197. North Road (3)
#197
After leaving Phileon, Ronan and his party walked towards the northern highway. It was to begin the journey in earnest. People were walking around freely on the street that seemed to stretch out the square. Ronan muttered that he was tired of the vast scenery he had not seen in a long time.
“It’s so wide no matter when you look at it.”
This wide road, which bisected the islands with the imperial palace at its center, continued all the way to Astan, a city said to be the starting point of winter. Because it was a very important trade route in the empire, the northern highway within Balon was always crowded with merchants and the wagons they pulled.
Coachmen raising their voices after a carriage accident, dozens of merchants and mercenary guilds lined up on both sides of the road. Merchants are sighing because they don’t have money to hire bodyguards, and free mercenaries are coming after them.
Ronan was observing with interest the world behind the market, which he did not normally see. Marya, who was walking ahead, stretched out her index finger and pointed to a corner of the street.
“Oh, there it is!”
“What, is that the top of the caravel?”
Ronan turned his head and his eyes widened. Twelve magnificent wagons were lined up in a row. Each carriage was large enough to be used as a temporary lodging, and each had at least four large horses attached to it.
On the side of every wagon was a metal nameplate with the name of the caravel on top. Compared to two years ago, the improvement was literally like heaven and earth. Marya looked back at Ronan and smiled.
“Hmph. I worked hard even while you were away. “Now you’ll be in the top 30 of the empire’s rankings, right?”
“···It’s worth it.”
Ronan laughed as if he was shocked. She somehow seemed to be able to do it much more comfortably than she expected. Ade Shan, who had been following her in silence, quietly opened her mouth.
“Hey, Ronan… can I ask you something?”
“yes? What happen?”
“Why the sudden change of plans? “It seems like the means of transportation and the schedule are a bit different from what I heard.”
Adeshan suppressed his emotions as much as possible and spoke quietly. I felt like I would end up screaming without realizing it. After putting spit on her lips for a moment, she mumbled in a voice so low that not even her ants could hear.
“And… I think you said you two were going…”
The current itinerary was quite different from the itinerary I first heard about from Ronan. Ronan scratched the back of his head as if he was being shamed. Because it happened so suddenly, I skipped the explanation. He said, pointing at Marja with the tip of his chin.
“Ah, I should have told you in advance, I’m sorry. “I told the club kids about my plan yesterday, and they said that the merchant run by this girl’s father is going all the way to Rundalian.”
“Rundalian? A city on the Tucan Plateau?”
“yes. “Maybe it’s because it’s my hometown, so I know it well.”
Ronan nodded. Rundalian was a small city located in a fairly remote location in the north. It was a place where trade routes had only recently been opened, and Caravel Merchant said that they were going there to get cold steel, a specialty product of the place.
The only problem was the road to Rundalian. Aside from the rough terrain, security was not very good.
Except for a few large cities, it was essential to use escorts, and if even that was done poorly, even the underwear would be stolen by thieves made up of criminals. Deviating from established trade routes was treated akin to a naked beauty wandering down her alleys decked out in her jewels.
It was a place that had been oppressed by the empire for so long that it was natural, in a way. Nevertheless, merchants did not give up their dream of advancing into the North, because there were still many elements that could make money.
So, Marya suggested that if they were going to the north, why not accompany her. Rundalian was also quite close to Heyran, Ronan’s primary destination, so there was no particular reason to reject the offer. Adeshan shrugged his eyebrows when he heard that he was Hancheol.
“Hancheol…you’re going to pick up something expensive.”
“yes. So we were recruiting skilled escorts, and we just happened to show up.”
The group was provided with a comfortable bed and quality meals, and the caravel merchants were provided with reliable escort, so it could be said to be a profitable business. Adeshan, who knew the hardships of the North, had no choice but to admit that it was a wise decision. Her rational mind was convinced and she nodded her head.
“Hmm. That sounds like a good idea. “Thank you for telling me.”
“you’re welcome. “You should go as far as you can comfortably.”
Ronan grinned. If I had the same mind, I would have wanted to tell him to take back the night I spent all night, but I couldn’t complain about rational judgment.
In the end, all Adeshan could do was pout. It seemed like the two of them were going from Rundalian to Heian, so I had no choice but to take comfort in that. Marya, who arrived at the top of the top, shouted loudly.
“Dad, I’m here!”
“Oh, my daughter. Congratulations on your vacation. Ronan, it’s been a really long time.”
The top was already ready to depart. The owner of the merchant recognized Ronan and shook his hand warmly. It was Marya’s father, Duon Karabel, whom she had been dating for two years.
“Wow, you’ve become incredibly trustworthy. “I would believe it even if it were a member of the Imperial Knights.”
“It’s not that bad. “How have you been?”
Duon, whom I saw for the first time in a while, had lost some weight. He would have made a mountain of money, but looking at it like this, it seemed like she was still focusing on her work without losing her original intention. After shaking hands, he looked at Ronan and Marya alternately and said.
