LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 9
After spending ten years in Moston Village and a month since escaping the village, Karem finally saw a new village, no, a city.
Borderster.
Located on the outskirts of the royal territory, closest to Iceland in the northern region of the Kingdom of Seophone.
The city was surrounded by tall castle walls lined with buildings packed tightly with sharp roofs, and the wide farmlands surrounding the city were waving with golden grains.
Just looking at one district alone was enough to surpass the population of Moston Village where Karem had stayed, filling Gordon and Catherine’s faces with delight.
Though they were used to camping, as humans, it was natural to miss a warm and cozy bed in the civilized world.
Beside him, Karem rubbed his arms, draped in mossy boar hide. Even though the raw hide felt a bit icky, he felt he would freeze to death if he didn’t do something about it.
“Wow, it’s already getting this cold after just a few days?”
“Well, we’ve officially entered autumn. Considering we’re right at Iceland’s doorstep, it’s only going to get colder before spring comes.”
“Huh, it gets colder from here?”
“Yep. Iceland is the coldest region in the Kingdom of Seophone.”
“Geez, I guess worrying about the meat spoiling was a bit excessive.”
The mossy boar, though still relatively small since it had just reached adulthood, was still several hundred kilograms, as Gordon pointed out.
Even with magic and knight-level mercenaries, the amount they could carry was limited. Plus, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t spoil before reaching the village, which made Karem uneasy. Especially after hearing a folk remedy that wrapping the meat in moss could preserve it longer.
However, as time passed and autumn truly began, Karem found that he had no need to worry; the temperature dropped, creating a natural environment conducive to long-term preservation.
“Well, it was touch and go, but…”
Gordon slapped his now-loosened backpack, which had already consumed all the ingredients it contained.
Despite the considerable amount of mossy boar meat they started with — disregarding what they had left behind — it quickly ran low as the three began to feast every meal, with the supplies long gone by the time they neared the village.
Yesterday and this morning, all they had were fried cabbage, hardtack, jerky, and apples, with the hardtack being the only thing remaining had they not reached the village yet.
“If only someone didn’t eat as if a beggar lived in their stomach, we wouldn’t have had to make do with grass.”
“Hmm, I wonder who that could be?”
“You mercenary. I’m talking about you, you shameless one.”
“No, but didn’t the Sir/Madam Mage eat a lot too?”
“Even if you count what I ate with that little one, it wouldn’t be half of what you consumed. Are you sure you’re not actually a troll instead of a human?”
“Hey, Sir/Madam Mage, that’s pretty harsh. What am I to do when every meal is so delicious?”
“Hmm, well…”
Catherine, having listened to Gordon’s unavoidable excuse, found herself inadvertently agreeing deeply.
To be honest, it was her first time looking forward to mealtimes while camping, not that she was traveling with a noble entourage!
Especially for someone like Gordon, who was known for his skills, wandering here and there as a mercenary.
It was unclear what sort of trick was at play, but Karem, a mere serf, could whip up meals more appetizing than those made by a professional chef from any noble household, with some dishes even being unfamiliar to Catherine, who had lived for many years.
The familiar ingredients took on a new appearance. A revelation!
“In the end, we can blame the incredibly delicious meals on Karem.”
“Wait, are you really bouncing blame off on me?”
“Taking it back to the root, it’s because every meal has been too delicious.”
Pointing at his belly, Gordon made his point.
The brigandine that had fit him perfectly when they first met now protruded noticeably, suggestive of a joyful period of feasting.
“Look at my belly. It’s stuffed with fat between my once-slim muscles.”
“That means the answer is simple.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s a fast until Gordon’s belly goes back to being slim.”
“Mmh!?”
“Oh, you can still eat the hardtack and jerky.”
After saying that and making a teasing expression to imply he should look, Karem walked towards the city, causing Gordon, who had been frozen for a moment, to quickly follow, saying it was all just a joke.
As they got closer to Borderster, the city looked extremely busy.
This was to be expected.
Just as monsters and wild animals prepared for winter, humans had to do countless preparations to survive the cold season.
Especially since autumn is the season of harvest.
The workers in the farms and pastures surrounding the castle walls, except for the fallow land, were working non-stop.
And during this time, whether in villages or cities, it was normal for both big and small traders to flock in to stock up and harvest before winter arrived.
Karem let out a deep sigh moments after approaching the city.
A long line stretched endlessly. He saw a motley crew of various people, carts, and beasts,, all waiting who knows how long to go inside the castle walls.
