episode_0224

Ingrid shook her head.

She had heard stories of Scatha liking small demi-humans. But she hadn’t expected him to blow air into their bellies.

“Karin, I’ll be resting on the second floor, so please ask the guards to show me to the inn.”

Ingrid felt a slight twinge of jealousy as she went up the stairs to her room.

Karin looked at the guards.

“The owner of this inn is Scatha. As you can see, he is a half-blood Barbaroi. He is the representative of the small and medium-sized clan alliance and a mid-level explorer. He is also a trustworthy person. Don’t treat him carelessly.”

The guards kept their distance and bowed politely.

“Nice to meet you, Scatha-nim.”

“We look forward to working with you.”

Even after hearing that he was a mid-level explorer, they did not lose their manners.

Perhaps it was because they were protecting the representative of the alliance, but they all had fierce eyes. The feeling that they were elite was strong.

Jeong Yu-sin nodded.

“Please make yourselves comfortable. And one thing to correct is that I am not the owner of this inn. Darmong is the owner.”

“Ah! I see.”

“Understood.”

“We will keep that in mind.”

“Scatha, is it okay if I take the guards around the inn?”

“Do as you please.”

Karin took the guards into the kitchen.

As the guards passed Jeong Yu-sin, they glanced at the teddy bear in his arms and exchanged glances.

‘He’s terrifying.’

‘If we get caught doing anything wrong, we’ll get a belly fart right away. We need to be careful.’

‘Everyone, be polite. Don’t show any openings.’

Jeong Yu-sin looked down at the weasel demi-human while holding the teddy bear Pompree in his arms.

The weasel demi-human was trembling with fear.

Jeong Yu-sin opened his mouth.

“Don’t be scared.”

“Hiek!”

The weasel demi-human trembled in fear, but did not run away. However, it was looking up at Pompree with teary eyes.

It didn’t seem to have any intention of running away, leaving its clan leader behind.

‘Loyal.’

“What’s your name?”

“Pipi.”

Its name is as cute as its appearance.

Perhaps noticing Jeong Yu-sin’s gaze, the weasel demi-human Pipi squeezed its eyes shut and held out its chubby belly.

“Pl, please let go of the clan leader! I’ll take the be, belly fart instead.”

Jeong Yu-sin smiled gently.

“It’s not ripe yet. Come back when it’s a little softer.”

“Hie… Hieeeek!!!”

As soon as the word “soft” came out, Pipi let out a cute scream and stepped back.

At that moment.

“Ummm.”

Pompree, who had fainted, opened its eyes slightly.

“Wh, where is this? I thought I was in a honey-flowing paradise, bear.”

“Pompree, come to your senses.”

“Bear!”

Pompree opened its eyes wide and looked around. Then, it moved its short arms and touched its belly. It was as if it was checking to see if its belly had disappeared.

“Welcome to the Small and Medium-Sized Clan Alliance. If you have any difficulties, come and tell me anytime.”

“Th, thank you, bear. But please put me down now, bear.”

Jeong Yu-sin put Pompree back in its original place with a heart full of regret.

It is said that human greed is endless.

He had filled his selfish desires to the brim, but it was not enough.

“I’m going for a walk, do you want to come with me?”

“No, no, bear! I’m busy, bear!”

“M, me too!”

Pipi and Pompree ran out of the inn in a hurry.

As Jeong Yu-sin got up from his seat, Karin and the guards who had looked around the kitchen and yard came into the hall.

“Scatha, where are you going?”

“A walk.”

“You’ll be back before dinner, right?”

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Jeong Yu-sin left the inn and walked.

There were many merchants in the southern district, so there was quite a bit to see.

As he walked in the chilly autumn breeze, the people on the street recognized Jeong Yu-sin and greeted him.

“Scatha-nim!”

“Have you been well?”

Each time, Jeong Yu-sin nodded and replied.

“I’m doing well. How’s business these days?”

