Prince Leopold left, and Yuric also began to prepare for his departure. As winter approached and the snow started falling heavily, he wanted to reach the eastern gateway city before his movements were restricted.
Before leaving, he bid farewell to the people around him and ensured that the entrance to the Arcanum’s headquarters would remain permanently open so that the research on dragon knights and the treatment of descendants could continue even in his absence.
The day before he left, Yuric spent the entire day with Tristan, sharing their farewells.
On the morning of his departure, Yuric left the city of Ronadium, the mage tower, accompanied by Tristan’s farewell.
Late autumn had made the air quite crisp. The passengers in the carriage had also put on thicker clothes.
Looking at the slowly passing scenery outside, Yuric felt the last glimpse of autumn.
The journey was quite comfortable, although he had donated a considerable amount of money to support the descendants of dragon knights, leaving his purse not as full as he wished. Still, with some frugality, he believed he could make it to the gateway city.
After about one month and fifteen days, Yuric arrived at the gateway city connecting the central and eastern regions, 【Slothadon】. It started snowing heavily the very next day he arrived, so if he had delayed any longer, he might have been stranded somewhere unexpected.
The east, unlike the south, was rich in fertile land, producing a substantial amount of grain. Naturally, much of this grain was exported throughout the continent.
In particular, the east was closely related to the demons, as many of its inhabitants were descendants of those who had intermingled with demons. Historically, the origin of witches was said to have started with calling a female mage of mixed demon blood a witch.
As a result, many tall and good-looking individuals came from the east. Furthermore, the half-breeds excelled in combat, making many of them famous across the continent.
Indeed, the east was where most of the demons assimilated into human society lived, numbering nearly fifty. Since demons were born with magic, they often held important positions such as court mages or personal mages to nobles.
Due to the region being divided by the Demon Mine 【Equirdaine】, demons often crossed through it from the south to reach the east.
Moreover, powerful demons that resided in the Demon Mine occasionally attacked nearby cities.
While not an ideal place for travel, it was an attractive area for mercenaries and wandering mages due to the abundance of work. Hence, there were many mercenaries seen in the streets of the gateway city.
Strictly speaking, Yuric was originally from the east. However, living in a remote mountain village made the distinction of which region one came from less significant.
With almost no money left, Yuric began looking for work. He tried to find a position as a tutor, but all the spots were already taken by mages before winter set in.
So, he temporarily joined a mercenary group through the guild, which escorted carriages between nearby villages. For a one-way trip that took three days, they received two silver coins. The discomfort of camping out on the winter roads for a day was worth it compared to doing nothing.
During the winter in Slothadon, Yuric worked and gathered information about the east for his upcoming spring travels.
Despite his rugged appearance, his mercenary companion, Jonathan, who spent all his money on drinks, knew a lot about rumors. Especially since the gateway city connected all parts of the east, it was easy to gather information.
Jonathan followed Yuric around during work, enjoying his company. …And surprisingly, he was two years younger than Yuric.
– Mage brother, did you hear the rumor? Two demons appeared in the Demon Mine recently, causing quite a commotion.
– Mimics, do you know? They disguise themselves as treasure chests to devour people. There are quite a few who have fallen prey to them now.
– Brother! I saw a dragon in the sky just the other day! It was terrifying.
Indeed, the east was just as tumultuous as the south.
“Then you came from the center? You’re a mage and have such a handsome face. Why come to such a dangerous place? Just capture a noble lady and live.”
“I want to explore the truth of magic.”
When Yuric gave a mage-like response, Jonathan waved his hands dismissively.
“I can’t understand mages at all!”
Then another mercenary nearby spoke up.
“So you can’t be a mage, huh?”
“No, it’s a waste of a face like yours? If you gave it to me, it would be…”
“It’s a blessing it didn’t go to you.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“And you’re mistaken. Yuric actually uses his looks well. Look, he gets meat and gifts from merchant ladies.”
“Do you give me food too?”
“That’s because you’re like giving alms to a beggar. When he looks at you pitifully, how could you not give?”
“Wow, you’re too much! Even if not as much as Yuric, I can still charm someone?”
“You’re talking about the monster world now?”
Everyone laughed uncontrollably.
Yuric spent the entire winter with his mercenary companions, escorting carriages, and finally welcomed his twenty-fifth spring.
He bid farewell to his companions and boarded a carriage heading east. The fields filled with fresh green shoots were truly beautiful.
However, hungry monsters that had survived the winter would start their hunting activities far from the Demon Mine as early spring approached. Given that half of the eastern region bordered the Demon Mine, it was not uncommon for monsters to suddenly appear anywhere.
Therefore, transport carriages usually traveled in groups of three or four, and mercenaries would ride for half price. The remaining half would serve as protection fees if a monster appeared. Thanks to this, even a mage like Yuric could use the carriage at half price.
“Are there so many monsters?”
“Don’t mention it. That’s why they call the east the monster hell.”
The Demon Mine Equirdaine was vast, and the number of monsters residing there was countless, making it practically impossible to eradicate them. They could only coexist with nature.
“Then why not build walls to prevent monsters from entering?”
“There was an attempt to continue building walls along the ancient ones built by the old mages, but covering such a vast area with manpower is impractical. Plus, there’s the issue of materials. Even if we used all the stones nearby, it wouldn’t be enough.”
“I see.”
“The people of the east have already given up. They have to accept it and live. But after spring passes, things get a bit calmer.”
Despite the external threats, the east was relatively comfortable to live in thanks to its fertile land and the Tar River, which was called the lifeline of the east. Additionally, it was rich in timber and minerals. If not for external threats, it would be a great place to live.
On the fifth day since leaving the gateway city, the transport carriage convoy carrying Yuric encountered a group of monsters searching for food.
They looked like packs of wolves, but much larger, faster, and more ferocious. They often appeared in groups of seven, the most common monster pack in the east. These monsters were called Fellows, also used to refer to criminal gangs in the east.
“Fellows!”
Upon the Fellows’ appearance, the alarm sounded, and the carriages moved in unison. As soon as the sound was heard, mercenaries emerged from the carriages to prepare for battle. Ten mercenaries emerged from three carriages, a number neither too large nor too small to handle seven Fellows. Casualties might occur.
Just as the mercenaries clenched their weapons and prepared for battle, Yuric climbed onto the roof of the carriage. Watching the seven Fellows charging down the hill, he pulled out his wand from his left hip. The moving wand, Fertika, rose into the air as if waiting.
As Yuric twisted his neck in anticipation of the battle, the Fellows, whose eyes were rolled back in fury, suddenly stopped. They felt the aura of a dragon instinctively.
Unable to move forward or backward, they spun in place for a while before retreating the way they came. No matter what, they lacked the audacity to challenge a dragon, the apex predator.
The mercenaries, ready for a fierce battle, were surprised when the Fellows suddenly retreated.
“…What? Why did they retreat suddenly?”
“These bastards… they’re scared! Damn it, these bastards! Yes, if you attack, you must be ready to die!”
The mercenaries, who had been sweating cold just moments ago, suddenly turned aggressive and started cursing at the fleeing Fellows.
Yuric, seeing the situation resolve without incident, tapped the butt of his wand lightly with his finger. It then flew back to his waist and settled quietly in its case.
A pair of indifferent eyes watched him. This mage was also tall and handsome. Unlike the others, he immediately recognized the cause of the situation.
Similarly, Yuric stared back at the man. Their gazes met in mid-air, and his index finger reacted slightly, feeling a warm sensation.
‘…Half-breed.’
Yuric instantly recognized that the mage was a half-demon.
