episode_0060

Jena’s worries before departure were in vain. At first glance, it was a peaceful scene that made it hard to believe that it was a frontline city bordering a no-man’s land.

On the plain surrounding the wall, tall structures are erected sparsely. In each case, you can see two or three people climbing on top and working hard on something.

“What is that?”

“These are the towers used when creating weather magic to supply moisture to crops. Even now, I am writing a large-scale magic formula for him over the course of several days. If you are unlucky, you might get caught in some rain when you leave.”

To a student’s question, Director Cheon Hwa-seong answered with a friendly smile.

After passing through the city walls and the shadow of the huge gate, wide boulevards and an open cityscape soon unfold before your eyes.

Although the buildings and facilities feel a bit old, it feels like the ethos and traditions that are different from those in the capital have been well preserved and incorporated.

What’s most unusual is the bakeries lined up in every corner of the alley.

The fragrant smell of butter and baking bread fills the air, and the group, exhausted from the long journey, looks around with sparkling eyes.

“Wow… ”

“Quite… ”

“Jinryeong is a city where bread has been a specialty since the old civilization. As a joke, it was said that the most powerful person in the camp at the time was the bakery owner. If you are interested, we recommend that you enjoy a related tour.”

The freshmen’s eyes shine even brighter as Director Cheon continues his explanation. The second graders stop them by making sounds such as seup-eup with their lips.

In the square we went to, another group of people lined up and prepared to welcome us.

Among them, an older man standing at the front came out and bowed politely to Yeon Myeong-ha.

“Welcome. My name is Yang Jeong-cheol, the Southern Governor. It is truly an honor to meet the daughter of Jeokhwa.”

And, of course, I receive that polite, sympathetic greeting. If he were the governor of the South, it would mean that there was no one higher than him, at least within this city.

Didn’t you say that the recent Japanese invasion was gradually losing its influence due to the offensive of Paecheon? Nevertheless, to receive this kind of treatment for granted shows how powerful the background of her five families is.

When I think about the treatment I have given to such a person, I suddenly feel like my sense of reality has become a little dull…

“The Lady of Red Flowers, please don’t worry. This sheep mother is cutting down every rebel in sight. All you have to do is stay comfortably with your companions and go back up as soon as the last shipment is ready.”

A grumpy old man pats his chest and rants. Even though he is almost at retirement age, he wears a particle array on his wrist, making him look like a wizard who is quite confident in his abilities.

So, it seems like he is serving as the governor of a place like this.

As the sunset was already approaching, we went straight to the area where the accommodation was provided after the grand welcome ceremony.

Children playing with balloons, wide, straight, old-fashioned houses, and endless alleys.

Except for the double barrier erected towards the no-man’s land in the distance and the tight security spread above it, it is a peaceful landscape that makes it difficult to believe that it is truly a frontline area.

But as time goes by, I feel a little bit of a sense of discomfort in the way they look at us.

Fear, terror, hatred. Or all of them.

As if I wasn’t the only one who thought this, a female student walking ahead of me spoke cautiously to Director Cheon, who was giving directions.

“I… ”

“What happened… Ah.”

As he was asking about business, he looked around and smiled sheepishly as if he sensed the atmosphere.

“… They are probably the indigenous people who originally lived here. Those people don’t really like people from the capital. Maybe it’s because your outfit stands out so much.”

The group that had now come down to the south was equipped with flashy equipment sponsored by companies rather than the standard equipment of the cradle, so anyone could see that they were foreigners.

“Why is that so… ?”

“The indigenous people here suffered greatly from the subjugation of the rebels a few years ago. In every two houses, there was someone executed by the central army on suspicion of betrayal. Although the administrative office has now been established and public order has stabilized to some extent, it will still take more time to quell such hostility.”

After hearing his words, another male student continues to ask questions.

“As far as I know, it is because there are many people who actively participated in the rebels rather than just cooperated with them, right? I know that there are a significant number of people who have become warlocks themselves.”

“Of course, we cannot deny that it is treason. But as you will find out later, it is really difficult for an ordinary person to make a living in the outskirts. As various benefits and policies are concentrated in the capital, there is a feeling of further alienation. If you think about it, the creation of agricultural districts is also for the central government, so it will not look very good to the indigenous people. The rebels took advantage of that point and incited the people.”

The man looks even more embarrassed.

