Chapter 109: The Old Man in the Blizzard

The imperial treasure vault was a place no one could enter except the emperor.

Moreover, it was where the most precious things in this world were gathered.

It was essentially like gaining one item summoning ticket.

This much made it worth going that far.

Additionally, an even more appealing benefit came with it.

“While on the mission, I don’t have to go to work, right?”

Actually, this was more attractive than getting one treasure.

I wouldn’t have to handle trials for at least a few months.

But why would the business trip take so long?

I have to go to the Crawford Principality too.

I packed my bags with a beaming face.

Actually, I didn’t do it myself; I just watched from the side as the butlers prepared.

I thought there might be something to nitpick, but there wasn’t.

They all handled it so well on their own.

“……Do you really have to go?”

As I cheerfully looked over the luggage, a gloomy voice suddenly came from beside me.

I could tell who it was without looking.

Only one guy would say something like that at this point.

“Why? Is the Black Agent of the imperial guard knights going to defy His Majesty the Emperor’s order?”

“Th-that couldn’t be. I’m just asking, just in case.”

“If you’re okay with it, Sir McNeil, you can just stay in the capital.”

“Really?”

Cordell bit at the casual suggestion like a fish on a hook.

Jackpot!

I shrugged with a wicked smile.

“But whether His Majesty the Emperor would be okay with it is questionable.”

“Ah! Ah…….”

You have to monitor where I am and what I’m doing.

Are you trying to sneak off alone for some romance?

“Your Grace, preparations are all complete.”

“You’ve all worked hard. Go in and rest a bit.”

“No need. We have to return to work now.”

The newly hired butler, Hayden Chase, looked overflowing with enthusiasm.

Even though the Dapan Group and mansion duties were now separated, and there wouldn’t be much work for a while.

He seemed the type to create work if there was none, so I glanced at Housekeeper Marian.

She smiled faintly.

She seemed to have already figured out what I was going to say.

“You don’t have to worry too much.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

A housekeeper who’s managed the mansion for so long should be able to calm down an overzealous butler.

I boarded the rear of the two lined-up carriages.

The front one was for the escorting mercenaries.

“We’ll depart.”

With Uncle Brandon’s voice, the carriage began to move.

As we passed through the main gate and exited the Carius Duchy, I saw people gathered on the hillside.

They were all waving white handkerchiefs.

“I told them they didn’t have to see me off.”

I’d said that, but it was an unbreakable habit of the mansion staff.

Even though they’d disobeyed the order, it didn’t feel bad.

Because they all genuinely respected and cared for me.

It was a scene that warmed my heart more than any sweet words.

But every time I saw something like that, this thought always came to mind.

Even if not to live up to their expectations, I shouldn’t do anything embarrassing to myself.

A refreshing motivation, you could say?

The emperor told me to smash the Sordin Order, but I wouldn’t do it blindly.

If it was being run cleanly, there’d be no reason to reform it at all.

I leaned back against the passenger seat cushion and admired the changing scenery beyond the window.

Then, about a week passed.

I realized one fact.

“Ah, it’s really damn cold.”

The empire was slowly ending winter, but the north’s weather was different.

This was a crazy place where snow flurried even in May.

Good thing I brought the goose down.

Actually, the padded jacket was an item to debut next year.

It was too late to release it now.

That’s why the recent release was a light aviator jumper.

Since it was said to be so cold, I brought a few prototypes, and it was a godsend.

“It’s much better wearing this. Thank you so much, Your Grace.”

The man with a rugged face shivering in the back seat.

This was Derrick, the mercenary who’d handled a few escort requests.

His fandom toward me was immense, so I’d considered recruiting him.

But the reason I didn’t use him as an escort was to keep forces minimal.

The vineyard patrols had enough personnel already.

They’re northern nomads so it’s fine, but this guy’s a skilled mercenary.

The perception itself was different.

As a result of repeated training and real combat, Derrick had become an A-rank mercenary.

“Don’t mention it. How’s life been lately?”

“Thanks to Your Grace releasing new products, work has really piled up. Requests are pouring in from people wanting to send goods to the provinces.”

“Ah, I wonder if I asked too much. You could have found better jobs.”

“Goodness! No way. If it’s Your Grace’s request, I’d jump in barefoot. Who do we owe our livelihoods to, after all?”

Derrick was a good guy at heart.

He shared stories from his requests, and they were quite worth listening to.

I could indirectly learn about the mercenary world I didn’t know well.

While enduring the northern cold and moving like that, a strange scene suddenly caught my eye.

In the midst of a blizzard, an old man was standing by the roadside.

Looking very precarious.

“Please stop the carriage.”

“Wait a moment, Your Grace.”

