episode_0028

“First, let’s get on the carriage and talk. Haven’t you already wasted your precious time?”

“Ah. Then I will accept your kindness-“

“Excuse me, Sir Dares? Can you and Risir talk for a moment?”

“There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be done. Talk comfortably.”

“Pien?”

Don’t say anything and just follow me.

Pien grabbed Risir’s sleeve and led him under a tree away from the carriage.

“What’s going on in Pyeon?”

“Just in case. Just in case – You. You’re not going to be satisfied with just getting a ride in their carriage, are you?”

“… Are you satisfied with just getting what you deserve? Isn’t that enough?”

“Haa. I knew it.”

Pien let out a sigh of relief.

“Hey, you idiot.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Tell me what you just did?”

“What did I do? Helped subdue the warlock?”

Whoosh!

Pien brandished his index finger towards Risir.

“No? What you did was not to help subdue the warlock.”

“If that’s the case, should we do it like that?”

“Ugh! Just keep quiet and listen! What you did was not ‘help’ subdue the warlock, you ‘led’ the subdue of the warlock. What? Leading? You basically did it all by yourself. ”

“… ”

As Risir scratched the back of his head with a trembling expression – Whoosh!

Pien once again extends his index finger towards him.

“But, that reaction! I know what it is. Shall I tell you?”

“Shall we listen?”

“Well, it’s not that big of a deal-”

Pien comically imitated Risir’s speech.

“Am I by any chance a member of Pien’s clan? Am I in the middle of a mind control battle?

“Huh. That’s stupid. Even without that, I can still read your thoughts, right?”

“You’re living in my heart.”

“Don’t be so mean. I have no intention of living in such a hideous place.”

Although he said that and showed his displeasure with his expression, the tone of voice that followed sounded somewhat excited.

“There’s nothing I can do. Instead of you, a fool, I’ll tell you what you did.”

First, Pien raised his thin, white index finger.

“You found the warlock hiding among them.”

Second, the stop was set.

“And then, he protected them from that warlock. Furthermore, he captured the warlock and handed over his identity.”

Knock! Knock!

Pien’s index finger poked Risir’s forearm.

“Do you know what the key here is?”

“You saved those people’s lives…?”

“No? That was something anyone with power could do. Right now, if your master were here, he could do it. But finding that hidden warlock? Destroying the warlock’s magic and curse? ”

Bang!

“You heard what the healer said, right? He said he’s tried everything for the past few months, but nothing has worked. What does that mean?”

Bang!

“It was something you could do. In other words, you owed them an immeasurable debt.”

“…”

Actually, Risir knew too.

How special your power is.

How that power has been of special help to them.

The reason I can’t show it though is-

Because it was a power that was just given to him.

Perhaps the expression ‘innate strength’ would be more appropriate, but at least that’s how it felt to Risir.

Because I was an illegitimate child who had spent my entire life trying to achieve what I was not born with.

No matter how hard I tried and sacrificed, I often didn’t get recognized.

But in relation to this power, even the smallest effort is met with tremendous recognition.

Risir likened the feeling that came from it to this:

I felt like the people around me were screaming in awe when I did addition and subtraction.

I felt like crying in embarrassment when I treated him to a cup of coffee.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was becoming a pathetic person if I tried to show off.

It just so happened.

While the topic was on the topic, Risir asked Pien for advice on the struggles he was going through.

Wasn’t Pien a senior who had enjoyed ‘innate specialness’ for a longer time than Risir?

“Well, worrying about something like that- Well, if that’s like you, then that’s your typical worry.”

Pien burst into laughter.

And her subsequent answer was absurdly clear.

“Don’t think too hard, just enjoy it.”

“What do you mean by Nuri?”

“If special beings like us can’t accept our innate specialness, who will?”

“…”

“Even stupid things like nobles are showing off their specialness right now.”

The speaking Pien had already taken on the appearance of Jinjo.

A being that reigns above and looks down on those below.

“I can guarantee you that we are several times more special than the nobles. No. The specialness they claim is an illusion, and the specialness we are born with is the real specialness. So, enjoy it with confidence. Special beings like us need to get used to being treated specially by others.”

