Chapter 86

Soon, the carriage began to move cautiously again.

The wild men ran ahead of us, jumping over the mountains as if to show us the way, and Pedro steered the carriage, following their path.

I sat across from Alec, feeling much calmer than I had earlier.

Pressing a hand to my chest, I spoke.

“I just hope this Kililul or whoever doesn’t try to kill us.”

I finished speaking with a long exhale.

‘Are those people even human?’

From my perspective as an ordinary person, the sight of the wild men descending the mountain so effortlessly was almost a spectacle.

It was as if they were wild beasts themselves, exuding a raw and fierce energy.

I quickly spoke again.

“I heard that some of the nobles sent to govern were killed by the wild men.”

“That seems to be the case. Whether they really killed them or not, I don’t know.”

“…They probably didn’t spare them, did they?”

I felt pity as I thought of those nobles.

The wild man’s comment about robbing us and killing us still echoed clearly in my mind.

But I would never surrender or give in to them.

Even though I was trembling, I knew I had to steel my resolve.

I even thought that Alec’s strength might be enough to overpower the wild men.

I didn’t know how strong he was, but could he not defeat even the tyrant?

However, seeing as he wasn’t currently confronting the tyrant, there might be other circumstances I wasn’t aware of.

A while ago, when we went to the imperial palace, he had even met the emperor, but he hadn’t sought revenge or made any attack.

Regardless, I trusted him and myself for now.

We had already planned to meet the wild men, so as long as we followed our preparations, I would be able to face Kililul confidently.

While I was thinking this, Alec spoke cautiously.

“…You don’t need to worry too much. Nothing will happen.”

“I understand. Thank you, Alec.”

I smiled softly at him.

In any case, as long as I was with him, I felt reassured about meeting the wild men.

The carriage drove for a while longer and passed through Kanak.

Originally, we had planned to explore Kanak and the surrounding areas first, but since the wild men had shown up, we no longer had to go around asking for directions, which was a relief.

Soon, the carriage came to a stop.

As I got off the carriage, I could see that the wild men were already standing there, waiting for us.

“Follow me.”

The man called Kels spat coldly before turning around.

Before I took a step, I spoke to our coachman.

“Pedro, come here. You’ll be fine as long as you stay by my side.”

“What? Oh, my lady… Thank you.”

Pedro approached me with a barely concealed look of fear.

I smiled slightly at Pedro before turning away again.

My eyes met Alec’s by chance.

He seemed momentarily startled by the unexpected eye contact, but quickly composed himself and spoke calmly.

“…Shall we go in?”

“Yes.”

I answered briefly and walked calmly.

The dwellings of the wild men were made up of low, stone-built huts and fences.

Flags fluttered here and there, and tall stone lookout towers rose, providing views from elevated positions.

Though the structures looked a bit old, they were still sturdy and impressive.

I pretended not to notice the occasional bloodstains.

“There are so many people here.”

I spoke softly to Alec. I saw him nod in agreement.

With each step we took, the eyes of the wild men, young and old alike, followed us.

Seeing them was fascinating—they seemed like characters from a fantasy novel.

They were just as curious about us as we were about them.

Eventually, Kels led us to the largest building at the center of the wild men’ settlement.

Inside, red and lavish curtains and drapes were everywhere.

It was clearly a place where the leader of the wild men would reside.

“What kind of person is Kililul?”

He was the leader of the harsh and rugged North, so he wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

From the way the wild men had acted earlier, it was clear they were on high alert around us.

Finally, Kels stopped and turned toward us.

As Alec and I halted, I sensed Pedro hesitating behind us.

Kels spoke in a low, commanding tone.

“Kneel.”

“…”

…What?

We still hadn’t seen Kililul.

“You must kneel here to have the honor of meeting the great Kililul, our Kililvex.”

“…”

It seemed that Kililul was somewhere nearby, waiting to make his entrance like the dignified leader he was.

It would be proper to show respect when meeting a leader.

But he was the leader of the wild men, and we were the lords, the emperor’s representatives.

We were not of lower status than Kililul, and we had no intention of fighting the wild men.

There was absolutely no reason for us to kneel.

I held my head and back straight, not moving.

Alec, too, showed no intention of kneeling.

Kels gritted his teeth at our silence.

“Why? Can’t kneel? Shall I break your legs so you’ll kneel forever?”

At that moment, I slowly raised my head and met Kels’ gaze.

“Do friends kneel to each other here?”

“What?”

“We came to be friends.”

“…”

I smiled slightly as I finished speaking.

Kels’ expression twisted in anger, Alec stiffened beside me, and Pedro swallowed nervously.

“…Did you just say ‘friend’ with Kililul?”

Kels’ eyes burned with fury.

The wildling looked like he could kill me with a single punch, and for a moment, I felt a bit intimidated by his murderous intent.

But I maintained a light smile.

“Is there anyone in this world without a friend? If Kililul doesn’t have one, we’d be honored to be his first.”

“…”

Kels’ jaw tightened.

Was he thinking, ‘Is this woman crazy?’

“Hah, hah.”

Just then, a low, heavy laugh came from somewhere.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the sound.

A deep voice, as heavy as a large man’s build, echoed.

The red curtain was pulled back, and a man, barely dressed from the waist up, appeared.

I wondered for a moment if he wasn’t cold, but then he stood tall, facing forward.

The sight of him left me a little overwhelmed.

He was the perfect embodiment of a beastly man.

His upper body was barely covered by thin leather, and gold ornaments dangled from his forearms.

Fortunately, he was properly dressed from the waist down.

‘Isn’t he cold?’

That was my first thought.

The other wild men were bundled up in layers of fur and leather.

It seemed exposing your torso in this freezing weather was a requirement for leading the Grand Cali.

‘He won’t be easy to deal with.’

The beast of a man, who I assumed was Kililul, scanned Alec and me with intense eyes.

We, in turn, stared directly back at him, not backing down.

Showing any sign of weakness now would be like admitting defeat.

Kels, looking a bit flustered, hurriedly approached Kililul.

“Kililul, I apologize. I will make them kneel right away.”

Kililul raised a hand leisurely, signaling Kels to stop.

“It’s fine. I can’t use force on those who want to be friends.”

He spoke, but his eyes still glared at us as though he could crush us with one hand at any moment.

“But do you know? I’m not familiar with friendship. I’m not sure it would mean much to be friends with me.”

Kililul let out a short, amused laugh.

He then sat down on a stone chair covered with red cloth.

Even then, Alec and I did not break eye contact with Kililul.

“Kels, explain what happened.”

“Yes, Kililul.”

At Kililul’s gesture, Kels approached him and began whispering, likely recounting our encounter moments earlier.
After a moment, when Kels straightened his posture, Kililul’s expression shifted slightly.

It darkened, as if he had just heard something untrustworthy.

His suspicion and wariness toward us deepened.

Soon, Kililul opened his mouth.

“Until recently, that place was completely inaccessible.”

“……”

“Not only that, but no one had entered the castle for hundreds of years. There were no such things as well-maintained roads.”

“……”

“But now there are proper roads, and pale humans like those are riding carriages up to the castle?”

“……”

“I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes.”

Then you should have come yourself instead of sending your subordinates.

I put on a slightly pleasant expression.

“Then I think it would be a good idea for you to visit Wiltsbrook Castle this time. The scenery is truly magnificent. Could we perhaps invite you, Kililul, as our first guest to the castle?”

“……”

Kililul’s eyes turned hostile at my words.

Perhaps because I casually addressed him by name, Kels clenched his fists as well.

Suddenly, Kililul gave an order.

“Bring Andrew.”

Huh? Andrew?

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories