CHAPTER 296: THE SOUTHERNER AND THE SNOW

Now, Catherine is starting to run out of money, and Billford is racking his brain trying to corner Carl. Ultimately, there are limits to what the human body and weapons can do. No matter how hard you squeeze, you’ll eventually hit rock bottom.

Normally, it would be impossible to remember and embody that many things, but Carl actually trained in martial arts that way. Since he’s so smart, he just remembers everything.

There, mana is also increasing like waves crashing down. It’s been two years since Carl took up the sword. It has become possible to receive the Master’s sword.

No one knew yet how far Carl would reach in the end.

***

A few days after meeting Curtis, Carl set out for Himmeln.

The Laurel Legion had disbanded for the winter, but the imperial soldiers had to return to Himmeln anyway, so they all decided to go together.

The sky over the eastern part of the Empire was starting to warm up, and thick snowflakes were falling.

The weather wasn’t that cold, but if one went out alone and got lost while it was snowing like this, they could freeze to death.

This was why there were more deaths in the eastern part of the Empire than in the northern part, where the flesh froze and fell off.

Especially in the eastern part of the Empire, where the climate was considered mild, many foreigners who came without any special preparation ended up stranded on the road and died.

"Someone lend Sir Curtis some boots and a cloak."

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry...."

Curtis, who came from the southern part of the Empire where he had never seen snow in his entire life, had prepared himself.

But to those accustomed to the heavy snowfall in the eastern part of the Empire, he looked so miserable that he almost resembled a vagabond.

He was wearing clothes and capes that were not properly waterproof or water-repellent, and boots that were so low that his ankles were exposed.

In the meantime, Curtis’s clothes were soaking wet as if he had been rained on, since his body temperature was abnormally high due to a fever, and the inside of his shoes was soaked through with melted snow that had stuck to his ankles.

At this rate, I’ll freeze to death before I even get to Himmeln.

This was actually a bit unfair from Curtis’s perspective as well.

’I came to Dabron thinking I would be able to meet Carl soon before winter came. In the first place, Carl sent the letter, but didn’t Carl go all the way to Tumaria to fight in the war? Because of that, I spent all my travel expenses on accommodation and potions, so I couldn’t even buy a new cloak and boots!’

"Thank you, Duren! I will not forget this favor! The size is just right! Duren must have arranged this moment. What is your name? Oh, my name is Curtis."

Curtis thanked the royal soldier who had lent him a spare cloak and boots, shook his hand, hugged him, blessed him in Duren’s name, and exclaimed over and over again how wonderful the boots and cloak were.

Even the imperial soldier who had reluctantly lent his cloak and boots was so cheerful that he was laughing, so fortunately, Curtis was able to pass without any major problems.

Southerners’ overly emotional and frank speech and behavior could often feel burdensome and unpleasant to people from other regions, but when things were going well, it was infinitely better.

This was because there were many people who got angry even after receiving help, simply because their pride was hurt.

Curtis was just happy that he could now cure his illness, and he was watching Carl’s expression.

Thanks to this, the Southerner never said ’honest things’ that would offend those around him, but always smiled and said pleasant things.

"If you ever come to the South, come to the Levins anytime. Eastern cuisine is pretty good, but it’s not as good as ours! I didn’t get married until late in life, so I don’t have a wife to cook for me, but my mother is a great cook!"

Curtis was already inviting the soldier who had lent him his cloak and boots to come as his guest.

From a distance, it looked like they’d known each other for about ten years.

They had just met for the first time today.

Curtis’s cheerful side became a small source of energy on the boring journey.

Carl and his entourage had too much to worry about and didn’t have time to feel the boredom of the journey, but the soldiers did not.

Since they only had to do what they were told anyway, they just traveled by horse or carriage.

Small talk should be moderate to be fun. After spending almost two years with these dark-faced, shaggy-haired guys since the founding of the Laurel Tree Unit, Curtis had nothing more to say.

But whenever Curtis said something, he reacted in a uniquely Southern way, as if he had heard something truly great, so everyone gathered around him and giggled while talking.

Even this talkative Southerner was very curious about Carl, so he started circling Carl like a hyena stalking its prey.

"Oh my god! You’re only 17?"

"Yes, that’s right."

"When I was that age, I would take my lady on horseback rides and couldn’t even properly hold a sword. How amazing! You can even handle mana! Wow, the Third Prince is rumored to be a genius for becoming a Master at the age of 20, and here’s another genius!"

"Yes...."

Billford had to sweat profusely under Curtis’s mental attack.

First of all, Curtis himself was too burdensome, and Billford wished he would stop saying such things in front of Carl and Catherine.

Curtis licked his lips at Billford’s weak reaction and aimed for Catherine.

But as soon as he saw Catherine’s rock-like face, he gave up.

Curtis then targeted Milton, because the reason Curtis—who didn’t even have money to buy potions—could talk so cheerfully now was thanks to Milton.

"As I get older, the journey becomes harder to endure."

But Milton, who was overwhelmed by the flood of words that poured out every time he treated Curtis, would get into the carriage and not even show his face.

Although Milton suffered on the battlefield, committed evil deeds, and ran wild because of Carl, he was originally a quiet and gentle man who could have become the royal physician.

"They say the weather is so nice in the South, but what is it like in the summer? It must be humid and difficult because there’s the ocean."

"Hahaha! That won’t happen. It’s not that hot to begin with. And even in the South, it’s not like it’s all right next to the sea, right? Well, if you come to the South from a foreign land, of course you should go to the sea."

On the other hand, surprisingly, Harmon seemed to get along quite well with Curtis.

As a royal servant, Harmon was both eloquent and perceptive, making him the best conversation partner for Curtis.

And for Harmon, who was surrounded by only reserved people and whose mouth felt like it was covered with cobwebs, Curtis was the best conversation partner.

Above all, Harmon knew that Carl intended to hire Curtis, so he needed to learn more about this strange Southerner.

After speaking to over a hundred imperial soldiers and all of Carl’s entourage in just two days, Curtis finally approached Carl cautiously.

"How many times have I heard of your great victories in the land of Tumaria? All three were incredible victories, weren’t they?"

Curtis was very careful and chose a topic of Carl’s glorious triumphs that he thought Carl would be happy to talk about.

"That’s right."

"I heard that you enjoy using your mobility to take the lead in positioning and surprise your enemies."

"I didn’t enjoy it. I just did it because I needed to."

"...Oh, I see."

Curtis rolled his eyes at the cloak for no reason, then urged his horse back slowly and rode alongside Carl again.

The horse was a smart animal. He also felt a wall around Carl and became discouraged.

No! Come on, Dolin!

Curtis encouraged his horse, Dolin, as he remembered riding along the southern coast and flower-filled plains with several ladies.

’I don’t know what to say!’

No, actually, those were words of encouragement to himself when he felt like he was going to collapse.

Carl, who was only 18 years old, was indifferent to his victories as if he were some old veteran with lots of white hair.

If someone saw it, they would think he’d been fighting a war for 50 years.

’Are you really 18? Even if you’re not that old, you’re like a nobleman who’s over 30 and has grandchildren.’

Since nobles usually married early, it was not strange to have grandchildren by the age of thirty.

In that sense, Curtis actually had a pretty good idea of Carl’s age.

"Your Majesty, do you have a lady in mind?"