Chapter 11 - Moonlit Drink
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“Yulg.”
Rolo visited my campsite near the village-forest border, where the keystone was located, in the middle of the night under the shining moonlight.
In his hands were a bottle of wine and two mugs.
“What’s up, Rolo?”
“Couldn’t sleep. Thought maybe we could drink a little together.”
“What about Fimia?”
“I tried waking her, but she was out cold. Must’ve been really tired.”
I gave Rolo a wry smile in return. All things considered, Fimia was still a noble-born lady raised in the central capital. After traveling all the way out to a remote backwater like this, it’s no wonder the fatigue caught up to her.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
I brought the mug to my nose and enjoyed the aroma. I remember an old client once taught me how to appreciate wine like this.
“Smells good. Tastes good too. Where’d you get it?”
“I bought it from the Toneriko Company just before leaving Advante. They said it’s made with top-quality grapes from the Eastern Continent.”
“Must’ve cost you.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t cheap. I was actually planning to drink it all in self-pity.”
Rolo looked up at the moon with a quiet smile. Even though we’re childhood friends, sometimes he’s ridiculously picturesque. No wonder the lady priest fell head over heels for him.
After leaving this remote village and heading for the bustling adventure city, we met all kinds of people. Everywhere I looked, it was people, people, and more people—nothing like back home. Being surrounded by that sea of nameless faces, I came to understand just how exceptional Rolo’s looks were.
But it wasn’t just about appearance. He’s unjaded, unwavering. A man with a clear core. Plenty of people from the countryside ended up losing themselves in the city, but Rolo never did. His gentle, kind nature never changed, and at the same time, he had a stronger will than anyone—always looking forward. People like to praise me, calling me “Skysunder” and all that—but if anyone deserves admiration, it’s someone like Rolo.
“This really brings back memories, huh?”
“Yeah. Feels like we used to look up at the moon like this all the time.”
Back then, I was just a brat. I treated Rolo poorly when he came to visit, snapped at him with bitter words.
Even so, he always tried to be my friend.
And now, I realize how much that helped me keep going.
“Do you think we can protect this place?”
“We will.”
Even if this place feels suffocating to me, it’s precious to Rolo. If it’s for him, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect it—even if it means pushing myself too far. And besides, his mom’s always been good to me.
“Hearing that from you really reassures me, Yulg.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the kind of guy who keeps his promises.”
“That’s… heavy, man.”
Once Rolo says that, I can’t exactly back out. Losing his trust would probably hurt more than anything.
“Well, I’ll do what I can. Brainy stuff is all yours, though.”
“I’m not as good as Saran, but we know the land better. I think we’ll manage somehow.”
“Yeah, we played around here as kids all the time… Thinking about it now, that’s kind of terrifying.”
“Agreed. Even adventurers wouldn’t want to explore untamed territory like we used to.”
We both laughed.
Reckless, ignorant countryside kids playing dangerously.
Still, thanks to that, I don’t feel all that afraid of heading into the unexplored forest.
Besides, now we’ve got actual adventuring experience—and Fimia, who’s dependable in a fight. We’ll do a much better job than we ever could back then.
“Oh right, I was talking with my mom… She said, if you’re going to camp out anyway, why not just build a house?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“A house for you, in the village.”
Rolo—and apparently his mom’s—sudden proposal left me speechless.
Sure, I admit living out here in a tent like a drifter isn’t the best image, but building a house in Marhus? That’s pure madness.
There’s no way the villagers would accept me staying here long-term.
“Remember how Fimia checked the keystones and confirmed the barrier layout?”
“Yeah. We were surprised that the village used an expansion-type instead of a linkage-type.”
Linkage-type barriers connect keystones via magic lines to form a wall-like barrier. Expansion-type, on the other hand, creates circular barriers centered on each keystone. The linkage method is cheaper and simpler, but Marhus’s barrier was expansion-type.
The village center—around where the chief’s house is—lies at the overlapping point of those circles, making it the most heavily protected area. Maybe that has to do with how this village originally began as a base camp for exploring untamed regions.
“Exactly. Fimia said there’s enough range to expand the village a bit more.”
“Still, people won’t be comfortable with me living here.”
“But you can’t stay camping out forever, right?”
Rolo had a point. When I was a kid, I just threw down some straw and slept wherever—or snuck into the stables. Compared to that, having a tent that keeps out wind and rain already felt like luxury.
“I don’t mind camping.”
“That’s out of the question. In fact, I want you to build a proper house and show you’re part of the village.”
“You think that actually helps?”
“I do.”
I didn’t totally get what Rolo meant, but knowing him, he was probably right. If I were in the villagers’ shoes, I’d want no part of some guy who used to be trouble suddenly moving back in.
“I’ll get permission from the chief and the village elders.”
“Even if you do, I don’t know how to build a house. I doubt anyone wants to help build my place.”
“Hmm… maybe we can recruit someone from Hirte?”
True, there’s an Adventurer’s Guild in Hirte, so probably there’s a Craftsman’s Guild too. Still, this village doesn’t even have an inn for workers to stay in.
“Maybe I’ll add a room for myself in your house, Yulg.”
“What the heck? Is this going to be a party base or something?”
When I said that, Rolo’s face lit up like he’d had an epiphany.
“Exactly, Yulg! That’s the angle we need to go with!”
Rolo downed some wine and, looking pleased, started talking excitedly about his plans. Basking under the moonlight, I simply nodded along and listened.
