Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 276

TN: Please read my translations only on my website since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!

Enjoy~

ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 276 – A Welcome by Carriage

Chris woke up with a blank expression, unaware of her absentmindedness.

She had indeed been too relaxed.

Thinking this, Ain interacted with her without a second thought.

They exchanged some business matters, and Katima joined them.

As planned, they prepared for the journey to Balt as dawn approached.

That was the story of Ain’s departure from Ist. After riding the water train for a while, Ain and Chris arrived in Balt’s harsh winter cold.

In the harsh region, Ain exhaled, his cheeks tightening.

“It’s snowing.”

“Yes, it’s… quite a lot more than in Ist.”

If they strayed from the path, they would quickly be covered in snow.

Their breath was visible, and the snow underfoot was powdery, probably due to the low temperature, unlike in Ist.

It was evening.

Orange light poured down, and the powdery snow reflected it, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

It was an emotional scene, but today, Ain was with Chris alone.

Unlike before, there was no bustle because they were not in a large group.

“For now, shall we go to the inn that Krone prepared for us?”

He looked toward the center of Balt.

Balt was bustling with adventurers today, and the liveliest time of the day was about to begin.

After evening fell, those who had gone to work would return.

Restaurants and bars would be crowded with people when that happened.

Ain felt nostalgic about the sign made from monster bones.

“Let’s leave only the necessary luggage and depart immediately.”

“…Um, are we going to the old capital?”

Chris questioned Ain’s sanity.

Leaving Balt early in the morning, they wouldn’t reach the Demon Lord’s Castle until noon.

Since it was already evening, they would arrive in the middle of the night.

“The snowy roads are dangerous at night. Monsters come out, so I disagree with this.”

“I would normally agree with you, but today I have a good feeling about it.”

Ain looked outside the city at the place where adventurers came and went.

Chris followed his gaze.

“…Is there a road?”

Of course, there was a road.

It was a well-maintained road, nothing more.

However, she didn’t feel the road; she felt something like a magical device illuminating the path in a city shrouded in night.

Something in the air—or perhaps a presence—looked straight at the two of them, giving them a warm, gentle feeling.

It was as if there were a special seat meant only for the two of them, and it was beyond human knowledge and technology.

“I think it’s Sylvia-san. It reminds me of the warm atmosphere I felt when she and Cain-san were inside me.”

“I see. If that’s what you say, Ain-sama, then it must be so.”

Huh? Ain was surprised that Chris agreed so easily.

He thought she would still refuse.

“Geez, what’s with the face? I don’t always oppose you, you know.”

Ain smiled wryly at Chris’ sullen expression and took a step forward.

The feeling of stepping on the snow was even different from Ist’s.

“Is the inn the same as before?”

“Yes, if you mean when you weren’t here, then yes.”

“…I feel like there’s a thorn, but maybe it’s just my imagination.”

Then, she took the lead and started walking.

Following Ain’s example of ignoring inconvenient questions, she didn’t respond either, just smiling.

“Come on, let’s go! Sylvia-sama and the others are waiting!”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

After dropping off their luggage at the inn, the two set out on the mountain path as night fell.

Honestly, it was extremely difficult to walk.

However, compared to the last time they were there, there seemed to be more gaps between the trees.

“It looks like they’ve been cut down intentionally.”

“Oh, did you think so too, Chris?”

The gaps were wide enough for two or three people to easily pass through.

Describing it as a wide animal trail would be an accurate description.

“Compared to when I came here a while ago, it’s much easier to walk now.”

“Yeah, it’s the same as when I came here.”

“It’s too sloppy to be the work of someone who maintains it. I think it’s…”

The only person who comes to mind was Cain.

He probably used his sword to make it easier to reach the city.

For now, no adventurers ventured into the area said to be the former royal capital.

Perhaps because of the royal decree, no one dared to go there out of mischief.

“It must be Cain-san. He’s blunt but kind, so I think he cut it himself.”

Cut? In his case, he could turn the whole area into a bald mountain with a single stroke.

“Fufu… It’s hard to call him a person, but I agree.”