“There are many people coming to the city, so business is doing quite well. I was worried because of the friends who came to do business here from the eastern district, but everyone is doing well, so there are no conflicts.”

“I see.”

“Th… this.”

A small child came up and offered a small candy.

“Th, thank you. Mister, thank you for saving me during the earthquake last time.”

Was it when the inn collapsed once?

Jeong Yu-sin smiled gently and took the child’s candy.

“Thank you.”

“Ye… Yes.”

Jeong Yu-sin patted the child’s head once and continued walking.

‘He’s getting a lot of love.’

“It wasn’t like this at first. They were so wary that it was difficult to even get an inn.”

‘…’

Beatrice was silent.

Jeong Yu-sin looked around here and there before heading to the park.

The park was empty because of the chilly weather.

He sat on a wooden chair with a candy in his mouth and looked up at the statue of Esdras.

“Beatrice.”

‘Yes?’

“Do you sense any gazes? Or any signs of people?”

‘No. Everyone disappeared when you entered the park.’

I see.

Jeong Yu-sin fixed his gaze on the statue and racked his brain.

That Malakai magician from the Magic Tower.

He couldn’t recognize him right away, whether he was using recognition-impeding magic or transparent magic.

It bothered him.

He left the conference room with a flustered expression, but his eyes were not those of someone who had given up.

He wondered if he was watching from somewhere, so he went out for a walk under the guise of taking a walk.

He thought he had almost caught him.

To disappear so quickly.

Jeong Yu-sin swallowed his disappointment and bit into the candy.

At that time.

A person wearing a robe and a woman dressed as a knight approached.

“Young man, what are you looking at so intently?”

A heavy yet gentle male voice was heard.

Jeong Yu-sin turned his head while sitting and looked at the man wearing the robe.

Through the robe, a calm yet strong gaze flashed.

A handsome face that seemed to have made quite a few women cry back in the day.

His age was close to middle age.

The overall aura he gave off was similar to that of the Iron Mask.

On the other hand, the woman was tall. A head taller than him.

Her chest was full, and her brown hair flowed down to her shoulders.

Because of her gentle impression, she had an image like a docile cow, but he felt the sharp aura sleeping beneath it.

Jeong Yu-sin pointed to the statue with his finger.

“Saint Esdras.”

“Is that so? May I sit next to you?”

“Do as you please.”

Jeong Yu-sin shrugged and replied.

The middle-aged man sat next to Jeong Yu-sin and took off the robe he was wearing, revealing golden hair.

The woman moved slowly and stood behind the chair.

Jeong Yu-sin felt a heavy gaze from behind.

The middle-aged man admired the empty park and opened his mouth.

“It’s so hard for an old man to travel. There’s hardship when you leave home.”

“Is that so? You must have come from far away.”

“Quite far. The wind was so cold coming up from the south that my bones were chilled.”

If you go south from the Maze City, you will find the Lionel Kingdom.

“I need a warm place to rest my body, do you have any inns to recommend?”

“There are quite a few decent inns in the central district.”

“It seems too chaotic. I’d like a quiet place that’s tucked away in a corner…”

The middle-aged man looked at Jeong Yu-sin with a knowing smile.

Jeong Yu-sin sighed deeply.

“Hoo. As it happens, I run a small inn. But.”

The middle-aged man put on his robe and got up from his seat.

“Is that so? What a lucky day. Let’s go.”

“Because a high-ranking person is staying at the inn, I may have to get permission.”

A smile crept across the middle-aged man’s lips.

“I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“Yes. Then I will guide you.”

Jeong Yu-sin said politely and stood up.

They slowly left the quiet park and arrived at the large road that ran through the southern district.

Clang. Clang.

People wearing golden shining plate armor were marching down the street.

In the middle, there was a carriage as big as a house, and golden knights on horseback were densely gathered, forming a phalanx around the carriage and moving forward.

