Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.7 – Irene Windler Is My Next-Door Neighbor (1)
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Chapter 21
Tap tap.
"...Not bad at all."
It wasn't a big yard, but it was just the right size.
Lush grass and bugs crawling around.
A wooden cabin overgrown with moss and vines.
It looked like a ghost might pop out any second, but that only added to the charm.
This was the Royal Academy, after all—famous for having the most expensive land prices around—and he'd scored a place this cheap.
Sure, there were rumors.
'Ghost sightings, a few murders, whispers of it being a criminal hideout... but whatever.'
The cabin came with a laundry list of shady rumors, but none of that fazed Lee Han.
Ghost shows up? Beat it down.
Murderer comes knocking? Beat them down too.
Criminals? Same deal.
Problem solved.
So this place was a real gem for him.
And best of all...
"A cliff in the backyard...? Is this heaven?"
He could practice cliff scaling!
The thought alone had his heart racing. Lee Han couldn't have been more pleased.
This move was a resounding success.
It had come out of nowhere, but after three years, he'd finally moved.
No helping it.
Switching from knight to instructor meant commuting to the Royal Academy instead of the knight order.
Even if he wanted to keep his old place, a 25km commute made moving inevitable.
...He could always jog it for exercise if he really wanted to.
Why bother?
'Better just move.'
There were trains and carriages, of course, but as he'd mentioned before, this medieval fantasy world had oddly advanced transport despite skipping the Industrial Revolution.
Still, getting around here was ridiculously expensive.
A commoner riding the train for a month straight might go bankrupt.
So moving made more sense.
Scouting houses during the instructor's one-week class adjustment period—basically a holiday—had been a pain and a waste of time, but finding a place this perfect made it all worthwhile.
Thud.
"Phew, that about does it?"
"Sir Knight, where does this go?"
"Just set it anywhere. I'll sort it later."
"Yes, sir!"
She'd only handled non-breakables, so no mishaps. Leira might trip over her own feet at any moment with how clumsy she was, but fortunately, she was tough and strong as an ox.
'...Was that wardrobe always light enough for one person?'
Her solo lift of what should've taken two people.
God was pretty fair, come to think of it. Gave her beauty and brawn, but skimped on brains.
"...Take her to a construction site, and she'd be a hit."
Especially with the foremen.
Top-tier labor like that didn't come around often.
Though she'd probably skip out on payday, so best not.
Crash!
"Whoa, Sir Knight! You're so strong—the tree just popped right out!"
"Not popping it out. Breaking it."
"But why break a healthy tree?"
"This one's already dead. Leave it, and it'll attract bugs."
"Oh, got it! So you can snap trees barehanded too?"
"Anyone can with enough training."
"Whoa! Can I?"
"Six months—no, a year following me around, and who knows..."
With her natural talent for brawn, a year of training might turn her into a powerhouse rivaling the knight order's show-offs.
'She'd make a perfect martial artist.'
Brains aside, she had the makings of a women's boxing champ. Greed bubbled up in him like a coach spotting raw talent.
"-That's insane. Have a normal conversation for once."
Someone crashed their loony chat.
"Oh, you made it."
"Yeah, I did, you lunatic."
"...Why the attitude right off the bat?"
"You're asking for it."
"??"
"...Forget it. What am I even doing arguing with a half-troll."
"Who're you calling half-troll!"
...Sneaky sharp senses on this one.
Jake Farman.
Lee Han's one and only friend shook his head with a sigh.
Sadly, Pandragon Kingdom had no warm housewarming traditions for friends moving in.
Believe it or not, people actually visited their church to request a blessing and donate afterward.
And the horror? Folks in the capital going bankrupt from those "donations."
That's why Lee Han was an atheist in both lives.
No desire to end up broke.
"That's an extreme example. Church tithes are just a gesture. A prayer to reach Avalon after death."
"Save the preaching. I came all this way for peace."
"...Heathen."
Jake, clutching a cross symbolizing the kingdom's one true faith, [Light of Glory], recited a Bible verse.
"O Almighty Light of Glory, Seven Archangels who follow the light, forgive this impious sinner and grant your blessing. Amen."
"That 'impious sinner' me?"
"Who else?"
"...Thanks a bunch."
Half sarcasm, half sincere.
How many friends recite scripture for your housewarming?
A good buddy.
"Truly grateful? Buy this cross."
"You cultist...?"
"I'd give it free, but endless giving brings misfortune, they say."
"......"
Nope, scratch that gratitude.
Just some street hustler peddling charms to suckers at the subway.
Lee Han grumbled but flicked over two silver coins anyway.
Not suckered—plated crosses could get you discounted divine healing at church later. Rare-grade item potential.
