Author: 冬瓜茶仙人 / Winter Melon Tea Immortal
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 10
The startled horse bolted from the woods, and the young girl on its back was jostled up and down, looking as if she might fall off at any moment.
Three people spurred their horses to chase, and four gray shadows also sprang from the woods in relentless pursuit. Shivers tried to catch up to the white horse, but the crazed speed of the white horse was too fast, and the watchful gray wolves continuously tried to cut into their path, attempting to scatter the group.
Eugene’s horse, Catherine, was far less courageous and adaptable than Araceae and Midnight. Confronted directly by the gray wolves, it panicked, nearly throwing Eugene off, who had to cling tightly to it, unable to lend a hand.
The white horse in the lead, in its panic, rushed into a thick fog not far ahead. Dwight slowed down, only to find that the fog wasn’t mist but thick smoke from burning wood, so choking that Araceae slowed down, unwilling to run further.
Not only were the horses and humans baffled by this sudden smoke, but the persistently chasing wolves also halted their advance. They seemed unable to understand this strange smoke and hesitated on the spot before quickly retreating back into the woods.
Shivers instructed Eugene to wait with Dwight on the spot while he went to investigate. As he walked forward, the smoke thickened. Avoiding the wind, he saw, not far ahead, only two fire pits. The wood found under the snow couldn’t really catch fire, but it was the windy season, and the smoke-filled fire pits, when blown by the wind, spread a great deal of smoke. The Knight Commander, still on his horse, saw a small figure busily fanning the flames by one of the fire pits. Even through the white smoke, its red and blue uniform was particularly striking.
It was the little tin soldier from the rabbit shopkeeper’s side.
“I’ve wanted to ask for a long time,” Shivers said, puzzled. “Are you also a magical item?”
The little tin soldier looked offended.
“Of course, I am a person,” it said seriously. “You really are rude.”
The Duke, riding Araceae through the gradually clearing smoke, just heard this exchange. The assertive tone raised his eyebrows. “You’re a person? What about that rabbit then?”
The little tin soldier said, “Charlie isn’t a rabbit either!”
“Suit yourself,” Dwight said nonchalantly. “So he went off to play the hero?”
The little tin soldier clearly thought he was as rude as Shivers and refused to speak further. Dwight didn’t mind, and after nearly an hour, they saw the now calm white horse return, led by Charlie. The fluffy rabbit wore a finely made silk top hat on his fuzzy head.
Indeed, the young girl on horseback had fainted.
After a brief discussion, they decided to move forward with her, as the smoke had mostly cleared, and in this season of scarce prey, no one could guarantee that the hungry gray wolves wouldn’t follow again. Moreover, no one wanted to spend the night outdoors in this weather.
The rabbit-headed shopkeeper seemed not at all surprised to encounter Dwight and Shivers here. Both parties (mainly Dwight and Shivers) had things to say, but now wasn’t the time for reminiscing. They were still farther from the predetermined stopover at Popomia Village than indicated on the map, so to reach their destination before sunset, everyone quietly focused on the road.
Despite each having a mount, the bad road conditions, constant vigilance against wolf attacks, and fear of thieves left everyone exhausted. When Eugene finally saw a wisp of smoke and a low fence, he instantly perked up and rode his donkey forward to ask for directions.
A squat woman was feeding chickens behind the fence. She poured Eugene a glass of milk and directed them around the hillside to a spacious church that provided free firewood to passing travelers.
The dark brown stone path wound around the base of the hill, with fields still showing patches of white snow and low farm houses scattered about. Children dressed like round balls played with puppies and lambs, shyly running back into their houses when strangers passed, their dogs bravely barking at them, followed by adults’ scolding.
The dwellings here looked similar to those in Brandenburg’s territory. Once they reached populated areas, wild wolves rarely approached, so everyone slowed down, leisurely walking on the rural path, occasionally commenting on the smells wafting from a small window, guessing whether the dish being prepared was a fruit tart or apple pie.
The church the farm woman mentioned was on the east side of the village, situated on a large open space used for regular gatherings.
Unlike the grand churches Dwight had visited, with elaborate carvings, stained glass windows, and hand-painted ceilings, this modest church looked just a bit more refined than the farmhouses they had passed. Its flat stone walls were painted white, with dry coral vines hanging up to its highest point, easily imagining it covered in green leaves and red flowers in summer.
The church had no fireplace, only an old iron stove with a huge kettle rusted at the bottom.
In the corner of the courtyard, a shed shielded from snowstorms was filled with firewood.
Currently, the only guests in Popomia Village were them. When they pushed open the thick wooden door, the stirred dust made Dwight frown and step back several paces.
The severe winter season clearly left the church seldom tended; the benches were covered in dust, and the air smelled of rotting wood, forcing everyone to climb up to open all the windows.
Charlie and Shivers brought in firewood, and it took some time to start a fire as the ashes in the hearth hadn’t been cleaned for a while.
