Chapter 021: Taming (2)
It had been three days since the Crimson Flame Cult incident, they say.
I’d slept for over two days straight.
“I still can’t believe it. Taking down an entire organization single-handedly and not some ragtag group, but the Crimson Flame Cult, with its own reputation.”
The heat on my face wasn’t from the grill across from me.
It was Jayden, who’d been repeating the same story for the third time, stoking the grill.
“Rumors keep spreading under the table. Zephyros’s officers are trying to keep their men quiet, but… that’s easier said than done.”
“Keep quiet? Why?”
Janson and Bill, seated on either side of me.
They’d insisted I take the seat of honor as the protagonist, and this was the arrangement.
“Ugh, you dimwit. Why do you think? It’s because an Imperial pulled off an unbelievable feat, and they’re sore about it. Out here, that kind of thing doesn’t sit well, got it? Plus, there’s talk that Zephyros deliberately ignored the Crimson Flame Cult’s atrocities.”
“No way, really?”
“…Just stop talking.”
Jayden, who’d been tirelessly tending the grill, glanced at us and gave a warm smile.
“Janson, Bill. You should’ve seen it. The moment Bihen wielded his ice swordsmanship. I’ve never seen such a spectacle in my life.”
“The one where he shattered the stone wall…”
“Exactly. If it hadn’t been for that, we’d have been trapped and dead.”
Jayden went on enthusiastically.
The small patches of cloth on his face and hands were the only signs of the wounds he’d sustained that day.
“Ice swordsmanship, huh. Did he enchant his sword with ice magic? Hmm, to think an Imperial could use magic. That’s surprising.”
Janson was sneaking glances at me.
Though he looked identical to Bill, their personalities were night and day.
His habit of muttering to himself and jumping to conclusions was grating, so I threw in a comment.
“It’s not magic.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s complicated to explain, but it’s definitely not magic.”
“That’s what magic is. Magic’s supposed to be incomprehensible…”
“It’s not.”
“…Alright, fine. I don’t know much about the Empire, so I might’ve missed something.”
His half-hearted concession was mildly infuriating, but… whatever.
“Janson, even if we’re told to be casual, Bihen’s a noble. Why do you keep talking back like that? It’s rude.”
Bill, struggling with a piece of hot meat in his mouth, huffed as he spoke.
For the record, the meat wasn’t even cooked.
“What is this, the Empire? For all we know, he might not even be a real noble…”
“Hey, Janson. That’s enough. Why are you grumbling on a good day like this?”
“…Yes, Captain. Sorry.”
“What’s certain is that without Bihen, we wouldn’t be here today. I’m a living witness. Bihen cut through magic.”
The two sitting across from Jayden widened their eyes.
“Cut through… magic?”
“So, the rumors… they’re true?”
“They’re true. I saw it with my own eyes. He sliced the Crimson Flame Cult’s flames to pieces.”
From Ness to even Jayden, it seemed no one who’d only heard about how I dealt with the mages could fully grasp it, let alone believe it.
Apparently, the phrase “cutting through magic” sounded like mere exaggeration to them.
Jayden shrugged as if it were his own achievement.
“Anyway! It’s been ages since we’ve had a party like this. Thanks to you, Bihen. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Even Zephyros gladly provided the meat and drinks. Let’s eat and drink to our hearts’ content today.”
As Janson and Bill went to the storehouse to fetch more drinks…
The smell of grilling meat spread warmly across the courtyard, which might’ve been a training ground or just a yard attached to the barracks.
The sunset’s red glow added a serene charm.
Something came to mind.
“What happened to Ayan?”
Jayden, grilling the meat, cast a glance far behind me and grinned.
“Speak of the devil, here he comes.”
I turned around.
Ayan was walking over, looking around nervously.
Maserin was with him.
* * *
“To the Easton Guard—!”
“To the Guard!”
Jayden led the toast, Bill echoed loudly, and Janson raised his voice in his own way.
Maserin, who hadn’t been dragged here against her will, wore a bored expression.
I wondered if my face looked the same, so I deliberately pulled up the corners of my mouth.
Clink, clink, clink.
We toasted with rusty tin mugs and downed our drinks.
The sharp barley scent of the Kingdom’s beloved ale stung my nose.
Not my taste. The aftertaste was awful.
“Ayan, you don’t drink?”
“N-no, actually, it’s my first time…”
Ayan answered but kept glancing at me instead of Jayden.
Whenever our eyes met, he’d quickly look away, like a kid caught doing something wrong.
“First times matter. No need to force it, Ayan.”
“Okay…”
“By the way, you got released faster than I expected. I thought it’d take a while. That’s good, I suppose.”
“I’m… not a mage.”
When I looked up at him, he hurriedly averted his gaze again.
He’d been watching me cautiously while speaking.
Maserin, who’d been silent, spoke up.
“Over half of the rescued kids were mana holders or 1st Circle apprentice mages. The rest, like him, didn’t register on the mana detector, so they were deemed wrongfully captured and all released.”
