episode_0017

From the perspective of a young man, the entertainment district is a thorn in one’s side.

Typically, dark places tend to attract shady characters who cause all sorts of incidents and accidents.

However, there is no way to make the entertainment district disappear.

Even if strict measures are taken, similar establishments seem to reappear before long.

The stimulation brought by the entertainment district is not easily dismissed within the mundane routine.

Where there is demand, supply follows.

I, too, was drawn to such stimulating elements.

Having received strict education under my stern father, the entertainment district provided a stimulating escape for me.

People cheering as they pay for drinks.

Women striving to earn even a penny more.

Those who followed me.

Looking back now, they were not exactly savory individuals, but at that time, they were my entire world.

I have no intention of denying that past.

Only to regret and reflect upon it.

In any case, yes.

I will never visit the entertainment district again, but those who followed me should fend for themselves.

When I was learning swordsmanship and estate management, I truly needed people to carry out tasks with enthusiasm.

And so, I found myself in the entertainment district.

Except for a few sleeping drunks on the street, there was no one around.

The daytime entertainment district was so quiet that it sent shivers down my spine.

As I walked slowly, I spotted a familiar sign.

It was a place I used to frequent.

I don’t remember the taste of the food; I just recall going there because it was flashy and luxurious.

I probably wanted to show off as a young noble.

Back then, I was truly naive.

Sighing briefly with regret for the past, I moved on.

Eventually, I stopped in front of a small house at the edge of the entertainment district.

Its appearance was surprisingly neat for being in the entertainment district.

Tsk tsk.

Without knocking, I opened the door and entered.

Just as the exterior suggested, the inside of the house was quite tidy.

Empty bottles neatly arranged, and it seemed like cleaning was done regularly.

It was hard to believe that this was where these people lived.

“Well, someone ordered it, so I have to protect it.”

As this house was my hideout, it was natural for me to keep it clean.

Despite not having appeared for quite some time, they hadn’t become lax, and I was satisfied with that fact as I moved inside.

Thud-.

I felt a presence behind me.

It’s not common, but there are times when people short on money break into others’ houses.

In the process, people end up dying too.

That’s why I placed my hand on the sword at my waist and turned around.

If there were enemies, I was ready to strike at any moment.

However, fortunately, such a tragedy did not occur.

“Boss…?”

“Vain?”

Vain.

He was one of the guys following me.

Vain had a fierce look and a large build, making him quite intimidating, but on the contrary, he was kind-hearted and couldn’t even say harsh words to others.

Still, thanks to his appearance, he gained quite a reputation in the entertainment district without getting into fights.

Perhaps it was because of his relaxed demeanor or something else.

Anyway.

“Why is he awake now?”

The entertainment district sleeps during the day and wakes up at night, so Vain had to continue that lifestyle.

But isn’t it daytime now?

He must have been deeply asleep when he was holding a shopping basket in his hand.

“Boss, we’ve been worried because we haven’t seen you lately…”

“Explain first. Why are you awake at this hour?”

“Well, you see….”

Did these guys make a deal with the devil?

To live a righteous life?

As I thought that, Vain was about to explain.

Two familiar faces crossed the threshold into the house.

They looked at each other and started talking.

“Hey, I told you to dress properly.”

“What can I do if I don’t have clothes?”

“You heard the rumor, didn’t you? The boss is engaged to someone…”

Thud-.

Because he wasn’t paying attention, the man bumped into Vain’s broad back.

“Hey, why are you doing this? Come inside…”

As he continued speaking while rubbing his face, he looked straight at me, and our eyes met.

And as if to have seen something wrong, he blinked his eyes and raised his hand to rub his eyes.

Gradually, his eyes widened.

It seems that he realized he didn’t make a mistake.

“Lea, leader?!”

“T-true leader!”

The guy who was talking with him showed a similar reaction.

He seemed happy to see me but also surprised.

“Gallen, Richard.”

The ordinary guy who bumped into Bain’s back was Gallen, and the guy with black hair was Richard.

Both of them used to follow me.

I didn’t miss them at all, but I was a little grateful for their warm welcome.

By the way.

“I didn’t expect these guys to be awake at this time.”

Even though Bain did, Gallen and Richard liked alcohol as much as I did.

Seeing those guys walking around in neat clothes during the day made me wonder.

I started to suspect whether the world had turned upside down while I wasn’t looking.

“Hey, what are you guys doing wandering around…”

“Come on, Leader. Let’s not do that for now and go inside. Standing will hurt your legs.”

Richard smiled brightly and naturally guided me inside.

He’s like a sly fox.

Clearly, he must have gone into the bar managed by this guy using this method.

After I took a seat in an appropriate place, they began to honestly tell me what had happened.

“We’ve been thinking a lot since you didn’t come. We couldn’t just live like this – we felt anxious.”

I sipped the tea Gallen handed me as I listened to the story.

Maybe it’s because they’re just drinkers, but compared to Melina’s tea, it was mediocre at best.

I should tell them not to bring me tea next time.

The guys sitting across from me started talking.

It was a serious conversation.

There wasn’t anything particularly important.

Just that they had thought a lot since I didn’t come, and as a result, they had decided to live a different life.

I wondered if the guys from my past lives had changed like this after I didn’t appear.

If so, I had been blocking their path.

Thinking about it made me feel a little sorry.

“Did you happen to sell out to the devil or something?”

“What?! Absolutely not!” Gallen denied, widening his eyes.

Well, if it’s known that he made a deal with the devil, he would be executed immediately. That’s the only way.

Since I had expected this from the beginning, I continued speaking without any concern.

“So, what are you doing on your way back dressed like that?”

“Is it for the hot spring this time? Anyway, I came to interview for hiring laborers to sell land.”

I had intended to order them anyway, but by some stroke of luck, they had taken the lead.

Was it because they called me their leader and followed me that I felt a little proud?

However, there was more to order.

“I’ll give you three days. Bring the best craftsman who makes magic tools.”

“Are you going to kill…?”

“Kill my foot… Just do what I told you without trying to find out for no reason.”

“Oh, of course. Naturally.”

Richard answered, stumbling like a lame duck.

Anyway, that’s the end of the matter.

Since I didn’t want to stay here any longer, I got up right away.

As I stepped out of the house, I heard Richard’s voice.

“Leader, he’s engaged to that mute lady…”

“Mute?”

It’s not the wrong word. We call those who can’t speak “mute”.

But it sounded unpleasant.

He called her a mute instead of leaving her pretty name, Luna.

I approached him and grabbed his collar.

Richard’s pupils shook violently.

“She’s Lady Luna. Remember, she will be my wife in the future.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

I let go of his collar and straightened out his wrinkled clothes.

Mistakes can happen, can’t they?

If it happens twice, I’ll be done for.

“Well then, I’m off. Make sure you do as you’re told. And sell the hot springs diligently too.”

The three of them stood up and bowed their heads.

I roughly waved my hand at them and rushed outside.

Then I saw the street of the entertainment district.

It was too dark for them to live in after changing their minds.

“Let’s just watch a little longer for now.”

If they move as well as my fins, and if it’s really a change of heart, I wouldn’t mind giving them a separate reward.

That being said.

“I wonder if I can make it.”

I felt something when I met her yesterday.

It was that there would be a big problem in communication without a notebook and pen.

So I decided to make it.

A pen that writes in the air even without a notebook.

That’s also why I was looking for a master craftsman.

As someone who is completely ignorant in that area, I could never make such a thing.

Would you like it if you received it?

The day I meet you is eagerly awaited.