"Mid-rank priest blessed it, so expect 30% off treatments."
"Whatever. Hand it over."
"So impatient."
Jake griped about no tea but obediently passed the letter he'd brought.
Info from the guild, commissioned on Lee Han's behalf—just in case.
"Grand Duke's info is locked tight. Duke too. Just public knowledge."
"That's plenty."
He didn't need deep intel.
Just checking for any common rumors.
"...Exactly as expected."
Worth the coin, thankfully.
No more, no less—bang for the buck.
After reading, Lee Han didn't hesitate.
Whoosh.
"...There goes a gold coin up in smoke."
"Quiet."
He burned the letter as kindling and crossed his arms nonchalantly.
"Bunch of total psychos."
"Blasphemy."
"Blasphemy my ass."
Every last one a psychopath.
Duke Galahad.
Snapped after losing his wife, developed mania. Obsessed with torturing and killing criminals. Extremely dangerous.
Inherited his family's cursed sword—best compatibility in generations.
Conclusion: Shady, lethal, murderous lunatic.
Next, Grand Duke Lionel.
Family trait: Multiple wives. Pride like a lion pack.
Inherited a generational "mystery," side effect makes him hit on anything female—maids included. Doesn't take responsibility for kids.
Conclusion: Lust-driven rapist and deadbeat dad.
"But both absolute stunners, so noble ladies still swoon... Ha! Pretty face gets murder and rape forgiven?"
"Ahem."
"Eh, mega power makes it possible, I guess."
Romance trope.
Hot and rich? Crimes don't stick.
...Past life wasn't much different, was it?
"Filthy lookism."
"I think you're handsome too, Sir Knight!"
"...Thanks, maid. You're pretty yourself."
"Hehe, I get that a lot."
"Wh-what about me, maid?"
"...Huh? Who're you?"
"......"
Jake looked genuinely hurt. Leira blinked blankly, truly clueless he'd been there.
Somehow even worse.
Ignoring the duo's awkward vibe, Lee Han pondered.
Reason for the intel? Simple.
Old wisdom: Cut off the horse's head to kill the rider.
Lee Han heeded sages. Before approaching Roan and Irene, he checked their circles.
Results? Worse than expected.
If this was truly a romance fantasy, though... kinda made sense.
Leads were always a bit broken.
'Kids probably messed up too.'
Parents mirror kids—or vice versa.
Worked here. Started making sense why Isis asked him for a favor.
'I'd hate their spawn in my yard too.'
Lee Han unwittingly empathized with Isis.
"Hit me up if you need help later. And... stay away from power players if you can. Not as a knight or noble—as your friend, I'm worried."
Well, now.
Putting on airs like he'd watched a drama—or maybe Leira's fault—Jake turned to leave.
Too bad.
"Sir Knight, that guy's kinda weird. You think he's unwell?"
"...Nah."
To Leira, just a sick patient.
Still.
"Weird, but seems nice. He was worried about you!"
"Decent guy."
Jake came from old blood, fallen nobility with a tragic tale.
Yet loyal to the crown, joined the knights to carry on.
Model student unlike delinquent Lee Han.
And here he was, advising distance from royals—suppressing his own loyalty for a friend.
Brotherhood over duty.
...Rare in any life.
Orphan bullied, "friends" backstabbed before.
This life? Genuine ally.
"Guess I'm doing alright this time around."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Maid, time to head back to the palace? Getting late."
Anyone else would've caught the deflection. Not Leira.
Too guileless.
...Fraud-proof sunny smile made him uneasy.
And with her childlike grin...
"Not going."
"...?"
"Gonna live with you now, Sir Knight. Princess said take good care of you, hehe."
"...Suck in a breath—that's a no-go, right?"
Didn't she know cohabiting implications?
But she wasn't that dense.
"Princess said you're safe! Something like... ah! 'He can't even play the man card, so no worries!'"
"......"
"What's a 'man card'?"
"...You don't need to know."
Brutal ego-shred!
'Damn hag, wait till next time.'
Lee Han ground his teeth, plotting revenge.
Thud thud.
"Oh, guest."
"Step back for a sec."
Unfamiliar scent.
Faint cornelian cherry blossom whiff.
His ghost-like nose for human odors pinged stranger danger. He cracked the door.
Barehanded, but confident he could spine-rip if needed...
"Oh, hi. N-new next door. Brought polenta to share... Huh? Instructor Lee Han?"
"......"
"Wh-what a coincidence!"
"Uh..."
Whatever else, this girl.
'Can't act for shit.'
Lee Han eyed her.
Irene Windler.
Surveillance target No. 2, lurking suspiciously in his yard for all to see.