Became the Unjust Contract Slave of the Archamage's Book-Chapter 29

"A carriage would be good."

"No coachman would risk the journey from the border to the capital."

Unlike the relatively safe areas near the capital and Elfenbine, the middle region was a death zone teeming with monsters.

Unless someone had a death wish, no coachman would help them.

"Rike seems tired. Let's rest here tonight."

"That sounds good, but we need to figure something out. At this rate, we're too slow."

Rike struggled to walk long distances. Sylvia had mentioned it was due to the poison she ingested as a child.

"Once we pass Edenburg, we can meet the capital's escort forces. We'll have to make it there on our own."

Edenburg was a city located slightly left between Elfenbine and the capital. Sylvia explained that it was just within the influence of the capital.

Fairhill, true to its name, was a village on a hill. Being a sizeable village, it had a gate and guards at its entrance.

"Halt! State your identity and purpose."

Seeing the group approaching, a young guard holding a pike stepped forward and asked.

"We're travelers headed to the capital. We plan to stay here for the night."

"Is that all? Do you carry any weapons?"

While Binaeril explained, an older guard behind the younger one suddenly slapped the back of his head.

Smack!

As the three looked on in shock, the senior guard hit the younger guard's head two or three more times.

"You fool!"

The older guard took the younger guard's pike and threw it behind him.

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"Get out of my sight!"

The younger guard, visibly dejected, stepped back. The older guard, with a tanned face, approached Binaeril's group, rubbing his hands and putting on an awkward smile.

"I'm sorry. The newbie doesn't know any better. You're from the Mage Tower, right?"

"Yes."

"Fairhill welcomes mages. Planning to stay the night? Follow me."

Transforming from a seasoned guard to a friendly guide, he led them into the village.

Binaeril, not wanting the guard to hear, nudged Sylvia with his elbow and asked.

"Hey, do we look like mages?"

"I don't know."

Their badges, symbols of their appointment, were tucked away in their luggage. They wore plain clothes, and apart from their diverse hair colors, there was no obvious indication they were mages.

"Excuse me."

"Yes, what do you want to know?"

"How did you know we were mages?"

Rike asked innocently, her face unguarded.

The guard replied with an expression that seemed to say it was obvious.

"You look refined... I mean, you look dignified. Young travelers don't usually come here."

-He's basically saying you look like young, rich kids who stand out in this area, Veritas translated his thoughts.

Indeed, Rike and Sylvia, and even Binaeril, didn't have the rough appearance of common laborers or guards. They were fair-skinned and slender.

-He's thinking you look like easy marks.

'What's the "good" part in that?' Binaeril wondered.

The guard led them to a two-story wooden building in the village center.

"This is the village chief's house. He'll help you find a place to stay."

After guiding them, he quickly departed.

"A village chief? This looks more like a mansion."

The inside was as grand as the exterior. The three speculated that the village must be quite wealthy.

The chief, despite the midday sun, had a fire burning in the fireplace and the windows open. He was sitting in a rocking chair by the window, enjoying a luxurious rest.

"Hello, I am Billwood, the chief of Fairhill. You must be the new mages?"

He seemed accustomed to such visits, standing up and draping his blanket over the armrest.

Despite the grand house, he had the warm demeanor of a village chief.

"Fairhill welcomes you."

Billwood smiled warmly and greeted them.

The people of Fairhill treated the group generously. They were provided with high-quality meat and bread, a warm bath, and rooms with fresh linens.

"Doesn't this seem a bit strange?"

"What's wrong?"

Sylvia responded with her mouth full, gnawing on a bone-in piece of meat.

"...Never mind. You eat."

Sylvia had a hearty appetite. Typical of a physical type, she ate as much as she moved.

"What's strange?"

"They're treating us too well. We haven't paid, but we're getting such luxurious food and accommodations."

"Maybe it's their way of repaying the Mage Tower's benefits?"

"I hope so."

Binaeril was the only one suspicious of the hospitality.

Especially since Veritas' earlier comment lingered in his mind.

