200. Fang Drinking Cup
#200
As expected, the Caravel Merchant Marine arrived in Rundalian around noon the next day. The sun was shining so warmly that it melted the snow. It was still so cold that steam came out of my mouth, but the smell of dirt on the wind still let me know that it was summer.
Rundalian was surrounded by tall stone walls. Ronan stuck out his tongue at the scale, which was grander than that of most large cities.
“It’s so damn high.”
“Because it’s a city built by powerful beastmen.”
Adeshan nodded. Come to think of it, it was my first time coming to a city where beastmen were the main members. The rugged but strong castle wall was extremely focused only on its function of blocking external enemies. Since the appearance was not important, I started by piling up large, heavy stones.
“Stop right there.”
The gate was also huge. Seven prison guards blocked the upper part. There is one Wear Tiger who appears to be the leader. There were three werebears and three werewolves each. Because they were so large, they were quite intimidating even though they were few in number.
“Are you from Balon?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
“Hmm… This is the first time such a large scale has come. “I’ll check your luggage, so everyone get out of the carriage.”
Were Tiger said. Unlike the band of thieves from last night, who were closer to beasts, their attitude and actions were rational. Although it seemed wary of humans, it did not show any hostility.
The beastmen who came rushing in searched the wagon with their noses outstretched. Despite Ronan’s secret expectations, the carriage did not carry any suspicious items. After quickly completing the inspection, the tiger leader spoke to Duon.
“You can come in, but don’t make a fuss. “Because the residents here are not very friendly to humans yet.”
“of course. “Here, this is a comfort food prepared by our upper management, and you can share it with your colleagues.”
“Consolation prize?”
The leader perked up his ears. As Duon instructed, the merchants unloaded their loads in perfect order. A dozen large boxes were piled up in front of the castle gate. The werebear soldier who opened one of the boxes opened his eyes wide.
“Oh my god, it’s honey, Captain. “This box is salted pork.”
“Pork?”
The tiger leader’s eyes also grew bigger. Honey, which requires flowers, and pork, which requires a lot of water to grow, were both difficult foods to obtain in the barren North. The leader, who was quickly looking around to see what was happening, cleared his throat.
“Hmm, you know something.”
“Hehehe, I hope you like it.”
Duon and he shook hands. The soldiers with their mouths hanging from their ears carried the boxes. The captain, in a good mood, waved his hand until they passed through the gates. Marya, who was walking in front, poked Doon’s side.
“How about you, did you prepare well?”
“okay. “She is indeed my daughter.”
Duon patted his daughter’s back. It seemed like the idea came from Marya’s head, not his. Her Ronan whistled and cheered her on.
“You’re resourceful.”
“Hmph. It was worth the investment. It has the function of bribery, but it is also publicity for the top of Caravel. “Soldiers in small cities like this have a strong rapport with the residents, so they are likely to spread rumors.”
It was indeed the future Count of Armalen. Looking at the scale of expansion at the top, it seemed like one could become a nobleman much faster than before. Ronan unconsciously reached out and stroked her head. Perfect! Marya, lifting her face, lifted up to bite his finger.
“Hey, how long are you going to treat me like a kid?”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Ahaha. “I guess I’m a bit amazing.”
Marya giggled after hearing the compliment. Her flawless smile was beautiful. Adeshan, who was watching from behind her, twitched her lips.
‘···As expected, I heard wrong last night.’
The exhilarating feeling I felt just a moment ago suddenly subsided. Then she turned her head and her eyes met Marya’s. After staring at each other for about a second, Marya smiled.
“Hehe.”
“…uh?”
Adeshan froze in place. The coquettish smile contained many meanings. By the time she had managed to put her heart, which had sunk down into her stomach, back to its original position, the two people had already disappeared in front of her.
Ronan was still petting Marya’s head like he was petting a dog. Marya glanced up at him and muttered quietly.
“Now this is the last time.”
“ok? what?”
“Nothing.”
It was a tone that sounded somewhat bitter. As we entered the castle gate, a small city appeared. The buildings, like the castle walls, were large and made of rough stone.
