Chapter 138. North Watch (3)

Seeing the empty display case, I felt my insides burning with frustration.

Who could it be?

Who on earth is it!

I wouldn't mind if it was purchased in ignorance, but if it was bought with knowledge, it's problematic.

'Which side is it?'

As I stood before the display case, lost in thought, the gaze of the simple-looking woman watching me began to change strangely.

"Is there something you... don't want?"

The clerk tilted her head in a questioning manner, her eyes full of suspicion.

Well, the appearance might be fine, but the overflowing ominous vibe couldn't be erased just like that.

"If you're not buying anything, then get out of here..."

"Do you remember who bought the item that was here?"

Pointing to display case 113 and asking about the whereabouts of the 'holy relic', the clerk seemed ready to scold but put her hand to her chin and began to contemplate.

"I don't usually remember such things, so I don't know."

"Are you sure?"

"Hmm..."

The clerk groaned long in response to my question, but I wasn't particularly hopeful.

The fact that even knowing what 'Yulian' looked like, she couldn't recognize me, played a significant role.

"No matter how much I think about it, I can't remember at all. Ohhohoho!"

As expected.

I had anticipated as much, but I couldn't help feeling troubled.

Looking at the empty display case 113, my mind was in chaos.

Who are you?

***

The pass to head to the Northern Front was easily issued with supporting documents a day later.

To think it was completed this quickly, it seems Roomz has quite the capability.

Well, that's why even Zahard passed by easily.

"Elder brother Yulian, the name on this pass is strange, though."

Joshua, examining the pass, expressed doubt after reading its contents.

True to his words, the name on the pass was not mine.

Instead of 'Yulian Cryphart Frason', an unknown name 'Erikson Fantanya' was written.

But, why?

Isn't it obvious?

"Did you really think you'd enter the Northern Front with your real name, you fool? Of course, we sneak in."

The one who answered Joshua's question was Felkhor.

Perhaps due to his own experiences, he didn't find the changed name all that curious.

Yet, for Joshua, it was all unfamiliar.

"Why?"

"Well, must be nice being a noble's son who knows nothing of the world's workings!"

Felkhor clicked his tongue at Joshua.

Certainly, the proud Joshua wouldn't stand still being mocked.

"Oh, you've lost all your hair knowing the world so well, huh?"

"This brat doesn't know when to shut up, does he?"

"If we were in the capital, I'd beat you up, damned brat."

"Pfft, really?"

To prevent an imminent fight between the two, I raised my hand to stop them.

"Quiet."

Though concise, it was enough for them to understand and promptly quiet down.

"Joshua, is using a different name to enter curious to you?"

"... Yes, elder brother."

"Then allow me to explain, briefly."

I had no obligation to explain, but seeing Joshua diligently setting up and taking down tents recently, I decided to say a word or two.

"The Northern Front is under the tight grip of the 3rd prince, Kaldrach De Adratan. It's also the reason why he has such a close relationship with the military."

"... I know that."

"If someone of the 'Cryphart' name were to come and go in such a place, what do you think people would say?"

"... Ah."

As expected of someone with a brain, Joshua quickly understood what I meant.

"So then, I was going to say I acquired the demon's horn from the Northern Front..."

"That was never going to be possible, Joshua."

After all, we've never been to the Northern Front.

Still, maybe next time, think a bit deeper.

I mean, this journey has gotten a bit easier from my standpoint anyway.

Moreover, since the Chairman Ornn who's not on good terms with the military would likely raise a fuss if Joshua claimed he brought the demon's horn from the 'Northern Front'.

Demanding to know what we knew and what we did.

"Anyway, we need to board the carriage departing at the time stated here."

The way to the Northern Front is tightly controlled, and without an authorized horse and carriage, one can't just leave North Watch.

But I wonder what difference it makes now. The assessor issued the pass at his discretion after all.

"Oh."

In the midst of discussing the pass, Felkhor let out a sigh while reading it.

Why? Don't tell me you can't read?

As I glanced at him, feeling embarrassed, he scratched his head.

Despite having no hair to scratch, that is.

Bringing such people along the Northern Front, I take back my words that this journey would be easier.

***

In any case, my destination wasn't the Northern Front but the 'Blizzard Forest'.

The most significant reason that turned my steps away from the capital was to completely finish the one-armed demon who escaped there, relieving my uneasy heart.

However.

Rattle. Rattle.

As I sat in the carriage packed with food supplies for that purpose, all sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.

'... Should have just left it to Zahard.'

Since it wasn't through an official route, the carriage assigned for travel wasn't an ordinary one.

The current carriage was supposedly one selling goods in a small village near the Northern Front.

A 'Golden carriage' of sorts deployed at the military's final frontier.

Riding in such a carriage with a robe pulled over to hide my face gave me a strange sense of deja vu.

'Have I experienced this before?'

Covering my face was too familiar.

