Volume 3 Chapter 143-2 Merchant City Ramsey I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”You have your own beliefs, don’t you?”
Even if Linca couldn’t grasp them fully yet, she offered him a gentle smile.
”I hope, little by little, I can come to understand them.”
Kian responded with a dry smile.
”It’s better if you don’t. My convictions aren’t worth much.”
”No. Linca wants to know more about you.”
Her voice was light, but her words carried a quiet sincerity.
* * *
They continued walking for nearly two hours, practicing the ‘Shot’ (射) technique as they went.
It wasn’t the kind of training that would yield instant results, but even a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
If they kept this up for a week, their mastery over Shot would surely improve.
As they walked in silence across the sprawling green wheat fields, Linca suddenly spoke.
”Sir Kian. The castle wall of Ramsey is in sight.”
”…I see.”
Kian picked up a small stone with his left hand and looked ahead.
Beyond the fields, a calm river—no, a moat—glistened beneath the midday sun. Past it, a towering outer wall stretched across the landscape, its surface partially covered in vines and greenery. Unlike the fortress of Izerland, which jutted out like a ship stranded on a sea of hills, Ramsey’s castle blended naturally with its surroundings.
The outer wall, built with magic, was white and dotted with red spires. The moat was shallower than Izerland’s and its water shimmered cleanly, untouched by dangerous creatures like kelpies or fishmen. In the distance, a stone bridge arched gently over the moat, no more than two meters above the surface.
Switching from his vampire-enhanced sight back to human vision, Kian judged that the wall wouldn’t be too hard to destroy with a proper blast—though, of course, he had no reason to do so. It was simply a habit of his trade as a scout.
”They say the previous Duke of Ramsey, before Lord Oswald, poured a fortune in gold into that wall’s construction,” Linca noted, pointing at it.
The white stone was wrapped in ivy, red and green weaving around the spires like embroidery. The moat reflected the surrounding wheat fields and the low shrubs that hugged the castle’s base, creating an illusion—as if another world mirrored just beneath their feet.
A cool breeze swept over the water, bringing with it the fresh scent of young leaves. Despite being in the north, where bugs were fewer, the air felt clear and pleasant. It was easy to understand why Lord Oswald held such affection for Ramsey.
* * *
Kian and Linca soon reached the wide stone bridge spanning the moat. At its entrance stood a checkpoint guarded by soldiers in polished, ornate armor—Owl’s personal troops, distinct from undead or standard military forces.
The soldiers stopped them, inspecting their passes and checking their belongings.
Linca presented her travel permit without issue. Kian, however, received a more thorough check. His Windsong Blade and Misty Magic Sword caught the guards’ attention.
Though he held a certified Adventurer’s Guild card, it was still rare for someone of his rank to carry such weapons. The Windsong Blade alone had destructive capabilities that could raise eyebrows—or suspicions.
He felt a flicker of worry. If they realized what these swords could do, they might confiscate them. Fortunately, Linca’s makeover—cleaned up hair, fresh clothes, and a refined traveler’s appearance—helped sell the illusion.
Kian, who could rejuvenate his body by absorbing others’ ki, looked like a man in his early twenties, even though he was nearly thirty. With his tidy appearance, he came off as a well-off merchant’s son playing at adventurer.
One of the guards furrowed his brow, looking Kian over with concern.
”Men like you have come here before… and died just the same.”
The soldier didn’t recognize him. Owl rarely walked with his private troops, so Kian’s face remained unfamiliar to most of them.
”Azrael, huh? Can’t say I’ve heard of anyone from there,” the man continued. “This region’s drawing in would-be heroes lately. Not my place to lecture, but you might want to head back before the war really heats up.”
Another soldier, returning Linca’s pass, stroked his thick mustache as he added, “If your family starts sending complaints, we’ll be the ones stuck dealing with it.”
”The vampire attacks have been getting worse too,” he went on. “Before you get drained dry, think about heading home.”
Kian raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t Ramsey’s Adventurer Guild issuing a quest to hunt vampires?”
The guards exchanged looks.
”That was pulled last week. It’s under our jurisdiction now.”
”If you’re planning to show your fiancée a vampire head as proof of your bravery, I’d think twice.”
”…Fiancée?”
Kian frowned, confused. The mustached guard sighed dramatically.
”From the way you two look, I figured you were just some couple out sightseeing. This isn’t Châtillon—there aren’t as many thieves here, but pickpockets still make their rounds. If you’re not careful, your tale of glory might end with you losing your coin pouch.”
He waved them through with a nod.
Kian took Linca’s hand and led her across the bridge, walking into the crowd beyond.
”…Good thing they didn’t recognize me,” he murmured. “Even with Linca’s face, makeup gone and all, they didn’t suspect a thing.”
”Y-yes… But fiancée… D-do we really look like that…?” Linca stammered.
”…Hey.”
”I-I suppose… without the makeup, I look a bit different. I guess it’s no surprise they didn’t notice.”
Kian gave a slow nod. “I thought it wouldn’t matter if we got recognized, but this gives us a chance to gather intel from the guild or the townsfolk before seeing Mr. Owl.”
”Are we heading to the Adventurer’s Guild first?” Linca asked.
”Yeah, that’s the plan.”
”In that case… would you mind stopping by my hideout first?”
”Why?”
”You promised Ms. Priscilla to capture the thorn monster alive, didn’t you?”
”Ah, right. That was her condition for helping me.”
Linca, back to her usual calm and dignified self, walked beside him toward the city gates.
Notes:
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Mag – The wolfwoman under Yelmar—the one who was caught by Kian’s group earlier.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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