Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Rickart decided to stay one day at the inn Sandy recommended. Sounds of rats roaming around the ceiling and walls were heard, but it was the same when living in Stormhearts so it didn't matter much.

Washing in cold water, washing worn clothes, and getting into fresh bedding, the fatigue accumulated from long walking and sleeping outdoors seemed to rush in all at once.

It was an age to run around a lot, eat a lot, sleep a lot, and grow a lot. Without tossing and turning, Rickart fell asleep in an instant.

But it felt like he only blinked once, when someone woke him up and saw dawn light coming through the window.

"Ricky, Ricky."

Sitting up and looking back, it was Sandy. she was already ready.

"Do we have to go already?"

"No. We have time. You can prepare slowly."

"Wait a moment."

Rickart rubbed his swollen eyes with his hands and got up from the bed in his underwear. And rummaging through his bag tried to take out money. Since he had to pay the wage for guiding.

"You don't have to give money."

"Why?"

"How can I take money from our cute junior young master?"

"Still."

"Since I had business going to headquarters anyway, let's count it as accompanying. How about it? Here, lift your arms."

Sandy brought Rickart's clothes dried by the fire overnight and tried to dress him. They were even ironed, wondering why she went this far.

"I had a younger brother about your size."

As if reading Rickart's thoughts, Sandy spoke about the reason for treating him well. However, she didn't explain at length. That was all.

Rickart put on the upper garment and stared up at Sandy, then said smiling softly.

"Thank you, Sandy. Sandy's heart is as pretty as your face."

Then, perhaps slightly surprised, Sandy's eyes became round and returned quickly. A smile spread on her lips too.

"You will make many women cry when you grow up."

She also put on his shoes, perhaps because they were dried thoroughly by the fire overnight, they didn't smell at all. Putting feet in, a warm and pleasant touch was felt.

"Check well if you lost anything. Let's eat and leave right away."

"Yeah."

Rickart slung his bag and took his dagger. Inside the bag were the admission letter, travel food, extra underwear, and travel money.

Leaving the room and coming down to the lower floor, a dim and quiet hall appeared. Since it was dawn no one was there, and stew in a large cast-iron pot placed on the brazier was boiling.

Unidentifiable ingredients were floating in crimson broth, it was what was called Eternal Stew.

Putting in whatever ingredients available continuously and pouring water or alcohol endlessly to eat as needed, it was called Eternal Stew because it didn't decrease.

Sandy ladled two bowls and brought them to the table. Had to drink or eat with hands without spoons.

When Rickart drank a sip, it tasted sour and somehow repulsive, or should say edible, a taste that couldn't be explained at all.

One thing was certain. As if some magic powder was added, it was strangely addictive.

Rickart held the bowl and drank blowing on it, then suddenly got curious.

"About the Chicken Coup. Do women also live together there?"

"No. Women separately. About 80 people. Why? Interested?"

"Not that, things like using swords are a bit much for women. Since strength is weaker."

"Ah, that? It's fine because of Mana Drive. Mana Drive can be learned by women too, and then the difference in muscle strength almost disappears."

"Mana Drive?"

"Derived from something called Codex, should I say a method to use mana inside our body to strengthen physical ability or weapons? Anyway, different from magicians' magic and more physical, sorry. Don't know well, me neither. They don't tell us in detail either."

"Then did Sandy learn it too?"

"Yeah. But not anyone can learn it. First have to feel mana, some kids feel it naturally while suffering like dogs in Chicken Coup, or some feel it quickly with natural talent, and some can't feel it even if they die and wake up. And feeling mana isn't the end. Increasing the amount of mana and making it clean without impurities is another realm."

"First time hearing it. Sounds like some magic."

Rickart couldn't understand well what Sandy was saying. Since they said they want to resemble me from 100 years ago, doing something I haven't done, wondered what this was.

"If magicians use their heads to do it, you can consider us rolling our bodies to learn it."

"Then what do you mainly do in Chicken Coup to learn that?"

"Just, well, raising flexibility, stamina training, swordsmanship class, bare-hand combat, and meditation. Ah right, and have to pay donation separately for each class."

"Donation?"

"What class to take is your freedom. Don't have to take. But if not taking, can't compete. Can pay donation or not, but if not paying makes people miserable. So kids try to earn money somehow in spare time. Doing so some just fall into that path, some can't endure and leave, like that."

In fact, donations were operated similarly not only in Adventurer Academies but also generally in academies studying academics.

There was no fixed tuition, it was a method of paying money autonomously to the professor teaching the lecture.

There was no distinction of grade, just tasks to do as years accumulated.

Rickart listened attentively to what Sandy said, and drew a picture in his head roughly about how the Academy ran.

