episode_0018

I have never felt uncomfortable communicating with Luna, not even once.

From the beginning, she was in a state where she couldn’t speak, and that’s why I fell in love with her.

Perhaps there was something that could be understood without making a sound.

But there was always regret.

To facilitate communication a little more, I always had to carry a notebook and pen, which felt quite cumbersome.

Also, if it suddenly rained, the notebook and pen became nothing but a burden.

However, it’s not like I could always take the maid with me just for a notebook and pen.

Honestly, I thought it would be okay, but Luna vehemently refused.

She said she didn’t want to make things difficult for the maid.

If that’s what Luna wanted, then as her husband, I had to think of another way.

So that she, who was experiencing discomfort, would have a slightly easier time.

But at that time, I couldn’t do that.

I was too busy just doing my part.

And by the time I realized that I was doing the work of one person entirely, it was already time to face death.

It was paying off the belated punishment.

But now it’s different from back then.

I don’t have enough leisure, but at least I have time to think about you.

After much contemplation, what came to mind was a pen that could write in the air.

Of course, it was just a vague idea.

I didn’t know in what form or with what materials it could be made.

No, I didn’t even know if it could be made at all.

But I wanted to do whatever it took to make you a little more comfortable.

Because I wanted to be of some help to you in this lifetime.

So, two days have passed since that day.

Finally, it was the day to report to those guys.

On a late afternoon when the sky was darkening, I went to the entertainment district.

I tried not to come at such a late hour, but since the guys had to work while the sun was up, there was no other way.

The streets, so cold during the day, now seemed to be filled with heat.

Surely, when night falls, they will start blazing.

As I walked along the street, I could already see some stores that were open for business.

In front of me, even the women who were leisurely laughing and chatting.

It was a scene that was so familiar to me.

If it had been in the past, I would have approached them and struck up a conversation, but well, I wasn’t interested now.

Instead, I felt repulsed by their revealing attire.

But it wasn’t entirely like that.

“I’d be happy if Luna did it.”

Of course, that’s an unimaginable thing.

It’s Luna, who always sticks to clothing that you can hardly call revealing.

But if.

If Luna ever came out dressed like that to pour me a drink, I could drink until I die.

Just imagining that made my face feel hot.

Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, I hurried my steps as if I had become a sinner, bowing deeply.

Finally, when I arrived in front of the hideout.

Perhaps it was on my way back from work, or perhaps it was just a coincidence, but I ran into those guys.

The guys who spotted me rushed over, bowed their heads in greeting, and I responded appropriately by waving my hand.

“Are you doing well with your work?”

“You saw me yesterday, didn’t you? I’m doing my best.”

“Well, I did see, but it’s not very impressive, is it?”

“When the boss says that, it hurts a bit…”

Richard looked disappointed, lowering his eyes.

Certainly, they were working diligently.

I had seen it with my own eyes, and Count Arus, who had taken charge of the hot spring operation after rescuing the buried laborers, seemed to feel the same way, so there was no doubt about it.

However, regardless of that, I didn’t like the expression on the guy’s face.

Why would a young man make such a face at a few words?

Feeling inexplicably displeased, I gave him a smack on the forehead.

Thwack-.

Richard was startled and clutched his forehead.

Whether he liked it or not, I turned to Bain and asked,

“Did you do what I asked?”

“Yes. I did. But there’s a slight problem…”

“A problem?”

“I think I need to explain it in the hideout first.”

I didn’t ask them to kill anyone, just to get some information, and yet there was a problem?

That’s what I thought, but the problem turned out to be unexpectedly big.

“Hey, what in the world…”

The scene in front of me was so overwhelming that I couldn’t continue speaking.

It was so absurd that I even let out a sigh and almost turned back.

I had forgotten.

That people, even if they are kind, can be a little lacking.

I’m pretty sure I just asked them to tell me who they were.

Why on earth did they kidnap me…?

“Uh-oh!”

They even did it perfectly.

They tied my arms and legs with cloth and gagged me with it so I couldn’t make a sound.

Why is it that those who are good at this can’t do what I ask perfectly?

As I glared at them with frustration, they slowly avoided eye contact.

Fortunately, it seemed like they knew it was their fault.

I wanted to say something, but for now, I decided to hold back.

What good would it do to curse at those who are reflecting?

“Explanation. As short and concise as possible.”

“That’s… the thing….”

Vain’s explanation was just that.

In the capital and even among travelers from other regions, they found a well-known artisan just by hearing his name.

But as I followed him, it turned out he was trying to escape after stealing food from a pleasure district.

Listening to this, I sighed in disbelief.

“W-what does that have to do with kidnapping?”

“I-if he escaped, wouldn’t it take a long time to find him? So we thought we’d lend a hand in advance….”

Saying this, Vain bowed deeply.

Honestly, it was hard to believe.

Was a mage artisan with that level of skill really resorting to stealing food?

If it’s about money, he should have plenty.

But then again, if these guys lied to me, that would be a problem too.

They’re the type to honestly admit their mistakes.

Rather than lying, they’d choose to take a beating from me, just like they did in the past.

“Well, actually, I guess those things don’t really matter.”

What’s done is done.

All I can do is make the most of this situation and try to resolve it positively.

Huff.

I took a short breath to organize my thoughts.

Then I crouched down and met the eyes of the kidnapped guy.

His pupils shook violently, as if he was terrified.

He might even be under the delusion that I’m a lunatic.

“Are you okay?”

I untied the cloth that was binding his body and mouth.

Now free, he moved his arms and legs around, then shot an angry glare at the three who had kidnapped him.

Anyone would react like that if suddenly kidnapped.

But it didn’t last long.

I was standing right in front of him, so it couldn’t have lasted long.

No matter how skilled he was at making magic tools, in front of nobles, he was just a commoner. It was only natural.

Adjusting his posture, he prostrated himself on the ground.

“Thank you for saving me, Master Gongja.”

“No, I apologize for my men causing trouble.”

“I-I’m not sorry at all.”

“At least raise your head.”

He slowly raised his head.

This was the relationship between commoners and nobles.

Regardless of who was at fault, commoners must always bow down.

Naturally, it was truly uncomfortable.

“Surprisingly, we can communicate.”

He often frequented entertainment districts, which caused me much concern, but thankfully, it ended without incident.

However, that made me even more curious.

“Why did you resort to pickpocketing?”

It’s hard to believe someone like him would commit such a mistake.

There must be some reason.

Is it because of a sin?

After hesitating, he sighed and said, “Actually, I was caught pickpocketing…”

“Oh, that’s serious.”

“You know well, Master Gongja. If you don’t have money here, what else can you do…?”

Of course.

If you don’t have money, you have to pay with your body.

First, getting a good beating is where it starts.

Excuses about paying later certainly won’t work.

“But still, I was planning to repay somehow later! If I make magic tools and sell them, I can earn money quickly!”

He seemed to be asking for trust as he vented his frustration.

In other words, he probably didn’t have a single penny on him right now.

It was actually a good opportunity.

I had worried about being too busy as a magic tool artisan, but it seemed like it was my turn after all.

“First, let’s exchange names. I’m Albert David.”

“I-I’m Gaius…”

As I reached out and spoke, he carefully held my hand with both of his and replied.

Gaius.

I remember it clearly.

“Let’s make a deal. Not only will I cover the bar tab, but I’ll also take care of compensation generously.”

Gaius’s eyes widened.

It was the first time his eyes sparkled when he met me.