Chapter 77 - 7-3
Godly Curier immediately returned to the city of Malfa and met with Marquis Mcgillis and the Marchioness. Kneeling, he first reported that he had safely delivered the Queen's necklace. He handed over the reply from Krisina and a letter of gratitude to the Queen, and at the same time, requested his retirement. He had made this request in advance. It was formally granted.
The relationship of fief and vassalage would be inherited by his son. However, this was a Marquis house he had served for a long time. He was not let go easily that day and received a warm welcome. For Curier, it became a time to deeply reflect upon his life up until then.
The next day, he went to see his son in Midheim.
"Father." The eldest son, Tonis Curier, said something unexpected. "There is a widow who says she would be willing to become your second wife."
Curier laughed. "Another abrupt topic, I see."
"She is a beauty of only twenty-three, you know."
"A beauty, is she? Now that's something I can't overlook. I'll rewrite the documents, take back the assets I gave you, and leave them to that girl instead."
"That's simply impossible. However, I've been talking with my wife about treating any children you two might have as a younger brother or sister."
"Find an honest person and set them up together. At my age, taking a beauty in her twenties is far too brazen."
"Are you prepared to do whatever it takes?"
"I am." Curier smiled at his son's sour expression. "If it comes down to it, protect Malfa. The Mcgillis family and we are the King's knights."
Tonis Curier sighed and brought over a long bundle that had been leaning against the wall of the room. Inside was a sword shining in silver. It seemed he had commissioned a new one.
"No matter where you might die in the wilderness, I want you to die holding at least a splendid sword. Befitting of Godly Curier."
The son looked away, sulking. Curier didn't mind and embraced Tonis.
Curier did not stay idle.
The next day, he made all the preparations for his departure and bid farewell to various people, including his son's couple, relatives, the families of his attendants, and servants.
With a single horse, Curier began walking toward Belgau in the east.
His body moved with a vigor that even he found astonishing.
The journey to the east was smooth. He was able to enter the east while continuing to be blessed by the weather.
The center of the east is Ganlord.
Within that territory, Curier spotted a band of bandits. Ganlord was land once ruled by the Anavis family. The head of the house, Paishal Anavis, was the powerhouse of the east and would likely not have permitted the likes of bandits to run rampant.
After the Anavis family was abolished, Ganlord came to be ruled by Dico Thora, a branch of the Thora family. Although it was a transfer of fief granted by royal decree, His Majesty had naturally attached conditions. Namely,
—After expelling the barbarians, the change of province shall be recognized.
It likely meant that if they drove out the Kosa people, their rule would be permitted.
Curier spotted the bandits on a mountain path; as a knight whose sword skills were sharp, he did not fight unnecessarily and escaped the danger by hiding in the thickets. However, the shock he felt in his heart was great.
—They are starving.
Curier first thought they were people who had retreated to the mountains to resist the rule of the Thora family. That was not it. No one becomes a bandit for such a reason. Most likely, they fell into banditry because they could no longer eat.
He later learned that Dico Thora was inviting young farmers from the west and persistently promoting settlement in Ganlord. The people of Ganlord were steadily having their land taken. If they became bandits, it would only give Dico Thora a pretext for oppression. Thinking of it that way made him feel bleak.
Once past Ganlord, it was the Kraff territory.
It was a fact he learned for the first time, but the battles fought in the Kraff territory had apparently been considerably fierce. The villages he passed were burnt down. Seeing people living amidst the ashes, Curier turned his face away.
—So this is Siddim.
It looked like a foreign country, or a landscape from before civilization. Adaberta Castle, which had welcomed travelers shining in white, was so stained with soot that it was apparent even from a distance. They had fought to the very end. Curier offered a silent prayer regardless of who saw. It was a sight that would have been unbearable for old Gilmond, known for his fortitude.
He did not stay long in Kraff. Once he reached this point, Belgau was just ahead.
Belgau is a land of mountains and valleys. The administrative officers dispatched there were the Danforth family, vassals of the Thora family. The central castle is the sturdy Nordvist Castle, and the center of administration is a building called Skyner House. Like Dint, Belgau had surrendered to the royal army early on, so there were no traces of the flames of war like in Kraff.
The head of the Danforth family is a man in his thirties named Aram Danforth, with a plump, jovial face.
When he visited Skyner House and gave his name, he was granted an audience easily.
When Aram smiled, the flesh of his cheeks reddened and lifted, and his eyes became like bows. It was a smile that gave off a strange coldness.
