“…”
The dense bread was like chewing sand.
Since leaving the palace, this has been the constant feeling.
It wasn't just that the bread was of the firmer variety, it was something more.
There was no good taste, and no interesting story brought any joy.
“Here, take some water.”
“…?”
After two straight days of traveling by car, someone approached Saeki, who was deliberately sitting far away from the others, during a short break. It was none other than a man presumed to be a mercenary, who introduced himself as “Cloud.” He explained that this was not his real name, but a nickname used while working as a mercenary, and then continued to tell stories that Saiki didn't ask about.
He offered me a leather-wrapped bottle of water and held out his hand.
“It's okay...thank you.”
Psyche found his kindness exhausting. After all, her plan was to secretly transfer to another carriage at the next destination, and drawing unnecessary attention would only complicate matters.
“It would be more inconvenient if you got sick from eating something along the way, causing inconvenience to others, right?”
Cloud shook the water bottle he was holding again. The slight sound of splashing water reached her ears.
It bothered her greatly.
“Just mind your own business.”
She deliberately moved away to avoid Cloud and his insistence.
Although there was no need to reveal her face, he continued to interfere unnecessarily.
With the addition of the elderly couple to the group, Saiki found herself in a very awkward situation.
Just bear with it for a few more days.
She repeated these words to herself like a mantra and stepped back.
When Cloud saw Psyche openly expressing her dissatisfaction, he immediately gave up and went towards the elderly couple.
And keep chatting friendly.
“It's a long trip, aren't you tired?”
Oh, my God! It's refreshing to feel the breeze! Young people must find it exhausting!
“No, it's nice to meet such wonderful elders.”
He laughed wholeheartedly.
Thank you for saying that! However, it is an arduous road. Traveling with a skilled mercenary like you, we're so lucky! Is that true, my dear?
The elderly couple nodded in agreement, with smiles on their faces.
“But why are you heading to Randle, young man?”
“Oh, not Randall… my city is in that direction. Haha.”
Cloud scratched his head as he answered.
“Oh, is there something going on in your town?”
Well...an acquaintance sent me an urgent request. The owner of the place I used to live has disappeared, and the people there are in distress.
Cloud continued to explain various details of his situation, avoiding going into details that might reveal too much. However, his face was overjoyed at the prospect of returning to his hometown.
He looked like a well-known mercenary in the Huangdu region. But his urgent departure meant that he had an urgent matter to attend to.
“The Lord disappeared... huh. Sounds like a story about our region.”
While thinking about her own territory, Saiki moved her head, her mind wandering.
Although it was not the case now, when Saiki left her lands, there were cases in the hinterland far from Hongdo where lords abandoned their lands due to frequent attacks by bandits, among other reasons.
As the Duke's influence grew and border patrol was maintained, instances of lords disappearing from their lands became rare. However, at that time, there were those who faced such situations, despite their noble titles.
Feeling an unnecessary sense of guilt, Saiki glanced at the landscape before turning away.
“…”
It was because of the guilt that was weighing on her mind. Although she did everything she could at the time, no one from her family helped her.
“They were all too busy meeting Uncle’s demands...”
This was at a time when the influence of Junior, the brother of the Marquis who killed her father, was stronger. Although there were relatives who were able to help her, when Junior tried to take control, he failed due to little Saiki's resistance. He may still hold a grudge against her.
If she returns to her area, he may interfere again, spreading rumors or causing trouble. Saiki had been accustomed to fighting alone since she was young, and at that time, all she could do was protect her title.
Now, those titles no longer carry any meaning.
Psyche felt disturbed by thoughts of the past. It wasn't necessary. Thinking about the past while trying to return was normal.
Because of her desire to be alone, she changed her place. She sat alone in the empty carriage and sighed. All she wanted was some peace.
“I thought I could travel quietly alone, but it seems that is not the case...”
