Ch.1717. A Violent Scene

Lindvale.

The city’s official name was the Barony of Lindvale. Come to think of it, Rex’s hometown, Oakbrook Village, was also under the barony’s jurisdiction. The only difference was whether there was an actual noble or not.

After brief consideration, Rex decided to join the merchant group.

This was because, as it happened, Rex was also heading to Lindvale. Since he wasn’t paying for a ride but simply traveling together, there was no reason to refuse.

The next day, the merchant group finished their preparations and departed early. Rex tactfully positioned himself at the very back of the procession.

While peddlers occasionally visited his hometown, this was his first time seeing such a formal trading caravan. Donkeys pulled one carriage and two carts, with guards forming a protective circle around them.

After walking for quite some time, the sun began to set. Dunstan found a suitable place to stop the carriage.

“We’ll camp here tonight.”

It was a spot with a large beech tree. The ground was flat, making it comfortable to lie down, and the open view made it good for keeping watch on the surroundings.

People skillfully lit a bonfire and set up tents. Seeing they were preparing to sleep, Rex rolled up his sleeves to help.

However, a man who was unloading sleeping bags from the carriage waved his hand.

“It’s fine. We’ve got it covered.”

It wasn’t that he was trying to exclude Rex as an outsider; he genuinely didn’t need the help. With everyone already working efficiently together, having someone else join in might only complicate things.

Though the man spoke in a friendly tone to avoid misunderstanding, it still felt awkward. Rex felt uncomfortable just resting while everyone else was working hard.

Rex looked around like a puppy searching for its mother.

Suddenly, he noticed someone setting up pots and pans beside the bonfire.

The person had such a distinctive presence among the guards that Rex recognized them immediately. From their first encounter at the rest stop until now, this person hadn’t spoken a single word.

Though Rex had exchanged jokes with the other guards a few times, he hadn’t seen this person speak. They didn’t seem particularly close with the others either, having kept their distance from the procession throughout the journey.

The person wore their hood pulled low, exuding an aura that made it difficult to approach them. Perhaps that’s why no one was near them now.

Regardless, Rex, who had been restlessly looking for ways to help, thought this was his chance and approached them directly.

“…?”

A puzzled expression showed beneath the shadowy hood. Feeling suddenly shy about speaking up, Rex glanced awkwardly at the bonfire. The pot contained wine and prepared meat, suggesting they were making a stew.

“Um, I wanted to help you.”

There was no response. The person shook their head from side to side. Rex scratched his cheek and spoke again.

“Excuse me?”

“…”

“Haha…”

When the person still didn’t respond, Rex let out an awkward laugh. Belated regret washed over him.

It seemed he had been anxious about not being able to help the group. But no matter how he looked at it, what he just did was too foolish.

‘What am I doing, acting like an idiot.’

As Rex made a clicking sound with his tongue and turned to leave, the edge of his cloak was suddenly tugged. Surprised, he looked back to see a thin, high voice emerging from inside the hood.

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“You weren’t bothering me. I was just finished already.”

The fingers holding his cloak were so delicate they looked like they would break with the slightest pressure.

Only then did Rex look the person over properly. Their build was similar to Rex’s, just slightly taller, but there were hints of femininity visible through the concealing hood.

Though barely noticeable unless examined closely, there was definitely a slight curve at the chest area.

The voice alone made it clear the person was female. Rex, who had assumed they were either around his age or a slightly smaller adult, stared blankly at them.

Under his gaze, the person tilted their head and released his cloak, gesturing with their hand.

“…Excuse me?”

“Come here. You said you wanted to help.”

“But didn’t you say you were finished? That…”

Even as he asked, Rex awkwardly accepted the ladle and bowl the person handed him.

“I’m Ellin.”

“Yes, Ellin. I’m…”

“Rex, right? I know.”

Rex gave an embarrassed smile.

“Should I distribute this to everyone?”

“Yes.”

Ellin nodded. Her short, terse responses made it seem like she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

It didn’t seem like she meant any harm, but she appeared unaware of how she came across. While it might not matter now, such a speaking style would quickly exhaust most conversation partners.

‘So that’s why no one’s around her’

Of course, that wasn’t something to say out loud. Rex picked up the ladle and filled a bowl with stew.

Typically, travelers throw whatever ingredients they have into their stews. When you don’t know when supplies might run out, you can’t afford to be picky.

Surprisingly, it becomes quite palatable once you get used to it. Something about the unique flavor? Anyway, such simple cooking methods were common sense.

However, this common sense apparently didn’t apply to Dunstan’s Pennibrook merchant group.

As Rex ladled out portions for everyone, a fragrant aroma that stimulated hunger spread through the air. Rex unconsciously licked his lips. The large chunks of meat floating in the stew looked truly appetizing.

“Here you go.”

“Oh, thank you.”

As Rex handed a bowl to Dunstan, people who had been scattered around gathered near the bonfire. Rex pointed to the stone plate.

“I’ve prepared portions for everyone, so please take one. If it’s not enough, there’s still some left in the pot.”

“I was starving to death. Thanks. Rex, was it?”

“Yes. Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Sure. I’ll enjoy it.”

People ignored Rex’s warning and began devouring the stew ravenously. “Inhaling” would be a more appropriate description than “eating.” Having spent all day pulling carts and walking, they had reason to be hungry.

Rex looked around to make sure no one had been missed, and only then did he take his own portion.

“Ellin. Here’s yours.”

Ellin had been sitting on a flat rock, seemingly indifferent to whether others were eating or not. When Rex offered her a bowl, she just stared at it blankly.

“I don’t eat.”

“What? But you haven’t had anything since dawn.”

“It’s fine.”