The ostensible purpose of the visit concerned the procurement of fodder and provisions, and Curier spoke with Aram Danforth for about two hours. Aram Danforth was calm and gentlemanly throughout, possessing a gravity that seemed mature for his age.
"It seems Dwight Ramirez has not been able to demonstrate the necessary authority in Dint,"
Aram said at the end of the conversation.
"It is a difficult job, so the vassal of Dint is likely taking his time."
"Being too leisurely is also a problem. Wait, Curier-dono, I shall entertain you at my house tonight."
"Such consideration is unnecessary. I also plan to visit the Skyner family."
Curier spoke bluntly. If he didn't show that he had no intention of becoming friendly, he would be looked down upon. Aram Danforth smirked eerily. Curier was surprised that such a type of man existed even in the Thora family, which was known for its martial spirit.
The place where the Skyner family lives is a building called Hikage House. It sounded quite unfortunate, but it was on a hill along the valley, and the sunlight seemed decent. It was apparently named so because it was near a fortress called Hikage Fort.
Far from being unfortunate, Hikage House was full of vitality. The stable hand said there was no more room for horses in the stables, so Curier had no choice but to tie his horse to a garden tree.
He asked the elderly steward to announce him to the head of the house. The head was Margrave Meizan Skyner, and the Margravine was Claudia Skyner. Curier knew their names. At the steward's direction, he entered a small room beside the entrance and was made to wait for a long time.
During that time, young men arrived incessantly. There was a high turnover of people. From the window, he could see the youths visiting the entrance. They seemed to be familiar with the place, entering the mansion without requesting guidance from anyone.
Eventually, the elderly steward opened the door, and Curier was guided to a room that looked like a dining hall. It was a room lined with tables and chairs. It was likely originally a great hall.
The Margrave and Margravine were at the corner of the table.
When Curier knelt and greeted them, Meizan Skyner mumbled something and let out a deep sigh.
"Please forgive my husband, Curier-sama," Claudia Skyner said.
Though she must have been over forty, she was a blonde lady with dripping sex appeal.
"We feel miserable for having treated you, who are renowned as a master swordsman, so carelessly. Please, take a seat and make yourself comfortable."
"Your words are too kind, I am humbled." Curier took a seat.
"We also attended the wedding of Krisina Mcgillis and Cloden Danforth. The princess of the Mcgillis family is truly beautiful."
"I can imagine. Is Haider-sama's wedding not also approaching?"
When he said this casually, Meizan Skyner let out another deep sigh.
The place fell silent, and Curier observed the expression of the Margrave of Belgau. The Margrave was looking down.
"Haider has postponed the wedding. He might even break the engagement."
"—I see. However, I am sure there is a reason for this."
"That child is completely at the beck and call of the Thora family."
Saying so, Claudia Skyner pressed her lips together.
Regardless, Curier thanked them for the hospitality of one night.
The elderly steward guided Curier to a room on the second floor. Curier gave the steward money for fodder and asked him to look after the horse. Looking out the window, there was a tall garden tree, and a squirrel was running on the branches.
Under that tree, a lean man wearing a long coat like a student's was walking. Perhaps noticing Curier's gaze, the man looked up and gazed at the window. The thick black mustache the man grew left an impression on Curier.
"My apologies for not being able to show my face sooner."
Haider Skyner came to Curier's room before dinner. He had his long blonde hair tied in one at the back of his neck. He had a troubled expression.
"You seem tired."
"I am not tired. I am still inexperienced and unable to handle the pending issues." Haider smiled with somewhat vacant eyes. "Cloden is a lucky man. He was blessed with a good wife, and through that connection, he gained the support of someone like you."
"Those are kind words," Curier said. "There are many people coming and going from this mansion. Are the young people bringing you those pending issues people of the Danforth house?"
"Yes. To ensure they cannot ignore me, I turned the great hall into a dining hall. I let them eat for free there. Even those with no business will gather."
"That is a clever method," Curier returned a smile.
—It's different from Dint.
There was no division like in Dint between the vassal house and the former lord. Haider Skyner seemed to be actively cooperating with the Danforth family's policies.
"To get straight to the point, my master—"
"Before that, please listen. In my opinion, all of Siddim should now unite their strength under the banner of the Thora family."
"Hmm." Curier sat back deeply in his chair.
"Since things have come to this, we must make up our minds. At this late stage, the east has neither the time nor the leeway to fuss over things. The Kosa army is coming."
