Demon Sword

Chapter 8

The nobleman’s permission had been granted. Jan quickly ran to Vermain sitting at the base of the tree.

“Sir, they’re giving us a ride!”

Vermain pulled down the hood on his cloak and walked to the carriage, walking dignified even in the rain.

The noble opened the door and waited for him. Vermeil pulled down his hood and stepped inside.

“I am grateful for your kindness.”

“People of the empire should help each other, should they not? Have your servant come in as well.”

Vermain gestured to Jan. Jan stepped into the carriage out of the rain.

‘It’s spacious.’

The carriage was as clean and nice as its ornate exterior, making Jan almost sorry to set his soaked foot inside.

“My name is Vermain. I gave up my last name long ago when I joined the army.”

Vermain always refused to say his family of origin, but no one ever doubted that he was a nobleman. Such class and elegance were not something that could develop overnight.

“Ah, a soldier! I should’ve known by the scars. I am Norma Weiss.”

“Weiss, the Tycoon…”

Murmured Vermain as he stared at Norma

Weiss the Tycoon.

That was what people called the head of the Weiss family. The Weisses had gained their fame through trade.

“That is how the public refers to my father, indeed.”

Vermain and Norma continued to talk while they sat facing each other. Norma offered to take Vermeer and Jan to the checkpoint.

“Are you the second eldest son, Sir Norma?”

“I am the third. All I own are five carriages’ worth of wealth and twelve men.”

Even the richest of nobles lacked much to offer their third son. Wealth and property are weaker the more they are divided. This is especially true for a family like the Weiss family that lacked a fief. The Weiss family’s story of success was well known across the Empire.

‘A fallen noble family who lost their fief long ago… but the current head of the family revived their wealth through business.’

Vermain looked out of the carriage. The rain was still pouring. If it weren’t for the well-paved road, the wheels would’ve been stuck in the mud.

“My father is called a Tycoon because he rose up from empty hands. I’m lucky compared to him. I plan to establish my own estate on the frontier.”

Norma’s ambition was clear.

Beyond the Western Checkpoint lies the frontier. The vast forests are all unclaimed land, and the emperor has decreed those who develop it shall have ownership. Even commoners could have their own land if they tried hard enough.

“A young noble arriving on the frontier in pursuit of success has two outcomes: They either gain it all, or…….”

“-Lose it all. I’m well aware. I’ve heard plenty of advice from my father already.”

Norma was arrogant. He observed Vermain’s demeanor. He could extrapolate Vermain’s life story, just by talking to him.

‘Probably born the third or fourth son of a decent family… Lacking talent, he probably served as an officer. A failure who grew old without any success. At an age when he should have a family, all he has is one lowly servant? Pathetic.’

Norma curled the corners of his mouth.

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“As I’m sure you realize, Vermain, us nobles have the blood of rulers running through their veins. It is better to die early than to never experience the life of a ruler, wouldn’t you agree? A lowly life belongs to a lowly blood, don’t you agree, Jan?”

Norma looked at Jan as he spoke. Jan scratched his head and laughed.

“Well, lowly commoners like me are content as long as we have food to eat, and a place to escape the morning dew.”

“If all commoners shared your mindset, the world would be at peace. What a fine servant you have, Vermain.”

Vermain burrowed deeper into the backrest and crossed his legs. He bared his teeth and smiled.

“A fine servant indeed! But don’t be fooled by that lad’s dim-witted grin, Norma. He may look dull, but he’s a fearsome creature indeed. He is a murderer who decapitated his lord’s son in cold blood.”

Norma’s face grew stiff as he stared at Jan. Jan averted his gaze in embarrassment.

“Sir, you shouldn’t phrase it like that… It was an accident.”

Jan did not deny the crime. Norma glanced back and forth between Vermain and Jan, alarmed.

“You jest. How could a noble murderer roam the Empire so freely?”

“It’s true, believe it or not.”

A cold sweat broke out on Norma’s face.

“If that’s true, I can’t let it slide. As soon as we reach the checkpoint, I must call the garrison and arrest Jan.”

Jan looked puzzled.

“Eh? What?”

“I judged you wrong! If you have murdered a noble, you must pay for…!”

Vermin stretched his hand between Jan and Norma.

“Norma, a man’s word must be heard to the end. Instead of execution, Jan will serve in the Eighth Legion.”

“The Eight Legion!”

Norma’s eyes widened.

‘So Vermain was not from the Fourth Legion.’

The Fourth Legion is responsible for policing the Western Checkpoint and the frontier. But the actual defense of the westmost front is the jurisdiction of the Eighth Legion. Despite being separate, the Fourth Legion effectively supported the Eight Legion. This allowed the Eighth Legion to concentrate its efforts solely on defending the front.

‘If Vermain served in the Eighth Legion, I guess he’s not to be looked down upon.’

Norma recovered from his surprise.

“Hmm, hmpf. You should have said so sooner, I misunderstood. But why do you travel unescorted with such a dangerous man?”

“Only the incompetent fear their subordinates.”

Vermain said quietly. Norma stared out the window, trying to hide his discomfort. The rain had stopped amidst the conversation.

