Chapter 33 : You’re all dead meat!

“Not everyone in the world is scum like them,” Celine whispered, holding Lena tightly. “Just like the Elder was kind to you, there are more good people out there.”

I wondered what she was talking about.

“I know.”

“Okay, that’s a relief. I was worried.” It seemed her intention was to comfort Lena, hoping she wouldn’t be disheartened by the mercenaries’ vulgar taunts.

Lena didn’t care—whatever those thugs chattered about. Even back in her homeland, society had been a mess just a few decades ago, an era ironically dubbed “romantic.” She wasn’t shocked to see the raw nature of people from a few hundred years earlier, in medieval times. Of course, it felt unpleasant. But it wasn’t like she could just beat them up indiscriminately. Violence was a bad thing. Monsters were just beasts, so that was fine. Hitting people wrongly meant going to jail. Lena had absolutely no desire to rot in a musty jail cell right after escaping the Great Forest.

“But why are you hugging me?”

They were guys she’d never have to see again once they reached Carvalon Castle. Wasting mental energy on scum like them felt pointless. More than that, Celine’s sudden physical contact was startling. What’s this? What’s happening all of a sudden? Were we ever this close? Lena had clung to her relentlessly, but Celine had always seemed a bit reserved. Has she finally opened up? Lena’s chest swelled with a feeling akin to the joy of an adopted cat finally warming to its owner.

“It’s cold.”

“Ah.” Right, it is cold. A desolate wasteland. When the wind blew fiercely, with nothing to block it, it brushed directly against the skin. Lena was fine. She’d lived in the Great Forest for years. Her physically strong body wasn’t much affected by cold or heat. Celine, being a normal person, wouldn’t be the same. Even a knight is human. Cold is cold, and hot is hot. Of course, wearing armor, she’d be warmer than others in a single layer of clothes… or maybe not? Isn’t metal colder? Anyway, she must be cold. She might just be naturally sensitive to it.

So Lena stayed still. Being close together was warm. Besides, a wagon is an older mode of transport than a car. Unable to absorb shocks, the jolts from traveling on unpaved roads were transmitted directly to the passengers. Hitting a stone could send a jarring shock right up to your bones. Simply put, the ride quality was terrible. With Celine behind her, perhaps acting as a cushion, it felt softer—much better than riding alone.

“And this way, I can shield you from those mercenaries.”

The back of the doorless wagon bed was clearly visible from behind, meaning it was easy for the mercenaries following at a distance to sneak glances. The stares that followed even when she was alone grew more intense with Celine present. Thanks for the thought, but isn’t this counterproductive? Celine could be surprisingly thoughtless sometimes.

“Also… you haven’t been coming near me lately.”

That was true. Morutun was a good conversation partner. For Lena, who found even the mundane sight of people eating in this era fascinating, the Elder was like a treasure chest—poke him, and fascinating stories spilled out (with only slight exaggeration). So much so that the first day was spent just listening to descriptions of the goods loaded on the wagon. Relatively speaking, she couldn’t help but neglect Celine somewhat. Not that her interest in Celine had waned—it was more out of consideration, letting Celine rest after likely being tired from answering her barrage of questions during their time together in the Great Forest. What’s this? What’s that? Lena, having looked after young nieces and nephews, knew very well how exhausting children’s innocent questions could be. To think Celine herself felt slighted by it… this is why relationships between people are difficult.

Still, she had gained something from it. It was the first time Celine had initiated such a display of closeness. She was the first person Lena had met after falling into this world. Her significance was bound to be different. Knowing that the other person also felt friendly toward her was purely joyful.

As she stayed still, the steady sound of breathing soon tickled her earlobe. It was still broad daylight. If she sleeps now, won’t it be hard to sleep tonight? And how does she know what those mercenaries might do while she’s asleep? Or perhaps it was deliberate—a calculated act of vulnerability, aiming for just that. If they made a move, it would give her a legitimate reason to deal with them. As expected of a current medieval resident, even if she seemed a bit naive. Her schemes were truly insidious, murky, and cunning.

Then I should pretend to sleep too. It’s warm, soft, and cozy… close my eyes and soon… this is just an act… Lena fell fast asleep.

“Is this really okay, boss?”

“What’s not okay about it? Who’s gonna know we did anything here? The patrolling knights will check the tracks later, figure they unluckily ran into monsters and got wiped out, and close the case.”

“Ignore his bad-luck talk, boss. Tsk tsk, you’ve always been so chicken-livered. How will you ever make big money?”