"The young lord I serve also believes that the east should unite."
"Indeed. They should unite under the Thora family."
"Is that your opinion?"
Curier stared at the closed door.
"It is unmistakably my opinion." A gentle ripple resembling a smile ran through Haider's blue eyes. "Belgau will take a step forward and lend strength to the vassal house. The way of fighting in the east has already entered such a phase. We sell a favor to the Thora family. We will make the Thora family win. Rather, it is vital that we draw the Thora family into the east and ensure they cannot escape. Unless we involve the Thora family, we cannot win the war. At worst, the east will be abandoned."
I see, Curier couldn't help but think.
No, Haider was absolutely correct.
As a response when a country faces a crisis and fights with all of Siddim, it was only natural.
"I wish to ask one thing, Haider-dono."
"What is it?"
—Can you contact a man named Lian Belghiyo?
Curier asked in a low voice.
Haider shook his head. "I've only met him once several years ago. I haven't heard anything since then. —Is that all? I shall be going now."
"Yes. Thank you for your time."
"Please take your time before leaving."
Haider left the room without looking back. He seemed exceedingly busy.
After that, Curier went to the dining hall and ate dinner. There were cooks and servers. Several men were gathered at the table, eating for free. Thinking that the mustachioed man who had been walking in the garden might be there, he searched, but he was not in that place.
Instead, Curier noticed two women in the corner of the room.
Both were wearing monastic robes, so there was no mistake they were nuns. One of the two was a foreigner. Her skin was dark. The white monastic robes suited her well. Despite being a woman, she seemed to have her hair shaved; she was completely bald. Suddenly, the foreigner looked at Curier. The large eyes within the dark face emitted a feverish light.
Feeling that something like religious passion was conveyed from those eyes, Curier gave a small nod. A petite nun sitting opposite the Black woman looked back over her shoulder at Curier. This nun seemed to have a menacing light in her eyes, but perhaps that was just Curier's misunderstanding.
After the meal, returning to his room, Curier lay on the bed and thought.
It was about Haider Skyner.
He hadn't told Haider, but his way of thinking was difficult for Curier to swallow.
Rather, he was strongly opposed.
He understood that they could not win against the Kosa army without uniting their strength. However, that strength must not be used for the sake of the Thora family.
—It should be for the sake of His Majesty.
It is to the royal banner that all of Siddim should rally.
This point was important.
People die. A general has the responsibility to explain for what purpose they must die. How could one tell the east to die for the hegemony of the Thora family?
—Haider-dono is correct.
Precisely because of that, because of that correctness, he was neglecting something important. If soldiers must be made to die, then at the very least, they should be given emotional satisfaction. If that cannot be obtained, the soldiers will have no reason to fight.
The next morning, Godly Curier left Hikage House, feeling only the gratitude for one night's lodging and a meal.
Belgau also has bustling towns.
It is a town called Bist, where timber felled upstream flows down the rapids. It is a town of rough merchants where one can negotiate prices face-to-face with reckless mountain woodcutters.
To avoid getting caught up in trouble, Curier entered the back alleys from the main road.
It was a few hours past noon, and the sun was still high.
Despite this, several prostitutes were standing in the back alley.
In his youth, Curier was the type to have played with them, but he had grown old. Now, selfishly, he felt sadness when he saw prostitutes.
As he tried to pass by quickly, his sleeve was pulled.
A girl who looked to be only in her teens, with her shoulders exposed, was beside him before he knew it. She clung to Curier's arm.
"Uh, sorry, little girl..."
"Please listen without looking back, Curier-sama. Danforth's men are here," the young girl said in a serious voice.
After that, she smiled. "Please come with me! I'll do something interesting for you."
The speed of the girl's change was masterful, and Curier's guard was lowered. He felt the girl's desperation in the strength with which she gripped his arm. He thought he would try doing as she said. The girl pulled Curier into a nearby tavern.
"Number Four."
The girl held out her hand to a frightening-looking old man with gold-colored eyes inside the counter.
The gold-eyed old man silently handed a wooden token marked with the number four to the girl.
Curier ascended to the second floor with the girl.
There was a door with the number four written on it. The wooden token seemed to be a simple key. When the girl inserted the token into a square wooden pouch attached to the door, the lock opened.
"Please."
Urged by the girl, Curier entered the room. The girl remained in the hallway and closed the door.
Inside the room was a scrawny man with a mustache.
