CH 69

When it was a little awkward, a faint smile came to my lips.

“Do you like animals?”

I heard Cass’ voice.

“They’re less complicated than a person.”

I answered while looking at Blue Wing.

[The God of Destruction, Ciel, likes your answer.]

People and animals were different. Because they didn’t betray with shallow calculations, and there were many things to repay as much as I gave affection.

Jjae-Rok, the one that I raised in my past life, also gave me a little comfort.

“I see. In some ways, humans are worse than animals. Actually, we can’t avoid it, but it is.”

Cass’s voice, whether he was joking or sincere, was creepy.

I turned words the other way. I didn’t want to share any more triggering stories with him, a sociopath.

“The Marquis must have met many people, right? You must have been to many places.”

“I went around constantly for several years to experience the world that I couldn’t experience because I was confined to the temple as a child. To the extent that Lloyd’s Merchant issued a wanted order.”

His expression as he rode and talked seemed light.

“Then have you ever been to Ares?”

“The most recent was two years ago. I’m even close with the lord.”

It also seemed like it wasn’t the first time for him.

He continued.

“Everyone in the Empire knows that Lloyd is the safest companion no matter where you travel here.”

“I see. That’s why Sir Reihausd also asked you to accompany me.”

I replied bitterly.

Well, that’s why Reihausd must have thought it best for me to go with him.

As we exchanged a few words, the sun started to set.

Blue Wing, who was sitting on the window sill, flew up into the sky again, probably bored.

After riding in the carriage for a long time, my back started to hurt.

“But having to go for fifteen days is really far.”

Cass said to me, who muttered with a sigh.

“I told you. Lloyd is the safest companion.”

He added.

“And we’re also the fastest companion.”

“Pardon?”

“Because Lloyd has a map with all the shortcuts in the world.”

I looked at him, startled.

He said with a confident look.

“I guarantee that you will arrive in Ares within a week. Five days at the earliest”

I widened my expression at the unexpected good news.

“Instead.”

However, the words were followed by a clue.

“Give me a seat in that carriage, too.”

“…Please.”

I agreed, and after a while he got on the carriage.

[The God of Knowledge, Hessed, smiles brightly.]

[All Gods are concentrating.]

Ignoring the flashing chat window in front of my eyes, I sat as close to the window sill as possible.

He sat across from me and smiled lightly.

“I usually only use my mind, so after a long time riding a horse, my body was sore. Meanwhile, the carriage the Saintess is riding looks comfortable.”

Well, unlike Kyle and Reihausd, Cass wasn’t the type to carry a sword.

His dagger throwing skill the other day was good, though.

“But that shortcut… Does it really exist?”

Hearing that, Cass unfolded one of his maps. I was sure that the road to Ares had to wind through the mountains.

“We’re not climbing a mountain, are we?”

At my words, Cass shook his head.

“Lloyd was opening a passage to speed up the transportation of goods.”

“If it’s a passage..?”

No way, there are so many mountains, it would be impossible to dig tunnels one by one. There is no such thing as modern technology.

While I was puzzled, Cass pointed at a spot with his hand. A star was drawn. And another star was drawn at the end of the mountain range.

“You mean teleportation?”

It was a joke thrown at a sign I couldn’t guess, yet he didn’t say anything.

I looked at him with bewildered eyes. He opened his mouth and spoke earnestly.

“We were building a large warp magic circle.”

“Pardon?”

I was surprised.

Warp was also mentioned in the book I read in the library, and it was an advanced technique used by magicians.

As a human, it was close to impossible to teleport without a magic circle unless you were a great magician, which was close to impossible, and the only way to do it was to install two identical coded magic circles.

However, the normal magic circle consumes a tremendous amount of magic depending on the distance, so walking that distance was more cost-effective.

There was a large warp magic circle that could be used semi-permanently and magic stones suitable for warp magic, but even that had restrictions on distance, and first of all, the cost was almost the price of one castle, so it wasn’t put to practical use.

“Is it from here to here?”

I put my hand on the two stars in turn.

“Our Lloyd’s Merchant exports many of Ares’ specialties through the port. There are many precious minerals there, and half of the mining rights belong to Lloyd.”

Lloyd’s was a nationwide merchant.

Would it be like Sam-X in Korea, I wonder.

And the man sitting next to me is the operator of a large company.

“It cost a lot to install a large warp magic circle, but it was expected that the cost could be recovered in about five years. Until the gate explodes.”

It was still surprising that he had invested a huge amount of money to install the warp magic circle in anticipation of long-term gains.

“So you mean we can use this magic circle?”

“It’s possible if we divide ourselves into three groups and go.”

He said calmly.

I really thought that I could reach the mine in five days according to his explanation.

“Lloyd’s Merchant is really amazing.”

I spat out words of admiration.

Instead of answering, he let a faint smile across his lips.

“By the way…”

Even so, there was still something to be said.

“You’re not saying you’re going to share the carriage with me all five days, are you?”

He asked instead of answering.

“It seems that the Saintess is very uncomfortable with me.”

I didn’t give a negative answer this time either.

“Well. When my back gets better, I’ll ride the horse again.”

Cass said, furrowing his eyebrows.

But getting better is a subjective thing.

“Ah.”

I decided to exercise my wits.

“How about I heal you with my holy power?”

Then I put my hands on him, but in this position I couldn’t even reach his waist.

Why is the carriage so narrow?

“I’ll have to go to that side.”

But if he comes next to me, I will sit close to him.

“I’ll heal you later when you rest.”

I abruptly cut off.

“Then, please take care of me.”

I heard his voice mixed with laughter.

***

Watching the sunset, I seem to have fallen asleep without even realizing it.

After the carriage stopped, I raised my head excitedly. Then I found Cass sitting next to me.

To my surprise, he said calmly.

“You must be tired.”

Somehow his shoulder collar was wrinkled.

Did I just sleep on Cass’ shoulder?

I didn’t say anything out of awkwardness and just stared at him.

Even in the midst of half asleep, his good scent lingers on the tip of my nose.

I stared at his deep ultramarine eyes for a long while, then flinched my hand. I pressed myself against the window frame and tried to get up.

“It looks… like we’ve arrived at the inn.”

My tongue was twisted and I couldn’t speak well. I could hear people talking and noise outside.

“We’d better get out of the carriage now…”

And before I could finish my words, he grabbed my staggering wrist. I obviously almost fell as I was flustered.

My chin touched his shoulder. My whole body was leaning as if I was being hugged by his strong body.

I felt his hand on my wrist. Suddenly, my cheeks felt hot.