Magi Craft Meister

Chapter 715  21-26: The Village of Uogon

The Klein Kingdom knights gasped as Fritz cleaved down four Sheepa in a single stroke.

Even Gloria’s subordinates—female knights who had been a little intimidated by the man’s towering 190 cm, 96 kg frame—were no exception.

“…Sir Fritz is wonderful,” they whispered among themselves, making Gloria smile wryly.

What truly caught her attention, however, was not the man but his longsword.

She spurred her horse to ride beside him and asked straight away:

“Your sword is remarkable, Sir Fritz.”

Fritz misunderstood, taking “sword” to mean swordsmanship.

“Aye, knights of the Shouro Empire train heavily in mounted swordplay.”

“No, I mean the blade itself…”

When Gloria explained she was impressed by the cutting edge, Fritz laughed.

“Ah, I see. This longsword isn’t special. I merely hacked with brute force.”

“But still, without exceptional strength it would bend or snap.”

“…Is that so?” Fritz tilted his head, genuinely uncertain.

“You’ve never broken a blade?”

“Never.”

“What…?” Gloria was stunned. She herself had broken more than a dozen blades, both in drills and in battles against magical beasts.

“If you allow, I’d like to examine your sword later.”

“Of course.”

Satisfied, Gloria eased back into her original position in the column. At the rear rode Captain Bernald, while Gloria and her unit guarded the center.

Her aide drew alongside.

“Vice-Captain, you and Sir Fritz seem close.”

“Hm? I only asked what I wished to know.”

“…Truly?”

“Of course.”

“…Good.”

The aide smiled faintly. Gloria noted it, but before she could ask more, Roland’s voice rang out.

“Those there—they must be from Uogon Village!”

Far ahead, two or three figures were visible.

“I’ll speak with them. Please wait here!” Roland urged his horse forward.

“Hold, I’ll accompany you,” said Gloria. As a woman knight, she would likely provoke less suspicion.

They galloped the 500 meters and drew near three men digging something from the ground.

“Ground-bee hives,” Roland identified.

The men nodded silently, wary of Gloria. Roland reassured them.

“Do not fear. She is my escort, nothing more. I vouch for her.”

He pointed back to the distant golems and knights.

“We come on behalf of the Klein Kingdom, to explore a route through to the Egerea Kingdom. And we’ve brought gifts of Sheepa as well.”

“Sheepa, you say?”

“Yes, along with other goods. Could you guide us to your village?”

After some persuasion, the men agreed. Roland asked Gloria to relay a message:

“Tell the Captain they will guide us. Have the column follow about a hundred meters behind.”

“Understood. I’ll trust your word.” Gloria turned her horse and rode back.

—

With the locals leading, progress slowed, but the village proved closer than expected. By mid-afternoon, they reached Uogon.

“So, this is the village…” Bernald murmured.

As Roland promised, they were warmly received, the freshly-killed Sheepa winning much goodwill.

Uogon had about a hundred people, living in wooden houses not unlike those of Klein’s villages, though a bit rough in workmanship. Their clothes were old but no worse than in the minor states.

The knights pitched tents outside the settlement, and the Goliath golems were stationed farther away to avoid intimidating the villagers.

Roland went alone to greet the elder. The chief was Lariarg, aged sixty-seven.

“Chief, it’s been too long.”

“Ah, Roland. Three years, I think.”

After some pleasantries, Roland explained:

“Our mission has two purposes. First, to establish a road connecting Klein and Egerea.”

Lariarg nodded. “Understandable. At present one must pass through the Celroa Kingdom.”

“Exactly. And second—to purchase food.”

“Food?”

Roland elaborated. “Last year Klein and Celroa suffered crop failure, and much of the harvest rotted with mold. By March, our stores will be empty.”

“I see… you seek supplies from us.”

“Yes. Primarily honey and citrus fruit.”

“Hmm, as usual, but in greater volume?”

“Precisely. You are astute as always.”

Thus Roland’s task was finished; from there, Captain Bernald took over negotiations.

“We hope to hunt Sheepa and send meat back to the kingdom,” Bernald explained gently.

“Take care not to overhunt,” Lariarg cautioned.

“Of course.”

Finally Bernald requested guides southward.

“There is no road that way,” the elder admitted.

“That we expected. That is why we have the Goliath.”

He explained the golems could trample brush and carve a path.

“Food and gear they will carry—your men need bring only personal effects.”

“Hmm. Then it may be worth sending some along.”

The elder agreed, and the two began to discuss details of the journey south.