It was that man wearing the student-like long coat. He recognized the face looking up at him from where he sat on the bed.
Since there was one chair, Curier sat down.
"I was told there was something interesting."
"Now, whether it's interesting or not," the mustachioed man said. "Yesterday, through the window—"
"I remember."
"Last night, I wanted to deliver a letter written by Haider-sama, so I left a step ahead of you and was waiting here."
"You could have done that while staying at the mansion. You go to such unnecessary trouble."
"Aram Danforth is a man of intellect, despite how he looks. Haider-sama likely took sufficient precautions."
"Who are you?"
"I am Laje Jink, special political advisor to the Dravar family of Saranti. I have come to Belgau on business. Here is Haider-sama's letter."
—I offer my explanation to Godly Curier-dono. As this is urgent, please forgive the rough handwriting and composition. After reading, this letter must be burned.
That was what was written first.
'There is no lie in my words that I will fight alongside the Thora family. I intend to use all my ability to drag the strength of the Thora family into the east.
I suspect that you are searching for Yugis Necrat. Regarding that, I cannot be of help. I possess no information.
I intend to consume my life in this war. I am prepared to go down together with the Thora family. However, I do not intend to entrust the fate of Siddim to the strength of the Thora family alone. Assuming the case where Sedias Thora fails, preparation of a second and third arrow is necessary.
I believe Yugis will serve as that arrow.
If you are able to meet Yugis, please tell him that I entrust my aftermath to him. Also, I am providing secret aid from Belgau to Yugis's mother, older sister, and younger sister, who are under house arrest in Carossa. The people of Carossa are still enduring and exercising restraint for now, but there is no telling when they will explode. I wish for you to notify Yugis to take action early.
The Eber spy Lian Belghiyo is a pawn of Chancellor Gilma Rigardie. If there is anyone who knows his location, I can think of no one other than the Chancellor. However, I do not recommend asking the Chancellor. For it is dangerous.
Please give my regards to Cloden Danforth. If he remembers the gamble of believing in Yugis once more, it would be most gratifying. Your intellect and great luck will surely be spent for the sake of Siddim. Also, I believe you understand my resolve. I beg you to look after Yugis. He is the one who will win against Kosa—
Haider'
—Win against Kosa?
Curier got goosebumps three times in succession.
Rationally, Curier knew that a person named Yugis Necrat did not possess such power. However.
—However.
However.
There are men who make one harbor such illusions. Whether they are the real thing or not, he didn't know.
It might be worth searching. He wanted to try meeting him. He could not help but want to confirm it with his own eyes. Suddenly, he felt motivated.
Curier folded the letter and put it in his breast pocket. He thought he might need to revise his evaluation of Haider Skyner.
Laje Jink was looking at Curier with interest.
"Laje-kun, what are the thoughts of the Lady Baroness of Saranti?"
Among the eastern lords, only Saranti was not under the rule of the Thora family.
"She is prepared to judge independently and wage war with the Kosa army."
"Independently? Saranti alone is likely not an opponent that can prevail. Does that include the possibility of fighting in cooperation with the Thora family?"
Laje nodded. "Depending on the result of the independent judgment."
Forming a joint front on equal terms with the Thora family. The eastern lords should have originally been like that. Helderica Dravar—the Lady Baroness of Saranti—was adhering to principle and opposing the tyranny of the Thora family as an isolated force.
"She is a splendid person. Perhaps the Daughter of Siddim is someone like the Lady Baroness."
"The Daughter of Siddim—? That is an old legend." A light ran through Laje's eyes. "I think it's interesting, but the Lady Baroness is the type to laugh off such fairy tales. And so, what are the thoughts of the Count of Dint?"
"No different from others. Supporting the Thora family."
"Is that true?"
"Of course it's true. My lord does not hold strange ideas. Laje-kun. Please, do not spread irresponsible stories, alright?"
"I simply want you to know that Saranti is seeking talent. The next head, Raslaf-sama, is a reliable person."
Curier stood up and sought a handshake from the mustachioed man.
Laje returned the handshake with a serious face.
"You should use the back exit," Laje said. "You are being tailed."
"No. In a place where eyes are watching, it is conversely safer to be dignified," Curier said. "Are you alright yourself? Aram Danforth will not be pleased that an envoy of Saranti has entered his territory."
"I am the type who does not attract much attention. The more one tries to see me, the harder I become to see."
