Chapter 227 (1/2)

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Chapter 227 – Reunion and Reaffirmation

During winter in Forestia, people traveled using long-haired horses because of the snow and cold. Short and stout, these creatures moved relatively slower, but could travel longer distances.

League and Claude used the same type of horse on their journey from Jarazack to Scholarzard. The driver, Mikhail, wore thick fur coat. Their carriages were linked, with Claude and other Jarazack men on the leading vehicle, while League and his attendants rode on the second one. League was here as a delegate of Rumania. He couldn't be seen getting along well with Claude out in public.

Alexei deployed his troops as well, but since they still had to prepare, they would be a day late.

The carriage Claude and Ivan rode in was wrapped in silence, the only sound coming from the rocking of the vehicle as it treaded across snow-covered roads. The outside was deadly quiet.

It was morning. They left as soon as dawn broke today as well. Fatigue was starting to build up from following a very strict schedule.

「Ivan!」Mikhail called.「I can see Raidzard now!」

「Nice!」

Raidzard was only about a day's travel away from Scholarzard.

「Claude. If all goes well, we might arrive in Scholarzard by the end of the day.」Ivan said.

「You know what you have to do, right? Make sure you talk to Luka.」

「I know.」Claude answered with a worried look.

「What the… The gate to Raidzard is closed!」

「What do you mean, Professor?!」

Ivan got up from his seat and opened the window to the driver's seat. He scowled as the chill from outside came rus.h.i.+ng in.

Six horses galloped at full speed over the snowy road. Mikhail was staring ahead, pointing at the stone wall surrounding Raidzard.

The gate leading into town was indeed closed, which was strange, as it should be open during daytime. As the carriages got closer to Raidzard, the three-meter tall gate's side door opened and a guard came out.

「Stop right there.」

As Mikhail slowed the horses down, Ivan and Claude jumped down the carriage, fully-armed.

「Why is the gate closed?!」Mikhail asked from atop his seat.

「We don't have enough men inside. We figured since it's snowing heavily anyway that no one would enter so we closed the gate. You've got quite the company.」

「Wait a minute. What do you mean you don't have enough men? What happened?」

「Hahaha. Nothing bad. You look like you're from Jarazack. Did you know that the Fedor gang that's been wreaking havoc in Jarazack has been captured? There's too many of them. We needed more men to watch and interrogate them.」

「Wh-What did you say?」Mikhail was at a loss for words.

Claude approached the guard.「What about Luka?! Is she safe?!」

「Lu… Luka? Who?」

「Calm down, Claude!」Mikhail said.「Sorry for the late introduction, but I'm Mikhail, a professor in Scholarzard and I serve the head of Jarazack, Alexei von Jalzard Jarazack. Please tell me more about the situation. I'm sure the questioning will go faster with the information I have about the Fedor gang as wel.」

「I-I apologize for any rude behavior. We appreciate the offer, Sir Mikhail. Please come in. I'll call the commander and the governor.」

The party entered Raidzard. Mikhail headed to the station, while Claude and the others looked for an inn just in case.

Claude and the guys first entered the biggest hotel in town and happened upon someone in the lobby—a boy with black hair and black eyes.

「Oh, if it isn't Claude.」

「Hikaru?!」

「What are you doing here—」

「Oh, Ivan and League are with you too. Are those League's attendants?」

Claude's mouth hung open, but Hikaru simply ignored it.

「I see.」League said, his brows furrowed.「I get it now. You were the one behind it, weren't you, Hikaru?」

「Hmm?」

「I'm talking about the Fedor gang.」

Hikaru smiled.「You make it sound like I did something bad.」

It was indeed Hikaru who repelled the Fedor gang's attack. It was only natural that the town was in an uproar since he tied the bandits up and left them on the streets.

Hikaru took care of all of Fedor's men by surprise. Striking with Stealth on carried an a.s.sa.s.sination buff so he had to actually be careful not to kill any of them. He challenged Fedor up front so he could gain some experience. As a matter of fact, he'd been doing the same thing when hunting bandits. Unfortunately, Fedor was hardly a good opponent, with only three points max on Throwing.

「What do you mean Hikaru did it? Please explain things clearly!」Claude said.

「Yeah! Claude and I have no idea what's going on.」Ivan added.

「Well, before that…」Hikaru raised his thumb and pointed behind him.「Don't you have some other things to talk about?」

Four ladies sat around a table in the lounge. Catherine got up her seat and took a step forward, arms folded. Luka was standing beside her.

「Luka—」

Claude came to his senses, glanced at Hikaru and nodded with a determined look on his face. He walked through the lobby in long strides. Noticing the decisiveness in his steps, the other guests turned their attention to him.

Claude entered the lounge and stopped five meters away from Luka, facing her.

「Luka!」