Chapter 27. Southern Continent.

The Southern Continent had many fertile plains, and was all yellow wheat fields. When the wind blew, *sswaaaaㅡ*, it swayed, and the yellowish-brown waves splashed and crashed. Rosalia, who was seeing the Southern Continent for the first time in her life, was too busy looking outside to pay attention to anything else.

“Is sightseeing that fun?”

“Yesㅡ!”

Rosalia loved the touch of the Captain-nim’s hand gently stroking her hair. She wondered if the shy puppy that sometimes wandered along the road looking for food felt the same way when she petted it, as she did now with the Captain-nim’s touch.

I wish my younger sibling could see this too…!

It had already been a month and a half since she left the capital. The older sister had never been apart from her younger sibling for so long, and she was always anxious about them. It felt like she had left behind the most precious treasure in the world. Of course, she knew that the kind and good employees would take good care of her sibling, but she couldn’t help but feel uneasy because she couldn’t see them.

“It seems we’re slowly getting closer to Eretria.”

Certainly, there were many more merchant caravans coming from the opposite direction. They were all carrying mountains of wheat on their carts. There were also quite a few escort squads and mercenary groups following them.

In the old days, everyone lived so prosperously in the Southern Continent that there was a saying that there were no bandits, but due to the several territory wars that had occurred since a decade ago, many refugees had been created. As a result, several large groups of bandits had sprung up.

Anyway, the Southern Continent these days was not what it used to be. It had become a place where accidents and incidents happened more often than in other continents. That’s why no one properly tried to subdue the necromancer even though they roamed through several villages for so long.

The carriage arrived at a small town nearby before evening. It was only a day’s distance from Eretria, the City of Beginnings, so there were quite a few merchants staying here. The luxury inn was almost full, with only two rooms left. They divided them up, three men and three women.

After spending a cramped night like that, they set off for Eretria early in the morning. There were even more carriages going back and forth.

And that afternoon, they finally arrived in Eretria, the City of Beginnings. Kayak, who had come here after more than a dozen years, had a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

Ji-hyuk led the team to the mansion where the Cheonma Guild was located. He was planning to stay there for only a couple of days.

Still, the Cheonma Guild was one of the top guilds on the continent. Its status was as great as that of a Hero.

The guild’s mansion felt somewhat desolate. There were many things missing from the garden and the yard. It was equipped with only the bare minimum of things necessary for living.

Everyone looked a little puzzled, but they quietly followed behind the Hero.

The guild was very noisy due to Hero Kang Ji-hyuk’s sudden visit. The one who came out to greet the Hero was Cheonma, the guild leader. He greeted Ji-hyuk very warmly and led the team inside.

When they entered the mansion, the guild members were lined up in the hall and bowed politely to the honored guests. True to Cheonma’s serious personality, the guild members were also serious. There were about twenty people. Among them was Cheonma’s disciple, Larosha.

“If I had known my Hero was coming, I could have prepared more grandly, it’s a pity.”

“No, I should be grateful if you just provide a room to sleep in.”

“I’ve already told them to prepare as much as they can with what we have. But it will take some time, so you can unpack and take a bath in the meantime.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone was guided to their rooms. Of course, the Hero was assigned a particularly large and nice room.

Ji-hyuk unpacked and took a clean bath. It was the first comfort he had felt in a month and a half. When he finished getting ready and came out, someone was standing outside the door waiting for him. It was Cheonma’s disciple, Larosha.

“It’s been a while, Larosha.”

“Have you been well, Your Excellency?”

“I’ve been well. How about you?”

“I’ve been well too without any problems. …I will guide you. This way….”

Ji-hyuk glanced up and down at Larosha’s back as she walked a few steps ahead. Their *gido* had changed a bit. It seemed they had been training like crazy for the past few months since returning here.

“Your skills seem to have improved a lot. The feeling is definitely different.”

“…I am infinitely honored that you say so, but I am still very lacking.”

“I wish I had just one disciple like you….”

“Your praise is too generous, I don’t know what to do….”

Larosha was fine in every way, but that personality that was too much like an old man was their only flaw. Since the elderly Cheonma was their master, it seemed that the disciple was also resembling them in a similar way.

…Could it be that when they have sex, they moan, ‘I am pleased, but it is painful’ㅡ.

Ji-hyuk chuckled at such useless thoughts. Since he was also a male with a dick, he sometimes had lewd fantasies like this in a lewd way. …Well, it had been over a month since he had a *jjotjil*, so it was about time for a biological reaction.

The two soon headed to the dining room. It seemed that the three women were not ready yet, as no one was there.

Only Cheonma, Gid, and Kayak were in the dining room. Ji-hyuk and Larosha entered there.

“Ah, come and sit down, Hero.”

Cheonma pointed to the seat next to them with their palm. Ji-hyuk went there and sat down. On the huge round table, there were already plenty of dishes with delicious smells.

