Chapter 14: The Free City of Beneta
The journey to the Free City of Beneta was one that could have easily felt tedious. However, for , every day had been filled with enough chaos to leave no room for boredom.
From the start, we clashed over which route to take. Ben wanted to cut through the Laup Forest, while I insisted on going around it.
‘Is he out of his mind? Take the route through Laup Forest?’
As they’d soon find out, a mad wizard who conducted human experintation lived in that forest.
Even now, that lunatic was probably running his experints deep within the forest. And we were supposed to waltz right into his playground? No way.
However, going through the forest would only take two days, while taking the detour would require three or more days. Naturally, Ben’s opinion carried more weight than mine.
So, I threw out a bait—just in case. I waved the gem pouch in front of them and said,
“If we take the longer route and still arrive in Beneta within three days, I’ll treat everyone to a grand ti at the Blue Rose.”
“W-What? The Blue Rose?”
“Yes. And I’ll reserve the fifth floor.”
“The fifth floor!!”
“No trip to Beneta is complete without visiting the famous fifth floor of the Blue Rose.”
The mont I ntioned Beneta’s famous Blue Rose, the heated tension between and Ben evaporated like a mirage in the desert.
Ben coughed awkwardly and took a step back.
It was good that things had gone my way, but… why did it feel so unsettling?
Wasn’t Ben supposed to be here to keep an eye on ?
The way he took the bait so easily made wonder what his real intentions were.
But the mont passed quickly, and I nodded in satisfaction. I turned to the rcenaries and gave the order to head toward the Blue Rose.
After all, visiting Beneta’s Blue Rose wasn’t just a whim—it was sothing I had to do, one way or another.
So, our journey began. We took the detour around the forest, traveling tirelessly along the outskirts of Laup Forest.
But then, an unexpected complication arose—bandits.
How many groups of bandits did we encounter during those two days of skirting around the forest?
“Damn this shitty novel.”
Twenty attacks.
It was ridiculous. It felt like the bandits were on so kind of alarm system, showing up like clockwork at breakfast,lunch, and dinner to block the carriage.
[Hahaha! Stop right there!]
“……”
[Hahaha! We are the Black Axe Bandits!]
“Again?”
[Hahaha!]
“Enough already!”
After hearing that sa routine over and over, I was ready to lose my mind. Just hearing soone laugh outside the carriage made feel like I was developing paranoia.
Since we only had a single coachman driving the carriage without any other visible guards, we must have looked like an easy target to every bandit in the area.
Fortunately, the situation never beca dangerous.
The bandits were weak, and our team was strong.
We had one three-star knight and four B-rank rcenaries.
Whenever the rcenaries dealt with the attackers, the situation was resolved quickly. Ben only stepped in twice.
That gave a chance to gauge their abilities: the rcenaries seed capable, but if it ca down to dealing with Ben, running would be the only option.
Even though Ben and the rcenaries were assigned to watch over , they never worked together.
When Ben handled a fight, the rcenaries stayed near . When the rcenaries fought, Ben remained glued to my side.
It seed Kal had indeed ordered them to keep an eye on —Ben especially. That foul-tempered knight stuck to like gum, showing no intention of giving any space.
But even though he was supposed to be keeping watch…
‘What is wrong with this idiot?’
There Ben was, snoring beside .
It’s natural for people to sleep, sure—but sotis, even when the rcenaries weren’t nearby, Ben would fall asleep right next to without a care in the world.
The guy slept so soundly, it was impossible to believe he was faking it.
It was as if he was practically inviting to kill him and escape. His attempts at surveillance were beyond sloppy.
On the day before we reached Beneta—
We had just fought off our thirtieth bandit raid when I turned to the rcenary leader, Gavis, and asked:
“Are there always this many bandits in the Laup Forest?”
“There are usually quite a few, but not like this. Should I ask them?”
“Ask who?”
[Hahahaha! Stop right there!]
“Those guys.”
Right on cue, the thirty-first group of bandits burst out of the forest, shouting the sa tired lines.
It was through these bandits that I finally learned why the attacks had been so frequent.
The bandit leader, bloody and beaten, was dragged in front of by Gavis.
“So, you were pushed to the outskirts?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“And why is that?”
“Our hideouts have been disappearing without a trace… One after another…”
Apparently, several bandit hideouts deep within the Laup Forest had vanished—as if swallowed by the ground. Terrified by these strange events, the bandits had fled to the forest’s edges.
The mont I heard that, a chill ran down my spine.
I imdiately knew who was responsible.
‘It’s him!’
Dominic Huarton.
A twisted lunatic who took pleasure in dismbering living creatures and creating chiras from their remains.
It was undoubtedly his handiwork. Running low on materials, he must have been preparing to move beyond the forest in search of new victims.
Avoiding the Laup Forest had been the right decision.
I glanced at Ben and the rcenaries.
They had narrowly escaped the fate of becoming test subjects. They should be grateful to .
But, of course, they didn’t realize how lucky they were.
“If we’d just gone through the forest, we wouldn’t have had to deal with all these bandits.”
“Seriously. Whose idea was it to take the detour, anyway?”
“Shut up! Don’t you want to go to the Blue Rose?”
