The Ruler of the Two Continents
CHAPTER 6 - A TRIP TO THE VILLAGE

The cold snow was not as severe as yesterday, they could still travel to the village that Merlin had told me about yesterday.

Not all the men came, only some who took a trip with Merlin, some others waited at home, because they also went to use a horse-drawn caravan that only fit for a few people. Usually, Merlin used the train to transport drugs to be sold to the city center.

In the caravan, there were men in thick, layered coats, armed with swords and axes, seated on right and left sides, four each, and one man in front who's holding the wheel. Merlin sat among the three men on the left side, while the general sat on the right side, and he was at the very edge, so that his body leaned outwards and his hands held the top of the caravan's tarpaulin cover..

“ Miss, is not the area in the south there already entered the territory of the kingdom of Hazmut?, is the center of the city that you mean yesterday within the territory of the kingdom of Hazmut?”

Dumor, the big tall man sitting in front of Merlin asked as he hugged his sword.

“ Yes, it is the center of the kingdom of Hazmut, and my village is also still bordering the Hazmut area, but my village is rarely visited by people from around the kingdom and does not get attention from the kingdom, he said, because the kingdom judged my village was no longer their territory, so my village stood alone “

“ How's the general? Is it safe for us?”the man asked the cold-faced general who was listening to the streets.

“ Well, I think it's pretty safe. Hazmut Kingdom will not interfere if not disturbed”

A somewhat winding trip, they walked to a place that felt rather warm, the weather was somewhat different in the area with cold weather around the house of Merlin.

“ How far is it ? “ General asked Merlin.

“ Not far away “ replied Merlin who wears a long shirt and a thick brown coat.

The men felt they had gone quite far down the road, and from a while ago with the same question, Merlin always answered ‘not far away’.

Finally they reached the village of the former Harbirt clan first. They got off the car, and looked around.

They slowly entered the village, step by step, only to find debris and ruins.

Well, everything is in shambles, there are remnants of burning ashes that stick to the ground, as well as debris and wood that lay irregularly.

“ Looks like we have to work hard” Dumor kicked some wood lying around.

“ Are you okay miss?” the general looked at Merlin who was observing the surroundings.

“ No general, I'm fine. I left this village when I was a kid, and I didn't get to see how my family killed “

“ It hurts..” the general muttered and passed, Merlin just looked at him from behind.

**********

Finally they agreed to stay in the village, because the village is quite large, comfortable, close to the river and forest, also close to the city center, and also close to the city center, so make it easier for them if they want to sell something to earn income.

Some of the men who stayed overnight in the village did not return to Merlin's house, because tomorrow morning all the soldiers will be brought to the village.

Only three people returned to Merlin's house, general Luzen, Merlin and a rather short large-bodied man who became a coachman.

Inside the carriage, Merlin and the general were silent. Along the way the General did not want to know anything about Merlin, and Merlin was a bit reluctant to start asking questions, because the general's attitude was rather cold.

Finally Merlin chatted with the fat man in front who was holding the control of the horse.

Merlin Girl who is supple, he easily familiar with the person he was talking to, proved the soldier who became a coachman seen laughing loosely and told a lot when talking to Merlin. But to talk to the general, Merlin was still awkward, because the general's attitude that made Merlin reluctant or even afraid to approach began the conversation.

They talked until the weather was a bit dim, the afternoon was approaching. Merlin was already sleepy, he was asleep in the carriage seat, while the general in front of him was just looking outwards. The general finally glanced slightly at Merlin who was asleep by clutching his brown coat. The general looked at him from where he was sitting. Somewhat long ago the general looked at the beauty of the girl, and her innocent face while asleep.

...**********...

Arriving at Merlin's modest home, the men take care of the place they will be staying. And they asked Merin to come with them to live in his former village. At first Merlin refused, because it was comfortable in his home now, but there they desperately needed Merlin's help. General Luzen spoke up.

“ I ask you lady, please come with us, after all isn't it closer to selling in the city center? “

“ But I...” it feels like this time Merlin cannot refuse a request from the general.

“ Alright..I come with you” the men are relieved by Merlin's decision.

