105 People on the move

"So, how is it?""Yes, milord. It's delicious," Joonbum answered as he bowed slightly. Count Brant Khalodian chuckled."Haha. It's not that great, isn't it? I can't call this food. Dammit."Brant retorted against the food that was served. It was boiled bird meat with bread and a stew."The only thing we can enjoy is Ainos beer… I used to be thankful for even having food but now…"Brant let out a sigh. Joonbum smiled bitterly.'Well, you've tasted my mother's food. No wonder."Sunsook was an experienced worker at a restaurant. She had over ten years of cooking experience so even with the same ingredients, her food was usually better. This difference increased as the usual cooking of this world wasn't that complicated like that of Earth. "But how can it be so different? Not even the chefs of the royal castle can match your mother's cooking.""Thank you. But don't be so angry at your food. Someone must have worked hard to prepare it.""Right."They soon finished the food and the count moved to another seat."Take a seat.""Thank you."The table in front was served with some jerky and Ainos beer."So, you must know what happened."The count puffed on his pipe a few times and opened up as he slouched on the sofa."Yes, milord. I was briefed by Jackson.""Oh, yeah. He's a bright man."Brant nodded and continued, "I want to handle this quietly by my hand. Quietly.""Is it possible?""It is. If you and the Ainos agree to it.""Then have it your way.""Good. I think I know why the Ainos cornered them so much. A warning, isn't it? But it was too much. They believe it was the work of a devil. We can't have the Horuns or any other nobles hear this. The Donians will raise the issue so it can cover their crimes."Joonbum knew since he heard it from Jackson. It was obvious that the Donians would not let this pass quietly."I will take care of it.""Understood."It was decided. They began drinking beer and talking casually."So, how is your mother doing? Wasn't she concerned about what happened?""Oh, yes. She is well. She does not know what happened.""I see. By any chance, does she have time to visit my lands? Or perhaps I can visit her at the village?""Yes? Uh- but…""I heard you two have been traveling for a long time! But how can you just travel all your life? How about you stay on my land? I have a good place where she can enjoy living. Or for just a moment, to rest from traveling. I can prepare everything you need. Be my guest! You shouldn't just wander around too much. I see that you have your reasons to leave the country, but how about my place?"-He is a good man. Although he is the pretty quiet type.-'Mom, what part of him is quiet?'Joonbum's first impression of the count was a bear-like man. But now, he was just a talkative middle-aged man.'So he's saying he wants my mom.'Joonbum didn't feel too bad. The count never forced anything or made threats by using his power. "Anyway, I will visit the Ainos tribe myself for my summer vacation.""Beg your pardon?""I am visiting the Ainos for the unity! Of course, I will visit the count while I'm at it. How about you join me on your return?" Brant asked, but Joonbum shook his head."I would like to do that, but I still have matters I need to attend to.""Is that so? That's a shame. I'll be leaving tomorrow. Let me know if you change your mind."Brant seemed to be delighted.'Why does he look happier about going there without me?'It was obvious. The count wanted to meet the countess without her son present."Sure will. Goodbye, milord."Joonbum walked out and went to his room. 'The Donians. So they are the problem.'The count promised to take care of it, but it might not be enough. His intervention did not stop the Donian from sending 300 mercenaries into the forest. He was a good noble, but he did not have such power.'They will not stop. 300 didn't work so they will send more…'Joonbum's eyes grew cold.'I have to get them first.'The culprit behind all this was the owner, Meletoba Donian. His revenge scheme failed terribly. If it were a regular man, he would've given up, but Meletoba was not some regular man. He had the most powerful merchant group of the kingdom and had strong ties with the nobles. There was no way he would give up now.'He needs to die.'It would not end without the man dead. He needed to move.'But now I think of it, it's fortunate.'It was the right time for Joonbum to take matters into his own hands since the count was leaving.'I'll finish it before he comes back.'Joonbum began walking fast as he became hot from the weather.'But this weather is too hot. I should go take a bath.'*"Ugh!""Argh!"Joonbum frowned as Daryl and Louise dropped from their horses once again. They had been trying to get used to horse riding for the past few days, but they were just too afraid of them.'Ugh, how can you be so afraid.'It was a funny sight to see two grown men be so scared of horses."We will eat and sleep on the horses from now on.""What! No!""No? Then you can leave. I have people lined up.""No! We'll do it! We'll do it!"The horse also became frantic as it felt the nervousness of the rider. One horse going rampant made other horse to do the same, resulting in both Daryl and Louise falling off.'Can they travel like this?'Joonbum had no choice but to take them. He needed to go to the capital and these two knew the way. At least they were trustworthy. "Take the reins, and we will walk slowly."Joonbum hopped onto his Galim and began walking slowly. Two big horses followed quietly from behind. It was the second day after their departure from the village. Merchants and mercenaries walked past them from time to time. They bowed their heads and did not meet Joonbum's eyes.'This is nice.'No one dared to talk or fight with Joonbum as he wore his full plate of armor. "That's Danon village. We can rest at the inn and have our horses eat up."Daryl walked ahead as he explained. Joonbum followed slowly."Who- who might you be?""He is Sir Joonbum Christos! Move out of the way!"Louise shouted at the guard proudly. The guards were surprised to see a noble in the countryside."Welcome to Danon! Sir! Please come in!"Joonbum took out two small silver coins and threw it on the ground in front of the guard."Go have a drink.""Thank you!"The guards bowed deeply and picked up the coins. The stench of animal feces was littered throughout the village. There were flies flying around and the smell was awful.'Ugh, this is way too dirty. How are they not contracting diseases?'Joonbum was disappointed. He thought it would've been better to just sleep outside the village. Joonbum went to the inn, but he had to come out because he was disgusted by the water he pulled up from the well. It was not drinkable, so he went outside the village to the river nearby."Daryl! Louise! Do not drink that water before boiling it."Joonbum started a bonfire and began boiling the water he pulled up from the well. He then put the boiled water to a water bottle and tied it in a riverbed to cool. "Look, don't ever drink the water before boiling it like this. Even if it looks clean, it might be contaminated and it might even kill you.""But everyone drinks it from the well."Daryl seemed to be confused. Joonbum shook his head."It can be contaminated in a day. Did you see the water becoming opaque during the monsoon season? That means that it's contaminated with the dirt around it. You'll get sick if you drink it. But we can filter and boil it to drink it. If you want to get sick by drinking it straight, I won't stop you.""Yes, sir!""You are very wise, sir!"Both men looked at him eagerly. They began preparing something simple to eat as Joonbum took off his armor and dived into the river to clean himself. It cooled him down nicely.They kept traveling in a similar manner. They stopped by a few villages, but most of them were dirty and ragged places. There were some bigger towns, but they weren't as nice as Khaloda Village. -You'll be surprised at this place!--They have three-story buildings!-They both exclaimed, but in the end, they were all dirty. Joonbum had to keep traveling through without wasting much time. Their journey, which should've taken them a month, was cut down to only three weeks."Ugh, my thighs hurt.""My butt!"As a result, the two moaned and groaned. 'Finally, by today…'There was a faint light coming from a distance. It was a day away from the destination, but they were now close.'I wish I came with Mom.'