The people on the street buzzed.

“Is the King of Lionel coming?”

“Am I dreaming?! I never thought I’d see the Lion Guard in my lifetime!”

Jeong Yu-sin silently watched the endless golden waves.

He realized that a wave of change was sweeping through the city.

“The power is terrifying. It makes me shiver.”

The middle-aged man wearing the robe muttered as if for him to hear.

Jeong Yu-sin nodded.

“Indeed.”

The procession was heading towards the central district.

A little later.

The procession ended and only the people remained on the street, buzzing.

Most of the stories were about the Lionel Kingdom.

Jeong Yu-sin continued walking down the street and arrived at Darmong’s Inn.

Squeak. Squeak.

As he opened the door and entered, he smelled a delicious scent. He also felt the warmth of people after a long time.

He could hear the bustling sounds from the kitchen. It seemed that a few of Ingrid’s guards were cooking.

The guards who were standing by the door, looking at him, turned their heads and looked at the middle-aged man and the female knight.

“Scatha-nim, who are these people…?”

Ingrid, who was sitting in the center of the table, stared at the middle-aged man next to Jeong Yu-sin.

Ingrid’s eyes widened.

“You?!”

The middle-aged man burst into a clear laugh and threw his robe back.

“Haha!!! Ingrid, it’s been a while.”

“Weren’t you supposed to be in the inner castle?”

“I came out to get some fresh air, are you telling me to stay in the castle again? That won’t do.”

The middle-aged man turned his body and looked at Jeong Yu-sin.

“Scatha, is it okay if I stay here?”

His name came out naturally.

It was as if the middle-aged man already knew everything.

Jeong Yu-sin seemed to know the identity of this middle-aged man.

In fact, he was half-certain from the first time he saw him.

Jeong Yu-sin looked at Ingrid.

“What do you think?”

Ingrid shook her head.

“I don’t care. Do as you please. There are plenty of rooms anyway.”

“Thank you.”

The middle-aged man stopped walking and turned his head towards Jeong Yu-sin.

“Do you know who I am?”

Jeong Yu-sin opened his mouth with a calm expression.

“Aren’t you the King of the Lionel Kingdom?”

The middle-aged man nodded.

“That’s right. You’re a smart young man with a quick wit. Then I have to pay for the inn… Let’s see.”

Jeong Yu-sin shook his head.

“You got rid of the trash in the park, so you’ve paid enough.”

The middle-aged man glanced at Jeong Yu-sin’s finger and smiled.

“It seems Ragna has chosen a good successor.”

“…”

Jeong Yu-sin did not bother to answer.

“And the youngest one praised you to the skies. Thank you.”

The middle-aged man patted Jeong Yu-sin’s shoulder and said.

Was he talking about the fifth prince when he said the youngest?

He saved his life, so he must have said good things to his father.

“What should I call you?”

The middle-aged man’s expression hardened at Jeong Yu-sin’s question.

“You… you don’t know my name?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much about the world.”

“Ah, no. That’s possible. Call me Bendrick.”

“Yes, Bendrick-nim.”

Bendrick tilted his head and took off his robe, and the female knight approached and took the robe.

“I’m hungry. Ingrid, when is dinner?”

“Dinner preparation is almost done. Just wait a little longer.”

“What about alcohol?”

Ingrid shrugged her shoulders.

“You’ll have to ask the owner.”

Ingrid’s and Bendrick’s gazes.

And the gazes of the guards were fixed on Jeong Yu-sin.

Jeong Yu-sin walked to the counter cupboard and took out bottles and glasses.

‘Scatha, don’t you think the Dwarf King and the Elf Queen will gather here too?’

Beatrice hummed happily as if seeing through Jeong Yu-sin’s heart.

“···No way. It can’t be. It’s not like I put honey on it.”

Jeong Yu-sin quietly muttered while wiping the glasses with a clean cotton cloth.