Chapter 63: The Errandis Territory
TL: Potato-tan
Proofreader: Asianpotato
Two figures ran swiftly through the dense morning forest, their lithe bodies barely disturbing the air despite the full-body armor that outlined their graceful curves.
Trees, branches, and leaves posed no obstacle to the pair, almost seeming to part ways and assist their easy passage.
The figure in front suddenly raised a hand to stop; his long, pointed ears, like those of an elf, were visible amidst the windblown strands of his hair. The pointed ears of the figure trailing behind were equally apparent.
Both had their faces obscured, their features hidden behind visors, making their genders indistinguishable.
TL: “He” pronoun temporary.
“Renelon? What is it?”
Renelon lowered his hand, pointing to one side.
“Look, Phel.”
Phel followed Renelon’s gaze to the spot he indicated. Three bodies lay there—the corpses of human males.
One had a shattered face, another had a severed torso, and the last knelt, frozen in death. They approached the bodies slowly, stopping before the one with the shattered face.
“Ugh.”
Phel grimaced. Guests had already visited the bodies before them; flies buzzed around them, their wings fluttering, their six legs, blunt snouts, and compound eyes feasting merrily.
“Human corpses. What’s this?”
Renelon didn’t respond to Phel’s question; he was too busy inspecting the bodies. Phel shook his head—his damn curiosity. Renelon possessed a persistent nature, relentlessly pursuing knowledge until he found it.
Perhaps that was why they had been chosen for this dungeon, or rather, ruins exploration. Phel sighed inwardly. ‘Why did I have to come?’
Phel suddenly craved a cold beer. His throat felt parched. He yearned for the effervescence of beer, whether in a wooden mug or otherwise.
Renelon, oblivious to Phel’s thirst or the presence of flies and stench, observed the cause of death for the bodies. He observed the way the bodies had fallen and the direction they faced. He then examined the ground nearby.
Phel watched Renelon, who had lowered himself almost to the ground, his long ears twitching, another sigh escaping him. If not for his elongated ears, no one would have guessed him to be an elf.
Renelon spotted a small clearing nearby, along with traces of a campfire. Hmm.
An unusual silence fell over Renelon. Phel, who had been anticipating a barrage of discoveries, grew slightly anxious.
“What’s wrong? Can’t figure it out?”
“No. I have figured it out. They died about nine hours ago. In the middle of the night,These people were about to ambush someone.”
“Oh?”
Phel feigned indifference. He knew that humans were familiar with and adept at fighting among themselves. Nothing too surprising there.
“Do you see that arrow stuck over there? Isn’t that a bit strange?”
At the clearing’s edge, Phel followed Renelon’s finger to an arrow embedded in a tree. The arrow was positioned slightly higher. Phel asked,
“What’s strange about it?”
“These three were hiding here, planning to attack someone in the clearing over there. The one with the shattered face must have been holding a crossbow. But the arrow suggests that whoever they were targeting was sitting against that tree over there.”
Phel understood Renelon’s implication. Unless they were blind, they wouldn’t have shot an arrow at an empty tree.
“But there are only these bodies here. A single individual killed them all.”
“A single person?”
“I suppose it was the person they were trying to ambush. I don’t know what methods they used, but the one holding the crossbow must have made a mistake and shot the arrow into the tree. Then they must have stood up and swung their sword sideways.”
The ground didn’t lie, even if people did. Renelon noticed footprints that indicated a moment of panic, as well as deep indentations from a forceful step.
“The sword was blocked once, and something hit his face. Probably a fist.”
“A fist broke his face like that.”
Phel took a fresh look at the body beneath them. The face, once recognizable, was now hideously mangled. The left eyeball had popped out, unable to withstand the pressure, dangling from its optic nerve.
Renelon continued,
“Two humans were crouching behind, and when the man in front died, they stood up. They swung their sword down, but missed.”
