The closed-off village of Calbain is an ancient hunter’s settlement. Calbain has existed long before Rainberg came to dominate the Quilz Castle. Even now, they maintain an amicable relationship, but neither Quilz nor Calbain considers the other their territory.
The personnel dispatched to Calbain are not exceptional knights or soldiers. They are not needed. Shiny silver armor of knights holds no use in Calbain. Even the prestigious Imperial Knights mean nothing more than ordinary humans within Calbain.
Occasionally, there are individuals from Calbain who venture out to the city, and those of Calbain origin have all shown remarkable strength and prowess once outside. A prime example is the young “Karacal,” who started as a foot soldier a few years ago and rose to the position of captain of the guard.
The people of Calbain are strong.
They possess strength far surpassing that of the people of Quilz and the Empire. Everyone knows this fact. However, the reasons behind it have become a public secret since the time when Calbain’s territory was governed by Rainberg’s father. It remains a taboo, known but unspoken.
The environmental factors of going hunting since the age of seven, a life on the untamed lands bordering the Ain’s territory – these are mere surface reasons.
The real reason is that they are not descendants of “humans.”
Yet Rainberg did not discriminate against Calbain.
Except for menial workers and porters, the dispatched unit was composed entirely of Calbain natives. Guard Captain Karacal and his subordinates, as well as merchants responsible for fur trade between Calbain and Quilz Castle, were all from Calbain. However, there were no complaints about me leading the dispatched unit. The Quadruplets had achieved remarkable feats over the years, and now, rather than being reclusive, they were more famous as awakened Spirit Users.
Calbain is a cold place.
They wore thick coats made of yak leather and fur boots to protect their toes. They also wore fur hats dyed with indigo and embroidered with Rainberg’s emblem. It was my second journey carving Rainberg’s emblem and leaving.
There were three carriages.
One was loaded with gifts and supplies for Calbain, another carried investigators and clerks, and the last one was for me. It’s certainly worth the name. Travelling alone in a carriage, it’s first-class.
Guard Captain Karacal and his twelve subordinates traveled on horseback. Though not formal knights, their demeanor was impressive, typical of Calbain hunters who hunted wolf packs alone. It seems Father’s attention to Calbain isn’t unwarranted after all.
I recalled my purpose as I sat alone in the carriage. Investigating the events in Calbain is not my top priority. My father entrusted me with confirming the presence of the awakened masters appearing in Calbain. Rainberg had been focused on identifying these awakened masters and secretly recruiting them. I heard Wooshas had received Father’s request for a long absence.
The ear-piercing screams of Count Schwarzen still echoed vividly in my ears.
Demons, the enemies of humanity.
Beyond acknowledging the existence of impostors, Father would likely try to handle things swiftly. If another major war breaks out, the Kynakhan Empire will fall. It won’t be long now. Until the day the impostors in the Empire are eradicated.
—
The farthest reaches of the territories governed by the Empire.
A place far removed even from the fortified borders.
The village closest to the Ain’s territory in the Kynakhan Empire.
The journey to Calbain was rugged, made arduous by erratic weather.
While Quilz Castle was adorned with blossoming flowers due to the warm weather, as soon as we passed the outpost manned by soldiers, we were met with blizzards and gales. If not for the wheels of the carriage made of special wood resistant to cold and impact, they would have broken long ago. The porters huddled inside the carriage. Even the people of Quilz, accustomed to cold, couldn’t withstand the chill here.
The trade route, however, was somewhat bearable due to hunters selling fur and meat. Looking a little further away, one could see mountains piled higher than one’s waist and covered in white snow.
“What a sight.”
A couple of black yaks looked at me from a hill. I heard they roam in herds. Could it be due to dwindling prey? The sight of the yak trotting away felt lonely.
Thud!
Dalbi had been playing outside since earlier. With his golden fur bouncing around in the snow, he almost looked like a moving snowball. Now that we’ve passed the fort, it’ll still be a while before we reach Calbain.
Sitting alone in the carriage was a bit uncomfortable. I slept in the carriage, and food was brought to me by the servants. Calbain people hardly rested. They ate dried meat while riding their horses, and sleep was only when the horses rested. Remarkable stamina. I didn’t mind the cold, having acquired “Qi” through Ranista’s training, but even without special training, the people of Calbain were resilient.
“Sir Karacal.”
I opened the window and called out to Karacal.
The commander of the escort for this expedition, Karacal.
He silently approached the carriage.
He was rumored to be in his mid-thirties.
A man from Calbain who enlisted as a foot soldier, served as a deputy in the border defense unit, and rose to become the captain of the guard at Quilz Castle. He resembled the Empire’s people, but upon closer inspection, there were subtle differences.
Despite his youth, his hair and beard were as white as snow. His mane was so thick, like a lion’s mane stretching out.
