Chapter 59

Chapter 59

"Darn it, this is bad."

Miguel quickly stopped the carriage as it moved along the gently winding road. He had caught a glimpse of the landscape beyond the nearly bare trees, atop a hill. Jumping down from the driver's seat, he cautiously advanced and surveyed the hill. Soldiers were setting up camp. It was a makeshift checkpoint.

Even at a glance, there were more than ten soldiers visible, lined up between rows of palisades. A commander, who appeared to be a knight, was leaning casually against something.

"It seems, those fellows are waiting for us," Miguel said, returning to his seat and wetting his lips.

"Have they noticed our location?" Ian's voice followed.

"Not yet. But if we proceed, we'll be caught no matter where we go."

"Then, we have no choice. Wait."

The rustling of preparations followed. Miguel turned to look back. Their cargo wagon had changed slightly over the past few days. The dividers on the sides and the back had been raised by a section.

It was a protective barrier, made from dismantling an abandoned wagon they had found on the way. It was meant to hide the interior from view and protect against any projectiles. While this made the wagon more conspicuous, they assumed the soldiers and mercenaries in the vicinity already knew about them, so it didn't matter.

“Phew...” Ian finished his preparations with a sigh. He was wearing a gray robe pulled down low to hide his face, and his cloak was turned inside out to show the lining, holding a wand in his hand.

"Even someone who knows you wouldn't recognize you now," Miguel commented impassively.

As he climbed back onto the driver's seat, Ian shrugged, "There's not much for you to do, Miguel."

Sitting on the edge of the driver's seat, Ian added, "No matter what, just keep following the road.”

"Well... could you at least give me a hint on what you're going to do?"

"It wouldn't be much help. Just run without getting scared. If you hesitate and the carriage overturns, we're all doomed."

Ian's left hand now held a small magical stone, much smaller than the essence bead he had used before, rolling between his fingers. Miguel did not seem to know, but it was a necessary item. A necromancer's wand greatly increased skill damage but at the cost of tripling mana consumption—a hefty penalty that could only be negated by attaching an essence at the end. Of course, that wasn't the only downside...

"Okay alright," said Miguel.

"Then, let's go," Ian said, clutching the magical stone tightly and nodding.

"How did I end up in this... Damn it all!" Miguel lashed the reins.

Clip clop, clip clop—

The sound of hooves speeding up as they climbed the hill echoed louder and faster. The incline hardly felt like a challenge at the speed they were going. The light from the magical stones embedded in the armor gleamed brighter.

"Ah, what the hell, are they insane?"

The soldiers spotted the approaching carriage and became agitated. The commander, who had been lounging casually, rushed forward frantically.

"Stop the carriage right now! If you don't stop, we'll shoot!"

Soldiers armed with crossbows aimed at the carriage. Despite knowing they wouldn't actually shoot because of Lucy, Miguel clenched his eyes shut.

Don't pull on the reins. Don't panic. Don't... Damn it!

The thought of how they ended up in this situation flashed through Miguel’s mind again. It was all because of those asshole knights of Agel Lan. If they had just followed quietly, they wouldn't be in this mess.

"Don't slow down. Keep going," Ian's voice pierced through, with his tone resonating—a sign that it was imbued with magical power.

"I'll say it again! Stop the carriage right now!" The commander's desperate shout followed.

Ian stood up abruptly at that moment, spreading his arms wide. His robe and cloak fluttered unnaturally, and waves of magic power, like heat haze, radiated from his entire body. He was deliberately exuding magical power, making it clear to all.

At least it was very successful in drawing their attention.

"A, a mage...? I hadn't heard there was a mage?"

A flustered voice reached Miguel through the wind, right before Ian extended his wand.

Swoosh!

A massive wall of fire blazed up over the hill, leaving Miguel gaping in awe.

***

Woosh!

“Uh, ahhhhh!”

“Mo..mom!”

The checkpoint descended into chaos. Soldiers scrambled as they were engulfed by the intense heat. The commander, who had been staring up at the wall of fire in disbelief, managed to stammer out an order too late.

"Everyone, fall back— Ughh?!" His command was cut short by an earthquake.

The commander stumbled and fell as the ground around him caved in. No, more accurately, the dirt was converging toward a single point. The ground in the middle of the checkpoint rose abruptly, causing soldiers to tumble down and palisades to collapse.

***

"So, everything in this report is true?" Count Randis looked up from his desk, asking.