And listening to Sandy, the stew cooled down enough to eat, and Rickart could eat in earnest.

When half eaten, Sandy had already finished eating. She spoke again.

"I don't know well. If told to do again won't do even if I die, but like Blatt said, seems it wasn't meaningless time."

"I know what that feels like. Overcoming hardship and adversity together makes one feel closer than blood brothers."

"......What life have you really lived?"

"Haha, just heard stories."

Rickart thought of fellow soldiers dying in past life. Couldn't remember every single one, but comrades were definitely a special relationship.

Prepared to throw away life for me, and belief that I would do so too. So moments laughing promising not to thank each other even if saving life, and not to be sad whoever dies.

Ricky was a person who lost more people in such relationships than anyone. When they died one by one, felt something inside me also dying one by one.

Rickart recalling old thoughts felt gloomy for no reason and drank gulping without chewing ingredients properly. As if swallowing tears.

"You are very strange."

"Huh?"

"Look like a young master who never suffered, but taking heads of Bilton brothers, but now looking pitiful for some reason. You will really make many women cry."

"Will Sandy cry too?"

At the joke Rickart threw, Sandy burst into laughter loudly. Rickart also laughed back.

"You are still young? After about 10 years Noona will think about it."

"Might have to stand in line then."

Sandy laughed louder than before. Truly a rare young master. Without arrogance unique to nobles, nor timidness unique to young age, had composure.

"Done eating? Shall we go?"

"Yeah."

The two rose from their seats. Outside was a world of deep water color. Dawn air was somewhat cold but felt refreshing.

Unlike using side paths until coming to Rheinfurt, the road to Beringen was a main road. Occasionally passed travelers, migrants, merchants.

Basically most were armed people, or people hiring them, but people going around a lot itself seemed relatively safe.

Maybe four or five hours passed since leaving the city. The world was all navy blue, around the time slowly finding their own colors. Green sprouts, pink flowers, blue sky, white clouds.

Unlike Arno, Sandy had much thoughtfulness. Rested often thinking of Rickart when didn't really have to.

And touched his hair often, jokes increased gradually, distance between each other became closer when sitting. Rickart thought such companionship wasn't too bad. No, it was good.

Curious about Sandy's younger brother, but didn't ask. Because didn't want to ruin her mood.

Fork in road came, and a heavy signpost coming up to knees was set up on the right roadside. Beringen was written on the signpost.

"From here to Beringen walking slowly takes three days, walking fast can go within two days. Four days left until 14th, what do you want to do?"

"Let's go slowly."

At the word let's go slowly Sandy laughed looking good. Like that the two people's steps were slow, but light.

Then unnoticed the paved road ended. Just ordinary dirt road continued into the forest, the two went into the forest and kept walking.

Then when sun reached mid-sky, reached a place where a hut with a waterwheel turning stood alone.

"It's Waltz's Pub. Operated for 3 generations, quite a few greenhorns can't even budge here. Person with many connections here and there. Himself fights well too."

"Then shall we eat here and go?"

"Yeah."

"I'll pay. For the lady."

"Funny. Said don't do that."

Rickart displayed textbook etiquette of nobles. Just said jokingly knowing Sandy disliked such things.

Sandy didn't like noble things much. Liking Rickart was because he was noble yet not noble-like.

The two entered Waltz's Pub. Inside were a few guests who came first, all had atmosphere of adventurers with light armaments.

However, being adventurers didn't mean knowing everyone, even if belonging to same guild, if branch or clan was different, were strangers.

Moreover, since sometimes they tried to kill abruptly if guilds were different, meeting fellow adventurers wasn't just welcoming.

Waltz's Pub was a special place acting as a kind of neutral zone.

Sandy walked familiarly to the bar and ordered food from Waltz. No separate menu, made with ingredients available then so couldn't choose what.

Fortunately, wasn't something like Eternal Stew. Just corn soup and smoked meat.

The two sat at a table and had pleasant conversation without substance. When Sandy talked about absurd and fun memories experienced while attending Academy, Rickart chimed in.

Then before food came, someone else entered the pub. Two men, looking around inside discovered Sandy.

Sandy also saw them, surprised, turned her head quickly and put on the hood urgently.

Don't know why acting like this, but seemed not wanting to show face much. But seemed already late.

Two people approached this way, one said smirking.

"Who is this? Isn't it Beringen's whore Sandy? You saw too right?"

"Yeah. But didn't know taste was for such young kids. How did you serve those old geezers?"

"......"

Sandy couldn't say anything. Rickart was also dumbfounded and had nothing to say.

"Let's go."

Sandy suddenly stood up and left the pub without eating ordered food. Rickart also followed her.

