The young lord walked around aimlessly, trying to avoid Carlton; soon enough, the ship began to move.
Luisen went up to the deck. The evening sun had almost finished its descent, and the skies and rivers were dyed red. The large river flowed calmly and silently. He watched the ship cut through the water as it progressed. He suddenly turned around Mittils port was growing distant at a steady pace. It was only then the fact that he was leaving the South had fully set in.
The two had escaped those chasing them and managed to safely board the ship. After crossing the river, they would probably be a bit freer from the threat of pursuit. However, the young lords heart felt complicatedafter all, he had finally returned to the comforts of his hotown after dying.
Its not like Ill be gone forever, though, right? My situation is different from back then.
Luisen took a sidelong glance at Carlton. The rcenary stood at an ambiguous distance; the two were neither standing together nor separately. This non-committal distance was filled with awkwardness.
Carlton was looking far beyond the horizon on the river; his rigid gaze looked quite serious. Was it because the red glow of the sunset was beginning to subside? Luisen felt his chest squeeze tight. Occasionally, Carltons distinctive sharp atmosphere made the young lords heart flutter.
If soone were to ask Luisen if he was still scared of his companion, the answer would be an easy no. Though the young lord had long suffered delusions of a black knightan illusory Carltoncoming to kill him, the man had saved his life many tis and watched over him. This feeling felt more like dizzying tension rather than fear. Even though he knew the rcenary wouldnt do anything to him, he still felt like he shouldnt let down his guard.
Carlton turned and stared at the young lord; as soon as their eyes t, his brows furrowed.
Ah, Ive been staring for two long Luisen, embarrassed, quickly turned his head away. Carlton still seems very angry. What should I do if this continues?
Theres still a long way to go, and he wanted to get along with Carlton in the capital.
Look Well have to reconcile this soway, sohow how do I begin reconciliation? For the shallow relationships Luisen managed to procure in the previous tiline, one side or the other usually knelt down whenever there was a problem. Before his unfortunate midnight escape, others knelt down to the young lord; after the escape, Luisen had been the one to kneel.
I cant imagine Carlton kneeling before
It was the rcenary who insulted the one-ard pilgrim first, so he probably wouldnt kneel first.
What to do While contemplating, Luisen heard a welco voice.
So, this is where you are! Morrison approached them. If you have nothing to do, please co with . Id like to introduce you to my family.
Of course. Luisen didnt even ask for the rcenarys opinion and accepted the invite. Carlton frowned, but the young lord turned a blind eye.
He felt suffocated being alone with the rcenary, and he wanted to talk with Morrison, a forr benefactor. As Luisen followed the rchant, Carlton followed as well. So, youre still going to follow , huh? Luisen released a deep sigh. What is the na of the caravan that Mr Morrisons works under?
Nakatan caravan. You probably dont know about itwe generally focus on the upper region. Weve never had a need to co down South. At least, until now.
What is your main rchandise?
Fabrics.
Luisen asked Morrison various things about his caravan. He wanted to know more in order to repay the rchant for the help he had received, once the young lord was able to restore his forr status. Neither the caravan nor his rchandise was particularly grande nor unique.
Its a little too iffy to connect business dealings with the city at the duchy castle itselfItd be best to connect him with a village within the duchy instead.
While conversing, they soon arrived at Morrisons room. The mans room was equipped with a small table; another room was attached to the initial one. The rest of the rchants colleagues were already gathered thereone woman and three n. Although they were at various stages in life, they all had the sa atmosphere. As rchants that needed to travel around, they seed quite strong and fit.
These people are the ones I talked about earlier. Morrison introduced his colleagues to the young lord and his companion. Luisen greeted them as befitting a pilgrim, and Carlton nodded curtly.
Im glad you two could co. You cant believe how flustered I was when the previous rcenaries said they couldnt co Ah, would you like a drink? Please sit down.
The rchants colleagues readily welcod the two. They handed over chairs and filled empty glasses with wine. The rcenary refused and stood against the wall. Once again, Luisen stole a glance at the rcenary. Luisen felt a bit guilty and dispiritedthe other was in a bad mood and he still dragged the rcenary here.
Theres not much going on in the South or on this boat, but itll be different when we land on shore. Not only are there monsters, but bandits never left as well.
Is the security up North so sad?
Yes, there are many places where the ruling lord had either died or a moron had been left in charge. Monsters are definitely a headache, yes, but free-lance rcenaries have turned into bandits and begun to rob travelers pockets.
It was common for rcenaries who were unable to obtain money legally to turn to thievery. The rcenaries guild had been ford to try and stopgap the situation, but they couldnt control all the outlaws. Luisen opened his ears wide, listening to the rchants reminisce upon their travels.
