Chapter 411 – 117. Toward Essenmund (3)
“What nonsense are you talking about! We are not your friends!”
After saying that, they all glared at me. Two soldiers entered the wagon. They all seemed to be swordsmen who had mastered mana.
Other guards who noticed the commotion in the wagon. They hurriedly surrounded the wagon.
Hans hurried into his seat and tried to fix the problem. Guards blocked it. Hans shouted to them.
“You know who this is! If you are rude, everyone will be seriously hurt!”
“Bullshit! I don’t know if it’s in other regions, but in the north where Lion King rules, that kind of language doesn’t work! If you are a noble, you should formally request a visit to the castle like a noble!”
Perhaps Hans said it out of concern for those guards.
At those words, the guards’ eyes grew fiercer. I raised my hand to stop Hans.
“Stop it. Hans. There will be no problem.”
At that, the guards all looked at me in unison. One of them said
“From the looks of it, he seems to be a young master from an aristocratic family in a foreign country. If so, park your wagon over there and obtain formal permission to enter. Even if you are not an Essenmund, if you get permission to enter, there will be no problem.”
I didn’t wear particularly flashy clothes.
Although rather inconspicuously dressed in plain clothes. The senior guard among the guards seems to have noticed that I am a nobleman.
‘Looks like I’m mistaken that I’m not an Essenmund.’
And, the energy felt from the senior was the sharpest.
Do you look older than 40? Although he was a guard, he might have entered the realm of Auror.
I made eye contact with him and said.
“That is troublesome. I want to go right through the gate like this.”
When I said that, the guard’s subordinates all became angry at once.
“Where are you talking nonsense like that! It’s an exhibition now! You don’t know when demons, demons, or western soldiers will attack! I can’t play with the immature aristocrat’s pranks…”
That was the moment.
I stared straight at the senior guard. I communicated my will.
“No. We won’t have any problems getting in. Because… I just want to pass through here quietly.”
“Such sophistry… Hmm?”
At the same time, the senior guard’s eyes changed. He, who had exuded a keen spirit just before, had calmed down.
“Captain Riggs? Why?”
For a moment, his subordinate guards looked at him as if wondering. But soon they too. His eyes softened like a senior guard.
No, it was like being possessed by something. At that moment, the senior guard bowed towards me.
“Sorry. There is no problem with access, but we caused a commotion.”
And at his words, the other subordinate guards also bowed in unison.
“Sorry! We’ve taken your precious time! Forgive me!”
“All right. I don’t want to cause a commotion either. I hope you can hurry up and let us through.”
“I will! Hey, get them all through! These are people who have no problem with their qualifications!”
The senior guard shouted. And the guards who apologized once again withdrew from the group.
Then the companions put on a relieved expression. Above all, Lucia, a Southerner, seems to have put her mind at ease.
“I was worried that something had happened. It’s just because of me…”
“No. I don’t want to. In the first place, if I reveal my identity, there will be no problem entering and exiting anywhere in Essenmund. Still, in this city, I tried to pass quietly and unnoticed. I’ve been having trouble with it for a while.”
For a moment, the companions made puzzled faces. Eirin said.
“But how did the authors resign without revealing our identities…”
The other group’s eyes were the same. Tricia said.
“Erin-san is right. It was as if the guards were all hypnotized. But Yulian-nim didn’t use that kind of magic.”
Tricia is an elven spirit. Her use of magic was very easy for her to spot. Lucia listened to her.
“Among them, the senior guards seemed to be quite strong prosecutors. Mental magic such as suggestion or hypnotic magic would not work easily on such people…”
But the method I used wasn’t magic. She put on a puzzled expression.
I smiled at my companions and said.
“Perhaps those guys didn’t like being bothered either. So it looks like he just sent it.”
“Hmm. Okay. It seems like Julian-sama didn’t like being bothered. However, since we got through safely like this, it doesn’t matter anyway.”
Tricia answered with a slight smile.
