45 – People, Lions, Bulls, and Eagles (2)
An accident occurred two days later. The carriage wheel fell into a pothole while passing through a road construction zone. Fortunately, both the people and the horses were unharmed. It was because the speed was slow and the pothole was not deep. However, there seemed to be considerable damage to the wheel and axle.
The carriage creaked to the point of being unpleasant to listen to. The coachman worked hard to calm the anxious horses and move on quickly, but it was inevitable that the speed would slow down.
There was a way to stop by the nearest city for repairs, but the cons outweighed the pros. Even though it was an imperial city, not every place had a security bureau branch. Not only did everything need to be repaired at one’s own expense, but it was also a headache to take out and store sensitive cargo safely.
Cain gave a little extra money to the struggling coachman. Although the coachman, who was also part of the security bureau, initially refused, he eventually accepted the request, which was close to coercion. The condition was to enter Masada City by staying up all night.
The cracking sound grew louder, and the carriage slowed down even more. The mounted patrol with torches looked at the horses and the coachman with pity and went their own way.
Fortunately, they were able to enter Masada City just before the carriage axle completely broke. It was past 10 o’clock in the morning. It was easy to find horses and a coachman, but the carriage repair would take about a day.
“Whether it’s impressive or ignorant. The axles are all twisted. They all need to be replaced. It will take about a day to adjust and finish.”
The head of the Masada branch clicked his tongue. Cain apologized politely. The branch head had also been a field agent when Cain was his age, so he knew that he couldn’t handle every unexpected situation perfectly, so he didn’t say anything more.
“The road conditions are not good because the amount of logistics has increased. Judging by the direction, it seems to be going west, so be aware that it will get worse the further you go.”
It was because of the large caravans. They said that carriages overloaded with cargo to reduce transportation costs were increasing, and as a result, the stone-paved roads were frequently damaged.
Because of that, the group couldn’t find a suitable accommodation. Masada was not a tourist city to begin with and was close to being a mid-sized city among many intermediate stopovers for logistics. The coachmen were taking care of the horses and resting for a while, urging them to continue on their way. If it continued like this, they would have to sleep on the street. They even briefly looked into the security bureau branch accommodation, which they wouldn’t normally even consider, but they said there were no vacancies to begin with.
The helpless Maria came up with a solution.
“Well, then let’s stay at the monastery for a day and pay our respects. There’s a monastery in Masada too. Since they’re not well-off, if we donate a little and buy three servings of meat, they won’t say anything.”
“Why meat?”
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“So that there won’t be any talk of rummaging through the already meager belongings.”
With a reasonable statement, Cain nodded.
Fortunately, the town was small, and the market wasn’t too far. However, since they had just started setting up, they had to wait a bit.
The group settled in a vacant space with trees. Except for the locals, there weren’t many people shopping in such places. Perhaps there would be more to see and eat around lunchtime.
There happened to be a suitable rock to sit on. It was flat and warmed just enough by the sunlight, making it a decent place to relieve the fatigue from the night’s carriage journey.
“Um. By any chance, do they catch you on straw beds at the monastery too?”
Lily, with vivid memories of hardship at the Otranto Monastery, cautiously asked Maria.
“Huh? No. Probably straw-filled mattresses, right? Even if it’s a monastery aiming for strict discipline and asceticism, it’s very rare for a place to impose such harsh practices. Monasteries near Magdeburg might stand out, but not to that extent.”
“What does it mean for a monk to ‘stand out’? I’m really worried.”
“Heh. Well, it doesn’t mean I’m like them.”
Maria raised her middle finger to Cain.
“But it’s true that many strict adherents are placed there. It’s a strict atmosphere where if you’re supposed to eat only one bread, and you eat two, you’ll be reciting penances all night.
They claim it’s to maintain the purity of the clergy on the bustling Imperial Southern Central Road, but I think it’s just because they don’t like the idea of crows feasting on the way to Magdeburg.
