The Villains I Taught Became Heroes. – Chapter 14

Making medicinal tonics needed a lot of ingredients.

Of course, there’s a way to use items from the Eastern Trading Company, but there were also items the company doesn’t currently handle.

And naturally, we’re not going to the big city just to get ingredients for the tonic.

When we say big city, it means a place with many people.

In other words, there might be people with the talent to become disciples.

I should search for the next disciple from time to time. Otherwise, it’ll be tiresome later.

If worst comes to worst, I could persuade Laila to become a disciple, but let’s keep that as Plan B.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

It’s only natural that Laila doesn’t quite meet my standards after seeing a child with talent like Sowol.

I patted Sowol’s head and then turned away.

“I’m planning to leave tomorrow, so get ready.”

I have things to prepare too.

“Young miss!”

It was then.

Laila, who was carrying luggage earlier, approached. The girl, who looked about the same age as Sowol, came with a bright expression and bowed politely to her.

How polite. Unlike someone else.

“I’m back. Nothing unusual happened while I was gone, right?”

“Yes. You must have had a hard time. Was the trade journey difficult?”

“It was a great learning experience. But…”

Laila’s gaze fell on me. Wariness and curiosity. Her gaze, mixed with these two emotions, looked quite sharp.

“This is my master. Greet him.”

“Ah, I see. I’m Laila. Nice to meet you. I’ve been with the young miss since childhood.”

“So, childhood friends?”

“Friend… I think that might be a bit difficult to say. After all, the young miss is the young miss.”

“Don’t say that. You’re my only friend.”

“Young miss…”

Sowol smiled gently as she faced Laila’s seemingly touched expression.

How heartwarming.

“It seems like you have a lot to talk about after meeting for the first time in a while. I’ll leave you to it. Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

After greeting Sowol and Laila, I headed to my quarters.

I arrived at the quarters in the garden and was meditating alone when I heard footsteps. These footsteps…

“You’ve come.”

“Did you know it was me?”

It was So Jung-yang.

He approached with a somewhat disgruntled expression and asked curiously, but it was not really a remarkable skill.

Once you reach a certain level, it’s not difficult to distinguish people just by their footsteps.

“I thought you’d be busy with the people who returned from the trade journey… What brings you here?”

“I heard that all the matters related to the cult have been dealt with.”

“Yes. For now, at least. It was Franz Hall.”

“I see…”

“Is there something bothering you?”

“Franz came to see me a while ago. He was causing trouble, saying he should collect rent from the commercial district managed by the Eastern Trading Company… Now that Franz is gone, I wonder if we can rest easy.”

Well. In my opinion, it’s still too early to feel at ease.

Unless the cult completely loses interest in the Eastern Trading Company, you never know what might happen in this world.

“Just in case, I suggest you always keep guard warriors on standby around you.”

“Hmm… Should I do that?”

“And I’ll ask my friend to help. While I’m away, my friend will stay at the Eastern Trading Company.”

“Your friend…?”

“It’s Serin, a high-ranking priest from the church. If she’s there, unnecessary forces won’t think of messing with the Eastern Trading Company and you, the head of the company.”

I plan to have the high-ranking priest Serin and the holy knights she brings stay at the Eastern Trading Company.

That should fill the gap while I’m gone to some extent.

“Huh. We’ll be hosting an important guest. I understand. But where are you going?”

“I need to visit Roberin City for a while. I’m considering taking Sowol with me, so don’t worry about her lessons.”

“I see. I trust you’ll handle that part well.”

I liked So Jung-yang’s full trust.

You know, there are parents who try to interfere with teaching…

If there’s no unnecessary interference, I can raise Sowol as I want, so I’m satisfied.

“Hmm. By the way, Master Lee, if it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask you for one favor?”

“What is it?”

“Could you provide training guidance to the company’s warriors? Of course, we’ll cover the related costs or additional pay.”

It seems he was quite bothered by the cult’s involvement and the fact that Franz, whom the cult put forward, targeted the Eastern Trading Company.

If not for that, he wouldn’t have asked me to train the warriors.

“Training the warriors is important too. It’s fine if I have time left after teaching Sowol.”

“If you agree to do so, I’m truly grateful!”