Apparently, a mana crystal was a tool for detecting human mana.
But a man-made device like that measuring someone like Ayan’s mana? Fat chance.
Feigning disinterest, I asked.
“So, what happens to the kids who were held?”
“At Ness’s suggestion, a lord’s decree was issued, designating the Crimson Flame Cult as a heretical faction and punishing them. Since the kids were involved, some punishment is inevitable, but considering the circumstances, it won’t be harsh.”
“Feels like we did all the work just to hand it over.”
“This is lenient. Zephyros’s enemies aren’t just the Langster Faction. Magic factions that disrupt the world are included.”
Sure, whatever.
After my mental sparring with Jewel earlier, I wasn’t in the mood to keep pushing.
Signaling I was done talking, I raised my mug, forgetting it was ale. As my face contorted…
“Hey…!”
Ayan suddenly stood up, looking at me.
“Th-thank you for saving me…! I really wanted to say that…”
Ayan’s hands trembled as he tried to hide them, clearly flustered.
Still, his courage was admirable.
He must’ve feared the Crimson Flame Cult more than anyone, yet here he was, facing the one who’d annihilated them—and scared him enough to wet himself.
“I only stumbled into saving you while dealing with the Crimson Flame Cult. Don’t thank me, thank your luck or thank Captain Jayden.”
“I already thanked Captain Jayden and the three of you as well.
I’m so grateful you even invited me to this party… I don’t know how to thank you all.”
Jayden smiled warmly, flipping the meat on the grill.
Honestly, I might be the one who should be thankful.
According to the Benkou Vision, I gained considerable achievements from this incident.
Above all, I confirmed Jayden Stein’s true worth.
He was ready to sacrifice himself without a moment’s hesitation.
In that moment, Jayden shone in my eyes, as if proving he was the Old Knight who’d guided me to this life.
‘…Am I drunk?’
I popped a piece of meat in my mouth and changed the subject.
“So, what’s your plan moving forward?”
“Huh? M-me?”
“Yeah.”
He had mana that could overwhelm the Crimson Flame Leader, yet either didn’t know it or was deliberately hiding it.
‘Which it is, or why, I don’t really care.’
What I cared about was his next move.
Would he live an ordinary life, unaware or concealing his true nature, or would he strive to awaken as a mage?
“No, I… don’t really have any.”
“Your hometown?”
“The borderlands near the northern demonic realm. I grew up without parents and was kidnapped by the Leader, so there’s no reason to go back…”
Bill raised his hand enthusiastically, still chewing.
“Captain, Henry’s spot in the office is open, right? Can’t Ayan fill in until he’s back?”
“Hey, you idiot. You think the guard barracks is a village inn?”
“Janson, don’t be so stingy. What’s the harm? No one’s watching. If you think about it, Ayan was part of this operation. He’s our comrade, our comrade.”
“Comrade, my foot. The guard is still part of Conwell’s forces. You think the military’s a playground?”
“Just stay out of sight when the officials come. What’s the big deal? Think simple, Janson.”
“There’s a difference between simple and stupid, you lunatic.”
The identical twins were locked in a heated argument. Janson was in the right, but I wanted to side with Bill.
…Huh, maybe I’ve gone soft since coming here.
Jayden, sipping his drink and listening, spoke up.
“Now that you mention it, Henry should be back by now, but there’s no word.”
“That guy’s probably loafing around somewhere. Is this the first time?”
I didn’t bother asking who Henry was.
Jayden had mentioned before that the Easton Guard currently had four members.
Must be the other guy. A quartermaster, if I recall.
“Hmm. Janson, how long’s it been since Henry went to place the order?”
“A little over a week?”
“…That’s odd. This order was just for weeding equipment, so he should’ve brought it back right away.”
“Don’t worry too much, Captain. Even old man Roxley’s got a soft spot for Henry. What could go wrong?”
Roxley. A familiar name.
‘The one Jewel first handed those Imperial criminals to…’
I asked Bill, who was stuffing his face with meat.
“Roxley—you mean the knight from the village near the port?”
“Huh? You know old man Roxley? Yeah. Oh, you traveled with the Gunbel Trading Company, so it makes sense.”
“Is he connected to the guard?”
I looked at both Bill and Maserin.
They’d interpret the question differently.
Bill spoke first.
“Canchester’s a well-known blacksmith village in southern Conwell. We’ve got a long-time blacksmith there, so Henry gets sent out often. Roxley… I mean, Sir Roxley is Canchester’s ‘big shot.’”
Bill gave a thumbs-up. I couldn’t help but scoff.
“That petty knight’s playing lord?”
Jayden, arms crossed and chin resting, Bill, grinning ear to ear, and Ayan, starting to settle into the mood… all turned to look at me.
Janson even dropped the meat he was about to eat.
“Watch your mouth, Imperial. Sir Roxley’s a Langster Faction knight friendly to Zephyros. He’s the result of our long efforts.”
“That’s none of my business.”
I’d been wondering where the Imperials Jewel spread ended up.
‘Not like I can go poking around her business partners.’
