Chapter 100

The snow that had blanketed the mountains and fields had vanished without a trace. Only the frozen snow in the shaded areas hinted that this was beyond the wall.

Beyond this valley, the northern gate would be in sight.

Pael, the merchant of the Fangju Caravan, who was seated in a soft chair, finally felt a sense of relief.

"Lord Lu Solar must have helped us. I thought we would have a significant number of casualties. We'll make it to the gate safely."

He turned to Bor, who was riding next to him, and added,

"No matter how I look at it, they are no ordinary people. Don't you think so?"

He was talking about the Ian Mercenary Group.

Since they joined, there had been no shortage of monster attacks, but not a single guard of the Fangju Caravan had died.

Moreover, their fighting style was incredibly bold. Instead of defending the carriage from the monsters, they would charge at the monsters to block their approach.

To Pael, it was a bewildering act of kindness.

In any case, thanks to them, the caravan guards only had to deal with the few monsters they missed, and Pael generously treated these mysterious mercenaries with wine and cheese.

"Rare experts in dealing with demons. I've never seen mercenaries in the empire as strong as them."

Pael stroked his beard and added,

"I wonder why they only move in a group of three. If they formed a mercenary group, they could create a powerful force. If they settled down somewhere, they could even gain a title."

"…There must be a reason they can't."

Bor, who had been listening silently, spoke.

He was Pael's employee but also a close friend. When they were alone, they spoke freely.

"Again, you're being too pessimistic. Not very northern of you."

"I'm just stating the facts. You heard what the orc said."

"They might have failed to protect their employer. It's easy for orcs to be framed."

Bor stared at Pael.

"Do you want to hire them? That's why you keep checking my reaction?"

"Checking? The world is getting more dangerous, isn't it? Not just the north. Now, even in the empire, bandits roam and monsters nest. A time will come when we need as many excellent guards as you."

He had ambitions to expand the caravan. To do so, he had to take some risks.

The trade with the northern savages was like that at first.

That gamble paid off, bringing considerable wealth to the caravan.

At least until last year.

"We need to find a new path. If we continue like this, we'll go bankrupt in a few years. We can't keep living by guessing what the big caravans will do."

"If you keep coveting things beyond your reach, you'll end up losing your head one day."

"You can't say anything to your employer, can you?"

"Those are not the kind of heroes you should harbor. Give it up."

"Are you telling me to be satisfied with you? Hmph… You're such a weasel."

"Decide where you're going after passing the gate. I think it's best to turn back."

"Then what about the things in the carriage? Should we just abandon them? No way. We're going to Travella, so keep that in mind."

Bor clenched his jaw.

Pael, avoiding his gaze, looked around the carriage and smiled.

"Once we reach the gate, I'll ask them if they want to accompany us to Travella."

Beyond the valley, the tall gate and the walls extending on either side were visible.

***

Ian looked at the wall that stretched from the distant mountains.

"Quite impressive…"

Despite his calm tone, Charlotte seemed quite impressed.

It was understandable. Even to Ian, the wall that cut across the mountains in the distance looked magnificent.

At such moments, Ian felt that this world was once a game.

As they approached the gate, the caravan's speed slowed down.

Soon, Pael, who was riding ahead, approached Ian's carriage.

"I think we should verify our identities first. Would you like to come with us?"

He held a bottle of wine in his hand.

A bribe…?

"Sure, let's do that."

Ian got off the carriage and started walking.

Pael matched his pace and asked,

"Once we pass through here, are you heading straight to Travella?"

"Probably. For now."

"Even so, it's quite a distance. Wouldn't it be lonely for just the three of you?"

Ian turned to Pael.

"Are you planning to go there?"

"If we turn back now, the loss would be too great. I'll sell everything I can and then return."

He smiled at Ian.

"What do you think? We'll take care of your group's meals as we have been. Of course, including the wine."

At the same time, a quest completion window appeared before Ian. Surprisingly, there was another linked quest.

The Fate of the Caravan. Ian's eyes narrowed slightly as he read the quest content.

"…Well, it's been safer traveling with us so far. But it might not be the same inside."

"What do you mean…?"

Pael turned to Ian and asked.

Just as Ian was about to say something,

"Stop! Dismount and present your identification!"

A soldier from the defense force shouted.

The soldiers on the gate and the wall were staring at them intently.

Unlike the border kingdoms, they were well-disciplined.

Soon, a middle-aged man, who seemed to be the gate commander, approached.

As he read the caravan's certificate that Pael handed over, he said,

"You passed through Ningleos when you went north. Why are you entering through our 2nd Gate?"

"It seems difficult to do business up there now. So, I'm stopping by Travella to sort out my goods."

Pael, speaking calmly, offered the bottle of wine.

"These are the items we sell. Please try them."

