NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31.1
31.1. In Alba Village
Several days had passed since they set off from the royal capital by carriage. The road’s condition gradually worsened, making for an unpleasant ride. At first, Newt, Node’s travel companion, enjoyed the bumpy journey. However, as time wore on, he became bored, then irritated, and ultimately refused to enter the carriage except for mealtimes, nighttime, or when passersby appeared. Traveling further north of the capital brought cooler skies, and Node dreamed of the day when Newt, now a young wyvern, would mature enough to carry him through the skies. In reality, they continued to trudge along an unpaved, rough countryside path, a journey that would last until they reached Alba Village, governed by Node’s elder brother.
Summer was nearing its end, and the days were growing shorter. In Alba Village, further north than the royal capital, this trend was even more pronounced. They were close to their destination. Based on the location of Alba Village mentioned in the letter, they should already be nearby. Though Node thought as much, the village was still out of sight, and dusk began to fall. As the red-stained sun set behind the mountain ridges, Node contemplated making camp for the night. Just then, the village finally appeared at the end of the path. Reluctantly, he lit a lantern on the carriage, using the dim lights of the village as his guide while navigating the darkening path.
By the time Node finally reached Alba Village, it was completely dark, and the village lay shrouded in night.
The village likely noticed the light from the lantern hung on Node’s carriage. A young man resembling a member of the village’s watch approached, carrying a torch to inquire.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
“This is Alba Village, correct? I am Node Ferris, brother to Johan d’Obriele von Alba, the village lord.”
“P-please wait a moment!”
Upon hearing Node introduce himself and state he had been summoned by his brother Johan, the young man dispatched another member of the watch who had been lurking in the shadows. As Node waited at the village entrance, the messenger returned, accompanied by another man. This man, illuminated by a lantern’s yellow glow, appeared middle-aged, with sweat on his wrinkled face, suggesting he had hurried over.
“M-my apologies for the delay; Lord Obriele awaits you. Please, follow me.”
It seemed word of Node’s arrival had reached the village lord. Node, guided by the middle-aged man, moved his carriage forward. Though their pace was slow through the village, the sound of the carriage echoed through the quiet night. Curious villagers peeked from their homes as they made their way to a prominent mansion.
The mansion stood atop a small hill within the village. The path leading to it inclined steeply and was enclosed by wooden fences and gates. In times of need, it could likely serve as a fortress. Node analyzed the topography and the mansion’s strategic placement relative to the village—a skill honed through over half a year of training with the Iron Dragon Knights.
A man dressed in a butler’s uniform awaited by the gate, where the middle-aged guide handed over his duties. The man’s attire was surprisingly clean for a rural village, comprising cotton pants, a shirt, and a leather vest, lending him an almost urban appearance. Node surmised he might be the village head or someone of similar standing as he approached the butler.
“Is my brother, Lord Johan d’Obriele, at home?”
“He is in residence.”
“I am Node Ferris. Shall I bring my carriage in?”
“We would appreciate it if you would dismount here. We will take care of the carriage.”
“Very well,” Node replied briefly, alighting from the carriage. He carried only his personal belongings. He informed the butler of a gift brought from the royal capital—selected by their mother Maria and Alec—stored on the carriage and arranged for it to be transported later.
Then, as he called, “Newt,” a wyvern with deep green scales emerged from the carriage. Under the torch and lantern lights, Newt’s scales gleamed, his form an imposing sight in the dark. Startled by the sudden appearance of this creature, the middle-aged man let out a cry. Even the butler’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Kyu~”
At Node’s gesture, Newt approached and, when petted, let out a soft, almost ticklish cry. Realizing he posed no danger, those who had frozen in shock began moving again in the dark.
“He needs a place to sleep as well.”
“We… will arrange for that.”
When Node mentioned food, the butler hesitated but agreed to the request.
§
“Welcome, Node, you’ve traveled far…!”
“Brother, it’s good to see you well.”
Johan, who greeted Node inside the mansion, first smiled warmly upon seeing Node enter but broke off mid-sentence upon spotting Newt peeking out from behind him. Node, however, maintained a composed demeanor and exchanged pleasantries.
Johan’s expression shifted to one of mild disbelief, to which Node grinned mischievously. The two embraced, rejoicing in their reunion as brothers.
Node next exchanged greetings with Johan’s wife, Lady Obriele, and her parents, the previous lords of Alba, as well as Lady Obriele’s four sisters. Like the Ferris family, the Obriele family was large. All five sisters appeared surprised by the wyvern’s presence.
Meanwhile, Newt, oblivious to the commotion he caused, seemed intrigued by the luxurious decor of the Obriele residence—urns, paintings, and ornately decorated chandeliers and wallpaper—unlike the stark, practical furnishings of the Ferris home. He sniffed around curiously, his eyes darting about. Fearing he might damage something, Node instructed Newt to stay calm, and he obediently complied.
“So… this is?”
“Yes, as you saw.”
A few months prior, during his sister Hannah’s wedding in early spring, Newt had accompanied Node under a cloak. Although their presence was no secret, Newt was still a hatchling at the time. No one had imagined he would grow so much in just a few months.
“Newt, greet them.”
“Kyu.”
At Node’s prompting, Newt let out a soft cry. While he did not truly understand, Node had trained him to respond on cue. The scene, both comical and endearing, endeared Newt to the Obriele family, dispelling any lingering unease.
§