Chapter 25

Chapter 25 - Valda (1)

Homi looked at him with an expression that asked if he intended to accept the invitation.

"I have long wished to meet a magician. And this one is famous enough to be called the Mistress of the Forest. Aren't you curious as to what manner of reward she might offer?"

- She might turn us into frogs. Or perhaps decades will have passed by the time we leave the forest.

The hands speaking in sign language were trembling.

Homi was a squire who had fought bravely against the pack led by the Warg and had performed excellently through the Hall War and the Grand Banquet. Yet, seeing this side of her, she was still a girl raised in the countryside.

"If she were such a fearsome person, the city would not have invited her to the banquet."

Eugene stroked Homi's head.

"It is true that this world is filled with danger. However, the world cannot be so terrible that one who writes such a desperate letter would harm a guest."

It was not the intuition of a knight or one who understands mystery. Having lost a loved one himself, he could tell. This letter was written with naught but the desperation to save someone precious. There was no room for any other intent to intervene.

* * *

The following morning, Eugene visited the office of the Captain of the City Guard.

While Chief Magistrate Panis was technically the superior official, it was the Captain of the Guard who practically patrolled and defended the city and its roads.

"It's an honor to have you visit, Sir Knight."

The Captain nearly begged Eugene to speak comfortably to him when the knight attempted to use honorifics.

"I heard that you have visited the Emerald Forest and know the local geography well."

"Indeed. Please, ask anything."

Flap!

A large map was unfurled upon the reception table.

'A thing such as this is a map?'

Given the conditions of the era, it was unavoidable, but Eugene, who had often seen military maps, nearly blurted out, 'Are you jesting?'

Contour lines and quantitative scales were a luxury. It was closer to a rough sketch indicating major landmarks such as mountains, rivers, cities, and villages. Still, the range of mountains, the courses of rivers, major roads, good camping spots, and strategic points in wartime were quite informatively marked.

"This is a map we completed over ten years."

Seeing the Captain speak with such pride, it must be an excellent map by local standards.

"It's likely confidential material, so I thank you."

A map in the medieval era was a strategic resource that was not disclosed lightly. Setting aside the difficulty of its production, its utility was not limited to military purposes. It was a commercial weapon to monopolize better trade routes and a diplomatic weapon to gain an advantage in negotiations during territorial disputes.

"I can show this much and more to you, Sir Knight. It is right here."

A thick index finger pointed to a section of the map. It was a forest not far from the city, of considerable scale.

"Everything from the tree trunks to the rocks and paths is covered in green, hence the name Emerald Forest was given."

The Captain carefully observed Eugene's reaction.

"May I inquire for what purpose you intend to go there?"

"An invitation arrived from the forest."

"S-Surely, did it come from the Mistress of the Forest?"

The Captain was astounded. To his knowledge, there had never been an instance where the Mistress of the Forest had called someone to her abode.

"She did not refer to herself as the Mistress in the letter, however."

"It's a title we bestowed upon her. She is called by various names. The Eye that Sees Afar, the Witch of the Forest, and even the Maid who Walks atop the Wheat Fields."

"Witch of the Forest? Has she ever harmed people?"

"Never! Those who lost their way in the forest feared magic and chose to call her a witch as they pleased."

The Captain spoke because it was a name on people's lips, but he considered the title of witch to be irreverent.

"In the past, a group of bandits plagued the surroundings with plunder and rape. When the city gathered a mercenary group and sent a subjugation force, they all fled into the Emerald Forest. I too participated as a lieutenant at that time."

"It must have been a nightmare playing hide-and-seek in such a vast forest."

According to the map, it was possible to escape to various cities and villages via the forest.

"Indeed. However, the subjugation ended in an instant. The rascals came charging right into the arms of the army that had formed a siege outside the forest. They were skewered on spears and bolts just like that."

"... Were they all intoxicated as a group? Or were there dangerous monsters in the forest?"

The Captain smirked at Eugene's look of incomprehension.

"The bandits who surrendered said they had clearly fled deep into the forest, but when they came to their senses, they were charging out of it. They all had expressions as if they were possessed by ghosts."

"The work of a magician? Then a guerrilla war that would have taken months ended all at once."

