Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Girl Searching for That Girl, The Man Chasing That Man (1)
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Under a gray sky shrouded in damp clouds, a girl cautiously closed her eyes. It was probably her first time standing before so many people, leaving her tense.
Amid her faintly trembling breaths, dust floating in the air danced, and a breeze seeping through the wooden planks gently brushed her bangs. She wished time would just stop like this. A man approached the girl harboring that impossible wish.
"Let's go."
The man's voice was flat but carried a hint of kindness, yet the girl didn't move. Instead, her quivering lips parted to ask a question she already knew the answer to.
"Has the time come already?"
The man nodded instead of replying. Without even opening her eyes, the girl sensed it and let out a sigh. The restrained emotion in her exhaled breath carried the depth of an elder who had lived a full life.
"Yeah. Let's go."
But rather than admiring her maturity, the man placed a hand on her shoulder to urge her on. Finally, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.
"All right."
The two exchanged a single glance before turning their heads forward again. They probably wouldn't meet eyes again until she climbed the stairs before them.
With each step up the stairs, the girl straightened her posture even more. Her neatly clasped hands were for herself. Her neatly combed hair was for the audience. And her unwavering gaze was for the god watching from somewhere.
Soon, a massive platform spread out before them. The girl, who had steeled herself, hesitated and halted at the sight of its immense scale. But the man wouldn't allow her to stop now.
"You have to move."
"I know."
Her responding voice clearly trembled. But the more it did, the more she knew she had to steel herself.
As she took her final step onto the platform, the surging crowd filled her vision like crashing waves.
Just like any crowd, some cheered, some jeered, and a very few shed tears. She didn't wonder whether those tears were from emotion or sorrow. She simply stared straight ahead with impassive eyes.
The man approached the girl. This time, perhaps impressed by her courage, he raised his hand high as if to applaud.
And looped a rope around her neck.
"Citizens of Erendel..."
The guard captain's low, gravelly voice echoed across the entire square. He cleared his throat longer than usual before slowly speaking.
"Under the order of the Ennesic Goddess, we humans have overcome countless adversities to achieve prosperity. Her teachings are strict, sometimes harsh in their discipline, but it is by her grace that we triumphed even over the immense threat of the Demon King's resurrection."
The crowd didn't respond. They were mere masses, not an audience, simply listening to his speech.
"Living by divine teachings in human flesh is undoubtedly difficult. Yet we must strive. A life without rules is corruption, and corruption leads to ruin."
He paused and approached the girl. He waited until the crowd's eyes focused on her before speaking again.
"Thus, we must not tolerate any evil act that defies the Goddess's will."
"...Hic."
A faint whimper escaped the girl's lips for the first time. The guard captain ignored it and continued his speech.
"This girl's name is Diana Tailleur. At first glance, she appears an innocent young lady, but the truth is different. She mercilessly plundered the esteemed Baron's wealth, threatened the Baron's wife's life and safety, committing three counts of theft and one count of robbery. These are grave crimes violating Imperial Law Article 23 Section 2 and the Ennesic Goddess's precept 'Thou shalt not steal another's property.'"
"...Hic... Hic..."
This time, clear sobs burst out. The guard captain involuntarily glanced her way before turning back to the front.
"Therefore, this villain who repeatedly committed such crimes shall now be sent to the Goddess's side. In accordance with the Baron's order not to treat any criminal lightly, we sentence her to hang by the neck until death."
"Hic... Ah... Aaaah..."
"Executioner, if you're ready..."
"No... I don't want to... I don't want this!"
The girl finally couldn't hold back and screamed. She twisted her body, crying out nonstop.
"I don't want to die! I didn't do anything wrong! Please spare me!"
"Executioner, proceed."
"No! I don't want to! I want to live! Mom! Mommy!"
The girl thrashed until the end, rejecting her fate. But the executioner's hand was already on the lever.
Clunk.
"Guh..."
With a short death rattle, the floor dropped out, and the girl's body dangled limply from the rope. As it tightened around her neck, most of her body went numb, but her toes, still clinging to life, twitched desperately.
Soon even that stopped, and the remnants of life oozed stickily from her lower body. Lydia, unable to watch any longer, closed her eyes and turned away.
"What crime did that child commit..."
"It was still a merciful punishment. The guard captain must've pulled hard."