Renelon pointed to a sword lying on the ground. It was a crude sword, its blade nicked and cracked. It was devoid of blood. A large rock lay nearby, bearing a fresh dent.
This one split in two. I’m not sure what did that. Do you see the frost on the cross-section?”
Phel could see the frozen cross-section. It was smooth, devoid of blood.
“Looks like frostbite. And the most curious thing is this last body here.”
Renelon stepped over the bisected corpse and approached the final body that lay behind it. The body knelt, and its face turned toward the sun filtering through the branches, giving it an almost pious appearance.
“This man didn’t resist. That means they knew their ambushers. They must have at least shared a meal.”
Renelon touched the man’s neck. A bit of white frost clung to his fingers. Phel said,
“Whatever change of heart he had, he accepted his death.”
“Yes. I wonder why. Shame? Guilt?”
“Two sides of the same coin. Are we done here? Let’s go.”
Phel walked away from the scene, his demeanor still indifferent. Renelon trailed behind Phel, lost in thought.
Someone with the strength to kill with a fist, capable of wielding an unknown ice attack. And if his guess was correct, that someone was headed for the city.
It was the only place to go nearby. Had the person also heard rumors about the ruins and gone searching?
Renelon felt a sense of excitement at the thought of a potential rival. He wanted to meet them in person, if possible. He wanted to ask them how they managed to dodge the arrow and kill the ambushers so silently.
“Hurry up! I want a beer!”
“Phel, for someone who isn’t a dwarf, why do you like beer so much?”
“I like it because it tastes good.”
The two elves resumed their journey through the forest, their pace faster than a horse’s gallop. Their destination was not far.
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The presence of a lord’s castle distinguishes between a city and a territory lies in the presence of a lord’s castle. Errandis was clearly a territory, for the market lord’s mansion was almost like a castle.
Russell and Aellasis finally reached Errandis’ city gate. Merchants, wagons, and horse-drawn carriages carrying people lined up at the entrance to the territory, awaiting their turn to enter.
The morning air was still cool, and one could see their breath if they paid attention.
Aellasis blew on her gramor gently, making the warmest breath she could, and watched as it dispersed into the air like a faint mist.
The girl’s cheerful laughter drew the attention of those around her, their heads turning towards her. They marveled first at the large, black, glossy stallion, then at the beauty of the girl riding it, and finally at the large man riding behind the girl.
Despite being unarmed and not even carrying a common longsword, the man’s tall stature, broad shoulders, and the muscles visible beneath his coat kept people from approaching him.
The line gradually moved forward, and soon it was Russell and Aellasis’s turn. A guard, wearing a round-brimmed iron helmet and armor, approached them and asked the customary questions.
“Where do you come from?”
“From the north.”
It was an obvious answer, considering the gate was the north gate. The guard inquired.
“Your purpose?”
The answer came in two parts.
“Ruins exploration!”
“Sightseeing and relaxation.”
The guard, previously expressionless, now wore a slightly bewildered expression as he glanced between Aellasis and Russell. Then his gaze settled on the girl’s face.
Russell gently ruffled Aellasis’s hair with his large hand. He repeated,
“Sightseeing, relaxation.”
“Oww! Let go!”
“Oh, are you not interested in exploring ruins? It’s been quite the talk of the town lately.”
Russell shrugged.
“I don’t know much about it.”
“Let go!”
The guard, despite his growing irritation, couldn’t tear his eyes away from the girl struggling to free herself from the man’s grasp. A silver-haired, doll-like beauty was not a common sight.
But the guard soon remembered his duty.
“If you’re here for sightseeing, make sure to visit the Church of Acarsus. The fountain in the central square is also worth seeing, as is the watchtower. They’re all quite the sights.”
“We’ll keep it in mind.”
“Proceed.”
As the guard stepped aside, Russell removed his hand from Aellasis’s head and took hold of the reins. Kry, who had been standing still, started walking again.
