Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 293
Chapter Title: Grudge
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"Kyaaaaaaaah!!!!"
To be honest, the grudge between Roel and me was basically settled.
I never had even the tiniest intention of harming her, since she was a priest-turned-mage.
The only one I ragged on was Serka, the easiest target, because she was just a pathetic, worthless martial artist.
Looking back, aside from a few harsh words, I didn't really hold any grudge against Roel. And even that was fair game since she'd hurled plenty of insults at me too.
If anything, it was me who saved them from those dryad beasts.
In other words, I was both their lifesaver and some kind of life mentor. Of course, Roel—whose common sense had gone off the rails in this other world—didn't see it that way at all.
—Kyaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
Roel let out a hysterical scream and pointed at me like I was some monster straight out of a nightmare. By that point, the gathering mages had caught on that there was some beef between us.
"Hey, you! What's the big idea causing a ruckus in the Magic Tower?!"
"Did you lay a hand on a mage? If so, you're not getting off easy!"
"Calm her down first!"
Mages in all sorts of robes, clutching wands and staves, were trying to soothe Roel while yelling at me.
Fuck this.
To show I meant no harm, I raised both hands and explained politely. Hell, I was practically bowing my head off here.
I couldn't afford to mouth off to these mages.
"Oh dear, esteemed mages. What trouble? It's nothing. Just old acquaintances. I had no intention of bothering any of you fine folks."
"Old acquaintances don't act like that! Don't spout nonsense!"
A bald mage bellowed in response.
Old acquaintances fight all the time, you prick.
You bicker with your mom daily.
"...I'm truly sorry for the disturbance. It's not a real problem—just a misunderstanding. I won't cause any more trouble, so I'll be on my way."
"Where do you think you're going? Stop right there!"
I tried to slip out quietly, but the other mages blocked me. Their vibes were way too hostile... Fuck, these useless mage bastards!
Winia! Help!
"We need to subdue him first! Don't move!"
Subdue me? What the hell?!
This was a life-or-death pinch.
My specialties—running and violence—wouldn't fly in the Magic Tower surrounded by mages. Pulling a sword? Zero chance of winning! Damn it! How powerless does an individual feel against a group!
Just as things were about to turn violent...
"Darkie? What's going on?"
Winia pushed through the crowd and strode over.
For a split second, she looked like a saint to me. I slid behind her like a shadow, using her as a shield.
"Wi-Winia! Help me out!!"
"What's this crap?"
Winia scanned the gathered mages left and right.
Then she grabbed my wrist.
"Darkie, shut up and stay put."
She seemed to grasp the situation. I squeezed my eyes shut, pressed close, and let her feel my trembling... She was the only one I could trust right now.
"What exactly is going on here? Why are you all surrounding him?"
Winia changed her tone and confronted the bald mage at the front.
"Hmm... You. Do you know him?"
The mages, who had been ready to devour me alive, hesitated at Winia's arrival. Being a fellow mage opened the door to dialogue.
"He's my husband. What happened?"
"Winia...!"
She declared it protectively and boldly! I was so moved, tears nearly welled up. How reliable could she be?!
"He caused the commotion."
A bespectacled brown-haired female mage with a prickly vibe answered instead of the bald guy.
She stood up from trying to calm the slumped Roel.
"Commotion?"
"Look at this poor girl wailing here. He was about to attack her."
What bullshit is this bitch spouting?
I swear, I had zero intent to attack.
I never planned to touch Roel in the first place.
"Darkie?"
Winia glanced at me.
—Shake shake!
I shook my head vigorously to say no.
"Attack... Is that true?"
"It is. Hand him over."
"My husband says no."
"Of course he'd say that. If he did nothing, why's the girl freaking out like this?"
She had a point, annoyingly enough.
Not many people panic and scream out of nowhere. Well, some do, but it's rare in the Magic Tower.
Her reasoning was annoyingly sound.
Winia turned to me, demanding an explanation.
"Darkie, what happened? You didn't do something fucked up again, right? If you did, even I can't help. Spill it properly."
I whispered quietly in her ear.
"Well, see... We worked together once way back. But she started calling me a barbarian and tried to attack me. I had to yell back. That's it—no direct harm."
"What the fuck... Then why's the little shit collapsed screaming her head off?"
"Beats me. Hell, I even saved her life."
"This makes zero sense."
Truth is, during that promotion trial, I did nothing wrong.
I faced something insane and just responded accordingly.
Why should I take shit from worthless punks? Kim Katt doesn't forgive clueless fools—he's a pure Heavenly Demon.
