc crossing the room.
His already fierce gray face was covered in scars, big and small. His long hair was braided into one tail-like strand. One of his upward-jutting tusks was broken at the tip.
Looks like a battle-hardened veteran.
Unlike most Imperial orcs, he wore no golden nose rings or tusk ornaments. Instead, he resembled the soldiers from the black lands. The chain-lined leather armor beneath his hooded cloak, worn but well-maintained, reinforced the impression. The bulge on one side of the hood was likely from a long weapon strapped to its back.
—Is a fight about to break out?
Yog’s excited whisper tickled Ian’s mind, but Ian remained unfazed. The orc’s yellow eyes, fixed on him, were calm and composed despite his fierce appearance.
"It’s more surprising that no one seems to care, considering how heavily armed he is," said Lucia.
Even as a fierce-looking orc warrior crossed the room, the tavern didn’t quiet down in the slightest. In the North, wary glances would have already been flying. But here, even those who glanced at the passing orc quickly looked away again, returning to their conversations as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
Their reactions showed no fear, as if they didn't even notice him.Raising her glass, Diana muttered, “It’s a snub-nose. You’ve seen them plenty of times already. They never start fights. Most of the time, they don’t even try. Especially not with humans. They’re terrified they might kill one with a single touch.”
Snorting briefly, she brought the glass to her lips and added, "Anyway, it seems the rumors about Ian have already spread. He must be one of those who wants to meet a great warrior in person."
"Maybe, but still…" Lucia trailed off.
The orc had already approached them. As the group’s gazes focused on him, the orc stopped beside the round table.
"It is an honor to meet you," said the orc. The orc’s voice was low and raspy, typical of orcs, but the tone was extremely polite.
Looking down into Ian's eyes, he placed his right fist on his breastplate. "I am Mukapa of the Vanatir, son of Valdit. With all due respect, may I ask you a few questions?"
Ian nodded, setting down his cleanly emptied glass. "Go ahead."
The orc, Mukapa, kneeled on one knee. His scarred gray face looked directly at Ian.
"Do you know Lady Ingrid of the Sonnier House?"
At the following question, Diana's eyes, who had been drinking without stopping, narrowed slightly. Lucia also tilted her head. The question had come completely out of the blue.
Of course, it was the same for Ian.
"I do," answered Ian.
Without taking his eyes off Ian, Mukapa immediately added, "If so, do you happen to remember where you first met her?"
"Midfert, I think."
"Thank you for your answer." Mukapa finally gave a small nod and lowered his voice further. "As you may have already guessed, the rude question just now was a confirmation process. By Lady Ingrid's order, I have been searching for you."
Ian nodded and picked up the bottle. "How do you know her?"
"The Vanatir have been under the patronage of the Sonnier House for a long time."
"So no personal connection, then," Ian said, slowly filling his glass.
Well, of course.
It made sense. Noble houses sponsoring orc tribes wasn’t uncommon. Orcs made loyal guards and attendants, without the risk of unnecessary scandal.
“Is another member of your group joining you?” said the waitress cheerfully. She had approached without them noticing.
"That's right. He's my guest," said Ian.
"I see. In that case..." The waitress's gaze turned to Mukapa. "How about sitting on a chair instead of the floor? If you keep blocking the way like that, you'll be a nuisance to others. Especially me."
"My apologies," said Mukapa, getting up abruptly.
Rather than taking offense at the blunt scolding, he scratched his cheek in embarrassment, casting a quick glance at Ian as if looking for permission.
Ian, letting out a soft laugh, tilted his head to the side. "Sit down. There's an empty seat."
"Yes." Mukapa finally turned around.
The waitress, who finally smiled brightly at the orc circling the table, started walking again. "I'll bring you utensils and a glass. I'll bring another bottle of wine, too, so just wait a moment."
She didn't forget to add a few kind words to Ian.
"It is my honor to meet the Great Warrior," said Mukapa, who had sat down in the empty seat to Ian's right.
Thanks to his large frame, one side of the round table felt completely full. It was a wonder the chair didn't break.
Ian, who took a sip of wine while looking back at him, replied, "You know who I am, too."
Well, of course. To find him quickly, she would have had no choice but to provide some information. It would have been a decision possible because she trusted the orcs.
Mukapa bowed his head slightly. "Yes. Please forgive me for not showing proper etiquette. There was a request to be careful not to reveal the distinguished guest's identity if possible."
"No need to apologize. I'm more comfortable with that," said Ian.
—-What a boring one we’ve got here.
Yog's bored whisper brushed his mind.
"As I thought..." Lucia's low sigh followed.
Noticing Ian’s glance, she blinked and added quickly, "Sorry. It just slipped out."
"No need to apologize. You were deducing on your own again, I see," Ian said with a slight smile instead of scolding her.
Lucia nodded awkwardly. "There aren't many people in the capital who would know that you are in the South, Sir Ian. And Sonnier is..."
"A maternal relative of the royal house. That's right," Ian murmured, silently admiring her sharpness. Ingrid was none other than Princess Seras in disguise.
Lucia nodded. "As I thought. The young lady is acting on Her Highness's behalf."
Unfortunately, she hadn’t arrived at the conclusion that the two were the same person. Even so, it didn’t change the fact that she had accurately seen through the situation.
"Was that it?" Diana looked at Lucia in surprise. While Yog snickered mockingly at her, Ian turned back to Mukapa. It was unclear how much this orc warrior truly knew—not that there was any need to ask.
“Enjoy your meal.” At that moment, the waitress returned with a tray and set a plate, utensils, and a glass in front of Mukapa.