Risir wondered if he had chosen the wrong person to ask for advice.

Isn’t this something that goes beyond just enjoying one’s innate specialness to the fullest?

But, that’s why it actually helped.

Should I say that it completely eliminates the possibility of overthinking?

Lorna, who was listening to the story from the side, nodded.

“I think I know what you’re talking about.”

“?”

Pien blinked at her.

‘How do you know that?’

A look of genuine surprise.

“…”

A wounded Lorna retreated to a corner and cowered.

Risir gathered his thoughts.

Pien waited for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Okay, then. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I understand – but…”

“Of course. What would you expect from an ordinary person like you?”

“You just said I was special.”

“That’s true by general standards. Well. But don’t worry too much, because I’m here with you. ”

What are you going to do?

Risir couldn’t stand seeing Pien showing off so proudly and said.

“It’s already decided, right? On behalf of you, the ordinary, weak, pathetic, and incapable of anything without me? I’m going to claim your rights? It’s very important. Right now, the value of the ‘sacred object’ you gave up for them-”

“P.N. By the way, that’s not a real relic, it’s something I made as a makeshift measure.”

“Well, I guess so. I knew it. Now, it’s not even surprising.”

“…You knew that would happen? Didn’t you just say something about the value of the relic? ”

“It doesn’t matter what we gave. What matters is what they got from us.”

“…!”

Risir gained great enlightenment.

‘The way of thinking is different!’

***

Inside a moving carriage.

The atmosphere was getting more and more lively as Toddina and Dares were chatting about this and that with Risir and Pien, who were sitting across from them.

Pien naturally started to have fun.

“By the way, Risir? What happened to that?”

“That?”

“You know, that lucky coin you’ve been saving.”

“Ah. Lucky Coin-”

Although Risir’s attitude in answering was somewhat awkward, they didn’t care.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The air surrounding Dares and his party became heavy.

It was at this point that everyone’s thoughts came to mind at Pien’s words.

The lucky coin destroyed by the black magician Gusra.

And the value contained within that lucky coin.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“How is that? How important is that?”

“Is it something important?”

Todina asked in surprise.

Pien smiled faintly and said nonchalantly.

“Yes. In fact, that lucky coin was given to me by the person who was Risir’s benefactor.”

It wasn’t a lie.

Part of Risir’s travel expenses were supported by Pamon.

“Lord Risir…! For such a precious thing, for me-”

Toddina’s eyes were wet with emotion and guilt.

“I heard from Dares. My chronic illness got better thanks to that coin. Right, Dares?”

Dares nodded. He spoke to Risir with a serious tone.

“Rishir. I say it again, thank you very much. This favor. I will definitely repay you. In the name of Durayeg and in my magic. ”

Toddina’s reaction was similar to Dares’.

In response, Risir remembered what Pien had said.

-Do you know how self-willed the nobles are?

They say they value honor and pride above all else, but when faced with an unfavorable situation, they unhesitatingly throw them away.

If the opponent is of lower status than you, it can be extremely serious.

Therefore, when discussing promises involving high-ranking nobles and their interests, it was essential to obtain confirmation of such promises.

Risir and Pien’s eyes met.

-I’m worried that there’s nothing more to say than that you’ll give me a ride in a carriage.

Risir and Pien were convinced after seeing the reactions of the Dares couple.

At least they are not like those pathetic people who change their words according to their taste and the situation.

“By the way- Risir. What business do you have with Bondales?”

At that moment, Dares brought up the subject in a serious tone.

“I want to broaden my magical horizons. And I’m also looking for new things to do.”

“Work? Are you talking about a job?”

“Yes. Right now, I don’t have any foundation. I think I’ll probably find a place to live, build a foundation, and then slowly expand my magical knowledge. In fact, the reason I started on the path of magic was to find a way to make a living-”

“…Huh! You started walking the path of magic to make a living.”

“Is it too light?”

“Not at all! How can I take lightly the matter of discussing livelihood and the future?”

Dares heard Risir’s story and immediately took out a notebook and pen from his bosom, as if something came to mind.