“Hehehe, I’m just doing the same as before. So, when are you going to take my daughter home?”
“dad!”
Duon chuckled. Ronan responded with a heartless laugh. Marya screamed at the extremely old man joke.
“Is that what you mean when you meet for the first time in two years? Seriously, why do you do this every time you see him?!”
“Daughter. Finding a companion like Ronan is much more difficult than you think. Why are you not aware of your father’s pioneering plan that was one step ahead? And Ronan, honestly, isn’t our daughter a great beauty?”
“It is pretty, though.”
Ronan nodded. It was true that Marya was pretty, so she had no reason to lie. Covering her mouth with her left hand, Marja slapped Ronan’s forearm.
“Oh really, why are you like that again!”
“sick. Wow. “It really hurts.”
Ronan frowned. Her physical strength was so strong that it hurt terribly. Marja told her to stop making a fuss, but judging by the smile on her mouth that was covered with her hand, she didn’t seem to dislike it that much. Right behind her, Adeshan was clutching the hem of her shirt as she watched.
‘Don’t take me.’
Even though I knew it was a joke, my heart felt tight. It was quite shocking to see her answer without hesitation when asked if she was pretty.
Of course, she’s much prettier than someone like me. Marya suddenly turned her head and said, grabbing her wrist.
“By the way, this is the senior who decided to go with me this time. “Come here and say hello, sister.”
“Oh, sorry about this. “I’m so glad to have met Ronan after a long time… This is Duon Caravel.”
Duon greeted politely. He seemed surprised by Adeshan’s height, which was much taller than him. She slightly lowered her head.
“This is Adeshan. Please take care of me.”
“Hehe, my daughter kept talking about how great the swordsmanship instructor was. He was such a wonderful person. “Please take care of me.”
“wonderful···.”
Adeshan paused after hearing that it was cool. It was a compliment I always heard, but somehow I became aware of it today. Ronan, who was quietly standing behind her, shook his head.
“Senior is cool.”
This was also true. Adeshan’s face froze for a split second. I had no idea how to take those words. Isn’t saying you’re cool a compliment given to the object of your admiration rather than to the opposite sex?
‘No, Ronan might like cool things more than pretty things.’
There was no end to it if I dug into it. She quickly gained a mental victory and a smile appeared on her lips again.
“thank you. But I really didn’t do anything. “Your daughter’s achievements are solely due to her own talent and efforts.”
“Oh, as expected…!”
Adeshan spoke in a friendly manner. The Caravel father and daughter’s faces filled with emotion. Marja said, embracing her in her arms.
“How can you speak so beautifully? Hehe, let’s take a bath together later.”
“Hey…!”
Unlike Eri, her body was strong. She was so strong that she couldn’t escape. Ronan, who had been watching the two women, nodded his head in satisfaction.
‘hmm. As expected, it was a good idea to ask you to come with me.’
It certainly seemed like there was a way for women to become friends by sticking around like that. If Asher or Schlieffen had done something like that, I would have broken their front teeth on the spot. Duon called the three people together and opened her mouth.
“Then let me briefly explain the schedule. As you know, our destination this time is Rundalian…”
Aside from Ronan and his group, there were twenty more guards. It seemed like a very important journey, seeing as he only selected impressive and talented people.
After hearing Duon’s explanation, the group got on the wagon. Since the other compartments were filled with the remaining mercenaries, they all had to ride in the same carriage.
The interior, about half of which was filled with trade goods, could not be said to be spacious even with empty words. Marya said with an expression of regret.
“Please understand even if it’s a little cramped. “Anyway, unless it’s raining, I sleep outside.”
“This is luxurious.”
Ronan shook his head. Compared to the barracks of the punitive army era, it was no different from the imperial palace. What is cramped? It was large enough for seven people to sleep if it was crumpled properly.
“Are you okay too? Should I ride her separately for men and women?”
“no. I still like it. “I will take good care of Rundalian as well.”
To be precise, this moment was a good thing. She rather liked this small space. She sat across from Ronan, a step away from her, and Adeshan smiled.
“What, why are you smiling?”
“Ahaha. just.”
Suddenly, I realized that I was a person with a very low boiling point. Just looking at his face made me laugh.
Induce confession. Pounce on me while I sleep. Of course, it would be great if I could be bold like Eri’s advice, but I didn’t hate myself for feeling happy with these little things.
I thought it might be a pretty good trip. Soon, the top of the caravel began to move slowly along with the sound of clattering horses’ hooves. Ronan climbed onto the roof of the wagon and lay down.
“It’s been a while since I was in the North.”
It was not a land with very good memories. Still, I had to leave to do what I had to do. Heyran’s blacksmith shop and the Sea of Ghosts. Will we be able to find a decisive clue to his birth this time?
The distant summer sky was sparkling blue. It was hot, but the wind was cool, so I felt quite comfortable. The journey to the land of snow and ice has begun.
