Cave King – 268

Chapter 268 – A Fortress!?

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Two days after we met Rish.

We had decided to go with her to the royal capital in order to meet with Leodorf.

Rish looked stunned when she saw the extravagant carriage that was parked in front of the mansion. It was the carriage that Mappa had prepared.

“It really is impressive when seen up close….”

“Uh, he does have unique sensibilities…”

“You never cease to surprise me Heal. I didn’t know you were this rich.”

While I did not have many opportunities to use money, now that she mentioned it, I was quite wealthy.

Though, considering the lives and economy of the people of this country, I would be limited in how I can use it.

We then climbed into the carriage.

It was very spacious inside, with benches on both sides. Four people could sit in, and the backrest could be pushed down so that you could sleep. The seats were covered in leather and felt warm.

The windows were small but allowed plenty of air to come inside. There was also plenty of storage space, which now contained a week’s worth of food.

It was comfortable and practical. A wonderful carriage.

If it had one fault, it was that it was shiny and golden… Though, there was a reason for that. The gold was used to disguise the fact that it was made of mithril.

As for the horses, they were actually golems that had used their Ryukin bodies to transform.

They did their best to neigh like horses, which made me feel a little sorry for them… The golems really did anything. When we returned to Sheorl, I would be sure to give them the upgrades and modifications that they wanted.

When we sat down in the carriage, Mappa and Number 15, who served as drivers, started the carriage.

Many people had gathered in the Leodorf main street. They were waving their hands to see Rish off.

It wasn’t just Count Leodor, but Rish was also loved by the people…

She waved back at them, and she seemed a little teary-eyed.

I had an idea regarding the reason. Depending on Elserd, she may not return here often… That was likely what she was thinking about.

After the carriage was out of Leodorf, he went down the main road to the south. And while it was going rather fast, it did not shake much, and I did not feel sick.

Amidst all of this, Rienna and Fule began to question Rish. Mostly it was about my past.

It was rather embarrassing, hearing old stories about myself.

And so I focused on looking out of the window at the farmlands.

Though, I could still hear them.

“…Heal. Even when he was being bullied by the other children of nobles, he would still help me.”
“Huh. So Lord Heal was always kind.”

Fule said with a grin. Rienna alo listened with interest.

Just then, Rish’s expression darkened.

“Now that I think about it… I think that was the reason they started to hate him. And so Heal…”
“Rish, that had nothing to do with it. It was all because of my crest. Regardless of what happened with you, they would not have said anything if I had a strong crest.”

“Still, maybe this time as well… If you were to…”

“I don’t go to the royal capital much anymore, so it’s fine. I am just the lord of Sheorl.”

I said. Rienna and Fule looked a little surprised but then nodded.

While we had been away a lot recently, I had never forgotten that Sheorl was my home.

However, Rish still looked sad. Perhaps she now felt that it was wrong to ask me to help her.

Regardless, Fule then tried to change the subject.

“B-by the way, I heard that your crest is Holy Knight. Lord Heal said that it is an amazing crest.”
“Ye-yes. It is a little rare.”

And then I asked her,

“Weren’t you also invited into the royal army? I heard that healers are highly desirable, and you would rise in the ranks quite quickly.”

“Did you think I would join the army, Heal?”

Rish asked with a weak smile.

The Rish I had known was weak and cowardly and would not kill a bug. She was not suited for the army.

“Not at all.”
“Hehe. Obviously.”

She laughed and looked out of the window.

“Still, I am still swinging a sword, aren’t I? It is to fight bandits.”

Rienna said, 

“So you are fighting to protect your lands.”
“Yes. I can fight if it is for Leodor territory. I like these lands. While it is very cold during the window, people live while helping each other. And beautiful flowers bloom in the spring… The summers are hot, but it is cooler at the top of the mountains. It really is a wonderful place.”

“It is beautiful. Besides, the people here look happy.”

Rish smiled at Rienna’s praise.

“Thank you. It makes me happy to hear that from an outsider. It makes me feel that my effort has been worth it.”

Rish said, but her expression became cloudy once again.

“But… As a noble…”

“Do you mean it affects your reputation?”

“I think so. Lord Elserd also said it to me after the proposal. Said it was a great loss for the country that I did not join the military in spite of my crest. They object to me working here.”

“Well, let people say what they want. You are doing your best for your people, Ms. Rish.”

Said Rienna, and I nodded.

“Besides, if you work for the country, that might mean participating in invasions of other countries. Surely you don’t want to do that, Rish?”

“Yes… You are right, Heal. But…”

She continued while staring out far into the distance from the carriage window.

“I am resigned to my fate. After all, I am no longer a child.”

“Ms. Rish…”

Rienna and Fule did not say anything after that.

I also looked out of the window. Sheep and goats walked leisurely and ate grass.