I felt like I should help, so I tried to call the coachman, but Derrick suddenly interrupted.

Then he rambled on.

“There’s a saying among mercenaries: Always be wary of women, children, and the elderly.”

I’d heard something like that somewhere.

Usually in martial arts novels, right?

Ah, in America too.

A child at the door asking to open it is bait, and when you do, robbers point guns.

I could fully understand mercenaries saying this.

How many ambushes must they’ve fallen for during requests.

There were even territories where entire regions became bandit dens.

“It’s fine. Just stop for now.”

Derrick’s advice was very useful, but I didn’t take it.

I was confident I could win against anyone.

Moreover, what if he really needed help?

He might die like that.

Screech!

I jumped out of the slowing carriage and asked,

“Are you alright, sir?”

His coat was torn in places, but it didn’t look old.

That meant he’d just had some accident.

“M-my carriage fell off the cliff. Could you give me a ride to Nordenark?”

“Of course. But are there no others?”

“It was a small cart, so I was driving it myself. It was such a sheer drop; the mule is probably dead.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

In this era, horses were the best transport and great assets.

Mules, hybrids between mares and male donkeys, were also very useful livestock.

Much better suited for pulling carts than horses.

It was regrettable, but I couldn’t check down the cliff in this blizzard.

I helped the old man into the carriage and even provided a blanket.

Might as well help properly while being kind.

“To show such kindness, you must be someone important.”

“Not at all. We’re heading to Nordenark anyway, so don’t worry about it.”

I waved it off as nothing.

I’d only helped because it’d bother me to pass by.

A few days passed like that, and finally, the empire’s largest northern city, Nordenark, appeared.

It’s much bigger than I thought.

The colder it was, the more people clustered together.

With high walls blocking the wind, what better location could there be?

Perhaps that’s why there were quite a few people on the streets.

Even on a day with such heavy snow.

“With the bad weather, let’s find lodging first.”

“Yes, I’m quite familiar with Nordenark. The Mountain Breeze Hotel should satisfy you.”

“No need for a fancy inn. We’re only staying one night.”

“Is that so? Then…….”

Derrick looked oddly excited as he tried to recommend lodgings.

But right then.

“Hey, you there. Back off. You can’t go in here.”

A group blocked the road and tried to chase us away.

This was in front of the inn district, so it was quite troublesome.

Nordenark was a maze-like city with almost no detours.

They don’t seem like simple neighborhood thugs? Then the other side is probably blocked too.

Underworlds existed everywhere.

In modern society, there are gangs, mobsters, mafia, yakuza, drug cartels, etc.

And they actually wield influence.

Moreover, this was a dark fantasy world with relatively lax surveillance and bribes working.

Telling us to back off was quite gentlemanly.

If I didn’t look like a noble, would they have just used words?

They’d probably have drawn weapons first.

I glanced back slightly.

Then Cordell McNeil immediately played dumb.

Meaning he didn’t want to step in for something like this.

But at the same time, he was sneaking glances.

If I gave the order, he’d have no choice but to roll up his sleeves.

“Sigh! Never mind. I won’t make you.”

“Really?”

“You’re separated from your lover for months; I’m cutting you some slack.”

“Why rub salt in the wound? I had dreams too. A happy married life with a beautiful lady…….”

“Oh come on?”

A Black Agent who could be deployed on any spy mission.

What? Marriage?

This old man’s dreams are big.

I burst into hollow laughter and shook my head.

“Why cause a fuss on someone else’s turf? Let’s just turn around. It’s not like this is the only inn.”

“The outskirts lodgings are terribly rundown. I can just push those guys aside.”

Derrick looked ready to draw his weapon and charge.

Why is a mercenary’s loyalty higher than a guard knight’s?

When I glared hard, Cordell whistled and pretended even more not to know.

Ugh! That annoying guy.

“Forget it. Camping was routine anyway.”

Hadn’t we lived relying on the carriage for weeks now?

As long as there was clean water to wash with, a rundown lodging didn’t matter.

Pay a bit more, and we could get a decent room.

As I thought that and turned, the old man who got out of the carriage suddenly stepped forward.

“No need to turn back. I’ll just clear the way.”

“Huh? You, sir? You might get hurt, so let’s not provoke them and go.”

“It’s fine.”

Despite my warning, the old man approached the fierce-looking men.

Then he suddenly smacked one on the back of the head.

I immediately drew the communication rod, ready to intervene.

I’d rescued him from the blizzard; what if he died like this?

But right at that moment.

“Huh?”

The burly thugs widened their eyes and bowed deeply at once.

Shouting this.

“B-boss!”

I stood there blinking in bewilderment.

What kind of development is this?