Chapter 123 : Chapter 123

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 123 — Cherville (2)

Blade City, 「Cherville」.

The greatest metropolis in the Iron Kingdom, located at its very heart — the capital where the royal family resided. Because of that, all major figures and high-ranking nobles of the Iron Kingdom lived there as well. It was the center of power that moved the entire kingdom.

The place where all human aspects of the Iron Kingdom gathered — that was the Blade City.

“If we travel by carriage, it’ll take a little over a week to reach the city. For other cities, we could pay to use a mage’s Warp Gate, but… as you know, no magic works within Cherville.”

“I really hate that city.”

Audrey grumbled. She was always prone to grumbling, but this time there was genuine irritation in her voice — which was understandable. After all, Cherville was a place all mages despised.

“Every time I go there, I feel sick to my stomach.”

The city walls surrounding Blade City were forged from anti-magic metal. Because of that, not only the outskirts but also the entire interior of the city was devoid of magic. Mana dispersed before it could even gather. Thus, mages who set foot in Cherville complained of extreme fatigue — according to them, it felt like walking around drenched in water.

“Please endure it for a little while. We won’t stay there long.”

“You’d better make sure of that. If we stay in that filthy city for more than two days, you’ll find out just how much of a nuisance I can be.”

“……”

Audrey didn’t sound like she was joking. And if a woman who was already a nuisance by default decided to go full nuisance, what would happen then? I was curious — but not curious enough to see it with my own eyes. In any case, I had no wish to linger in Cherville either. I wanted to advance the absorption of 「Flight」 as soon as possible, and above all — Cherville was a dangerous city.

A city where the kingdom’s entire power was concentrated.

A place where all kinds of people gathered, and, true to its name, blades lurked in every corner.

There was even a saying in the Verdí region: “Go to Cherville and you’ll lose your nose while your eyes are open.” As the country bumpkin of bumpkins, I would need to keep my wits sharp there.

As I exhaled slowly, Tom spoke up.

“It’ll be a long trip. Perhaps we can talk about Cherville while we’re on the road? Prince Arhan, do you know why it became the anti-magic city?”

“I’m not sure.”

“No one knows the exact reason. Cherville has existed since the early Iron Kingdom, and much of its history has been lost over time. Scholars believe the blade-forged walls were built as preparation for war with the Machine Empire — to counter their favorite tactics…”

As always, Tom spoke engagingly about history. Before even three minutes had passed, Audrey had fallen asleep. For someone supposedly scholarly, her ability to nap was impressive.

Seol Yoon listened for a moment before losing interest, while Sherizik watched the scenery outside the rattling carriage.

As Tom’s story went on and the sun began to set, many in the carriage drifted off to sleep.

Hearing their steady breathing, Tom fell silent — considerate as always.

It was then that Liam spoke.

「The Blade City, hmm.」

“Do you have something to say about it?”

「Plenty I’d like to say. But most of it you wouldn’t understand yet.」

“I see.”

As I watched the passing scenery, Liam murmured.

「Young descendant.」

“Yes.”

「Once you step into the wider world, you’ll encounter many kinds of beings. Some, like the bold Orc shaman, will remember forgotten histories. Others, like the Dwarf who showed you kindness, will remember the Karavan name. Across this vast continent live those who endure eternally — and those who never forget the truth.」

“I can believe that.”

「Then be prepared.」

“For what?”

「Not all of them bear goodwill toward Karavan.」

Liam’s gaze remained on the darkening view outside. The emotions in his expression were too complex for me to guess — feelings I couldn’t begin to comprehend.

「I wasn’t exactly a virtuous man, you see.」

***

Not long after our journey began, Sherizik’s true worth became apparent. She was, in every sense, the perfect orc.

“It’s better to take a detour here. If we go that way, we’ll likely run into bandits. With our strength, we could handle them, but there’s no need to deal with unnecessary variables. The priority is reaching our destination quickly.”

.

.

.

