Chapter 8: Rocky road

I put up a request to be escorted.

And …

- Why do you need to be escorted to Loreahor when you have weapons with you?

- I am a merchant. I will pay you.

- Last night, I saw you. You are that "merchant"

- So you were that drunk elf. Seriously, you ruined the elvish image you know?

- How much are you gonna pay us?

- Five gold coins. Bonus if I don't have to fight.

- You can fight?

- My lady, you underestimated me.

Swish

Some of her hair is cut.

- Hey, my hair. Why you?

Bew

Cracked

I cut the arrow in half

- I can fight of course. But I prefer to go without breaking a sweat to meet my old friend in that town.

- Can you …?

- Here, 100 Quinks for your hair. To elves, selling hair is just a norm right?

- Fine. Next time, no hair cutting upon me.

- Alright.

The ranger elf and her friend are my escorts. Her friend has a banjo with her. But I have to say that her friend has a better manner than her. She is quite shy while that rude ranger just drinks another bottle of ale again.

- Mr. Merchant, who is that old friend of yours?

- Kiltan Maltir, the Serpent King

- We have settled at Nakitel for two years, I heard about Serpent King. He is handsome and strong. When I saw a sketch of him in the Mercenary guild for the first time, I fell in love with him.

- That sadist has a fan now huh?

- Eh? Why did you call him a sadist?

- I said I know him right?

- I guess... guess... guess…

- Let's put a camp here, this place is suitable for guarding and resting, mr. Merchant

- Sure, you drunk elf.

- I have a name. I am Garcel Maebi. Don't call me drunk elf again

- I am Jehidas.

- I am… am… am… Malia Glank!

A shy girl and a drunkard. I don't know if I should trust my life with them or not.

- Which one of you is stronger?

- That… that… that… would be meeeee.

- I can agree with her

- Then why is she like that?

- I don't know. Can I have another bottle?

- Your watch, no drink allowed.

- Jeez, why don't you watch?

- "I don't have to fight" bonus, wanna have it?

- Grraah , fine. First watch then.

I sleep soundly tonight on my carriage. Actually, I don't sleep at all.

I keep another eye open. Although I may look like a sleeping human, I am still awake.

Garcel is watching the night.

For a while later, Malia is on watch while Garcel is sleeping.

It is kinda hard to believe that two girls are capable of guarding a weak looking merchant like me.

***

On the road in the morning

- GIVE US YOUR MONEY

Not again. This is the 35th road robbery in this year already.

- You underestimate two of us. Malia, shall we slay them all?

- Uhhhhmm, okay.

What is that music?

To me, it is a kind of safe feeling

While to those bandits… they seem to be irritated.

Bew. Bew. Bew. Bew

Four arrows on their heads.

I guess I can sit here and enjoy the massacre.

Another down

Another one.

****

There are a total of 23 corpses of bandits. Three orcs, five nagas, two troll whelps, seven humans, three saurians. All of them have an arrow in their heads.

Wait a minute

If there are two troll whelps…

- A troll with a big club. Malia, kill it

- I guess I have to do it

A note, very loud. It cuts the troll in half. The elf clings on her banjo. She is exhausted. That move was kind of dangerous. But that wasn't as good as my one shot wind thunderstick combination tho. I can do that to kill a couple of trolls.

But still, that is a great talent for an elvish bard. Don't have to fight much but being able to use one shot kill move is a godly gift to mercenaries.

- What was that move, Malia?

- Finale.

- Like the end of the show huh?

- I guess… guess… guess…

- Are we gonna move or stay here to attract more highwaymen?

- Okay, Miss drunk

- Stop with that name, hair cutter.

To be honest, I can cut her head and get some sand into her body and control her body. But I don't do that. I have no grudge against her so why should I murder a stranger I just met.

- Hmpph. When you meet Kiltan, you will be surprised to know who I am to him

- Curious. - As Garcel smiles in hypocritical way

****

Finally, a forsaken road is over. As promised, I give her the bonus and payment. We go to the tavern of this town.

****

Same old, same old scene

Bar fight, vomits and loud conversations.

Kiltan is sitting in the corner. He seems gloomier than usual

- Hey man, why is it so gloomy?

- Miwra is 35 years old but she still acts like a brat. I accidentally impregnated that pervert six years ago.

- Congratulation

- Congratulations, my damn. Miwra has her kids but yet is still going on doing work while her husband stays home and takes care of their kids. My kid is being too cheerful and innocent. And yet, she somehow kills birds, rats and frogs like a hobby.

- Like father like child.

- Would you stop that?

- Okay

After witnessing our conversation, Garcel and Malia are surprised. The fact that a merchant can convince this infamous man to talk like a normal person is not something you see everyday.

The moment I walk back to the two.

Crashed

I almost got caught by that big man

I continue my walk

****

I lead the two out to an inn to reserve a room for them. As for me, I rather stay in another room. I don't want to sleep near a drunkard nor Kiltan's place ever again.

****

When the sun rises, I visit that brawn head.

Speaking of him at the bar…

- What do you mean "Do you think with your knee?"?

- You rush to the battle head on. So I wonder if you really think before you act

Actually, she was right about you tho, Marshan

- Oh hi Jehidas. Nice to see you again, being a merchant heh? Buying and selling for quick profit heh?

- Marshan, what she said about you was kinda right. The moment that you were about to charge the sandworm. I saved you from recklessness.

- I thought you were…

- It was a lie. If you had charged into the worm, it would go berserk and kill you instead

Sorry to lie but this one is for your sake. Based on what you are doing, you are very irrational.

****

I am looking forward to a better day but…

What is with the drake in front of my room?