Ch.54Hunting #4

“Haah…”

On the way from the lodging to the Border Fortress, I was secretly sweating under the unexpected barrage of heated gazes.

It was because of the dark elves who were pretending to act nonchalant while clearly failing at it.

They would quickly look away whenever our eyes met, and sometimes they would glance back and forth between Helena and me with sly smiles. Compared to when they kept their distance out of wariness, this was certainly tremendous progress, but today, that progress wasn’t particularly welcome. I suppose this is why people say humans are fickle.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing happened. I almost wish something had.”

If it had been like a sudden downpour that came and went quickly, it might have been bearable. But the fact that this was continuing even today, with the Border Fortress right in front of us, was frustrating.

At least the intensity had subsided somewhat. If it had remained as it was initially, it would have been truly unbearable.

They’d been like this ever since I couldn’t firmly refuse Helena’s pleading and comforted her at the lodging.

“Hmm…”

Helena silently stared at my face for a moment, then suddenly turned her head to look at the elves following behind us.

“Everyone. Please refrain from staring with such heated gazes. You understand, right?”

“Ah, aah…”

It was so provocative that I wondered if Helena’s words were accurate. Since I was driving the carriage, I could only glance back briefly from the corner of my eye, but in that short moment, I saw quite a lot.

For instance, the dark elf who looked clearly embarrassed as if struck at a vital point, or Helena with her gaze that had cooled considerably, though not quite to the depths of an abyss.

And among the group, Ellen, whose eyes had settled into a downcast look, suggesting complicated feelings.

“Yes. We were too rude. We apologize.”

“…Sigh. Since you put it that way, I’ll let it go this time. I’d prefer to avoid anything that would make me blush as well.”

It was good that the situation was smoothly resolved thanks to Ellen’s sincere apology, but her subdued demeanor was still evident.

Though she had always shown composure as the leader of the mercenary group, she seemed distinctly different now. She was still quiet, but what lay beneath that quiet was different.

“Thank you.”

From my perspective, the warning was entirely welcome.

Thanks to it, the sharp, hot needles that had been stabbing at the back of my head were gone, and I felt refreshingly relieved.

When I expressed my gratitude, Helena simply nodded lightly, saying it was nothing.

It seemed that she too didn’t like the continuation of the current situation.

Unable to bear it any longer, she had given them a gentle warning.

“Regrettably… the game must come to an end soon. We’re starting to see the Border Fortress.”

Though invisible to my eyes, the Border Fortress must be clearly visible to Helena’s.

Moreover, the dark elves seemed to see the same thing as Helena, as they erased their relaxed demeanor and adopted an appropriate tension.

It seemed Helena’s words about the game ending had resonated with them.

“There are many.”

I only spoke after I could see the Border Fortress with my own eyes.

The massive walls and watchtowers placed at regular intervals reminded me of a great wall.

Though they couldn’t build walls as massive as those facing forests teeming with monsters, it was still a formidable defensive line. At least, that’s how it appeared to my eyes.

Today, as always, numerous groups were lined up at the Risling Border Fortress, waiting for their turn.

Even at a glance, the high proportion of rough-looking individuals made it clear that this place was distinctly different from other domains.

“Hey, look at that. Isn’t that… the Red Hood mercenary group?”

“Six armed dark elves. That’s them.”

“What wind blew them all the way here? Geez…”

Most of those whispering with rough words were mercenaries.

There were ordinary people traveling through the domain as well, but they were clearly outnumbered by the mercenaries.

After all, those visibly armed with armor and weapons were far more numerous.

“It makes me newly realize how fearsome Ellen is.”

“Fearsome? Do I look that terrible?”

Suddenly, Ellen, who had been following behind the wagon, scurried up beside me and asked with apparent displeasure.

She wore the face of the confident woman I had first met, different from her dazed appearance just moments ago.

“Of course not. I meant your reputation, not your appearance.”

“…Ah, hmm. I see. Well, it can’t be helped. As I said before, I rather prefer them being wary like that.”

Ellen seemed to take my joke seriously at first, showing a very stiff expression, but as soon as she heard my explanation, her hardened face softened.

Of course, she wasn’t completely relaxed as usual. She seemed appropriately tense, yet somewhat at ease.

“Next. What is your purpose… gah!”

The guard conducting the inspection gasped, showing great surprise.

The mercenary group waiting behind the wagon was surprising enough, but the family emblem Helena presented was likely the decisive factor.

“L-Lady! And…”

“I am Helena Krauser. I’ve come to meet the Border Count of Risling. If my family’s emblem is not enough to prove my identity, I could activate my Aura Blade, but…”

“N-No! That’s sufficient! Would you… would you like me to send word ahead, or would you prefer an escort to take you directly?”

“Please send word ahead. The Count must be surprised by our sudden visit, so we’ll wait just inside the wall.”

Waiting for word to be sent ahead was quite cumbersome, but we decided to wait to give the other party time to think and save face.

