Invitation of the Crescent Moon - Chapter 82

A wide river meandered across the yellow-brown earth. The reeds stretching far from the riverbank had withered to a yellowish hue, and dry dust winds suddenly rose up, obscuring the view.

A terrible drought. For years, barely any rain had fallen, and the once deep and wide river was now exposing its bottom. This river cutting through the southern part of the Tridelia Empire was the Rosha River, beginning from Talion and extending to the Grand Duchy and Igraine territory.

At the entrance to the Grand Duchy alongside the river, there was a checkpoint with soldiers monitoring those entering and leaving, along with a village. The village that had once bustled with countless travelers had now become not just quiet but almost desolate.

The inn that had been empty suddenly came to life with visitors after a long time. More than ten porters, guards, and merchants filed in from the entrance in a line.

“You’re making deliveries to the Grand Duchy in these times?”

“The schedule just happened to fall that way. People like us who make deliveries have to go when the master says to go – what choice do we have?”

The man who entered first pulled down his hood and wiped his dust-covered face. So much dirt had accumulated that his palm felt gritty.

“Give me some water first. All the stream water dried up on the way here, causing us real trouble.”

“With the Rosha River exposing its bottom, the surrounding tributaries are beyond words.”

“Please prepare meals for the number of people we have.”

“What should we do about the water barrels on the cargo wagons?”

“Of course we need to fill them. I heard the drought is even worse inside the Grand Duchy.”

“Ah, it’s not just worse. It’s pointless to even talk about it.”

As the guests settled in the previously empty first-floor dining room, the staff moved busily. The innkeeper handed water to the middle-aged man who appeared to be the leader and struck up conversation.

“Any new news from the capital?”

“What new news? It’s just the same as always, what could there be?”

“I heard the capital was stirring because of the Grand Duchy…”

What the innkeeper was probably hoping for was news that the Grand Duchy’s difficult situation had become known, or that the Empress Dowager at the imperial palace had stepped in.

Contrary to expectations, he didn’t mention that uncomfortable rumors were growing larger than sympathy for the Grand Duchy.

“What good does it do for people to show interest?”

What would change anyway? At this tone revealing such inner thoughts, the innkeeper’s expression darkened.

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is also indifferent. The last Grand Duke was said to be so gentle…”

Muttering about how cruel the Empress Dowager was, his voice trailed off in a whisper as he watched the man’s reaction.

“Why make such a fuss about something that’s not new? It’s not something that started yesterday or today.”

The man replied curtly, but couldn’t hide his bitter expression.

The Grand Duchy, abandoned after losing its master. Empress Dowager Ilerna Arkpella Contilia, the last bloodline of the House of Arkpella.

The reason the Grand Duchy had not welcomed a new master and remained neglected was because the Empress Dowager, the last heir of the Grand Duchy, had delegated all rights to the imperial family.

However, the previous emperor who had issued the blockade order had died long ago, and the current emperor had no interest in the Grand Duchy. Now it would be reasonable to give it some breathing room, but even the Empress Dowager turned a blind eye, and the Grand Duchy was becoming more impoverished by the day.

They had waited like this for a full 40 years. The residents of the Grand Duchy resented the Empress Dowager while unable to abandon their last glimmer of hope.

After finishing their meal, the merchant group loaded plenty of water and got back on their cargo wagons. With daylight still remaining, they intended to proceed directly into the Grand Duchy.

The soldiers guarding the checkpoint verified the permit handed over by the leader and looked over the merchant convoy.

“Well, there’s actually a merchant group going to the Grand Duchy at a time like this?”

“Why does everyone I meet today say the same thing?”

“The atmosphere isn’t good either inside or outside.”

“That’s why we’re trying to finish quickly and return.”

“But it seems you have quite a few people. According to the permit…”

Long-distance merchant groups move with minimal personnel. Since escort personnel increase accordingly, porters are often hired locally.

Based on the quantity shown on the permit, about ten people would be sufficient, but the personnel lined up in front of the checkpoint was double that. They had probably brought all the porters with them.

Noticing the other’s suspicion, the leader casually added more explanation.

“We’re not just stopping here. We need to cross over to Talion territory from here.”

“That must be quite arduous. Well then, travel safely.”

The checkpoint soldier returned the permit with a gesture. Once permission was granted, the soldiers rushed to open the fence gate installed across the center of the road.