“Don’t worry, everyone. Eat first. I’ve brought things for camping — herbs from the orcish lands that keep away pests and beasts…”

.

.

.

“When we reach the capital, it would be wise to hire a cleric — or perhaps a healer. But if we fail to hire one, let’s buy these items instead. With them, we can handle first aid and treat most injuries on the spot. Oh, and we’ll need an inventory, too. A higher-grade one’s fine — preferably something with a preservation sigil and a level-two storage formula.”

Just as she had claimed before the journey, Sherizik was an excellent ranger, guide, and practically the leader of the party.

“How do you know all this?”

“I always led my kin when we traveled together.”

That one sentence was enough to verify her competence — the leader who had commanded reckless, muscle-brained orcs! With credentials like that, she could’ve been the first pick for any expedition across the continent. Honestly, I was almost impressed enough to blush. If Sherizik weren’t an orc, I might have considered marrying her.

‘Damn it. I almost fell for the vile scheme of that cunning orc shaman Sherdik’s kin. Get it together. No, absolutely not.’

Damn it again. Why was Sherizik this perfect? Even her tusked smile, once intimidating, was starting to look rather… charming. And since she’d led orcs before, her ability to manage our group was exceptional.

First, there was Audrey — responsible for eighty percent of all grumbling.

“How much longer do we have to go? I want a proper bath. I feel gross.”

“We’ll stay at an inn tonight.”

“I need sweets. My blood sugar’s low.”

“Would you like something tangy or sour? Tell me, and I’ll fetch plenty.”

“Ugh, I want to change clothes. Ahh—”

“Then allow me—”

Sherizik handled Audrey’s endless whining with saint-like patience.

When I asked how she’d mastered such tolerance, Sherizik replied casually:

“My father’s much worse.”

“……”

“Those with spiritual power tend to be a bit sensitive. But they rarely mean harm. Treat them gently, and they settle down quickly. Of course, sometimes I want to bash their heads in — but as a lady, I endure.”

An astonishing level of patience. And Audrey wasn’t the only one she managed.

“Everyone, that tree’s shape reminds me of an ancient tale — about a spear buried in the roots of a massive tree. It’s quite fascinating, actually—”

“I know it.”

Whenever Tom started one of his long, dull stories, Sherizik cut him off without hesitation.

“Would it be bad if I practiced sword forms atop the carriage? I’ve got a few ideas.”

“Go ahead. I was just about to train with my glaive anyway. I doubt swinging a glaive here would cause trouble — unless it kills the horses and decapitates the driver. But that wouldn’t be my fault; in the Iron Kingdom, where might makes right, the weak have only themselves to blame.”

“…I’ll stay still.”

Even Seol Yoon’s impulsive remarks were easily shut down. Watching Sherizik’s flawless coordination made me want to stand up and applaud mid-carriage.

Magnificent, Sherizik! Magnificent, orcs!

「Young descendant, perhaps love that transcends race isn’t so bad after all.」

“Please, don’t cross that line.”

Anyway, Thanks to the capable orc Sherizik, our journey continued smoothly. Just as we were getting used to the carriage’s rough rattling, the distant silhouette of towering walls came into view. It could only mean one thing.

We had arrived. At the Blade City — Cherville.

***

Entering Cherville was unlike entering any other city. As the capital of the Iron Kingdom — the seat of royal power — one needed to go through proper formalities to pass through the city walls.

Fortunately, the process wasn’t complicated. Sancho had handled some of the paperwork beforehand, and following Tom’s preparations, we passed inspection quickly.

However, the atmosphere here felt different.

“You may proceed. But there’s something you should be aware of.”

The air of Blade City could be summed up in one word:

“Everyone’s on edge as the kingdom prepares for war. Avoid drawing your swords unnecessarily, and comply with any random inspections. If you refuse, whatever happens will be your responsibility.”

The calm before the storm.

“It’s tense here,” Seol Yoon muttered.

Just as she said, Cherville carried a strange, heavy tension.

Merchant wagons crowded near the gates were loaded with war supplies.

