#052

“This is…?”

As if seeing something unbelievable, the man hastily picked up the card. He examined it from various angles, as if gauging its authenticity.

“Isn’t this the Kanix’s card? But I heard they were all dead…!”

The man muttered, truly surprised, then looked at Cullen. After staring at Cullen for a long time, he gasped and exclaimed.

“Looking at your purple eyes, it’s certain. You are the owner of the White Wolf, whom I’ve only heard of. Were you alive? According to rumors, you were all dead, but it seems that wasn’t true! We all believed it!”

With a voice filled with joy, the information broker approached Cullen. Seeing the delight on the information broker’s face, he felt the urge to flee. He subconsciously took a step back.

But he couldn’t retreat any further. Kiyen was right behind him. He blocked Cullen’s cowardly retreat.

“My word, to think I’d actually see the owner of the White Wolf! Are you all alright? Oh, Gale would go crazy if he knew!”

The information broker fussed, as if thrilled.

He understood. Gale was a man worthy of respect. Even before Cullen joined, his mercenary group was already well-known. There were times when they were even more famous than Gael’s mercenary group.

“Can I buy information with this?”

Cullen avoided the man’s questions about finding others. But the man didn’t leave him alone.

“Of course. In fact, a mercenary group like Kanix should be the one asking for help in this region. Where are the others? Wouldn’t it be better for us all to hear? I heard you always traveled with Gale-nim…?”

And finally, Gale’s name was mentioned.

He opened his lips to answer as if nothing was wrong, but his breath caught. The absence of the man, who used to pat his shoulder with his large, heavy hand, struck him cruelly. Hearing Gale’s name, not anywhere else, but here, it was, truly…

This was Cullen’s world. He had traveled with Gale for over ten years. Adventures, hardships, whenever they came to Dadin, Roach and Gale were always with him. Cullen couldn’t protect them and lost them in vain. Let alone die with them.

The deep despair and guilt he felt in the cave washed over Cullen. His fingers trembled restlessly. It had been a while since something like this happened. On days when he felt nothing, thought nothing, just lived emotionlessly…

As that fear surged, his hand was caught. A large, warm presence held him tightly. Kiyen’s voice, telling him to snap out of it, seemed to echo in his head. Instead of words, he calmed Cullen with actions.

His anxiously shaking mind gradually settled down. Cullen slowly opened his mouth. Though his insides were in turmoil, his expression was as calm as usual.

“We have separate tasks. I only want to buy the necessary information, so it would be best to end the conversation here.”

The information broker closed his mouth. From his appraising gaze, Cullen thought he might have already guessed the truth.

Seeing that Cullen showed no signs of continuing the conversation, the man nodded.

“It will be 10 Luna. Some among us owe you a debt.”

“It’s fine.”

Refusing the favor, Cullen placed 30 Luna down. The man, looking at the gold coins on the table, scratched his head.

“As the rumors say, you are resolute.”

“I don’t want to waste time, so let’s get to the point.”

“Understood.”

Even though the man seemed unfazed by the cold tone, he nodded. The man, having shed the brief excitement over Cullen’s identity, returned to his usual self. He then put on a serious expression.

“There is one reason why Lord Gael does not involve himself in matters occurring at Dadin’s borders.”

Worry surfaced on his face.

“It is because the first to disappear was his mercenary corps.”

After hearing the story they hadn’t anticipated, they headed to the inn. The sun began to set during that time. A rippling purple curtain started to cover the sky from afar.

Despite the darkening sky, the alley was full of life. The taverns lining both sides of the narrow road were boisterous. The smell of alcohol mingled with the sandstorm and spread. Dry, lukewarm air passed between them.

“I hear the name Gale quite often.”

Kiyen, walking behind Cullen, suddenly spoke. It was just as the inn came into view.

“……Yes.”

Since his name had been called in the cave, there was no way Kiyen wouldn’t remember.

“Who is it?”

