Chapter 4
THREE DAYS had passed since our surprise encounter with the Schultz warriors, and since Lade and Reyha had set off on their own separate route. I wondered if they had reached the Holy Precincts by now.
Our path had grown significantly wider. We were already past the Iron Fan mountain range and had moved away from the Twilight Wastelands. The sun was getting hotter. It really was true that climates can be completely different on opposite sides of a mountain. Since yesterday, we’d been walking along the Zesun River, which runs north to south down the middle of the Filsand territory, and I was grateful for the cool air.
I was feeling a bit helpless without Reyha, who always patrolled to make sure things were safe. Not to mention Lade, who was strong enough to take on a thousand men. But thanks to Ted, Clara, and the dwarves all working double-time, we somehow made it through unscathed. Even when we were attacked by a skeleton while stopping for the night, the three recruits standing watch did their job and fought it off without further incident. I didn’t even have to use any of the spells that I’d specifically prepared for encounters with the undead.
If everything continued to go according to plan, we would be able to sleep in beds tonight for the first time in a while.
“Hey, I see it! It’s Bruno Village,” Elisabel cried happily from her perch on the wagon. I squinted my eyes and saw a large village waiting up ahead.
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As we got closer, we could see the details of the village more clearly.
Bruno Village was surrounded and protected by high mud walls and empty moats. It looked more like an earthwork fortress than a village, with a large mechanical bow installed on a lookout perch above.
“Bruno Village is actually on the northern border of Filsand,” Elisabel explained. “Of course, most of the enemies they fight here are the undead…” She spoke exactly how the daughter of the ruler should, and her explanation was accurate. But something about it felt off.
“What do we have here?” Clara frowned. She was sitting next to Elisabel atop the wagon. I wanted to know, too.
On either side of the road approaching Bruno—milling around the outskirts of the village—were countless people. They’d pitched makeshift tents and shelters, but it seemed they’d been living here for quite a long time. Judging by their appearance, and the state of their belongings, these people were impoverished.
“These are refugees.” Elisabel stuck to the technically accurate, official explanation, a dark expression on her face.
The village housed not only villagers, but soldiers as well. Elisabel explained the situation further as we headed toward the residence of the Filsand military governor.
“This region is the northernmost foothold of the Velde Kingdom.”
In other words, there was no available land beyond here. To the west stood the Iron Fan mountain range; to the north were the Twilight Wastelands; to the south was the Twisted Wood. None of them were suitable for homes. Furthermore, even nearing the border of the Twilight Wastelands meant risking attacks from the undead.
“The capital of Filsand has grown. It’s thanks to our maritime trade. But that has caused the population to expand beyond the capacity of the land. It’s not just because of natural population growth—people from various countries who lost their homes have gathered here.”
“I heard that even in the Ryuse area, the population has increased due to the lack of daemon outbreaks. Apparently, it’s resulted in food shortages.”
No matter how great a wizard I was, overpopulation was a problem that I was unable to tackle.
“Is it possible that the duke of Filsand’s fighting with the Schultz clan may be part of the cause?” Ild asked Elisabel, a serious look on his face.
The daughter of the duke nodded gravely. “Economically, that’s exactly right. The Hidal Plateau where the Schultz clan lives is not a fruitful land…though it’s better than nothing.”
“Too much prosperity for the people of Filsand, hmm? A good problem to have. So, that means that the duke is working to fulfill his duty as a ruler.” Clara sounded somewhat impressed, but this time the daughter of the duke shook her head.
“My father doesn’t have any such intentions. He only does things for his own personal benefit.”
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The meeting with the commander of the soldiers governing Bruno Village went about as well as could be expected.
At the very least, as the apparent fiancé to the princess, I couldn’t very well pass through without paying my respects. Anyway, I wasn’t here on holiday. I’d come to negotiate as the lord of Castle Getaeus. I introduced myself to the commander and was able to rent out all (or I should say both) of the rooms in the nicest inn in the village without any problems.
