Chapter 79 – I Dream of a Hand at My Nape (2)

She had slept in, and gloriously so.

As a result, Luillin only opened her eyes shortly after noon.

A quick glance around revealed her teacher was nowhere to be seen.

When she asked someone in the hallway, they told her he had gone out early in the morning.

“So diligent.”

Honestly, when else are you supposed to sleep in if not at times like this?

Technically speaking, the request she had taken on had already ended the moment she arrived here.

Since she had no intention of settling in this place, her next move was obviously to take on another job. From that standpoint, she had been planning to either accompany her teacher on his route or at least ride along under that pretense.

Despite appearances, her teacher was quite generous in what he taught and explained, and he was unusually considerate.

And yet, he wasn’t the type to let himself get taken advantage of like a pushover.

His alertness rivaled any wild beast’s, and his intuition was razor-sharp.

He might not understand worldly affairs, but he wasn’t naive enough to stumble blindly either.

“So nothing really happened, huh?”

No matter how tightly you plug your ears, if a man and woman get tangled together in a room, sound is inevitable.

You might block heat or sensation, but not noise.

You think thick stone walls mean it’s soundproof? No chance.

Whether it’s a luxurious inn or a cheap tavern, if a man and woman lock themselves in a room together…

Then well, the moaning is just part of the background music, like it or not.

And that’s if it’s a man and a woman. When it’s burly men or fluffy-haired brutes entering a room with longing eyes?

…That’s mentally scarring in its own right.

And if the place is full and you can’t even switch rooms?

It’s enough to drive you mad.

Not that it means she couldn’t sleep.

But still, that was another matter altogether.

“No matter how much of a knight’s pilgrimage this is supposed to be, temperance and abstinence are totally different things.”

The fact that her teacher didn’t drink or chase women, especially for a noble, made it easier on her as his travel companion and guide.

There were plenty of fools who ended up causing trouble because they couldn’t suppress their lust.

And when they started treating her like an object of that lust and making moves? That was even more irritating.

From that perspective, her teacher was refined and noble.

A textbook example of a properly raised noble son.

But, 

Even in places where he could finally let his guard down, he remained as vigilant as he was outside. That might be a bit concerning.

If he were being actively pursued, maybe it’d make sense.

But so far, there hadn’t been any signs of danger.

And it’s not like he was acting out of some deep religious faith either.

A knight devoted to his ideals?

Yeah, not even close.

“…This isn’t the time to be doing this.”

She needed to find work.

Otherwise, her coin pouch would dry up in no time.

Given how much she ate, it was no surprise that food expenses were sky-high.

If only she ate like her teacher, she probably would’ve saved up enough to settle somewhere by now.

‘Then again, what’s the point of living if you can’t enjoy food?’

They do say you eat to live.

It’s not like she avoided drinking and partying because she was too young.

Kids her age being heavy drinkers? Not uncommon.

Sure, kids raised by uptight parents were forbidden from drinking, but for orphans like her? Whether three or four years old, if the drink was there, you just drank it.

The only question was: what’s the point?

Drinking feels good in the moment, but you forget it all and wake up with a headache.

And even in a supposedly safe place, once you let your guard down, who knows what could happen?

There’s not a soul in the world worth trusting.

And even those you can trust will betray you in the blink of an eye.

If you don’t want to get hurt, just avoid creating situations where you can be hurt.

…In that sense, her teacher was the ideal example.

“Mhm, mhm.”

With that in mind, maybe she and her teacher were a decent match as travel companions.

It was also helpful that he could rein her in when she got out of control.

She scoured the Edenrevan Regiment branch for any long-term jobs, deployments, or expedition-level assignments, but nothing promising came up.

At best, the farthest jobs available were merchant escort requests.

And even those varied in timing, so some schedule juggling would be needed.

“Not happening right now.”

More importantly, she was hungry.

She headed for the dining hall, and although it was just a simple meal, she devoured a ton, earning quite a few stares.

It was only some hard bread, cheese, and milk, yet she scarfed it down like it was a feast.

There wasn’t even any soup to soak the bread, so she kept chewing and dunking it in milk to soften it, which dragged the meal out, but didn’t leave her full.

“……”

She craved meat.

Exiting the branch building, Luillin made no effort to search for Cariel.

She wasn’t some baby bird crying out for its mother.

Instead, she headed toward the first tier, listening for information and scoping out potential work, her ears tuned by habit.

“Hm…”

Though few in number, there were more armed people than yesterday.

And they were all lightly equipped.

Not merchants, guards, travelers, or pilgrims… more like, 

“Come to think of it, this is a pilgrimage site, isn’t it?”

In the Kingdom of Metlan, Grandeus was a symbolic figure, especially with the rumor that he had defeated Luelde spreading like wildfire.

A knight from another land, clad in chivalry, besting the greatest knight and hero of a nation of knights?

