“Why are we stopping at a village all of a sudden?”
Yujin was caught off guard by the unexpected halt. He had expected at least a full day to pass before reaching a midway station. They hadn’t even slept all day, and yet the train was already stopping in the middle of the journey?
“Ah, we stop once a day at a midway station,” Lian explained the situation.
The train would reach the Borderline on the seventh day. Until then, it stopped once a day at a midway station for resupply.
“Of course, some just rest inside the train.”
It seemed they were free to disembark and get supplies at the village. Well, the students probably didn’t have much money to spare. And there was no guarantee that every station would have the things they needed.
“Let’s get off for now.”
Since this was the first midway station, it made sense to get off and buy what they might need at the first station—it would make things easier going forward. Of course, there was always a chance the needed items wouldn’t be there, but that had to be checked. At that, Silvia pulled out a notebook and pen.
“How about making a purchase list before getting off?”
“Good idea.”
Deciding the list in advance would save time. If they kept coming up with items to buy each time, it would never end. Things that weren’t available here could be noted for the next stop.
“Give that here.”
“Okay.”
Using the notebook and pen Silvia handed over, the list was written. This place was relatively close to the empire’s capital compared to other stations, and it was also the farthest from the Borderline within the empire.
“Among the goods they carry, there won’t be any weapons, at least.”
Strictly speaking, weapons meant for fighting demons in the Borderline. Such expensive weapons were in high demand near the border. Inside the empire, away from demon activity zones, firearms were more common and valuable.
“So here, we should expect preserved food and purification tablets.”
Preserved food and purification tablets were household items, so even an ordinary village general store would have them. But once inside the Borderline, even ordinary stores were rare.
“Better to stock up here than regret later.”
After finishing the list, it was handed to Silvia.
“Girls, buy everything on this list.”
“Dried jerky, dried vegetable sticks… and purification tablets. How much should we buy?”
“Buy generously—even if it feels excessive.”
With that, a gold coin was handed from within the folds of the garment. One gold coin was enough to clear out the stock of a single shop. The girls’ eyebrows rose upon seeing the coin.
“H-Haha… I knew you had money, but…”
“Wow… one gold coin is like two years’ salary for my dad!”
“Why do you even work if you have that much money?”
No matter how rich you are, you still have to work. If you stop working just because you have money, both your body and mind will rot. Anyway, the important thing was to stock up on the needed goods with this money.
“I said clearly—buy only the items on the list.”
Especially, she looked firmly at Silvia, who had handed over the gold coin.
“If you buy cheap stuff just to save and keep some for yourself, I won’t forgive you. Got it?”
“Why are you targeting me? I may look like this, but I’m a nun!”
“Isn’t a nun human too?”
Loving money and wanting free things is human nature, and no religion in the world can completely deny that. Besides, Silvia was the kind who was strict in everything and seemed good with managing accounts.
“Cough, cough! Don’t worry, I won’t waste it!”
Unable to argue, Silvia cleared her throat and turned away. Following her, Budika and Emilia began to move as well, but Emilia suddenly stopped and called out.
“Sir!”
“What is it?”
“After buying everything on the list, if there’s money left, can I buy something extra?”
What extra could she possibly want? And “needed” was a pretty subjective term; something one person felt necessary might not be needed by others. Of course, since the adventure hadn’t even started yet, there was no need to be too strict.
“I’ll allow exactly one extra item!”
Then she made it clear no more than two.
“Hehe, okay~”
Despite this, Emilia disappeared with a smile full of joy. It was a bit unsettling wondering what she planned to buy that made her so happy, but since permission was granted, there was no turning back.
“What about us?”
The remaining people were Lian and Emil. The girls were sent to buy the items on the list, and
“Emil, you.”
“Y-Yes…?”
There was a particular reason only the boys stayed behind. Maybe because Emil had been scolded earlier, he shrank back. A man shouldn’t be so intimidated just because of a single scolding—tsk tsk. Anyway, the reason only the boys stayed was because of Emil.
“You should at least buy a dagger.”
“Huh?”
“You need a self-defense weapon.”
Proper weapons for the Borderline could be bought near the border, but at the very least, you should have something to protect yourself. But judging by his build, he didn’t have the strength to properly handle a two-handed sword or a bow.
“A dagger is perfect for you.”
