episode_0081

A vacant lot with a drizzling rain.

Aldaine looked around and spat out.

“Impressive.”

The damp floor was littered with corpses lying haphazardly, but a satisfied smile appeared on Aldaine’s lips.

Jeong Yushin stared at Aldaine.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to help because you looked like you were struggling.”

“As you can see, I killed them all.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Weren’t you supposed to come to the Dreadville village forest? I waited there and got tired, so I came here and you were dancing with your sword.”

“…”

Jeong Yushin leaned against the carriage steps.

Aldaine looked at his subordinates and opened his mouth.

“Clean up the bodies and tidy up the place. Neatly. Put the captured people in another carriage and send them back to the Labyrinth City.”

“Yes.”

With the answer, Aldaine’s subordinates began to move busily.

Aldaine approached and leaned against the carriage wall.

“Is there anything you want to ask?”

Jeong Yushin stared blankly at the vacant lot.

“Oswald, is that guy Aldaine’s subordinate?”

“No. I just helped him out because I felt sorry for him.”

“Without any compensation?”

“There is compensation, but I can’t tell you.”

“Phew.”

Jeong Yushin sighed deeply. His body and mind were too tired to think. How did things get so tangled up?

Oswald, you son of a… I knew something was different when I met you in the labyrinth and when I met you outside.

There was a deal.

What a clown.

Was even the flustered appearance an act?

It was a really strict labyrinth city.

“What happened to the Fifth Prince and the nanny?”

Jeong Yushin asked.

“I’m taking good care of them.”

“How good would it have been if you had done that sooner?”

“I received an unofficial call from the Lionel royal family. They said that the Fifth Prince seemed to be in the Labyrinth City, so they asked me to take him and send him back.”

“Couldn’t you have moved before that?”

“Why would I? Do you think I’m someone who would bat an eye just because some brat ran away from the royal palace?”

Jeong Yushin let out a hollow laugh.

He was an arrogant elf. He only had one eye, so I knew he saw the world crookedly, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.

Aldaine continued.

“I was just going to leave him alone. I helped because the Lionel Kingdom is a member of the Eastern Federation. You also haven’t registered as an explorer yet.”

Eastern Federation.

Eastern Federation, huh.

I feel like I’ve heard of it somewhere, but I can’t quite remember.

“What is the Eastern Federation?”

“…”

Jeong Yushin felt Aldaine’s sharp gaze. However, Jeong Yushin put on a poker face.

“Why? Have you never seen an ignorant person before?”

“Well… you do know that this is the eastern region of the continent, right?”

“Yes.”

“Various races live in the eastern part of the continent. There are several empires and kingdoms in the western part of the continent, but as far as I know, there are only humans.”

“So?”

“There have been several invasions from the west. The people of the east had to unite. That’s how the Eastern Federation was born. Among the members of the Eastern Federation are the Beastmen Federation, the Dwarf Kingdom, the Elf Kingdom, and the Lionel Kingdom. There are others, but let’s skip them.”

“I see. Then isn’t it worth helping? Isn’t the Labyrinth City a city under the Eastern Federation’s territory?”

“No?”

“Huh? What do you mean no? What is that?”

“It’s a neutral city. The Eastern Federation does govern it, but it’s more of a delegated governance. Should I call it a regency? Anyway, that’s how it is.”

“A regency? It sounds like the city has its own owner.”

Suddenly, Aldaine’s face twisted.

“Let’s stop. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. The point is that many people come from other countries, regardless of whether they are royalty or nobles. Because the labyrinth where you can get a mark is only here. I’m not free enough to care about one prince who is low in the line of succession. The end.”

Jeong Yushin tilted his head.

It was a truly bizarre governing structure.

I was amazed at how it had survived until now.

If you think about Aldaine’s words, it seemed like the higher-ups treated the Labyrinth City like a bomb.

‘It’s difficult.’

Jeong Yushin shook his head.

It was a story that had nothing to do with him. He had rescued the captured people for now. He also saved the life of his acquaintance, Ahiman. He decided to be satisfied with that much.

Jeong Yushin got up from his seat.

“Where is the Fifth Prince?”

Aldaine raised his hand and pointed to the thicket.

Jeong Yushin walked across the vacant lot and passed through the thicket.

There was a small carriage. He approached and knocked on the carriage door.

Knock knock.