So Jung-yang’s expression brightened, pleased with my response.

It wasn’t a bad deal for me either.

If the skills of the Eastern Trading Company’s warriors improve, there will be more useful pieces for any potential assassination attempts on So Jung-yang in the future.

After discussing a few other minor things, So Jung-yang left, repeatedly thanking me.

Watching him walk away, I sat down and closed my eyes.

Well then, shall I rest too?

***

When you meet a childhood friend after a long time, there’s usually a lot to talk about, especially for Sowol, who has few friends.

“How was this trade journey?”

“Oh, don’t even ask. The weather was hot, there were many monsters, and we even encountered bandits during the journey. It was terrible.”

Sowol smiled gently at Laila, who was grumbling while shaking her head.

Seeing how she always participates in trade journeys despite complaining like this, she’s really not an honest child.

“By the way, how is this new master?”

“Huh? Um…”

How is Lee Hyun, she asks.

Sowol sighed softly after thinking for a moment.

These days, she keeps doing this when thinking about Lee Hyun. She should just evaluate him objectively like before, but why are different thoughts coming to mind?

“Oh my? Oh my, oh my?”

Perhaps because of Sowol’s reaction? Laila’s eyes sparkled as if she had discovered something interesting. Seeing her expression, Sowol hurriedly exclaimed.

“It’s not like that!”

Her face was subtly flushing.

Trying hard to erase the expression of warmth settling on her face, Sowol spoke in a haughty voice.

“He’s just an excellent master, that’s all.”

“It doesn’t seem like you think he’s just an excellent master… Well, that’s fine. More importantly, young miss. You seem to have changed quite a bit.”

“Ah. Yes. I’m properly learning swordsmanship now.”

“Oh my? Is that so? That’s wonderful. You’ve always wanted to learn martial arts so much.”

“Yes. And the master said I have talent.”

Sowol’s face showed pride as she said this.

It feels good that Lee Hyun acknowledges her.

Watching Sowol boast, Laila smiled softly.

‘I’m glad it’s someone the young miss is satisfied with.’

From Laila’s perspective, it was a happy thing if Sowol was satisfied.

Until now, the masters who came to teach Sowol acknowledged her talent but didn’t like her prickly personality and insincere attitude toward lessons, so they quit and left.

But listening to Sowol talk, Lee Hyun seemed completely different from those people.

He doesn’t care about manners and only wants to bring out her talent.

That might be why Sowol follows him even more.

‘He seems like a good person… Maybe I should talk to him once too…?’

Sowol was not only Laila’s master but also a younger sister. She was such a precious person, and Laila’s true feelings were that she hoped things would go well for her.

That’s why she gently hugged Sowol, who was enthusiastically talking about what she had learned so far.

“I’m really glad. Truly.”

“Yes…”

It’s Laila’s embrace that Sowol feels after a long time.

Leaning slightly into her warmth, Sowol thought momentarily and then said to Laila.

“Ah. And I’m going to the city with the master tomorrow.”

“By city… do you mean Roberin City?”

“Yes. He said there are things we need to get there.”

“That’s great timing. I also need to go to Roberin City tomorrow.”

“Huh? Why?”

“We need to send the goods we brought from the east to the Rogen Company in Roberin City.”

She hadn’t heard about this.

Does this mean the journey alone with Lee Hyun has become a bubble?

As Sowol’s expression darkened, Laila grinned.

“Oh my. Are you disappointed you can’t have a trip alone with your master?”

“Uh, huh?! No, I’m not?! It’s not like that?! I’m just worried because you have to move again right after returning from a trade journey?!”

She hurriedly made excuses, but Laila’s expression didn’t change.

Grinning like a cat that found something to play with, she looked at Sowol with narrowed eyes and then made a humming sound.

“Hmm~. By the way, if this Master Lee is such a good person…”

“…Why?”

“I’m at an age where I need to find a partner. If I find a good bachelor, I’ll have to work hard to seduce him…”

“What?! The age difference between the two of us is not that big!”

“There’s no harm in preparing early.”

“….Hmph! Do whatever you want!”

As Sowol turned her head away sharply and exclaimed, Laila giggled and hugged her from behind.

“Hehe. Don’t worry, that won’t happen~.”