Chapter 34

“Stop!”

In the middle of a half-melted tundra, there stood a city.

At its gates, the guards spotted Abelin and pointed their spears at her.

“Who are you? Identify yourself!”

“Lower your spears. We’re from the Vanguard.”

Despite the sharp reaction from the guards, Abelin and I calmly dismounted from our horses.

We knew why the guards had to be so cautious.

“Show us proof that you’re not deserters!”

“Of course. Here you go.”

I pulled out a certificate issued by Commander Balthazar from my saddlebag.

It stated that we weren’t deserters and had permission to leave the base.

The Vanguard was easy to join but hard to leave.

After declaring our intent to leave, we had to endure twelve waves of attacks over a year before we could go.

Given the heavy responsibility of fighting cruel demons, the rules against desertion had to be strict.

“Hmm…”

The guards scrutinized the certificate for a long time.

Perhaps because they had let a deserter slip through before, they kept alternating between looking at our faces and the certificate.

A fellow guard, unable to bear the sight, sighed and snatched the certificate.

“Come on, it’s obvious. It’s Sir Kairon and Lady Abelin.”

“Wait, really? Are they really those two?”

“We’re honored you recognize us. Yes, it’s us.”

“No, the honor is mine to meet such legendary figures… Ouch!”

“Enough already. They must be here on important business. My apologies. Please, go ahead.”

“Thank you for your kindness. Take care.”

The guard who didn’t recognize us must have been new here.

This place, Rostia, was a symbolic city where all resources and manpower from the north gathered.

And it was the only city in the north with a Magic Tower.

As soon as we mounted our horses and stepped into the city, the atmosphere felt completely different from Cresnig.

“Come take a look! High-quality snow fox fur here!”

“It’s cold out, come warm up with some hot food!”

The lively vibe made it feel like a real, living city.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt this kind of atmosphere. But I don’t miss it as much as I used to. What about you, Abelin?”

“…Same here.”

Abelin said that, but there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Given that Abelin regularly ordered luxurious items like chocolate milk from the supply caravans to Cresnis, it was clear she wasn’t from an ordinary wealthy family.

Even after being kicked out of her home, she maintained that level of wealth, so it was natural she’d miss the comforts of city life.

“So, what should we do now, Abelin?”

“What do you mean?”

“We need to decide. Should we enjoy our vacation first and then work, or finish our work and relax afterward? We came together, so we should move together.”

“Of course, we should work first. I’m worried about whether we can even finish the work in time.”

“Then it’s decided. Let’s find an inn first.”

“Huh? Why the inn first… Shouldn’t we go to the Magic Tower?”

“You just said it yourself. You’re worried about whether we can finish the work in time. I agree. So we need to prepare for a long haul.”

“Ah… I see.”

Commander Balthazar had tried to persuade Riana several times out of paternal concern, but failed.

In contrast, I had only known Riana for a few years.

And Abelin had no connection at all.

I never expected this to be easy.

In fact, I wasn’t even sure if we could achieve anything.

But in the midst of all this…

“One.”

“Excuse me…?”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

A large inn in the heart of Rostia.

Even though it was still daytime, there were quite a few people, but it was impossible for such a large inn to be fully booked already.

Especially since Rostia, despite being a prosperous city, was still in the cold, remote north.

“Didn’t you hear? There’s only one room left.”

“That can’t be…”

“If I say so, then it is!”

No matter how many times I asked, the elderly innkeeper gave the same answer.

In this large, spacious inn, there was only one room left.

“Sigh…”

Unable to break her stubbornness, I had no choice but to turn back.

When I trudged back to Abelin, who was waiting, she was already sitting at the bar, sipping a warm drink with a twinkle in her eye.

“Is that alcohol? We have to go to the Magic Tower. What if you get drunk?”

“It’s not alcohol. Do you think I’m that thoughtless? Anyway, why do you look so grim? We’re on vacation. Try to look a bit happier.”

“Don’t even start. There’s only one room left.”

“What…? Don’t lie. That can’t be.”

“Of course it can’t be! Why would I lie to you?”

“Exactly. Why would you lie to me about there being only one room… Oh?”

Suddenly, Abelin seemed to remember something and flinched.

Then she narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

“That’s a pretty outdated and bad move.”

“Move…?”

“Kairon, you’re the type who only lives for fighting and strength. No woman would look at you. So you’re trying to take advantage of this opportunity to…!”

“Sigh…”

I shook my head firmly and scoffed.

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Abelin. You’re no different from me. Your body is all muscle, and your brain is just as dense as mine.”

“…Ugh.”

My sarcasm made Abelin’s expression stiffen.

“Another drink, please. Something strong.”

“What, alcohol? And something strong? Absolutely not! Who just said they weren’t thoughtless?”

“Hmph, it’s fine. Do you think I’ll get drunk from just one drink?”

While we were arguing, the bartender quickly served Abelin a drink before she could cancel her order.

A subtle aroma spread through the air, but the tingling in my nose suggested it was dangerously strong.

“Abelin? Even so, this is too much. It smells incredibly strong!”

“Hmph.”

“Hey, Abelin! Stop right…!”

It was too late.

Abelin had already downed the drink in one go.

“Phew…!”

“Ugh, seriously.”

The sweet yet dangerous aroma wafted from Abelin’s breath as she exhaled.

It must have been really strong, as just smelling it made me feel a bit tipsy.

“Commander Balthazar would love to see this.”

“So what? We’re on vacation. And…”

Abelin, her cheeks slightly flushed, glared at me as if she wanted to kill me.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“You could have at least said something nice.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m sorry I couldn’t. Anyway, let’s see if there’s another room. And after you sober up a bit… Huh? Where are you going, Abelin?”

“Stay here. I’ll handle it.”

Abelin got up and strode toward the counter where the innkeeper was leaning.

Only then did I notice the innkeeper glancing at us and quickly looking away.

Abelin slammed her hand on the counter and spoke to the innkeeper.

“Give us two rooms.”

“I told you, there’s only one.”

“Stop being stubborn. We don’t need that kind of consideration.”

“Haha, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Just take one. Listen to this old man’s advice…”

Thud-

“Gasp!”

“How about this much?”

Abelin pulled out more money than the room cost from her pocket.

“…Are you sure you won’t regret this, miss?”

“I won’t regret it. So just give us two rooms.”

“I was trying to help. You’re the one who refused. Put that money back. I’ll just take the room fee.”

After a meaningful exchange, the innkeeper finally gave in.

Abelin returned with a somewhat sulky expression and handed me a room key.

“There, done.”

“Good job. I knew it couldn’t be just one room. How ridiculous, playing games with guests who came from far away!”

Abelin muttered something as she looked at me grumbling.

“…That’s what it seemed like.”

“Huh? What seemed like what?”

“Nothing. I just thought… if there were no women to look at you, and no men to look at me, it would just be us…”

Whoosh-

“Where are you going? You didn’t finish.”

“…It’s nothing. Now that we have a room, let’s get to work.”

Abelin left without finishing her sentence.

A bewildering situation.

But since we had to get to work, I muttered to myself and followed her.

“I just don’t get it…”

The Abelin I knew never hesitated or spoke ambiguously, so why did this Abelin feel like a completely different person?