Chris, walking beside him, said the same thing in a cheerful voice.

About three hours after leaving the city of Balt,

It was pitch dark, and they could barely see each other’s expressions.

However, the two of them were in good spirits. They were able to continue without complaining about the harsh environment.

That said, it was almost time to turn back.

…Just as Ain wiped the sweat from his forehead, a sound reached them.

It was the sound of wheels scraping against the ground, followed by the sound of an animal that sounded like a horse.

“What’s that sound?”

“…If I think about it logically, I’d say it’s a horse-drawn carriage.”

“The problem is that this isn’t a place where horse-drawn carriages would normally travel.”

A snow-covered road would be concerning enough, but this was a mountain path.

No matter what, no one would consider driving a carriage here.

As the two pondered this, the sound of wheels and horse-like voices grew louder.

“It seems to be getting closer…”

“…Ain-sama, please be on guard, just in case.”

Following Chris’s advice, he drew his sword and focused his attention on the direction of the sound.

The sound was coming from the direction of the old capital, from deep within the wide animal trail.

As the sound gradually grew louder, a dull light appeared in their eyes.

“It really does sound like a carriage.”

Ain was startled, but Chris stood in front of him.

She was trying to protect him, but he pushed her away.

“What… Ain-sama! What are you doing?!”

It might have been improper for a royal, but Ain felt a man’s pride.

(If anything happens, I have to be ready to protect her.)

It was just his personality, so there was nothing he could do about it.

It wouldn’t be wrong to tell him to be more considerate, but that’s just who Ain was.

In the end, the two stood side by side, waiting for the approaching light.

“If you stand in front of me, there’s no point in me following you as your bodyguard.”

“If I were a crown prince who could be protected quietly, I wouldn’t cause trouble for everyone.”

“…Huh. If you’re aware of that, I wish you would change it.”

“Haha, I’ll consider it.”

The carriage was about to enter the space between them.

Just as the sense of crisis was rising, the carriage stopped a safe distance away.

It stopped skillfully on the sloping mountain road, facing Ain and Chris as if glaring at them.

(…Is that a horse?)

Ain squinted and saw that the carriage was pulled by two horses.

They looked different from ordinary horses, although their fur was white like that of white horses.

(They’re too big, and their manes…)

The horses that pulled the royal carriages in the capital were also known for their size.

However, these horses were even larger. Their majestic manes blew in the cold wind, and two twisted horns grew from their heads.

Upon closer inspection, their fur seemed translucent, like crystal. At their feet, a white mist rose, like cold air.

“Are the undead pulling the carriage?”

Chris said this after seeing the horses in their entirety.

“Undead, you mean that horse?”

“It’s a rare magical creature called a crystal horse. This is only the second time I’ve seen one in person.”

According to Chris, they only exist in the deepest parts of the forest, in places even more remote than where Black Huorn appears.

As one would expect of such a rare creature, they are said to be more powerful than ordinary monsters.

Hearing that, a thought crossed Ain’s mind.

In addition to being a rare magical creature, it’s undead. Come to think of it, he knew of two similar beings.

“Hey, I’m starting to think it’s not an enemy. What do you think?”

“Haha… Yes. Actually, I came to the same conclusion.”

Only someone who would use a carriage on a mountain road like this would do such a thing.

There was only one person with such an otherworldly sense of elegance.

Considering that this was near the old capital, it was only natural to expect someone like that.

Just as the two relaxed their guard, the carriage door slowly opened.

The leaves of the surrounding trees glowed like streetlights, illuminating the two of them and the carriage.

“Fufu, Ain and Chris-san—I never expected you two to come.”

The snow piled up on the mountain road didn’t matter.

She stepped out of the carriage looking like a noblewoman attending a ball.

Her proud black hair swayed in the wind as she welcomed the two who had arrived.

“Welcome. Thank you for coming. Please, get in the carriage first. Cain is waiting at the castle.”

She beckoned them into the carriage.

Ending up like this on a mountain path…

Ain and Chris exchanged wry smiles before thanking her for the unconventional welcome.

If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!