Firearms in a Fantasy World

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

As the carriage passed by Liszt, it slowly began to decelerate, likely stopping for a break ahead. Liszt glanced at the driver, surprised.

The driver noticed him too.

"Kabul, I didn't expect to see you here," he called out.

"Mr. Liszt, I didn't think I would run into you on the road either," Kabul replied as he brought his horse alongside the carriage.

"What's going on? Are you in a hurry?" Liszt asked.

"I... uh, my mother and I are planning to visit relatives in the Horns Bay Alliance," Kabul stammered, his eyes darting and a hint of panic on his face.

Having experienced countless business negotiations, Liszt could tell immediately that he was lying.

However, he chose not to call him out. "That's great! We're headed in the same direction. So, your mother has made it home safely. Congratulations!"

"Yes, thank you," Kabul replied, finally remembering his mother in the carriage. He opened the door and helped an elderly woman down.

"Mom, let's rest here for a bit. I want to introduce you to my friend—Mr. Friedrich Liszt, whom I just met not long ago. He's from Aldor."

"Oh, Kabul, you've really turned my insides upside down. Hello, sir from Aldor," the elderly woman said.

Liszt bowed slightly. "Hello, madam. It's a pleasure to meet you, and congratulations on clearing your name."

The old woman waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, what is there to celebrate? I just escaped the jaws of a lion, and now I'm in the den of hyenas."

"Mom!" Kabul exclaimed, trying to stop her.

The elderly woman seemed to realize her slip and fell silent.

"Is something wrong? Can you tell me what's going on?" Liszt asked, genuinely curious.

Although he didn't want to expose Kabul's earlier lie, ignoring the old woman's words would make him seem indifferent to his new friend.

"Well... how should I say this? I can't really talk about it now. Can we wait until we get to the Horns Bay Alliance?" Kabul replied.

Liszt nodded. "Alright, Kabul. I won't force my friends to do what they don't want to. However, even though we haven't known each other long, if you're in any trouble, don't hesitate to ask for my help within my means."

Kabul expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, my friend."

Thus, Liszt accompanied Kabul and his mother as they headed towards the Horns Bay Alliance.

---

Kabul still recalled the cold, detestable expression of the sheriff.

The sheriff had sat behind a large desk, expressionless, responding to him with a mechanical tone and vocabulary.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kabul, but you have lost a good teacher, and His Majesty has lost a loyal subject. However, that does not change the facts."

Kabul forced down his anger. "What facts? I do not acknowledge the so-called 'facts' that you speak of; they are merely…," he paused, "shameful rumors concocted by certain scheming individuals."

The sheriff remained impassive, indifferent to Kabul's anger, and replied coolly, "The fact is, your teacher—Viscount Diego Blare—died of a ruptured bladder."

"I can't accept that…" Kabul interrupted.

"Do you need me to spell it out for you? He died of a full bladder!" The sheriff suddenly raised his voice, almost shouting to regain control of the conversation.

Kabul shot back, "That's impossible! How could a living man die of a full bladder? My teacher was a nobleman, the royal astrologer; he couldn't have died such a dishonorable death."

"That is the truth, even the royal family has accepted it."

The sheriff spread his hands in a gesture of mock helplessness, his poker face shifting slightly.

"There must be a conspiracy behind this!" Kabul insisted, "Everyone knows my teacher was an anti-war advocate. He used his influence before His Majesty to prevent the country from slipping into ruin, and therefore he became the target of those high-ranking madmen. We cannot rule out their involvement…"

The sheriff's eyelids flickered, and he pointed a finger at Kabul, speaking slightly faster, "You must be responsible for your words. What do you mean by high-ranking madmen? Don't say I didn't warn you, Mr. Kabul; remember your position as a civilian, an untrained apprentice astrologer. Do you think that after a few years of learning beside a viscount, you can mix with the high circles of the kingdom and participate in their games? You are still seen by some as an ant that can be crushed underfoot."

Kabul felt as though he had received a sharp blow to the head.

He stood there dazed, his expression shifting between fear, anger, and shame.

Finally, he took a deep breath.

"Even so, I still insist on a re-investigation into my teacher's cause of death. I know a few alchemists, and I would like to ask them to check if there are any toxic substances in his remains. The late Viscount Diego Blare had no family, and as his sole student, I believe I have that right."

His teacher's body was still in the city guard's morgue, and perhaps due to the immense doubt regarding his death, or the sheriff's almost humiliating words, he made up his mind.

"Fine! I agree to your request."

The sheriff sighed. "But, young man, don't blame me for not warning you. Sudden anger and immature impulses can ruin you."

Kabul then returned home, where he needed to consider which alchemist to approach for his independent investigation.

After making up his mind, he prepared to leave again when he discovered a small piece of paper slipped through the door crack.

It contained a short line of text written in red ink: "Leave Collins immediately!"

Those few words poured over him like a cold shower, and a profound sense of crisis engulfed him.

Ever since leaving the sheriff's office, he had felt a tinge of regret for his impulsiveness.

His elderly mother had just been released from confinement; even if he didn't think of himself, he had to consider her.

This time, Kabul didn't hesitate at all. He quickly packed necessary belongings and valuables, and under his mother's puzzled gaze, they hopped into a carriage and sped out of the city.

This was when he had his encounter with Liszt on the road.

---

After a long and tiring journey, Liszt and Kabul finally arrived within the territory of the Horns Bay Alliance.

Liszt noticed Kabul visibly relax.

"My friend, can you now tell me what happened?" he asked.

"Alright, Mr. Liszt, I'll come clean," Kabul replied.

He recounted everything that had transpired in Collins to this newly acquainted friend.

He felt a bit ashamed, fearing that as soon as he shared his experience, Liszt would immediately rush back to Collins and reveal his whereabouts to others.

After all, they had only known each other for a few days—who knew if he would do such a thing?

"I see. Don't feel ashamed, my friend; I would be cautious too, even if not for myself, for my loved ones," Liszt reassured him. "Once again, I extend my condolences for your teacher."

After entering the territory controlled by the Horns Bay Alliance, the two hurried to Niceport.

With Liszt's help, Kabul and his mother found temporary accommodation.

In just a few days, they heard news from adventurers and merchants about Collins.

The royal astrologer of Collins had been murdered, and the murderer was his student. The motive was that this student coveted his teacher's years of star observation records, and when he could not get them, he committed such a terrible crime.

(End of the Chapter)

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