CHAPTER 282: LIFESPANS AND LORE ( 282 )

"Alright, lad!" Girem shouted from the driver’s bench, voice booming over the creaking wheels and rattling harness.

"Since ye brought me liquor and food like a proper passenger—let’s move!"

The wagon jolted as it began rolling down the cobbled road, pulled by two thick-bodied camols with iron-plated hooves. Girem sat tall at the front, already uncorking the bottle Hazuki had bought and taking a heavy swig with a satisfied grunt.

Hazuki sat at the back, leaning against the wooden wall of the wagon bed. The supplies sat beside him—bread, meat, and a few wrapped bundles he didn’t care to check.

The sun was still high, but the air had cooled as the road stretched out of the mountain town and into the hilly countryside.

He sighed, stretched out his legs, and pulled his cloak just a little higher over his eyes.

"Okay, old man. I’m going to sleep. Wake me up when we’re near."

Girem didn’t look back, just raised the bottle in mock salute.

"Aye. Sleep well, lad. You’ll need it."

Ridan, perched just above Hazuki’s chest like a lazy cloud, muttered with a grin,

"Let’s hope you don’t snore loud enough to attract sky leeches."

Hazuki mumbled half-asleep,

"If I wake up with one on my face, I’m blaming you."

The wagon rumbled steadily down the worn dirt trail, wheels creaking and metal fittings clinking in rhythm with the camol’s heavy steps. The wind was gentle, carrying the scent of grass and distant smoke from some forest-side cooking fire.

Girem uncorked the bottle again and took a long swig.

"Lad... this is nice! Smooth burn! Good choice."

Hazuki cracked one eye open from where he lay stretched out in the back.

"Oi! Don’t drink while driving, old man!"

The dwarf laughed, his voice coarse and full of life.

"Hah! Driving? Look here, boy."

He casually let go of the reins with both hands and raised the bottle like a trophy.

Hazuki sat up halfway in alarm.

"What the hell—!"

But the camol beasts kept walking steadily, heads forward, completely unfazed.

"These lads ain’t your normal haulers, son." Girem said proudly, patting the beast’s thick neck.

"They’re trained to follow my voice, my scent, even my presence. As long as I’m ridin’ in the wagon, they know the route I’ve set in their heads. That roast meat you bought? Was for them. You think I eat before my team?"

He cackled.

Hazuki blinked, confused and slightly impressed.

"...What if we hit a ditch or something? Or get ambushed?"

"Chill, lad! I been doin’ this job for over—hmm... eighty-nine years, give or take."

He took another swig, licking the corner of his lip.

Hazuki sat up straighter.

"Wait. Eighty-nine years? How old are you?"

Girem paused, scratching his beard.

"This year...? Hrm... should be around one hundred ninety-two. Might’ve lost count."

Hazuki’s jaw dropped.

"HAAAAAAH!?"

Ridan popped up from Hazuki’s shoulder, floating like a smug puffball.

"Relax. Dwarves have long lifespans, remember? He’s not even middle-aged yet."

"Middle-aged!?" Hazuki looked horrified.

Girem chuckled again.

"Got a long way to go, lad. And more liquor to drink before I hit two hundred."

Hazuki glanced sideways at Ridan, who was floating lazily near the side rail of the wagon.

"...Is this why those dwarves call him Old Girem?"

Ridan gave a small nod.

"Yeah. His age probably is older than most of them."

Hazuki blinked, then looked toward the front of the wagon where Girem was humming to himself while sipping liquor and guiding the beast with just his presence.

"Seriously?"

"Yep. Dwarves can live up to three, maybe four hundred years."

Ridan drifted back to Hazuki’s side.

"But that’s nothing compared to elves."

"How long do elves live?"

Ridan raised a finger smugly.

"Elven lifespan averages around a thousand years, but the elder-class ones—mages, priests, royalty—can reach over fifteen hundred."

He twirled slowly in the air.

"And the scary part? They don’t look old until they’re about thirteen hundred."

Hazuki’s mouth fell open.

"Seriously? That’s like... immortal in disguise!"

"Man, this world isn’t like your old one."

Ridan said with a chuckle.

"You think someone who looks twenty might be pushing six hundred."

Hazuki let out a long breath and leaned back against the wagon wall.

"No wonder everyone here takes marriage so seriously. If you’re stuck together for centuries, you better like each other."

Ridan snorted.

"Exactly. And yet, look at you. Already locked in for life with a catgirl... who’s barely in her teens—appearance-wise."

Hazuki groaned.

"Don’t remind me. I’m not into kids, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. Say that again when she turns full adult and starts walking around in silk dresses."

"Haaa... seriously," Hazuki muttered, resting his head against the wagon’s side. "This world’s logic is so different compared to my old one."

Ridan floated alongside the edge, arms crossed, nodding calmly.

"Yeah. Here, marriage isn’t just a word—it’s a vow. And not the kind people play with like in parts of your old world."

Hazuki tilted his head toward him.

"How so?"

"Well, first off—men can marry more than one woman, but only if they can be fair. And I mean truly fair."

Ridan’s voice was unusually steady.

"Not favoritism. Not lies. They have to treat each wife equally. That’s the law."

Hazuki frowned.

"What happens if they don’t?"

"Then comes punishment. And if you want a divorce?"

Ridan raised an eyebrow.

"You better be ready to cut off your left pinky finger. Not slice. Cut. Fully."

"You’re kidding."

"Nope. That’s the tradition. Because marriage vows here carry weight. A man must swear he can provide, protect, and stay fair to his wives. A woman swears loyalty. Cheating? Doesn’t matter which side—it’s a crime."

Hazuki let out a long exhale.

"And if a guy wants to marry again...?"

Ridan grinned slightly.

"Then he has to ask the first wife’s permission. Openly. Not in secret. The wife must meet the new girl, and a proper magical appraisal is done."

"Appraisal? For what?"

"To check for deception, past crimes, curses, or dark history. It’s not just about love, Hazuki—it’s about trust. The kind that can last decades... centuries, even."

Hazuki leaned back again, eyes half closed.

"Man... that’s way heavier than what I grew up with."

Ridan floated silently for a moment.

Then he chuckled.

"Good thing you’re already bound by a pinky promise, huh? Cuts out the paperwork."

Hazuki groaned.

"Why does everything keep circling back to her?"

( End Of Chapter )