There were people walking around on the streets, most of them prisoners. Even though the weather was still quite cold, everyone was wearing light outdoor clothing. Fur is definitely good for winter. Ronan, who was looking around, heard a rumbling sound in his ears.
“Mom, look at that. “He is human.”
“Shh, don’t get close.”
All the residents’ attention was focused on the top. As the security chief said, it wasn’t a very kind look. But more important than that was that we arrived at our destination. Duon stopped for a moment and said goodbye to Ronan.
“Thank you for your hard work up to this point. Thanks to you, I was able to arrive safely.”
“What. “It was nice for us to come here comfortably.”
“I will definitely repay this debt. As my daughter said, we will pay all the costs at Heiran’s blacksmith shop. “Please be sure to leave a certificate.”
“Well, really. “You don’t have to.”
Of course, I had no intention of truly refusing. Ronan laughed and scratched the back of her head. Considering how much it would cost to sharpen a sword, saving money was a good thing. There was no way the Grancia family’s note could be used in Heyran.
Duon said he was planning to stay here for a while and then leave. In order to trade with maximum profit, he first had to understand the entire city of Rundalian. Marya, who had been quietly listening next to her, licked her lips.
“i envy you. “Heiran, I wanted to go with you.”
“What, you’re not going?”
“huh. I thought about it carefully, and I am a merchant before I am a warrior. “I think this will take priority.”
She said with a tone of regret. Ronan shrugged his eyebrows at the sudden change in the story. She definitely squeaked that she would definitely go with us until the day we left Phileon.
“Sorry. “You suddenly changed your words.”
“Well, if you don’t want to go, it doesn’t really matter…”
“Hehe, then please give me some requests. “The weapon is this great sword, so it would be nice to have a set of armor.”
Ronan nodded. It was disappointing, but the reason was understandable, so there was nothing we could do. After lightly shaking his hand, Marya approached Adeshan, who was looking downcast.
“sister. I guess I’ll have to part ways here for now. “It was great traveling together.”
“Ugh… I liked it too.”
“Huh… until I go to Phileon, I’ll have to spend time only with sweaty men again. “Come here.”
“Soo, I’m suffocating.”
Because of the height difference, I had to bend my knees slightly. Ade Shan squealed as her chest was pressed. Marja, who was closing her eyes as if savoring the feel of her embrace, suddenly placed her mouth next to her ear. And she whispered loud enough for no one to hear except the two of them.
“You must be having a hard time too. “Because he’s a very tactless kid.”
“Marya, you…!”
“lol. “I thought you didn’t know?”
Adeshan’s face lit up. Marya’s eyes stayed on Ronan, who was yawning lazily. She continued her words in a slightly dejected voice.
“no. I just heard from the guard that the inn called the Fang Drinking Cup is nice. It seems like it’s the only inn with rooms for humans to begin with… How about staying there for a night today?”
“Thank you. By the way, Marya. Since when···.”
“It’s strange not knowing. He’s weird. Ah… why are my eyes so itchy?”
Marya wiped her eyes and pulled away. By chance her eyes met Ronan’s and she stuck out her tongue. What’s happening all of a sudden? Ronan asked, but she didn’t answer. Marya, facing Adeshan again, smiled.
“Well, unlike others, I’m glad it doesn’t seem like it will end in unrequited love.”
“Yes? “What is that…”
“it’s nothing.”
Marja turned around. She leapt to the roof of the wagon in one leap. It was a movement that made people gasp, but because it was a city of beasts, it did not receive much attention.
“Then I’ll see you at Phileon.”
“okay. bye.”
Marya, sitting on the roof, waved her hand. Ronan was puzzled by her sudden separation, but he waved her hand in response.
The procession at the top of the caravel slowly retreated deep into the city. It seemed like they were planning to visit the mine in full season first. Ronan stared at the top until it disappeared around the corner and scratched his head.
“What did I do wrong? “Why are they suddenly like that?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“Well, from now on, we have to go to the Sea of Ghosts together. Let’s do our best.”
Adeshan was startled at the mention of two. It was a situation that came after twenty days of waiting. She nodded, trying to hide her expression.
“huh.”
“Then let’s stay here today and reorganize. Hehe, I’ll be sleeping in bed for the first time in a while.”