Also, a dagger was the trademark of a thief from the start. Daggers were useful for whittling wood or skinning beasts. They were short, easy to sharpen, and convenient to carry.
“Is there even a place that sells daggers here?”
Lian asked.
“Yes.”
“No matter how much firearms dominate, daggers still sell.”
For the reasons mentioned, the demand for daggers remained despite the prevalence of guns. A dagger could be attached to a gun barrel as a bayonet, and was also a versatile tool essential for survival. At that, Emil asked,
“Do you know where the weapon shop is?”
“There’s only one place a weapon shop would be in a village like this.”
Lian gestured for the boys to follow and led the way. As they got off the train, a different scent filled the air compared to the city. It was a fresh mix of grass and earth, a clear and refreshing smell.
‘This is why I like the countryside.’
The village was too pastoral to be considered a transportation hub. There were low-rise country houses and small shops clustered every few steps. Rather than heavy industry, tourism for travelers to northern regions seemed to be the main source of income.
‘Like a rest stop.’
A hundred years ago, small villages like this were fortified due to demon invasions, but now the village had grown larger and the fences lower than before. Walking further, a square centered around a fountain appeared.
‘All the main facilities in the region gather around the square.’
The administrative office that governed the area, the church overseeing religion, the community hall where residents gathered opinions, and so on. The size of the local church was an indicator of the village’s population, and judging by the brick church’s height and width, it was home to about a hundred households.
‘It’ll probably grow into a city over time.’
With that in mind, they headed toward what looked like the administrative office. Stores usually opened where demand was high. Durable goods like cutlery had specific demand.
“If you were merchants selling weapons, where would you set up a weapon shop?”
“Hmmm…”
Lian hesitated to answer that question. The imperial court only collected taxes; it didn’t make money itself. That was enough of a hint, but it was a pity Lian couldn’t answer.
“Right behind the administrative office?”
It was Emil who answered. His physique seemed weak, not good for much, but at least he wasn’t stupid.
“Why?”
“Uh… because soldiers consume the most weapons?”
“That’s half right, but not quite.”
As Emil said, weapons were mainly consumed by soldiers who maintained security. But that alone didn’t explain why a shop would be located behind the office. Location choice had more to do with security than profitability.
“You can’t have suspicious people running around the village armed.”
Weapons used by soldiers were managed centrally by the administration. They gave out weapons only during duty hours, then collected and stored them after work.
“Imagine how strict it must be for the weapon shops that supply them.”
With that explanation, they entered an alley behind the administrative office. Despite being broad daylight, the alley was bustling with restaurants and taverns. Passing those, a quiet, deserted alley appeared.
“Here it is.”
There was a shabby signboard with crossed swords and axes. It meant the shop didn’t handle firearms, only bladed weapons. Such shops were rare nowadays; no one expected one here.
“Let’s go in.”
Lian and Emil entered the weapon shop. Swords, axes, and spears were neatly displayed. For anyone who liked weapons, it was an exciting sight.
“Wow… they even have a Zweihänder? That’s really long…”
Lian’s mouth dropped open in front of a two-meter-long greatsword. Emil had come to buy a dagger, but Lian seemed more excited. People always get tempted when they see things they want, so a warning was given to Lian.
“Why? Because there are better shops near the Borderline?”
“Nope, not here.”
“W-Why?”
If Emil had at least bought a dagger already, they wouldn’t have come here. But since he hadn’t even brought a dagger, this was their stop. Lian accepted the fact there were better shops near the Borderline.
“Well, I guess there’s no helping it… money’s limited after all.”
“Oh, so you actually have money for weapons?”
“W-Well, that’s just how I put it!”
Lian waved his hands hastily. He seemed flustered, afraid of being found out as a royal court person if he admitted having money for weapons.
“Who’s trying to extort money? You’re making a fuss by yourself.”
“Th-That’s not it…”
“Anyway.”
Turning his attention back, Lian picked up a dagger. The shopkeeper was nowhere to be seen behind the counter, so Lian pulled a dagger from its sheath. The sharply honed blade glinted as it caught the light.
“Here.”
He handed the dagger to Emil.
“Swing it and tell me if it feels okay for your wrist.”
