Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 62 (Part 2)

“Should I do a morning jog?”

Having woken up early for over ten years, Rodin also woke up early at the inn. However, running around a strange village in the early morning didn’t seem appropriate.

After a brief consideration of what to do, he decided to perform the Mana Circulation Technique.

After two cycles, he neatly erased the Mana Accumulation Magic Circle he had imprinted.

“The timing is a bit off.”

Rodin continued reading the book from yesterday. After turning the last page, he used magic to burn the book to ashes.

Rodin never read a book twice unless it required deep contemplation. Most things, he could memorize as soon as he read them.

The book he had read since yesterday contained ordinary content about aura that didn’t require further reflection.

Therefore, he decided to reduce his luggage by completely burning the book.

He went down to the first floor. Several guests were already downstairs having breakfast. He saw Baker, the eldest brother of Bron’s group, who had also woken up early.

“Good morning, Baker.”

“Morning, Rodin. You’re up early.”

“Yes, it’s become a habit to wake up early.”

As they sat across from each other, breakfast was served immediately. There was no conversation between them as they ate.

Baker was the only member of Bron’s group who spoke little. Although he often nagged his younger sister Ellice, he only spoke when necessary.

Since Rodin wasn’t particularly talkative either, an awkward silence hung between them.

Just then, Bron, Marlon, and Ellice came down together. As expected, the three of them were noisy even as they descended the stairs.

“You’re the one who was wrong. I blocked the front, didn’t I?”

“Ah, Bron. No, you should have gone around at that time. My weapon is heavy, you know.”

“Both of you stop blocking the front. It gets in the way of my spellcasting.”

All of Bron’s group arrived just as Rodin and Baker were finishing their meal.

“I’ll head up first.”

“Rodin, when will you be ready to leave?”

“Let me know when you’re ready. I’ll be there.”

“Alright.”

Rodin went back to his room and packed his belongings. After getting rid of one book, his luggage had lightened. At this rate, he thought he could reduce the weight of his books entirely within ten to fifteen days.

After preparing to leave, Rodin opened the window. The cold, refreshing morning air rushed in through the window.

“Jito, go for a flight.”

―Coo?

“You must be feeling cooped up too. Just take a relaxing flight.”

―Coo.

Jito, who was in the form of clothing, quickly returned to his original form. After perching briefly on the window ledge, he shot up into the sky like an arrow.

“It feels like walking a dog in the morning.”

After sending Jito out, Rodin immediately shared his vision with him. From a dizzying height, Jito was surveying the ground below.

“Hmm? Is that the north?”

Signs of a recent battle could be seen to the north.

It was the site of a skirmish between the Imperial Army, trying to return to their country, and the Kingdom of Riyaz, which didn’t want to let go of the big fish, Duke Bernstein. Although some time had passed, the area was still left in ruins.

“I don’t know the outcome of the battle.”

Jito’s gaze circled from the north to the west, south, and then east, taking in the surroundings.

Many people were already busy moving about in the morning.

“Good job. Now, just relax and play around before you come back.”

―Coo.

Jito descended to the ground, perched on the window ledge, and then approached Rodin, transforming back into clothing.

“I told you to go play.”

―Coo, coo.

“Well, you’re not an animal but a Familiar.”

Familiars, unlike animals that enjoy walking and playing, find the greatest pleasure in being with their summoner. In fact, summoned beings, including spirits, feel the most joy when they are with the one who summoned them.

Knock, knock!

“Rodin, we’re about to leave.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Rodin grabbed his prepared luggage and went outside. Bron’s group was already equipped and waiting.

“Was I late?”

“No, you came out right on time. Let’s go.”

They headed to the stables, mounted their horses, and rode towards the village’s palisade.

At the entrance of the palisade, dozens of people had gathered. There were so many people that it was hard to find a way through.

“They’re mercenaries.”

They were the mercenaries they had seen at the inn yesterday. They seemed to be escorting a merchant caravan, but their number was larger than expected.

“It looks like they were spread out across different inns.”

There had been about 20 people staying at the same inn. But now, there were over 50 people blocking the entrance. There was also a carriage, presumably carrying the merchant caravan leader.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s keep going.”

They continued to ride their horses closer. As they approached, one of the gathered people stepped forward.

“Halt! Identify yourselves.”

“Well, this is unexpected.”

Out of the blue, they were being asked to identify themselves. It was ridiculous, but Bron, as the leader, stepped forward.

“We’re mercenaries.”

“What business do you have with us?”

“It’s not about you; we just need to get through. Could you clear the way?”

“Oh!”

Only then did the man realize their mistake.

The narrow palisade entrance had become so crowded that they were unknowingly blocking the way.

“Clear the path.”

“Move to the sides.”

The mercenaries reluctantly squeezed to the sides of the palisade, creating just enough space for a horse to pass through.

Rodin and Bron’s group leisurely rode their horses through the narrow gap.

“This is strange.”

Rodin found the composition of the mercenaries, the merchant caravan leader, and their entourage unusual.

“The number of escorts is large, and there are two mages in the carriage.”

Rodin sensed three people in the carriage as they passed by. He recognized that two of them were mages. With the addition of the escorts, it was a considerable force.

“And they’re all mounted.”

All the escorts were on horseback.

While their individual skills seemed average, the fact that they all rode expensive horses suggested they were prioritizing mobility.

“But there’s no wagon.”

Fifty escorts were a lot, but it wasn’t unusual. If there was a lot of cargo, that many might be necessary.

However, aside from the carriage carrying the merchant caravan leader, there were no wagons. The two mages and the significant force seemed to be solely for protecting the merchant leader.

“This is peculiar.”

“Oh, did you notice too, Rodin? Even though you haven’t been out in the world long, you’ve got a sharp eye.”

“What are you talking about, Bron? Explain it to us.”

Unable to contain her curiosity, Ellice urged Bron for an explanation.

Bron shrugged as if to say, “How could you not notice?”

“There’s no wagon. All those escorts are hired just to protect that one carriage.”

“Oh? You’re right. There wasn’t a wagon. Then what’s going on?”

“What do you think? The caravan leader is the protection target. Maybe they’re an important person or possess valuable information.”

Rodin agreed with Bron’s assessment. The escorts were undoubtedly hired to protect the caravan leader.

However, another possibility crossed his mind. The protection target might not be the caravan leader but rather something the leader possessed.

Something small enough to be carried but extremely valuable.

Still, he didn’t share this thought with Bron’s group. It wasn’t important to them at the moment.

“It’s not our concern anyway. Let’s just keep moving.”

“Exactly. Getting involved in something like that would only cause trouble. Unless they hired us at a high price, of course.”

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