The guards at the gates stood in full armor, eyes sharp. Every soldier stationed here was elite — real knights, incomparable to the aging guards who protected Karavan.

The sentinels of the Steel Legion stationed at the capital’s gate — the gray knights bearing swords and spears — eManated an aura as sharp as their blades.

The atmosphere within the city was no different. Citizens’ faces were filled with unease, while knights and mercenaries in heavy armor thronged around shops and inns.

Each bore different banners — knight orders of various houses. The bustling liveliness typical of great cities was gone. In this advanced, crowded metropolis, the silence itself felt unnatural.

“……We’d better finish quickly,” Audrey muttered.

She looked utterly drained the moment we entered Cherville.

“I’m completely useless here, you know? Even breathing in this place feels like torture. So hurry up.”

“Yes, understood.”

Looking at her exhausted face, I couldn’t bring myself to say you’re usually useless anyway, except for complaining. I wasn’t ready to face the consequences of such honesty.

“Prince Arhan, let’s split up for now. I’ll go with the ladies, while you head to the knight order with the valiant orc warrior. Before you return, I’ll handle the paperwork for us to leave the kingdom.”

“Ah, that’d be a huge help. I’ll count on you.”

“‘Ladies’? Ah, you mean the human females. For a moment, I thought you were excluding me.”

“……”

And so, our group temporarily split into two teams.

Sherizik and I formed one group.

Audrey, Seol Yoon, and Tom made the other.

Honestly, being alone with Sherizik still made me uneasy, but no one else was as capable or dependable. I forced a smile, suppressing my instinct to run.

“Feels like a date, doesn’t it? Hehe.”

…If only she’d keep her mouth shut, she’d be perfect.

「A formidable mental assault indeed.」

“It seems trials never cease for a Karavan.”

「You speak truth…」

Barely surviving Sherizik’s psychological onslaught, I headed with her toward Cherville’s central district. To submit my exemption documents to the Iron Legion, I first needed to find Vermartin.

I remembered how to locate him — the old knight had told me long ago: Come to Cherville. Follow the name Vermartin the Steel — everyone will know it.

However—

“……?”

There was no need to ask around for “Vermartin the Steel.” I found his trace right in the heart of Cherville. To be exact—‘That man… it’s been a while.’

The knight I had once faced. My first Duel of Honor opponent. The uninvited guest who came to tarnish Fetel’s honor — the first Sword Runner I had ever defeated — and the vice-captain of Vermartin’s knight order.

Yes. If memory serves, his name was—“Sir Meken.”

When I spoke his name, his eyes snapped toward me. Seeing him face to face left no doubt. Though thinner and paler than before — it was him. Meken, the vice-captain of the Yellow Elephant.

“You…!”

The moment our gazes met, his eyes widened in shock — a whirlwind of emotions flashing within. His expression looked ready to erupt. Watching him, I murmured softly.

“Master.”

「What is it?」

“If I fought that knight now… how would it go?”

「Is that even a question?」

Sir Meken, the Sword Runner — the one who had first shown me the true strength of a knight. Though I had won that duel of honor, it had been a brutal trial for me back then. I could still recall the tension of that fight vividly.

But now—

「He wouldn’t even be a warm-up.」

I was no longer that boy.

「Young descendant.」

I had changed.

「You are no longer the weak one.」

Quite a lot, in fact.

“It is you, isn’t it, Sir Meken? Long time no see.”

“You—you, how—”

“I have a question.”

His face turned red. Was it anger? Perhaps.

A Sword Runner who had risen quickly through success, serving as a vice-captain in a knight order — only to lose everything to some backwater upstart. That defeat must have been a trauma, a stain on his pride, an unforgettable humiliation.

“I’m looking for Vermartin the Steel. You served under him once, didn’t you?”

The Iron Kingdom was a nation where power defined order.

And now— I was the stronger one. He could rage, seethe, even curse my name.

But so what?

“Show me the way.”

What could you possibly do?