"Already too late to do it now?" Kanaru murmured as he looked around. He noticed nothing changing around until he began to pick up scents from all over. The sweet aroma of flower extracts and the savory smell of cooking meat were pretty much abundant. They seemed to be headed to a place of human activity, which made Kanaru happy.
However, he also picked up on a few shuffling footsteps coming from the front. He then took a deep breath, scared of getting in trouble with guards. After all, just because the outpost was there didn't mean everyone could simply walk in. Then again, he figured he should act like he didn't consider it.
"Your Highness!" the caravan leader called out, and Kanaru ran to the front. Rodnir sighed and followed him just by walking.
Kanaru didn't have to ask anymore as he saw the soldiers blocking their path. With those formidable armors and strong aura, he was so sure that those were elite soldiers. Then again, for them to be here…
The leading soldier aimed his halberd at Kanaru, who stood in front of the people. Even if Kanaru responded to 'Your Highness,' the leader saw a man, who looked nothing better than a commoner. That was why he didn't tame down his tone. "Turn back! You are not allowed to come this way. If you don't want to be harmed, heed the word of the highest crown!"
Behind them were the distant gates of the outpost. The gates were left open as a few riders would spill out one by one as if looking for someone. However, what made his eyes shine were the gentle lights inside. It even had scents of food wafting in the air.
Kanaru then moved his gaze to the leading soldier. "We were told that we can get directions from the outpost. We just wanted to rest—"
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" The leading soldier thrust the halberd toward Kanaru to threaten him some more. "I said you can't enter! Rest somewhere else!"
"But—"
Before Kanaru could make another sound, the soldier took a lunge forward to strike at his abdomen. However, a hand caught the blade and cushioned the hit against Kanaru. When the leading soldier glanced to the side to see who stopped him, he felt his entire body freezing in terror. The other soldiers were also terrified at the matter.
Rodnir broke the halberd's blade using the same hand. He glared at the soldiers. "Who told you to close the outpost just because I'm not around? Rescind the orders. Bring me everyone who thought they could turn people away from the outpost. Also, prepare food for these people. How disgraceful to the crown. Why are you so scared?"
"…Y-Your Grace… Y-Yes, sir!" The soldiers quickly ran back to escape the blonde man. None of them wanted to be caught around a furious Rodnir.
"Uh, thanks…" Kanaru held his belly that could have been stabbed. Even if his fur could protect him, he still hated the fact that he could have been injured. That was why he quickly searched his satchel for a clean cloth. "Give me your hand, Rodnir! It's bleeding!"
Upon hearing Kanaru say so, Rodnir looked down at his hand. He then showed Kanaru his palm, the cut regenerating faster than how Kanaru could react and clean it. Even the man's blood seeped back into his skin. He then said, "Don't worry too much. The mutation in my blood is so strong. I'm more beast than human at this point. Let's just go inside."
Kanaru, however, stared at the hand in front of him. He pushed the cloth back inside his satchel, but his gaze stuck to the palm. Before Rodnir could pull it away, Kanaru held onto it. He said, "It doesn't mean you didn't feel pain. Even unicorns suffer when they get hurt. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."
"I guess my abilities did give it away." Rodnir didn't pull his hand from Kanaru's hold. After all, the hands were warm, and they had been traveling in the cold for a day. "Your people must be tired. Let's go inside the outpost now."
"Right." Kanaru offered a smile and let go of the man's hand. He then got the people to advance toward the outpost again.
Rodnir walked next to Kanaru in front this time, ignoring how the soldiers would bow as he passed by. However, his hand twitched in secret as if missing the warmth on it just earlier.
Before the people could even finish alighting the carriage, a group of knights in their shining black armor approached the group. Kanaru looked up at them, inherently fearing the image of them riding to battle. However, they didn't come there for him… just the man standing next to him.
"Your Grace, where have you gone? Didn't I tell you that these outskirts are dangerous?" One of them walked close and removed his helmet. "I heard you got angry that I decided to close the outpost. What else am I supposed to do when you suddenly went missing one night? Are you still looking to complete what we came here for, or do you want me to drag you back to the king?"
"Don't get too angry at me." Rodnir hummed before looking at Kanaru. "I'll deal with them for now. You should start repairing your carriage. Also… here…"
Rodnir fished for his coin purse inside the small bag he wore on his hip. He checked the contents first before giving the whole bag to Kanaru. "I don't know how much a safe passage to Krillman will take, but use this if you need to. You can also buy things for them if you like. It's all yours."
Kanaru only smiled and thanked him, soon watching him walk away with the people in black armor. The prince could have declined the offer, but he didn't bring money. If this would help the people to cross, he would only reciprocate Rodnir's kindness some other time. Also, he felt how light the purse was. It might not even be much, so it shouldn't be a problem to pay back.
It was just that Kanaru was going to ask the people to buy supplies to eat and treat the injured. When he opened the purse to take a portion for tonight's expense, he saw multiple gold coins inside. Everyone resorted to using coins again at the collapse of digital banks, so seeing copper coins was the norm. As for gold coins, they were equivalent to a million copper coins.
"…why are you going around while carrying this much?" Kanaru chuckled as he felt helpless. He shouldn't leave all of those with the traveling group. Else, they would be robbed at the get-go. He turned to apologize to the people with a smile. "I'll find a way to exchange these for copper coins first. Erm, can you wait for me?"