Chapter 34: A Vacation with a Rival (4)

“Stop right there!”

A city stood in the middle of a tundra, where the snow had half-melted.

At its gate, the guards on duty spotted me and Avelin, immediately lowering their spears toward us.

“Who goes there? Identify yourselves!”

“Lower your weapons. We’re from the Order.”

Despite the guards’ sharp reaction, Avelin and I calmly dismounted our horses.

We understood why they had no choice but to be wary of us.

“Prove it! Show evidence that you’re not deserters!”

“Of course. I’ll do just that.”

I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out a certificate issued by Commander Balthazar.

It confirmed that we were not deserters and that we had permission to leave the base.

For members of the Order, entering was easy, but leaving was a different story.

Only after declaring our intention to leave and surviving twelve waves of monstrous attacks alongside our comrades could we even think about stepping outside.

With no mercy granted against the ruthless demons we fought, the rules concerning deserters had to be strict.

“Hmm…”

The guards scrutinized the certificate for a long time.

Perhaps they were extra cautious because they had let a deserter slip away once before, leading to serious consequences. They kept glancing between our faces and the certificate, over and over again.

One of the guards’ colleagues, watching the whole ordeal, finally lost patience and snatched the document away with an exasperated sigh.

“For heaven’s sake, can’t you tell at a glance? That’s Sir Kylon and Lady Avelin!”

“W-Wait, really? Are you really those two?!”

“I’m honored you recognize us. Yes, that’s correct.”

“No, the honor is mine. I can’t believe I’m meeting the legendary—ugh!”

“Enough with the stalling! They must be here on an important mission. Apologies for the delay. Please, go on through.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. Keep up the good work.”

The guard who had failed to recognize us must have been new to this city.

This was Rostia—the symbolic heart of the North, where all supplies and manpower converged.

It was also the only city in the North that housed a Mage Tower.

The moment we rode further into the city, the atmosphere felt entirely different from Cresnig.

“Take a look here! Premium snow fox fur for sale!”

“The weather’s cold—how about some hot food to warm you up?”

Lively and bustling—it truly felt like a city where people lived.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been somewhere like this. But… I don’t miss it as much as I used to. What about you, Avelin?”

“…I feel the same.”

Her words said one thing, but there was a trace of bitterness in her voice.

From the beginning, I had suspected that Avelin wasn’t just an ordinary merchant’s daughter. After all, she regularly ordered luxurious items—like chocolate milk—from the trading company that supplied goods to Cresnig.

Even though she had been exiled from her home, she still had the wealth to maintain her lifestyle. It was only natural that she would long for the comforts of city life.

“Well then, Avelin, what now?”

“What do you mean?”

“We need to decide—should we enjoy our vacation first and then get to work, or should we finish the job first and relax later? Since we came together, we should stick together.”

“Obviously, we should take care of business first. I’m more worried about whether we can even get the job done in time.”

“Then that’s settled. First, let’s secure a place to stay.”

“What? Why the lodging first? Shouldn’t we go to the Mage Tower first?”

“You just said it yourself—you’re worried about whether we can finish the job within the given timeframe. I agree. That’s why we need to be prepared for the long haul.”

“…I see. That makes sense.”

Commander Balthazar had tried time and time again—out of paternal concern—to persuade Liana, yet he had failed.

Meanwhile, I had only known Liana for a few years at most.

And Avelin? She had no connection to Liana whatsoever.

From the very beginning, I had never expected this to go smoothly.

In fact, I wasn’t even sure we’d achieve anything at all.

And then, just when things seemed uncertain…

“One.”

“…What?”

I doubted my ears.

We stood in front of a massive inn located at the heart of Rostia.

Even though it was still daytime, the place was already bustling with people. But in a city this large, there was no way all the rooms were fully booked this early.

After all, even though Rostia was prosperous, it was still a remote and freezing northern city.

“Didn’t you hear me? There’s only one room left.”

“That can’t be…”

“If I say there’s one, then there’s only one!”

The elderly innkeeper kept giving me the same answer, no matter how many times I asked.

In this huge, spacious inn, there was only one room left.

“Ha…”

Unable to break through her stubbornness, I had no choice but to turn away for now.

