Chapter 77: What I Longed For
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 77: What I Longed For
“Oh, of course! I did it because I wanted to. Yes, yes. Not at all, ma'am.”
Theodora, having just received a Lymain Family Special: Ultimate Knuckle Sandwich, was kneeling on the floor, rubbing the bump on her head. I stood beside her, doing my absolute best to shield her from Renart before she actually cracked Theodora’s skull.
“Sigh... Honestly. I can’t believe you.”
“Uuuugh...”
Steam was practically rising from the top of Theodora’s head; the power behind that hit was no joke. I suppose that’s what happens when a mother who can deflect a full-body weight attack with one hand gets serious. The Scoville index of her hands must be off the charts.
“Aven, come here.”
“Ah, yes, ma'am.”
Renart plopped down onto the sofa and gestured for me to sit opposite her. Theodora remained kneeling on the rug beside the sofa with a tearful face, making the whole situation incredibly awkward.
Of course, from Renart’s perspective, her own heart was likely in a much more awkward position. To her, Yoo Eon looked perfectly normal on the outside, but his common sense was in shambles. He was acting in a way that was so disastrously reckless it made her wonder if he was missing a few screws.
In this world, if there was a list of things you should absolutely never get involved with, the number one spot belonged to the dead, including Liches. The second spot was reserved for ancient demi-humans like Vampires or Titans.
“What on earth were you listening to when you were guarding Hollow Breeze as a child?”
“Pardon? Hollow... what? What is that?”
“What... No, never mind. Theodora, you take another one.”
“Ow!”
And so, poor Theodora, who was just sitting there, got another knuckle sandwich for no reason.
“Aven, visit the cathedral in the West as soon as possible. I’ll have someone write a visitor’s pass for you, so just take that with you.”
“Um, alright. I understand.”
To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about it, but since she insisted, I figured it was best to listen to my elders. More than anything, she was saying this out of concern for me, so it would be rude to refuse just because it was a hassle.
*
I walked outside to get some fresh air with Theodora, who had grown slightly taller thanks to the bump on her crown.
“Aven, are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that. How’s your head?”
“It’s fine now. I’m more worried about you. You coughed up so much blood because of the Dragon Heart.”
Even though it was a gift given with good intentions, Yoo Eon had almost been seriously injured. Since he had collapsed coughing up blood right in front of her, Theodora, who had provided the cause, felt deeply guilty.
In truth, Yoo Eon felt bad for Theodora because it felt like he’d snitched to a teacher about a mistake made while playing as kids. Since they both felt sorry for each other, there was no lingering resentment between them.
“Make sure you go to the cathedral. Honestly, in the Labyrinth, I just thought it was an amazing skill, but looking back, it really was reckless.”
“Sigh, I guess. Honestly, it feels like everyone’s overreacting a bit, though.”
“Not at all. Not even a little bit.”
Well, in this world, ghosts and such were confirmed to exist through magical phenomena. It made sense that the etiquette and treatment regarding the dead would be much more stringent.
That aside, a cathedral, huh?
“Hmmmm.”
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“No. It’s not that.”
What kind of gods do people in this world believe in? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone I’d call a truly devout believer. Garond did something similar to a prayer, but he said it was a village custom, not a religion.
Since Tresha’s friends were protected at a cathedral, I assumed they also functioned as a sort of shelter.
I hadn’t seen anyone in the Southwest who specifically attended a cathedral either. There was one located in the western part of Calax, but perhaps there weren't any in the East because there were simply too many criminals.
“Young Master, here. This is a letter the Chairwoman asked me to deliver to you.”
While I was cooling my head by circling the plaza with Theodora, a woman who looked like a maid approached and handed me an envelope.
“What’s this?”
“The Chairwoman said you would need this when you go to the cathedral.”
“Ah, I see. Thank you.”
Is the cathedral in this world by recommendation only? I wasn’t sure why she went through the trouble of writing a letter, but since it was clearly for my benefit, I accepted it gratefully.
“Furthermore, a carriage has been prepared for your return to the Southwest.”