The guard’s and Russell’s eyes met briefly. Purple eyes. They were the kind of eyes one didn’t easily forget. ‘What was it? Something about it seemed familiar, yet elusive. . .’
But the guard couldn’t quite recall. The next group was already approaching. The guard, busy checking the goods carried by the group, had completely forgotten about the man and girl who had just passed through.
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The scenery within the city walls captivated Aellasis, who had been sulking a moment earlier. Having only passed through small villages until now, this was her first time seeing a territory with so many people.
Of course, even in her egg state, she had been able to observe the outside world, but a spirit’s senses differed from a body’s.
Flagstones paved the road, creating a solid surface, and Kry’s hooves clattered with each step.
Many humans walked along the wide avenue. Other races were rarely seen.
The buildings within the territory were a mix of old and new. The older ones were mostly made of stone or brick, while the newer ones were mostly made of wood. Of course, there were also some made of new stone, but they were not as numerous.
Aellasis asked,
“Why are the buildings mixed like this?”
“They were built on top of the old city, so that’s why.”
“But what’s the point?”
“It saves the trouble of buying new land. And the sewage system is already in place, so it’s convenient.”
Just then, a group of children suddenly rushed out from somewhere. It was as if they had been hiding, and in an instant, about five or six children were walking beside Kry, chattering away.
“Travelers! Looking for an inn? Our Ramone Inn has a restaurant on the first floor! The roast chicken is amazing!”
“Our inn has pork shanks with spleen sauce. . .!”
“O, Ours has delicious beer. . . . . .”
Aellasis’s eyes lit up at the last child’s words. It had been a whisper, almost inaudible over the shouts of the other children, but she had managed to catch it.
“Beer? Is that an alcoholic beverage?”
Russell rubbed his forehead. Ever since she had tasted wine, this little girl had been determined to try every alcoholic beverage in existence. Aellasis looked down at the small child, unfazed by the noise around her.
“Little boy! Where’s your inn?”
The beautiful girl’s words momentarily stunned the brown-haired boy. Russell chuckled to himself at the girl referring to the boy as a little boy.
The other children, realizing their time was up, wisely ran off to approach other travelers. Amidst the fading cries for business, the fortunate boy said,
“I, It’s just a little further in. We call our inn the Black Barley Inn. The beer there is really good. O, Of course, it’s not just the beer that’s good. The food is also great, and the beds are comfortable. We even have a stable!”
The boy, perhaps thinking of the horse they were riding, added the last part with emphasis. Russell nodded.
“Alright. Lead the way.”
The boy’s face lit up, and he bowed deeply.
“Thank you!”
He then carefully approached Kry and took hold of the reins, leading the horse forward. Aellasis jumped down and stood beside the boy. The two were about the same height, but Aellasis was still a little taller.
“What’s your name?”
“Y, Yes?”
“Your name. I’m Aellasis.”
“Oh, I. . . My name is Robin.”
As the two children walked and chatted, Russell sat comfortably on his saddle, scanning his surroundings.
The clouds in the sky were moving swiftly. The north wind blowing from the mountain range was clearly pushing the clouds at a rapid pace. On the ground, however, there was hardly any wind except for the occasional cool breeze.
Only when passing through alleys could one feel the wind blowing through the narrow gaps. A quick glance into the alleys revealed several vagrants leaning against the walls or simply lying down, their eyes fixed on the street outside.
It was unclear whether the vagrants were looking at the people or the street beyond the alley.
Russell shifted his gaze from the alley to the street, where he noticed a group of people walking along one side of the avenue. They all wore robes adorned with patterns. Russell recognized them as wizards.
His eyes scanned the group of robed figures, picking up on the traces of magical energy emanating from them. Some were strong, others were weak.
Among them was a familiar wizard with fiery red hair.
“Evelyn?”
Russell muttered. As if hearing his mutter, the red-haired wizard turned her head. Her eyes widened as she spotted Russell.
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