"What are you whispering about? Hand him over. We need to investigate."
Her attitude screamed KKK.
Well, mages were authoritarian and cliquey—racism was practically standard issue.
"Who the hell are you to boss my husband around? He says he's innocent. And shouldn't we hear from the girl first?"
"That's what we're about to do..."
"Looks like you're judging first. That's not right."
—Murmurs.
The mages seemed unsure how to handle Winia's bold stance.
If I were just some outsider barbarian, fine—but she was a mage, and I'd been nailed as her husband. They couldn't touch us lightly.
Winia rocks!!!!!!
Winia strode toward Roel next. She crouched down and asked in a deliberate tone.
"You. What did my husband do to you? Care to tell me?"
"Th-that's... um..."
"Heard you partied together. They say you insulted him back then. True?"
"Ugh..."
Roel clammed up, looking intimidated.
Makes sense. A newbie like her couldn't mouth off to a veteran (big-tits) type like Winia.
And Roel was guilty anyway.
Under pressure, she had nothing to say.
"Stop! What are you doing? You're distressing her!"
The brown-hair jumped in again.
Guess she's tight with Roel.
Winia sneered.
"My husband was distressed too. What's the harm in hearing her out? We need to resolve this."
"She's distressed!"
"Why do you keep butting in? Distressed? Ridiculous. Is this your problem?"
"It's a mage issue."
"Aren't I a mage?"
"That barbarian isn't."
Her true colors showed as she pointed at me.
No wonder she had zero respect. Total KKK material. As tension rose, Winia shot up.
"What the fuck? Barbarian? You insulting my husband? That's the same as insulting me."
Go, Winia!
"Not an insult—fact. And marrying a barbarian? How shameful for a mage... You're out of your mind."
"Excuse me? Do you know me? What I do is none of your business, bitch!"
"It degrades mage dignity! No wonder you married an Amen race! Everyone! Restrain that man now!"
Every time, this world amazed me. I still had a long way to go to match these locals' personalities.
I was just grateful Winia was raging for me.
"Hey. Brown-hair."
On reflex, I spoke up.
"...What?"
"Insulting me is one thing, but my wife too? That's crossing a line."
"Unbelievable. Guards! Restrain him now!"
"No, fuck."
They were floundering, so Winia stepped in.
"Darkie, stay put. I got this."
"...Okay."
And restrain me?
Looking around, no one was moving. They just gawked. Winia addressed them firmly.
"Show's over. Go back to your business. This is our problem—we'll handle it. Mage honor dispute between individuals. No interfering."
—Brief silence.
"Didn't you hear? Personal honor matter."
Personal honor matter.
That nailed it. The mages buzzed and dispersed to their tasks.
"Uh, um..."
"It's that kind of issue, huh."
"Don't cause a scene inside—take it outside."
In this world of private sanctions and duels, most couldn't stomach insults.
"What is this..."
The bespectacled brown-haired mage scowled at us in disgust.
Winia ignored her and approached Roel again.
"You. Did you insult my husband?"
"That..."
"Answer straight."
"Y-yes... I did..."
"I see."
Winia approached the brown-hair with a fierce look.
"She admits it. Hey, you."
"..."
"I'll take that as a duel challenge for insulting me."
"What nonsense... Not worth my time!"
—Whoosh!
Her face twisted, and she stormed off.
"That stuck-up bitch."
Fuming, Winia huffed to cool down.
I hugged her from behind.
"Thanks so much, Winia."
She saved me.
"No, fuck. This is insane. Makes no sense. Without you, I'd have groveled to that bitch. She insulted us right to our faces— we just let it slide?"
"Calm down, Winia. Not worth your anger."
"Calm my ass... Haa."
Winia pulled away and extended a hand to Roel.
"Get up."
"..."
"Don't know the details, but it's over. Don't let it happen again."
"O-okay... Got it."
Roel took her hand, stood, and hurried out of the Magic Tower.
"Haa. What a stressful clusterfuck. Seriously. We finally get some alone time, and you stir up nothing but trouble."
"Haha... Sorry. And thanks. Love you."
"Bullshit. Ugh, fuck... Pisses me off."
After cooling off, she grabbed a thick book and box from the counter.
"Darkie, carry this."
"Sure."
Come to think of it, I was just the porter here. A sudden hostile situation popped up out of nowhere, but Winia covered for me—no real issues.
Magic Tower really isn't for guys like me.
"Darkie. Mages are mostly unhinged anyway."
What was that, Winia?
"Why stare?"
"You're pretty."
"Heh."
And so, Winia and I left the Magic Tower.