“……”
These idiots didn’t even know they’d dodged death.
And neither did that obnoxious knight, Ben.
After three exhausting days, the carriage finally arrived in front of a massive fortress.
“Is that the Free City of Beneta?”
I gazed up at the scenery I had only imagined while reading the novel.
As the carriage rumbled forward, the steep stone walls, carved from solid rock, grew closer and closer.
Beautiful yet practical, the walls were a testant to craftsmanship far beyond human ability.
Beneta was ruled by Dornef, a dwarf lord. It was a sanctuary where people of all races ca to rest and trade. We made our way toward Beneta’s gates.
***
Since Beneta was a Free City, there were no official knights or soldiers stationed there.
Instead, rcenaries handled security and inspections.
Dornef had contracted high-ranking rcenary groups—those A-rank and above—to patrol the city. Many of these rcenaries carried weapons crafted by dwarves.
“Those weapons… are they really that good?” I asked.
Gavis, the rcenary leader, pointed toward the gate guards and explained, “To get a weapon like that, you’d have to work for Beneta’s security force for years.”
It seed wealth truly could buy loyalty.
I could tell just by how eager these rcenaries beca the mont I ntioned treating them at the Blue Rose.
At first, they had been wary of . But once Ben stayed quiet, they began engaging with more casually.
“Is it worth it?” I asked.
“The competition is fierce. Even though those weapons are mass-produced, they’re still miles better than anything made by a human blacksmith. Wearing dwarf-made armor is like carrying an extra life.”
“They give you armor too?”
“If you sign an exclusive contract, yes. At that point, you’d basically be part of Beneta’s private military. The minimum service period is ten years.”
Dornef lured talented rcenaries by offering them high-quality equipnt. Many three-star wandering knights had also joined Beneta, making its forces comparable—if not superior—to those of other territories.
‘Should I try to get one for myself?’
I an, who wouldn’t want a dwarf-made weapon?
“Are we heading straight to the Blue Rose?”
Gavis’s question interrupted my thoughts. I decided against looking for new weapons—for now. No point in drawing unnecessary attention.
Even if the rcenaries were friendly now, they could turn their blades on at any mont.
‘Besides, no matter what I get, it won’t help beat Ben.’
I had other ways to deal with them, so I didn’t need to take unnecessary risks.
I smiled at Gavis, who was watching with anticipation.
This was the sa guy who had insisted on driving the carriage himself, all so he could visit the Blue Rose’s fifth floor.
Even Ben and the other rcenaries were watching closely, as if waiting for my decision.
‘These guys… Are they really my guards?’
Over the past few days, I’d noticed far too many gaps in their surveillance.
I’d need to verify a few things soon.
After all, my opponent was none other than Kal Blazer, the Mad Butcher.
“I need to stop by a magic shop first,” I said.
“Mind if I ask what you’re planning to buy?”
“Just so utility scrolls.”
“Utility scrolls, huh? Very well.”
Since Beneta treated rcenaries well, all it took was flashing our rcenary badges to breeze through the gate inspection.
Gavis guided the carriage through the streets with confidence, soon stopping in front of a tall building in the western outskirts.
“This is a magic shop frequented by rcenaries,” he explained.
“Is it well-known?”
“Yes. They have a reputation for not ripping off custors.”
“…Not ripping off?”
“Most rcenaries don’t know much about magic, so they often get scamd.”
I hadn’t realized magic shops could be so treacherous.
It seed Gavis was familiar with Beneta, having visited several tis before.
I gave a small nod and entered the shop, with Ben following close behind.
A young girl in a robe greeted us cheerfully.
“Welco! What can I help you with today?”
“Do you have Ignition Scrolls?”
“Of course!”
I ordered six Ignition Scrolls, simple spells used to start fires—handy for camping. Since they were practical, Ben didn’t raise any objections.
After purchasing the blue parchnt scrolls, I hesitated for a mont.
“Do you also have Illusion Scrolls?”
“Yes! What kind of illusion are you looking for?”
“A butterfly. Specifically, a white butterfly.”
“A white butterfly… Let check. We should have so left over from the festival, though they’re only available in bulk. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine.”
While the girl disappeared into the backroom, Ben gave a puzzled look.
“Why do you need illusion scrolls?”
“I have a feeling they’ll co in handy.”
“A feeling?”
“Do you want to explain? It’s related to our lord’s business.”
The mont I ntioned our lord, Ben shut his mouth. It was the perfect excuse—enough to shut down any further questions.
After all, Illusion Scrolls weren’t dangerous. They were festival items, like fireworks, but instead of explosions, they released white butterflies that fluttered through the night sky.
Originally, I hadn’t planned to buy them.
But after hearing what the bandits had said about Dominic, I changed my mind.
If that mad wizard was on the move, I needed so insurance.
Dominic Huarton, the pioneer of chiric lifeforms, was not soone to be taken lightly.
I knew exactly what he was capable of.
After completing my purchase, I climbed back into the carriage.
“Let’s head to the Blue Rose.”
The words the rcenaries had been waiting for.
Gavis, practically trembling with excitent, gripped the reins tightly. The carriage picked up speed, heading swiftly toward the plaza.
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