“I don’t particularly want to talk about it.”

“You become extremely anxious whenever that person’s name comes up. I think I should know at least a little.”

Kiyen’s warmth spreading through his hand came to mind. His left hand, which had been held, twitched involuntarily.

“……There was no change in my expression.”

“Didn’t your hand tremble?”

His low mood became a jumbled mess. Cullen considered bringing up the story but shook his head.

“If you want to know my secret, you must tell me yours too, Kiyen-nim.”

“Is this another deal?”

“Not officially, but don’t you like exchanges, Kiyen-nim?”

“Interesting.”

Kiyen, silent for a moment, finally looked down at Cullen as they reached the inn’s entrance and asked. He could feel the gaze of Kiyen’s eyes, hidden beneath the hood, piercing him.

“What do you want to know?”

Cullen pondered. Surprisingly, the first thing that came to mind wasn’t his mother or what she had intended to do. What Cullen wanted to know was, absurdly, something trivial.

“I want to know what you like.”

It was so trivial, it was enough to make even himself feel absurd.

Kiyen seemed to feel the same, as the corner of his mouth twisted slightly. It felt like he could see his frowning eyes. His pink lips were tightly shut. He turned his body, breaking the silence.

“I will think about it.”

Without waiting for a reply, Kiyen entered the inn.

As soon as they stepped inside the inn, they found Arne and Lasano eating. Lasano was the first to spot them. Lasano waved his hand.

“It seems you had a very enjoyable time!”

Lasano said that, even though he must have noticed the two of them didn’t look like they had. Arne quickly turned her head and stood up.

“You’re here.”

“Please, continue eating.”

Cullen pulled out a chair next to Arne and sat down. Kiyen sat opposite Cullen. Whether it was a matter of perfect timing or not, food for them had also been prepared.

“We didn’t want to disturb your private time, so we stayed put right here.”

Cullen and Kiyen now ignored Lasano’s words as a matter of course. Arne quickly pushed the food towards them. In the thick stew, made by simmering pureed tomatoes, large chunks of potato, yellow beans, and diced meat floated invitingly.

“Eat plenty. We have to move starting tomorrow morning.”

“Cullen-nim really doesn’t rest, does he……”

Arne said timidly, sounding a little weary. Lasano agreed.

“He never rests unless Kiyen-nim wants him to.”

“I’m just doing what needs to be done. It seems something suspicious is happening in this vicinity, and it needs to be investigated. Just like the innkeeper here said, people keep disappearing… this has never happened in this region before.”

Lasano countered with a smile.

“Disappearances themselves are surprisingly common. What happened in the Marquess’s territory isn’t that unusual either. I think more evidence of ‘that power’ being used would be needed.”

Cullen added a piece of information to his words.

“If the disappeared were ordinary people, that might be the case. But if even strong mercenaries have vanished without a trace… then it becomes strange in some way.”

Whether they had gotten caught up in something dangerous, or if someone was planning something else. Either way, it wasn’t good.

“Hmm, that would be true.”

Lasano sighed as if lamenting, then picked up his spoon.

“I thought I’d get a few days of rest, but it was just a dream of a single day.”

“Um, if it’s not a big deal, we can come back again.”

Arne glanced at Lasano, as if wishing for that, and comforted him. His sturdy build seemed wasted, as if he were tired from just this short journey.

“Well, when Cullen-nim says it like that, even something good sounds ominous.”

Then, Kiyen, who had been silently staring at his soup, threw in a remark.

“Your mouth is the most ominous.”

“I agree.”

Leaving Lasano’s complaint behind, Cullen began to eat. Tomorrow would be very busy.

Although the branch locations for each merchant guild differed, the gathering place before departure was the same. They would gather at the largest well in Dadin to obtain sufficient water, and after the merchants offered prayers to Goddess Aksha, they would begin their journey.

Cullen’s party found the Pierre Merchant Guild without difficulty. Scales laden with gold were marked on their wagons and carts.