She frowned at her husband's indifferent remark and snapped.
"Merciful punishment? You call hanging an innocent girl divine mercy?"
"Adultery's usually impalement. Better to get hanged for theft."
"What did she steal?"
"The Baron's semen."
Lydia was so stunned she couldn't continue. Professor Heide stared at the hanging corpse for a long while before wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulder.
"Let's go. We'll be late for the appointment."
"Forget that appointment. What's the big deal if we're late?"
"Lydia."
"...Fine. I get it."
She brusquely shook off his arm and headed to the carriage. The professor watched her back before slowly following.
"Will. Prepare to go."
The bearded coachman nodded, and a grim-faced servant opened the door from inside. Once all three were aboard, their carriage jolted toward the day's end, carrying their fates.
"Cough. Cough."
Beyond the noisy wheel rattles came the coachman's coughs. Lydia, silent the whole ride, finally spoke.
"...We should give Will some time off."
"Then you'll drive the carriage?"
"Have the new boy do it. He's been here a short time, but he should know how to handle one."
"That's not why we hired him, Lydia."
"You always oppose me no matter what. Fine, I'll shut up. Like always."
The professor fidgeted with his fingers at his wife's sharp tone.
"Why are you like this? It's a good day. Think positive."
"Good day? Why?"
"We get to dine with the hero who defeated the Demon King. Of course it's good. Don't you think so?"
"Yes. You're right, Professor."
The servant's heavy reply made Lydia grimace and glare at her husband.
"The hero who defeated the Demon King? That's not what they teach at the academy."
"What are you talking about? I..."
"You think I just sit home sewing with my ears plugged? I have eyes and ears. I know all the rumors about you. They say you're just spouting nonsense to students at the academy. As a potions professor, just teach potion-making. Why stir trouble?"
"Lydia!"
The professor finally raised his voice too. But he regretted it immediately, squeezing his eyes shut before speaking.
"I'm just... doing what's right. Don't you say that too."
Though he spoke calmly, Lydia couldn't suppress her surging emotions, her hands trembling.
"Do you know what they call you? A vile agitator in professor's clothing. A traitor insulting the imperial family and tarnishing the hero's name. You even gave a speech at one of their traitor gatherings recently."
"Traitors? They're just young people trying to correct wrongs."
"Do innocent youths attack guard posts? Don't talk nonsense."
"Lydia."
He finally grabbed her hand. Holding her wrist as she tried to pull away, he pleaded.
"Please. I don't want to fight today. Let's just go, enjoy, and come home. Yeah? The Baron prepared a lavish feast. Eat well, hear his tales, then home. Got it?"
"Heide."
Lydia bit her lip. Her hand was already slick with sweat.
"You think I don't know what'll happen there?"
The professor met his wife's eyes. A tear rolled down from hers. Seeing the clear droplet on his beloved wife's skin, he could only manage one thing.
"Don't cry, dear. You'll ruin your makeup."
Lydia knew it wasn't for her. Not even for the professor himself. It was for the Baron she'd meet soon.
The overly righteous husband and the wife wise enough to foresee her own future both bowed their heads. As they exchanged lonely farewells for each other, the carriage slowed to a stop. The servant peered out and informed the professor and his wife.
"We've arrived."
"Thanks, Luke. Let the guards know we're here."
"Yes."
Luke bowed solemnly and opened the door. Before he could step down, a guard with a spear over his shoulder approached.
"Who're you?"
Their yawning drawl screamed sleaziness. But the professor replied politely, without irritation.
"Good day. I'm Heide, potions professor at Erendel Academy. The Baron graciously invited my wife and me to dinner tonight. Did you not receive prior notice?"
"Ah... You're that professor? Older than I thought."
The guard smirked, then spotted Lydia sitting straight inside and chuckled.
"Your wife's younger than expected, though."
"...Thank you."
As the professor replied bitterly, the guard prodded the carriage with his spear.
"Get out first. Body search before entry."
"Body search? But no one mentioned..."
"Just get out. It's routine, nothing much."
"Understood. Then please move that spear. My wife is frightened."
"I said get out."
His tone shortened, and judging it unwise to provoke further, the professor slowly disembarked. Then another approached from behind.
"Good... Hand over any weapons first."
"We have none. We're here for dinner."