“But still…”

When Rex showed no signs of backing down despite repeated refusals, Ellin sighed deeply and opened the collar of her robe. Rex looked inside the robe with a puzzled expression.

As the thick robe was pulled aside, Ellin’s slender figure became clearly visible. A thin black cloth clung to her body, revealing her curves. Rex’s eyes widened momentarily.

It was truly a violent sight.

If he could go back to this morning and say just one thing, it would certainly be to beware of those two water skins.

Never in his life had he imagined such things existed. Comparing her to the women from his hometown would be disrespectful. His past self who had mistaken Ellin for a man suddenly seemed pathetic.

‘…Aren’t those heavy?’

Despite the formidable size of those things, her waist was slim. Rex unconsciously alternated his gaze between Ellin’s upper and lower body.

“What are you doing?”

Rex hurriedly raised his face. Ellin was staring at him.

Though the inside of her hood had some mysterious function that made it ripple with darkness, concealing her face, her displeasure somehow came through clearly.

“…What?”

“Did you see properly?”

“Well… I did see, but…”

“Then you understand now why I said I don’t eat?”

Rex kept his mouth shut. He barely managed to hold back from saying, “I don’t understand at all.”

If anything, he thought she should eat more than others. How much nutrition would one need daily to maintain those?

‘What nonsense am I thinking?’

Rex shook his head vigorously. Ellin followed his gaze, tilting her head downward.

Inwardly startled, Rex was about to make some excuse when Ellin, apparently not noticing any issue, asked in a puzzled voice:

“What are you looking at?”

“Pardon?”

“Look here.”

When Rex still seemed confused, Ellin finally took out a pouch attached to her waist and held it up before his eyes.

The pouch contained various fruits, all looking as fresh as if they had been picked recently. Ellin took a strawberry and put it directly into her mouth.

“Um… is that enough to fill you up?”

He understood what she was trying to say, but it didn’t seem like such fruits could satisfy hunger.

“Yes.”

Contrary to Rex’s expectation, Ellin’s answer was affirmative.

“Perhaps you can’t eat meat…”

“I don’t particularly like it, but I don’t dislike it either. I can eat it if I want to.”

“Then why?”

“…It’s troublesome.”

Her trailing off suggested there might be another reason, but Rex didn’t press the matter. It would be silly to argue when she had stated her preference.

Ellin turned her head away as if to say their business was concluded. Rex looked at the place where people had gathered.

They were chatting cheerfully about something enjoyable, but Rex wasn’t brazen enough to ask to join them. Nor did he want to.

Besides, it was easier to break the ice with one person than with a group.

There was a certain charm to this spot too, which wasn’t bad. Ellin didn’t seem intent on chasing him away either, quietly watching as Rex sat down on the ground.

With only the crackling sound of the bonfire in the background, Rex ate his stew in silence.

The stew tasted excellent, hard to believe it had been quickly prepared outdoors. Emptying the bowl took only a moment. The warm heat spread throughout his body as it went down his throat.

Rex wiped his mouth with a satisfied smile. Then, suddenly struck by a thought, he spoke to Ellin.

“By the way, the others are being quite unfair.”

“…Why?”

After a long silence, Ellin asked. Her voice betrayed no emotion.

“They thanked only me for preparing the meal when it wasn’t me at all. They didn’t say anything to you.”

“Why are you concerned about that?”

“…Good point.”

When Ellin questioned him in a tone of incomprehension, Rex made an awkward expression.

In truth, there wasn’t any profound reason. It was just that her constant isolation made her seem somewhat lonely.

Whether due to her insensitive personality or not, she herself didn’t seem to care about her situation. Rex knew his concern was unnecessary meddling. He knew, and yet he couldn’t help but worry.

“Oh, Rex. There you are.”

“Dunstan, sir. Are you drunk?”

“Haha. Want to try some?”

Dunstan laughed good-naturedly and handed Rex a wooden cup. Rex accepted it casually but slightly wrinkled his nose at the sour smell that assaulted his nostrils.

The wooden cup contained beer. Not wanting to reject the gesture, Rex carefully brought the cup to his lips.

“Ugh…”

As Rex narrowed his eyes, Dunstan giggled. Rex couldn’t bring himself to swallow the astringent taste that spread in his mouth and spat it out. He couldn’t understand how people enjoyed drinking such stuff.

“Would you like some?”

Rex twitched the corner of his mouth and waved the wooden cup at Ellin.

“No thanks.”

Ellin refused without a moment’s hesitation. It was barely a conversation, but even that seemed to surprise Dunstan, who widened his eyes and said:

“You’ve become friends with Ellin already?”

“Pardon?”

“That’s good. I was having a headache trying to assign people.”

“Assign what?”

“The night watch. Until you joined, we had an odd number of people, making it difficult to form pairs. Ellin also joined midway, so she hasn’t been on watch yet. From now on, you two would be perfect together.”

Dunstan clapped his hands and called over the scattered people.

“It’s getting dark, so let’s wrap up for today.”

At his words, people dispersed to their pre-set tents.

“You’re over here.”

As Rex stood still, not knowing where to go since he hadn’t been assigned a place, Ellin grabbed his arm. She naturally entered a tent in the corner.

“Hurry up.”

Rex hesitated, but when Ellin urged him, he reluctantly moved. The tent was barely big enough for two adults to lie down. It seemed to be used by people who shared night watch duty.

“Go to sleep.”

Ellin calmly crawled into her sleeping bag. She wore her robe even while sleeping.

‘Isn’t that uncomfortable?’

He wondered briefly, but even that thought was soon buried beneath the faint sound of breathing coming from beside him.

Rex, equally tired, quickly fell asleep.