“She didn't need to go that far.”
I was planning on heading back to the Mounted Goat Inn soon anyway. I’d spent two days lying in a hospital bed, and I’d told Sera I’d be back for dinner. I wondered if she was waiting.
I went back inside the treatment center and changed into the clothes Theodora had bought me. Though I wasn't particularly in the mood, I also tidied up my messy hair.
Finally, after saying goodbye to Theodora, I boarded the carriage.
“When shall we meet next?”
“Well, I should match your schedule, Theodora. You’re talking about going to the Labyrinth, right?”
Theodora asked about our next plans. I was a bit hesitant because of the Antonio Brotherhood, but for now, I decided to go with her schedule.
“Just send a letter to the Mounted Goat Inn in the Southwest.”
“An inn? Are you living in an inn right now?”
“Yeah. I’ve settled in there.”
“Hmm. If you’d like, should I look for a place for you to stay?”
A place found by Theodora... that sounded like it would be expensive and nice. But it felt like too much to accept.
“No, I can’t accept that much. More than anything, I stay there because I like that inn.”
“If you say so, alright. I’ll send a letter or a messenger when I have a schedule for our next meeting.”
I’d prefer a letter if possible. I didn't want to draw attention by having an expensive carriage like this rolling into the Southwest.
The Lymain Treatment Center was located in the Northern Sector, almost exactly at the twelve o'clock position. It sat right on the line between the Northwest and Northeast. Considering the prestigious clan buildings lined up on either side, the land here must be incredibly expensive.
I requested to be dropped off just at the entrance of the Southwest, but I wasn't sure if the coachman had understood correctly. He nodded, but it was a somewhat untrustworthy nod.
The carriage was a high-end double-horse model, emblazoned with a large Lymain family crest and pulled by two majestic white steeds with shimmering manes.
In the North, people might just glance at it and move on, but a carriage like this in the South was a bit much. It was obvious that people would stare and find it strange.
Swish—
‘The attention is intimidating.’
I sat inside the carriage with the curtains drawn, meditating in silence. Eventually, the vibrations stopped, and the coachman signaled our arrival. Before long, he opened the door for me. I tucked Renart’s letter into my inner coat pocket and stepped out.
To my surprise, we were right in front of the Mounted Goat Inn.
“Wait, Mr. Coachman. I believe I asked to be dropped off at the entrance to the Southwest.”
“Young Master, I’m from the Southwest myself, so I know these streets like the back of my hand. I’m truly touched that you were looking out for me.”
The coachman gave me a thumbs-up, flashing a healthy, bright-white smile. This man’s smile was something else. In the end, you can’t spit on a smiling face, so I couldn't say a word as he drove the carriage away.
Looking to my left, I saw Sera and Tresha clinging to each other, staring at me.
“Yoo Eon...?”
“Ah, Sera! Tresha’s here too.”
It was good to see them after a few days. But what was with this reaction?
“Um, Sera?”
“Hic...!”
“Tr-Tresha?”
“Hieee...!”
* * *
It was now May, a spring day with warm sunlight shining through the afternoon. Sera had woken up late that morning since there were no guests staying in the rooms the night before.
Lying in bed, she stretched luxuriously before opening the window to welcome the bright sunlight. Looking at the time, it wasn't even 10:00 AM yet.
“Uuuugh... Unnie...”
“Ah. Sorry, Tresha. Do you want to sleep a bit more?”
“Yeah...”
“Then when you wake up, could you open the window and air out the room?”
“Okay...”
Tresha, who shared the bed with her, was still half-asleep—or rather, she hadn't woken up at all. Objectively, it wasn't a large bed, but since they were both small-statured women, it worked.
She wasn't sure how it would be in the summer, but since it had been a cold winter, Sera had been sharing a room with Tresha, who had now firmly established herself as the youngest member of the inn.
After washing her face and changing into her everyday clothes, Sera went down to the first-floor dining area, only to find her father sleeping soundly on his back, belly exposed. Though he looked like a young girl in her early teens, the spilled beer mug beside him was a pathetic sight.