It took four days to get to Heyran without stopping. Since it was a remote area where it was doubtful whether there would even be a small village, we had to replenish all supplies here.
Ronan stopped passers-by and asked them a few questions about the city. Most people were reluctant and wary of him as a human, but they were able to get an answer through simple persuasion. It was especially effective to place your left hand on the hilt of a sword and ask whether there was a big difference in material between the skin of a beast and the fur of an animal. Ronan, who had gathered some vague information, opened his mouth.
“Hmm. It’s all good, but the market opens tomorrow. “I’m tired. Would you like to have a drink and relax first?”
“good. Hey, I heard there’s a good inn called the Fang Drinking Cup.”
“How did you know that? “Then let’s go there.”
The two headed to the canine drinking glass. It was located in a bit of a corner, but it was easy to find. When I opened the stone door, the warmth that had been staying inside poured out. They were greeted by a middle-aged man with thick hair and beard that made one wonder if he was a Wearyak.
“Welcome to the canine drinking glass that boasts 20 years of tradition. “These are people I haven’t seen before.”
“human? Right..?”
“Haha, this is a question that first-time visitors often ask. “We decorated it like this to reduce the resistance of our guests.”
The middle-aged man laughed. It was his own strategy to survive in Rundalian, where human discrimination exists. It was questionable whether it would be effective, but he was resourceful anyway, so he must have been working at the inn for over twenty years.
The first floor of the Fang Drinking Glass was a bar, and the second floor was an inn. Inside, there was a long table, several chairs, and a bar table connected to the kitchen.
Perhaps because it was still early, there were no customers to be found except for two werewolves giggling in the corner. Two people had chosen suitable seats and were about to sit down.
“Damn, I was wondering where the disgusting smell was coming from and then the humans came.”
“What, really? “Because it’s unlucky.”
It was the size of someone talking in hopes of being heard. Ronan turned in the direction of the sound. The werewolves sitting in the corner were glaring at Ronan and Adeshan. Both of them gave the impression that they were playing the role of hoodlums in the city. The werewolf that made eye contact with Ronan spat on the floor.
“What are you trying to do? “Things that aren’t even worth a bite.”
“haha.”
Ronan laughed instead of answering. It was only a few hours ago that about 40 of their compatriots were chopped to death. I was thinking about how to massage those puppies. The owner, who was cooking in the kitchen, bowed and approached them.
“Hey…guest. Please refrain. “They are also our guests.”
“The owner, don’t intervene and stay in the kitchen. I told you so many times, right? The reason you’re still alive is because you make the best liquor in this city. “Nothing more or less than that.”
“Well, like that…”
The owner hesitated and stepped back. It didn’t seem like a very good city for humans to live in. The other werewolf, who was looking at the two people in turn, opened his mouth.
“Those two look similar to the people I killed in Barça back then. “Is it because all humans are similar?”
“Hehehe. Maybe so. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“It was a good time. You guys out there, do you know how many humans we killed? “This bastard and I are veterans of the Night of the Fangs.”
Ronan’s face hardened. When it came to Barça, it was none other than Adeshan’s hometown. An unfortunate city caught up in the Night of the Fangs, a rebellion among beastmen. Margrave Barça.
‘Fuck.’
For a moment, an ominous feeling crossed Ronan’s neck. It wasn’t appropriate for that story to come out now. A chilling voice escaped from Adeshan’s lips as he stood rigid.
“···what?”
“Sir, wait a minute…”
There was no way to stop him. A black aura spread around Adeshan and covered the inn. It was the mana of the shadow that took control of the mind. The owner dropped the ladle he was holding in his hand due to the foreign and ominous energy that stimulated his five senses.
“Gagging…!”
“What is this…”
The smiles disappeared from the werewolves’ faces. Encroached upon by the mana of the shadows, they froze like wax dolls. It seemed like the mental control didn’t work completely and the problem only occurred in the body. The muscles of the limbs exposed outside the clothes were writhing disgustingly.
“shit. “When did you grow up like this?”
Ronan cursed. It was similar to what I felt on the battlefield in the past. The shadow’s mana was gradually gaining strength. Ronan took a deep breath and grabbed Adeshan by both of her shoulders.