I guess I noticed that I did something. As expected of her cool girl, she didn’t bother to ask for more details.
The carriage moved again. Upon entering the castle, the party looked beyond the window.
I was looking through the window as well. I briefly recalled what I had done a moment ago.
‘Dominion. Quite useful.’
It was. With the demonic power of control, I instantly returned the will of the guards.
‘I’m satisfied. Well, it’s the dominance that even Unir resisted. Even excellent wizards and swordsmen won’t be able to notice my dominance.’
Although the principle is different from magical hypnosis.
Through Magi, I instilled in them my will to pass quietly and without causing trouble.
So they were instantly influenced by my will. For a moment, even their will was dominated by me.
‘This is almost like creating a reality manipulation.’
I was satisfied with realizing once again the power of my demonic dominance. He spoke calmly to his companions without showing off.
“Then let’s go to the inn.”
***
The party settled down at an inn.
Since Yutra wasn’t a big city here, the inns weren’t that big either. At least, we decided to find an inn that doubled as a moderately large bar and stay overnight there.
The room was divided into two parts. The man, Hans, and I share the same room. And the rest of the female party ended up sharing the same room.
After putting down their luggage, the party moved to the inn’s restaurant. I purposely came to a place where business was good. The atmosphere there was lively.
‘Not bad.’
I am here in Essenmund. In particular, he intended to look at trends in western Essenmund, such as Harsen.
We sat down with a group of friends at a table and ordered dinner. And in the meantime, I overheard the conversation of the guests here.
Several people who appeared to be mercenaries were talking.
“A mobilization order was issued in Harsen. Harsen is the largest city in this west. It seems that the atmosphere is unusual everywhere.”
“Harsen? Well, that city is a transportation hub and also a military important place, so it’s worth it. Then, is the enemy kingdom allied forces?”
“Hmm… It’s halfway to say that it’s an allied kingdom. Well, as you know, the kingdom union is already occupied by the Byrea Mercenary Corps, isn’t it?”
“Not only that, three. The Byrea Mercenary Corps are actually no different from the Demonic Beast Army. It seems that most of those commanders are married.”
At those words, the mercenaries’ eyes grew serious.
“You’re a married man! So, does that mean that the West has already been taken over by the Witchbeast?”
“It seemed so. Rumors have been heard that even the monsters summoned from the Keiatic Gate in the west are joining the mercenary with all their strength.”
“Is that possible? If that’s the case… The union of the kingdoms must already be hell.”
“Well, where would it be? There is no safe place anywhere in Island right now. At least Essenmund is ruled by the Lion King, so things are better than other places.”
Lion ball. Everyone nodded at the mention of Marquis Wilhelm von Reinhardt.
“Still, as long as the Lion King is alive and well, Essenmund will not fall.”
“Sounds obvious! Anyway, the call-up order given to Harsen is to fight against the monster army after all. We have no choice but to go to get our share. Perhaps Harsen will become our grave.”
“It will not be an easy battle. To gather troops like this. It means that the high-ranking people of Harsen already predicted that a big war would break out.”
“Don’t say anything stupid! Because the beer tastes bad! And we’re better off. The Knights of the White Nights will definitely come to Harsen to help.”
And they talked for a while about my maternal grandfather.
“By the way, the Lion King is great as expected. It is said that even now he personally goes out to permafrost with the Knights of the Midnight Sun to stop the demons himself.”
“Where does that fame go? He said that if he hadn’t stopped the permafrost, the empire would have perished long ago.”
“Then! Anyway, the people of the Reinhard family are really amazing. Same with Lion King. The same goes for the great saintess. To save an empire from generation to generation like that. It’s not the best name in the empire for nothing.”
The more the beer mug is empty. They continued eagerly recounting the saga of the two Reinhardts.
“It seems that Yulian-nim’s maternal grandfather is highly respected. With Julian-sama’s mother.”
Tricia told me if she was overhearing it too.
My companions noticed me. Ei-Lin added her words.