"While the mercenaries were cursing and interrogating the surrendered bandits, everything suddenly went quiet. I looked to see what was happening, and there was a young Elf standing at the entrance of the forest."

Judging by the atmosphere of the story, it must be the magician of the forest, Valda. However...

"Wait a moment. An Elf?"

"Did you not know? The Mistress of the Forest is an Elf."

"Since I heard she lived in seclusion, I thought she was a magician who disliked people or studied the secrets of the forest. I had forgotten the possibility of her being an Elf."

His curiosity doubled. Elves live in vast forests that are difficult for humans to enter. While there are Elves active in human society, they are a rare sight in Bonyard, on the outskirts of the continent.

"She picked up her hem and greeted us gracefully."

- Brave warriors. I thank you for restoring peace to the forest and the surrounding villages. On behalf of the trees, flowers, animals, and farmers, I express my gratitude.

"It was the first time I had ever seen so many mercenaries gathered in such silence. There were even rascals who took off their helmets and bowed awkwardly."

If one had such an experience, awe would naturally arise. The Captain's expression as he recalled the time was as hazy as a dreaming boy.

"Afterward, the city has been indebted to her several times. Thus, we call her the Mistress of the Forest with respect."

The Captain took a deep breath and clenched his fist. What he was about to say stemmed from loyalty, but it might provoke the knight's anger.

"It's possible that someone sent it as a jest. Whether out of ugly jealousy or a grudge, they might have done so to play a trick on you, Sir Knight. There are more gloomily malicious fellows in this world than one might imagine."

Eugene let out a chuckle.

"You need not worry about that. I am certain the invitation is genuine."

"I-I see. If you say so, sir."

"May I draw a copy of the map? I intend to mark only the route leading to the forest."

"You may take it with you as it is."

"I shall take only the sentiment with gratitude."

Eugene transferred the map onto the paper he had brought. Since he only needed to draw the path leading from Bonyard to the Emerald Forest, the task was finished quickly.

"There is a merchant caravan departing in a similar direction. Traveling with them will make finding the way easier and camping more comfortable. I shall speak to them so that you may accompany them."

"..."

Eugene felt a strange sensation. Before gratitude, he felt a certain force of destiny. Starting with meeting Godfrey, knowing Maria and Marcus, forming a relationship with the city through Sorin, and now receiving an invitation after winning the duel, even finding a traveling companion... The ties that branched out from one point continued to branch out and join hands. It felt as if he were being guided toward a certain place.

"Thanks to the Captain, I shall have an easy journey. Thank you."

"Bonyard always welcomes Sir Eugene."

The Captain of the Guard saw him off past the office door. Before his gratitude as a key figure of the city, he respected the knight as a fellow man of arms.

* * *

Eugene and Homi departed the city.

Snort!

Homi was now riding a horse. Its name was Sandy. It was a warhorse raised in the deserts of Samur.

"Do you like him?"

Nod, nod.

The hand constantly stroking the horse's neck was overflowing with affection.

A desert warhorse is trained by stepping on sinking sand from a young age. Thanks to that, its leg muscles are sturdy, and it moves nimbly even on dirt paths or through streams. While it has the disadvantage of a slow top speed, it is an excellent horse that compensates for it. Its strength and endurance are superior, making it perfect for a squire carrying many burdens.

Looking at his purse, which still had ample funds even after buying such an expensive horse, Eugene couldn't help but smile.

"For having fought but three times, the efficiency is too good."

- Because for a knight's success, even if they fight but once, who they fight is what matters.

"Hmm?"

- Why are you like that?

"I was a bit surprised by such an unexpectedly mature answer."

- I have not had my coming-of-age ceremony yet, but I am now a full-fledged warrior and a squire.

"Yes, yes. I am sorry."

Eugene apologized to Homi, who was moving her fingers as if she were pouting.

The desert warhorse was purchased through a member of the Grand Meeting who owned a horse market. There was only one in Bonyard, and it was originally intended to be sold to a noble family in Roman.

"If we had come alone with nothing, we wouldn't have been able to buy it even with money. Not that we would have had the money, either."

Well-armed and with the heads of their steeds side by side, it was a sight that Eugene and Homi could not have imagined a mere two weeks ago.

Exiting the city gate, there were people waiting for them nearby.

"I ask for your cooperation during this brief journey."

