The Butcher of Sargon (Renekton, The Butcher of The Sand in Arknight)

“Sorry, I refuse!”

“Why? is it because this money isn’t enough? That’s troublesome, this is already all my belongings.”

“No, that’s not the reason. We have other things to do and can’t take you with us.”

“Okay.”

Carnelian shrugged her shoulders, not making a fuss about it.

However, she had already begun to think about how to get Garde to teach her Colombian.

Actually, it didn’t necessarily have to be Colombian. If she could learn the languages of Leithanien and Victoria, she wouldn’t mind learning those either.

In her homeland, every member of the tribe had to pass the tribe’s trial to become an adult. Before that, many people chose to travel.

Carnelian had been out for almost half a year now, but during this half year, all she saw was yellow sand.

She was getting a bit tired of it.

She heard that there were other countries around Sargon. Several times she wanted to sneak into caravans heading to other countries, but she was always chased away.

Because she couldn’t speak the languages of those countries, she couldn’t communicate.

So learning new languages and going to other countries were the things Carnelian wanted to do most now.

The current caravan clearly came from a country outside of Sargon. The language that the big guy and the Vouivre woman had used just now sounded a lot like Colombian, so Carnelian asked.

If he was willing to teach, that would be great. If not, she would have to figure out a way to make that big guy teach her.

“Miss Carnelian? Miss Carnelian?”

It took Garde calling her several times before Carnelian snapped out of her thoughts.

“Big guy, is there something else?”

“I told you not to call me big guy. I have a name.”

Even though he said that, Garde couldn’t be bothered to correct Carnelian. After all, they just met by chance, and what to call each other wasn’t important.

Garde pointed not far away and said, “We just made lunch. If you don’t mind, you can join us.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’s just adding another bowl and glass.”

When Carnelian came over, the Rhine Lab staff curiously glanced at her but didn’t say much.

Since Director Saria agreed, they naturally had no objections.

But after Carnelian came over, she became a bit uneasy.

She originally thought this was just an ordinary merchant caravan. After seeing Garde, she thought this caravan might be a bit stronger than she imagined, but running away should still be fine.

But now, she regretted it.

Because she found that among the security personnel eating under the sandcastle, there were several warlocks proficient in controlling sandstorms. The crossbows they were wiping were completely different from the ones she usually saw in mercenary groups.

Almost all the security personnel were wearing the latest civilian standard armor, which, after spending a lot of money, was even more protective than some military equipment.

In Colombia, only the wealthy could get military-grade armor and equipment. Moreover, the security personnel who could follow Director Saria into the scorching desert were almost all senior employees of Rhine Lab, with outstanding strength and rich experience, completely different from ordinary mercenaries and thieves.

The only consolation for Carnelian was that she guessed this caravan probably didn’t care about the handful of Originium Ingots in her hand. As long as she behaved herself and waited until the caravan approached the town to get off, everything would be fine.

Compared to that, Carnelian found that the big guy who had talked to her earlier, although he looked scary, had a much gentler personality.

“Hey, um, your name is Garde, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Your clothes don’t look like theirs. You’re probably not Colombian, right?”

“I’m Sargonian. You should have heard of Acahualla. My hometown is over there.”

“You’re from that rainforest!? You don’t look like it at all! Hm, but you’re really tall, and your muscles are so strong. Hey, is there steel plates inside your chest muscles? They’re so hard!”

Maybe because she had just started traveling, Carnelian had a curious baby-like look. It was only when she saw Garde’s somewhat troubled crocodile face that a gleam flashed in her eyes.

‘This big guy looks like he’s easy to fool. As long as I build a good relationship with him, he shouldn’t refuse when I request something later, right?’

Carnelian hadn’t figured out where to go in the future. She had heard that Colombia was a very prosperous country, and she had also heard that she could learn more Originium techniques in Leithanien. Victoria seemed nice too.

So, Carnelian decided that she would learn the language of whichever country first, and then go there.

Not caring about what Carnelian wanted to do, after lunch, Garde left Carnelian and returned to his carriage, listening to the sounds outside.

“Miss Carnelian, if you don’t mind, you can ride in the same car as me. I know Sargonian, so if you need any help, I can assist you.”

The voice of Rhine Lab’s translator came from outside, and Garde yawned, opening his notebook.

Then he heard Carnelian’s voice.

“Miss Translator, can I be with that big guy from earlier? Both of us are Sargonians, so we can definitely get along well.”

“Oh, you mean Mr. Garde? I’m sorry, we have to consult Mr. Garde’s opinion on this.”

Continuing, a girl walked up to the car window and waved to Garde.

Garde rolled down the window, and he heard her apologetically saying, “Mr. Garde, this lady wants to ride in the same car as you. Could you see if there’s space in the car, and if there is…”

Garde glanced at Carnelian behind him, and when she saw him, Carnelian immediately flashed a smile.

“You can let her come up. Anyway, there’s only me in the carriage.”

With no reason to refuse, Garde didn’t see any harm in having one more person in the carriage.

He saw Saria looking over from afar and waved to her, but she stood guard in place, ignoring him.

As soon as Carnelian got on, she casually said, “Garde, I thought you were the translator for this caravan. I didn’t expect you to have such a big carriage all to yourself.”

Actually, there were quite a few instruments and equipment piled up in the carriage. But compared to the security personnel who could only sit in the vehicle seats, Garde’s riding environment was exceptionally good.

“What are you doing now, taking notes?”

“Yeah, because I’ve forgotten a lot of things, so I write them down to avoid forgetting.”

“Judging from the direction the caravan is heading, are you going to the Ibut region?”

“You can get off there.”

“Well, it’s not that urgent actually. Do you mind if I ride with you for a while longer?”

“I do mind.”

“Are you going to some shady place?”

“Not really, but the destination is very dangerous, so I don’t recommend you come along.”

“Hehe, now that you’ve said that, I’m actually excited.”

“I won’t teach you Colombian.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s too troublesome.”

“Tsk.”

“Did you just click your tongue?”

“No.”

“Whatever.” Garde closed his notebook and rested his eyes.

“Tsk.”

He opened his eyes to see Carnelian, who had turned her head to look at the scenery.

Garde closed his eyes again.

“Tsk.”

Opening his eyes once more, Carnelian took out a handkerchief from her bag and wiped the horns on her head.

Garde closed his eyes.

“Tsk.”

Five hours later, in a small town in the Ibut region.

Carnelian stood alone in place, her luggage on the ground, watching the convoy leave with billowing smoke.

“Tsk tsk tsk!”

Ripping off the tape from her mouth, Carnelian gritted her teeth.

“Crocodile man, I will remember you!”