“You two have such a great reputation. Such a reaction would not be surprising. In particular, here in Essenmund, the two of you are praised as great saints who are no different from the apostles of the former Loia.”
Everyone nodded their heads at the explanation. Lucia also spoke cautiously.
“Because even I, a southerner, know how great they are. The Essenmundians must be very proud of you two.”
Like Lucia said. Even those who are mercenaries, not regular soldiers.
As soon as the story of the two heroes began, the drinking party became lively. When the mercenaries talked like that.
The subject of the mercenaries’ conversation suddenly changed.
“Let’s see! By the way. Harsen, where we should go… Come to think of it, isn’t that the count’s lord?”
“Count? As for Count Harsen… Ah, Julian von Reinhardt. I guess I’m talking about that person. He is the successor of Lion Ball.”
At those words, the eyes of the companions changed. Those mercenaries are no one else. Was just talking about me.
“Come to think of it, the story of that other Reinhardt has been a hot topic lately. Even Yutra here is not far from Harsen. We often talk about that Count.”
“Hmm. Count Julian. Rumors abounded about him in Essenmund, but…”
“Especially on the bad side. Wasn’t he really famous? He is an idiot.”
“But that is also a thing of the past. The latest rumors are surprising. No, it’s not a rumor. He was said to have played an active part in Cardinal Grius’ rebellion.”
“But this northern part is far from the ecliptic. Its authenticity is…”
“Ah! If that’s true, I know very well. Not too long ago, I met and talked to a mercenary who belonged to the resistance!”
“Really? In that case, tell me about the count quickly!”
I was embarrassed for a moment. In a city with no connections like this. I was embarrassed that someone was talking about me.
‘It looks like dinner is roughly finished. Shall we go back to the inn?’
But that was the time. Everyone in the group shook their heads when they saw me about to get up. Tricia met my eyes and smiled brightly.
“I’m just going to listen to that. Mr. Julian.”
At that, she sat back in her seat without hesitation.
***
The night was deep.
The party went back to their respective rooms. It was the same with the female companions.
The room where the female party stayed had two beds. The party changed into pajamas and sat on their respective beds. And the chatter went on for a long time.
“I’m sorry it’s already night. I haven’t been able to look around other than the inn…”
Said Cecilia. Ei-rin replied to her.
“Don’t be too heartbroken. Reinheim is a much bigger city than this one. There is more to see.”
After saying that, Cecilia was tightly embraced by Ei-Lin.
“As expected, Eirin-san is kind!”
Tricia watched him and smiled.
“It seems that Cecil likes Ei-Lin more than me, her real sister. So, is she upset?”
“Oh, sister! That… That…”
“It’s a joke. After all, everyone here is Cecile’s real sister, aren’t they?”
At those words, Lucia, not Cecilia, blushed.
“I see… We are Yulian-sama’s…”
The words that followed were omitted by Lucia, perhaps ashamed. Tricia continued her words.
“Of course, unlike you all, I’m no different from a guest. Everyone seems to be in a good mood though. Is it because you heard the praise of your husband-to-be?”
At that, Lucia hurriedly nodded her head.
“The mercenaries I was talking with a while ago seemed to be well aware of Yulian-nim’s rumors, no news. As the mercenaries say, not everyone receives the Imperial Medal of Honor.”
And Lucia, just like before. She began to tell the story of Yulian’s saga on her own.
“At that time! The image of Julian-sama who took Siertia to punish Grius was so brave and dignified…”
Although Lucia had already said it three times in her dorm room.
Lucia, with her usual few words, is uncharacteristically agitated and speaking her many words. Everyone was happily listening to her.
It was then. Her party’s door opened and someone came in. Lucia, who had a happy expression on her face while talking about Yulian. Her expression hardened coldly.
“Who are you!”
Having said that, Lucia had already pulled out her sword. But the person who actually entered was a familiar face to everyone.
Cecilia shouted at that moment.
“Brother Julian!”
