12. The Hungry Wild Dog and the Everlasting Spring
Dad’s followers approached with a gleam in their eyes. Suddenly, from Dad’s feet, a gust of wind exploded outward, spreading in all directions.
A sudden strong wind erupted without any warning, along with a blue aura surrounding his sword, Wyndis, which no one had noticed being drawn from its sheath.
“Get a hold of yourselves.”
With Dad’s words, the knights took a step back, folded their hands quietly, and stood still.
“I’ll be in the neighboring village.”
“If the young master commands so, we will comply.”
“Please don’t forget that we’re here.”
“If there’s any danger, shoot this signal into the sky. We’ll come running immediately.”
It was a signal rocket made of bamboo. Dad received it carelessly and said,
“Don’t show your nose until it’s time to leave.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll run while covering our noses.”
“Do I look like I’m joking right now?”
“Oh, no, sir.”
“Apologies, young master. He often speaks nonsense like this.”
The knights quickly shook their heads, pushing the one who hadn’t caught onto the situation into a corner.
As I watched Dad, I sank into thought.
‘Did Dad see the article on the Sillon Village?’
The newspaper that was left in the living room the previous night had disappeared in the morning. It was unlikely that Anne or Theon would have removed it on their own, so there was a high chance Dad had read it.
I needed to subtly drop hints and, at the decisive moment, let Dad realize that the wild dog tribe was planning to attack humans.
‘But first, I need to know the exact date when the wild dog tribe plans to invade.’
According to Crown Prince Theon, the villagers had taken up arms and fought, meaning they had known in advance that the wild dogs were going to attack.
So, what’s my next step?
‘Gather information from the surroundings!’
I had to be careful because Theon Grandfather’s two right-hand men were here.
The goal was to get Dad involved in this situation as naturally and surely as possible.
The best-case scenario would be if someone from the village where Baron Voltman lived asked Dad for help.
‘I need to catch the target.’
I needed someone who could tell Dad about the wild dog tribe.
I had tried asking around at the dessert shop in the village where I went to buy gifts, but that was a bust.
“Excuse me sister, I have something to ask.”
“Oh, how cute! Please go ahead and ask.”
“There’s a dog outside the shop. Is it a dog you’re raising here?”
“…No? It’s probably a village dog.”
The pause in her response made me wonder if she knew something, but that was as far as it went.
The smiling face didn’t seem to have any aversion to the word ‘dog.’
‘Maybe she was just pretending.’
The village where the dessert shop was located was quite bustling. If they were threatened by the wild dog tribe, it would mean the village wasn’t safe. If an outsider found out, the land prices could drop. The atmosphere in the village already seemed tense due to ongoing land development.
‘It’s fine to ask once, but asking multiple people will only make them suspicious.’
The development had started, environmental groups were protesting, the wild dog tribe hadn’t made any moves yet, and we would soon reach Leaf Village.
Finding someone to tell Dad about the wild dog tribe was crucial, but how would I find such a person?
‘I’d like to ask Aqum to scout, but it’s uncertain when it might happen…’
I crossed my arms, deep in thought.
“Really? Big brother Theon! Are you going to teach me how to use a sword?”
As I was deep in thought, I heard Jeffrey’s excited voice.
I looked across from me. Jeffrey was kneeling on the carriage seat, looking at Theon, his tail wagging.
“………”
I glanced up subtly.
“I can teach you the basics. But don’t think of it as a joke.”
“A joke? I’m completely serious.”
Between Jeffrey’s hair, his thick triangular ears twitched.
‘Interesting.’
***
Leaf Village. Baron Voltman’s Residence.
The rich smell of meat fat melting filled the house, something they hadn’t smelled in a while.
Baron Voltman was sitting by the pot, stirring the meat stew.
Despite being over sixty, his posture was still upright.
His sharp features, partially hidden by wrinkles, hinted at a once-handsome face. The mouth that usually held a stern expression was uncharacteristically relaxed today.
“Are you that happy about Theon bringing his teacher here?”
The Baroness chuckled softly, speaking to her husband.
She was holding a letter that had arrived a few days ago.