Early in the morning all were prepared and put in a caravan. Merlin brought all the medical supplies and necessities. Behind him, there were two wolves staring at him, as if not wanting Merlin to leave, they howled bitterly.

“ Can I bring them?” asked Merlin to the men there.

“ But how did you take her miss? The train is full enough” one of the men looks into the train.

Merlin looked delighted and hugged the two wolves before him. Like a submissive dog, two wolves wag their tails, signifying pleasure.

In the middle of the journey, the caravan train suddenly stopped, the men who were in the train tried to find out.

“ Hey Ghose, what's up? “ asks the General to his friend in front as a coachman.

“ Looks like there was a robbery of the general “ Then they got off, only Merlin remained in the carriage.

Sure enough, in front of them a horse carriage looked rather luxurious, it seemed to be in trouble, some men were wearing cloths used as mouth coverings, and some wear leather coats whose faces look terrible. The men there are like looting the goods in a horse carriage.

There was a scream of a woman in the carriage, who asked that her goods not be taken.

The general and his two companions approached them, the others just casually stood by the side of the carriage, as it seemed they were not heavy opponents.

“ Hey!, you'd better return the one that doesn't belong to you “ The general greets him roughly.

“ What is your business?!” the big-bodied man who was holding a box of wood, glared and put the box on the ground, then without further ado quickly attacked the general using a fairly large sword .

The general swiftly dodged and pulled out his sword and slashed at the robber's arm very quickly, taking no seconds, blood spewed out indignantly, and cries of pain rang out.

Two groups of men fought, with unbalanced skills and strength, it seemed like it only took a few moves the bandits had been cleared easily. Well, who would have thought that the bandit's opponent was a famous general in two great empires.

Some of the robbers fainted, and some ran away unseen.

The general approached and looked into the carriage, apparently inside were two women in beautiful dresses, it seemed like the woman was a noble.

“You all right madam?” ask the general with a heavy voice.

“ Ah, yes, we are fine, ter....” one of the women has not finished speaking, but the general just nodded and passed.

Then the general returned to the direction his friends stood and hinted to his comrade to speak to the two women in the carriage, as if the general was reluctant to deal with the noble lady. Then the soldier up to the general met and talked to the woman who finally got off the horse-drawn carriage.

After they cleared up the minor annoyance, they finally continued on their way.

“ Hey, looks like we're going to have a job.” the man who was talking to the noble lady, the spirit of preaching. He had black hair and had a slightly crooked nose like a parrot.

“ You mean?” asked the man beside her in curiosity.

“ The woman needs a paid bodyguard, to take care of them when traveling. The mercenaries are not fully employed, only if they need they will call him”

“ Where do they live?” ask Gardden

“ Still in Hazmut kingdom territory, their wife and daughter governor ”

“ Yoss!!! when do we start working.” other men get excited.

“ We'd better think about that later in the village” General chimed in.

“ Oya General, the woman left a greeting to you, he said ‘ Please say thank you to the man who helped us ‘ “ crooked-nosed man imitated the voice of a woman.

“ Next time you meet a woman you have to cover your face first, the general, the women like to be tempted by a face model like you ” and they all laugh. The general only smiled with the corner of his lips, his eyes unintentionally glanced at Merlin who was also laughing.

*********

In the village, everyone gathered. Then they began to clear things up, they planned to build a simple fortress with the rest of the materials, as well as a room to gather and some room space, especially for Merlin.

The wooden fort has been completed, lined around the village, also two rooms are ready to be used even though not perfect, one main room to gather and one place to rest. Their work is fairly quickly completed because of their rather large number to be hired in one day.

The night widened its darkness, the cold air was still felt, but not as cold as in the place Merlin had been before. In the room that had been completed earlier they woke up, they discussed, chatting even though tired clearly visible on their faces.

“ Sir, aren't you afraid to bring me here? Wasn't I rumored to be a disaster bearer?” Merlin asked Gardden who was casually picking up his copper-plated dagger.

“ Hahaha..isn't that good miss, so we don't have to be tired of making havoc, hahhaha.” Garden made a joke, no matter what Gardden meant, Merlin did not understand, but it seemed they were not afraid of the rumors.

They discuss the work they will do next to find income.