“He was much bigger than Ranista. About 2 meters tall? But what stood out the most were his eyes. They were eerie, more akin to those of a beast than a human. You might not notice at first glance, but when you meet his gaze and engage in conversation, it becomes unmistakable. They were fierce and wild, much like the eyes of an eagle.
‘What do you want?’
Even his voice carried an air of intimidation.
It was the youngest son of Rainberg calling out my name, and yet he expected such a concise response from me!
Anyone would find it difficult to approach him, given his intimidating appearance, but not me.
‘Ride the carriage.’
‘I…’
For a moment, Karacal seemed unsure of how to respond. With his mouth closed, he furrowed his brow slightly before politely declining.
‘It’s alright.’
‘Uh, it’s not a request. It’s an order.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Ride the carriage.’
There are times when even I get confused.
Was my personality shaped by the invaders of Earth, or was it already broken to begin with?
Given the circumstances where he almost spilled the beans, he seemed more inclined towards the latter.
‘You’re bored, so keep me company.’
Perhaps Karacal had never encountered someone like me before.
He glared at me fiercely with his eagle-like eyes, seeming to gauge my intentions rather than seeing me as an enemy. I swung the carriage door open wide.
‘Self, take a break.’
Reluctantly, Karacal made his way to the carriage.
***
There was one reason why I wanted to converse with him.
‘Karacal, have you seen the Ains?’
“…Several times.”
Karacal blatantly disliked conversing with me.
‘Have you been to the Ains’ territory?’
“I’ve been there a few times.”
However, because it was a conversation with Rainberg’s precious young master, he made an effort to restrain himself and answer sincerely.
“Alright. Tell me everything you’ve seen and heard about the Ains.”
What I was doing now was quite rude. And Karacal, even when dealing with Rainberg’s esteemed young master, was a man who would speak up if lines were crossed.
“I’m sorry, but it’s difficult to discern your intentions, sir. Why exactly are you interested in the land of the savages?”
“Because I must go there someday.”
“…To the Ains’ land, sir?”
“I am a mage. Even Lady Libera spent time in the Ains’ land for training when she was young.”
Karacal paused for a moment, looking out the window.
I continued to persuade him. He seemed to be holding something back. Eventually, Karacal resumed speaking, and I found myself listening to a more intriguing story than I had anticipated.
“When I saw the ‘star’ that shattered the banquet hall, it reminded me of something I had seen in the Ains’ land.”
“A star? You mean at my birthday party?”
“Calbain’s men undergo seven rites to become adults. The final rite is to ensure they do not forget Calbain’s roots by venturing into the land of the savages. The deeper and more numerous the experiences in the land of the savages, the more they are considered badges of courage. I… foolishly failed to distinguish between courage and recklessness. I ventured deeper into the land of the savages than anyone else, but what I found there… was the forbidden territory of the Ains.”
“Forbidden? Like the Great Abyss?”
Surprisingly, the eagle-like eyes of the Karacal swayed slowly, and fear began to settle in.
“That place is like a storm in the desert, akin to the wrath of the sea. It’s where the world changes with each step. There… lurked beings one dare not gaze upon.”
“Are they perhaps demons?”
“No, I’m certain they weren’t malevolent. They were simply… embodiments of nature…”
“Spirits?”
Karacal seemed to think so.
“I may not have seen or heard spirits, but they are closest to what one might call ‘spirits.’ The lands of the Ains are vast. It feels like an empire, as vast as villages… Sorry.”
Karacal seemed to regret his words. I merely shrugged. Despite being the son of Lord Rainberg, he held no reverence or affection for the empire.
“In the moment of death, swept away by the storm, I was barely spared by the Ains.”
“The Ains, the enemies of the empire, saved you.”
Karacal remained silent. He hadn’t forgotten our positions. Well, even if he defended the Ains, I wouldn’t care. In the Rainberg family, lions, foxes, and corpses thrive. What matter the Ains?
I found myself more curious than fearful about the being that could intimidate such a resilient man. I was even slightly pleased. I glanced at the moonlit night outside the window. Legendary monsters, just wait.
“It was a pleasure conversing with you, Karacal.”
Karacal nodded and swiftly leaped out of the carriage.
He was kinder than I had anticipated. Well, perhaps that’s why he left the village of Calbain.
—
We arrived in Calbain earlier than expected.
Though a village in the winter forest, it didn’t seem desolate.
Calbain, surrounded by tall palisades, was quite a prosperous village.
There were no gatekeepers, so we simply passed through the wide-open gates.
Though dozens of cabins were visible, there were no signs of people coming out. Karacal, seemingly accustomed to this, drove the carriage to the stable. Leaving only the stable hands to tend to the carriage and horses, we followed Karacal to explore the village.