Dares starts writing something down on his notebook against the wall.

Wham!

Dares tore a piece of paper out of his notebook and handed it to Risir.

“What is this?”

“It would be proper to invite you to the family and express our gratitude formally, but- there will be a big commotion when this carriage arrives at the family. The important matter of the marriage between two families is being meddled by a black magician. If I get involved, it will take a lot of time. Maybe, I will be tied up for over a month. Even if I treat you as a guest for now.”

As far as Risir knew, the Durayegryung was in a region far from Bondales.

“That might be a bit tricky, I guess.”

“So, for now, I’ll just express my gratitude in this informal way.”

An attitude of apology.

An expression that means abbreviation.

For those two factors, Risir and Pien had somewhat lowered their expectations.

But that’s not the worst.

If a high-ranking noble like Dares came out like that, Risir and Pien would have no choice.

The two decided to place importance on the fact that they had received compensation and checked the contents of the paper.

“The Kodal Merchant is a merchant in Bondales that specializes in magic items. If you bring it to Kodal, you will receive an item that matches the amount mentioned above.”

The content itself was ordinary.

But that amount.

‘Is this right?’

Risir’s mouth opened wide.

Risir realized the meaning of the abbreviation that Dares was talking about.

Dares was the type of person who would give his parents wads of cash on Parents’ Day.

At that moment, Pien’s gaze turned somewhere.

“…”

To Topin, who had kept his mouth shut and his gaze fixed outside the window ever since he got on the carriage.

In fact, Topin was Pien’s real target.

She did not forget the image of Topin, who had been a nobleman and had looked down on Risir as an illegitimate child.

A mischievous smile appeared on Pien’s lips.

She deliberately read the contents of the reward written on the paper out loud.

In this way, he praised Durajeg’s humanity and stimulated Topin’s pride.

Durajeg is definitely grateful for the favor, but what are his fellow nobles doing?

“…!”

Topin’s body trembled.

His head slowly turned towards Risir and then tilted down.

“I owe you… a favor… for… showing… courtesy…”

The old-fashioned nobleman’s face turned red as if it was going to burst.

Pien watched Risir’s reaction, rejoicing as if his honor had been restored.

Risir was watching Pien like that with an amused expression on his face.

“…!”

Pien quickly straightened his expression and turned his head away from him.

I also didn’t forget the nasal sound of “Huh-“.

***

A few days after the trip began.

Dares’ carriage, which had traveled quite a distance from its original destination, took us right to Bondales.

“Rishir. I look forward to the day we meet again.”

“Rishir, I hope you are well.”

“…Ahem. Without a hitch.”

After parting ways with Dares and his party, we immediately began the process of entering Bondales.

A checkpoint located at the main gate. It has been reborn as part of a long line that makes onlookers feel a sense of tightness in their chests.

Endless waiting.

At the end of it all was Bondales, bathed in the sunset.

There was no time to enjoy the sight.

“Bath…”

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Pierre, whose shoulders were hunched, and Rona, who was melting with sweat, were looking at me with longing eyes.

Okay. Let’s get rid of the aftereffects first.

We set out straight to find accommodation.

“Let’s do it over there.”

I wonder if he was excited about sleeping soundly in his sleep after such a long time.

Pien pointed to an inn with a somewhat excited look on his face.

By any chance, I managed to find what seemed to be the most luxurious inn in the area.

“If you can afford to stay one day at a luxury inn like that, why don’t you stay two days at another luxury inn? And if you can afford to stay two days at a luxury inn, why don’t you stay at a regular inn? ”

“Oh, it’s noisy.”

Pian cut me off, looking disgusted.

I thought it was going to be like that-

“Rishir, how about this? I just had an idea for saving on accommodation costs.”

“…Penis savings?”

“You said so, right? For the price of one night’s stay there, you could stay two nights at a hotel one level lower.”

“That’s right.”

“I thought about it after hearing that. Let’s rent a room and share it. Wouldn’t that cut the accommodation cost in half?”

As if he was talking about some great idea, confident Pian slyly avoided my gaze.