Veritas had a knack for making snide remarks, but often threw in some truth.

'Easy marks,' he'd said.

Most Elfenbine graduates were from noble families, often naive about the world. Binaeril and his companions were no exception.

After his mother's death, Binaeril had helped his father manage the household expenses. He knew it was unusual for a village chief to personally cater to visiting mages without expecting something in return.

"Don't worry too much, Binaeril. They seem like good people. We don't get this kind of luxury every day, you know? Once we enter the Empire, we'll have to keep a low profile."

"Yeah, what could these people do to us?"

Binaeril was still wary.

He wondered if he was just being paranoid, taking on burdens unnecessarily. He decided to eat.

"Chief."

The chief and the young guard from earlier were talking outside the kitchen where the group was eating.

"Another visitor has arrived."

"Another mage?"

"Yes. But this one..."

The guard lowered his voice, conscious of Binaeril's group.

'Veritas, can you tell me what they're saying?'

-I'm not a spy, you know. Let's see... 'Not a greenhorn, looks like he's been around,' Veritas relayed.

"I'll meet him."

Binaeril put down his food and followed the chief outside.

"Hello, I'm Billwood, chief of Fairhill."

The late visitor wore a tattered robe, worn by the wind.

Judging by his magical presence, he was undoubtedly a mage.

"Fairhill welcomes all mages. Would you like a meal and a room?"

The young man, with his hood pulled down, looked neither too young nor too old.

He declined the chief's offer and showed his canteen.

"No, thank you. I just came to get some bread. I'm out of food."

"We can certainly provide that. But are you planning to leave now?"

"I'll camp nearby."

"Why not stay inside?"

The young man responded with a polite smile.

But to Binaeril, it felt like a subtle battle of wills.

"I'm sensitive. I prefer being alone. It's a bit overwhelming."

"Come on, don't be shy. We'll give you the best room."

The chief insisted several times, but the mage's resolve was firm.

Receiving a warm loaf of bread, he insisted on dropping a few silver coins into the chief's hand before leaving the village.

As he departed, the mage and Binaeril's eyes met. The mage shook his head slightly and walked away.

The chief, licking his lips, noticed Binaeril then.

"Oh, what are you doing here? It's cold, come inside."

Binaeril explained to his companions what he saw.

"Isn't it suspicious?"

"He seemed like one of our seniors. Why would he refuse such hospitality unless..."

"Maybe he's just really sensitive."

"Damn it, can't you think beyond simple answers?"

"What? Why do you always think negatively?"

Even Rike, who usually sided with Binaeril, sided with Sylvia this time.

"Binaeril, nothing has happened yet. Don't worry so much."

"Rike, you too? I still think something's off. Let's take turns keeping watch tonight."

Sylvia grumbled at Binaeril's suggestion.

Just then, the chief appeared, wearing his usual warm smile.

"Did you enjoy the meal?"

"Yes."

Binaeril replied reluctantly.

Sensing the tension, Rike stepped in with compliments.

"It was wonderful. Thank you for such a warm welcome."

"You're welcome. We owe much to Elfenbine. This is the least we can do."

The chief laughed heartily at Rike's polite tone.

"Where are you headed?"

"Oh, we're..."

Binaeril cut Rike off, answering.

"We're headed west. Far away. We can't give more details."

"West, huh? I see."

The chief rolled his eyes.

To Binaeril, it seemed like the chief was calculating the weight of their purses.

Finally, the chief got to the point.

"Then, you'll need to pay for the meal, bath, and rooms."

"Of course."

"You didn't mention that earlier."

"Did you expect it all for free? Great Elfenbine mages?"

Feigning shock, the chief pretended to be surprised.

Binaeril shot Sylvia a sharp look.

See? I was right, wasn't I? Negative, my foot.

"We'll pay. How much?"

"Not much."

The chief rubbed his hands together, grinning broadly.

It was the most genuine smile he'd shown so far.

"Ten Florin silver coins each."

It was an outrageous price.