Suddenly, Curier's vision distorted, and the person in front of him vanished. It was for only an instant. When he blinked, Laje was slouching, still sitting on the bed.
"I shall be going soon." Feeling unstable, he started to leave, but Curier placed his hand on the door handle and looked back once more.
"What are you, really?"
"Just a mage. Curier-dono, please be careful. It is better not to underestimate the people outside."
"Understood." Curier nodded and left the room.
—A strange man.
Though Curier was experienced in travel, this was the first time he had encountered a man claiming to be a mage. However, what he said at the end was likely correct. He didn't want to leave the shop alone.
While descending the stairs, he heard voices.
Curier thought someone was fighting.
When he reached the first floor, a man as huge as a bear was being scolded by the shop owner.
The huge man was a middle-aged man with graying hair. The gold-eyed old man was shouting on tiptoe beside the middle-aged man's table.
"Just pay up! I'm not joking around!"
"I cannot give what I do not have, so it cannot be helped. Since it's come to this, I'll do anything." The middle-aged man had a composed posture. "Whether it's as a bodyguard or manual labor."
"Stop talking nonsense! Hey you, where do you think you are! This is Bist! You bastard, how the hell did you manage to drink while penniless!"
"I am not penniless. You told me to show my wallet, so I showed it, did I not?"
"If I'd known it was full of nothing but small change, I would've kicked you out long ago!"
Curier intervened.
"I will pay. How much is it?"
The gold-eyed old man exhaled foul breath. "Who the hell are you? Ten Gilan. Can you pay?"
"Ten Gilan? Did he drink that much?"
He looked at the middle-aged man with the bear-like build. The middle-aged man laughed. "Old man, stop being greedy. It's two Kran at most, right?"
"Two Kran—you didn't even have that much?" Curier stared at the middle-aged man's face in disbelief. "A grown man, without even that amount of money..."
The middle-aged man put his hand to his head. "It's an embarrassing story, but, well, to tell the truth, I don't even have half a Kran."
"See that!" The old man looked around at the onlookers gathered by the commotion with his gold eyes. "He confessed! This piece of trash! You really took my shop for granted!"
"Old man, calm down." Curier took silver coins from his own wallet and counted them. "I have three Kran and fifty. This should be enough to satisfy you. Hey, drunkard, let's go."
The gray-haired middle-aged man stood up and pulled up his sagging belt. The tip of a sword scabbard swayed. For some reason, the man winked at the shop owner. "Sorry for the disturbance. The liquor was quite good, but the food is terrible. Work on it."
"Shut up, idiot. Get lost already!" The old man stamped his feet.
Curier left the shop accompanied by the bear-like man. He untied the reins of the horse tied in front of the shop. He walked from the back alley to the main road together with the middle-aged man.
"I see, some strange ones are following us," the big man said.
"Your name?"
"Hume Razor. A swordsman. I take it you are a knight, boss."
"Godly Curier."
"Hmph. If that's true, I think you could've paid ten Gilan. —So, what now? Should I just slit the throats of the guys behind us?"
"Just let them pass. I don't want to cause a stir with the authorities by doing something clumsy."
"Then, shall we take the mountain path?"
"There are bandits."
"They'll be better than the guys behind us."
Hume was undoubtedly right.
As soon as they left the town, Curier and the big man Hume broke into a run and dashed into the mountain path.
One week later, Curier was still acting together with Hume Razor.
Curier first returned to Dint. He delivered the letter to Cloden Danforth and reported on Belgau.
The young lord of Dint read the letter and made a sour face. "This is beyond saving. What on earth do you say to wake up someone who wants to die of their own accord?"
"He has seen the misery of Kraff, the treatment of the Count's house in Carossa, and the state of Ganlord up close. I feel I can understand Haider-dono's feelings."
"Does dying make flowers bloom? I'll watch the situation a bit longer, then try to meet and talk with him."
When he stated that he wished to go to the city of Malfa and meet with Chancellor Gilma Rigardie, the young lord arranged a generous travel allowance. Curier was happy to have a lord who was not stingy here. He knew where to spend money.
When he went to a tavern in the castle town, Hume Razor was gathering drunken customers and making them laugh with stupid stories.
"Boss. Departing already?" Hume, whose potbelly was shaking, noticed him.
"You can stay here if you want."
"What a troublesome boss. Do you think I would abandon you?"
Curier paid for Hume's lodging and liquor at the register. He had learned through traveling together that Hume was a man far too valuable to be brought along for just liquor and free meals. He was surprisingly agile and possessed sword skills.