Sir Jamie, a knight standing before him, nodded, "Two outposts were buried and turned into a sea of fire. Everyone's trembling at the mention of an incredible mage. And they say the carriage those people were in was incredibly fast. Blocking their way is suicide, and chasing them is impossible, so there's a barrage of requests to pull back."

"Cowards... But they're not wrong. If the report is accurate, it seems like we're dealing with an incredible mage. No idea where he came from, but it seems like he's warning me. For now, he's being merciful, but if we keep blocking their way, it feels like he is saying that he'll kill us all," said Count Randis.

"Should we pull back the soldiers?" Sir Jamie asked.

"Yes. If we keep sending them out, resentment toward me will reach the heavens,” said Count Randis.

Of course, letting those audacious folks go was not his intention. Count Randis subtly added, "Is he waiting for us?"

"Yes my lord," said Sir Jamie.

"Let him in." Sir Jamie opened the door and gestured.

A robust northerner entered, his armor and scabbard gleaming. This was Ube, the most skilled mercenary in Hiram City and the leader of the Ube Mercenary Band.

"How's the mood among the mercenaries?" Count Randis asked after exchanging brief greetings.

Ube replied with a stern face, "They're all grinding their teeth. We've lost quite a few comrades to those people. Plus, we've heard that those coming from Naslan are incredibly fast."

"Yes. Those damned Imperials and Agel Lan peasants running around someone else's territory like it's their own home. They've been bothering me too." Count Randis's gaze turned cold.

More than anything, what irked him was the fact that he couldn't stop them. If he said even a word to those narrow-minded folks, they might stop supplying goods to his territory.

"I want to see them return empty-handed. Even better if they beg to lower the ransom for the lady. His Majesty would be pleased, no doubt."

The kidnappers had by now influenced political power. Rumors were swirling that Agel Lan was preparing for war. Securing the girl first could mean not only a ransom but also His Majesty’s favor.

"Just leave it to me. I've selected at least thirty skilled and fast riders." Ube's eyes shone with determination.

He too wanted to catch the kidnappers and settle the score. Not just for his fallen comrades but also because of the mercenaries from the neighboring territory who had followed the knights of Agel Lan. Those who had gained favor from the Lord of Naslan and grown in power were indirectly in conflict with his band. Success in this matter would likely make them the most influential in Bel Ronde.

"That's good. Let's get to the point." Count Randis spread out a map of the territory.

It meticulously marked the kidnappers' route and the paths of the pursuers from Naslan.

"Putting together all the information we have, it seems the kidnappers are heading for the abandoned lands," said Count Randis.

"Are they planning to commit suicide?"

Both Jamie and Ube expressed surprise.

"They must be trusting that mage. If the mage is also a master swordsman, they might believe they can break through that cursed land and cross over to the north." Count Randis simply shrugged.

"If the heavens are on their side," Jamie murmured.

"I found it hard to believe it myself. But if not for that, there's no other way to explain their route. Luckily for us, they're taking a roundabout way." The Count Randis shrugged.

Count Randis drew a straight line from Hiram City toward the north with his finger, "We can get ahead of them and wait."

He pointed at the riverside leading to the abandoned lands across the border. At the edge of the valley.

"If possible, catch them before they cross the bridge," said Count Randis.

"...I'll prepare immediately," said Sir Jamie.

"I'll leave the command to Sir Jamie. Be on standby."

Ube nodded and turned to leave. Once the door closed, Count Randis turned to Sir Jamie.

"I’ll assign you twenty cavalrymen. It would be preferable if the sacrifices come from their side."

The Ube Mercenary Band was useful but also a nuisance. As their influence grew, it was uncertain when they might show their teeth. This opportunity to reduce their numbers was not unwelcome. It would be even better if Ube himself died.

"If the kidnappers end up crossing into the abandoned lands..."

Count Randis tapped on the map and added, "Make sure to withdraw the cavalry before sunset."

"Should we leave the mercenaries behind?"

"They won't give up in the first place. Their pride is at stake. Suggest it, but if they don't listen, leave them. Likely, the Libra Trading Company and those country bumpkins won't give up either. By then, they're all dead men."

"As you command." Sir Jamie bowed and turned to leave.

Count Randis, left alone, quietly regarded the map. In no more than three days, the outcome of all this commotion would be known.

"Either they gain money and pride... or they all die. Doesn't matter, as long as we don't lose anything...."

The possibility of the kidnappers escaping alive was not even considered.