Hiring Eugene proved an exceedingly wise decision; even Dwight hadn’t recognized his skills beyond thievery. As Shivers started the fire, Eugene deftly used the church’s benches to make several makeshift beds, laid out blankets, and double-checked the doors and windows.
Charlie found a well behind the church, so he set up a large iron pot on the stove and cooked a pot of steaming onion soup.
Perhaps it was the aroma of the onion soup that finally awoke the sleeping girl.
She was placed on a bench by Shivers, and before she could fully open her eyes, her stomach growled loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.
As people were preparing to dine, they all quieted down, watching the girl in the red cloak slowly sit up and face them.
She had long, golden curly hair and a pair of beautiful eyes as blue as forget-me-nots, which reminded Dwight of the delicate handmade dolls in Priscilla’s room.
Beautiful women were a catalyst for the hormones of all bachelors. Eugene almost instinctively began to court her, lowering his voice, thinking he sounded deep and sexy. “You’re awake? Come over here (to the fire).”
The girl immediately widened her eyes in terror, trying to flee on all fours, unaware she was only lying on a narrow bench. Tripping over her cloak, she fell to the ground with a thud that made everyone wince in pain.
Eugene hurried forward to help her up but was pushed away by her as she scrambled behind the overturned bench.
Dwight had enough of the spectacle and finally drawled, “Excuse me, can someone remind that fool that he really looks like a creep?”
Their group was all male: two hooded men, a scraggly bearded man, and a bizarre rabbit-headed creature—ignoring the little tin soldier, they were indeed an odd bunch.
Anyone waking up to see such a group—and the first words from the obvious ruffian being a threat (?) to offer herself up—would be frightened.
Charlie quietly lowered his head and took a sip of onion soup with a “slurping” sound.
Shivers’ upbringing didn’t allow him to turn a blind eye to women in distress, so he rubbed his forehead. “Eugene, don’t get so close to her. You’ll give this young lady another fright, and she’ll faint again.”
His tone was steady and reassuring, and the girl turned her gaze to him upon hearing this.
The reliable Knight Commander didn’t make the same basic error as Eugene. He removed his hood and smiled warmly at the girl.
“We mean no harm,” Shivers said in a soothing tone. “We’re just passing merchants and leaving you alone in the wilderness would be too dangerous. We decided to take you along to a safe stopover. If you want, you can leave at any time.”
The girl seemed to calm down a bit, but she still eyed Eugene warily.
Shivers felt a headache coming on. “Eugene, no lady wants a strange man to get so close.”
Eugene looked at the girl.
She nodded without hesitation.
Deeply wounded, Eugene returned to the fire, not only having his confidence shattered but also enduring the unreserved ridicule from his employer.
Charlie patted the little tin soldier and sent it to offer a bowl of soup to the girl. Dwight glanced at him.
Though a moving tin soldier was quite odd, its cute and cheerful appearance greatly reduced any sense of threat, so the girl didn’t refuse the offer.
Saving someone from near-death was basic decency, but Dwight and Shivers both carried the coldness and self-interest typical of nobles. Shivers, in particular, was generally willing to show more gentleness and care to women, provided it didn’t conflict with his duties or beliefs. However, with Dwight around, the Duke’s safety and wishes always took top priority, so he didn’t intend to pay the girl much attention during their journey.
Dwight understood his Knight Commander, but Charlie’s attitude was intriguing. He had used the smoke to scare off the wolves, calmed the frightened horse, and saved the girl, but otherwise, the rabbit-headed shopkeeper was distant yet polite.
Charlie was the kind of man who could kiss the sheriff’s wife’s chubby hand without batting an eye and describe her as a “delicate flower”, so there was no reason for him to be so aloof when faced with an actual vulnerable girl.
Unfortunately, Eugene, the one willing to show interest in a pretty girl, was let down by his appearance. He had to sit by the fire, toasting dry bread to make it softer, while trying to listen in on the soft conversation between the little tin soldier and the girl.
They were a bit too far, and Eugene couldn’t hear anything.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, ‘What’s with it?'” The picky Duke hadn’t eaten much and was determined not to let those around him focus on eating either.
Charlie put down his bowl and saw Dwight tilting his head, looking at the little tin soldier sitting beside the girl.
“Are you talking about Columbus? He’s human,” Charlie replied.
Dwight let out a scoff.
Charlie seemed somewhat helpless. “What do you want me to say? He is indeed human. He just had an unfortunate accident that turned him into what he is now.”
Eugene’s attention was drawn to the conversation. “What kind of accident turns a person into a tin soldier?” He knew that fires and carriage accidents could cause injuries and deformities, but turning into a completely different, non-living entity was simply too bizarre.
“If it’s due to magic, it would take a very skilled mage to achieve that. Most wizards at the Clerical Institute can only change hair and skin color with potions,” Shivers said in a lowered voice. “Transforming a human being is highly evil magic and strictly forbidden. Who would be so bold?”
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