Chapter 16: The Journey North - Three More Days Until They Reach the Capital City of Gremory (XI)
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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Day 47.3: An Observer
From a distant ridge, three figures crouched among the weathered rocks, their eyes fixed on the battlefield below. Princess Mee-rka's heart hammered against her ribs as she witnessed the spectacle unfolding before them. Her two female beastman bodyguards, Kira and Senna, flanked her on either side, their lupine ears twitching with every clash of steel and surge of magical energy that echoed across the valley.
The battle they observed was nothing short of extraordinary. August—the man they had so foolishly antagonized almost a week and a half ago—moved through his enemies like death incarnate. His blade seemed to blur with impossible speed, leaving trails of silver light in the air as he carved through the Kirin raiders with surgical precision. The princess could barely track his movements, even with her enhanced beastman vision.
"Is that truly the same human we encountered at the hot springs?" whispered Kira, her voice barely audible above the distant sounds of combat.
Mee-rka nodded slowly, her throat dry with a mixture of awe and mounting dread. The tales they had heard from frightened bandits and trembling merchants along the road had seemed like exaggerated folklore—stories of the mysterious "Blurred Devil" who appeared from the great forests like a vengeful spirit. They spoke of a figure who moved faster than the eye could follow, whose blade sang with otherworldly power, and who left no survivors among those foolish enough to threaten the innocent.
Now, watching August methodically dismantle an entire raiding party, Princess Mee-rka understood that the tales had been understatements, if anything. The first sighting of this enigmatic warrior had been reported almost a month and a half ago, somewhere near the border of the great forests. Since then, whispered stories had spread like wildfire through the criminal underworld—warnings passed between thieves and cutthroats to avoid a certain traveling merchant caravan at all costs.
As the last of the raiders fell and silence settled over the battlefield, Princess Mee-rka made her decision. The shame of their previous encounter burned in her chest like molten lead. If only she had approached his companion with courtesy and respect instead of arrogant demands, they wouldn't be in this position—following at a distance like common stalkers, too proud to approach and too desperate to abandon their pursuit.
She had to make this right. Her brother's life depended on it.
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Day 48.1: Moving Forward with Others in Tow
The morning sun cast long shadows across the road as August prepared for another day of travel. Today marked the 48th day since he had first stepped beyond the protective boundaries of Lonelywood Forest, leaving behind the hidden village of Maya that had been his entire world. In these weeks of wandering, he had achieved far more than he had ever dared imagine when he first set foot on the broader path of civilization.
The mercantile wagon, once a simple vehicle for trade goods, had transformed into something resembling a refugee convoy. The aftermath of the Kirin raid on the village of Gibu had left them with a precious and vulnerable cargo: Martha Dulce, was a sturdy woman in her forties who had volunteered to serve as caretaker; one infant barely a year old whose parents had died protecting their escape away from the village; thirteen children ranging in age from six to eight, their eyes still haunted by memories too terrible for their young minds to fully process; and three slightly older children of nine years, who tried to comfort the younger ones despite their own trauma.
Most challenging of all were the two teenagers—Milo Stone, thirteen, and Nina Simone, fifteen. By the customs of this world, they were already considered adults, which made their situation particularly complex. They possessed the legal rights of grown men and women, yet they had the emotional needs of children who had lost everything they had ever known.
Martha had stepped naturally into the role of surrogate mother, her maternal instincts extending to embrace all the orphaned children. The wagon's living quarters, originally designed for their small merchant crew, now housed a small community. Every available space had been converted to accommodate their expanded family. The children's remaining relatives lived too far away to be practical destinations, scattered across distant provinces that would take months to reach.
Meanwhile, Milo and Nina faced different challenges. As legal adults, they had the freedom to choose their own paths, but they also bore the burden of deciding their futures without guidance or resources. August had made it clear that they were welcome to stay with the caravan as long as they needed, and both had accepted the offer with grateful relief. Cities offered opportunities for young adults willing to work, but the transition from rural village life to urban complexity would be daunting.
The wagon's interior had been completely reorganized to accommodate their passengers. The women and younger children occupied the main living space, while the older boys had been given the male crew's former bunk beds. August and the adult men had voluntarily moved their sleeping arrangements outside, rotating between watch duties and rest periods under the stars.