As the gate opened, eight wagons loaded with cargo and mounted escorts all began to move at once. When the merchant convoy had barely passed halfway through, a loud shout suddenly rang out.

“There, stop!”

The soldiers who had been sitting leisurely around the checkpoint all rose to their feet at once.

“Who is that?”

“Looks like a knight?”

In the distance, a single horse was rapidly approaching the checkpoint. While shouts to halt passage could be heard, the merchant wagons continued moving slowly beyond the checkpoint.

“Are they telling us to close the checkpoint today?”

“But what’s so urgent?”

“Oh? It’s not just one or two?”

Behind the knight visible in the distance, others were following in a line. While the soldiers stood bewildered, the knight leading the group arrived at the checkpoint. He urgently stopped his horse and a resounding shout rang out.

“Halt passage operations. The merchant group must present their permit again and wait for instructions until verification is complete.”

“Huh? But half of them have already passed through?”

“It’s the Duke’s order.”

“Gasp, Duke Talion?”

The checkpoint was managed by Talion’s soldiers, and regardless of procedure, Drushia’s commands were absolute. A startled soldier shouted toward the opposite side of the checkpoint.

“Hey, send someone to the front there. Tell them to come back!”

The sudden order caused commotion all around. The merchant convoy passing through the checkpoint was cut in half, unable to turn around on the narrow road and milling about in confusion.

Meanwhile, Talion’s knights could be seen approaching in a group. Those racing their horses only stopped urgently when they reached the checkpoint. The roughly moving horses stirred up clouds of dust in all directions.

As soon as Drushia dismounted, the checkpoint supervisor ran over.

“Your Grace, what brings you here?”

“What I mentioned? Bring the merchant permit and entry records.”

“Yes. Please wait just a moment.”

One soldier practically snatched the permit from the merchant convoy’s leader, while the checkpoint soldier brought the record sheets.

Drushia received both and quickly checked them before looking up at the merchant convoy. He had ridden so urgently that sweat was flowing down Drushia’s forehead and his thin shirt was soaked through at the chest and back.

“I heard it was a small merchant group, but the reality is somewhat different.”

“Ah, yes. They said they were stopping at the Grand Duchy and then had business in Talion territory as well.”

“Right, that’s possible. I’m not trying to be difficult.”

The soldiers were flustered by the Duke’s sudden appearance. They watched nervously for what might come out of Drushia’s mouth, worried that something serious had happened.

“Detain the merchant group’s leader and verify the identities of all accompanying persons.”

“Pardon?”

“Y-Your Grace. That’s…”

Originally, since few people passed through, there was no practice of separately verifying the identities of those entering. However, Drushia gave instructions without allowing any room for objection.

“The sun will set soon, so what’s the rush? Since they won’t be able to enter the Grand Duchy today anyway, tell them to find lodging.”

Drushia handed the documents to the soldier and continued.

“From this time forward, halt all checkpoint passage operations. Verify the identities of all people wanting to enter the Grand Duchy and bring them to me.”

They didn’t dare ask why. The soldiers lowered their bewildered gazes and busily wracked their brains wondering what had gone wrong.

Drushia washed off the dust he had accumulated over several days at the hastily secured inn. Though he wanted to stop the merchant convoy and personally turn everything upside down piece by piece, he held back, worried that the already frightened soldiers might shrink back further.

Every time he walked around the guest room, creaking sounds grated on his ears. The building was so old that the wooden floor made sounds unable to bear the weight.

There was an inn for nobles inside the village, but he deliberately chose this place because it was closest to the checkpoint.

While changing clothes, his sensitive ears caught the commotion happening outside the building. Drushia opened the window and checked toward the checkpoint.

Not long after sunset, under the dusky sky, only the yellow glow of torches could be seen around the checkpoint. In the open space outside the building, even the inn staff had come out to look around.

“There, what’s happening?”

“Yes, my lord. It seems there’s an argument at the checkpoint. Probably because they closed the checkpoint early.”

In front of the checkpoint, wagons from merchant groups that couldn’t pass through today had taken positions here and there in the open area. Among them, soldiers were gathered around one cargo wagon.

After a moment of thought, Drushia immediately left his room. Water was still dripping from his not-yet-dry hair, soaking his shirt.

