Chapter 64 – Is the Journey Going Smoothly? (2)

Luillin wasn’t flawed in personality, merely lacking in social refinement.

No, that’s not quite right. For those who value social graces, she probably would be considered flawed.

Just before boarding the ship, when someone provoked her—despite being twice her size—she showed no intimidation and promptly delivered a kick to their most vulnerable area.

“Oof!”

Every man watching instinctively flinched and clutched between their legs.

“Captain! The course is clear!”

“Good! Once everyone’s aboard, we depart immediately! What’s everyone doing?! When are you hoisting the anchor?! I ordered it hours ago!”

“You just ordered it now! What do you mean ‘hours ago’?!”

“Don’t argue with me! Unless you want to become fish food!”

The vessel seemed somewhat large for a mere six-person crew, but upon further inspection, the cargo hold was substantially filled.

They were assigned a tucked-away corner of the ship, but sitting idle only intensified one’s restlessness.

“The instrument is fine, but what about that sword? Is it even properly sheathed?”

“This? I planned to have it repaired eventually.”

Elhermina’s sword remained technically functional, but its warped condition from her handling left it barely contained in its scabbard.

The hilt’s visible curvature made suspicion understandable.

He had intended to have it fixed back in Cariela, but somehow the opportunity had slipped by.

In fact, his visit to that small workshop while searching for a smith had been precisely for this purpose.

But the craftsman had declared he didn’t handle weapons, so Cariel had abandoned the idea.

“You have a respectable appearance and seem to possess valuable belongings. What changed your mind to attempt illegal entry into another country?”

“Is that relevant to your assignment?”

“Use your judgment and answer accordingly. If this is merely a journey, or if you’re fleeing—that changes my approach.”

Cariel considered briefly.

“It’s a journey, not an escape. Though someone might pursue me… they likely won’t pursue me with their utmost efforts. Perhaps.”

“I detest such ambiguous statements.”

Life itself is uncertain. If even the uncertainty is uncertain, how is one meant to breathe?

Though she grumbled in frustration, Luillin soon organized her thoughts and provided a brief advisory.

“Then you should be more concerned about encounters during the journey than potential pursuers. Also avoid unnecessary entanglements. You’re from the Empire and carry a cross-hilted sword. Knight? Perhaps a trainee? Candidate?”

“…Think whatever you wish.”

“That’s reassuring.”

A surprising response.

“Why?”

“A rigid-minded knight would never speak with such ambiguity. Just refrain from meddling where you shouldn’t and causing problems. Barring that, we shouldn’t face significant obstacles unless fire literally rains from the sky. Although now that I’ve mentioned it, what if it actually happens…?”

Despite her cold demeanor and tone, once she began speaking, she resembled the rapid-fire spells of elven mages—endless words pouring forth.

“It’s faster than horseback or walking, but prepare for extended tedium. Do you suffer from seasickness? Though this isn’t open sea, so you’ll likely be fine, but if you’re unaccustomed, even lying down requires caution. Given the vessel’s orientation, if you wish to recline…”

***

By disembarkation, distinguishing between land and deck became challenging.

The ground seemed to undulate beneath their feet despite standing still.

…And this after merely a few days. How did sailors endure months at sea?

“Let’s eat.”

Luillin, characteristically unfazed.

“This place is…”

A territory with a proper fortress.

Beyond the stronghold walls stood a village and a modest dock accommodating several vessels, though the overall scale wasn’t particularly impressive.

Various people traversed the area, but compared to the Empire, the dominance of reddish-brown hues everywhere was unmistakable.

“Unfortunately, we’re still within the Dabass Kingdom. Apparently circumstances prevent us from continuing upriver.”

“…Why?”

“That’s not our concern. It’s a common occurrence. Nobody risks their life on pointless detours. Don’t worry, though. There’s always an alternative route. But first, nourishment. Who knows when we’ll next have the opportunity? And we must procure supplies while possible. If we’re not riding horses, we’ll be walking, extending our journey. You’re comfortable with mountain trails, correct? Then we’ll plan our route accordingly…”

“Very well, let’s proceed.”

She might lack social skills, but her verbosity was undeniable.

Her initial impression conveyed rigidity, perhaps even fierceness—cold and indifferent. One would hardly anticipate this facet of her personality.

When maintaining vigilance around someone, she typically responded with clipped brevity.

If they failed to comprehend her? She’d elaborate slightly.

And if understanding still eluded them?

Her hands intervened instead.

Precisely as now.

“Aaaagh!”

“Choose: lose the hand or surrender your theft? Whose pocket were you attempting to pilfer?”

Luillin dispatched the man with a twisted wrist, relieving him of the purse he’d stolen.

She examined the meager coin purse briefly, then inquired:

“Are you proficient in combat?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’ve identified a monetary opportunity. And we require sustenance. We can’t flee merely because a few parasites have gathered.”

“……”

“In places like this, such individuals typically operate under organizational structure. Independent actors are swiftly eliminated for disturbing established systems. Even beggars nowadays secure permits and display carved symbols. That’s the era we inhabit. Were you aware that unauthorized begging constitutes an offense? Which means these individuals? All supported by superior entities. They even remit taxes. Did you know? Pickpocket syndicates bribe local lords under the guise of taxation.”

“……”

That was unprecedented information.

Was it due to being outside Imperial territory? Or perhaps a unique aspect of the Dabass Kingdom’s taxation system?

…Or did the Empire engage in similar practices without my awareness?

After accompanying Luillin to an eatery and satisfying their hunger…

“Who possesses such a death wish?! Who dared touch our associate?!”

As Luillin had anticipated, several imposing figures arrived.

“Right on schedule.”

With a sly grin, Luillin rose from her seat.

“It was me, you porcine degenerate!”