As I was now, I could make Rish’s wish come true. However, Count Bessel will not accept it silently.

I didn’t know how things would end, but I would respect Rish’s will.

“If that is what you’ve decided, then do your best. …By the way, what is Elserd’s crest?”

“Lord Elserd has the Saint crest.”
“Saint, huh? It is just as rare as Holy Knight. I believe the healing magic is also even more powerful.”
“Yes. But it is not a rare crest within the Bessel family. According to Lord Elserd, it was because their ancestors were priests.”

“I see. Still, Holy Knight and Saint, huh… Ah, sorry.”

I had been about to say that they would make a good couple.

Rish shook her head.

“It’s fine. Lord Elserd also said we should get married, as we had the perfect crests for it.”

“So it’s not about love, but crests? Humans really are weird.”

Fule muttered as she looked at the cattle. And then she caught herself and answered frantically.

“Ah, uh, no. Humans are complicated. Really.”

“Indeed. It’s only nobles that care so much about those things… Ah, I can see it now.”

Rish turned her eyes in the direction that the carriage was going.

There was an especially tall mountain up ahead.

“Mount Nostor. The bandit fortress is up there.”
“I see…”

Most of the mountain was covered in trees, and I could see stone walls near the top. 

It would be difficult for even ten thousand soldiers of the royal army to take that fortress. After all, you had to climb up a steep mountain while arrows rained down over you.

“It was originally a fortress from the days of the Barleon empire. But it was only used as a watchtower for the last hundred years. And then the bandits took it.”
“I see. It does look severe.”
“It’s all we can do to keep the bandits locked up in there. Still, they sometimes come down. As you can see, driving them away would be impossible.”
“Well…I don’t know about that.”

I said, and Rish looked a little surprised.

“…You can’t be serious?”

“Well, I will have to take a closer look. Is there an inn around here?”
“Yes. Up ahead, there is a town called Lusica along the road. It is also the headquarters of the guards who are surrounding Mount Nostor. I am thinking of getting a room there.”
“I see. Mappa, take us to the next town then.”

And like that, we entered the town of Lusica.

Rish then guided us to the headquarters.

The town was surrounded by stone walls that were about the same height as me. The population was around one thousand, and the roads were paved with stone. It seemed like a prosperous place. There were a hundred guards stationed here, and farmers often visited from other places to sell their produce.

The town was peace itself. Like Leodorg, there was no one who was starving or suffering. It was proof that Count Leodor governed well.

However, there was something that threatened to bring it all to an end…the fortress in Mount Nostor.

Just then, Rish returned from her visit to the guard headquarters.

“I’m sorry. There was only one spare room, and so they are preparing another one.”
“No, Rish. I can sleep in the carriage. You can use the room with Rienna and Fule.”
“I couldn’t allow that.”

Rish said, and Rienna nodded in agreement.

“Yes. We must be in the same room. As Fule and I are your guards.”
“Yes, yes. Well, there is Mappa too. But who knows what will happen.”

Fule continued.

Well, there was a need to speak to both of them about what we would do later. In a place without Rish.

“In that case, we’ll get a room in a town inn. Rish, you sleep here.”
“Bu-but, you are helping me already and…”

“Getting to visit different inns is part of the joy of traveling. Besides, we will be able to taste the local food.”

“I see… If that is the case, then I will sleep here alone. There is an inn near the town entrance. It has a green sign.”
“Thank you. Also, why don’t you join us there for dinner?”
“Of course! Well, see you later then.”

After parting ways with Rish, we exited the carriage and headed towards the inn. Number 15 would take care of the carriage.

But just as we were about to arrive at the inn…a single carriage entered the town from the entrance.

A large, middle-aged man was inside. He appeared to be a merchant. For a moment, I thought that our eyes met, but the carriage quickly passed us.

Fule said,

“Huh? Isn’t that the same carriage that was in front of Count Leodor’s mansion?”

“Just as we were leaving. It must be that…”

Rienna said as if remembering.

“The carriage of the merchant who was meeting with Cont Leodor.”

The carriage then stopped in front of a store on the main street. The sign read ‘Arubal Company.’

Fule looked like she realized something.

“hat sign. I’ve seen it in towns in other countries too.”
“Indeed. They have stores and bases all over the country, as well as neighboring countries.”

Rienna looked impressed.

“It must be a very big trading company then.”
“Yes. It is popular with royals and nobles as well. And since they build orphanages and feed the poor, they also have a good reputation with the common people. Though, there are some dark rumors.”
“Dark rumors?”

“The selling of humans and illegal medicines. Of course, they are known to punish such employees and offer them to the law. I suppose such things can’t be completely avoided when you are that big.”
“I see.”

We started walking towards the inn again.

“In any case, let’s get a room. We must hold a strategy meeting until it is time for dinner.”

And so we entered the inn and took a room near the far back.

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