episode_0107

Episode 107 #

“Hehe, is Rika who came in today your guy?”

People gathered in front of the room. Ages and genders are different. Looking at them, Rika calmed down coldly.

After all, there is no way that someone from an ethnic group will easily accept him.

No matter how good the superiors, such as saints or abbots, are, it is the subordinates who actually have to share food, clothing, and places to sleep.

There was no way I could look good for having come in so casually. It would be normal to try to kill people from the beginning.

‘There are no weapons… It may have been hidden somewhere else…’

I had no intention of making a fuss. Here he must wait for the princess.

It probably won’t go as far as murder. I was willing to endure as much as a group beating.

“Are you planning on doing it here? Or should I just follow you guys?”

“Kkeuk, this new recruit has a pretty good understanding, right? Follow me quietly. Because there is a curfew at this time.”

A large woman who appeared to be the leader pointed to a warehouse building in the back. Rika walked into the group, showing both palms to show that she had no intention of resisting.

“I understand. Eggplant.”

“Hehe, okay, let’s go.”

The midnight procession, including Rika, headed to the warehouse. It was surprisingly bright inside. There was a cloth over the window to prevent light from leaking out.

There were already quite a few people in the warehouse. Seeing them smiling at her, Rika did not relax her nerves.

In the middle of the warehouse, food was prepared like a banquet.

“…What is this?”

“What can I say, it’s a welcome party for new employees. If you’ve come all the way to a place like this, you’ve probably never had a full meal, right? You are lucky to eat it. Actually, a large amount of food came in not long ago.”

Bread and cheese, cured meats, pickles, dried fish and even beer. The cheap but generous outfit had a delicious smell coming out of it.

“Weren’t you trying to lynch me?”

“Lynch? Do you think we are a bunch of thieves? After all, this is a monastery. We are all good guys who worship reverently every morning.”

“But why so secretly…”

“Of course. That’s because you don’t want to get caught. I poured wine to the monk managing the warehouse, but if I made a loud noise, he might wake up. Well, at least they look after it when a new person comes.”

In a dazed mood, Rika accepted the beer mug that someone had handed her. Soon, foamy beer was poured there.

In Changgwan, Rika was always alone. The quality of the meal itself wasn’t bad, but I didn’t have to eat it with anyone.

While waiting for the princess, the only voices Rika could hear were the friendly voices of prostitutes and customers that occasionally came faintly from beyond the wall.

So Rika had a hard time getting used to this noisy atmosphere.

“Do you know how to drink alcohol?”

Those words must have been some kind of consideration towards the newcomer. However, that was a remark that touched Rika’s most important pride.

“Are you kidding? Even though I am like this…”

For the Carcass, a leader is a leader. There was no distinction between men and women. It was a position that only those who were stronger than anyone else could ascend to.

Drinking volume was also one of the important indicators of strength. Rika has never lost to anyone in terms of drinking capacity.

Jump, jump, jump!

Rika took a gulp from the beer glass in her hand. When I lifted it upside down and certified that it had been completely emptied, exclamations erupted from those around me.

“Is this also alcohol? It’s so bland it’s like plain water. Bring more.”

“Oh, I thought he was calm, but he’s pretty?”

The beer is refilled immediately. Rika made a snorting sound and immediately emptied that too.

“Kaka, you’re amazing, newbie!”

The woman next to me pats my back. Normally I would have found it unpleasant, but for some reason it didn’t feel that way now.

So the drinks and snacks continued to flow. Although she said little, Rika was thinking about the banquet with her subordinates. With the thought that it wasn’t a bad atmosphere.

‘Is this Lustier’s way? No, these guys must be something special.’

At that time, the warehouse door burst open.

“Rebecca, you guys! I touched something in the warehouse again…!”

“Jeez, damn it! I got caught!”

He is an old monk holding a staff. Even at a glance, it gave the impression that it looked kinky. The friendly atmosphere of the banquet suddenly became quiet, as if cold water had been poured on it.

“It was you guys who made Dominic drink? Anyway… you carelessly tampered with the items the princess sent you!”