"Let's check."
The guards patted down the professor and Luke first. Finding nothing, they still groped the professor's lower half, snickering among themselves.
"Professor's all study, no muscle down there."
"Yeah, wife must be backed up."
"...Search done? Let us in."
Unable to endure, the professor spoke sharply. The guard tapped his cheek playfully.
"What? The wife's turn now."
"Pardon? But..."
"Get her out quick. Before we drag her."
"Hey, this is...!"
"It's fine."
The professor tried to protest, but Lydia calmly replied and stepped down. As if on cue, they whistled and leered.
"Damn... Rumor's true, she's a beauty."
"Yeah. Too good for some academy prof's wife."
"Hurry the search. We'll be late."
She lifted her chin haughtily. But the guard smirked slyly.
"Nah, can't do that. How could we touch another man's woman carelessly?"
The professor briefly hoped. But they knew no bounds.
"So strip."
"What?"
"Strip, I said. All the way."
Lydia's composed expression slowly crumbled at the demand. The professor advanced angrily.
"Hey! This is too far...!"
A sharp spear tip met his throat. As he froze in fear, laughter erupted again.
"Calm down, prof. Can't be helped, right? You wouldn't like us groping you either."
"But...!"
"If she can't strip, we'll rip it off. Baron'd prefer that anyway."
The professor fell silent and looked to his wife. Her face flushed red, head bowed. But this was just the start of her humiliation, weighing heavy on his chest.
"...I'll strip, so move the spear."
Hearing her trembling voice, he closed his eyes. The spear at his throat slowly withdrew.
"That's more like it."
Lydia approached demurely. Glancing at their drooling faces, she loosened her shoulder straps. The thin fabric slid down, her smooth shoulder gleaming red in the sunlight, met with crude whistles.
"Good, good. Keep going."
Urging voices. Pouring gazes. Her husband's averted face. Barely holding back tears, Lydia slowly pulled down her clothes.
As her ample breasts popped free, cheers exploded. Under their licking stares, she bowed her flushed head.
"Whoa, hiding these? Should've said sooner."
One leering guard approached, gripping his spear backward. He prodded her pink nipple with the butt end.
"Ah... Nn..."
As pained moans escaped, he twisted it relentlessly. Unable to understand why she kept moaning, Lydia felt contempt for herself. And for her helpless husband watching.
"Hey, don't hog the fun. Let me in."
"Check the luggage first. Then you can."
"Jerk. Fine."
The waiting one grumbled and went to the back. Grabbing the large luggage door, he asked the professor.
"What's inside?"
"Liquor and potions... for the Baron."
In his despair, the professor listed the cargo but forgot one item.
"Potions? Planning some action tonight, eh?"
Yeah. Peering right, four or more boxes of potions stacked. Gonna wreck the place tonight. I smirked, adjusting my hat.
"Lemme see..."
The wooden door creaked open, light filtering in. I roughly gathered my flowing red hair and raised my hands.
Soon, the door flew wide, revealing the ugly guard's face. Savoring his shocked expression as our eyes met, I drawled slowly.
"Hi."
"Gah! Shit! You scared me!"
"What? What's up?"
As one yelped, the one toying with Lydia rushed over, spear at ready. He screamed too upon seeing me.
"What the fuck!"
"Quite the welcome. This house greets guests like this?"
"Professor, you! How dare you pull this stunt!"
"Hey, leave the old man alone. I snuck in on my own."
I shrugged and hopped out. Stretching my stiff body, I turned to see the prof's wife, red-faced in shame, hastily pulling up her clothes.
"Aw, cheating already? Last night you were head over heels."
"Th-that was the alcohol...!"
The door-opener flailed defensively. Cute guy. These idiots always abuse the tiniest power.
"Hey, detective girl."
As I teased, the other growled low.
I sighed irritably and turned.
"Told you, not a detective."
"Don't care. Whatever you are, you snuck in asking dumb questions. No one like that here, so fuck off."
"How do you know? You don't even know who I'm looking for."
"Who gives a shit. No such person, so scram."
"Forgot already? Let me ask again."
I playfully tipped my hat with a finger. But my smile had faded. With a darker expression than the gray sky, I repeated the question I'd asked so many times.
"I'm looking for a black-haired girl who smells like mint. Seen her?"