Understandably, my companions, especially Clara, were not in particularly good moods.
“Unbelievable! That commander! He clearly just despises Margilus!” Clara flopped down on the sofa in the guest room with such force I thought she’d punch a hole in it.
“Yeah…he did ask how Elisabel and I got to know each other…”
“Despicable!” Even Ild sounded irritated.
“It’s infuriating.” Ted and the new recruits were also complaining. Even the dwarves seemed on the verge of a rampage.
To make a long story short, the commander and soldiers had treated me like a lecherous middle-aged man who’d made advances on a young girl, all to weasel my way into a position as son-in-law of the duke. I was starting to feel glad that Reyha wasn’t with us—for the sake of the commander, of course.
“Ah, umm… I’m very sorry, everyone. Lord Margilus, it’s my fault…” Elisabel lowered her eyes and apologized, looking completely dejected. It wasn’t really her fault…well, maybe it was. But anyway, I wasn’t dumb enough to blame her. Besides, it was nothing compared to the abuse I’d suffered from my colleagues back when I was working full-time in an office.
“This is really no big deal. I’m the one who agreed to this engagement strategy as your ally. Don’t even worry about it.”
“Thank you very much,” Elisabel said softly. “Are all wizards as nice as you, Lord Margilus?”
“Huh? Well, uh, I suppose…”
“Oh, shut up,” Clara griped good-naturedly. “There is a such thing as too nice, you know. Could you please consider all the distress I put myself through getting angry on your behalf? You’re going to give me wrinkles between my eyebrows.” It seemed she was feeling a little better after the exchange between Elisabel and me. She was laughing when she mentioned her “distress.”
I found myself smiling. “Now that is a real problem. I at least can afford to get a few more wrinkles. I’ll try and get a little bit angry myself, next time.”
“Oi, Sacco, ye hear that? Don’t mess up the next grub shift! They’ll turn ya into a hog!”
“Ugh!”
“Hah hah! When you turn into a pig, Sacco, make sure it’s a delicious one!”
“Wah ha ha!”
Ted and the recruits did their best to liven the atmosphere. Feivel and the dwarves were cracking up along with them, and soon, everyone else had joined in on the fun.
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There was a riverboat route from Bruno Village to Filsand. There were no passenger ships, but our group was traveling with the daughter of the duke and her fiancé. We were able to charter a top quality boat through the same commander that everyone had been complaining about.
We were even able to load the dwarf wagon on board. Despite the ship’s heavy load, it sailed smoothly down the river.
“It’s possible that my father isn’t even thinking about my brother Agveil or me,” Elisabel suddenly murmured, leaning on the side of the boat, her pigtails fluttering in the river breeze.
“Is that so?”
“The only thing on my father’s mind right now, Lord Margilus, is you.”
“Me? Does he want to trade?”
“That’s probably one reason…” Elisabel shook her head, chuckling a little. “It’s your terrifying ‘wizardry,’ Lord Margilus. I am sure that he will do anything to get ahold of it.” There was confidence in Elisabel’s voice.
“Hmmm…” I had never tried to hide my existence or identity in Relis City or Axeholm. It was natural to think that the duke would have at least heard rumors about me. Most importantly, Adad and the other Filsand knights had gone back home before us and would have told them all the details about the magic they’d seen.
“I know that, but think about it.” Clara came up and joined our conversation. She peered down the river as she continued with her thought. “First of all, wouldn’t he be cautious about whether or not his daughter was conned by someone angling to take over the duke’s fortune and power?”
“That would be the normal course of thought.”
“I’m sure he’s being cautious and considering all the angles.”
However, we were getting close to Filsand now, and the duke hadn’t tried to approach us at all. The commander of Bruno Village didn’t seem to have any instructions from him, either.
When I mentioned that, Elisabel replied immediately. “My father is probably planning to see your magic in action firsthand. So…please make sure to be especially careful in Filsand—or rather, at the Stalwart Castle.”