Death Can’t Sleep - Chapter 103
Amarion looked at the Tall and Chubby with amazement.
She was really surprised and thankful. She wondered how she didn’t notice it throughout the trip, but they were gathering information for her.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been to Amari. Our Wyvern couldn’t go all the way to the north because it was too cold. We heard rumors near the border and came back.”
“Is Amari all right?”
Chubby nodded.
“The worst was averted. Amari is safe.”
“Ah…”
‘Thank god.’
It cleared her chest, which had been stuffy for so long.
Amarion was worried that the monsters completely wiped out the place, and there were no people left. She was relieved that the village was still there.
Chubby added.
“It seems to be true that the number of monsters has increased. For some reason, it didn’t flow to the wasteland, but rumors that the north was in danger spread throughout the kingdom.”
“Could it be…”
“Oh, and Amari has been building a wall on the outskirts of the village since the beginning of this year, but construction stopped at the end of summer. I don’t know the exact reason.”
Amarion heart sank.
That wall must have been built with the dowry she received. Why did it suddenly stop? With that amount, there’s no way they wouldn’t be able to pay the construction cost. Besides…
Victor frowned.
“Isn’t a monster wave coming soon?”
“Right. That’s why we’re worried. They won’t be able to stop monsters with a shabby village and a half built castle wall.”
Amarion bit her lip hard.
Her heart raced wildly. As a rule of thumb, a wave of monsters came from the Black Mountains every few weeks, but the walls were not even finished yet. Moreover, if the number of monsters increased enough to spread rumors within the kingdom…
“I have to go.”
Amarion spoke in a voice that was unfamiliar.
“I must go soon. Even now-”
“Wait, you can’t go now.”
Yaji frowned.
“Where are you going when it’s so cold and a sandstorm is blowing? You don’t know how to read the stars of the desert.”
“But.”
“At least leave when the sun rises tomorrow. You guys are strong, so it’ll be fine if you move when it’s bright.”
Amarion looked at Yaji with trembling eyes. The mercenary king’s dignified expression suddenly softened.
“It is not right for a leader to act impatiently.”
“…”
“I’d like to send these guys with you even if they are not good enough… You said no to that, right?”
“…That’s right. I have my own way of moving.”
“Is that so?”
The mercenary king said calmly.
“First, think about arriving safely. That is the only way to protect you and your people.”
Amarion barely nodded.
Yaji smiled and patted her shoulder. It was a warm, big hand, worthy of a leader who commanded tens of thousands of mercenaries.
“Grand Duke Morte, ‘Walking Death’?”
Victor nodded silently. The mercenary king stared at him with penetrating eyes.
“I heard Gargantia’s curse put you out of your mind, but you look fine.”
“It was not a curse, just a sickness in my heart. It’s been a long time since I’ve been healed.”
“Did you bring Amarion out of the North for that?”
“Exactly.”
Yaji’s eyes deepened. A voice as hard as a giant tree asked.
“Do you know what your wife has been up to in the North?”
It was an odd question for Amarion. But Victor nodded his head.
“I know.”
“Yeah, that’s fine if you know.”
Yaji became a gentle old man like before.
“Since you’re wearing a knight’s mask, you know what the right answer is.”
“…”
After his words, the mercenary king waved his big hand. It was a signal to leave because their conversation was over.
Amarion couldn’t understand everything, but she quickly nodded and followed the others. Glancing back, Yaji was already looking at a piece of parchment, as if he had lost interest in them. She would like to stay a little longer, but time was urgently pursuing her.
Victor and Amarion quickly went back to the inn to pack. Originally, they planned to rest here for a day or so, but now they couldn’t. Fortunately, the mercenaries said they would prepare everything else, so she only had to pack a small amount.
She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.
The banquet was still going on downstairs. She wanted to say goodbye, but she couldn’t. In the first place, the mercenaries thought they were trying to escape and live in an unknown village. If she said they were leaving again, it would definitely be suspicious.
‘I’m really sorry.’
She bit her lip and burrowed into Victor’s arms. Victor hugged her without saying anything. Oddly enough, he seemed as thoughtful as she was.
Occupied their own concerns, they stayed up all night in silence.
❖ ❖ ❖
They quietly left the inn at dawn.
Perhaps it was the aftermath of the banquet the day before, but the inn was quiet. All of the mercenaries seemed to be sleeping in their rooms. Amarion smiled bitterly. No matter how much she thought about it, it was sad. She wanted to see more of this beautiful golden town and buy exotic swords. She also wanted to have a short talk with the mercenaries she came to love.
But there was no point in dwelling on something that could not be changed. When they went outside, they found two horses with packs on them. Tall and Chubby explained.