The carriage door opened and the Fifth Prince, the nanny, and the knight were visible.

“Scar, are you alright?”

The Fifth Prince asked cautiously.

A prince who uses honorifics.

Jeong Yushin gave a bitter smile.

“Yes. I heard you were leaving soon, so I came to see you.”

The knight’s face frowned at Jeong Yushin’s light tone.

In contrast, the prince gave a bitter smile.

“I see. My thoughtless actions have caused trouble for many people. I’m sorry.”

“No. We help each other. Well, goodbye.”

Just as Jeong Yushin was about to close the carriage door.

“Wa, wait a minute!”

The Fifth Prince shouted.

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

“I’m looking for my older brother.”

A sudden remark. The nanny and the knight were greatly surprised.

“Your Highness!”

“That’s a royal secret, how could you?!”

Jeong Yushin crossed his arms.

“Older brother?”

“I have an eldest brother. He left the royal palace because he had a terminal illness. He was a person who led people with gentleness… he disappeared without a word.”

The young prince’s eyes turned red.

I see.

The boy ran away from the royal palace because he missed his older brother.

I thought he was a bold and pure boy.

“What illness did he have?”

“Scar!”

The nanny’s eyes sharpened.

“It’s an illness where the flesh rots away. It’s called the curse of the spirit god.”

“He must be hiding his appearance.”

“That’s right.”

“He must also smell of rotting flesh.”

“Yes.”

“I know someone. Would you like to meet him?”

The Fifth Prince’s eyes wavered.

“Re… really?”

“Yes.”

The Fifth Prince opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again.

The Fifth Prince opened his mouth again, his voice low and muffled.

“I’ve thought about it carefully. While wandering around the Labyrinth City. Why my older brother gave up everything without a word and left. I am still young, so I have not thought deeply about death. But.”

The Fifth Prince sniffled once and continued.

“I believe that there must be a reason why my eldest brother acted that way. I will not meet him.”

‘He really likes his older brother.’

It seemed that the youngest, who was deep down, followed his eldest brother a lot.

“I understand.”

“However, please tell him one thing.”

“Yes. What should I tell him?”

“Please tell him that this younger brother will be waiting. I hope to see my healthy older brother in the royal palace again.”

“I understand.”

Jeong Yushin nodded.

‘As expected of the king’s son? He’s a smart boy.’

I felt a little sorry for him when I saw him sniffling.

“Then I’ll see you later. Scar.”

The Fifth Prince greeted and the knight closed the carriage door.

Squeak.

Thump.

Clatter. Clatter.

The Fifth Prince’s carriage ran through the forest path and disappeared from sight.

Aldaine walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

“I thought he was a boy who didn’t know the ways of the world, but he’s smart. He’ll die soon.”

Jeong Yushin’s expression crumpled.

“Aldaine, can’t you speak nicely?”

“I told the truth, what’s the problem? Even though he’s the youngest and last in the line of succession, the Second Prince is keeping him in check with his eyes burning? Talented people die quickly. Let’s go.”

Aldaine got into the carriage that he had prepared.

Snub-nose, Maya, and Ahiman rode in another carriage.

The remaining subordinates stayed behind to clean up the vacant lot.

Clunk. Clunk.

The carriage ran along the road in the summer rain.

Jeong Yushin crossed his arms and admired the scenery outside the carriage.

After passing through the forest, a wide-open prairie came into view.

Watching the blue reeds swaying back and forth as they were hit by the rain falling from the sky made me feel tired.

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth.

“Aldaine.”

“Why?”

“What do you do? I don’t think you’re just the manager of a monster dismantling site.”

“Are you curious? Take this sword. Then I’ll tell you.”

Jeong Yushin observed the red single-edged sword.

What does it mean?

I had a feeling that it wouldn’t end with simply taking the sword.

“Can’t you just tell me coolly?”

“There is a price for everything. If you want to get one thing, you have to give up one thing. You know that well, don’t you? It’s ruthless, but that’s the law of the world.”

“Forget it. I’m going to sleep.”

Jeong Yushin closed his eyes.

Darkness came immediately.

Aldaine stroked the red single-edged sword and observed Jeong Yushin’s sleeping face.

‘The more I look at him, the more of a treasure he is.’

In fact, he had watched Scar’s battle from afar until the end.

He replaced the psychological warfare, which is difficult to gain an advantage in without experience, with madness.

