Chapter 73 To the Eastern District
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: To the Eastern District
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A week passed.
Time, contrary to Jeong Yoo-shin's worries, flowed by peacefully.
Jeong Yoo-shin visited Edel's house, bringing food from the inn along with his well wishes.
The quiet living room.
Jeong Yoo-shin and Edel sat facing each other across a worn table. Luna was nowhere to be seen.
Jeong Yoo-shin cautiously began.
"Uh... How are you feeling?"
"I-I'm fine."
Edel blushed. She flinched slightly, indicating she hadn't fully recovered yet.
Still, as Mion had diagnosed, Edel's condition was improving.
Her gaunt frame was slowly gaining weight.
Her warm yellow fox ears and tail were becoming fuller and glossier.
She looked like a sickly, yet beautiful, woman.
"Here's today's meal. Is there anything you need?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
Jeong Yoo-shin looked around.
It was a shabby house, but thanks to Edel's efforts, it felt lived-in.
"..."
An awkward silence fell between Edel and Jeong Yoo-shin.
Steam rose from the warm tea on the table.
He didn't know the name of the tea Edel had served, but it smelled wonderful.
Jeong Yoo-shin took a sip and his eyes widened.
"This is really good tea."
It tasted like black tea with lemon and ginger.
Edel smiled gently.
"I'm glad you like it."
The tea Jeong Yoo-shin was drinking was special.
It contained Edel's years of experience as a herbalist.
Jeong Yoo-shin cleared his throat.
"I, uh... I came to check on you since you seemed to be in a lot of pain last time."
"Oh! Yes."
Edel's face turned bright red.
Mion had visited a few days before Jeong Yoo-shin for that reason.
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"Edel, how are you feeling?"
Mion asked.
"I'm feeling much better. Thank you for your concern. But Priestess, I have a question."
At Edel's question, Mion smiled gently and nodded.
"Yes, please ask away."
"Well..."
Edel hesitated, then cautiously shared her experience.
"At the end, I suddenly felt this jolt like electricity was running through my body... It was a feeling of pleasure. Or perhaps liberation. It's hard to explain. What do you think it was?"
Edel, her face flushed, asked for Mion's opinion.
Mion listened for a while, seemingly lost in thought, then spoke.
"This is just my guess. Mana Sclerosis is a rare disease, so there aren't many documented cases of its aftereffects."
Mion continued.
"I think it's a similar mechanism to Mana Adaptation, what people call leveling up. When you level up, your mana and physical abilities improve, and you feel a sense of euphoria, almost like omnipotence. I believe in your case, Edel, you felt a pleasure several times stronger than leveling up as your mana blockages were cleared and your body returned to normal. I can't be certain, though."
Edel pondered for a moment.
"Then why didn't I feel the pleasure from the beginning?"
"Perhaps it's because you only feel the sense of omnipotence when the physical changes are nearing completion?"
At Mion's reply, Edel nodded.
"I see. I thought Skar had a 'special' imprint. Oh! That's not to say I'm not grateful. It's true that Skar saved my life. I was just curious..."
Edel, realizing her slip of the tongue, became flustered.
"..."
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Mion's forehead.
Indeed.
Skar's mana, though faint, was unusually pure.
It was the first time she had encountered a barbarian's mana. Nevertheless, Skar's mana was qualitatively different from an ordinary person's.
It was like the mana of a newborn child.
Mion stopped her train of thought.
She had come for a visit, not to investigate. Moreover, it would be rude to Edel, who was sitting in front of her.
Mion smiled gently and stood up.
"Edel, I'll be going now."
"Yes. Thank you for visiting."
Edel bowed deeply.
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"Are you really alright?"
Jeong Yoo-shin's worried voice brought Edel back to the present.
"Yes."
Jeong Yoo-shin finished his tea and stood up.
"Please rest well, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Skar. If you ever need help with anything related to herbs, please consult me."
"Alright. Then, I'll be going."
Jeong Yoo-shin nodded and left Edel's house.
He walked through the quiet midday streets and returned to Dalmong's inn.
The inn was bustling with people.
Most of them were merchants from the Lionel Kingdom.
They were busy dealing with explorers in the mornings and evenings, so lunchtime was their only chance to have a proper meal.
Jeong Yoo-shin watched Tarman and Snout running around busily and then went to sit at the counter.
