Where the Frozen Moon Set Down - chapter 3

Chapter 3

In the spacious partitioned room, there was a wooden dining table for eight. Polished, shiny, plush chairs surrounded the table, and a menu made of high-quality parchment lay atop it.

As soon as Ravi sat down, he ordered from the manager. The long string of unfamiliar words made Cell’s head spin. Every time Ravi ordered something, he would pause and look at Cell, but then he would resume his foreign-sounding list.

“I ordered all the good stuff from this restaurant.”

Cell, who was anxiously fidgeting and eyeing Ravi, looked uneasy. Ravi pondered for a moment, trying to figure out why, and then spoke a magical word that immediately put Cell at ease.

“It’s on me. Haha.”

“………”

“I’m eating because I’m hungry, so you don’t have to repay me, okay?”

“Thank you.”

As expected, the answer came quickly. Ravi chuckled heartily.

“Is your name ‘Cell’?”

Ravi, resting his chin on his arms on the table, recalled what Barbin had said earlier and confirmed the name. Cell nodded silently. Ravi expressed regret, saying he wished he had heard it from Cell himself.

“How old are you?”

“………”

“Wow, is that a secret too?”

“I’m not a minor.”

“Really?!”

Ravi widened his eyes and scrutinized Cell. With his shaggy hair and a mask covering half his eyes and nose, his face was obscured, but his facial lines, physique, and voice all pointed to a young boy. Come to think of it, he had heard it before.

The Black Forest here has a high concentration of magic stones, which affects the human body. Prolonged exposure to strong magical fields can cause disabilities. Perhaps this person is in such a situation, like a male whose development stopped early.

Ravi, rolling his eyes, leaned back against the backrest. He thought Cell was no more than 15 years old, yet he was an adult over 19. It was astonishing.

“Oh, I spoke informally to an adult from the start.”

“Of course. You look like a nobleman.”

“My face does look a bit aristocratic.”

“…I guessed it because you have a fine sword that’s hard to find here.”

Ah, that’s right. Such keen observation. Ravi smacked his lips wryly. Just then, a two-tiered silver cart came into view. The cart carried beef and lamb steaks, roast turkey, a large grilled fish of unknown type, and various other dishes.

The manager swiftly set the table and left. Cell kept swallowing his saliva. His mouth kept watering as if his salivary glands were broken. Cell stared intensely at Ravi’s hands. He had heard somewhere that he could only pick up his fork after Ravi started eating.

“It’s okay. Pick up your fork and eat.”

Ravi, recognizing Cell’s earnest gaze, smiled warmly and allowed him to eat. Cell gripped the fork tightly and hurriedly served himself turkey leg and tenderloin steak, devouring them quickly.

“Haha, eat slowly. If there’s any left, I’ll pack it for you.”

At the mention of packing the food, Cell stopped. It was advantageous for him to take as much food as possible. Cell resumed eating at a slower pace. Despite his mouth watering, his patient fingers knew how to control the pace.

Looking around, he saw multiple forks, knives, and spoons laid out. Not knowing their use, Cell glanced at Ravi. Ravi’s hand gestures were like a butterfly’s wings in spring. Truly noble, indeed.

“Seeing that the villagers know you, you must travel between the hut and the village. You look like a reclusive hunter.”

“I have to survive. I come to the village when I receive a job or need to buy groceries.”

Hmm, Ravi, scratching his chin, put down his cutlery slightly and looked at Cell.

“Cell. Have you seen me before?”

“…No.”

Cell lowered his gaze, lying. He didn’t want to pretend to know someone who wouldn’t remember anyway.

“Me neither. I’ve been here almost three years, and this is my first time seeing you. But the villagers seem to recognize you. Barbin too.”

Ravi mentioned the restaurant manager’s name, scratching his chin. His scruffy beard, grown in just a day, was dark and patchy.

“But why didn’t I know? You have such a unique feature, wearing that mask.”

Ravi’s green eyes, full of curiosity, lingered on Cell’s goblin mask. Even though he wore a mask with a cheerful smile all day, he was very interested in others’ masks. Concentrating on cutting his meat, Cell answered Ravi’s curiosity.

“I have a sun allergy, so I mostly move after sunset, using narrow paths without people.”

“Why not just wear the mask during the day like now?”