It also meant that the Border Count was not someone to be treated lightly, and it showed respect.

We passed through the inspection as easily as water mixing with alcohol, but we were taking a brief rest near the entrance by the wall.

Until the messenger who had departed on horseback returned with news, we could simply bask in the sunlight and pass the time.

“It’s quite lively here.”

Though the domain could be considered in a constant state of war, its vitality far exceeded that of other domains.

Combining the stories I’d heard with my prior knowledge, there were branches of various guilds established to sell monster carcasses, and specialists in dismemberment as well.

The same was true for other countries bordering that forest.

However, that didn’t mean there were no other economic activities. It was just that the perception of an environment related to monsters was too strong.

“Indeed. Whether it’s because of monster hunting or for some other reason…”

“There must be complex circumstances. In any case, one thing is certain—it’s full of energy.”

I passed the time exchanging light conversation with Helena.

The dark elves formed their own group, talking in hushed voices.

Occasionally, their eyes would flash sharply.

“Yes. That can’t be denied. Even that messenger coming from afar looks full of energy.”

“Messenger… Ah. He’s coming.”

Wondering what she meant, I looked ahead and could hear the sound of hoofbeats gradually approaching.

The dust rising in the air and the outline of the mounted soldier became increasingly clear.

Looking at his face, he was clearly the messenger who had gone to deliver the news earlier.

“Excuse me.”

As soon as the messenger dismounted, he bowed to Helena.

Each of his movements was disciplined, showing how well-trained he was.

“The Count has ordered me to escort Lady Krauser and her guests. The Count is returning from a hunt and apologizes for not being able to come out to greet you personally.”

“That’s fine. We are uninvited guests, so I’m grateful just for not being turned away. In any case, I appreciate your assistance.”

“Thank you for understanding. Then, please follow me.”

Before the messenger mounted his horse, I climbed onto the wagon and turned it around in advance.

Thanks to that, I could avoid having to use the whip out of impatience. It was the benefit of preparing ahead.

Both the soldier and our group proceeded slowly toward our destination.

There was no need to rush like when he had gone to deliver the message, and our matter wasn’t urgent either.

Even if we had hurried, not knowing the way would have resulted in wasting time wandering around.

“We’ve arrived. This is Count Risling’s residence.”

The place the soldier led us to was the Count’s residence.

It was smaller in scale than any noble residence I had seen so far.

Nevertheless, it was fascinating how it conveyed a sense of solidity.

A building that was old but impeccably clean.

Instead of cumbersome gardens, there was a training ground and sandy area right in front. In one corner, though neatly put away, there were clearly palisades and various obstacles prepared for emergencies.

It truly gave the impression of a military base.

“From here, the mansion’s servants will guide you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

The messenger gave a light bow from his horse, then turned around without entering, clearly heading back to where he belonged. It was a testament to his thorough professionalism.

After the messenger left, we followed the servant who had come to greet us, as he had said.

Unlike viewing it from the outside, I felt a cool breeze passing through my chest when inside.

Whether this sensation was an illusion created by the desolate scenery or had some other cause, I couldn’t tell.

I only knew for certain that there was no time to ponder the reason for this feeling.

Because of a presence approaching from behind the lobby where we stood, as if it had been waiting.

“What an unexpected guest we have.”

A voice of unparalleled gravity. Scars visible throughout his body.

A lean yet deeply rooted firmness in his physique.

And what made the man before us appear even greater was none other than his eyes.

Blue eyes that were sharper than any beast’s and deeper than any sage’s, like the depths of the sea.

“Yes. I apologize once again for visiting without prior notice.”

Helena bowed without hesitation to the man, the Border Count of Risling.

Though by rank and power she need not have bowed, she deliberately did so.

Because regardless of all conditions, it was clear that she had put the Border Count in a difficult position.

“Please raise your head. Your transgression is not severe enough to warrant a bow from a Duke.”

“…Yes. Then, excuse me.”

Helena raised her head slowly, with some deliberation, rather than immediately as if she had been waiting for permission.

Since the Duchess had first respectfully bowed and entered, there seemed to be no room for complaints about this matter. In a world where rank trumps all else, regardless of right or wrong.

“It’s been since the royal birthday celebration, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. Our paths are far apart, and there was no occasion to meet.”

“We had no reason to see each other’s faces.”

The two exchanged light greetings as they faced each other.

Their expressions were so subdued that it was impossible to tell if they were truly glad to see each other.

Still, the fact that they continued their conversation suggested they were somewhat pleased.

“So, what brings the busy Duchess all the way to this border region?”

As soon as the greetings were over, the Border Count threw a direct question without any hint of probing.

In terms of combat, it was like a sharp spear thrust that tore through the air and pierced the heart.

Yet, Helena’s face showed no sign of being flustered. Rather, as if she had been waiting for this, she curved her lips into a smile and immediately got to the point.

“The reason I’ve come to this place that protects our kingdom is simple. I wish to lend a hand in monster hunting, and I humbly request your permission.”