'It feels like it's part of everyday life... What is it?'

Breaking my chain of thoughts was Felkhor, heaving a sigh.

"Ha, to think I'd be going like this."

There was someone thinking differently next to me, catching my eye.

A sigh full of concerns. The emotional expression and that behavior didn't match his build and sparked my curiosity.

"Is something wrong?"

Thud, thud.

While the carriage continued moving, the coachman spoke to us.

Normally, the countryside village of Felkhor. He's a dime-a-dozen vendor selling food near the Northern Front.

The reason he made room for us was thanks to Roomz, the assessor, having a word.

"We're okay."

"Well, that's good. I was surprised when Assessor Roomz asked if there was available space, you all are lucky."

"Hehe, thank you."

"I don't know why you're heading north... Huh?"

It was at the moment he was responding to my thanks.

His eyes widened in surprise.

I stood and followed his gaze.

In the middle of a well-maintained road leading to the Northern Front, soldiers dressed in thick tunics against the cold were conducting inspections.

"What's with these inspections all of a sudden? This never happened before."

The vendor seemed troubled, swallowed a gulp, then asked me.

"You're not up to anything funny, are you? Filling seats so abruptly, you don't seem ordinary."

We're not people who 'did' anything funny.

We're ones who are 'going to do' something funny.

"'The Wedge', huh."

As Felkhor spotted an insignia on one soldier's shoulder through a small opening, he muttered.

I, too, had seen that insignia.

The Wedge Unit.

An elite group under the direct command of the 3rd Prince, Kaldrach De Adratan, who held sway over the Northern Front.

Comprised solely of skilled individuals at the knight level or higher.

"... It'll be troublesome if your face is recognized, Sir Yulian."

Of course.

With a group like 'The Wedge,' recognizing 'Yulian's' face would be natural.

Getting caught here would put us in a difficult situation.

From questioning why 'Blind Eyes' was here...

To the imperial orders.

Plus, with heirs from one of the four major families, the Cryphart family, involved.

'... Maybe I should create a mask with Angelica.'

But doing so would not hide my identity; it would scream 'I'm a suspicious person.'

Additionally, a mask crafted by Angelica would resemble the 'Black Knight', drawing even more suspicion.

This is a headache no matter what.

"You've been through a lot!"

As I continued to ponder, we drew closer to the soldiers conducting inspections, and naturally, a member who appeared to be from 'The Wedge' took the lead, approaching the vendor.

"Where are you headed?"

"To the village of Gerlin. I'm here to trade food supplies."

"And?"

"I'm also carrying some passengers, three in total."

"... Three people? Going to a backwater village like Gerlin for what reason?"

Gerlin, I guess that's the name of the village.

'The Wedge,' while mentioning the village, murmured in a disdainful tone.

Felkhor's eyes sharpened slightly upon hearing that.

Is he getting riled up because it's his hometown?

He badmouthed the village himself, though now that someone else is doing it, he's getting angry.

"They seemed to be saying it's their hometown, I wouldn't know. Couldn't you check their pass from the assessor?"

The vendor's words prompted the person to nod.

He, along with other soldiers, approached the back of our carriage.

"Get down and present your pass."

An officious, emotionless tone.

'Do I need to reveal my identity?'

I might have to show my face, unfortunately. Hiding it might lead to a far more precarious position.

Clunk──!

Before I could act upon the thought, someone jumped out first.

"Damn it, after all the trouble I went through!"

It was Joshua.

His expression filled with dissatisfaction for being unable to turn the effortlessly acquired 'horn' into a tale of heroics from the Northern Front.

"Look here, I am Joshua Cryphart of the Cryphart family."

Boldly stepping out of the carriage, Joshua addressed one of the 'The Wedge' members conducting the inspection with authority in his voice.

"Cryphart family, you say?"

"Why a member of the Empire's four major houses would be in such..."

The soldiers, caught off guard, voiced their questions when 'The Wedge' stepped forward to speak with Joshua.

"What brings a member of the Cryphart family to such backwater lands instead of the capital?"

"I was traveling for my advancement test."

"Advancement test..."

The Cryphart family's advancement test.

It must be quite well-known, as the member of the 'Wedge' seemed to accept it.

"Well, you are from Wedge, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"I have something to tell you."

Following his line, Joshua slightly shifted his gaze toward the interior of the carriage.

His eyes held burning rage as they landed on Felkhor.

Resentment and hatred for Felkhor, who had constantly ridiculed him until now. And the daily distress of repeatedly setting up and taking down tents.

"Inside this carriage..."

What are you about to say?

I stared intently at Joshua, and soon our eyes met.

"Inside here..."

Whatever he's going to say, I can handle it.

I'd always created paths to overcome crises, and I was confident I could do it this time too.

As I thought of this and smiled, the shadow of 'fear' began to darken over Joshua.

'Joshua, say whatever you want. I'll handle it.'

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