Cullen spotted someone who appeared to be the central figure of the escort. Judging by his appearance, he was likely the leader of the mercenary corps, looking the strongest among them. Wandering knights belonging to the guild were also visible.

“All spots are taken. If you’re looking for work, there are plenty of other places, so go elsewhere.”

As Cullen approached, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build spoke first. He had a similar aura to Gabi, whom Cullen had seen only once.

“We won’t ask for much compensation, so please let us accompany you.”

“I told you, it’s full.”

He was more resolute than expected, so Cullen decided to use the method they had discussed when leaving the inn that morning. Lasano, standing with his dark blue robe pulled over his head, sauntered over.

“I am a Sorcerer. I heard that something unusual is happening, and wouldn’t it be helpful to have more useful individuals?”

The man frowned as if to say, “Speak sense.”

“A Sorcerer? What nonsense is this… Honestly, if we could hire a Sorcerer, we would have done so long ago.”

Sorcerers were such rare beings that even rumors of seeing one were scarce. Two in a noble’s territory was considered many, and that was only possible in territories of Count rank or higher. There were wandering Sorcerers, but most had affiliations. This was because merchants were overflowing with those wanting to hire them.

“Well, let’s say I have my reasons.”

Lasano said smoothly. The man, thinking he was joking, became irate.

“I said no, so get out—!”

He swallowed the rest of his words. Lasano conjured silver flames over his hand as if it were better to remain silent. The man’s eyes widened at the intense heat emanating from so close. The commotion caused gasps to escape from the onlookers as well.

Cullen’s eyes met those of a merchant sitting in a wagon, watching the scene. The man, sporting a mustache, watched them with an intrigued expression. Cullen spoke to the man again.

“Since I said I wouldn’t ask for much, I will accept 3 Luna for escorting you only halfway.”

As if hearing his words, the merchant in the wagon gestured. He ordered the mercenaries beside his wagon to open the door.

“Oh, my, with such a rare Sorcerer present, you ask for only 3 Luna? We will give you 5 Luna. Come, come this way.”

Lasano laughed and leisurely headed towards the wagon. As Arne cautiously tried to follow him, another mercenary stopped him.

“Are you a Sorcerer too?”

“Huh? Ah, no.”

“This person is a cook.”

Kiyen kindly corrected Arne’s identity. The mercenary firmly blocked him.

“Those other than the Sorcerer, join the escort on horseback. Only the Sorcerer will remain by Lord Pierre’s side.”

“Yes, yes!”

Arne scrambled to Cullen’s side. He glanced at Kiyen, but Kiyen didn’t seem inclined to ride in the wagon. They followed the mercenary and mounted spare horses. It was then that someone spoke.

“Hey, you.”

Cullen turned his head. His eyes met long, teal-colored eyes beneath the hood. The massive greatsword on her back provided confirmation. It was the cross-dressing woman he had encountered at the weapon shop.

“What a strange coincidence.”

“Is that so?”

“Thank you for yesterday. I mainly use a bow. Thanks to you yielding.”

She said, tapping the bow slung over her shoulder. He had no intention of engaging in idle pleasantries, but it would be better to converse to gain some information.

Furthermore, the greatsword was strangely bothersome. Not that he intended to ignore it, but a greatsword of that size would require him to wield it with both hands. He felt he should have heard of a mercenary who carried such a weapon so casually, but he couldn’t quite place who it was.

“My name is Ulli. And yours?”

Cullen, after a moment’s thought, gave his name briefly.

“Cullen.”

“Nice to meet you. We’ve had each other’s backs for a while now.”

Her voice was cheerful. Reminded of Cecil’s personality, Cullen, instead of acting cold as usual, simply nodded quietly. Ulli said she would see him later and turned her horse. As he watched her ride ahead, a voice came from behind him.

“Who is that woman?”

Kiyen, looking somewhat displeased, appeared.