Then, placing a fresh bottle of wine beside Ian, she added, "Shall I prepare another room?"
"Yes. Thank you for your consideration."
"Don't mention it. If you need anything else, just call me anytime." The waitress, winking playfully once more, turned around.
Ian picked up the bottle, filled Mukapa’s glass, and said, "Before we eat, let’s handle the main business."
"Yes. First, Lady Ingrid asked me to deliver a letter. I must see you opening it with my own eyes," answered Mukapa, taking out a rolled-up parchment sealed with a wax seal from inside his cloak.
"It's not a Scroll of Correspondence," said Ian, holding out his hand.
No spell circuit was inscribed on the back of the parchment. As an unintended bonus, he also noticed the orc’s middle finger, on the hand offering the parchment, was missing a segment.
Placing the parchment carefully in his hand, Mukapa added, "It is our principle not to possess items containing information about our clients. This is a copy transcribed by the chieftain, and I myself do not know its contents."
"How thorough." Ian nodded and broke the seal. The parchment unfolded to reveal densely written text.
She wrote a long one again.
Ian smacked his lips inwardly. A small consolation, at least, was that the handwriting was surprisingly delicate and legible.
Picking up the wineglass with one hand, Ian read Sera’s letter.
"My introductions are late. I am Lucifer Ash Riurel, an Apostle of the Blazing Goddess, and the new ember of the brazier," Lucia said, looking at Mukapa.
Mukapa finally met her gaze and bowed his head. "I apologize for my rudeness, Priestess. I am Mukapa of Vanatir, son of Valdit."
"Diana. Diana Erenos. Just pretend I'm not here," said Diana.
As if she meant it, she brought the glass to her lips and turned her gaze away completely. Mukapa showed no particular reaction, as if he was already used to the rudeness of fairies.
On the contrary, Lucia, who was looking at him with sparkling eyes, asked, "May I ask you a question?"
“Yes. But do understand—there may be questions I cannot answer,” Mukapa said. He had yet to touch either his food or his wine. His composed manner suggested it was only natural; after all, his task was not yet complete.
"Even so, how did you find Sir Ian so quickly?"
"I knew you’d cross the front lines. I visited the forts, checking if anyone matching your description passed the gates."
"Aha. You repeated it until you found him. A simple but effective method," Lucia murmured, picking up her wineglass, her question answered.
Of course, it would have been a method only possible with the cooperation of the fortress garrison. But for this orc, that seemed to have been no problem at all.
"You must have heard our news in Lavani Fortress."
"I heard that two and a half days had passed since you left, and that you were heading for Ahram. So I followed immediately, and fortunately, we were able to meet like this."
"To narrow down two and a half days to a few hours. You must have gone through a lot. What were you checking earlier?"
"A portrait of the distinguished guest."
Lucia's eyes lit up. Diana, who had been looking around the tavern as if bored, also looked back at Mukapa.
Lucia, who had quickly wet her lips with wine, added, "Could we see it?"
Mukapa readily took out a well-folded parchment from his waist and held it out. Unlike the one he had given to Ian, it was a cheap parchment. Lucia, who quickly took it, immediately unfolded it.
A smile mixed with admiration spread across her face. "It's really well drawn. Did you draw it yourself?"
The picture, clearly drawn only with ink, was quite similar to Ian. Diana also nodded with pouting lips.
Slightly averting his gaze, Mukapa answered, "I simply copied the original."
"That alone is amazing. I can’t draw like this, no matter how hard I try," said Lucia, shaking her head. "Now that its purpose is served, could you sell it to me? I'll take it to be stored at the temple."
"It was originally meant to be burned. But if the distinguished guest permits it, I see no reason not to," Mukapa answered softly. There was not much change in his expression, but Lucia noticed a faint awkwardness in Mukapa’s expression.
"I don't mind," said Ian.
Rolling up the parchment again with one hand, he added, "As long as you’re not planning to show it off to everyone."
"I would never do that. I'll take it to the temple, have it preserved, and store it carefully along with your records," Lucia answered quickly.
Ian's brow furrowed slightly. "There are records?"
"Of course." Lucia, acting as if the matter was already settled, quickly folded the parchment and tucked it into her clothes.
As Diana silently smacked her lips, Ian looked back at Mukapa. “I’ll pay the price.”
“No need. As I said, it was originally meant to be burned.”
"Well, if you say so."
"So..." Lucia gave a light tap on her breastplate and leaned forward slightly. "What were the contents?"
"Well, more than half was idle chatter." Ian shrugged.
He wasn't lying. The preface, describing the emotion and joy he felt the moment he confirmed Ian's reply, was four lines long.
"Of course, there was important talk, too. But it's not something to talk about right now. For now..." Ian's gaze turned to Mukapa. "Do you know what you have to do after delivering the letter to me?"
"I only know that I must follow whatever you decide," Mukapa answered calmly.
Ian nodded as if he had expected it.
Lucia carefully interjected. "What kind of decision?"
“She asked if I’d like to take him along as an attendant. At least until I arrive on the mainland.” Ian answered, tilting his head toward Mukapa.
Lucia, who nodded and glanced at the orc, added, “And if you refuse, he’ll just return to his tribe?”
“No. He’ll go straight to the capital and report to her. Seems like she might need an attendant.”
"But Sir Ian. Then..." Lucia, who had paused, looked at Ian with a slight frown.
Ian nodded. "That's right. Either way, he’ll have to cross the inland sea. In that sense..."
His gaze turned to Mukapa.
"Before I make a decision, there is something you must do for me."