Chapter 11
The distance between Ronin and the soldiers riding ahead continued to grow. The sound of breathing beside Callion had become impossible to ignore.
“Haa… haa…”
Only about two hours had passed since they left the capital’s gates. They weren’t even halfway to the North, yet Ronin Alistair’s stamina had already been rapidly depleted.
‘His basic endurance isn’t very good. To begin with, he’s not even dressed for horseback riding.’
Callion’s gaze swept over Ronin.
The fabric of his clothes was as thin as a dragonfly’s wing. His sleeves were so long and loose that they looked cumbersome just to watch.
Even if he weren’t already exhausted, he wouldn’t last long dressed like that.
Spring might have arrived, but the North’s cold was not something a noble from the capital could endure.
At last, Callion made his decision.
Fweeeet!
“Everyone, halt!”
At the sound of the whistle, the procession came to a stop.
Ronin, who had been practically sprawled over his horse, finally straightened himself.
But that didn’t mean he was in good condition.
Even though the whistle had been blown right beside him, his wandering eyes couldn’t find where the sound had come from.
When his gaze finally met Callion’s, his eyes were dull and unfocused.
‘As I thought. He’s reached his limit.’
Callion became certain he’d made the right decision.
“You can’t continue on horseback. I strongly recommend that you ride in the carriage instead.”
“I’m fin—”
“My duty is to escort you safely to Lord Leofric’s territory. Forgive me, but that was not a suggestion.”
If Ronin Alistair were to die on the way to Leofric’s lands…
That alone would give House Alistair justification to march against Leofric.
‘I won’t allow that.’
Callion stared at Ronin with cold eyes.
The soldiers also held their breath as they watched him.
Normally, Ronin would have been overwhelmed by such pressure and remained silent.
But right now…
He couldn’t see anything.
Or rather, there was only one person in front of him.
Callion.
Looking at him with great effort, Ronin spoke.
“…Sir Leofric, please reconsider. I want to ride to the North on horseback.”
“I refuse. Baldwin! Escort Lord Ronin—”
“Sir Leofric… are you truly going to drag me off my horse? As you said yourself… I am Ronin Alistair.”
Callion fell silent.
It wasn’t because he intended to grant Ronin’s request.
‘…If looks alone could tear someone apart, I’d already be in pieces.’
Those fierce golden eyes burned with raw anger.
Facing that fury wasn’t easy.
Ronin himself was in terrible condition.
His legs trembled.
His frozen hands barely managed to keep hold of the reins.
Even so…
He couldn’t back down here.
Several minutes passed before Callion finally spoke.
The blazing anger in his eyes had cooled into razor-sharp hostility.
“I truly don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn. Out of consideration for House Alistair’s dignity, I intended to let you travel under your own power.”
The meaning was clear.
If Ronin refused to obey, Callion would force him into the carriage by whatever means necessary.
His judgment was perfectly sound.
They were already two hours away from the capital.
Once beyond the central territories, the influence of House Alistair naturally diminished.
Moreover, Ronin had never been allowed to gather loyal retainers.
Leofric had strictly forbidden anyone connected to House Alistair from entering the North.
As a result, the only Alistair servant accompanying Ronin on this journey was a single maid.
Dozens of eyes settled on Ronin.
Every one of them belonged to the Black Wolf Knights.
And Callion was the strongest wolf among them.
Within that rigid hierarchy, Callion’s authority was absolute.
At this point, even Ronin could sense the hostility directed at him.
He also understood that Callion had no intention of yielding.
But Ronin couldn’t give up either.
Remembering his father’s words, he spoke in a trembling voice.
“But if I ride in the carriage… I won’t be able to travel together with you, Sir Leofric.”
Only then did Callion understand why Ronin had been so obstinate.
He recalled seeing Ronin Alistair speaking with the Marquis before they departed the capital.
‘So the Marquis must have ordered him not to leave my side under any circumstances.’
“If that’s your concern, then it can easily be resolved. Baldwin!”
Callion called for his vice commander.
Then, without hesitation, he jumped down from his horse.
Leaving Baldwin to take the reins, Callion strode toward the waiting carriage.
Seeing this, Ronin finally realized what he intended.
‘…He’s going to ride in the carriage himself.’
For Ronin, it wasn’t merely acceptable—
It was welcome.
His body already felt as though it were falling apart.
Staggering as he climbed down from his horse, Ronin entered the carriage.
Without saying a word, Callion followed him inside and shut the door.
“Move out!”
Baldwin shouted the order on Callion’s behalf.
The carriage slowly began rolling forward once more.
“…”
“…”
Inside the luxurious carriage, neither man spoke.
‘Can air really have weight…? It feels hard to breathe.’
Unable to endure the silence any longer, Ronin spoke first.
“…Thank you for indulging my selfish request.”
His own voice sounded strangely distant.
He forced himself to stay conscious, but his strength had already reached its limit.
“I’m relieved you’re at least aware that you were being unreasonable. Otherwise, you would have learned that lesson the hard way.”
At least one thing was fortunate.
Ronin could barely even register the hostility radiating from Callion.
It felt as though he were submerged underwater.
Every external stimulus struck the surface and faded away before reaching him.
With great effort, he managed something resembling an apology.
I’m sorry.
Forgive me.
Those words had become second nature after years of saying them.
He wasn’t even embarrassed anymore.
He knew perfectly well that he had been unreasonable.
‘…Why is the carriage shaking so much? Are we traveling along a mountain road?’
His thoughts became increasingly hazy.
He didn’t even realize that it was his own body swaying back and forth with the carriage.
Then…
Ronin slowly slumped over.
A weak groan escaped his lips.
“Ugh…”
His eyes never opened.
There was no doubt he had completely lost consciousness.
Watching from the seat opposite him, Callion could only let out a dry laugh.
‘What a spectacle.’
About thirty minutes had passed since Ronin boarded the carriage.
By now, Ronin Alistair looked more dead than alive.
If left untreated, he would likely die on his own.
‘And then House Alistair and the Imperial Family would come charging after us.’
That was unacceptable.
Callion let out a deep sigh.
“Haa… What an incredible nuisance.”
He opened the carriage window.
Baldwin, who had already ridden up alongside the carriage, looked over.
“Stop for a moment.”
