Kays Translations

Chapter 127: The Golden Apple

It’s cramped, the carriage is cramped.

And no wonder, because the main cargo of the cart is loaded with barrels filled with wine, dried meat, sausages, and such. Lutz and Ricardo are basically just passengers.

The covered wagon heads towards the border from Count Zander’s territory. This time, it’s not borrowed from the Count’s family; their crest isn’t even on it. Of course, it’s natural, considering they’re heading to a border garrison that was engaged in war until recently. Using a carriage with the Count’s crest would be like asking for a fight.

Their purpose is to gather information as traveling merchants. How extensive is the civil war or conflict within the Allied Nations? Who is obstructing trade, and what are the reasons? Where is Knight Guen, the only connection who might help them? There were so many things they wanted to know.

The carriage advances on unpaved roads, which are just compacted soil. Carriages owned by the royal family or high nobles would have suspension mechanisms to dampen the impact, but merchant wagons like this one have nothing of the sort. Depending on the road, it can shake violently up and down, becoming so uncomfortable that one feels like throwing up.

The carriage is reinforced with iron in some places and is sturdy. When Claudia asked Lutz, he made it quickly in an unexpected way. She had been impressed by his versatility, not just in sword making. But if she thought about it, before becoming employed by the Count’s family, he used to work as a blacksmith outside the city walls, so he should be capable.

Claudia sat on the driver’s seat, holding the reins. Steering a carriage actually requires quite a bit of skill, so it wasn’t something she could casually switch off with Lutz and Ricardo. To avoid the worst-case scenario of the horse going berserk and the carriage overturning, Claudia preferred a safe approach even if it meant taking a bit more time.

“But you guys sure are doing well, huh?”

Ricardo, wedged in between the gaps of the wine barrels, shouted with a voice louder than the wheel noise.

“What do you mean?”

Claudia responded without turning around, just using her voice from the driver’s seat.

“Investigating the Allied Nations, revitalizing trade… aren’t these tasks better suited for blacksmiths and merchants? What’s your real purpose for doing this?”

“Is it because Listille-sama is cute?”

She had a close relationship with Princess Listille, the third princess who was leading a pioneer village for the veteran soldiers with no place to go.

“Is that the only reason you’re going through all this trouble? Hate to break it to you, but you guys are idiots.”

“It seems sufficient as a reason for a woman to risk her life.”

Claudia said nonchalantly, without a hint of hesitation.

“Well, if I had to say, it’s probably about securing an escape route.”

“Escape route?”

Ricardo asked in confusion, as if not understanding the meaning.

“Yes, escape route. If you gain Listille-sama’s favor by owing her a debt and having her goodwill, and if the pioneer village flourishes, then even if the Count dislikes you and tries to drive you out, you’d have a place to escape to. You can just serve Listille-sama and be welcomed with open arms, right?”

“Do you have such little trust in the Count?”

“I’m aware I’m not well-liked.”

Claudia responded with a faint smile. Her attitude seemed to indicate that not having the Count’s trust was inconsequential.

“Why do workers have to follow bosses they don’t like?”

“Huh?”

“Because if they’re fired from their jobs, they’d struggle to make a living. But if they know they have other places to go, they’d have some mental breathing room. If worse comes to worst, they can think, ‘Well, I can do something else.’ Having multiple options is important.”

With a hint of agreement, she continued her explanation.

“I don’t want to manipulate Lutz-kun or anything like that. It’s not about quitting the Count’s territory right away and whatever. It’s just a backup plan.”

“Your way of thinking is quite practical.”

“Without emotions involved, that’s how it is.”

It had been over half a year since Lutz became part of the Count’s family, but Claudia’s view, which didn’t fully trust nobility, hadn’t wavered.

“Also, there’s another reason. I want to find something in the Allied Nations. Have you heard of the ‘Golden Apple’?”

“…Is it some kind of magic item?”

He tried asking, thinking that even if a merchant didn’t know, an adventurer might, but Ricardo seemed clueless as well.

“It’s an edible crop. They say it grows in even the most desolate lands, it’s easy to preserve and process, and it’s highly nutritious. It’s said to be a food that can thrive even when the soil is trampled in times of war.”

“What’s with the ‘I’ve imagined the ultimate plant’ kind of nonsense? It’s hard to believe something that convenient exists.”

“Well, somehow, I have a hunch it might actually exist…”

When someone accused her of having things a little too conveniently, Claudia tilted her head in confusion.

Lutz, who had been silent until now, joined the conversation. It seemed he had finished his sausage snack.

“Even if the Golden Apple did exist, I doubt the Allied Nations would have it.”

“Hmm, why do you think that, Lutz-kun?”

“Well, if the food shortage was resolved, there’s no way the Kingdom could defeat the Allied Nations.”

“Oh, yeah. That makes sense…”

While he didn’t intend to belittle their own soldiers, they paled in comparison to the soldiers of the Allied Nations who believed that only those who fought could go to heaven.

If they asked why they had been able to fight on equal terms until now, it was because the Allied Nations were a collection of hundreds of tribes without unified intent. Internal disputes were severe, limiting the forces they could allocate to their borders.

If the abundance of food reduced the reasons for internal strife among their own people, the Kingdom’s territory would likely have been significantly eroded.

Lutz had come to understand the feelings behind why the former King of the Allied Nations, Cassander, was in a hurry to unify the country and why Marquis Eldenberger had been wary of the charismatic sword that could amplify unity.

“Well, even if they don’t have it in the Allied Nations, it would be good to gather information.”

Claudia, who had recently learned that many profitable opportunities end up empty, quickly shifted her mindset to a positive one. She was mentally tough – Lutz watched his beloved wife’s back with a dazzled look.

It had been a leisurely journey lasting over a month. They stayed at inns in various places, rested their horses, and finally reached the border without rushing. After greeting Listille in the pioneer village, they set foot into the Allied Nations.

From here, it was a different world – a land of blood, sand, and warriors.

Worried that they might be distrusted as Kingdom citizens, they introduced themselves as traveling merchants, but surprisingly, the border guards welcomed them.

Supplies were always scarce, and they were starving for any stimulation other than war. Apparently, outsiders coming in were seen as a boon. Looking around, there were several other carriages lined up beside Claudia and her companions, acting like traveling shops, beckoning customers.

“Well then, should we start our business too?”

Claudia flashed a reassuring smile. Even though the land had changed, their mission remained the same.

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