“Y-Yes…”
Emil nodded and swung the dagger. He first did basic cuts in eight directions: a downward cut, an upward cut, then threw the dagger and caught it reverse-handed, followed by a downward stab, then caught it normally and cut upward.
‘So he learned how to handle a dagger after all.’
Lian gave back the dagger and said,
“The balance is a bit blade-heavy, so it pulls your wrist.”
“Is that so?”
To confirm Emil’s comment, Lian placed the dagger’s blade on his index finger. The dagger tilted toward the tip and almost fell. He corrected it before it dropped and sheathed it again.
“You’re right. Let’s look at another one.”
Just then,
Jingle!
The door opened, and a bell hanging from it rang.
“Hmm?”
Thinking the shop owner had returned, they looked toward the entrance. A young man with long hair tied back entered. His broad shoulders and thick legs showed he was well-trained.
‘Is this the shop owner?’
Putting the dagger down, Lian asked,
“Are you the owner here?”
“Hmm? Haha… no, not really.”
The young man waved his hand, denying it. He was probably a customer coming to buy weapons as well. Ignoring him, Lian turned back to look for another dagger.
“Are you Yujin?”
At that question, Emil immediately swung the dagger in his hand. The blade cut through the air in a straight line toward the young man. Without a flicker of expression, the young man swiped his hand and caught the dagger.
“Hey, that’s dangerous… what do you think you’re doing throwing a blade like that?”
Ignoring the sly response, Lian asked,
“Who sent you?”
He asked his name even though he had never told his own. That meant someone else must have told this man his name. Since he knew his face and still asked for his name as confirmation, it was certain.
‘Someone who knows my face sent this guy.’
And this guy had casually caught the thrown dagger. Catching a suddenly thrown dagger at high speed was no easy feat. It meant he was no ordinary fighter when it came to combat.
“Lian, Emil, get out of the shop. There should be a back door.
If you stay here, you’ll get hurt.”
“Y-Yes!”
Feeling the gravity of the situation, the boys left. With only Lian and the young man left, Lian got straight to the point without hesitation.
“You just came out of a tavern, right? Who hired you?”
“Oh? How did you know?”
“The smell of alcohol on your clothes.”
His keen senses had caught the scent of liquor in the air. It had to be from one of the taverns they passed before reaching the weapon shop. If he was hired at a tavern, there was a likely suspect.
“The ones who cut off my hand.”
Those guys were predictable.
“Heh… you really are something else.”
The young man laughed at that deduction. Usually, contractors keep their client’s identity secret, but maybe he realized it was pointless and spoke frankly.
“Why cut off a man’s hand, fellow professionals?”
So these were the mercenaries who cut off his hand on the train.
“So they hired you to cut off my hand?”
“No.”
The young man suddenly disappeared from sight. His movement was so fast it temporarily tricked Lian’s vision.
‘A knight!’
Predicting the path, Lian took a step back, planted his right foot firmly, twisted his waist, and swung his left foot. At the same moment, the young man appeared, dagger in hand, aiming for his throat.
Clang!
Lian’s boot struck the dagger with a metallic sound. His boots had steel reinforcements to block blades, and sparks flew from the collision, stopping the young man’s attack.
“Whoa.”
The assassin was thrown back by the shock, creating distance.
“Hmm… this guy’s no ordinary mercenary. I was about to slit his throat quick.”
Swish…!
The assassin drew another dagger, spinning one in his left hand reverse grip, and holding the other dagger normally in his right hand, crouched low.
“Why would a guy like you take orders from such lowly mercenaries?”
He twisted his body to dodge the counterattack in a flash. The aura emanating from his whole body was no joke. Most importantly, the daggers in his hands were—
“Judging by the relics he carries, he’s at least a knight level.”
“Alrighty then?”
The assassin raised an eyebrow at the remark. He probably didn’t expect his identity to be figured out. He relaxed his stance and asked with a baffled look,
“Who are you? How did you figure that out with just one move?”
“I asked the questions. Who exactly are you?”
“Tsk, what a coincidence this is…”
Forced to answer, the assassin clicked his tongue, placed the dagger-holding right hand on his left chest, and bowed. Judging by the formal gesture, he was at least of noble birth.
“In that case, there’s no need to hide my identity anymore.”
The assassin finally revealed himself.
“My name is Needle…”
And his true identity was,
“…a Freeblade.”