“senior. stop it.”
Ronan said, looking into Adeshan’s eyes. The sunken gray eyes were emitting an eerie light.
“······Ronan.”
“Don’t get your hands dirty. “They are bastards who are not worth it.”
The two werewolves were struggling to breathe and were gurgling. It seemed like if I left it alone, it would just die. He is someone who will do great things later, so I couldn’t find fault with him here.
Adeshan, who made eye contact with him for a long time, nodded. As the black shadow cleared, the murderous spirit that had pervaded the inn subsided. Werewolves, freed from their mind control, stood up.
“What have those damned humans… done to my body!”
“I’ll kill you!”
It seemed like he had a clue as to who had done it. The two wolves rushed forward, raising their arms without regard for who would go first. The hook-shaped claws sticking out from the ends of the fingers were emitting an eerie light.
“These bastards.”
Ronan pulled at the hilt of his sword. The moment the two werewolves came within the gap, a slash with imperceptible speed danced gracefully in the air. The werewolves stopped for a moment, feeling pain as if they had been burned. Sigh! Twenty fingernails, cut out to the roots, spilled out onto the floor.
“Kuhuhuhhh!”
“Cow, your finger!”
Twenty strands of blood spurted out. The werewolves, who realized they had been attacked too late, fell to the ground. They let out desperate screams as they looked at the hand that had changed to resemble a human being. Unlike humans’ nails, a prisoner’s fingernails were closely connected to nerves, and once pulled out, they almost never grew back. Crash. Ronan sheathed her sword and let out a cold sigh.
“go away.”
“Whoa! “Kaaaaaaaa!”
The werewolves ran out of the inn as if their butts were on fire. The owner, who had no idea what had happened, was trembling.
“You bastards, if it weren’t for the city, I’d cut your head off.”
“···thank you.”
Adeshan barely regained his composure and lowered his head. Her shoulders were heaving up and down as she breathed heavily. She must have been so angry that she lost her temper. Ronan shook her head.
“That’s Okay. “I did it because I was mad.”
“···As expected, you are very kind.”
Adeshan chuckled. The two sat down on the chairs as if nothing had happened and ordered two glasses of distilled liquor. Twenty pulled out fingernails were shining under my feet. The owner, who came late, asked in a trembling voice.
“So, customers… are you okay?”
“sure. “Thank you for coming forward earlier.”
“Well, it was… something that had to be done. “Here are the two glasses of Rundalian spirit you ordered.”
The owner placed the distilled liquor on the table. He was a better person than I thought. As the werewolf gangster said, the distilled spirit in a glass made out of stone looked quite polished.
“Oh, are you okay?”
“Hey… this is my first time drinking alcohol.”
“Try one bite and if it doesn’t taste good, throw it away. Now, cheers!”
“Well, cheers…!”
The glasses clashed and clear droplets of alcohol splashed out. Ronan was about to take a sip of tea. An unfamiliar voice came from not far away.
“You both have changed a lot. “It’s almost unrecognizable.”
“what?”
Ronan and Adeshan turned their heads at the same time. A rather sturdy wearfox was standing in front of the stairs going down from the second floor to the first floor. Judging by the fluffy fur, it looked like it was still young. Ronan asked, shrugging his eyebrows.
“What are you, kid?”
“This is sad. “Do you not recognize me?”
Wearfox sighed heavily. Ronan’s brow furrowed slightly. Are you pretending to know what that fluff is? I was wondering if he had a connection that I didn’t even know about. White mana crept up onto Wearfox’s small shoulders.
“…uh?”
Ronan suddenly felt a strong sense of déjà vu and sucked in a breath. It was definitely Mana that she felt somewhere. Ronan, who had been tracing her memories, narrowed his eyes and opened her mouth.
“Secret…?”
“It’s been a while. Ronan.”
“Oh my god, really.”
Adeshan’s eyes widened. Ronan cursed and stood up. Her chair fell backwards and a loud noise rang out.
“Huh!”
The owner, shocked, screamed from the kitchen, but there was nothing he could do. Secrit, the curse professor I met for the first time in two years, had become a shaggy beast.
