Book Eater

Chapter 124: Crossing the Wilderness (4)

There were no more raids after that day. They may or may not have been regular soldiers disguised as bandits, but their superiors could probably guess that something out of the ordinary had happened when they didn’t return. Thanks to Theo, the horses could move during the day and rest at night without worry.

The Sipoto Plains might be bleak, but it wasn’t a bloody place like the Red Plateau.

Bear’s merchant intuition had him watching the horizon all day and he suddenly cried out, “Oh, I can see it!”

Theo turned in the same direction and saw sturdy walls that were the color of baked mud. It was certainly different from the white bricks of Meltor. They were the walls of Sipoto City, a border city of Kargas, the trade kingdom.

Theo confirmed the sight and started to relax.?

Phew, I’m glad we arrived without any more difficulty. If anyone stronger than that Janissary had come, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it quietly.

Truth be told, exposing the Living Armor wasn’t that wise a move. Living Armor artifacts weren’t rare, but they weren’t common either. However, Theo wasn’t heartless enough to let people die when they could be saved, especially when their carriages were taking him to Kargas. He couldn’t let Bear shoulder that burden.

Some might say it was stupid, but it was part of his principles.

The procession gradually slowed as they approached the outer wall of Sipoto and entered the line to be checked by the guards at the gate. The name of the Polonell Company could move a few people out of the way, but Bear chose to wait patiently.

However, his lips weren’t good at staying still. “Boy, our trip this time was really dangerous! I knew that some Austen refugees were turning to robbery, but I didn’t think we would be attacked as soon as we got close to the border.”

“Refugees?”

“Yes, I hear there’s now more of them thanks to the drought. The price of water increased ten times over and those on top ran away to other countries, so the people turned to any method to get money. Tsk, it seems Austen’s going to be too volatile for me to go anytime soon.”

Bear clicked his tongue, but Theo was forced to smile bitterly. It would’ve been better if the people who attacked them had just been refugees. Bear didn’t know that the regular army was the one doing the looting. Did this mean that the Sultan’s Janissaries were coordinating looting operations? It was safe to say that the kingdom was fully endorsing these activities.

However, Theo wasn’t willing to tell the truth.

At this point, it is too big to publicize carelessly.

Additionally, the soldiers hadn’t left any evidence of their affiliation. The warriors had used cheap shamshirs, and even their turbans were just pieces of shabby cloth. The Austen Kingdom’s reputation would take a huge hit if this became public, so the warriors had used every means to get rid of their identity. Even if this wasn’t the case, the scale of the incident wasn’t something that Theo could get involved in.

“... When you go back, you should increase the number of escorts.” In the end, Theo kept his mouth shut and changed the topic.

Bear nodded. Fortunately, there was no need to continue the unpleasant conversation as the checkpoint guards approached. The procedures were completed quickly thanks to their merchant status. The guards were more subdued than usual due to the lousy atmosphere, but there were no problems.

The identity card, which had been forged by the Magic Society, was enough to prove his identity in any country, and even if it wasn’t, the name of the Polonell Company was enough to ensure Theo’s entry. Once they were beyond the gate of Sipoto, Theo said goodbye to the procession, including Bear.

“Wait, are you going to leave immediately?”

Theo had more business in Kargas, so there was no reason to go together. Additionally, he would only endanger his cover with every moment he continued to stay with them. It was hard for Theo to change his diction and demeanor, since he had never been taught to do so properly.

Bear grumbled at Theo’s imminent departure.

“Hoo, a man who I owe a favor to. I never dreamed I would be sent away like this,” Bear said as he pulled out something and handed it to Theo.

It was a plaque engraved with the two horses that symbolized the Polonell Company, as well as Bear’s name.

Bear scratched his head as he explained, “In our company, this is a little something given to the top merchants. It acts as proof of identity.”

“One way?”

“Well… it’s also a type of guarantee.” Bear avoided his gaze like he was embarrassed. “If you show this plaque, then you will receive VIP treatment from any branch of this company. You can rent a carriage or borrow money without any interest. There are a lot of benefits.”

“So, the responsibility… Ah.”

“Yes, it falls to me since I am the one giving you the plaque.”

Theo realized the meaning of this gesture and accepted the plaque from Bear. In a sense, this plaque was also a request. It was a tool signifying a good relationship between the two of them. He didn’t know what value Bear saw in the fake Theo, but regardless of his intentions, he could use this for many things.

The Polonell Company had many branches in various places, so it was possible to obtain accommodation and other miscellaneous things.

“Thank you, Boss Bear.”