Andy continued his role as primary driver, while August alternated between riding alongside the wagon and scouting ahead. Sibus, to everyone's surprise, had revealed an unexpected talent for entertaining children. The usually gruff man could spin tales, teach simple games, and even attempt rudimentary juggling tricks that never failed to coax giggles from his young audience.
Michelle, meanwhile, continued her work on the banner that would officially mark them as "Maya's Traveling Mercantile." The design had evolved into something truly beautiful—an intricate tree with spreading branches and detailed leaves, intertwined with balancing scales that seemed to shimmer when the light caught them at the right angle. Though still unfinished, it already showed the promise of becoming a work of art worthy of any professional guild.
Three more days would bring them to the Regional Capital City of Gremory. August found himself curious about how a true city would compare to the towns they had visited so far. The very word "capital" suggested scale and complexity beyond anything in his experience.
The first day of their renewed journey progressed smoothly, the wagon wheels finding their familiar rhythm on the well-maintained imperial road.
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Day 48.2: Princess Mee-rka Apologizes
Approximately seventy kilometers into their day's journey, the caravan paused for their midday rest and meal preparation. The spot they had chosen offered shade beneath a cluster of ancient oak trees, their gnarled branches providing welcome relief from the strengthening sun.
Unbeknownst to the travelers, they had been under distant observation since their departure at dawn. Princess Mee-rka and her bodyguards had maintained a careful distance throughout the morning, close enough to keep the wagon in sight but far enough to avoid detection. Now, as the caravan settled into their rest period, Mee-rka knew the time for indirect approach had ended.
August's enhanced senses detected the approaching footsteps long before ordinary humans would have noticed anything amiss. Three individuals were moving toward their position with purpose but without the hostile intent that usually preceded an attack. The familiar scent patterns and gait rhythms told him exactly who was approaching—the same beastman trio who had accosted them over a week ago with demands and barely concealed threats.
"Uncle, we're about to have company," August murmured to Andy, his voice carrying just far enough to alert the other adults without alarming the children. "Remember those beastmen from our encounter outside the Town? It seems they've found us again."
Andy's weathered hands paused in their task of unpacking lunch supplies. "I see. Any sense of their intentions, lad?"
"No immediate threat, but we should remain alert. They've been following us for some time—their persistence suggests they want something specific."
As the three figures emerged from the tree line, August noted the change in their demeanor immediately. Gone was the arrogant posturing and barely controlled aggression from their previous encounter. Instead, Princess Mee-rka approached with obvious hesitation, her bodyguards flanking her at a respectful distance.
Without preamble or ceremony, the princess dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground in the deepest form of beastman submission. Her voice, when she spoke, trembled with genuine remorse and barely contained desperation.
"I... I didn't know you were the famed Blurred Devil," she began, her words muffled by her proximity to the earth. "I am deeply, profoundly sorry for our behavior the other day. We were desperate and foolish, and we treated you with disrespect that was inexcusable. Thank you for showing mercy when you had every right to punish our arrogance."
Her bodyguards immediately followed suit, dropping into similar positions of submission. The sight of three proud beastman warriors prostrating themselves with such complete humility created an uncomfortable tension in the air.
August looked around at his companions, noting their varied expressions of surprise, discomfort, and curiosity. He scratched his head—a gesture that had become habitual when faced with social complexities that his forest upbringing hadn't prepared him for.
"Alright, I understand your apology, and I accept it," he said, his tone carrying both firmness and compassion. "But what happened before wasn't such a grave offense that it requires this level of self-abasement. Please, stand up—you're making me look like some kind of tyrant, and that's not who I am or want to be."
He gestured toward their meal preparations, where Martha and the older children were setting out portions for their expanded group. "Have you eaten today? We've got more food than we need, thanks to having so many hands to help with preparations. Join us—sharing a meal is a better way to put the past behind us than groveling in the dirt."
Princess Mee-rka raised her head slowly, dust clinging to her fur and embarrassment painting her features. As she took in the scene around the wagon—the children playing quietly nearby, the adults working together with easy familiarity, the general atmosphere of mutual care and cooperation—her expression shifted from shame to something approaching wonder.
The human who she mistook for a beast and his companions that she had dismissed as just another merchant was surrounded by people who clearly respected and cared for him. More than that, he had taken responsibility for orphaned children, displaced adults, and anyone else who needed help. The stories of the Blurred Devil had focused on his prowess in battle, but they had failed to capture this aspect of his character—the profound sense of responsibility and compassion that drove him to protect others.