“I packed food, water and a map of the oasis. I took a few more swords.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded in gratitude for their meticulous consideration.
She was about to get on the horse when suddenly a familiar figure jumped out.
“Ugh, why are you leaving already!”
It was Mirage with a robe wrapped around his bandaged body. Sir Jane followed suit.
‘I didn’t say anything, so how?’
As Amarion looked at them with surprise, Jane smiled brightly.
“I found out by asking Tall. She didn’t come back after she went to see the mercenary king yesterday.”
“…”
Seeing her scolding eyes, Tall laughed.
“I couldn’t lie when he asked with that face! He’s a really handsome guy.”
“I heard Yaji was the most handsome actor on the continent.”
“That was before I saw Jane.”
Tall cut her off and said.
How could a person be so consistent from the beginning? Amarion shook her head and looked at Jane.
The knight laughed softly.
“I came along to see your swordsmanship, but in the end, I only saw it once.”
Amarion just scratched her cheek.
“I feel sorry for some reason.”
“No. There will be plenty of time in the future. Madame is the Lady I serve, so when she returns, can I visit and ask for lessons?”
Jane’s pink eyes folded kindly.
Amarion hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Even if we can’t duel… we can spar.”
“I’m afraid it can’t be helped. Good luck, my Lady.”
The knight smiled even more deeply and kissed the back of her hand. Then, he bowed deeply to Victor. Victor greeted his knight with a light nod.
As he retreated, the wizard approached. He was grumbling.
“I’m sorry you’re leaving already. I’ve gotten to use you a bit.”
“Thank you for helping me so much.”
“Well, you guys are fine for aristocrats.”
The wizard grinned. Those were the best words he could say, hating nobles. Amarion smiled.
“Have a good trip. Treat your wounds well.”
“Yes. Oh, before I go, I have something to give you…”
The wizard scratched his forehead shyly and stretched out his hand. As he muttered something, white light radiated from his fingertips. Victor stiffened, but didn’t move, and Amarion’s eyes widened. The light was warm.
As the light went out, the wizard spoke.
“Is it working? I guess it’s working.”
“What did you do?”
“It’s blessing magic. It’s a magic spell that I made in a hurry yesterday, so the effect will only be okay.”
A blessing like the one Victor received from the former Queen of the East Kingdom?
Mirage explained to Amarion as she opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“It will prevent you from collapsing from some sort of disease or starvation. Your body will be lighter when fighting.”
“…Thank you.”
“And Dog, no, Grand Duke.”
The wizard turned to Victor.
“You have a very good blessing. It’s so powerful and great that I can’t even touch it.”
“I guess so.”
Victor smiled bitterly.
The blessing he had was bestowed by the Archmage Gargantia. In fact, it was a very good spell, since it was a blessing to ‘not get hurt by anything’. But Victor said that he was in great pain because his body was impervious to sleeping pills and weapons.
Mirage scratched his cheek.
“But it’s possible to add on. My magic specializes in fantasy, so I added a little bit.”
“What?”
“It’s really nothing… You will have ‘good dreams’ from now on.”
“What?”
Victor opened his eyes wide. The wizard continued with a tone of embarrassment.
“It makes your dreams get better. Even if it’s not every day, you will have a good dream every few days, even on days when you feel like you are going to have a nightmare. Hey, you know what?! It’s not fair!”
Mirage burst into a rage. It seemed awkward because it was a useless ability for battle.
But.
“Victor.”
Amarion smiled broadly and turned to Victor.
Victor was looking at the wizard as if he really didn’t know what to say. He asked Jane.
“Did you do it?”
“I did inspire him a little bit.”
The knight laughed. But Victor wasn’t as annoyed as usual. Instead, he bowed politely to the wizard.
“Thank you.”
Mirage opened his eyes wide, then shyly avoided his gaze.
“…Anyway, be careful on your way. No matter how strong a knight is, he can’t fight a sandstorm.”
Victor nodded and mounted his horse.
Amarion waved at Mirage with a smile.
“Thank you very much. Find Amarion Morte in Morte later. I’ll treat you to a delicious meal.”
The wizard’s eyes suddenly widened.
“…Amarion? No way…?”
“Now, let’s leave.”
Tall giggled and patted their horses. Amarion vigorously waved her arms.
“Thank you, everyone! Say our thanks to the others too!”
Tall and Chubby bowed respectfully, while Jane raised one arm in a knight’s bow. Only Mirage screamed in anger.
“Why did you hide that important thing until the end?! You impostor!”
‘What’s wrong with him?’
Amarion tilted her head as they ran toward the wasteland.
***