Published: January 4, 2026
“We have arrived.”
The carriage came to a stop, and Cindy whispered with the coachman before reporting to me.
“Hm.”
I nodded slightly and got off the carriage.
Since I had come incognito, I didn’t wait for a stepping stool to avoid revealing my identity and jumped straight down.
The carriage entered the post town, and after Cindy and I disembarked, the coachman directed the carriage toward a parking spot behind the inn right in front of us.
The post town, bustling with a fair number of people, was bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
Watching the sunset and the departing carriage, I asked Cindy,
“Is that coachman one of your subordinates?”
“Yes.”
“He’s skilled. Here, take these 100 Lien and give it to him later.”
I said so, took out a leather pouch filled with money, and handed it to Cindy.
She received it with both hands, looking curious as she asked,
“Thank you… um, why now? Wouldn't you tell if the coachman was skilled right after getting on?”
With a puzzled expression, she carefully inquired.
“It’s true that in terms of comfort when riding, that’s also a sign of skill.”
“So...?”
“Things always have reasons. Why do you think this post town exists here?”
“Huh?”
Cindy blinked, looking puzzled and at a loss for an answer.
“Uh… sorry, I don’t know.”
“I was being mean. The reason isn’t just one — it’s the feet of people, pack horses, express messengers — all sorts of feet. Where many such ‘feet’ converge, a post town forms. Naturally, the more ‘feet’ gathered, the more people use it, so the town’s size grows.”
“I see…”
“What do I mean by ‘feet’? Generally, it means a distance that can be reasonably covered during the day. Traveling too far at night is dangerous.”
“…Ah!”
Cindy’s face lit up as she looked up at the sunset sky.
“That’s right. It’s about maintaining a reasonable pace so you can arrive just as dusk falls. That alone shows skill.”
“I get it! It’s amazing that you know such things!”
“I seem to push myself too hard when alone. That’s how I learned.”
I shrugged and said jokingly.
After several times of personally taking express messenger duties, Henry and Oscar scolded me, telling me to understand this better — in a polite but unmistakably firm tone.
When the conversation ended, Cindy dashed into the inn with a surprised look.
From the exterior, it looked like the inn had an attached tavern. I thought I might gather some information there tonight — just then,
“What is going on?!”
I heard Cindy’s angry shout from inside.
Though we’ve known each other for decades, this was the first time I’d heard her yell with such fury.
I had been waiting outside but went in.
Beyond the counter, I saw Cindy confronting a middle-aged man with a beard — probably the innkeeper.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah! S-sorry. We had reserved a room in advance, but—”
“Apologies! Earlier, another guest arrived—”
Cindy spoke apologetically because I asked.
But when the innkeeper said that, Cindy’s anger reignited and she shouted at him.
“This is not what we agreed! Didn’t I tell you to keep the room ready beforehand!? I also paid you!”
“O-of course, I’ll return the money! So please—”
“That’s not the point!”
“Now, wait.”
Cindy was about to lash out further, but when I stepped in, she immediately stopped shouting.
She stopped so abruptly that the innkeeper suddenly understood our hierarchy and began to grovel before me rather than Cindy.
“I am truly, truly sorry!”
“Tell me exactly what happened. I assume the best room was taken by someone else, but are there no rooms left?”
“N-no. There are two private rooms left, but they’re the lowest grade—”
“Don’t be ridiculous—”
“That will do.”
“Huh?”
Cindy was surprised that I accepted this.
“This isn’t a sightseeing trip. A roof over our heads and a place to rest is enough.”
“Yes…”
“Thank you for understanding! Ah, of course, I’ll return the advance payment! Even for tonight’s fee, it’s fine.”