She couldn't organize her thoughts because of the people around her. This made matters more complicated, and Psyche felt frustrated by the unwanted attention.
“Anyway, I'll say goodbye to them by tomorrow.”
Psyche found the attention given to her to be a useless intrusion. She thought that by tomorrow, these people wouldn't bother her.
She got into the carriage and sighed again. She simply wanted to be alone.
“Although I thought I might be able to spend some quiet time alone...”
Being around people was uncomfortable, but spending time alone wasn't as fun as she expected. She expected that no one would notice her in this carriage, but her suspicions did not hold true.
Psyche felt that the attention she received was unnecessary and annoying, like unwanted interference.
“Maybe I can have some peace tomorrow.”
Psyche returned to the carriage. Being alone might make her feel comfortable.
However, during these moments, thoughts of the missing child would inevitably invade her mind.
❖ ❖ ❖
Three days after boarding the carriage, she was finally able to change into the carriage bound for her hometown, Alister County.
The process of changing wagons on the way to Rundle wasn't exactly smooth, but she felt relieved that she had finally embarked on the right journey.
Now, anticipating that she would reach her hometown if she surrendered herself to the carriage, Saiki felt a slight relief in her heart. But this idea quickly dissipated.
“…Huh?”
Someone shouted in surprise when he saw Saiki sitting at the end of the cart. She closed her eyes, then the noise startled her, so she opened them again. Surprisingly, Cloud was there.
“No…”
Psyche had a look of astonishment on her face. She had not thought about the possibility of meeting someone she knew in this place.
Now Saiki's feelings became complicated.
Could it be?
Suddenly, Clint's face appeared in her mind.
Is this the Duke's plan? Is he trying to capture me...? Since he is a known mercenary, did he hire that person…?
Psyche's eyes twitched with worry. But, contrary to what she thought, Cloud approached her with a bright smile and sat next to her.
“Well, to meet you here… weren’t you heading to Randall?”
As if meeting an old friend, he spoke cordially.
Psyche was still surprised and asked, “Aren’t you heading to Randall?”
In response, Cloud scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Have you ever seen a mercenary reveal his destination accurately...?”
Cloud also hid his true destination. He happened to meet Saeki, and they both used similar methods...
When he realized that their destination was the same, Cloud quickly changed his expression.
Oh, my God. Are you also going to Alistair's area?
Instead of answering, Saiki showed a puzzled expression.
Oh my God, but using the same trick. Isn't this strange? What, are you trying to escape too?
With a careless laugh, he unintentionally hit Cloud on the head.
Saiki could only respond with an embarrassed expression.
Well, I won't ask anymore. Let's go quietly! shall we?
Before Psyche could express her annoyance, Claude closed his mouth and quietly retreated to the corner.
But silence was not an option for them.
A young woman with a newborn baby climbed into the carriage, and whether due to hunger or other reasons, the baby continued to cry, making the inside of the carriage far from quiet.
“Waaah!”
Oh, my God. It's okay, baby, it's okay.
The young mother, who did not know how to calm her child, wore a tense expression, and although the other passengers initially reassured her, as time passed, annoyance began to show on their faces.
“…”
Not only did they feel uncomfortable, but Psyche also felt emotional pressure. Seeing the child reminded her of the child she had lost.
Cloud, who knew nothing of the world, was the only one sleeping peacefully.
“Wow, wow.”
The baby's crying has become more intense.
The young mother looked a bit too young and disheveled for her role, and seemed inexperienced in handling a child. Psyche pretended not to care about the child's affairs, and closed her eyes, but the child continued to cry louder.
Each passenger began to give advice to the young mother, and after a short time the carriage reached the middle of the road.
To give the child some rest, the carriage decided to take a short break, after negotiating with the driver during the trip.
People sighed in relief as they got off the carriage.
كان الطفل لا يزال يبكي، وبدت الأم الشابة في حيرة من أمرها. Finally, Saiki, who could no longer ignore it, stepped forward.