Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Episode 192: “Fragments of the Past” // And the next day, Kairu did not show up. “….” “….”- Clatter, clatter.” Aiden, Elle, and I are quietly having a meal on the first floor of the inn. While having a simple meal of pale oatmeal porridge, barley bread, and smoked meat, we did not engage in any conversation. The store is quiet. It was a meal too late to be called breakfast. The one who broke the silence with the first word was El. “…Could it be that they ran away?”Aiden receives her opinion.” “I can’t believe it, he doesn’t seem like that kind of person.””I don’t know.” Who knows how a person’s heart feels.”El brushed her hair back and continued speaking.” “…Or, according to your standards, does the sun have to be at its zenith for it to be considered morning?” “…That’s not it.”How do you know?””I’m also from the back alleys.”..Isn’t it rather, do you think that makes sense logically?”Why, there’s no reason it can’t be done, right?”I leave the two people talking to each other alone and continue eating in silence. “….”I had questions in my mind.” Why doesn’t Kayle reveal herself? Did I really want to run away as El said? It’s not that I don’t understand. From Keir’s perspective, that could certainly be the case. Now that you have caught a glimpse of my true self, you might be thinking of me as a monster. Having finally managed to escape, it wouldn’t be strange to choose to run away for good rather than getting entangled again. …But if it’s the Keir I know, he wouldn’t do that. “Ha, is being from the back alley something to be proud of?” Where does a former slave dare to act insolently towards a noble lord?”It must be a fallen noble.” Is that your new concept? Aren’t you doing vampire cosplay anymore?” “…That, that is…!”Seeing the two people exchanging friendly conversations before I knew it, I quietly mutter in a low voice.” “As expected.”..”Huh?””I need to go find out.””It was a statement close to a monologue.” Was what I said unexpected? El puts down the spoon in the already empty bowl and asks back. “How are you planning to find it?”” “….The base of the Lockard family is unknown. Moreover, it is impossible to search through the underworld now. If we cause a commotion, our plan to steal the herbs could go awry. …However, there are still clues left. “…Black Rose Crown.”What?”” “Black Rose Crown. You might find out if you go there.”Where is that?””The founding of the Lakers.” It’s a building in a slum…”He speaks briefly and adds on.” “…This is the place where I grew up.The Black Rose Palace is where I was born. It is not particularly surprising that a child is born in a warehouse. That’s just how that place is. The place where women sell their bodies and laughter is called a brothel, but it is also a place where women who have not been able to get rid of their children give birth to parentless children and wrap the chains that bind them around their children. The identity of the mother of the born child is unknown. Because no one wants to speak. I don’t even know who the child’s father is. I have never even tried to take it out. I did too. I never even wanted to know. My mother must have been a prostitute, and my father was probably one of the many customers or a member of the underworld organizations. By the time I become sensible, I might already be dead. Now, bloodline has no meaning. It’s a common story. Children are born who do not know their parents or siblings, and they give birth to children who do not know their parents. A chain of fate that connects like a chain. The slums of the city are such places.

-Squish, squish.