And immediately hurled a dagger.

Thunk!

“This deranged child?!”

Perhaps because the blade embedded itself beside his boot,

His gaze instinctively flicked downward—in that instant, she rushed forward and hurled herself at him.

Then drove her knee directly into the face of the man she’d just labeled a pig.

“?!”

But that wasn’t the conclusion.

As he reeled backward, she seized his face with one hand,

Raised her right arm high,

And brought her elbow down squarely upon his eye socket.

Crack!

“What the—?!”

While the surrounding men stood paralyzed with shock,

Luillin twisted mid-descent and launched herself laterally.

Before anyone comprehended, she had already secured another man’s leg. He was yanked off balance and slammed face-first onto the wooden floor.

Thud!

“B-Boss?!”

Even that response came belatedly.

Luillin immediately stomped on yet another thug’s ankle with her boot heel.

Like a trained warhorse delivering a hind-leg strike.

Crunch!

“AAAAARGH!”

Given her iron-reinforced footwear, the impact must have been excruciating.

“Surrender everything! Or I’ll sever every wrist and ankle you possess!”

She brandished a blade.

Its squared edge and right-angled design evoked an herb cutter.

What peculiar implement was that? Something designed for jungle vegetation perhaps?

Cariel had occasionally glimpsed such tools, but the ferocity with which she wielded it was terrifying.

When the blade severed flesh, it took not merely several fingers but also sent the steel ring they wore spinning through the air.

An agonized scream resonated.

“AAAAAAH! My hand! My hand!”

“Merely fingers, you imbecile! Did I remove your entire hand? Shall I rectify that oversight?! Approach! Come immediately! NOW!”

She had descended into unrestrained savagery.

…A butcher couldn’t have been more brutal.

“That’s sufficient.”

“What the f—?!”

Luillin, rampaging indiscriminately between friend and foe, was abruptly tackled and subdued.

“Huh? What?! How…?!”

Visibly perplexed by her sudden incapacitation, she assumed a surprisingly delicate posture, half-sprawled on the floor.

Her widened silver eyes conveyed her struggle to process the situation, evident even to Cariel.

“But why—”

More pertinently,

“When did you appropriate my knife?”

“This one?”

Cariel manipulated the blade with expert dexterity, allowing it to rotate between his fingers and wrist in a fluid display.

“Just now.”

“Then why interrupt my task?”

“Task?”

Cariel surveyed the surroundings.

Barely minutes had elapsed—he’d merely been momentarily stunned.

“Isn’t this essentially concluded?”

“I haven’t even claimed a single hand, let alone a head.”

Clearly, Cariel’s standards and hers diverged significantly.

Agonized groans permeated the establishment.

Blood splattered liberally throughout.

Fragments of flesh scattered indiscriminately.

And though none had perished yet, without immediate treatment, their survival seemed uncertain.

“……”

“……”

She was unquestionably extraordinary.

***

As eventually revealed, she had already accepted a commission to eliminate this group, at least partially.

The arrangement would secure their safe passage from this location, along with valuable intelligence and supplementary payment.

“You didn’t receive the assignment directly, correct? There exists some intermediary that discreetly allocates these tasks?”

“Impressive deduction!”

“It follows logically.”

Though not actively monitoring her, even during their shared journey, Cariel hadn’t once observed her accepting employment directly.

Some covert system must operate beyond ordinary awareness.

“One must work diligently to eat. You’ve witnessed my appetite.”

“……”

Irrefutable logic.

Cariel had momentarily worried she might extort him similarly, but apparently all expenses had already been covered.

Had she feigned ignorance and suddenly demanded he fund her meals, or insisted he cover costs…

…He would have struggled to refuse.

“Ordinarily I would, but this time, the client specifically requested restraint. ‘Avoid unnecessary complications,’ they emphasized.”

“So this demonstration partly served to establish credibility?”

“Quick perception. It demonstrates sincerity. You’re being accorded respect.”

Creating a favorable impression for the client through such displays…

Perhaps despite her youthful appearance, she possessed greater maturity?

By human standards, she appeared young—but what if her heritage differed?

“I am human. Though not pure human. I’m half.”

“Half what?”

“Knowledge would invoke your contempt.”

“Do I convey prejudice against other races?”

“What if my lineage provokes aversion even among non-discriminatory individuals?”

“…I comprehend.”

“What precisely do you comprehend? I’ve revealed nothing.”

“……”

It must be that.

Demonic bloodline.

Cariel didn’t assume this merely because her connection originated through the Edenrevan Regiment, but…

“It’s fundamentally irrelevant to me.”

“…You’re remarkably peculiar, client.”

More peculiar than yourself?

Cariel hoisted the moderately packed baggage onto his back and departed from the village adjoining the territory.

Near the entrance stood a cart bound for the neighboring town, which he intended to utilize.

“The forest and mountains grow cold at night. Is your attire sufficient?”

“Unless it’s winter, I’ll manage adequately.”

“This illustrates why magical equipment is so excessive.”

Cariel gently stroked the small fur lining adorning his hood.

“Indeed.”

He wholeheartedly concurred.

Nevertheless,

That earlier display of proficiency had undoubtedly been a demonstration of her capabilities.

Whether orchestrated by Luillin personally or the organization supporting her remained unclear.

But their systematic approach was undeniably impressive.

…Such thoroughness warranted recognition.

For someone perspicacious like Cariel with rapid cognitive processing, this incident alone sufficed to establish the exceptional nature of Luillin and her backing.

And even for those lacking such discernment,

Witnessing her performance would foster significant trust.

Depending on the observer, it might function coercively, compelling compliance through intimidation.

Cariel recalled something the Demon King had once shared:

There exist scenarios in this world where ignorance inevitably leads to suffering.

…And suddenly, it made perfect sense.