Chapter 82: Invitation (1)
The commercial city of Buehren, belonging to the Kain Kingdom, bordered the neighboring Nadan Kingdom and always had a large floating population.
Today was no different.
Merchants, farmers, mercenaries, travelers, and all sorts of other human figures were lined up in a long queue to enter the city.
Harang was one of them.
Of course, if he used some under-the-table money, he could have entered more quickly, but Harang chose instead to leisurely grasp Buehren's atmosphere.
Wasn't it his first time outside the Nadan Kingdom?
Of course, Nadan and Kain were almost like brother nations, with many similarities in culture and lifestyle, but there were still different aspects.
Harang enjoyed finding such differences and waited for the line to slowly shorten, and when his turn came, he handed the gate guard a Wooden Plate Mercenary tag along with 50 Copper.
‘Handing over about 50 Copper to 1 Silver isn’t a bribe, but closer to a courtesy, he said.’
Harang, recalling the teaching of Pale, the mercenary corps' best brain, looked at the gate guard with a faint smile.
The gate guard was the same.
Quickly pocketing the money, he glanced over the mercenary tag, then patted Harang’s shoulder and spoke.
“You don’t plan on causing trouble, do you? Then again, there wouldn’t be any foolish fellow who’d commit such an act in the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild’s front yard. If you happen to have a drink, do it quietly and calmly. Pass.”
“Thank you.”
Harang, bowing his head deeply, passed through Buehren’s gate.
The faint smile remained.
It was because he felt proud of himself for gradually becoming accustomed to the outside world.
‘Besides, this time is even more special.’
He stopped at a corner of the main street and took out a note from his bosom.
It was an invitation.
The content was as follows.
[Harang, the promising swordsman of Marzen, I invite you. I’ve taken great care for you, so please attend. You’ll regret it if you don’t come. - From the Guild Leader of the Jeten Guild - ]
A phrase that might feel like a chilling threat to someone.
However, Harang did not grasp the true meaning of the letter.
He merely thought that some kind-hearted person was curious about him.
‘Why on earth was I invited?’
‘Could he be an acquaintance of Sir Philip Portville? That might be possible.’
‘He said he took great care? What kind of care did he take?’
‘But why does this name sound so familiar? Or is it not? If he’s the head of a large swordsmanship guild, is it natural to have heard of him?’
Harang had long forgotten the fact that the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild was backing the Travion Gang, and that there had been a dispute in Ruibil, the city where Hagio's orphanage was located.
Needless to say, he also didn't know that marriage talks were ongoing between Jeten and Sheratiya.
Therefore, the current Harang had come all the way to this neighboring country knowing absolutely nothing.
Fortunately, his mood wasn't bad at all.
‘Let’s meet more diverse people and share more stories.’
He felt it during the drinking session with Sheratiya.
That not everyone living in the outside world thinks the same way, nor do they all have the same worries.
It was evident even when comparing them just with the mercenaries of the Eddy Family.
The experience of meeting the Viyan family and what he felt when talking with Eddy, Pale, Glen, and the Fist brothers were as different as Heaven and Earth.
‘I hope it will be like that this time too.’
Harang nodded and put the invitation back into his bosom.
A smile still lingered on his face.
Indeed, what kind of inspiration would this person named Jeten, whom he was about to meet, impart to him?
What could he gain through him.
And how would he change and grow as a result?
Harang strolled through the streets of Buehren thinking such thoughts, enjoying various sights, and finally reached another gate.
It was the place dividing the Outer and Inner Districts, and normally, as an outsider and merely a Wooden Plate Mercenary, it would have been natural for him not to be able to pass.
However.
“Hey! You, what are you trying to enter here for? Judging by your appearance, you look like an ordinary traveler…… Do you even know where this place is?”
“Here is the invitation given by Guild Leader Jeten.”
“What did you say? Hold on…… Hmm…… Senior Soldier Charlton, is this seal real?”
“This seems to be genuine, right? Wait a moment, just a moment…… Hmm! It’s certain. My apologies for the rudeness. Please, come inside!”
“Thank you.”
‘Wow, he really took a lot of care, didn’t he?’
Harang made a surprised expression.
Was it because Buehren was larger than any city he had seen so far?
The Inner District of Buehren exuded a formidable atmosphere right from the entrance.
The gate guards in charge of the gate were also much more disciplined than any he had seen before, to the point where it seemed natural for an ordinary person to be intimidated even before approaching.
However, Harang had a free pass.
Just by showing this tiny scrap of paper!
He felt like he was beginning to understand a little.
This was power, strength, and the feeling of being treated well.
He understood why commoners admired nobles.
‘Of course, I heard Jeten isn’t a noble, but heads of swordsmanship halls or swordsmanship guilds receive comparable treatment…….’
Harang’s chest swelled with anticipation.