These humans seemed different from the cruel, prejudiced individuals that beastman folklore warned against. There was warmth here, acceptance, and a genuine desire to help those in need.
Andy, ever the practical businessman, chose this moment to address the obvious question hanging in the air. "So, young lady, did you track us down just to apologize? Or are there other reasons you've been following our wagon for the better part of a day?"
The blunt question made Mee-rka's ears flatten against her skull—a telltale sign of being caught in a half-truth. She fidgeted for a moment before gathering her courage to speak honestly.
"You're right to be direct," she admitted, her voice stronger now that she was no longer prostrating herself. "Yes, I needed to apologize for our behavior—that was genuine and necessary. But I also... we also need help. Desperately."
She took a deep breath before continuing, "My younger brother is being held in the City of Gremory, and I need to reach him before it's too late. But the city guards are strict about documentation and identification papers. As tribal people, we don't have such customs—we recognize our own by scent, by family bonds, by community knowledge. The concept of carrying papers to prove who we are is foreign to us."
She looked directly at August, her eyes reflecting both hope and fear. "I've heard that merchants have documentation that allows them to travel freely, to enter cities without harassment. Please, I'm begging you—help us reach my brother. I'll do anything, serve in any capacity, accept any conditions you set."
Andy exchanged glances with August and the other adults, his expression thoughtful. The request was reasonable enough, but it came with potential complications that needed to be addressed.
After a brief consultation among the adults, they established terms for allowing the beastman trio to travel with them. First, Mee-rka and her bodyguards would serve as additional protection for the wagon, particularly during any dangerous encounters that might require extra fighting strength. Second, they needed to provide complete details about what had happened to the princess's brother, so the caravan would understand exactly what situation they might be walking into.
"A nobleman—that's what you call people of power and influence in human society?" Mee-rka began, settling into the story with visible reluctance. "My brother, Thane, has always been curious about the world beyond our tribal lands. Three weeks ago, he was exploring the market in Greenvale when he accidentally bumped into a well-dressed human."
Her expression darkened as she continued, "This nobleman—apparently a visitor from Gremory—immediately accused Thane of attempting to steal his pocket watch. It was completely false, of course. Thane had simply been distracted by the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the market, and the collision was purely accidental."
"We tried to explain, to defend him, but the nobleman had connections and influence in the town. Worse, we learned from the local villagers that this particular nobleman has a... reputation for collecting beastmen as personal servants. The implication was clear—the theft accusation was just an excuse to claim ownership of my brother."
She paused, her hands clenched into fists before she forced herself to relax them. "That's when we encountered you at the hot springs. We had been following rumors and reports, trying to find someone with the power and influence to help us. When we heard the commotion that night and saw how efficiently you handled those bandits, we became curious about your identity."
"We made inquiries in town about your group and learned you were merchants with legitimate documentation and trading credentials. What we didn't know at the time was that you were the legendary Blurred Devil. If we had understood who you were from the beginning..."
"The past is the past," August interrupted gently. "What matters now is moving forward. Your story is troubling, and I can understand your desperation to help your brother. We can make this work, but with clear boundaries."
He looked around at his companions, noting their expressions of concern and sympathy. "We'll help you reach the city and get past the guards with proper documentation. Once we're inside, though, what happens next is your responsibility. We're merchants and travelers, not a rescue force or a military unit."
Andy nodded his agreement, though his expression remained cautious. "It's a reasonable arrangement, lad, but we need to be careful not to get ourselves mixed up in noble politics or legal disputes we don't understand."
"Understood completely," Mee-rka replied, relief evident in her voice. "All I ask is the chance to reach my brother. What happens after that will be on my shoulders alone."
With the terms established and lunch finished, the expanded caravan prepared to resume their journey. The three beastmen took up positions as scouts and guards, though they admitted they had no experience with driving wagons—such vehicles were unknown in their tribal culture.
As they continued down the imperial road, the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, signaling the approach of another night's rest.
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Day 48.3: The House of Croco on Site
The scene that greeted Captain Roderick and his men was one of utter devastation. Bodies from the village of Gibu lay scattered across the churned earth, testament to the violence that had swept through this peaceful settlement mere days ago. The young captain, barely twenty years old but already bearing the heavy responsibility of representing House Croco, surveyed the carnage with grim professionalism.