That bright voice seemed to make me feel like I had committed a sin even though I was innocent. Even more so if you are caught committing a real mistake.

“But, Joseph will get better…! Poetry, newbie…”

Hehe, that’s right then.

In the end, they just needed an excuse to steal food and someone to blame if they got caught. Rika smiled bitterly and raised her face proudly.

“New employee? Ha, yes. Did you say Rika?”

Joseph stared at Rika with a frown. Then he turned around and headed towards the door of the warehouse.

“Hmph, you should clean up after yourself, you guys. And don’t eat too much!”

Rika felt dazed again as she looked at his back, walking with an angry gait.

‘…I can’t understand what those Lustiers are thinking…’

Rebecca said, putting her hand on Rika’s shoulder.

“Well, even though he looks like that, he is a flexible guy. The welcoming party for new members is also a traditional event in our monastery. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything properly because I’ve been so poor.”

It’s a mess in many ways. Not only is there a lack of discipline, but even the superiors who are supposed to manage it turn a blind eye. If something like this had happened under his command, he would have been beheaded right away.

But still, Rika felt happy.

After thinking about it for a moment, I immediately erased it.

* * *

The time is nearing sunset.

phut!

When Rika struck down the axe, the piece of wood on the stump was cut cleanly in half. Rika put aside the tree that was suitable for use as firewood and placed the next piece of wood.

phut! phut! phut!

Split wood piles up in an instant. Rika sighed and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“How is life at the monastery, Rika?”

I already knew she was behind me from earlier. This is Saint Leelia. Rika placed the ax on the stump and turned around.

“I’m just doing my best not to be embarrassed by the food I eat every day, saint.”

“You don’t have to try too hard. Are you saying that you continue to look for work even after exceeding your designated working hours?”

From kitchen work to laundry, hard labor that women and children are not asked to do, and even night watch. Rika has barely had any rest since she came to the monastery.

“It’s nothing special.”

“Because of the princess?”

A fastball that hits the body so accurately. Rika had no choice but to admit it.

He said he would wait for Princess Sera here. Rika was just trying to keep it faithfully. For that purpose, this level of labor was really nothing.

“Yes.”

“We’ll never kick you out if you don’t try too hard. Rather, I think of you as a guest of a princess.”

“But I am not a stranger, saint.”

In Lustier, northern peoples are the targets of discrimination, both large and small. Even though there were numerous tribes, including Rika’s tribe, the Cacas tribe, they were all referred to with the word ‘barbarian tribe.’

Even if they wore the clothes of this country and spoke the language of this country, their appearance was still their mark.

Even if you do nothing, you are discriminated against. However, it was obvious how people would think if I was lazy.

As a result, some problems may arise and I may not be able to stay here. It was that fear that was keeping Rika from staying still.

At least as long as you are a sincere worker, they will let you stay here because of the value of your labor.

“I must keep my promise to the princess. I’m just doing my best for it. So that no problem arises.”

“Hmm… That feeling is amazing…”

In the end, it is a story about not trusting the saint herself and the people of the monastery.

Leelia seemed to know why Princess Sera was embarrassed by Rika. To put it nicely, it means being loyal, but to put it another way, it means being extremely stubborn.

Leelia was thinking hard about what she could say to persuade this stubborn Rika.

Then, it was a moment when I inadvertently looked at the back door of the monastery.

“Huh?”

There was someone there. A shaggy man wearing shabby clothes and sticking his head out as if spying on something. As soon as he made eye contact with Leelia, he turned and started running away.

Without even having time to think, Rika chased after him and attacked him from behind. The man who rolled on the dirt floor let out a painful groan.

“What are you? Why were you snooping around?”

“Now, wait a minute, Rika! Maybe he just came to beg…”

“You mean wearing a sword?”

“Yes?”

A poorly maintained knife was hanging from the man’s waist. In addition, there were various pieces of equipment attached to his belt that were inconsistent.

Rika could immediately tell what he was doing.

“A thief. It looks like they are targeting the monastery.”