Book 17 Chapter 20
Old Rulers,
Ancient Madness Calling the Sea Wind (2)
“Thanks to you, I lived, Wizard. I will never, ever forget this favor. I will tell of what you did today for the rest of my life.”
Aboard the scow were three young men who had just begun to shed their boyishness.
“Because of that fellow, we were really risking our lives crossing the river, and of all days, it happened on the day of our largest material transport…”
“You’ve been doing this, knowing it’s dangerous?”
At Rista’s question, the young men hastily offered excuses, their expressions unsure where to look.
It wasn't because they were hit where it hurt.
It was because they had never seen a woman with heavenly beauty like Rista before.
“Well, that is…”
The most sturdily built man among the three opened his mouth. He called himself the leader.
They weren't yet a group that could be called a merchant guild, nor did they have a name, but it seemed they felt such a title made it feel more legitimate.
Perhaps it was teasing, but men naturally find amusement even in such minor titles.
“Because of that one guy, we have to make a long detour to cross the river… and the land route isn’t safe either. We ended up spending a lot of money, so we resorted to this method.”
“So you’re saying you used your lives as stakes.”
Frida took a bitter smile, her pipe in her mouth.
“What are these witches doing here? I’ll have to set some discipline on my way.”
“No, it’s not that. It seems the Witches find it arduous enough just protecting this area…”
“One of the reasons I wasn’t drafted to the front lines against the demon race was to look after the people’s livelihoods like this. You don’t need to feel sorry. I’m a shaman, you know? One of the Republic’s two top figures. If I shout ‘Attention!’ once, all the witches will come crawling.”
The young leader bowed repeatedly to the shaman, then looked back at Rin with a gaze full of reverence.
“Such powerful strength and virtue at such a young age… If it’s not too rude, may we use your esteemed name for our merchant guild?”
Unfortunately, Rin, who had already recovered 100% of his [Strongest Mage Stat] through cerebral bloodletting, had no interest whatsoever in such unproductive conversation.
All his concentration had already returned to studying Huk’s grimoire.
Of course, the boy’s [Reading Grimoire to a Small Ear Mode] had now reached the level of a master, automatically responding to all conversations that occurred during his reading.
“Hmm…”
“Just one time, please…!”
“Hmph, well…”
Frida, somewhat pleased that her companion was receiving such praise, rolled up her sleeves and stepped forward.
“Then don’t use his real name. ‘Rin Merchant Guild’ sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it? A Rin Merchant Guild without Rin, isn’t that funny?”
“Th-that… Then what should we do…?”
“Let’s see, what should we do?”
The long stream of smoke Frida exhaled into the air formed a few words.
Master!
More precisely, other words attached themselves to and then detached from the word 'Rin'.
“I really don’t like long guild names. They’re hard to remember. So, how about simply ‘Rinne Merchant Guild,’ by adding the suffix (-Ne), which means ‘remembering’?”
No sooner had she said that than Rista clapped her hands and smiled brightly.
“That’s really good! The sound of it is lovely.”
Pipi flapped its wings.
“Rinne, Rinne, Rinne.”
Rinne, Rinne Merchant Guild… The young leader and his young friends, who cautiously recited the name, exchanged glances and smiled.
“That’s amazing, isn’t it?”
“Is it because the shamaness gave it to us?”
“Doesn’t it feel like it’s going to be an incredible merchant guild in the future?”
The young leader, having finished discussing with his friends, looked at Rin with a cautious and earnest gaze.
Everyone’s gaze focused on Rin’s lips.
Just as it seemed their expectations would be crushed as Rin expressionlessly turned a page of the grimoire, a faint smile appeared on the boy’s lips, and this answer came out:
“Hmph, it might not be bad…”
The young men laughed brightly and bowed deeply. The young leader, prostrating himself with his forehead touching the riverside grass, shouted:
“This favor of saving our lives today, we will never, ever forget it until the day we die. We will make this Rinne Merchant Guild the best merchant guild on the continent, and ensure everyone knows what Rin did today. Truly! We promise on a merchant’s honor!”
As recorded in history, the Rinne Merchant Guild later became the dominant merchant guild on the Akrad continent.
The young leader kept that promise.