“I’ll get beaten.”

“Oh.”

It was the calm description of someone who had been beaten before. Feeling uncomfortable, Ravi scratched his temple with his finger and dragged out his words.

“How about changing that mask? To something simpler.”

“I can’t.”

“Do you know what that mask is? It’s not just a goblin, but a goblin chieftain’s face. The blue dot between the brows signifies the chieftain. I don’t know how you got the hide of that strong creature, but it looks awful and feels eerie, doesn’t it?”

“It’s my mother’s keepsake.”

“Oh.”

Realizing too late, Ravi tried to cover up, saying it was indeed a unique mask. But Cell ignored him and silently ate his portion of the meat. Feeling that the conversation wasn’t going well, Ravi observed the boy-like young man’s mood while quietly cutting his meat.

***

After their meal, Ravi and Cell left the restaurant and headed toward the town center. Cell, clutching the packed food close to his chest, wanted to return home immediately. He didn’t feel entitled to walk around under the bright sun.

However, Ravi was not only relaxed but also leisurely. Despite his long legs, his steps were slow. Cell, growing impatient, said he would go ahead, but Ravi insisted stubbornly, making Cell walk anxiously.

“Why is that beggar walking around during the day? How unlucky.”

“Keep your voice down. The master is right there!”

“Does the master know what he’s keeping around?”

“I guess he’s so kind he even takes in unlucky people.”

“Hey, watch your mouth.”

The villagers muttered and stepped back when they saw Cell. Usually, they would have thrown stones, but perhaps because of Ravi, no one dared to touch him. It was just because of this man that the usual violence disappeared. It was strange.

Of course, the disdainful glances remained. Cell walked through it calmly. He had received such treatment since he was young. While it didn’t mean he wasn’t hurt, he could endure it.

Cell slowly wandered the town with Ravi. Following the wide path, they came upon a five-story building made of massive gray bricks. Even Cell knew about this building. Built by external engineers three years ago, it was the tallest and largest building in the village.

Atop the building flew a large flag embroidered with a black horse. Below it hung a large sign that read “Cavallo Mercenary Group.” Matching its reputation as a mercenary group building, its gate was enormous.

Ravi stopped in front of the solid-looking gray-black iron gate.

“This is my home.”

“It’s better than the village chief’s place.”

“I’m much better than the chief.”

“Oh… yes.”

“It’s true. You don’t believe me.”

With crescent eyes, Ravi bent down and peered into Cell’s face. Cell didn’t avoid his gaze. Ravi’s face had a scar that didn’t match his handsome features. Cell’s eyes lingered on the short scar running across his eye.

Such a wasted face to have a scar.

As if reading his thoughts, Ravi snorted.

“Bring my repaired sword here. Show this, and the door will always open, whether day or night.”

Ravi put the necklace he was wearing around Cell’s neck. The black pendant on the metal chain was engraved with the mercenary group’s emblem.

“What’s the deadline?”

“Well, the sooner the better. But I’ll wait for you as long as you need.”

“I don’t quite understand….”

“Just as I said. Somehow, I want to wait for you.”

Ravi tapped Cell’s forehead with his finger. Each time he tapped, Cell’s eyelids blinked.

“I have an uncanny knack for good people. My intuition points straight at you.”

“…What?”

“That’s why I bought you dinner. I wanted to make a good impression on you.”

Winking quickly, Ravi turned and headed towards the building. Cell, bewildered, watched him silently until he disappeared behind the massive door.

Thud. The loud closing of the door snapped Cell back to reality. He vanished beyond that iron door like a mirage.

Yes, a mirage. He was a mirage that appeared to Cell, offering a meal he could never afford, costing 50 rubes. And suddenly, a gnawing hunger set in.

An unwelcome presence, like unexpected hunger, had come and stirred his senses.

‘Still, a day like this isn’t so bad once in a while.’

It was an outing and meal like a dream during a lazy nap. Yes, I enjoyed it enough, so now it’s time to wake up.

Cell, lowering his head with a sad smile, slapped his cheeks. Seeing the crowded streets bustling in broad daylight made him sigh. He held tightly to the food bundle, ensuring he wouldn’t drop it. And he shrank his shoulders as much as possible to make himself smaller. He had to avoid being noticed.