“Do you like the room?”

“I like it very much. I am very grateful for your hospitality.”

Cheonma smiled contentedly.

“Since Hero Kang has come, I would gladly give up even my bedroom.”

“How could I take the owner’s bedroom? Even a floor where I can avoid the wind and rain is fine.”

Baldy Gid clicked his tongue, thinking that the language of the nobles was so damn difficult. He didn’t think he could follow a single word of what those two were saying.

“What country’s language is that?”

Gid covered his mouth slightly with his hand and whispered that as he leaned towards Kayak. The Lizardman Kayak smiled lightly.

At that moment, the rest of the team members entered the dining room. It was the three women, clean and fluffy after washing up. In particular, Grace stood out for her noble and dignified air, unique to nobles, which could not be hidden even by her clothes.

Larosha personally guided them to their seats one by one. Once everyone was seated, the meal began.

Everyone filled their hungry stomachs and enjoyed tea and snacks for dessert, then scattered to their respective rooms. Ji-hyuk was heading to his lodging room when Larosha called out to him.

“Your Excellency, there is a separate place prepared. If you don’t mind….”

“Is the Elder-shin also there?”

“Yes.”

It seemed that they had something important to talk about. Ji-hyuk actually had something he was curious about, so this was perfect.

“Lead the way.”

Larosha took the lead again. The two headed to a certain place in the mansion.

“Here it is. I will wait here until your conversation is over.”

The disciple pointed politely to the door with their hand and stood at attention in front of it. Ji-hyuk knocked lightly a couple of times and opened the door and went inside.

The day was already getting dark, and several candles were lighting up the room. A quiet atmosphere was added to the cozy feeling.

Cheonma was sitting in a chair sipping tea. Their eyes were clearly different from before. Ji-hyuk went to the opposite side and sat down.

“I’m sorry for calling you out again.”

“No, I also had something to ask.”

“What is it?”

The Hero tapped the table lightly with their finger.

“Are you planning to leave here?”

“…That’s right.”

“It looks a bit desolate. It seemed like you were disposing of things.”

“I’m disposing of things like items and land. Since I’ve been settled here for over 20 years, it takes some time because there’s a lot to dispose of.”

“Speak comfortably. After all, it’s just you and me here, Elder-shin.”

“…May I do that?”

“Of course. You’re my teacher-nim’s friend, there’s no need to be so formal even in a private setting.”

“I understand.”

The two lightly sipped their tea.

“I’m going to move to the capital.”

“…To the capital, you say?”

“That’s right. But I’m thinking of leaving the mansion just in case I need to come here.”

“May I know the reason?”

Ji-hyuk had settled in the capital due to unavoidable circumstances, but there was no reason for Cheonma to leave this place. New blood was constantly flowing in, so there was no place as easy as this to maintain the guild.

In other words, Cheonma was saying that they would give up all of that and come to the capital. Ji-hyuk found it hard to understand the reason. Moreover, Cheonma had never made such a choice before.

“Is it because of your disciple?”

“…Well, that’s one of the reasons.”

“Is there another reason?”

“I don’t plan to grow the guild any further. I think it’s enough to have grown it this much. Well, if I really need to, I’ll be satisfied with just finding people in the capital. I’ve decided to stop training new talent.”

“Still, isn’t there no reason to abandon the foundation you’ve built and go to a new place?”

Cheonma looked at Ji-hyuk and smiled deeply.

“It’s because I want to be close to you.”

ㅡ!

“Because I want to watch over you from the side.”

This was a confession he had never heard before. Ji-hyuk chuckled. Cheonma also smiled back.

“I’m sorry for laughing. It’s too different from what I expected.”

“What were you expecting?”

“I thought you were going to say you were going to live the rest of your life in comfort.”

Hahahaㅡ.

Cheonma laughed out loud this time.

“No way. I’m the type of guy who will die fighting even if I die. Comfort is far from me.”

“Larosha must be having a hard time.”

“It’s their fault for meeting the wrong teacher.”

Silence fell again. *Jjorureureu*, the sound of pouring tea water spread over the darkness.

On a quiet moonlit night, this teacup exchanged with Cheonma had a somewhat serene feeling.

There was a time when Cheonma was also his teacher. Ji-hyuk was feeling that feeling at that time.

Teacher and disciple.

It was a picture that anyone could see.

Cheonma gulped down the teacup as if it were alcohol. And as they lightly placed it on the table, they stared intently at Ji-hyuk.

“…I will be your strength.”

That short declaration from the leader of the Cheonma Guild, one of the top 10 guilds on the continent, was by no means light.

The Hero spoke politely once more.

“The path I’m going on won’t be easy, Elder-shin.”

Cheonma smiled deeply.

“That’s what I’m hoping for.”

It was a Cheonma-like answer.