The Seed Thief

Vol. 2 Chapter 5.7

Ervandas quickly took out the paper from the pouch.

Unfolding the roughly folded paper, he saw the familiar handwriting–which he had not seen in a long time.

‘Hey, you crazy bastard. What did you mean in the letter? Write it in detail and send it!’

The curt and abrupt sentences would make anyone doubt if it was truly a letter written by the king.

“I guess it was conveyed properly.”

At the reaction he expected, Ervandas smiled happily and handed the prepared bait to the falcon. Then he descended immediately.

“Your Highness.”

The Deputy Lord approached Ervandas with sleepy eyes.

“Please have breakfast before you leave.”

“I already have. I’ll leave right away. But first, have all the things I mentioned been prepared?”

“Yes. I’ve made sure they’re all very healthy.”

The Deputy Lord replied, then he turned his head and looked at things Ervandas had repeatedly insisted on: the chickens in the large cage.

Last night, Ervandas had said he would leave as soon as the letter from the palace arrived and asked to prepare these in advance. It wasn’t just the chickens. Flour, sugar, butter, dried fruits, spices, and more.

The list seemed more like something a chef would request rather than a prince. Furthermore, according to the servants, Ervandas had also picked up a few cookbooks from the study.

He couldn’t figure it any further, but the wise Deputy Lord refrained from questioning him. It seemed the prince wouldn’t answer even if he asked.

“Farewell, then.”

“Are you really leaving right away?”

Without going through the usual routine of checking documents or conducting searches in surrounding villages, just like this?

“Yes. I need to be back by tonight. There’s no need for you to accompany me. I don’t want to attract unnecessary attention.”

Ervandas declined the deputy lord’s offer to see him off and climbed onto the horse awaiting him. He had promised Lulu that he would return by tonight. Hence, he had to hurry back now.

* * *

In the cage attached to the horse’s hindquarters, the chickens blinked their eyes and swayed as the horse moved. Ervandas urged the horse forward while checking the tightly secured baggage multiple times.

Being a packhorse, it couldn’t gallop at high speeds. But it couldn’t be helped unless he unloaded everything he intended to give to Lulu.

Once entering the mountain trail, Ervandas dismounted the horse and unloaded the heavy belongings onto his shoulders. Still, the roughness of the road caused the horse to pant and struggle.

“Sorry. Just a little further.”

Ervandas fed the horse an apple and stroked its mane to soothe it. Then he slowly led the horse off the road. The horse was confused but still obediently followed Ervandas’s lead.

Walking through a pathless forest was a challenging task. Moreover, it was summer, and the overgrown grass repeatedly hindered Ervandas and the horse’s steps. Before long, his back was drenched in sweat. However, instead of slowing down, their pace quickened.

After a while, Ervandas heard a familiar sound. It was the sound of a stream running through the forest.

Setting down the baggage, he took a sip from the stream and gave water to the horse. Then, facing the depths of the forest, he let out a loud whistle.