"Hmm… Fangju Caravan."

The gate commander nodded, and a soldier behind him took the bottle.

'They're taking it again.'

The gate commander's gaze turned to Ian.

"Who are you? Not part of the group?"

"Met on the way. Mercenary, Ian Hope."

Ian handed over a piece of parchment.

The gate commander's brows furrowed as he read it.

"Temple of the Forge…? Who are you to have your identity verified by the Temple of the Forge?"

"I'm a mercenary. There should be a record of me passing through Ningleos' gate."

"That's true, but the seal on the certificate is the High Priest's."

"It was issued by him."

"Do you know who he is?"

"I do. It seems you do too."

"…"

From the gate commander's expression, Ian realized he wouldn't be let off easily this time.

Why are they still demanding a bribe?

Do they want more?

While Ian was thinking, the gate commander turned around.

"We need to verify your identity. Please wait."

"…"

He walked away without waiting for a response, still holding the parchment.

Last time was also close.

Thinking about it, Ian casually leaned on one leg.

This kind of thing happens.

From his tone, it seemed the gate commander knew about Cherwin.

It's not strange to be suspicious of a mercenary with a certificate bearing the royal seal.

Since it wasn't forged, there was no need to worry.

"Are you talking about the Temple of the Forge, which has the Sacred Flame of the Forge?"

After a moment of silence, a hesitant voice continued.

Pael, holding the reins, stared at him blankly.

"Do you know it?"

"I do… On the way here, I stayed in the village next to it. It's the first time I've seen a temple vouch for someone's identity, except for priests. You must have helped the temple a lot."

Ian asked instead of answering.

"How did it look?"

"What do you mean?"

"The village and the temple."

"The village was lively. I heard the Forge's flame has been rekindled. Skilled craftsmen who left are returning. It will soon prosper as before."

"And the temple?"

"It seems a new flame has entered the temple. A girl, they say, who is exceptionally talented. I couldn't go inside, so I don't know more. But for a decaying temple to come back to life… It's rare in these times."

Pael paused for a moment.

A faint smile appeared on Ian's lips.

"Do you know her?"

"A little."

Ian, wiping the smile away, answered.

"I heard there were mercenaries called the Flame Carriers. Could it be…?"

Ian didn't answer.

It wasn't a secret, but he didn't want to reveal it.

'She's doing well.'

That was enough for him.

The wait ended after about ten minutes.

The gate commander returned with someone.

Plate armor and short brown hair. A quest completion window appeared before Ian.

Young Commander.

Closing the window, Ian smiled strangely.

"I didn't expect to meet you here."

It was the young commander he met in Ningleos, Lucas Rampart.

"I didn't expect to see you again either, Sir Ian."

Lucas replied with a mix of surprise and joy.

"Your identity has been verified. I apologize for the rudeness."

The gate commander, speaking formally, handed over the well-dried parchment with both hands.

Pael, looking at Ian in surprise, Lucas extended his hand inside the gate.

"Can you spare some time? I'd like to talk to you inside."

***

Lucas led Ian inside the fortress.

"I thought you were in Travella. I was planning to visit anyway."

Ian said as they walked.

Lucas smiled gently.

"Yes, I'm now part of the 2nd Legion. I'm here on a temporary assignment."

"Assignment? If you can't answer, I won't ask."

Ian added, and Lucas shrugged.

"I'm here to reorganize the garrison at this 2nd Gate. We need to move troops."

"Move… to Carinngion?"

"You remember our previous conversation. Yes, we're withdrawing troops from all the forts in the autonomous regions."

'So that's why the walls were so easily breached…'

Ian, frowning slightly, nodded.

Lucas continued,

"Although the garrison will be reduced, this is an impregnable fortress. It's a great wall, isn't it?"

Ian shrugged.

"It is impressive."

"It's a legacy of the past. The old northern kingdoms believed that the Kingdom of Giants would one day return to reclaim their territory, so they built many walls and fortresses. We are reaping the benefits of their efforts."

"I heard they are still building the walls."

Ian recalled what Pael had told him.

The walls being built everywhere were a kind of national project and punishment.

Criminals worked in dangerous areas, while free citizens worked in relatively safe areas.

The north was known for more than just mines, furs, and quarries.

"They plan to fortify the entire north. A massive wall to protect the continent. Of course, the capital seems uninterested. Come in."

Lucas opened the door.

It seemed to be his room.

Lucas placed the wine bottle on the table first.

Ian also accepted a glass without refusing.

Pouring the wine, Lucas added,

"It's not surprising. They say the border kingdoms are completely ignoring the chaos there."

Ian, who was about to take a sip, paused.

"You're talking about the border kingdoms?"

"Yes. The war is spreading like wildfire."

"…"

Ian put down his glass and met Lucas's eyes with a serious look.