"We shall serve you with all our might! Victorious Knight!"

The caravan leader, Caliver, bowed politely. He was the employer of the party consisting of 14 people, including two wagons, mercenaries, and laborers.

"Please, drop the 'Victorious' and just call me Eugene. It's embarrassing."

It was burdensome to have everyone, from mercenaries to porters—all those scruffy men—looking at him with sparkling eyes.

Eugene looked around at the crowd.

"Is there anyone here who has ever entered the Emerald Forest?"

"I... I have been there."

A freckle-faced mercenary holding an axe raised his hand.

"This is Carlson, a fellow who ran away from a nearby village where he was farming to become a mercenary," Caliver introduced.

"I would like you to tell me anything you know about the forest."

"Since it happened when I was very young..."

Carlson seemed to regret raising his hand, perhaps being of an introverted character as he was suddenly receiving attention.

"It's fine even if it is a trivial thing, so please, speak comfortably."

When Eugene handed him a copper coin, his face immediately became one where courage welled up. A copper coin opens the closed mouth of a mercenary, a silver coin makes them divulge secrets that would send a comrade to their death, and a gold coin makes them charge recklessly at knights or monsters. Such is the creature known as a mercenary.

After a brief cough to clear his throat, Carlson began to speak.

"When I was eight or nine, perhaps, I ran away from home. I argued with my parents over a trivial matter and fled, but I was caught quickly."

"If you were caught that quickly, you must not have been truly heartbroken."

Carlson scratched his head.

"Indeed. I was merely staging a protest out of jealousy because they favored the youngest too much. It's a common thing. I intended to return as if I couldn't help it when my mother searched for me with concern, but my father came chasing after me with a club."

Snickers of laughter were heard here and there.

"Thinking I would be beaten if I returned as I was, I simply ran away further."

"And the place you fled to was the Emerald Forest?"

"That is correct. I managed to lose my father somehow, but I lost my way. Oh, how terrifying it was when night fell in that state. Moreover, it was late autumn and quite cold."

Initially stiff due to the name of Victorious Knight, Carlson quickly became talkative as Eugene responded in a friendly manner. For mercenaries are naturally talkative creatures.

"As I wandered the forest while crying and eventually fell asleep, when I woke up, I was at the entrance. On top of my body, there was a very large owl."

"An eagle-owl?"

The fellow who had come to deliver the letter came to Eugene's mind.

"I know not the type, but it was extremely large. It had its wings spread out and was covering me like a blanket, and it was very warm. Though it happened nearly ten years ago, I still remember that warmth vividly. It had protected me from the cold all through the night."

Whether it was a good memory, Carlson's face was as sweet as if he were dreaming.

"When it confirmed I had woken, it flew back into the forest, but before departing, it half-closed its eyes and looked at me pathetically."

"..."

"It felt as if it were telling me not to worry my parents by running away, so I went back home crying right then. My thighs and buttocks were beaten until they blistered, and I was bedridden for about three days."

It's a rather interesting story, so everyone was listening intently.

"You didn't make that up, did you? An eagle-owl is a fearsome predator that has no match at night. Moreover, there's no way a beast could be so kind."

A mercenary who had been a hunter looked at Carlson with suspicious eyes.

"How would I dare to speak a falsehood before the Victorious Knight?"

"Who knows. You might have made it up to earn the copper coin you received."

Carlson had a look of injustice, but being before a senior, he dared not say anything.

"I believe Carlson's words. He doesn't seem like a fellow who would lie."

Carlson looked at him with a face full of gratitude.

"This is all I know of the forest."

"Thank you. It has been of great help."

Between assisting in the subjugation of the bandits and guiding and covering a lost boy, Valda seemed to be a kinder magician than he had thought.

"I intend to camp here for the night. Is that acceptable, Sir Knight?"

As evening fell, the caravan leader, Caliver, asked.

It would take two days from the city to the Emerald Forest, so camping once was sufficient. It was a small clearing beside a stream; it wasn't a particularly good place for guarding the surroundings. However, it was near the road, easy to gather branches, and had clear stream water nearby.

"Since you are the leader of this group, do as you please. I am merely a traveler accompanying you."

"Aiyoo, how could I treat an honorable knight so?"

Though he spoke así, Caliver looked delighted to have his authority as caravan leader respected.