Chapter 129: War Is Coming (1/2)

If there was something that Nikolai hated about nobility, it was their curiosity toward everything. Their lives were so safe and without hardships that anything interests them, and that was true arrogance, in his opinion.

”I am,” Nikolai nodded in response to the question of young woman, under the eyes of what looked like a little brother.

”As I expected,” the woman covered her mouth. Nikolai frowned because he felt being judged, but he didn't want the knights to attack him for disrespect.

”May I be honored by your esteemed identity?” he said with a salute and could see the knight beside the carriage frown.

”That is none of your business, traveler,” the knight barked harshly, and Nikolai almost rolled his eyes.

'Who was the one to block my path?'

Knights were idiots, the same as their master. However, it seems this young woman was less of an idiot, and she waved her knight off with a frown.

”We were the ones to stop him. So it is only natural that we introduce ourselves.”

”My lady, these are sensitive information. We promised your father that we would take care that no one knows of your arrival.”

A voice came from within the carriage, and it worked to convince her against introducing herself. Nikolai frowned as this drama was the last thing that he wanted.

”I understand,” the young woman looked saddened and nodded. ”However, it is a long way toward the city. We should give him a ride, at least?”

And just like that, Nikolai was invited into the carriage with the rest of them. Of course, he wanted to refuse, but he didn't know if these nobles were easily offended or not. That's why he ended up taking up their offer and was seated across from the young woman.

The person who spoke to her earlier was a man in his thirties wearing a pair of silver glasses. His hair was curled at the ends, and it reached his shoulder. The hair's red shade made Nikolai remember a particular character from his past life, but he wasn't sure.

”Are you traveling across the Bestial Kingdom?” the young woman asked, and Nikolai turned back to her. If the man next to him was 'that' person, then the one in front of him was the actual headache.

The young woman covered her head with what looked like a turban, making Nikolai unable to see her hair. She wore a pair of red earrings that made a stark contrast with her blue eyes.

'She is indeed beautiful,' Nikolai had to admit, even if he wasn't attracted to her. However, the way she looked at him made Nikolai uncomfortable.

”Yes, I am,” Nikolai had no other choice but to play around. If he said he wasn't a traveler, it was the same as saying he had other reasons to be here.

”A human traveler in the Bestial Kingdom,” the woman squinted her eyes. ”This a first indeed. Aren't you afraid of the bestial people?”

”They are more afraid of us,” Nikolai shrugged. ”After all, we won the war seven years ago. They expect us to take revenge.”

”No one won that war,” the woman shook her head. ”Both kingdoms lost countless resources and lives. There is no victory in war.”

Nikolai stared silently at the woman, who seemed to have strong opinions about wars. Then, a single thought appeared in his head: is this person an idiot?

'Who the hell wants war?' Nikolai inwardly sneered. 'War is either out of greed or circumstances, but in either case, there is a victor and a loser. If you say that there was no victor, how would those who gave up their lives for the kingdom feel?'

Nikolai was never in that position because the kingdom did nothing but harm him. However, he knew countless others who gave up their lives for their people to survive.

War will come banging on your door even if you try to hide. If everyone had a pacifist mindset like this woman, then the Rosia Kingdom would only bleed.

And bleeding it did.

”War is indeed a torturous experience for everyone, but it is inevitable,” Nikolai shook his head. ”If we refuse to acknowledge how necessary it is to prepare and sacrifice, then we will end up devoured.”

Nikolai was surprised when he saw the woman attentively listening to him, and he could feel the glasses-man stare at him with interest.