Theres no place in this world where you can leisurely travel without fear. I had heard that things were better down South, but Supposedly, the Duke of Anies, one of the Great Lords, was kidnapped. According to one of the rumors.
Luisen was appalled at Morrisons words. Why this again? Though the young lord felt embarrassed, he was curious about what other rumors were flying around. Rumors?
Yes, well. So purport that it wasnt a kidnapping, and that they eloped for love.
What? It was so absurd that Luisens mouth couldnt help but gape wide open. It was fortunate that his expression wasnt revealed due to the hood. If not, the others may have beco suspicious of his over-the-top surprise.
Theres a bunch of nonsense like that. Carltons nickna is the aristocrat butcher; he wouldnt have run away with a noble man. Thats why I think its more likely that
Thats impossible. Luisen strongly denied. Carlton glared at the young lord. The rcenarys anger was so piercing the back of the young lords head felt hot. Morrison had unknowingly dealt a blow to both Luisen and Carlton.
In anycase, weve been harassedat checkpointsso much because of that rumor. In a way, I envy you, revered Pilgrim. With that pass, who would dare stop you?
Of course.
If you dont mind, could I take a look at your pilgrim pass?
Yes, well. If its only looking Please return it to though. Luisen was fine with showing off the passhe was just so glad that the topic had changed. Morrison used candlelight to view the pass.
Morrison gawked at the brilliant silver. This is genuine. Where did you get this?
At the church, of course.
Ah yes. It is a pilgrims pass after all. I was wondering where you started your pilgrimage.
Ah, is that what you ant? I started in the northwest region. Luisen kept his words vague; it wasnt unusual for pilgrims to hide their origins.
The northwest. When did you co down south? If youre ignorant of the situation back ho, then you must have been in the South for a long while. Did you two et here? Or were you together from the beginning of your journey? Though he felt like the rchant was interrogating him, Luisen answered sincerely.
I escaped South as a refugee, so I have been down here for a long while. We t at Confosse.
Confosse, huh? Its not too far from here, but you beca intimate quite quickly.
Well
Thats what happens when you travel. When you rely on each other, your affection naturally grows, Carlton stated.
Morrison alternated looking between Luisen and Carlton. Sohow the gaze was so enthusiastic it gave the young lord goosebumps. Were not like that.
Of course, of course.
Honestly, this guy doesnt listen well. Does he just like romance stories? Luisens impression of the man changed from a good person to a strange and delusional person.
Rather than helping with his business, do I need to introduce him to a lover?
Thankfully, though, that topic ended there. Luisen had a long talk with Morrison and his colleagues. If it werent for the rchants ridiculous delusion, Morrison was a pleasant and loquacious conversationalist.
Carlton continued to lean against the wall and watch the scene quietly. Damn it.
Though the rcenarys expression didnt change, his insides were roiling. Luisen smiled throughout the conversation, but, whenever their eyes t, his face would beco rigid. The young lord tried to avoid eye contact as well and wouldnt talk to Carlton.
Though Carlton had been horrible to Luisen when they first t, the young lord had never ignored him this much.
The rcenary realized he really made a mistake. Ha, fuck. Why did I say that?
Frankly, he understood that he acted childishly. Who would like it when another called a person they respected a fraud? He knew that it wasnt sothing he should have said in that situation, but he was blind back then. And whys that guy being so clingy?
"
"
Morrison slowly narrowed the distance between him and the young lord as they clinked their glasses together. For so reason, Luisen liked Morrison, so the young lord was taking that as re friendly behavior. If soone approached when Im already on my last nerves, anxious about followers? I wouldnt let my guard down for one minute.
Carlton grit his teeth. He doesnt want to make eye contact with but is perfectly willing to laugh along with that guy.
At that mont, Carlton locked gazes with Morrison. The rchant stared blatantly at the rcenary before turning back to Luisen. For so reason, that trivial action caught at the rcenarys senses. At a surface glance, there was nothing suspicious about this manhe was a friendly, affable rchant.
I dont like that punk. Carlton narrowed his eyes and fiddled with the handle of his sword. He couldnt tell whether the man simply annoyed him or if the rcenary was annoyed because the man was pretending to be friendly with the young lord. Carlton couldnt read his heart at all. However, he was certain that he had to do sothing about the current situation.
Luisen was incredibly angry at him; anwhile, a dubious man might take a seat next to the young lord. And *that* didnt sit right with the rcenary. Who knows where the one-ard pilgrim may be, but, right now, Morrison was in his sights.
***
TL: I wonder if Carlton realizes his own jealousy
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