“You shut up, you punk.”

“Anyway, don’t worry. What chance do those laborers who can’t really fight and that amateur merchant head stand against us seasoned fighters?”

“Just as the boss says.”

“Besides, we’ve got people backing us up. This wasn’t our plan; George’s crew proposed it.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“We just need to steer them toward the place they told us about. They’ll take care of the rest.”

“That’s all fine… but the girl and the knight are the problem, aren’t they?”

“…Maybe not the girl, but the knight is definitely a nuisance. And that huge wolf too.”

“How about we just finish the job quietly and get the rest of our pay? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“You idiot, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. That’s why you’ve only ever made pocket change.”

“I told you to shut up.”

“She’s just one knight. If we grab the wench and threaten her, what can she do? Lift a finger?”

“What about the wolf?”

“That’s what George’s crew will handle. No matter how big it is, a wolf is still a wolf. It’ll die just the same under a rain of arrows. Its fur looks glossy; skinning it and selling the pelt should fetch a good price.”

“Sigh…”

“If you’re so unhappy, then just back out. The big job is right in front of us, and you’re going to ruin everything.”

“No, it’s not that I won’t do it…”

“Boss, say something too.”

“Pardon, you grab the girl. If you’re that worried, then it’s on you to handle it properly.”

“…Understood.”

“So, no one else has complaints, right? Good. Everyone, brace yourselves. Think only of success. Then we’ll make a fortune.”

The mercenaries’ secret conversation stopped. Their hushed voices, layered with the rattling noise of the wagon and the panting breaths from the harsh journey, scattered on the wind.

…Except for the wild girl with superhuman hearing.

They’re having an interesting chat. Lena licked her lips.

It seemed the destination was gradually getting closer. The visible landscape was slowly leaving the wasteland behind. With each step, blades of grass brushed underfoot, and the previously flat terrain began to show gentle dips and rises. Perhaps because of this, color gradually returned to the faces of Morutun and the caravan workers. The mercenaries’ faces lit up too.

“Let’s change our direction a bit,” one of them proposed to Morutun with a smirking, sneering expression.

Morutun replied, bewildered. “What is this sudden nonsense?”

“Actually, we’re originally from near Carvalon Castle. Now that we’re around here, the scenery looks familiar.”

“So?”

“We know a faster way to Carvalon Castle. Let’s go that way.”

“Hmm.” It wasn’t a bad suggestion. In a world without maps, finding one’s way typically relied on personal experience or guidance from locals. These were mercenaries who, despite being called escorts, had mostly idled about, consuming food and making even their meager contract fee feel like a waste. If these guys would earn their keep even in this way, it was advantageous for Morutun.

“Merchant Elder, wouldn’t it be good for you too, saving money if you can shorten the trade schedule?”

“That’s true.”

“Then let’s go. We’ll walk ahead; just follow us.”

If they were willing to lead the way—and if anything happened up ahead—the caravan could just turn back and flee.

“But be warned, the path might be a bit rough. We’ll leave a few men at the back, so if anything happens, ask them.”

The mercenary, having succeeded in persuading him, confidently took the lead and changed direction. Morutun explained the situation to Lena and Celine. He asked for their understanding, even if the road became a bit rougher. Wasn’t it better this way, since they could arrive earlier? He added that it was also considerate of them, likely tired from the arduous journey.

“It’s fine.” Morutun was the master of the caravan. Whatever direction he chose, guests should follow without complaint, so don’t worry about it. That was Celine’s opinion.

“Mister, do you trust those guys?”

“I don’t trust them. But weren’t they full of complaints from the start? They probably just want to finish the contract quickly, get the rest of their pay, and blow off steam.”

“Then if something happens later, it’s your responsibility, so no excuses.”

“Why do you say such ominous things… Anyway, if something happens, it is my responsibility. Don’t worry. Even if those guys have bad intentions, we have more people. We have the knight and the wolf, and I’ve never lost a fistfight anywhere. Just trust this old man.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Well, she got him to say he’d take responsibility, so that’s settled. A man, the head of the group, wouldn’t go back on his word. With this, Lena wouldn’t be responsible for compensating if any damage occurred to the caravan’s goods later. Lena grinned, recalling the mercenaries’ secret conversation she had overheard.

You guys are so screwed.

The incident occurred when they reached a certain valley.

“Halt!”

“Oh!” Lena shot up.

“Bandits!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.