It was the first time in his life he had felt the power of ‘authority’ rather than ‘martial strength,’ and he had felt such power working for him.
Moreover, this wasn't the end.
The main part hadn't even begun yet.
Perhaps, upon entering the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild’s headquarters, he might have an even more amazing experience.
Thinking such thoughts, he walked according to the map, and soon the magnificent appearance of the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild came into view.
In front of the main gate, which was even grander than that of the Portville Sword Family, two guild members with glaring eyes stood guard, and even skilled individuals who looked like Silver Plate Mercenaries would shrink their shoulders when passing by.
Of course, Harang didn't need to.
Harang, approaching the guild's main gate with dignity, showed the invitation and spoke.
“I am Harang, here by invitation from Guild Leader Jeten.”
“……Ah! It’s Sir Harang!”
“We’ve heard about you. I will personally escort you.”
‘Nice.’
As expected.
This time too, their attitude towards him was excellent.
The guild members who shot sharp glances at others sent only gentle gazes towards him, and as if that wasn’t enough, one volunteered to guide him.
It was fascinating.
And it felt good.
It felt like he could get addicted, even if just a little.
It was when he closed his eyes for a moment to fully savor that emotion.
The guild member in charge of guiding him sneered at Harang, but he didn't notice.
When Harang opened his eyes, the usual smile was on the guild member's face.
“Well then, please come inside.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Ah! However, unfortunately, our Guild Leader is in the middle of important business…… so having a meal right away might be a bit difficult.”
“Business?”
Harang made a puzzled expression.
He couldn't help it.
The invitation stated to come by 12 noon, and Harang had arrived exactly at 11:55 AM.
Still being engaged in business was not polite to a guest.
The guide, perhaps also aware of this, wore an apologetic expression and said.
“It’s a very important matter. We ask for your understanding.”
“Well…… It’s alright.”
“It might not be much of a substitute, but may we take some time to introduce our Jeten Swordsmanship Guild? It’s not the best on the continent, but as it’s one of the largest guilds in the south, there won’t be a shortage of things to see.”
“I see. Thank you for your consideration.”
Thus began the tour of the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild.
It possessed an imposing presence sufficient to overwhelm the spirit of a young and inexperienced man.
Magnificent buildings comparable to those of a decent count’s family, and workers busily moving about within them.
A feast of numerous large trees planted for landscaping and splendid flower beds.
The last thing the guide showed was a training scene of the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild members; nearly 100 people sweating profusely, letting out loud shouts, and wielding their weapons was truly a magnificent sight.
This felt less like a guild and more like an army, a scene sufficient to make even a fairly courageous young man’s heart pound.
Of course.
Harang’s heart was not like that.
He was someone who had gone through all sorts of hardships with an immense number of a thousand children in his youth.
To break his spirit, the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild was a greatly lacking group.
However, if you asked whether Harang felt nothing, that was not the case.
Harang, who watched the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild members’ swordsmanship, nodded repeatedly.
‘I see. This isn’t a swordsmanship that borrows the power of basic elements, but one created by emulating animal movements!’
At first, he thought it was a swordsmanship embodying the water attribute because its sword posture was flexible and gentle.
However, upon closer observation, it was not.
That, which exuded a more venomous and insidious presence, was a swordsmanship created by referencing the aggressiveness of a snake, and it was on a different track from the techniques Harang had learned so far.
‘Good!’
Harang was greatly pleased.
The difference in level was so large it was beyond words, but that wasn’t important.
For Harang, their swordsmanship had great value merely for opening up a new perspective for him.
At this, Harang wore a regretful expression.
It was because he would have to meet Guild Leader Jeten soon, and he wished he had some time to organize his current enlightenment before then.
But, surprisingly, Harang’s wish came true.
The guide, who had introduced the interior of the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild, once again wore an apologetic expression and said.
“I am truly, truly sorry, but a more urgent matter has suddenly come up for the Guild Leader…… so it seems you will have to wait a little longer. For now, I will guide you to the reception room.”
“Ah, I see.”
Harang nodded his head with a joyful heart.
Normally, he should have been angry at the situation where the meeting was continuously delayed, but the current Harang had no time for that.
He also needed time to deconstruct, disassemble, and recreate the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild’s snake-emulating swordsmanship and digest it in his own way.
‘Perhaps, did he notice my current state and thoughtfully set aside some time for me?’
Thinking that way, his favorability towards the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild rose even further.
Harang, smiling broadly, said.
“Thank you. As expected of the Jeten Swordsmanship Guild’s reception room, it is very splendid.”
“……Hmm?”
“Then, I will be waiting. Please tell Guild Leader Jeten that he can take his time with his business.”
“……I understand. I will convey that.”
The guild member retreated with a somewhat strange expression.
Harang, who was smiling while looking at his retreating back, muttered to himself.
“They are really good people.”