The coachman shouted that he could see the gateway to the checkpoint.

“It has been a pleasure talking to you, Vermain.”

Norma smiled out of courtesy. Vermain returned the thanks. With Norma’s help, they had made it through the rain in comfort.

Soon the carriage stopped in front of the gate. Beyond the checkpoint, the long flowing river served as the boundary between the Empire and the frontier.

Soldiers at the gate were checking people’s documents. Some held out their emblems, while others pulled out paper passes. Norma and his men took out their passes. A scribe came over, and checked their documents for forgery, and nodded to the captain of the garrison.

“Norma Weiss and 12 others have been identified… But there are two more.”

“Ah, these people are not with us, please identify them separately.”

Norma said as he opened the carriage door. The garrison captain looked inside the carriage and his eyes widened.

“Eh, General Vermain? How was your trip to the capital?”

Vermain raised his hand slightly to acknowledge the greeting. Across from him, Norma’s expression stiffened. A sudden chill ran down her spine.

“Ge…neral…?

Any legion had a commander, and generals under him. To be called a general means to be one of the most powerful people in the legion.

‘Why is a general traveling alone without any escorts?!’

Norma wanted to scream. He feared to have gotten on Vermain’s bad side.

“Norma, I’ve had a comfortable journey, thanks to you.”

“Oh, n-no, please, it was an honor, G-general.”

Vermain patted Norma on the shoulder and stepped out of the carriage. Jan followed suit.

“Captain, see to the convenience of this man. Help him settle too and warn him where bandits appear. He’s the type to get himself killed.”

“Understood, sir.”

Norma watched Vermain disappear through the ranks of the soldiers.

Vermain and Jan borrowed a room at the gate to stay the night. The captain and his soldiers gladly gave up their rooms, as if they were honored.

Crack crack.

Jan laid his clothes out to dry by the fireplace. He’d heard the soldiers refer to Vermeil as General earlier.

“Sir.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t a general a very high rank in the army?”

“Enough to flaunt a little.”

Jan didn’t know how high a general was ranked, but he rubbed his palms together and continued to praise Vermain.

“I knew you were an amazing man, sir.”

“……You’re quite something as well. ”

“Hehe, you’re too kind, sir.”

Jan was swinging his legs, sitting on the ledge of the stone walls. He’d spent a fortnight doing nothing at the checkpoint. For someone who’d worked his whole life, it was too boring. He wanted help, but there was no work Jan could do at the checkpoint. What’s more, Vermain was so busy with the officers of the garrison that Jan rarely saw him these days. When he’d try to listen in, they used words so hard Jan could barely understand what they were saying.

“I guess sir’s busy. Ah, it’s a bit boring.”

Jan looked down from the walls. The gateway was bustling with people trying to get to the frontier. It was the same scene every day.

Clack, Clack.

Someone was walking up the steps to the wall.

‘A long-haired man?’

At first, Jan thought it was a man. They had a build as large as any soldier. They were wearing pants, not a skirt, and had a sword at their waist. It was clearly a man’s outfit.

‘…But it’s a woman.’

Up close, her gender was clear: her hair, tied back, was tousled, and she had curves in her muscled body.

“Are you Jan?”

The woman came up the stairs and walked straight to Jan.

“Ah, yes.”

“The general has entrusted you with me. Follow me.”

“Sir has?”

Jan jumped to his feet. The woman surveyed him.

“My name is Camilla.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m…”

“No need for introductions. Get your stuff together. We’re leaving right away.”

“What? Leaving? Then can I just say goodbye to…”

“The General is too busy to be taking farewells from the likes of you. You and I are leaving first. As for questions-…”

Jan raised his hand, interrupting her.

“Oh, I have a question, it’s almost lunch, can we eat first?”

Camilla scowled and kicked Jan in the ass.

“I was going to say there will be no questions. Get ready now, you idiot! Your feet are still visible, are you walking? Run! Hustle up!”

Camilla shouted. Jan ran to his room, with a soured expression.

‘Why’d she need to kick me? She only seemed to be a few years older than me at most.’

As Jan entered his room, Vermain was sitting inside having just returned from a meeting.

“Sir! This strange woman is ordering me to follow her, saying it’s your orders…”

“Is she well-built?”

“That’s right, do you know her?”

“Camilla is one of my men. She happened to be nearby, so I told her to take care of you. I have business in the Fourth Legion, so my return to the front will be delayed. I didn’t want to have you lying around. I’m awaiting your progress.”

“I-it is enough for me, sir, to stand by your side.”

Vermain laughed out loud and shook his head.

“I appreciate the kind words. But I need you to follow Camilla.”

Jan could not refuse. Only a small groan escaped his lips.

“Well, if you insist, I suppose I have no choice.”

Jan hefted his pack. He strode briskly down to the gate. Camilla was waiting for him, leaning against the wall.

“You’re late, Jan.”

“I was late because I was saying farewell to sir, Camilla.”

“…Why are you calling my name as if you’re friendly?”

“Well, would you prefer Mrs? Miss? Ma’am?”

Camilla scowled, then sighed.

“Just call me Camilla.”