He created opportunities himself, killed the Second Prince’s assassins, and even killed Dark Elf Quellyn Calheid, a wandering mercenary from the underworld.

Although he was forced to retire due to the low pain threshold due to the Hyper Sensitivity mark, the Dark Elf was a mid-level explorer.

Of course, he was a low-level compared to the prominent mid-level explorers.

The fact that he killed a mid-level explorer regardless of the means was meaningful.

Aldaine wore a smile of conviction.

Although Scar didn’t realize it.

In the continuous battles, the madness that Scar had suppressed was slowly rising.

“Sister, this is really good.”

Aldaine muttered while stroking the single-edged sword.

Evening as the sun sets. The carriage ran across the prairie.

* * *

Three days had passed since returning to the Labyrinth City.

The Fifth Prince and the nanny left for the Lionel Kingdom.

The captured people returned to the Labyrinth City.

The people who had been with Jeong Yushin were all doing their own work or quietly resting.

Morning on the fourth day.

Jeong Yushin yawned and rummaged through the food.

He didn’t have much of an appetite. He had been running wild these days, so his fatigue was not easily relieved.

Squeak.

The inn door opened and Ahiman and Maya entered the inn.

Ahiman had returned to his human form. Maya looked strangely dejected.

“Scar.”

Ahiman approached and sat down, saying.

Jeong Yushin smiled.

“Ahiman, you’ve returned to your human form.”

“I like lizards too, but the human form is more comfortable. I came to thank you, although it’s a bit late.”

“No. What did I do? Your disciple did everything. By the way, I’m glad you seem to be feeling better.”

A faint smile formed on Ahiman’s face in response to Jeong Yushin’s answer.

“I want to repay you. Is there anything you want?”

Jeong Yushin thought for a moment and opened his mouth.

“I have a question to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Where do mid-level explorers get information about the labyrinth?”

“Does that mean you’re about to be promoted?”

“Yes. It’s kind of similar.”

I asked Oswald to find a request that I could finish easily and quickly. I demanded that he solve it in my name if possible, but it was close to unreasonable and I didn’t really expect anything.

I didn’t go to the eastern district. I was tired and I thought Oswald would be busy dealing with the captured people.

Ahiman cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“There are three ways. The first is to take classes at the Labyrinth Academy.”

“That’s a bit…”

“The second is to receive teachings from senior explorers. The third is to go to the library.”

“There was a library in the Labyrinth City?”

“It’s in the central district.”

A library.

Isn’t it a treasure trove where you can get information if you can read?

“The second and third methods seem to be the best. I guess the Labyrinth Academy would take a long time?”

“That’s right. It takes a long time. By the way, do you know how to read well?”

“···I’m studying hard.”

Jeong Yushin scratched his head and answered.

I haven’t been able to go to the orphanage academy for a while because of various things. I need to study steadily, but incidents happen from time to time, so I didn’t have time.

“Is that so? It’s a shame to just say this and leave. It’s a small reward. Take it.”

Ahiman handed over a small stone from his pocket.

“What is this?”

“It’s a mid-grade magic stone. It’s not enough to pay for your life, but it’s all I have. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’ll use it well with gratitude.”

Ahiman and Maya got up from their seats.

“Then I’ll see you again later.”

“Scar, thank you.”

“Please be careful on your way.”

Jeong Yushin saw Ahiman and Maya off to the outside of the inn and returned to his seat.

Just as Jeong Yushin was about to eat.

Squeak.

The inn door opened and someone came in.

Jeong Yushin’s eyes widened as he raised his head.

A teddy bear wearing a white chef’s hat waddled in.

“I…I heard there’s a Barbaroi here who doesn’t rape, bear!”

Jeong Yushin blankly stared down at the teddy bear.

All the plans that were going through his head disappeared like a blank sheet of paper.

Oh my god.

Can such a small bear beastman exist in the world? This is a crazy other world.

“I…It’s me.”

Jeong Yushin’s voice trembled.

The teddy bear trembled when he saw Jeong Yushin. But he bravely took a step forward and said.

“I…I have a request, bear!”

Jeong Yushin stared down at the teddy bear for a long time before answering in a gentle voice.

“I’ll listen to that request. Come here. Quickly.”

The teddy bear’s body stiffened at Jeong Yushin’s gesture.