December 28th was designated as the guild's anniversary, a day when goods for sale were distributed as if given freely, and goods for purchase were bought by adding a premium, as if making a charitable donation.
“There’s a saying in Yonggyeong.”
On that truly joyful and satisfying day, as they departed amidst the tearful farewells of the young merchants, Frida tapped Rin on the crown of his head with her pipe and said.
The force of it was weak.
It wasn’t the intensity she usually used when scolding, but rather a force that barely grazed his scalp, as if caressing him.
“Who would know the heart of creation and convey its will to people?”
“So who conveyed it?”
“It is you who possess the heart of creation.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Rin, today you made those merchants understand the love of creation. You can be proud of what happened today.”
Rin said nothing.
Instead, he merely raised his head from the grimoire and opened his flounder-like eyes, 12 times sharper than usual.
“Sir, then why did you genuinely punch me with your pipe earlier?”
“You could call it a disciplinary measure of love.”
“What nonsense! Do you think I don’t know you’re spouting all sorts of sophistry now to cover up hitting me earlier?”
“This brat still complains even when I praise him! Hey, you punk, I’m the Fire Dragon Shaman, you know? Witches usually cry and pound the ground just from my praise, without even realizing it’s an honor. Ha, how absurd, really.”
“Could it be that they were thinking, ‘To receive praise from such an un-shaman-like shaman, my life is truly over’? We should hear from the individuals themselves.”
“Do you really want to die?! Hey, you son of a… come here! Where are you running off to?!”
Quiet smiles also spread across the lips of Rista and Kiese, who were walking ahead.
‘Just as that hunter said long ago.’
Watching Frida and Rin, Rista was reminded of her past self.
Gid Apeltas…
Days when she laughed brightly with her younger sibling. A presence with whom she could play pranks together on some days, scold on others, and then laugh and play pranks again the next day.
‘Rin and Frida are truly like siblings. More so than siblings by blood.’
It was then. Something appeared in the sky above the horizon, where the river and land wound their way forward.
“An armband embroidered with a jet-black rose… The Black Rose Society?”
Frida, who had been twisting her fists on both sides of Rin's head, raised an eyebrow.
The Black Rose Society was an organization founded by Rubrianne, the Shamaness of the Four Shadows, whose area of activity was the Adrion continent, but it boasted the greatest size and influence among witch organizations spanning both continents.
The witch’s ceremonial robe was red. She was a Red Witch, a witch specialized in combat. The Red Witch leaped from her broom and bowed respectfully to Frida.
“Lady Frida, we’ve been looking for you.”
Frida was slightly surprised by her first words.
“Me? Your direct superior is Senior Rubrianne, isn’t she?”
“Lady Rubrianne is looking for Lady Frida.”
“Senior is looking for me? Why?”
The witch raised her head, surveyed each member of the Hero’s party, and then reported.
“It’s an urgent matter. The Naga clan is invading the Green City, <Carsico>. We need Lady Frida’s help!”
Frida’s pupils widened.
It was a level of bewilderment that caused the strength in her two fists, which had been pressing on Rin’s head even during the conversation, to loosen for a moment.
As Rin scurried away, Frida muttered distractedly.
“The Tersh Archipelago, to the Naga?”
This situation was by no means an ordinary one, like one of the seven great cities being attacked.
The Tersh Archipelago was a stepping stone between the two continents; if it were seized by the demon race, the turmoil would enter a new phase.
Rista's complexion also darkened.
“Is the war situation so bad that the Naga are detouring by sea? We should hasten our journey. My judgment was mistaken.”
Frida shook her head.
“No, it’s rather fortunate that we didn’t rush too much, allowing us to receive this report. If this situation had erupted after we crossed the sea, it would have been unmanageable.”
“That’s true, but…”
“You, tell Senior that I’ll be there soon. As soon as a ship arrives, we’ll go by sea to <Terbenople>, and from there, instead of crossing the sea directly, we’ll head to the Tersh Archipelago.”
Rin somehow felt good.
Whenever Rista and Frida faced a serious situation, a powerful adversary always appeared.
Just Like a wise person foresees the future from the past! Genius!
‘What magic should I use against this opponent? I should start thinking about it now so I don’t regret it later. Hee hee.’
Sval, our spokesperson, who understood his inner thoughts and looked at Rin with pity!
“Gyubuut…”