One might say his weakness was his lack of restraint with alcohol.
—How to meet the Chancellor.
Curier thought about various things on the way, but eventually concluded that it would be best to request an audience head-on. If he was refused, he would think of another way then. Furthermore, Curier predicted that even if he could meet, he probably wouldn't obtain any significant information.
Upon entering the capital, he immediately visited Malfa Castle in broad daylight and stated his intent to the sentries at the castle gate.
The sentries knew the name Godly Curier. Even though there had been no appointment for a visit, Curier was let inside. He passed through the front courtyard and the inner ward without being questioned, but he was finally stopped at the entrance to the main hall.
"I know of you, Curier-dono,"
said a security soldier who seemed to be the person in charge of the entrance. He shifted his gaze to Hume. "And you?"
"I am an attendant,"
Hume said with a stern face.
"I see. I shall go and ask if His Excellency will see you. Please wait a moment."
He was then made to wait for a long time. Neither Curier nor Hume spoke, nor did they sit on the stone steps; they remained standing straight and motionless. While this kind of acting didn't always work, since he had come this far, he wanted to meet the Chancellor.
"He says he will see you."
As the sun began to fade, the security officer returned and spoke.
Curier gave a slight bow and entered the castle with Hume. It was an act of being slightly angry at having been made to wait. The security soldier did not apologize for the rudeness of making them wait. Both maintained expressions as if they had done what they were supposed to do, but internally, Curier was bewildered.
—Surprisingly, I can actually meet him.
The rumors that Gilma Rigardie has been treated coldly recently might be true, Curier thought. If so, it would be better to be bold here. Curier decided to try behaving as honestly as possible.
The Chancellor was in a corner of the great hall. Partitions had been set up, making it like a room.
The two removed their sword belts and entered that room-like space.
"Well, please sit."
The red-haired Eber person seemed to be a light-hearted man, as he personally lined up two chairs in front of the desk.
After that, the Chancellor went around to the other side of the desk and sat in his own chair. He sat with his long legs crossed, facing sideways.
"I have heard your name. Midheim, was it?"
"Yes. By birth," Curier answered. "As you likely already know, I currently receive a stipend from Dint."
"Not from Ramirez, but from Danforth, was it. And you?"
"Hume Razor. I am an attendant."
Hume sat in the chair with his legs spread, arms crossed.
He seemed a bit nervous.
"Thank you for your hard work. So, what is your business?"
The Chancellor took out a long rod from under the desk. As Curier watched to see what he would do, he began to scratch his back with it.
"There is something I wish to ask," Curier said.
"I imagine so."
"I wish to meet a man named Lian Belghiyo."
"...I do not know such a man." Gilma Rigardie returned the long rod under the desk. "Did something happen with that man?"
"I believe that man might know the whereabouts of Yugis Necrat, the son of Urgil Necrat."
"Do you have some business with the offspring of a traitor?"
"I see him as a man who might be useful to Siddim."
The Chancellor tapped the desk with his finger and thought about something for a while.
"He died."
"Oh."
"A man named Riccart. A man who was not useful in the slightest. It came to light that he and his companions had a falling out and killed Yugis. Though, well, there is likely no one who would hold Riccart accountable for the crime. I've been bored lately, so I'll tell you. Since you're here, listen—"
Gilma Rigardie told him in detail about Yugis's death.
That night, the knight and the swordsman drank together for the first time, wearing stupid expressions.
"So, what does that mean?"
"What do you mean 'what'?" Curier answered Hume. "It seems the man we were searching for was dead. Didn't you hear?"
"I heard, but I didn't quite understand. What do we do now?"
"We'll go as far as Kindary to search for the body," Curier said. "We have to bury him completely. Given the current situation in the east, Yugis's ghost might appear."
It was necessary to make Haider of Belgau and young lord Cloden give up on Yugis completely. To be absolutely sure, confirming the body would leave no room for error.
"I'll accompany you. The boss would be lonely alone."
"There is nothing you can do for me."
"I don't mind. I've merely been wandering the east chasing wars." Hume had eyes that seemed to look through the wall of the tavern. "It's just killing time until the war. It's much better than being bored."
"You are probably a good guy. Though it seems you've forgotten it yourself."
Curier poured liquor into Hume's cup.
Men who wanted to settle their pasts. It seemed such people also gathered in the east. Curier felt complex. For he himself was undoubtedly one of those men.