I walk towards the Black Changmi Hall with Aiden. It has been a long time since I returned to the place where I was born, but there was no feeling of excitement. As I walked in silence on the noisy street for a while, “About that guy named Keir…”” “…Huh?”Suddenly, Aiden spoke up.” “Yesterday, you asked me who you are.”” “….It was a statement that contained a lot. Kair has grown up with me since we were kids, and as we grew up, he was the one who poked every hole I had. The fact that Keir, who had explored every corner of my body, is asking me who I am can only be interpreted in one way. “…So, did you say it?”No, I told you to ask directly.”” “…Really?”Additionally, I added that it seems like you would tell me.”I tilt my head at Aiden’s words. That statement contained one assumption. “Then.”…”It seems that way.”..I think it’s not that they are intentionally not coming, but rather that they are in a situation where they can’t come.” “….”Aiden’s words made me feel better, but at the same time, they were concerning.” There was some indication, though. Perhaps…Yesterday, I killed five members of the Jin family. Kay said he would ignore them, but I did not. The subordinates that Kair brought would have discovered that scene. They may not know about me, but they probably didn’t think that the girl who was being humiliated killed five strong men. Given the circumstances, there is no choice but to conclude that Keir killed them. Moreover, I kidnapped Keir right after that. Then, it is enough to increase suspicion. “…First, let’s go.The task was obvious. If, as Aiden said, it is not that Keir is not coming, but rather that he cannot come. There is only one thing to do. Instead of waiting, we must search from this side. And to find the whereabouts of Kair, one must first find a person. The woman who is the lover of Keir. I had to find her. The appearance of the black rose crown remains the same. The stone wall reflected in the sunlight is dotted with ivy, and the shabby wood has an antique yet worn-out edge. Looking at the unchanged exterior of the establishment, I quietly smiled wryly. “…It reminds me of the old days.”What kind of sexual joke are you trying to make again?””Aiden speaks with a bored expression, but I shake my head and correct his misunderstanding.” “No, that’s really just an ordinary old thought.” Eating candy, playing hide and seek, or fighting in the alley.” “….”Why are you looking at me like that?” I was ordinary when I was young too.” “…Is that true?”Is that something you can’t believe?””Hey, you haven’t forgotten what your skin color is, have you?”At Aiden’s words, I tilt my head in confusion. Skin color, huh. Of course… “…Purple flavor?”That’s right.”” “….Um. That is.”This is just my personal opinion, but you look like the child of one of the demons of the seven deadly sins, you know?” Both in terms of appearance and personality. I won’t say who among the seven it is, but.” “….”Of course, that is not true, but it was hard to deny the metaphorical meaning contained in Aiden’s words.” Well, I already have a history of having taken Aiden down a few times. However, if you ignore a story that is hard to argue against, that’s all there is to it. “…Let’s talk about that next time.” “….”The operation is more important right now.””Of course, the operation I am talking about now is unrelated to the operation of recapturing the hub.” Finding Keir is tied to my past. But Aiden does not complain about it and nods his head. “Yeah, what are you planning to do?””It’s simple.” Entering the store, I buy a woman.” “…So that’s why you brought me here.”Aiden seems to acknowledge it as if he has realized something, but soon he looks at the shining sunlight and questions me back.” “But it’s morning now, isn’t it?””It’s okay.” If you give about 400 lira, there are plenty of kids who would take off their clothes even in a daze.”The belief that money can solve everything is a universally accepted truth here.” If the morning’s opening does not welcome guests, it means that the guests’ money is not sufficient. And now we have an abundance of money at our disposal. “I see.””Reminded of that point, Aiden nods as if he has realized something.” However, the acceptance was only for a moment. He seems to think for a moment, then looks at me and asks. “Then, what about you?”” …Is that sexual harassment? I noticed the playful smile hanging on his lips and replied with a grin. In my case, I should rather pay.” “…Are you saying you will give me money?”Yes.” How is it? I’ll give you 400 rad, so do you want to hang out with me all day?”When I ask seriously, Aiden’s expression hardens.” It seemed that he was recalling that very nightmare. After a period of silence, Aiden utters a short four-character idiom. “…Hmm, too much is as bad as too little.”We can also provide service for the power of the device.””Oh, that sounds a bit appealing?””Just say it.” I will do it anytime.”Exchanging silly jokes with each other, we move towards the opening of the exhibition.” The interior of the Changguan, which I saw after a long time, had not changed much, just like its exterior. “…I’m sorry, but we are closed for business.”The madam sitting at the counter speaks to us while puffing on the ‘madam’s tobacco pipe,’ a tradition passed down in the establishment.” “….”She, who was a madam two years ago, seemed to look a little older.” However, of course, she did not show any signs of recognizing me. I changed my appearance a little before coming here. I am not Lila with her brilliant blonde hair right now, but I have the appearance of a woman resembling my past life, Seo-hyun. From the beginning, there was little chance that the Madame, who I wasn’t very close to, would notice me. “…I know.Aiden said this to the madam with indifference and threw a pouch filled with silver coins.

