Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Neighbors
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Where are you going?"
"To say hello to the neighbors."
"Oh, right. This is shared housing."
In other words, there were people living above, below, and next door.
The most terrifying enemy in shared housing: noise between floors.
Especially for a hulking barbarian like me stomping around. If the people downstairs were even a little high-strung, conflict was inevitable.
And this was the faculty housing, so getting on someone's bad side could become an obstacle for my academy life ahead.
To top it off, I had Kara next door, a walking human weapon.
If we ever had a lovers' quarrel...
'Ugh, not that we've ever fought, but just imagining it is noisy already. Better grease the wheels in advance.'
"Going empty-handed feels wrong..."
I rummaged through the storage room and pulled out a gift-wrapped set of dried herbal teas.
It was one of the items Eisen had packed for me.
'Not too polarizing, practical. Perfect.'
"I'll be right back. You rest."
"No, let's go together."
And so, with the herbal tea set in hand, we headed down to the first floor.
Right below our place: Room 101.
Knock knock.
A short while later, irritated footsteps approached from inside.
"Who is it? I'm in the middle of research right now...!"
The door flew open.
A scrawny man popped out.
His hair was a mess, thick goggles covered his eyes, and his apron was stained with unidentifiable grease.
He looked like the textbook image of a researcher professor.
Of course, no matter who he was, he flinched and stepped back the moment he saw my size.
"G-Giant?!"
His eyes stopped at my chest, then slowly climbed up to my face.
'Ah, this is what Eisen taught me for. The drop strategy.'
I quickly flashed the cultured, sales-friendly smile Eisen had drilled into me.
"Good day, sir. I'm Barg von Wintersword, just moved into the upstairs apartment 201 today."
I bowed my head with the softest, most gentle voice I could muster.
"Given my size, I wanted to come apologize in advance for any noise my footsteps might make."
"Ah...?"
The man looked stunned by my fluent imperial tongue and polite demeanor.
I subtly offered the herbal tea set.
"This is a humble housewarming gift. It's herbal tea from the North—supposed to boost concentration."
His eyes lit up at "concentration."
"Oh... herbal tea... I was just running out, struggling to stay awake through the nights..."
He took the box with trembling hands.
The bribe worked.
His wariness melted away like snow as he removed his goggles and sighed in relief.
"Ah... Lord Wintersword. I've heard the rumors. The exchange couple from the North. I'm Daidalos from the Magic Engineering Department."
"Pleased to meet you, Professor."
"Truth be told... I was the one who was more worried."
Professor Daidalos gave an awkward smile.
"I pull all-nighters on research, so there might be some machine noises. Occasional explosions too... I was on pins and needles thinking the upstairs neighbors might complain. So glad it's someone as understanding as you."
"Haha, no worries. My wife and I sleep like logs once we're out. Explosions? We'd take 'em as lullabies."
"Oh...! Straight shooter, I like it!"
Daidalos grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously.
Success.
Eisen's drop strategy had landed perfectly.
Next up: food storage.
Our apartment kitchen had no fridge.
Instead, there was a communal ice storehouse behind the building for all the residents.
I grabbed the ingredients needing cold storage, and with Kara, headed to the storehouse.
"This the place?"
Cool air greeted us as I opened the door.
A woman was already inside.
Sturdy build, short-cropped hair.
She looked like someone who handled weapons for a living.
The unusual part: an infant strapped to her back.
"Oh?"
She turned, eyes widening in surprise at us.
"New folks? Looks like you've got a lot of stuff."
Kara approached first with a greeting.
"Hello. We moved into Building 2, Room 201 today. I'm Kara. Call me that."
"Nice to meet you! We're in Building 2 too. Room 301. I'm Arteni, swordsmanship instructor at the academy."
'Arteni?'
I quickly scanned my knowledge of the original story.
But the name rang no bells.
A swordsmanship instructor at the academy should've come up at least once, tied to Kairun or Elysia. Nothing.
"On maternity leave right now, though."
Her follow-up cleared it up.
'Ah, that's why. At the story's start, she's on leave for childcare, so no appearance.'
Anyway, an active sword instructor—she and Kara would probably hit it off.
Kara's gaze fixed on the baby on Arteni's back.
"The baby... is so cute."
"Hehe, thank you. Terni, say hi to your big sis?"
Arteni cooed at the baby on her back, who giggled in response.
Arteni's eyes lingered on Kara's belly.
Kara had unconsciously cradled it with one hand.
"But... are you pregnant? The way you're holding your belly so protectively..."
"Ah, yes."
Kara smiled shyly.
"Just six weeks along."
"Oh my gosh! Really?!"
Arteni clapped her hands.
In an instant, an invisible bond formed in the storehouse.
Pregnancy and childcare.
The common language of mothers began to flow.
"Congratulations! Early days, so take care. Morning sickness?"
"It was rough at first, but okay now."
"Good. This ice storehouse has sections—the inner part's colder, so meats go there. Veggies by the entrance."
Arteni's eyes sparkled as she unleashed a barrage of info.
Prime spots in the storehouse, nearby ingredient spots, recommendations for skilled ob-gyns at the clinic.