They had arrived too late. The quarry they had been pursuing—the Kirin raiders responsible for the theft of an imperial chest containing precious Mytherium—lay dead among their victims. Every single raider had been killed, their bodies showing signs of incredible violence delivered with surgical precision.
The massive war-crocodile beneath Roderick shifted restlessly, its primitive brain sensing the lingering scent of death and battle. These beasts, bred specifically for House Croco's military forces, were more comfortable in aquatic environments, but they remained formidable on land when the situation demanded their presence.
"Sir!" An imperial scout materialized from the tree line, his face pale with the effort of containing his report. "We've conducted a thorough search of the surrounding forest. The Kirin raiders are all accounted for—dead to the last man. Captain Grant's body was found near what appears to have been their command position. His head was severed cleanly, suggesting a blade of exceptional quality and wielded by someone with considerable skill."
Roderick nodded grimly. Captain Grant had been a veteran warrior from the Kingdom of Ogind, not easily defeated by common soldiers or amateur fighters. Whoever had killed him possessed both the strength and expertise to face a seasoned military officer in single combat.
"Any sign of the chest?" Roderick asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.
"None, sir. No trace of the Mytherium container anywhere in the area. It's as if it simply vanished from existence."
This was the news Roderick had dreaded. The stolen Mytherium represented more than mere treasure—it was a strategic resource vital to the Empire's military might that only the top brass had access to due to its nature being hard to produce. Its loss would not only compromise ongoing military operations but would also result in severe consequences for everyone involved in its protection and recovery.
More troubling still was the complete absence of enemy casualties. Professional soldiers, even exceptional ones, typically suffered losses when engaging an entire raider band in open combat. The fact that no bodies from the attacking force could be found suggested either overwhelming tactical superiority or the involvement of individuals with capabilities far beyond normal human limits.
"Send word immediately to the Duchess," Roderick commanded. "Inform her that we require the immediate deployment of an Arcane Inquisitor to this location. The circumstances surrounding this incident suggest magical involvement or the presence of individuals with extraordinary abilities."
The Arcane Inquisitors represented the Empire's most elite investigative and enforcement unit especially when it concerns magic. They were called upon only when conventional military forces proved inadequate, typically in situations involving high-level magical threats or mysteries that defied normal explanation. Their reputation for thoroughness was matched only by their reputation for ruthlessness when Imperial interests were threatened.
"There's another concern, sir," the scout continued reluctantly. "The precision and efficiency of this attack, combined with the missing Mytherium, suggests the possibility of inside information. Someone may have leaked details about the chest's location and the raider's plans."
Roderick's expression darkened further. The implication of treachery within Imperial ranks was almost as serious as the loss of the Mytherium itself. If there was indeed a spy or traitor involved, the investigation would need to expand far beyond this battlefield.
For now, all they could do was secure the area and wait for the Arcane Inquisitor to arrive. The specialized investigator would have resources and abilities that conventional forces lacked, including magical methods of reconstructing past events and tracking individuals across great distances.
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Day 48.4: Ending the Day
Meanwhile, blissfully unaware of the Imperial forces gathering evidence barely a day behind them, August and his expanded caravan had settled into their evening routine. They had covered exactly 150 kilometers during the day—a respectable pace considering their increased numbers and the need to accommodate their younger passengers.
Only 300 kilometers remained between them and the Regional Capital City of Gremory. While they could certainly travel faster if pressed, the current pace allowed the children to rest adequately and gave everyone time to adjust to their new traveling arrangements.
The evening camp took shape with practiced efficiency. Martha organized the children's dinner and bedtime preparations, while the adults handled the more complex tasks of wagon maintenance, security arrangements, and meal preparation for the entire group.
When Princess Mee-rka offered to take responsibility for hunting their evening meal, August politely but firmly declined. His enhanced abilities made him far more efficient at tracking and taking games, and he preferred to handle such tasks personally rather than risk the safety of their new companions.
As darkness settled over their camp and the sounds of evening conversation gradually gave way to the peaceful breathing of sleeping children, August found himself reflecting on how dramatically his life had changed in just 48 days. What had begun as a simple journey to explore the wider world had evolved into something far more complex and meaningful—a responsibility to protect and guide a growing community of people who had become his extended family.
Three more days would bring them to Gremory, where new challenges and opportunities awaited. But for tonight, surrounded by the warmth of human companionship and the satisfaction of another day's progress toward their destination, August allowed himself a moment of quiet contentment before beginning his watch shift under the star-filled sky.