Chapter 34: Emilia

The goblin attack ended easily, leaving the mercenaries in high spirits as they chatted about the pleasant battle. Everyone carefully inspected the bodies; green skins liked shiny things, which could be worthless glass beads or stones, but might also be valuable gold coins or even gems.

"Oh, what a delightful battle. No one died, and even the few unlucky ones who got hurt were only frostbitten. We can soon be on our way again, Lady Trovik." The mercenaries were happy. Virt had found some silver coins on the goblins, an unexpected reward. He immediately went to report to the sorceress.

"Very well... call Ryan over," Virt imagined Lady Trovik wouldn't smile but at least wouldn't be angry. However, he found the sorceress pale and her tone unpleasant, so he retreated quickly.

This woman! Is she unhappy we didn't fight harder? Or does she think the battle was too easy? The deputy commander felt a surge of indignation but suppressed his anger and found Ryan, who was enjoying the scenery.

"Ready to depart?" Ryan stopped his conversation with Estelle when he saw Virt approaching. "Tell Oliver I'll be right there."

"No, Mr. Ryan, it's Lady Trovik. She wants to see you," Virt shrugged.

"Oh, alright." Ryan nodded. "Looks like we'll have to continue our chat later, Estelle."

Walking towards the caravan with Virt, Ryan enjoyed the feel of his boots on the soft, yellowed meadow. Having not participated in the battle, he didn't go after the spoils. He had enjoyed watching the scenery for quite some time. "Any idea what this is about?"

Virt's boots crunched on the ground as he shook his head. "No idea, Mr. Ryan. I have a question for you."

"Go ahead."

"Are spellcasters always this difficult to deal with?" Virt smiled wryly. "Our Blood Axe Mercenary Company has always shown the utmost sincerity and best attitude, giving our all in every task. Our company is half its original size, yet Lady Trovik seems oblivious."

"Your mercenary perspective might not apply to spellcasters, and the rules of us knights might not either... I've been trying to find a way to get along with her. So far, it seems to be working?" Ryan carried his warhammer on his shoulder, freeing a hand to pat Virt's shoulder. "You'll find a way. If not, avoiding her might be a solution."

"It's easy for you to say, Mr. Ryan. I've been stuck at the elite mid-tier for two years, and thirty-five is approaching. I hope I can break through again." Virt stopped in front of the carriage. "I'll stay here. Please, go ahead."

When Ryan saw Teresa, she was sitting pale on a crate. Seeing him, she tried to stand but grimaced in pain. "Ryan, something's wrong. I~"

"Are you hurt?" Ryan asked curiously. "Goblins managed to hurt you?"

"No, it's worse. My... period suddenly started!" Teresa clutched her abdomen, her voice filled with pain. "Damn it, why now?"

"What came?" Ryan thought for a moment, then his face changed. "Really?!"

"Ugh!" Teresa clearly struggled to endure the pain. "Maybe... the chaos in diet and magic caused it..."

"I'll carry you!" Ryan looked worried. Both he and Teresa were high-level combatants; losing one would be disastrous.

This time, Teresa didn't refuse. She let Ryan slide his arms under her knees and around her back, lifting her onto the carriage. She leaned against the side, breathing heavily, looking miserable. "Stay with me for a while, okay?"

The caravan started moving again. Seeing this, Ryan also leaned against the other side of the carriage, putting away his usual smile. "Does this happen often?"

"In Garon... it's common. Magic alters our cycle when it enters our bodies. If not managed well, this happens," Teresa lay back, clutching her stomach in pain. "It's usually over in a day. Just..."

"Just?"

"My pants are dirty, and I can't change them myself." Teresa looked at Ryan for help. "Can you..."

"I'll find a female mercenary to help you," Ryan said awkwardly, getting up and leaving the carriage. Teresa watched his back, her eyes flickering with unknown thoughts.

Ryan exited the carriage and shouted, "Is there a woman in the caravan? Any woman will do!"

The caravan was shocked, and people started whispering.

"I didn't expect the famous kingdom knight, Mr. Ryan, to be such a person. In broad daylight..."

"And he plans to do it in the carriage..."

"Not just in the carriage, but a moving one. Is that his kink?"

"And any woman will do. Mr. Ryan has heavy tastes!"

Ryan's forehead was full of black lines. He quickly added, "There's a patient in need of care."

Only then did the murmurs stop.

About ten minutes later.

Ryan brought a woman to the carriage. "Teresa, this is the only woman in the caravan. She'll take care of you!"

A slender woman with beautiful blonde hair, wearing simple mercenary clothes, brown leather armor, and a yellow linen shirt, walked in nervously. Teresa felt slightly relieved seeing the woman was clean.

However, when the woman lifted her head, Teresa was disappointed. Her face was covered in freckles, her small eyes and high nose made her features look uncoordinated. She was average at best.

"Who is she?" Teresa asked casually.

"She's a mercenary from the Blood Axe Mercenary Company, named Emilia. The only woman in our caravan. She'll take care of you for now," Ryan nodded, about to leave the carriage.

