* * *
Though I had practiced countless times inside the carriage, the tension of facing the real situation was unmatched.
Unlike my nervous demeanor, Cedrick’s face was calm—no, downright arrogant.
He put down the book he had been reading and, in an elegant tone, asked the mercenary who was inspecting us:
“Who’s your superior?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked, who is your superior?”
Though the words were spoken gently, the intent behind them was unmistakable.
This was the infamous prelude to the ‘Supreme Pest’ technique, a signature trait of the notoriously ill-tempered Efilia ducal family.
Startled by Cedrick’s blunt inquiry, the mercenary hesitated before responding.
“W-Why would you ask something like that so suddenly…?”
“I’m currently on my way to meet the delegation from the Rod Kingdom,” Cedrick began, his tone dripping with condescension.
“The purpose of this meeting is to counteract their influence and demonstrate the Empire’s might. But what do you think will happen if I arrive late?”
“…”
“They’ll think I’m an incompetent fool who can’t even manage to show up on time. And if they look down on me, it means they’re looking down on the Empire. That will inevitably lead to war. And then? Your family will be taken captive as prisoners of war.”
The leap in logic was staggering, like a pole vault to the moon.
But technically, Cedrick wasn’t wrong.
The imperial carriage I was in was officially part of a diplomatic mission.
Carlisle had painstakingly prepared an edict to avoid any suspicion about why we were traveling in the south.
Even knowing this, it was painful to hear Cedrick’s harsh words.
By the end of his tirade, the hulking mercenary looked ready to cry.
“W-Why would you say something so cruel…?”
“Silence! Crying over something so trivial? I can’t believe someone as pathetic as you is responsible for guarding the southern border. Bring your superior to me immediately!”
“…”
“Not bringing them? Fine, then I’ll personally investigate your incompetence. And if I find even a hint of bribery, you’d better prepare to hand over your uniforms.”
Using the ‘Supreme Pest’ technique he’d perfected on Jeanne in the original story, Cedrick managed to reduce the mercenary to a trembling wreck.
Despite knowing it was all for my sake, I couldn’t help but think Cedrick seemed more like the villain than the mercenary.
Eventually, the defeated mercenary, looking utterly dejected, waved a hand.
“Alright, alright. Just show me your identification papers, and I’ll check them…”
“Hey! What’s going on here?”
Just as it seemed the situation was resolving, a new voice rang out.
Another mercenary approached briskly, speaking in a strained tone.
“Haven’t you heard? A horde of magical beasts is causing chaos on the western border!”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yes! I’ll handle inspecting this carriage, so you’d better get moving.”
“R-Right. I’ll leave it to you, then.”
The first mercenary hurried off, leaving Cedrick clicking his tongue in irritation, his expression sour as if he’d just lost a fish he was about to catch.
The new mercenary, looking far more strict than the previous one, immediately drew back the curtains.
“Oh, you’re not alone. Traveling with a servant, are you?”
“…Yes.”
“I see. I’ll have to trouble you for your identification papers.”
His tone was polite, but his gaze was unyielding.
This one wasn’t going to be swayed by Cedrick’s antics.
Cedrick nodded at me as if to reassure me before handing over our papers.
The mercenary inspected them with a smile.
“Well now, perhaps it’s the years of being a mercenary, but my eyes have become rather sharp. I’ve developed quite the talent for spotting forged documents.”
“…”
“If such a considerate lord as yourself were willing to show a little kindness, I might be inclined to look the other way…”
Understanding the mercenary’s implication, Cedrick frowned.
This must have been one of the contingencies he had warned me about.
With a hesitant expression, I handed over a pouch filled with jewels.
The mercenary chuckled, taking the pouch eagerly.
There was something off about his demeanor, and I narrowed my eyes.
“J-Jewels.”
“…”
“Jewels! Haha, with these, I can finally relive my gambling glory days…”
That greedy laughter was unmistakable.
With a loud bang, a dragon’s tail flicked into view behind the mercenary.
His face sprouted whiskers, completing his transformation.
As Cedrick and I stood speechless, Ber casually spoke up.
“Humans really are gullible. Just wearing the same uniform, and they assume I’m one of them. How foolish.”
“…”
“Leaving on a long journey without me? How could you!”
“Don’t you dare disguise yourself to trick your own master!” I snapped, though relief washed over me.
Ber, unbothered, cheerfully waved after swallowing the jewel pouch whole.
“Well then, I’ll be waiting over there.”
“What?”
“You’re heading to Sacre, aren’t you? Flying there with me would be much faster.”
My eyes widened at Ber’s suggestion.
It would indeed be quicker than traveling by ship, but… that meant parting ways with Cedrick here.