With no idea how far the Imperial Court’s reach extended, acting recklessly and drawing attention would be foolish.
I’m not strong enough for that yet…
Above all, I don’t want to act like a brute in a foreign land.
That’d disgrace the pride and honor of an Imperial warrior.
‘My ties with the Easton Guard give me a good pretext.’
I spoke up immediately.
“Captain, I’ll head to Canchester. My sword could use some maintenance anyway. If you give me the details, I’ll look for Henry while I’m at it.”
Jayden showed his approval but subtly glanced at Maserin.
It was an out-of-town matter, possibly involving Zephyros, so he seemed cautious.
If Maserin had any sense, she’d tread lightly after the Crimson Flame Cult incident, but her head was still held high. I spoke to her first.
“You coming along?”
“…If I go, it’ll complicate things.”
“Good.”
“But I’ll need a report.”
“I’ll make it detailed.”
No need to linger.
I stood up, but Jayden gestured for me to wait.
“I’m uneasy sending you alone. Janson, you accompany Bihen.”
Both Janson and I furrowed our brows.
“Me? Why?”
“You were all about protocol earlier, but now you’re questioning your superior’s orders?”
“No, it’s not that… Canchester…”
“You and Henry get along well, don’t you? Besides, you’re knowledgeable and a good talker, so you’ll be good company on the way. Bihen, that alright with you?”
“Sure, fine.”
Better than Maserin tagging along.
As I turned to leave, Maserin called out.
“Your sword. Can I see it for a moment?”
“Why?”
“…I want to check. Honestly, that’s a big reason I came today.”
Probably about the Snowflower Sword.
Come to think of it, I had some things to discuss with her regarding it.
Shing.
I drew the sword just a handspan and held it toward Maserin.
She approached and subtly asked for permission with her eyes.
Guess she’s got some manners.
I closed my eyelids to signal approval, and Maserin traced the blade with her fingers.
“…It’s not enchanted.”
“Using cheap tricks like that is a disgrace to an Imperial swordsman.”
Clank.
I sheathed the sword.
The gleam in Maserin’s face faded, leaving only a melancholic expression.
I understood why.
In my past life, I’d often worn a similar look watching superior swordsmen from afar.
I exhaled the faint bitterness rising within me.
“I’m open to exchanges about training. If you’ve got questions, ask when I’m back.”
“…Got it. The report to Zephyros… I can take my time, right?”
She wasn’t completely unreasonable, it seemed.
“Do as you like.”
* * *
The next morning, I met Janson near the gate.
Like last time, he carried a large pack and was picking out horses to ride from the stables by the gate, prepared like a post station.
I liked that he didn’t grumble and did his job diligently.
Probably thanks to Jayden’s training.
“Rental fees have gone up a lot. The guard’s budget keeps getting cut… At this rate, we’ll be walking next year.”
Janson muttered to himself, leading two horses by the reins with one hand.
I took one, stroking its mane, and asked.
“Still, if they’re budgeting at all, it seems the Conwell lord isn’t completely reckless.”
“You don’t know. The Duke of Conwell probably doesn’t even know we exist.”
“What’s that mean?”
Janson glanced around and lowered his voice.
“From what I’ve heard, his daughter handles all the practical affairs.”
“Daughter?”
“Shh. I only heard it by chance. There’s even a rumor going around that she’ll inherit over the heirs and she’s not just sharp—she’s supposedly a stunning beauty…”
“Young Master Bihen?”
A voice from afar startled Janson, who jumped back from me.
Jewel was approaching with the same escort from yesterday.
“Wow, everyone’s getting chummy without me. I’m so jealous. You didn’t call me out this early just to show off, did you?”
“Nonsense.”
I mounted the horse, and Jewel tilted her head.
“You call me out and leave right away?”
“Maserin seemed busy with Zephyros business. Still, we’re under the same roof, so I figured I’d give her a heads-up.”
“Maserin, I’ll handle…”
“No, I mean me. I’m heading to Canchester for a few days.”
Jewel raised an eyebrow.
I held out my hand to her.
“Which brings me to this—I need some funds for expenses. You said you owed me last time. Here’s your chance to pay up.”
“Oh…”
“A merchant should keep accounts straight. Otherwise, it’s bad karma.”
As I wagged my fingers, Jewel smiled after a brief pause.
“You’re right.”
She rummaged through her belongings, pulled out one palm-sized bundle, then another from the other side, and handed them over.
I took them, didn’t bother checking, and passed them straight to Janson.
“Thanks. I’ll use them well.”
“Let me know whenever you need anything.”
“Oh, right, since you mention it, get me some clothes to wear here. Dark colors, not too tight. Imperial styles stand out too much and make moving around awkward.”
“…Got it. Your measurements?”
“Figure it out.”
After receiving Jewel’s polite bow, I pulled the reins.
‘Next time, I’ll need to gather supplies for the guard.’
The clear weather was perfect for an outing.
I looked up at the bright sky, but my cheek stung.
Janson, mouth agape, was staring between his back and me.