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Amarion opened her eyes wide.
This was completely unexpected. She expected a fight like the one they had in the weeks before subjugation.
Victor smiled sadly at her expression.
“Why did you think I’d hold you back? I ended up sending you to subjugate as well. How could I refuse you?”
“…”
“And truly, I have no way of keeping you locked up. I don’t want to go sword-to-sword with you.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
Amarion hesitated several times and finally asked.
“But why are you here?”
“Because I’m going with you.”
She closed her eyes tightly. When her vague prediction became a reality, she felt dizzy.
“…You can’t do that, Victor. If the Grand Duke and his wife leave at the same time-“
“They would think that we could not overcome the passion of being wed and went on a honeymoon trip. It’s okay. The newly hired servants are competent, and they have a lot of sense.”
“It’s going to be a tough trip.”
“It’s better than being away from you.”
Victor stared straight at Amarion. His burning golden gaze pierced her like a spear. Victor’s voice was desperate.
“I’m such a pathetic guy that I can’t sleep without you.”
“Victor…”
“Please, let me be by your side.”
He begged, grabbing her hand. She was speechless at the sight of those burning eyes.
It was ridiculous. Her plan was too risky on its own. What if she got caught crossing a closed border? What if the illegal immigrant was the ‘Grand Duke of Death’?
There was no telling how big the problem would be. It was possible they would be labeled as traitors who violated an Imperial order.
But at the same time, she felt an unknown sense of relief.
He didn’t stop her or get angry. Without resentment or disappointment, he came forward to shoulder the difficult burden with her. She was only afraid of being hated by him.
She was grateful, sorry, and thrilled. So she spoke frankly.
“…I can’t refuse your request either.”
Victor’s eyes grew bigger. He breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“But we will follow a mercenary group, and it will be a very rough and dangerous road. I never wanted to drag you down this path.”
“If I can be by your side, I will do anything. Whatever it takes.”
He exhaled earnestly. She bit her lip. Indeed, it was ridiculous.
But she couldn’t turn him down. Even more so now that he begged her.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Only then did Victor’s face brighten. He looked like a child who had received a gift. He suddenly grabbed her hand and swung it back and forth.
“What are you so happy about?”
“This is our first trip alone.”
“As I said before, it will not be a romantic trip. I am already worried that you will resent me.”
“That won’t happen.”
He affirmed.
‘I hope so…’
She shook her head with a short sigh. Diederick, who had been watching their conversation, approached.
“Madame, I have something for you.”
Diederick handed over a letter. The letter was an introduction, written in handwriting she wasn’t familiar with.
“Miss Mary wrote it.”
Surprised, she opened up the folded piece of paper.
Mary’s letter of introduction roughly said this;
[The person who has this letter is a dear friend of Mary Melpin, the eldest daughter of Melpin family. Please treat them as if you were treating me.]
Diederick explained.
“Miss Mary’s letter of introduction will work on any healer, herbalist, or temple. It will definitely help you on your travels.”
“When did this-”
“I informed the knights and maids separately last evening.”
The old butler smiled.
“We managed to stop the knights from following you. Your maids and Lady Julianna said they would pray for your safe return.”
Amarion folded the letter in half and put it in her cloak pocket.
She was so grateful for their kind hearts. When she married Victor, she left the kingdom without being seen off. In the Capital and in Morte, countless people were praying for her well-being. Her heart ached.
“…Thank you. Tell them all I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes.”
Amarion added with all her heart.
“Diederick, thank you for always thinking about me and helping me. Neither the banquet nor this trip would have been possible without you.”
“It’s an honor, Madame.”
“Please take care while I’m away.”
“Don’t worry. I look forward to your safe return.”
Diederick bowed deeply.
Amarion clenched her fists and nodded. Then, with Victor, she rode her horse toward the rising sun.
It was the beginning of a new journey.
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Chapter VII. Mercenary Life
Morte was a land at the northeast end of the Empire. It occupied one-seventh of the Empire, bordered the Wasteland above, and part of the Eastern Kingdom. However, it did not share a border with the kingdom.
So the road from Morte to the kingdom was somewhat long. That was because they had to cross the border to the west and go from there. It was a long journey that took a month.