-Thud.

The pocket makes quite a heavy sound as it falls onto the counter. Hearing that heavy sound, the madam fixes her languid expression and glances at her pocket. “….”600 rad.” If you like it, I’ll give you a separate tip, so bring some good kids.”Aiden, for a man who has just lost his virginity to Emily, puts on quite a skilled performance as a guest.” On the other hand, I stay by Aiden’s side, pretending to be expressionless. The lady didn’t seem to care about me at all. “…What kind of child do you want?”Among the guests at the exhibition, there are many with perverse tastes.” Embracing both a woman and a prostitute is considered a relatively normal preference among them. “Hmm.”..”In response to the lady’s question, Aiden scratches his chin as if deep in thought, trailing off his words.” We lack information. There is not much known about Keir’s woman. If I had known it would be like this, I should have at least asked for a name, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, which is a bit regrettable. …However, there is a clue. “I need to take a look and choose first.”” “…Are you saying you will choose after seeing it?”It must be nice for the kids who haven’t been here long.”..Is there a child who was born a commoner?” “…Ah, you want a pure type.”At Aiden’s request, the madam smiles faintly as if she understands.” She leaves the bag on the counter and gets up. “Follow me.””The women that the madam called together were four.” “From the left are Lirin, Pailen, Jess, and Theia.””Oh.”..”I hope you choose a child that you like.””Women who appear to be in their late teens to early twenties are trying hard to erase their tired expressions as they gaze at Aiden.” Could it be that we had guests all night? There is no woman with a lively expression. But there was no sign of rejection on that face. In the first place, it is not something that is done forcefully. They wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to make money, having received a hint from the madam. I also had a time like that in the past. …It was more for a friend than for money. “…I need to take a look for a moment.Aiden gestures thoughtfully and gives a nod to the madam. It was the doctor’s way of saying that they wanted to be left alone. A guest with a lot of money in a bar is no different from a king. The madam noticed Aiden’s gesture with the keen insight characteristic of a brothel madam. I understand. Then, have a good time…The lady quietly leaves her seat. Soon, only one man and five women were left in the room. And Aiden looks at the four women sitting on the sofa one by one and asks me. Lila. Which guy do you like?” “….”

At Aiden’s words, I scanned the women’s reactions before answering. Unfortunately, none of the four reacted to the name Laila. “….” I felt a little disappointed inside. Had Keir not told them about me? I tried it just in case, but it seemed it wouldn’t be easy to find her. …Should I just ask directly, head-on? As I was pondering this, “Hey, you.” Suddenly, Aiden gestured towards one of the four women. “Yes…?” “What’s your name?” The woman he pointed to was wearing a dark green dress. With light brown hair and flowing clothes, she hesitated before answering Aiden’s question. “M-My name is Jess…” “Good, you’ll do. The rest of you, go back inside.” As the order to leave was given, the other women nodded with expressions of regret. …What is this guy doing? I stared at the departing women’s backs and whispered to Aiden. “Explanation, please.” “….” Aiden, however, wore a puzzled expression. It was almost like he was turning the tables on me. His expression was demanding an explanation from me. “…Really? You don’t know this?” “….” …Should I punch him? Just as I was about to break my stoic facade at his annoying expression, Aiden pointed to the still-standing Jess and whispered his answer to me. “She looks the most like you.” “….Huh?” …Is that so? [Author’s Notes] I’ve been running around a lot lately, so it’s been tough. But I think I’ll be staying home from now on, so I’ll try to update more frequently soon. Everyone, be careful of the coronavirus.