…Yeah, something to be proud of.

Not that she personally cared.

She’d been here a few times, but yesterday was the first time she ever touched the sword.

That’s how meaningless such symbols and memorials felt to Luillin.

“They say graves are for the living.”

Then what of those who die without a grave, whose bodies are left for beasts?

Those who rot and dissolve into the earth, are they, even in death, burdened by the same inequality of race, status, wealth?

How unfair.

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

A good person becomes a corpse when they die.  

A bad person becomes a corpse when they die.

Death is supposed to be the great equalizer.

And yet it’s made unequal again, by the selfish, unpredictable cruelty of the living.

But the dead say nothing.

In the end, it’s just the living exploiting the dead as they please.

What her elderly mentor, someone not quite a sage, but deeply knowledgeable, had once said, had taught her there was no value in lingering on questions of life and death.

Wasn’t it better to spend that time training or making money?

“Hm?”

Among the bustle of merchants, she caught sight of Leo and Luciri and turned in their direction.

“Hello?”

“Huh?”

The two had been speaking with a tall young man with a beard.

When Luillin approached and greeted them, the man looked at her with eyes sparkling with delight.

“And who might this lovely young lady be?”

His unruly brown hair was tucked under a wide-brimmed black hat, and he immediately showed interest in the newcomer.

The goodwill in his deep blue eyes was unmistakable.

Not without reason, either.

It was… that kind of attention. The sort of soft tone men reserved only for women.

Luillin’s silver-drenched eyes accepted even that with a trace of weary understanding.

“This is Luillin,” Leo said. “By the way, Luillin, everything go okay yesterday? Oh, and this is our companion, Deik. You’re meeting him for the first time, right?”

Leo gave just enough of an opening for introductions to flow naturally.

“You two don’t look too happy. Got something on your minds?”

“Hmm? Was it that obvious?”

Deik scratched his beard and feigned ignorance in a theatrical tone. Luciri promptly kicked his shin, as if it were routine.

“Ow! Dammit, you little witch! If you weren’t so unfairly pretty, I’d be seeking revenge right now!”

“What can I say? Born this way.”

“Would it kill you to speak nicely!?”

Deik grumbled half-jokingly, and Luciri smugly folded her arms.

“Man, I’m thirsty. Is there a good tavern around here? Let’s go talk it over there.”

“In a place like this? Good luck finding ‘good.’ You just take what’s available.”

Luillin pointed to herself and asked playfully:

“Oh, but big brother Deik? Is it okay if I join you three for drinks?”

“A lovely young lady with a promising future is always welcome. And ‘Big Bro’, what a delightful ring that has!”

“Deik…”

Leo shot him a disapproving glance, but Deik was unfazed.

“And it’s not even that secretive, is it? If it were really hush-hush, I trust you two would’ve stopped me from saying anything, right?”

“Well…”

Luciri frowned slightly, glancing between Leo and Deik.

Deik shrugged and teased further.

“Besides, you two have similar names, shouldn’t you be close by now? She’d make a perfect little sister.”

“Wh-what?! We’re already super close, thank you! Right, Luillin?”

“Of course! Sis and I are so close we could live under the same roof anytime!”

Deik exaggeratedly clicked his tongue.

“What? You two are already that close? Don’t tell me you’re long-lost siblings!”

“Luciri? Wow. When did that happen?”

“…Leo? Why are you impressed?”

There was only one proper tavern-slash-restaurant in the village.

Naturally, the four moved there and took a corner round table.

“What about Sejina and Rivein?” Leo asked.

Deik only shook his head.

“If you don’t know, I definitely don’t. I came straight here after wrapping up something.”

“We haven’t met up with them yet either,” Luciri added.

Deik sighed.

“Well, I guess it’s not easy tracking down a nameless hero.”

“Hero?”

Luillin tilted her head at the three of them.

Deik turned to the others with a raised brow.

“You didn’t tell our little miss anything?”

“We only met yesterday,” Luciri replied.

Leo followed up with a brief explanation of what had happened the previous day.

“This isn’t even a proper city. And even here, you’ve got shady organizations?”

“Don’t underestimate this place. If it grows just a little more, it’ll be a full-fledged small city.”

“How much more, twice? Three times the size? Then wouldn’t they need inspection posts and more than just a trade office?”

If this were a city, would the regional lord, the yarl, really leave it alone?

The fact that a village chief handled its affairs showed it was still just that, a village.

Of course, none of this was their personal property.

If it were a city, a governor or mayor or someone like that would’ve been appointed to act on behalf of a regional noble.

“Anyway, Leo. Did you find out anything about the Demon King?”

“Not at all.”

“The elder told you to ask someone specific, didn’t he?”

“I’ve been asking, but they’re not exactly cooperative.”

“Who is it?”

“The sword.”

“I heard that last time, but what kind of name is that?”