But they didn’t have the time, so she decided to use the way of mercenaries and Northerners.
“We’re going to cross the Wasteland.”
Amarion explained, chewing on a piece of beef jerky. Victor asked seriously.
“Wasteland? Isn’t that a dangerous area that borders the Black Mountains?”
“Yes, but it’s the fastest way.”
She explained, beckoning in the air.
“We’ll join a mercenary group in Morte to sneak across the border, then cross the Wasteland. After that, we’ll arrive in the northern part of the Empire and enter the kingdom.”
It was a crazy plan, even for her.
Even though it was illegal to cross the border twice, the Wasteland that occupied a large part of the North was hardly inhabitable. Because it embraced the Black Mountains, it was infested with monsters, and unusually hot. Most mercenaries hated it.
But it was the only way. They didn’t have much time.
Victor bit his lip. He looked like he had a lot to say. But he pressed down his questions and asked only one.
“Have you done this a lot?”
“I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve heard about the journey from many mercenaries. They say that if you cross like that, you don’t have to pay bribes at the gate.”
“…”
Victor thought quietly and nodded his head.
“I have never been, so I will follow your lead. But how are we going to join a mercenary group? I know you know a lot of mercenaries, but it will be difficult to find a group who will travel that path.”
Amarion confessed with some guilt.
“Actually, I’ve already found one.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“The day I heard from Lady Catalina and Sir Carlz, I sent letters to the mercenaries who previously visited the castle. I got a reply last night.”
Amarion stopped and took off her hood.
The mercenaries answered faster than expected. The place she promised to meet them was around here. She gripped the reins tight.
“I’m sorry I did this without telling you.”
“…”
“But I couldn’t stand not going.”
Victor stared at her quietly. She bowed her head with guilt. A low voice responded.
“I told you, I understand.”
But she was sorry. By now, the castle must have woken up and gone back to the same routine as before. Victor was out on the rough dirt road chewing on hard food with her.
No, he once said he would never eat beef jerky because he didn’t like it.
She looked anxiously at Victor. It was very unexpected for him to join. Now, he had a laid-back attitude as if they were going on a honeymoon, but the truth was that it was a mercenary-style trip…
She closed her eyes tightly and asked him.
“Victor, please obey me during this trip.”
Victor smiled and tilted his head.
“Have I ever not done that?”
“…It’s a must, a must!”
“I see.”
Victor answered politely. She continued.
“Well, first, it’s a secret who we are. Things will get complicated if others know.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You have to hide your swordsmanship to some extent.”
“Okay.”
“And-“
“Madame! Who’s that guy next to you?! Are you having an affair already?”
At that moment, a woman shouted loudly in the distance.
Victor’s smile faded straight away. Amarion mumbled her final order.
“…Don’t get mad, ever.”
Three horses rushed toward them.
The tall woman, whom Amarion nicknamed ‘Tall’, greeted them lightly.
“Wow, how long has it been? Your face has matured since I last saw it!”
Beside her was a stocky man, ‘Stocky’, who carried a spear on his back, and a short, broad-shouldered, chubby man, ‘Chubby’, who always followed her. They had delivered the monster maps to Morte Castle before.
Amarion gave them a polite smile.
“Thank you for coming. It was a sudden request, I know.”
“Hey! There’s no need for formalities between us.”
Giggling, Tall slapped Amarion on the shoulder. Amarion communicated to Victor as best she could with her eyes, as she could sense he was getting annoyed.
She was truly grateful. Amarion contacted them in a hurry because they asked her to call them if anything happened, and they willingly responded to this dangerous proposal. Of course, the mercenary king’s unit was going to cross the Wasteland around this time, so she contacted them in anticipation of that, but…
Anyway, she was thankful that these expensive mercenaries came for her, who couldn’t pay a penny. Stocky stroked his shaggy beard.
“But really, what kind of party is this? I thought you were leaving alone in a hurry.”
“That… It was decided just before departure…”
“Eh? Did this cute man say that he couldn’t live without his mistress by his side?”
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An irritated groan came from beneath Victor’s hood.
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New Kofi shop updated till chapter 96.
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