“It is the same principle that more and more people are engaging in black magic. It is often said that a human chosen by God is a wizard, but a warlock can be created simply by receiving a ‘transfer’. It is said that 80% of people become disabled or mutated in the process, but there is no way that the people who are facing difficult lives right now would take that into consideration. If life at the bottom doesn’t improve, warlocks will probably continue to appear no matter how many times you catch them… ”

As I listened to his explanation, I began to see the accommodation we would be staying in from a distance. It is an unusually clean and modern-looking building with its exterior walls decorated with white marble.

“Hmm, that was a bit much to say. Once you go inside, our manager will greet you. Enjoy your travels without any worries today, and I will send you a detailed work report starting tomorrow. Welcome to Jinryeong once again.”

He bows politely to Yeon Yeon-ha and the others.

Then, as we entered the hotel, the manager bowed and led us to the banquet hall.

The eyes of those who are tired from the journey shine once again as they see various foods prepared warmly and on time.

Dinner begins in a friendly atmosphere. The realization that the request had come all the way to the South quickly melted away with a sense of comfort.

He drinks a lot of alcohol to the point where he doesn’t get drunk, and he continues his meal with an elegant posture, puckering his small lips in pity.

As time passed and the atmosphere became tense, another second-year female student came forward on behalf of Yeon Myeong-ha and began explaining various precautions to the freshmen.

“… Never go outside after curfew. And from now on, I will assign you a room… Boys? Just go over to the area where the girls are staying. I know that they will give you penalty points right on the spot, and that you will be handed over to the disciplinary committee as soon as you return to the cradle.”

“It’s really too much. Do you know what girls don’t do? There are always kids who get upset… ”

Hearing a small giggle coming from behind, the female student glared at him and added.

“… Of course, the opposite is also true. Then, we will start the allocation right away. First of all, on the second floor… ”

As I listened to the female student’s explanation, I realized one difficult thing. The room assigned to me was on the 3rd floor. On the other hand, Yeon Yeon-ha’s room is on the top floor.

Not only is it impossible to blockade because there are other people in between, but it is also not within reach at all in the first place.

Based on Yeon Gyeon-ha’s reaction last time, I think it would be difficult to survive one night without a blockade. Then, like before, a seizure-like reaction may occur.

I was slightly worried for a moment, but in the end, there was only one way I could do it.

I followed behind Yeong-hyeon Ye, who had just finished eating and was about to go up to the guest room. And so that others could not hear, I spoke in a low voice close to Companionship’s ear.

“I’ll go up later to avoid snow. Leave the window open.”

“Hi… Hehe… ”

Yeon Myeong-ha started to tremble because she was startled by the sudden whisper. And he answered with a light hiccup.

***

The entire area around the room is dark. I thought everyone was tired from the long journey and went to bed early.

After locking the door to the room, I opened the window and went outside through the railing.

When I glance up, I see the top floor room assigned to Yeon Myeong-ha. As expected, he must not have fallen asleep yet, as the faintly lit interior light was leaking through the curtains.

I grabbed the gap in the outer wall of the dorm and climbed up the wall. It’s not a good feeling to be a petty thief, but that doesn’t mean you can confidently walk in and out of the hallway and suddenly end up in a scandal.

I jumped in, holding on to the balcony railing. I confirmed that the window lock was open, but just in case, I knocked twice to confirm.

-Hi…

Soon, I heard someone shouting from inside, and then the window slowly opened with a small sound.

I pulled back the curtain and went in. The scenery of the room illuminated by dark interior lights unfolds before your eyes.

“You… You… ”

I hear someone’s voice calling next to me. When I turned around, I saw Yeon Myeong-ha standing tall and looking at me.

It seemed like it had just been washed, and a light blush appeared on her pale skin. Hair that is still slightly damp becomes even more shiny.

Since I’m only wearing a thin camisole with lace decorations, the sweet scent that I usually smell is even stronger, to the point that it almost gives me a headache.

“Good night, senior.”

“… ”

Yang Yeon-ha looks at me from her seat without answering. Then he hurriedly jumps into bed. He then wrapped his entire body in a blanket, and tears began to form in his trembling eyes.

“… ?”

I have doubts about that particularly fearful attitude. I haven’t been treated so harshly lately… ?

“This isn’t it… ”

“What is it?”

“Anyway… I am… He’s your senior… ”

“So what… ”

“My… My body can’t be moved like that… In the long run… You have to lose it too… therefore… ”

The tears that had formed in large quantities were about to fall again.

Only then did I vaguely realize her concerns.

Did I ever tell you the range of the blockade?