“Well, the line is really long.”
“Sigh. It can’t be helped. It’s autumn, after all.”
“Even in a populated and safe city like this, do people not operate like in a village during winter?”
“Except for Iceland, no one is out doing anything in the Kingdom of Seophone during the depths of winter.”
In response to Karem’s question, Catherine crossed her arms and declared.
Whether in a city, village, or forest, winter with falling snow was harsh.
Especially since those unprepared for winter often found themselves starving in the face of many unrelenting monsters and wild beasts roaming the land, sea, and sky.
Walking into the wild winter was inherently risky.
“Simply put, if you want to throw your life away, wander outside in winter. Even adventurers naturally rest during winter if there’s no urgent need.”
“But you just said Iceland operates even in winter?”
“Oh, that’s an exception. There’s a reason for that.”
“An exception?”
“They can’t farm, and if they don’t hunt or raise livestock, they’ll starve.”
“And it’s the most barren land even in the already inhospitable Kingdom of Seophone.”
Gordon added while stroking his beard, confirming Catherine’s statement.
“Well, still, since it’s a place where people live, they must have their way of life. But before that line gets any longer—”
Cough “Mercenary, I feel like I’ve forgotten something.”
“Gordon, is there something you forgot?”
Did he leave something behind during the last camping? Karem tilted his head, confused.
“Hah, you don’t actually need to line up.”
“Sir/Madam Mage? Ah, ah!”
“Yeah. Just follow me.”
Catherine, glancing at her party with a contemptuous look, sighed and walked alongside the long line.
Naturally, the various people in line didn’t look favorably upon this.
Which was expected. It was just like cutting in line. Super awkward.
Being on the receiving end of dozens of piercing glares from the adjacent line, Karem pushed the mossy boar hide deeper for cover.
And of course, the guards stationed at the gate reacted predictably.
“Let’s have a civil—”
“Ah, before that!”
Catherine interrupted the guards, revealing something from inside her coat before they could even say anything.
As the merchants under scrutiny attempted to respond, the guards promptly restrained them.
Karem, who was next to Catherine, could see what she had pulled out.
A luxurious parchment scroll tied with silk string.
The seal on the knot was stamped with a roaring dragon’s head in red wax.
“F-Felwinter!”
“Unfortunately, the caravan we joined was ambushed and delayed.”
“Are you a guest of the Felwinter Family? Hey, move the cart back!”
“Stand down! Stand down! The guest can go inside quickly!”
“Are there others behind you…? Your party? My apologies!”
Naturally, those who had their turns stolen protested, but the guards, taking on a blame-the-victim mentality, pointed their spears at the people who had been waiting.
Karem and the mercenary both gaped at the unexpectedly intense reaction, staring blankly at Catherine.
Seemingly pleased by their reaction, Catherine grinned widely and gestured towards the inside of the gate.
“See? The path is cleared. Let’s head inside.”
“…Well, I guess it’s better this way. Let’s go, Karem.”
“Huh, uhh… that stings a bit.”
As Karem followed Catherine inside the castle gate, the guards returned to their previously indifferent attitudes, resuming their weapons trained on the re-established line.
Either way, having paid no toll, Karem decided to feel happy alongside Gordon for saving both time and money.
After all, it was true that they had saved quite a bit of time thanks to Catherine.
While slowly walking behind Catherine and Gordon, Karem took a look around.
Borderster may not have had tens of thousands of residents like modern cities, but it was undoubtedly overwhelming compared to Moston Village in every aspect.
The size and number of buildings, the variety of dress and armament of the people moving about, and even the tightly cobbled roads beneath their feet.
And above all, there was the most overwhelming aspect of all.
“Whoa! Is the city always this smelly!?”
“Well, that’s expected with this many people living here. Look over there.”
“Eh?”
Turning at Gordon’s gesture, Karem was shocked into silence.
A woman had appeared from a second-floor window of a three-story wooden house.
But it wasn’t the woman that mattered.
“Watch out below!”
Without hesitation, she tossed a bucket of water into the street outside.
“Move! Move!”
“Don’t push!”
A stinking, brownish sludge—yellow liquid—freely fell from above.
It was something that any living creature inevitably produces.
SPLAT!
Karem couldn’t bear to see anymore and squeezed his eyes shut.
In his heart, he fervently prayed to God over the stench!
“Source of the smell! Oh, God!”
“Ha! Welcome to the city, country bumpkin!”