“Sigh, honestly.”
Sera picked up her tiny father, wiped the beer-soaked hair and mouth with a wet towel, and tossed him back into his room. Then, she grabbed a light wooden chair and headed to the second floor to retrieve a lantern.
“Ngh...!”
Even on her tiptoes, she could barely reach it. When she had complained about the chair wobbling because the four legs weren't even, her unreliable father had taken a dagger and shaved down the legs.
But every time he shaved one, another would somehow end up shorter. Now, while it was no longer unstable, it felt just a tiny bit too short.
She barely managed to get the lantern down and hung it outside where the sun hit well. Then, she shook out the light laundry she’d hung in the backyard, brought it inside, and folded it neatly.
Among the normal-sized clothes, one white top looked exceptionally large. She didn't know where it had been bought, but she knew who it belonged to.
“Yoo Eon...”
He’d said he had business in the Northwest and hadn't shown his face for three days. Had something happened there? Or had he joined a party for an unscheduled trip to the Labyrinth?
Creeeeak—
Clutching the neatly folded clothes to her chest, she went up to the second floor and opened the door to the room at the very end. The desk and bedding were tidy, and the clothes hanging up were all clean and untouched since they’d been washed.
She placed the folded laundry on the desk. She sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, then leaned her back against the blanket.
She took off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, then covered herself with the well-arranged duvet and rolled around.
“When is he coming back...?”
She tidied the messy bed once more and carefully placed the fresh-smelling laundry into the dresser.
After having breakfast with the now-awake Tresha and scolding her disobedient father, there wasn't much to do.
Since there was so little entertainment around, once she finished her morning chores, Sera would sit at the table closest to the entrance in the first-floor dining area and watch the street.
In her hand was a simple drink made by mixing water with raspberry preserves that had been crushed and soaked in sugar.
“Unnie, it’s noisy outside. Is something happening?”
“Huh? Is something going on?”
Tresha came clattering down the stairs, calling out to Sera. Sera had been spacing out and hadn't noticed, but focusing on the sounds outside, she realized it was true.
The atmosphere felt a bit more hectic than usual, making her wonder what was happening.
“Should we go outside?”
Sera was bored anyway since there were no customers. She stepped outside with Tresha, and in the distance, at the end of the street, she saw a massive carriage that looked strangely out of place against the backdrop.
The carriage had a wooden base painted a clean navy blue, finished with silver metal accents that gave it an antique yet sophisticated feel. The horses leading it with majestic, shimmering manes were fine steeds the likes of which Sera had never seen in her life.
“Wow...”
“I wonder who’s riding in a carriage like that?”
Sera and Tresha giggled, holding hands.
“I know, right? Who could it be?”
The carriage, which moved with a quiet grace that belied its massive size, drew closer. As expected of a luxury carriage, it was different from the creaky, noisy ones they saw every day.
The carriage they were admiring approached and gradually slowed down right in front of them.
“Young Master! We’ve arrived!”
The carriage door remained shut despite the coachman’s booming voice. Even though it was a coincidence, they hadn't expected the carriage to stop so close.
Startled, both Tresha and Sera clung to each other, watching to see who would step out.
‘Who is it? A "Young Master"?’
When the coachman stood up and opened the door, a long leg clad in black trousers emerged.
A hand in a white glove gripped the doorframe, and then someone with a black coat draped stylishly over his shoulders appeared.
With neatly groomed hair and expensive clothing, the man tucked a high-quality piece of stationery into his inner coat pocket. He stepped onto the ground, his clothes fluttering elegantly as he straightened his posture.
A glimpse of a bright yellow eye was visible from the left, and when he turned his head, the other eye was—to their surprise—black.
‘Wait a minute...?’
He had a face they felt they’d seen somewhere before. Both Sera and Tresha watched from a distance, wary of wealthy nobles.
“Yoo Eon...?”
At the name she whispered softly, he reacted.
“Ah, Sera! Tresha’s here too.”
It was Yoo Eon, the one Sera had longed for so much.