As he got closer to the checkpoint, the voices of those arguing became clearer. It was a familiar voice he had heard somewhere before.

“So why are you carelessly laying hands on the lady?”

“How am I supposed to know if she’s a lady or what when I don’t know her status?”

“It’s on the permit list, isn’t it? We already submitted everything, so what else is there to verify?”

“That’s exactly what’s strange. Why would a noble young lady be mixed in with merchant wagon cargo?”

“She’s part of the merchant group!”

“Does that person look like someone who would work for a merchant group?”

The soldier shouted angrily, pointing at the wagon door. Despite the continued commotion, the person didn’t even flinch. Everyone’s attention was focused on the person wearing a deeply pulled hood.

Thump, thump. Drushia’s heart began to beat rapidly. His steps quickened as much as his racing heart. Even though the entire body was covered by a hooded cloak, he felt it as clearly as if he could see it.

The soldiers approached the silent figure.

“First, please show your identification. That should do it, right?”

“Please cooperate with us. Miss, you’re making things difficult just for us.”

“What’s going on here?”

All the soldiers’ gazes turned to Drushia at once.

Only two people standing in front of the cargo wagon didn’t look back at him.

“Oh my, Duke. You’ve come out? It’s nothing serious.”

“What is this ‘nothing serious’ matter?”

At the soldier’s attempt to smooth things over, Drushia’s voice took on an edge. Even so, his gaze was directed toward the person who wouldn’t look back.

“She’s refusing identity verification, so we were trying to drag her out, but that guy over there suddenly threw a punch, so we were about to arrest him.”

With Drushia’s appearance, the soldiers became impatient. Taking advantage of the momentum, they pushed the group aside and one soldier grabbed her arm.

“Miss, if you keep resisting like this, we’ll have no choice but to arrest you.”

“Hey!”

Just as Nile was about to approach to pull the soldier away, a thunderous shout flew at the soldier.

“Let go of that hand!”

Everyone’s movements stopped dead. The soldiers’ eyes widened in shock, and even Nile, who had been avoiding eye contact, turned to look at Drushia in surprise and froze.

However, the shocked people’s reactions didn’t register in Drushia’s eyes. Only the delicate arm caught in the rough man’s hand and the white, small hand came into view.

His wide blue eyes fiercely pressed the frozen soldier.

“Didn’t you hear me tell you to let go immediately?”

“What? Yes! I’m sorry!”

The soldier was startled and released the delicate arm he had been gripping. Drushia approached with quick steps, pushed the soldier aside, and glared at Nile.

“Hello… How have you been? It’s been a long time?”

Facing an unexpected opponent, Nile’s face became troubled.

The blue eyes glaring at Nile flashed. If Nile was there, it was obvious who the woman next to him was.

His heart pounded painfully. All his senses stood on end, directed toward the one person before his eyes. Drushia steadied his breathing and spoke.

“All soldiers, return to your positions.”

“Sir?”

“Clear the area.”

At the low growling voice, the soldiers backed away in alarm.

“Then, if you need us…”

“There’s no need to call, so go away.”

“Yes, understood.”

Those who had gathered hurriedly left. Drushia’s gaze turned to Nile, who was stubbornly holding his ground.

“I can’t leave.”

At Nile’s shameless reply, Drushia’s brow furrowed sharply. At that menacing aura, Nile stepped back.

“I’ll just step back a few paces.”

Saying he couldn’t concede more than that, Nile backed away while keeping both people in his line of sight. Only then did Drushia shift his gaze to the woman before him. To the person who was still turning her back.

“Look at me.”

The voice that had been seething calmed down. His surprised and angry heart cooled somewhat.

“I said look at me.”

He could have forcibly turned her around. He could have roughly grabbed the shoulders of that small back stubbornly facing away, made her look at him, met her eyes, and vented his anger.

But instead of using force, he hoped she would look at him of her own accord. Since he had chased her this far, he hoped she would understand his desperate heart at least a little.

“…Ashika.”

Flinch. The woman’s small back showed a reaction. The white hand hanging beneath the cloak clenched into a fist.

What was so difficult that she was struggling with all her might?

The question was only momentary. Ashika turned around and spoke.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet.”

The cool voice showed no emotional disturbance. No sign of the natural emotions that should have been there – joy or bewilderment. At that ice-cold tone, Drushia’s heart lurched.