Chapter 18
The princess escort mission was scheduled for about three days later. We'd agreed to meet just outside the west gate at Leventen's entrance. The destination was, naturally, the Royal Capital. Our goal: deliver her safely to the palace without a hitch.
On the way back, Ju Cheong-ah, who'd been quietly lost in thought, finally spoke up. "Darling, something about this commission feels off to me. Why'd you take it?"
Her expression made it clear she wasn't thrilled. Cheong-ah usually trusted me completely as her husband, leaving all decisions to me. But this job had too many suspicious elements, and for once, she was asking outright.
It was a fair question. Fifty gold coins wasn't chump change, but for a mission involving royalty? It felt a bit light.
Truth be told, I hadn't accepted it just for the fifty gold. Sure, that sum could buy a decent house in the bustling city center or a ritzy neighborhood where the wealthy lived. But getting tangled with royals was risky business—one misstep, and you could lose your head. Do it right, though, and the rewards were steady; screw up, and the fallout could be catastrophic.
I shrugged. "It's no big deal. Just seemed like it had a lot of upsides."
"Upsides?"
"Yeah. Think about it. Why couldn't you take the Platinum Badge exam this time? Skill? Please. The rumors floating around say people see me as a 'gold-rank fly' just because I'm with you..."
Saying it out loud soured my mood. A fly on shit? Really?
"Ahem... Anyway, the point is, folks rate your skills at minimum Gold Badge level—probably higher. The branch manager said the same, right?"
"Mm, yeah, he did."
"So what's missing? Just two things: achievements and status."
"Hmm...? And that ties into this commission...? Oh! I get it. Escorting the princess covers both at once."
"Exactly."
Cheong-ah pieced it together in a flash. This wasn't just about the coin—it was a two-for-one boost to achievements and status.
Simple when you broke it down. Achievements were about proven results; status was about credibility. And what offered the biggest stamp of both in this world? Royalty.
Not just any royal, either—the First Princess, likely the next queen. Finish her escort unscathed, and you'd have the future queen's trust, enough to hand you bodyguard gigs.
"Boom. Achievements and status, locked in."
"Darling, sometimes I think..."
"Think what?"
"You'd make a better office clerk than adventurer. Like Karen over there."
"..."
§
Three days flew by in a blur. We'd been swamped with prep.
We paused guild commissions to gear up for departure. Cheong-ah's help? Zero. This was all me.
"How'd you even make it from Yuldo without knowing jack?"
"I was blind anyway. Once you hit a certain level, you don't need sight... And I had jerky and rations for hunger."
"Sigh. Fine, whatever."
Leventen to the Royal Capital, Melisen—even by carriage, it was over a month. I stocked supplies, rented a cart, and handled it all.
"Time to roll out?"
"Um, darling?"
"Yeah?"
"You know how to drive this thing?"
"Picked it up adventuring. Since my combat skills suck, I got good at the odd jobs."
Not the proudest reason. One: my weak skills forced it. Two: I was already handy from back home. Every able-bodied Korean guy rolls through mandatory service, picking up random survival tricks. Turns out, they came in clutch.
Explaining that, Cheong-ah gave me a sidelong squint.
"Darling, seriously—why are you still adventuring?"
"Don't rub it in. Hurts my feelings."
"Eh? Rub it in? Wasn't trying to. Sorry."
"Whatever. Let's go."
I drove to the west gate, cleared a quick inspection, and arrived at the spot. Two women in deep hoods waited. One, slightly shorter, stepped forward as I stopped.
"From the Adventurer's Guild?"
"Yes. Iron Badge adventurer Ian."
"Iron? That's ridiculous—"
Her voice sharpened. Before she could complain, I pointed to Cheong-ah beside me.
"This is my partner, Ju Cheong-ah. Minimum Gold Badge, probably higher. Branch manager approved."
"Ah, Gold... Good."
I gestured for Cheong-ah to introduce herself. She shot me a dirty look.
"What?"
"Hmph. Nothing. Just a partner. What's it to you?"
"No, but..."
"Whatever. Nice to meet you. Ju Cheong-ah."
"I'm Sierra, from the House of Viscount Hildenheim—"
"Hold up."
Her intro was getting long. I cut her off, pointing to the cart. "Not here. Hop in first. It's a cargo hauler—kinda rough, but less suspicious."
"Understood. Lady Aria, please."
That's when—
Slap!
"Whoa..."
"Oh my..."
Aria backhanded Sierra's cheek hard. A red handprint bloomed. Unapologetic, Aria bellowed.
"You telling me to ride this filthy thing? You, my knight, trying to stuff your lady in garbage?!"
"L-Lady Aria, it's just—"
"Quiet! You, adventurer. You know who I am, yet you offer this? Fetch something clean now!"
"Uh..."
Irritation boiled up. What a princess...
Aria's attitude screamed trouble ahead. But the desperate take the hits.
Sigh. I swallowed it, keeping a straight face, bowing low. For flair, I mimicked a eunuch from some old historical drama—oily, servile tone.
"Aigoo, forgive us. But the cargo cart's for your safety, milady."
"Nonsense! Even so, making me ride this filthy peasant—"
"Precisely why we chose it. For your protection. Please, just this once... understand?"
After some pleading, Aria's scowl softened to haughty resignation, arms crossed.
"Fine. I'll graciously slum it with the lowly masses."
"...Aigoo, thank you kindly."
They climbed in back. I set off.
Soon, Cheong-ah whispered.
"Darling."
Figured she'd waited to rib me for groveling.
I lowered my voice. "Don't say it. Embarrassing enough. Didn't wanna act like that."
"No, not that. Something else."
"...What?"
Something else? Curious, I glanced back discreetly as she did.
"Those two. Something's off."
"How so?"
"From what I know, princesses in Yuldo or here rarely train."
"Yeah... why would they?"
Cheong-ah pondered. "Hmm."
"What? Spill."
"The princess's hands are callused. Thick ones, from years swinging a sword."
"...Calluses?"
"Yeah. And not just any—the knight's hands? Pristine. No calluses at all."
"...Huh."
That was weird. But I shook it off. Whatever. Just do the job.