Book 15 Chapter 3
Fated Love, Apprentice Witch Lina's Wedding (1)
When times become chaotic, evil boils over everywhere.
When transporting major goods, the merchant guild had its affiliated merchants form trade caravans. Large guilds formed independent caravans, but smaller ones, if their destinations were the same, would combine to form joint caravans.
The advantage was clear. By concentrating transportation funds, more mercenaries, in addition to guards, could be hired as escorts.
The merchant guild, whose goal was profit maximization, secured resources from other sources as well. These were travelers seeking safety by moving with the caravans.
The guild sold empty spots on the cargo wagons for money. Of course, they also made those who simply wanted to join the procession pay a fee.
Year 1103 of the Era, 13th month.
Hero's Party's expedition, Year 1.
Northeast of 'Sunset Land' in the southern Empire, post village <Clemor>.
The porters loading goods onto the wagons, and the guards or mercenaries playing dice or chatting, lost themselves for a moment, staring somewhere.
“Cu… cute…”
It was… a young witch.
“An, an incredible beauty…!”
Her appearance, wearing a conical hat over her witch's robe, was simple, and her walk exuded shyness.
Even her gait was graceful!
In truth, she was genuinely embarrassed, and her movements seemed clumsy because she wasn't used to the high-heeled shoes witches wear, but that simplicity, clumsiness, and shyness soon harmonized into an allure that stimulated men's hearts!
“Wow, the men just can't take their eyes off you. Well, my makeup skills are pretty amazing, aren't they?”
Her red-haired companion, walking beside her, chuckled wickedly and whispered.
“Why don't you just live as a woman like this? When you were a man, you were just ordinarily cute, but after some makeup, everyone calls you a beauty, don't they?”
Given that she was wearing a hanbok with sleeves and trouser legs rolled up due to the hot weather, she seemed to be a northerner. Her features weren't clearly visible as she wore a gat (traditional Korean hat).
“My clothes, my gat…”
“Hey, who said anyone's taking them? We're just swapping clothes for a bit. I said I'd give them back when we're done with the job, didn't I?”
“Right, Rin. [The Strongest Mage] seeks absolute gender equality, right? You're not saying you dislike being a woman now, are you?”
“?”
“Oh, so you were just paying lip service to gender equality, but in reality, you had no interest in women's rights?”
“???”
“Shh, Tarris. This guy's name is Lina right now.”
“Ah, that's right. My apologies, Derif.”
As the two women snickered from either side, the girl called Lina's fists trembled.
‘Th-these crazy lunatics…’
Why do I have to be doing this kind of thing in this getup? [The Strongest Mage] should confront everything head-on.
‘This is the first time I've experienced such humiliation…’
I will definitely get my revenge.
As an inexpressible sense of humiliation and an unutterable rage manifested as tears moistening her eyes, she stumbled due to her unfamiliarity with high heels and fell.
Then, a young man who had been skillfully giving orders to the cargo wagon porters rushed over.
“Are you alright, Witch?”
As she took the young man's outstretched hand and stood up, her moist eyes met his gaze.
Thump…
A dizzying pain arose in the young man's heart. He began to part his lips.
“Witch, I am Ron Miledo, the second son of Basti Miledo, who leads the Miledo Merchant Guild. Excuse me, but what is your name…?”
As Rin hesitated, Friede poked her in the side with her elbow, her face on the verge of bursting into laughter. It meant to stick to the script.
Endure, I must endure…
[The Strongest Mage] must be the strongest in any situation. This situation, too, will be broken through with the power of [the Strongest].
“Lina… Apprentice Witch Lina…”
“Lina, that is truly a beautiful name…”
The reactions were polar opposites.
Rista and Friede couldn't control their bursts of laughter, stifling it with their hands and gats respectively, while Rin bit her lip in boiling rage.
However, Ron Miledo's eyes were burning with the flames of fated passion.
“Then, are you returning to the Republic? It will be a dangerous journey. Bandits and mountain brigands are rampant these days.”
Friede barely suppressed her laughter with a cough and stepped forward.
“Therefore, we would like to entrust our safety to this caravan.”
Then, she suddenly took out a handkerchief from her bosom and sadly wiped away flowing tears.
“But alas… on the way here, the Witch was so generous, bestowing charity without a thought for herself, that we have no money left at all… *sob sob*.”
“Th-that! Don't worry at all! Witches are those who spread benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. I, Ron, stake the honor of the Miledo Merchant Guild to safely escort the three of you to your destination.”
“The Witch has walked a long way… *sob sob*… I fear her ankles might be hurt… If possible, a first-class seat on the cargo wagon would be wonderful…”
“Ah, of course! I will definitely make space! Hey, Jackson. Guide these ladies to wagon number 3.”
“Young Master, only valuable treasures are loaded there.”
“Are you suggesting the Witch would steal them?! Make some space and lay down mats so the three of them can travel comfortably.”
The witch's party, guided by Jackson, headed towards the wagon.
Ron's fervent love, watching their retreating figures, only grew stronger.
A middle-aged man, who managed the delivered goods, approached. He was a man who had long served as a broker for the Miledo Merchant Guild.
“Young Master, you can't take your eyes off her.”
“I can't.”
“It must be love at first sight. Even to this old man's eyes, she's a truly respectable young lady. In that case, *ahem*, this humble servant will try to put in some effort.”