Hesitating, I patted Cedrick on the shoulder.
He turned to me with a startled expression.
“Since Ber is here, there’s no need for me to take the ship. I’ll head straight to Sacre.”
“Is he trustworthy?”
“He’s an old friend of mine.”
“Alright.”
After a moment of thought, Cedrick got off the carriage to help me down.
He rummaged through his coat and handed me a small card.
“If anything happens, send a letter to this address.”
“No need. If anyone finds out you’re helping me, the ducal house could be in danger.”
“Fool. The Efilia family won’t fall just because of a member’s rebellion. And don’t forget, I’m the Imperial Princess’s husband. You don’t need to worry about me or my father.”
Smiling faintly, Cedrick tapped my forehead with the card.
Rubbing my forehead, I took it and stared at the address written on it before murmuring, “Thanks for everything. Looking back, I think I’ve always relied on you.”
“Don’t get sentimental on me. I just didn’t want you tarnishing the Efilia name any more than you already have.”
“…”
“You could have asked for my help, you know. Things didn’t have to get this out of hand.”
His voice sounded almost hurt.
Cedrick avoided my gaze before speaking again.
“Jeanne, no matter what you say, no one can live alone. People live by helping and being helped. I hope you remember that someday. There are more people who care about you than you think. And…”
A gust of wind swept through, momentarily obscuring my vision.
Cedrick reached out to brush my hair away, his hand trembling slightly.
Meeting my eyes, he opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped.
“And I…”
“…”
“Damn it, forget it. That’s all I have to say. Do whatever you want now.”
Scowling, Cedrick climbed back into the carriage without another word.
Unsure of what to say, I tapped on the carriage window.
Without looking at me, Cedrick buried himself in his book.
I spoke from the heart.
“Cedrick, thank you.”
“…”
“Though my gender was a lie, my gratitude is real. Thank you, truly.”
Cedrick’s hand froze mid-turning of a page, stiffening.
Only then did he turn his head towards me, offering a faint smile.
It was only upon seeing that smile that I felt I could somewhat grasp what Cedrick had tried but failed to say.
Just as I opened my mouth to speak further, the carriage began to move.
‘I won’t see him again, will I?’
For some reason, my nose stung.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, I turned and walked away.
I carefully tucked the address of a place where I might send a letter someday into my pocket.
No matter how sorrowful this farewell, I couldn’t afford to stop here.
I had to keep moving forward, ever onward.
✽ ✽ ✽
The land of grasslands, Sacre.
This mystical island, composed of vast plains, was so beautiful that it was often called “The Land Beloved by Maya.”
Soaring freely above the blue ocean, Ber shouted.
“Master, look! That’s Sacre, your homeland!”
Burying my face into Ber’s back to endure the wind, I peeked out.
Through the white clouds, I glimpsed a verdant green island revealing itself.
The breathtaking scenery was so incredible that I couldn’t help but gape.
Herds of deer sprinted across the vast plain, sheep grazed peacefully, and shepherd boys in peculiar attire dotted the landscape.
It was a stark contrast to the bustling empire capital where magic thrived.
“Hold tight, we’re landing!”
Berr, giving notice of the landing, began to slow and descend toward the ground.
Clutching tightly to the horns on Berr’s back, I shut my eyes.
Contrary to my worries, Ber landed safely, folding his wings and lowering himself.
Sliding down from Ber’s back, I set foot for the first time on Sacre, a place I had only heard of.
‘So, this is where Camille is…’
My heart raced.
It felt as if I had finally come close to following Jerome’s trail.
I couldn’t wait to meet Camille and ask him if there was truly a way to reach the Underworld.
Turning to the now human-form Ber, I spoke calmly.
“First, let’s head to a nearby village. There might be someone who knows where the Golden Dragon is.”
“Hmm, I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“What?”
“Look over there.”
Whoosh.
The tall grass swayed to one side in the strong wind.
Turning my head in the direction Ber pointed, I saw a girl with her hair tied up in two buns riding a horse toward us.
Startled by the sudden sight, I froze momentarily.
When I got a good look at her face, I stiffened completely.
She looked just like Lily, whom I had seen in the audience during my duel with Luke.
Stopping her horse just before reaching me, the girl smiled brightly.
Even her smile was the spitting image of Lily’s.
“Greetings, Sir Jean.”
I stared at the girl who greeted me so warmly, my expression one of utter disbelief.
The fact that she knew my real name, Jean, indicated she was no ordinary child.
Jumping down from her horse, the girl knelt on one knee before me and spoke in a voice filled with joy.
“I will guide you to the Golden Dragon.”
* * *