“What’s so delightful about guests informing us two days in advance?”
“Oh, you.”
The Baroness knew well that Baron Voltman’s gruff tone was his way of hiding embarrassment.
Two days ago, a telegram had arrived from the bank. It was part of a special service, delivering the message from a distant location to the customer.
“A guest is coming…”
The arrival of the telegram brought mixed feelings to the Voltman couple.
There was the initial joy of hearing news about their grandson, followed by the surprise that the famous Reytan Quartz Travel was now his teacher.
And then came the worry upon learning that the second son of Count Travel would be arriving at their home with a group.
This was particularly concerning as they barely had a week’s worth of food supplies.
The latter part of the document seemed abrupt and unexpected.
The letter stated that he was both a gourmet and a big eater, so he wanted to be able to eat quality food in large quantities without holding back and even included money for the purpose.
The enclosed amount was 700,000 Kona.
“A considerate guest, indeed,”
Murmured Baron Voltman.
It was clear that Reytan knew they couldn’t afford to host guests. After all, even the neighborhood children knew about Baron Voltman’s financial struggles.
However, Baron Voltman had spent half of his life as a knight.
Reytan, not wanting to trample on his pride by offering a substantial sum out of pity, sent just enough to cover his group’s needs.
“But do you think he’s truly a gourmet and a big eater? For him to write it in a letter, he must be serious. I hope he enjoys your special stew.”
The stew, simmering since morning with plenty of firewood, was already emitting a tantalizing aroma.
“Baron Voltman!”
Bang, bang, bang.
Someone pounded on the wooden front door as if it might break.
The Baroness went to open the door, and a young man from the village, Thomas, entered.
“R-Reytan Quartz Travel has arrived…!”
Thomas sniffed, interrupting his own words. The scent tickling his nose—this rich aroma—was something rarely, if ever, smelled in Baron Voltman’s house.
“Meat stew?! Did a long-lost relative leave you an inheritance?”
“At my age? What inheritance?”
Baron Voltman stirred the stew with a gruff response.
“And shouldn’t you be greeting an elder?”
“Oh, come on. Besides, Baron, I’m telling you, Reytan Quartz Travel is here!”
“And who is that?”
“You don’t know him, Baron? That’s impossible! He’s the former Grand Master!”
True, that much was a fact.
Playing ignorant seemed to be pushing it a bit. Baron Voltman, after receiving a glare from his wife, cleared his throat.
“What would someone of such stature want in this village? You must have seen wrong.”
“Do you know how good my eyesight is? I saw him near the forest by the village, along with his knights! There was a carriage with an eagle emblem too. He looked just like in the wanted posters! I didn’t dare speak to him out of fear… But seriously, Baron, you don’t know Reytan Quartz Travel? Are you showing early signs of senility—”
“If anyone’s senile, it’s you, repeating yourself. Now, out you go. I don’t have time to entertain you today.”
Baron Voltman rose from his seat, grabbed a ladle, and waved it to chase Thomas out.
Thomas, despite being unceremoniously shooed out, continued trying to convince the Baron as he was pushed out the door.
“If it’s truly Reytan Quartz Travel, wouldn’t it be worth asking him for help? For common folk like us, he’s such a terrifyingly high-ranking figure—”
“Out, I said.”
“This could be a chance, given by the god Aubawth, to deal with the wild dog tribe! The empire turns a blind eye to us! How are we supposed to handle this alone?!”
“Why can’t you handle it? You have hands and feet.”
Slam.
As soon as Thomas’s feet stepped outside, Baron Voltman shut the door.
***
Because the knights insisted they wouldn’t stay with us, Jeffrey and Anne ended up coming along.
Since the coachman had also gone to the nearby village with the carriage, we decided to walk to Theon’s house.
“To big brother Theon’s house!”
Jeffrey shouted with excitement as he dashed toward the entrance of Leaf Village, prompting Anne to yell after him.
“J-Jeffrey! Walk calmly!”
“It’s exciting!”
“You’ll trip if you run.”
“Yes, big sister Berry.”
Jeffrey came up next to me, matching his steps with mine, while Anne looked on with disbelief.