“Hahaha! It is nothing. If anything comes up, please use my name.” Bear laughed for a moment before speaking coyly, “And that bracelet... Is it really not possible to sell it?”

Theo shook his head wryly. “I’m sorry. This was loaned to me, so I can’t just sell it as I want.”

Bear had fallen in love with the Living Armors after what he had seen that night. They would operate without pay, and he didn’t need to worry about betrayal, unlike humans. Bear was willing to pay more than a hundred gold for it.

However, Theo knew the true value of this bracelet, so a hundred gold was a ridiculously small amount.

[+? Defend Me, These Tin Cans! (Accessory)]

[This is an artifact made with ancient magic which can summon autonomously moving living armor. The soldiers attached to this bracelet, made by Yellow Tower Master Norden, will move with their owner’s magic power. Additionally, their performance will increase if the owner continues to supply magic power. Up to six soldiers can be called at once. Once fully powered, the soldiers can withstand attacks supplemented with aura. The armor and swords are all made of an unknown material.

* The rating of this magic tool is Treasure.

* When consumed, a large amount of magic power will be absorbed.

* When consumed, the digestion time will be four days.

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)

* (Can’t be grasped with the 4th stage Appraisal ability.)]

The living armor soldiers were durable enough to take aura attacks with only superficial damage! Theo had tried sparring with them, and found that they had the combat capability of first rate warriors. The surface of the armor had only distorted slightly when hit by 4th Circle spells, so it had the durability of adamantium.

One hundred gold coins was nowhere close to its true value. Moreover, it was something which Kurt III had lent him, so Theo couldn’t sell it. There was no room for negotiation, so Bear soon gave up. Greed was a merchant’s driving force, but reckless greed would only hurt him. Additionally, Bear’s discerning eyes couldn’t discover the truth of the bracelet, so it was best to let it go.

“Then I’ll see you later! Take care!” Bear bid Theo a last farewell before walking away.

Theo looked at Bear’s back for a moment, before soothing the subtle emotions stirring within him. From now on, it was time for the owner of the grimoire, Theodore Miller, to move in earnest.

Hmm… It is still too early to go there.

After checking the position of the sun, Theo looked around slowly. Kargas’ border city, Sipoto, had the same name as the wilderness it stood next to, but the atmosphere was completely different. Merchants and tourists from other countries explored the streets, while sellers shouted in loud voices.

It truly felt like an exotic landscape to Theo. Although Sipoto fell behind the prosperous Meltor, it had its own mood. There were eyes, hair, and skin colors which weren’t common sights in Meltor. So, Theo’s eyes naturally moved back and forth, soaking in the sights.

For a brief moment, he forgot the weight on his back and moved like the young man he was.

***

Theo’s wandering didn’t last a long time. He was eating some delicious bread and fresh fruit that he’d found in a street stall when he realized the sun was setting. The clear eyes of the young man instantly sharpened. The time he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

It won’t appear if the sunset isn’t at its peak.

He had acquired this particular piece of information from interrogating Canis, the black merchant dealer in Bergen. They were naturally familiar with the shadowy underbelly of cities. Black market traders were famous for dealing with goods, but there were those who dealt in something else, like the Information Guild. Among them, the King of Mice was the best.

He never sets foot in the north, but in the central continent, he is more powerful than some noble families. I don’t know what will happen later, so familiarize yourself with the information now.

Canis’ words echoed in Theo’s mind as he entered the back alleys of Sipoto.

I didn’t know I would use that information this way.

The tales of bards told of simple passwords told to a trustworthy barkeep, but reality was not so kind. If they concealed the location of the Information Guild that poorly, who could trust the information they traded in? Theo let his senses expand, and his eyes turned gold as he used Hawkeye.

He kept an eye on the graffiti carved on the wall, the garbage on the ground, and the shabby roofs.

Six on the third pillar, three cracked planks...

Even trained agents would pale in comparison to Theo’s perception at the moment. It had only taken him a glance to decipher the password which looked like graffiti. He detected traps with his sixth sense and swiftly made his way through the twisted, maze-like alleys.

“... Here.”

Ten minutes later, Theo was in front of a door at the end of an alley. It was evident that Theo had come to the right place. He lifted a hand without hesitation.

Knock knock knock, knock, knock, knock knock knock knock knock knock.

Three brief knocks, followed by two single ones, then six brief knocks. He didn’t know if the knock which Canis had taught him was still valid, but it was good if they responded.

If they ignored it, Theo would find another way. He could use the plaque Bear gave him to obtain information without the Information Guild. Or he could also use force and take what he wanted.

Now, how will they act?

Theo calmly waited.

Kkiiik-

The shabby door opened, and a burning smell floated out with the breeze.