If a secularized monastery devours delicious things, shouldn’t the holy ground of the revered Order be indulging in bone broths and stews? No, why do you think that way?”
“It’s more acerbic than I expected.”
Cain replied honestly.
“Oh, really?” Maria lightly tapped Cain’s chin with her finger.
“I consider myself quite objective. Just in case, I’ll say this: if you ever encounter an inquisitor with a shaved head, eyebrows, and a tight beard, run away immediately.”
“Why?”
“It means they’ve burned several people. The ash doesn’t come off the hair easily. Pretty lady, don’t be frightened! I haven’t burned anyone yet. Well, I’ve been around extinguishing fires a lot though.”
“It’s eerie,” Lily shuddered. “I’d rather have my throat cut with an axe than be burned alive.”
“There are things even more eerie.”
“What might those be?”
“Whether one gets their throat cut or is consumed by flames, it’s because I’m a sinner that they scream for enlightenment through me. Such people aren’t really speaking those words willingly. They’ve given up on everything in the world. Before they die, they just want to leave behind something meaningful, even if it’s just one thing.
And you know what people say then? They rejoice that a miracle has happened. Finally, justice has been served, and we’ve sent one person to heaven. But the one being burned or having their throat cut is just an ordinary, very ordinary person.”
Maria shook her head tremblingly.
“There’s something even more dreadful. When the inquisitors go and interrupt such rituals, people get disappointed. Nobles, local priests, even the condemned themselves, and those watching. Even some brat mutters, ‘Ah, it’s fun to see them burn.'”
“Oh my… How did you deal with it?”
“How did I deal? Swiftly arrested and roasted them alive. The only ones who enjoy such things are devils. Seeing someone hanging around happily, I thought it was a fitting example, so I hung them upside down at the entrance of the village. They were delighted to the point of blushing. It seemed like they were truly happy. A guy who enjoys hanging others, becoming an example in front of everyone. Now, that’s justice.”
Lily looked at Maria with renewed admiration. However, Maria continued to shake her head. Suddenly, Cain asked a question.
“How did you endure all of that?”
“What?”
“How did you endure all those things?”
“Endure what? Nonsense from a healthy person.” Maria jabbed Cain’s chest. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“So, um…” Cain struggled a bit to continue, especially with Lily looking at him with twinkling eyes.
“Don’t you feel a sense of disgust? When you see something like that?”
Maria lightly flicked her fingers, as if understanding what he meant.
“That. Ever heard of expecting and getting disappointed?”
“I know. I didn’t expect to hear such words from an inquisitor.”
” ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’ It’s written in the holy book. People in the past didn’t have many expectations for the world. So, after death, wouldn’t it be easier? That’s probably why they didn’t write a lot about heaven.”
Lily quietly raised her head. But her voice was firm.
“I do not agree with those words.”
“Oh, really? Pretty lady. Why not?”
“I have no logic to refute those words. However…”
“However?”
Instead of a response, Lily pulled Maria closer. Although Maria, with a flushed face, tried to push away, it was futile.
“Hey, hey! What are you doing?”
“Because the words are too sad for me to listen to.”
Although no one was watching, it was clearly an unfortunate situation, so Cain discreetly shielded the two women. Fortunately, Lily didn’t hold on for longer than necessary.
“Our lady, wow. Love overflows. Is it because of a big love pocket? Anyway, why are you asking about that?”
“Well, I was curious if there was a special secret.” Cain evaded the question skillfully. Maria, who had been quietly observing Cain, suddenly spoke to Lily.
“Miss, you’re like a bull.”
Lily blinked her large, gentle eyes like a cow.
“In what way?”
“When people say ‘bull,’ they usually mean ignorant. But, well, what a bull really means is the driving force to run towards a goal. And bulls usually charge with their horns. Lowering their heads, looking straight ahead, and swiftly raising them. It means good energy.”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.” Lily responded with a bashful smile. Maria, seeming pleased, hugged Lily affectionately.