"And if morning sickness hits hard, come to my place in 301. My husband's a herbal medicine professor, so we've got calming teas galore. Perfect when nothing appeals but you gotta eat something to avoid snapping."
"Wow... thank you so much."
Kara was genuinely grateful.
I nodded along.
This place seemed more livable than I'd thought.
Eccentric professors.
Instructors raising kids.
A place smelling of ordinary folks just living their lives.
Eisen Guard had been like that.
The Winter Claw Tribe, where I'd lived with Kara, too.
Heading back after greetings, the sun had fully set, red twilight blanketing the academy grounds.
We walked slowly, hand in hand.
"Everyone seems nice. Like in Eisen Guard."
Kara murmured softly.
"Yeah. Feels like a real place where people live. Thought it'd be stuffy."
We suddenly recalled our last day in Eisen Guard.
"When we left... Alina clung to my leg crying not to go... it tugged at me."
"Me too."
The baron seemed pretty bummed too.
Right before departure, through the carriage window, his wrinkled hand gripping mine tight spoke volumes of regret.
『Lord Barg. If you need anything—anytime, really—send word to Eisen Guard. And I'll send regular letters about the Winter Claw Tribe in my name.』
He'd switched from casual "Barg" to the formal "Lord Barg."
Eisen seemed to have finally steeled himself to send his disciple couple to the academy.
Eisen was mentor, steadfast patron, like another father.
『It was only a month... but splendid. May blessings follow you in all the bonds ahead.』
His final words echoed in my ears.
'He'll miss us.'
Wouldn't see his face till break—regret welled up.
But I couldn't just mope.
The wisdom and savvy Eisen taught would be my greatest shield here, protecting our family at the academy.
"C'mon, Kara. Let's go home—I'll make something tasty."
"Yeah! I'm hungry!"
We smiled at each other.
That night.
Fresh from unpacking and showers, we slipped into bed, setting the mood.
"......"
"......"
Soft moonlight.
Kara's skin scent.
And...
First night in a strange place.
Conditions perfect.
As I leaned toward Kara—
Knock knock.
A knock shattered the quiet at the front door.
"......?"
Kara and I froze simultaneously.
"Who could it be? This late?"
"Huh? We haven't made any noise. The professor downstairs? Explosion from research—evacuate?"
I got up, puzzled.
Too bad about the mood, but if it was a neighbor complaint, better handle it quick.
I threw on a robe and headed to the door.
The door swung open to an unexpected face.
"......Huh?"
Red hair, golden eyes.
A girl clutching a pillow as big as her torso.
Princess Elysia.
She was supposed to be in the deluxe family quarters in the faculty dorms with Radians. Why here?
"...Your Highness? What brings you here so late?"
I barely kept my frown in check.
Please.
Just go.
Moving-in first night.
Don't ruin our couple time.
But Elysia looked up at me with teary eyes.
"It's just... sob... night is deep, and living alone with big brother for the first time... it's too scary..."
"......Pardon?"
The princess fearless before kidnappers scared of her brother?
What did that siscon terminal case Radians do?
"Um... Lord Barg... could I, just for tonight—only tonight—sleep here?"
"......"
I'm losing it.
I turned back awkwardly.
The small room door was open in the living room.
"As you see, this is standard married quarters. The spare room's already storage. Packed to the brim—no room to step."
I showed the crammed storage, fortifying my defense.
"And the original bed... we combined into our marital one. Nowhere for you to sleep."
"It's fine!"
Elysia nodded eagerly.
"I slept in the palace storeroom as a kid. On crates! This is comfy!"
"No, academy rules—another dorm student staying over could be an issue..."
Truth: both faculty zones, no real problem.
I just wanted her gone.
Get a clue, heroine.
"Aw, we haven't had opening ceremony yet? Not students! Okay? Pleeease?"
She beamed innocently, pushing in relentlessly.
As I sighed to argue more—
Grab.
Kara took my arm from behind.
"Honey."
She called softly.
"Let her stay one night. She's scared. Us girls get it."
"But Kara..."
Kara whispered in my ear, tiny voice.
"...If it were a month from now... I'd say no way."
"......!"
A month later.
12 weeks pregnant.
Our promised hottest stable phase.
Then I'd boot princess or whoever, but now? No difference since we couldn't anyway.
'Ah... right, as long as not then.'
I caved instantly.
Shrugging at Kara's cool permission.
"...Haa. Fine. Come in."
"Yay! Thank you! Love you, Wintersword couple!"
Elysia cheered and darted inside.
But.
Sharp Elysia caught the weird vibe between us—her face flushed red.
She'd pieced it from Kara's whisper and my reaction.
"Um! I'll crash just tonight...! Promise! Tomorrow I'll sort it with big bro!"
She bowed hastily and fled into the storage room.
Slam.
Door shut.
Just us two in the living room again.
"...Can't say no to that."
I chuckled dryly, hugging Kara.
"No helping it. Help tidy the storage? Don't want crates collapsing on her."
"Yeah. At least toss in a blanket."
We went in, shoved boxes aside, made space for Elysia.
Newlywed dreams slightly shattered.
But the academy's first night—bustling, lively with human warmth—faded into quiet like that.