When I trudged back to where Avelin was waiting, I found her sitting at the inn’s bar, sipping on a warm drink with a sparkle in her eyes.

“That’s not alcohol, is it? We still have to go to the Mage Tower. You’re not seriously drinking already, are you?”

“Of course not. Do you really think I’d be that careless? Besides, what’s with that look on your face? We may be here for work, but it’s still a vacation. Try looking a little happier, will you?”

“Don’t even start. There’s only one room available.”

“…What? You’re kidding. That’s impossible.”

“Of course, it’s impossible! Why would I lie to you?”

“That’s what I’m saying! Why would you—ah.”

Something seemed to click in Avelin’s mind. She stiffened slightly, then narrowed her eyes at me.

“…This is such a tired, low-quality tactic.”

“…Tactic?”

“No woman would willingly look at a brute like you, who only cares about fighting and using brute strength. So now, you’re using this as an opportunity to—!”

“Hah…”

I scoffed and shook my head firmly.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Avelin. You’re no different from me. Not only is your entire body made of muscle, but your brain is probably just as dense.”

“...Ugh.”

At my teasing, Avelin’s face stiffened.

“One more drink, please. Something strong.”

“What? Alcohol? And something strong at that? Absolutely not! Who was it that just said she wasn’t careless?”

“Hmph. This much is nothing. You really think I’d get drunk from just one drink?”

While we were bickering, the bartender, perhaps worried Avelin would change her mind, quickly placed a glass of liquor in front of her.

A faint, rich aroma spread through the air, but the sharp sting in my nose told me just how dangerously strong it was.

“Avelin? There’s no way this is a good idea. That’s not just strong—it’s insanely strong!”

“Hmph.”

“Hey, Avelin! Stop right—”

Too late.

She had already downed the entire drink in one go.

“Phew…!”

“Ugh, great.”

As Avelin exhaled, a sweet yet potent scent lingered in the air.

It must have been incredibly strong—just inhaling the scent made me feel like I was getting tipsy.

“If Commander Balthazar saw this, he’d be thrilled.”

“What’s the big deal? We’re on vacation. Besides…”

With a slight flush in her cheeks, Avelin shot me a glare sharp enough to kill.

“W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You could’ve at least pretended to be nice.”

“…I have no idea what you’re trying to say, but fine, I’m sorry. Anyway, let’s check if there are any other rooms. Once you sober up a little—huh? Where are you going, Avelin?”

“Stay put. I’ll take care of it.”

Avelin stood up and strode toward the counter where the innkeeper was leaning.

It was only then that I noticed the innkeeper had been sneaking glances at us before hurriedly averting her gaze.

With a loud thump, Avelin slammed her hand down on the counter.

“Give me two rooms.”

“I already told you—there’s only one left.”

“…You’re really sticking to that, huh? No need to be considerate.”

“Haha, just don’t come crying to me later. Listen to this old lady’s advice and just take the one—”

Thud.

“...Gasp!”

“What if I pay this much?”

Avelin pulled out a sum of money far beyond the cost of a single room.

“...Are you sure you won’t regret this, young lady?”

“I don’t do regret. So just give me two rooms.”

“I was trying to do you a favor, but fine. You refused, so that’s on you. Put that money away—I’ll only take the proper amount.”

After exchanging some cryptic words, the innkeeper finally gave in.

With a somewhat pouty look, Avelin returned and tossed me a room key.

“There. Happy now?”

“Well done. Knew it—there was no way there was only one room. Not a fan of this place, honestly. Trying to mess with travelers like us.”

Avelin watched me grumble, then muttered something under her breath.

“…Seemed that way.”

“Huh? What seemed that way?”

“Nothing. Just a thought. If there was no woman looking at you, and no man looking at me, and we were all we had…”

Whoosh.

“Hey! Finish what you were saying!”

“...It’s nothing. We’ve got our rooms, so let’s get to work.”

Without finishing her sentence, Avelin turned on her heel and strode outside.

I was left standing there, completely bewildered.

But she was right—we had work to do. So, still muttering to myself, I followed her out.

“...I seriously don’t get it.”

The Avelin I knew never trailed off or spoke vaguely.

So why did this Avelin…

Feel like an entirely different person?

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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