Even If You Tear Me Apart - Chapter 5
The Ragoshri Mountain Range, which cuts across the continent, stood between the Quilluxia domain and the imperial capital of Renate. Naturally, they would have to cross the mountains twice.
Thankfully, the roads were in decent condition. While there were large estates scattered along the way, there were times when camping out under the stars was unavoidable.
However, no one had anticipated having to camp after only one day of leaving Quilluxia.
“Goodness, um, Milord’s back has been bothering him quite a lot,” the attendant accompanying the Marquis—no, the mage—muttered, glancing nervously at the paladins.
The Marquis had made them stop several times, complaining about back pain from being stuck in the carriage all day.
As expected, their pace slowed, and by the time night fell, they had yet to reach the next village.
“There’s no helping it,” Ezekiel said.
There was no point in blaming the attendant—the Marquis wasn’t about to come out and apologize, and it would only make the attendant’s position more miserable.
Without further comment, Ezekiel instructed the paladins to find a suitable spot for camping.
Soon, one of the knights who had gone ahead returned to inform them of a good spot just off the main road. The attendant bowed repeatedly before returning to the Marquis’s carriage.
“Set up the tents. Milena, you’ll share a tent with Miss Quilluxia.”
“Yes, sir,” Milena responded, saluting briskly.
With a six-horse carriage, a four-horse carriage, a wagon carrying supplies, and twelve horses for the knights, their party was quite large. Including the squires, it was too big for everyone to sleep on the ground.
“If we start slowing down like this on the first day, we might have to extend the trip,” Shanka remarked, scratching his head.
Ezekiel shook his head.
“The wedding is two months away. The schedule already accounts for delays, so we don’t need to rush.”
“Well, well, the Commander’s unusually laid-back,” Shanka teased.
“It’s not just because of the Marquis. Miss Quilluxia has never been on such a long journey. Unlike us…”
Ezekiel trailed off mid-sentence.
Shanka tilted his head, about to ask something, but the sound of grumbling from the Marquis’s escort knight, stepping out of the carriage, interrupted the moment.
“Ugh, I’ve never done this kind of thing before.”
“Milord, I’m terribly sorry! I can’t set it up alone,” the attendant pleaded, bowing repeatedly.
The escort knight and servants were struggling to pitch the Marquis’s tent.
Technically, the paladins had no obligation to help them. Their job was to escort Miss Quilluxia, and the Marquis had brought his own escort knight precisely for this reason.
But Ezekiel didn’t ignore them.
He ordered the knights who were setting up the Marquis’s tent to stand up.
“Go help them.”
“Huh? Why should we?” the knights asked, confused.
Their duty was to guard Miss Quilluxia, and they had no reason to assist the Marquis.
But Ezekiel shook his head.
“They’ve clearly never camped before. If it takes too long, we’ll all be exhausted. Shanka, you help as well.”
It wasn’t a wrong assessment. The Marquis’s servants and escort knight were struggling, clearly unfamiliar with setting up a tent.
Moreover, the most important member of this group was the Marquis, the mage. If something went wrong with his tent and he fell ill or was injured, it would be a problem for everyone.
“Fine, fine,” Shanka grumbled.
He and a couple of knights headed toward the Marquis’s carriage. The attendant, clearly overwhelmed, looked visibly relieved as he saw the knights coming to help.
After confirming that they were properly securing the Marquis’s tent, Ezekiel turned to assist the others.
“Commander! Bring that support pole over here!”
Milena’s voice called out from where she was setting up the women’s tent. The support pole, unfortunately, was leaning against the spot where Ezekiel stood.
Just as he reached for it, someone else grabbed it before him.
“Ugh.”
The hand was small.
Ezekiel frowned slightly and looked down at the hand’s owner.
It was a boy. The same boy who had ridden with the woman in the six-horse carriage—her younger brother. His short, silver hair fluttered lightly as he grinned up at Ezekiel.
“I’ll help, too!”
“Henri!”
Following her younger brother, the woman stepped out of the six-horse carriage…