* * * * *
Masada Market, if you only looked at the ingredients, exceeded expectations. It was a place with few residents, so there wasn’t much supply or demand. Because of that, they always had fresh ingredients.
Thanks to that, the group was able to obtain freshly caught lamb meat and fresh poultry. The old lady at the butcher’s shop was delighted with the gold coins Cain offered and even sang a little tune, saying that she could go home early today.
“Good luck is meant to be shared. Here, take this at least.”
Then she handed me a small leather pouch. Judging by the sweet scent wafting from it, the contents seemed to be quite delicious.
“Don’t chew too hard, since there are seeds. Also…” Grandma glanced around cautiously. “If possible, consume it where others can’t see you. Don’t mention that I gave it to you. Understand?”
Maria, clutching the pouch, nodded slyly. Of course, as soon as they left the market, Maria opened the pouch. She then handed one each to Cain and Lily.
They resembled large, dried dates.
“Don’t you have these in the northern regions?” Cain chuckled, but Lily innocently replied, “No.” Maria advised them to be careful not to chew the seeds and to nibble on the peel. Lily, who had been awkwardly chewing on the date, exclaimed in delight.
“Wow. What is this? I thought it was a date, but it’s so chewy and sweet!”
“Oh, that’s called a date…”
“It’s a date palm.”
Cain interjected cheekily, earning a stern look from Maria. Cain spat out the seeds with a casual “Pfft.”
“Isn’t it a bit early for the season? It’s still early summer.”
“Simpleton. If you wanted to show off, you should have gone all the way.”
Maria also took a bite of the date palm.
“The Empire may be in early summer, but in the western parts, it’s midsummer, and it’s boiling hot. It’s a perfect season for date palms to ripen. And, I don’t know how you two loyal to the Empire would think about this, but honestly, date palms taste better among the western heretics.”
Lily covered her mouth with surprised rabbit eyes. Fortunately, she didn’t spit out what she was eating. She just neatly tossed the seeds, now devoid of pulp, onto the floor.
“Um… Is it okay to say such things?”
“What? Oh. I don’t think our god will send me to hell for having a little date palm from the heretics. I’m already damned just by existing…”
As if realizing her slip, Maria closed her mouth. Instead, she picked up another date palm and chewed on it. Cain helped shift the topic.
“But, how come date palms from the west are openly distributed here?”
“It’s not distribution.” Maria scratched the back of her head.
“It’s probably just large caravans of merchants carrying their own food. Date palms are not only a great snack, but also a good stock for travels. Honestly, who doesn’t like something sweet? But honey is expensive, and sugar is even more expensive. It’s not something they sell for money, they just kindly share it, so it’s not really a problem.”
A commotion could be heard from behind.
“That is blasphemous!”
Maria ended the discussion with a sarcastic tone. If she had shown any surprise, she would have bitten her lip. Standing in front of the halted group was a very pitiful-looking man.
His skin was as rough as an old tree, and the parts covered by clothes were fewer than the parts that were not. But it was so dirty that it evoked a sense of pity rather than lewdness.
Perhaps that impression was reinforced by the patchy remaining hair, as sparse as the weeds on a field.
But his eyes. His eyes were not. They were not pitiful. Those eyes contained the wisdom of pain and suffering. It was not water that quenched a person’s throat, but a well-like peculiarity that made it even more sharp.
They were the eyes of a fanatic and a zealot.
“You said it was blasphemy, sir?”
Maria was dressed casually and did not bear the mark of an inquisitor anywhere. The old man nodded again.
“Eating such a filthy thing itself is blasphemy, that’s what it means! The origin of that wicked plant was originally from the land of Western Fire Buddhism, so thoroughly reject it and return to the pure old days. That is the path that this corrupt and cursed empire can take! So, spit out what’s in your mouth right now! The sweetness will lead you down the path of sin!”
I got it wrong. Cain thought. Now he understood why the old woman in the market had told him not to eat from just anywhere. Cain tried to just leave with his group.
Until he saw the black fire pattern drawn on the old man’s shoulder, whether it was charcoal or ink.