“No, not a name. I mean an actual sword. A real sword. Like, the kind you swing.”

“What?”

Deik blinked as if he’d misheard.

Then said,

“A literal sword? Are you joking? Luciri? Is Leo serious?”

“…How would I know?”

“You’re the fancy witch, aren’t you?”

“Do witches know everything? Okay, yeah, I am fancy.”

Luillin tilted her head in confusion too, prompting Leo to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“Why does no one ever believe me? I’ve said it so many times!”

“Come on, you have to admit, it sounds ridiculous.”

“I told you already, the elder said to come here and ask the sword! That’s what he said!”

“We thought it was some guy named Sword or something! And now you’re saying he meant an actual hunk of steel? That’s like saying ‘say something to the horse,’ and you’re not sure whether they mean a talking horse or a riding one!”

“…Sigh. No one ever listens to a word I say.”

“That’s not it! You just should’ve said it more clearly! You weren’t even sure yourself, were you? You said you only became certain after coming here! And Luciri, didn’t you hear anything he’s talking about?”

“……Hmph!”

“What’s the matter? Annoyed because Leo heard something and you didn’t?”

“I am not! Stop acting like I’m some petty woman!”

Leo stayed silent, a bit frustrated but unable to deny Deik’s point.

I mean, really, how was he supposed to know they literally meant to talk to the sword?

He’d thought it was a weird name, and that asking around would lead him to someone, only to be told no such person existed. That confusion? It had been real.

So in the end, he went, “Whatever,” and just decided to take a look at the embedded sword.

“Anyway, the sword told me to back off. I heard it clearly. So if it spoke, then doesn’t that mean I can talk to it too? Right?”

“……”

“……”

Luciri and Deik shook their heads in perfect sync.

“Kid must be exhausted.”

“Well, getting dragged all over the place for nearly a year without a break would break anyone’s brain… and with the West Wind Witch standing right beside him, how could he not go crazy?”

“You’re dragging me into this now?!”

Luillin locked onto something else.

“West Wind Witch?”

“Oh, you didn’t know, little miss?”

“…It’s not like I ever told her. And I never went out of my way to reveal it.”

“You learned introductions backwards, huh.”

“That’s not exactly something you boast about! Say you’re a witch and everyone just assumes you’re some kind of evil hag! You think I’m not bitter about that?!”

Her voice was full of genuine resentment.

And maybe that’s why, 

Deik gave her a large, solemn nod, as if acknowledging the injustice.

“Fair point. But you know, we know better than anyone how mean and, ”

THUD!

“Guhhh!”

The table lurched, and Deik’s upper body slammed forward.

“Let’s choose our words carefully, Deik.”

“I… only speak the truth…”

BANG!

“GAAACK.”

He was nearly dead.

And then, from elsewhere inside the tavern, screams rang out.

“WAAAH!”

“Kyaaah!”

“What the hell, why are there so many damn rats?!”

The commotion spread rapidly from table to table.

“Kyaaa!”

As a swarm of rats darted across the tavern floor, Luciri shrieked, pulling her legs up onto the chair.

“WHY?! WHY RATS?!”

Not one or two, there were at least a dozen.

They skittered wildly across the floor before vanishing into walls, ceilings, and cracks, but even though it lasted less than a minute, the tavern was left frozen in the aftermath.

Of course, some patrons seemed annoyed but unfazed.

Others, however, like the burly man who had a rat crawl up his pant leg, leapt up, shrieking like a child and flailing in panic, prompting a wave of laughter.

And then, a new scene unfolded on their side.

“Great view.”

“I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!”

Without thinking, Luciri had leapt into Leo’s arms.

Only realizing her mistake a beat too late, her face turned beet red.

“Why’s a witch scared of rats?”

“DEIK! Why is your mouth constantly flapping?! Would you die if you kept it shut for five minutes?! Is it a disease?!”

“Well, I do have a condition where I wither without seeing pretty women…”

“……”

The mood instantly turned frosty.

“You should be grateful Leo and I are even willing to put up with your rotten personality.”

THUD.

Again, the table shook as Deik collapsed forward dramatically.

“…That’s kind of our dynamic,” Leo said.

Luillin nodded calmly.

“You guys seem fun.”

“Fun, she says!” “What part of this is?!”

Their reactions flew at her in unison, and Luillin clapped her hands in delight.

Leo turned the conversation back.

“Anyway, what about Lord Riel?”

“Teacher left early this morning, apparently.”

“Yeah?”

The village wasn’t that big. If they really wanted to, they could probably find him quickly.

…Though they’d need a reason to look or rejoin him first.

But before that, there was one thing Luillin wanted to clarify.

“You mentioned something about the Demon King earlier. What was that about?”

Even though it had been a passing comment, it reeked of money. Or maybe just plain danger. Either way, it was too suspicious to ignore.