"Wait!" Teresa stopped him. "I don't recall seeing her before. Is she really from the Blood Axe Mercenary Company?"

"Yes, she usually cooks, does laundry, and handles medical care. She's also decent with a rapier, according to Virt. Anyway, change your clothes first, and we'll talk later," Ryan added.

Despite the reassurances, Teresa scrutinized Emilia with distrustful eyes. Her silver pupils glowed with arcane light, scanning the mercenary, who seemed nervous and ready to retreat.

"Alright, she can stay."

Ryan left the carriage, mounted his horse, and rode to Virt. "Virt, that female mercenary, Emilia? I don't recall seeing her before."

"Emilia? Yes, she's not very noticeable. Do you know how she joined our mercenary company?" Virt asked.

"I'm all ears."

"About two years ago, she joined us. She was picking wild vegetables in the wild, looking very forlorn, when some bandits noticed her. Our company happened to pass by, and Boris saved her. We didn't plan to keep her since her sword skills were weak, and... well, our company didn't need such a woman. I'm sure you understand," Virt gestured.

"Then why did you take her in?" Ryan crossed his arms, intrigued.

"Because she can read and is knowledgeable. She easily pointed out loopholes in our contracts with local merchants and helped us negotiate. She also cooks, knows medical and bandaging techniques, and makes simple herbal remedies. Despite her poor sword skills, we had no objections to keeping her after she showed her talents." Virt explained Emilia's background and added, "Ironically, I was the one who strongly opposed her joining, but now even I must admit she's indispensable."

"Interesting. But did you never wonder about her background? Why was a literate woman picking wild vegetables in the wild?" Ryan asked.

He wasn't worried about Teresa's safety. Her strong magical power provided numerous ways to protect herself. The female mercenary's abilities were merely ordinary.

"Emilia said she's the daughter of a bankrupt merchant. There are many like her, nothing unusual, right?" Virt raised his hand, palm up. "Wars bring disaster. Even without the threats of barbarians and monsters, bandits, robbers, and frequent wars between lords often bankrupt merchants. These daughters are often sold as maids, while capable ones like Emilia escape. Nothing unusual."

"True," Ryan nodded. It wasn't unusual at all.

My vassal's vassal is not my vassal, a principle entirely applicable to the feudal system in the main material world. Despite imperial laws mandating disputes between lords be resolved through legal and diplomatic means, private conflicts were inevitable. Add to that various bandits, robbers, and monsters. This world wasn't the technologically advanced Earth. Even the richest territories had at least half of their areas uninhabited forests, plains, or mountains and swamps. If a lord's army wasn't strong enough, farmers had to be wary even when planting crops, as who knew what monsters might suddenly emerge from the roadside forest, stream, or even the soil to take their lives.

Similarly, every trade route had risks. The only difference was encountering goblins, ordinary bandits, or terrifying beastmen warbands or greenskin armies.

In the afternoon, the caravan continued. It was early winter, and the roads were completely frozen, making travel quick. According to Oliver, by April or May, when the snow began to melt, the roads in Nord would become extremely muddy, making it difficult for even people to pass, let alone wagons. Hibernating animals would emerge hungry, making the trade routes more dangerous.

"So, no merchant chooses to do business in Nord in April or May," Oliver concluded.

"No wonder food prices skyrocket around April and May. I thought it was due to post-winter planting and storage issues," Ryan remarked.

"It's the same. Human meat is most delicious and expensive around April and May," Oliver joked. "Rising food prices affect us humans and beastmen and greenskins too, right?"

"Hahaha! Yes," Ryan

 laughed heartily.

"Mr. Ryan, could you check on Lady Trovik? She seems in a bad mood, and I'm worried..." Oliver suggested, seeing Ryan in a good mood.

"Alright, I'll go check."

Since earlier, Ryan had heard Teresa's impatient voice.

"Oh! Stop, where are you wiping?!" "Wait! Be careful, this is silk, do you know how expensive it is?" "My God! You fool, can't you even put on pants?" "Don't use that dirty water! Get me clean water! Clean water!!!"

He had been ignoring the sorceress's shouts. Women on their period were prone to mood swings, especially Teresa, who was independent and powerful, with a bad temper. He didn't want to risk it.

Everyone else stayed away, except the coachman who kept driving.

Inside the carriage, Teresa, pale, struggled to put on her tight pants. After a while, she gave up. These black tight pants, usually comfortable, now caused her stabbing pain with each pull.

The clumsy mercenary even brought dirty water to clean her. Didn't she know that could cause infection? Only boiled, filtered snow water was safe!

Moreover, the mercenary's attitude was displeasing. Teresa knew she wasn't at home and couldn't expect deference, but basic respect and courtesy were necessary. This mercenary, Emilia, kept her head down, never meeting her eyes, and answered with "Yes, sorry, okay" in the simplest way.

It made her feel awful, both physically and mentally.

"Alright, from now on, just do as I say, okay?"