Coming out of the pub she was walking with fast steps. Rickart ran a little to catch up with her, and tried to walk again but Sandy walked fast as if trying to shake him off.

So repeated running and walking. Then Sandy stopped suddenly, and said without looking back at Rickart still wearing hood.

"It's true."

"What?"

"What they said is true. Skill was lacking to become High Class. Didn't have only good memories."

Rickart looked at her back blankly and said.

"So what."

"Huh?"

"Did you think I would consider you dirty?"

"......"

"You don't know. What really dirty is."

Sandy looked back at Rickart. Tears from shame and humiliation were gathered in her eyes.

"Let's go. I'll share what sister-in-law made. It's delicious."

Saying so this time Rickart took steps first. Sandy stood somewhat dazed, then followed the boy.

Forest was shaded because of trees but not dark since still midday. The two walked the forest path where sunlight split and fell between branches.

But walking silently for a while, someone standing leaning against a tree was seen in front. It was the man who called Sandy a whore earlier. As if used some magic, went ahead and was waiting.

And looking back his party stood behind.

"What are you doing?"

Sandy asked revealing hostility. Then he said smirking like earlier.

"Since from same Academy do some service."

"Crazy bastard."

"Those old geezers ok, but young kid like me not ok? But taste is young kids again?"

"Not like that. This kid is Academy entrant."

"Ah, is that so? Not taking to Chicken Coup after giving service and seducing? Does it give prize if recruiting ignorant kid."

"Said not like that. Move. Our clan won't stay still."

"What you gonna do if pussies don't stay still?"

Seemed not just mischievous prank. So Sandy took out sword and whip tied to both waists. And said quietly towards Rickart.

"Run away unconditionally. Go to that pub earlier somehow, and contact our kids in Rheinfurt."

"......"

"Whatever happens will protect you. Don't be nervous. Just run unconditionally."

Then two adventurers approached from front and back. They also drew weapons.

"What are you babbling. Think we'll let run away?"

One in front walked slowly, then swung sword held in one hand sideways. Then bush was cut straight really cleanly.

Simultaneously, approached fast like wind hard to follow with eyes for ordinary person.

Sandy swung whip quickly, but he dodged bowing upper body in that short moment and approached faster.

Sandy swung sword in opposite hand. Then opponent retreated unexpectedly easily.

Reason he retreated was actually to draw attention. Real was hand reaching for Rickart from behind.

Seemed trying to capture as hostage to threaten. Since injuring Sandy wasn't purpose from start.

One behind reached out to catch Rickart. However Rickart twisted body to dodge, and simultaneously opponent's wrist stung. Blood poured from there.

"Ugh! Fuck!"

He retreated surprised, and Rickart was holding dagger drawn unnoticed.

One approaching Sandy also surprised then this time swung sword towards Rickart like lightning.

Sandy retreated slightly sideways feeling skill difference, then seeing that scene was greatly surprised.

"No!"

Her scream echoed in forest. However situation completely different from tragedy thought unfolded.

Rickart held dagger in reverse and struck down sword swung at him.

Clang!

Metal sound heard, opponent's sword broke. Because sword broke opponent lost center of gravity and body tilted.

While broken sword grazed Rickart's hair and bounced in air, Rickart in that short moment loaded all body weight and fed kick to opponent's calf like swinging club.

With thud sound, opponent's knee bent sideways and fell completely on floor.

Still because body trained somewhat, left leg numb paralyzed and head white empty, but opponent tried to raise body reflexively.

But couldn't. Because, sharp dagger's tip was under chin.

"Don't move."

Cold warning fell on his face. He looked up at Rickart with only upper body slightly raised. Expressionless face as if emitting cold air.

His colleague bleeding from wrist couldn't do this or that. Expression greatly surprised not knowing what this was.

While serious silence continued, Rickart spoke coldly once more.

"Isn't it situation you wanted?"

"W-What?"

"You just didn't expect you getting beaten, it is situation you wanted. Isn't it?"

Start quarrel first, take out weapon and attack, meant didn't you cause this situation itself.

"......Wh-What."

"Since you say trying to resemble me I'll tell you. Useless however fast if not understanding point of force. Mana or whatever meaningless. Got it?"

"......"

"And, you will become careful with words whether wanting or not in future."

Saying so Rickart stabbed skin under chin. Pierced through tongue and pulled out again.

"Aaaak! Cough! Keuk! Keoheok!"

He just screamed then blood crossed over throat coughing.

Rickart wiped dagger on his front, stood up and wore at waist again.

"Let's go."

Sandy was frozen on spot too surprised, Rickart grabbed her wrist and left scene.

Whether sun covered by clouds for moment, forest shade seemed somewhat thicker.

Part 3 - Shadow of 100 Years Ago. End.