The breeze coming in through the window carried a sticky humidity.
Jeong Yoo-shin closed his eyes and crossed his arms.
Lost in thought, he overheard the merchants' conversation.
"Have you heard the news?"
"What news?"
"Someone said that they saw the Fifth Prince's nanny in this city."
"Isn't that just a rumor? How could the Fifth Prince's nanny travel such a long distance?"
"Someone said they saw her in the eastern district."
"That's hard to believe. Even if it's true, aren't there people turned into monsters living there? There's no reason for the Fifth Prince's nanny to go to such a dangerous place."
"But what if the Fifth Prince is there?"
"Shhh! Do you want to get into trouble? The atmosphere in the city has been unsettling these past few days. It's a time to be careful with your words."
"...Sorry. Let's just drink."
The merchants' conversation soon shifted to other topics.
Jeong Yoo-shin's eyebrows twitched.
'Shit.'
Was Oswald calling for him?
He quietly leaned back into his chair as he waited for evening.
How long did he wait?
The sun set, and explorers started gathering in the inn's dining area.
He had arranged to meet with his party today.
They should be arriving soon.
Clatter!
The door opened, and his party members entered the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin opened his eyes.
Soline, Gallerheim, and Pyrion.
"Everything alright?"
Jeong Yoo-shin asked his approaching party members.
"We rested well, as usual."
"It was a good, long rest."
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up and led his party to a table near the counter.
"Tarman! Prepare some food!"
"Yes!"
Tarman ran to the kitchen.
"We have things to discuss today, so let's hold off on the drinks."
Jeong Yoo-shin said as he sat down at the table.
His party members, sensing the serious atmosphere, nodded.
Tarman soon returned with a tray of dinner.
The dinner menu was baguette bread and tomato stew filled with chickpeas, chicken, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.
His party members' mouths watered.
"Smells amazing."
"The portions are generous. I'm glad I didn't eat dinner before coming here."
His party members each made a comment and then started devouring the food.
Jeong Yoo-shin watched them and then picked up his spoon.
After dinner, fruit juice was served instead of alcohol as a palate cleanser.
His party members sipped their juice and chatted about what they had done during their break.
Jeong Yoo-shin felt curious.
"Gallerheim, what have you been up to for the past week?"
Gallerheim shrugged.
"I went to the library to read and visited the blacksmith to have my weapons checked. Self-improvement is all the rage in Labyrinth City these days. It was a productive time."
Hmm.
Jeong Yoo-shin stared intently at Gallerheim's nose mask.
"What...?"
Gallerheim fidgeted with his mask.
"Let's have an honest conversation. As party members. No secrets."
"Hey! We're comrades who've risked our lives for each other! Trust me!"
"Let's start by taking off that mask."
As Jeong Yoo-shin's hand crept closer, Gallerheim recoiled in horror.
"D-Don't!"
Soline laughed at the sight.
"Skar, aren't you being too hard on Gallerheim? How have you been for the past week?"
Jeong Yoo-shin shrugged.
"I've been busy."
He trained every morning, swinging his sword.
He occasionally visited Edel.
He helped with serving duties on Snout's days off.
In the evenings, he discussed the inn's management with Anne and Tarman.
It had been a fulfilling time. And a time that couldn't be summed up in a single sentence.
Soline smiled and spoke.
"That's great. I visited the western blacksmith district that Gillian recommended. As expected of Labyrinth City, there were a variety of weapons. It was a fun place to look around."
Jeong Yoo-shin and his party members spent some time chatting.
They didn't talk about the Fifth Prince's nanny.
As time passed and the night deepened, the customers started leaving the inn one by one.
He sent Anne and Tarman home after their shift.
Snout went to Edel's house with a packed meal.
Only Jeong Yoo-shin's party remained in the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms.
It was time for a serious discussion.
They had to decide on the future direction of their party.
"Rumors about the Fifth Prince are circulating in the city."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's words, Pyrion, who had been silent, finally spoke.
"That's right. To be precise, they're rumors about the Fifth Prince's nanny."
"Regardless of anything else, I don't want to get involved with the Fifth Prince. It's too dangerous for our party to handle. That's my honest opinion."
At Jeong Yoo-shin's words, his party members all nodded.
Soline spoke with a serious expression.
"I don't want to admit it, but Oswald currently holds the upper hand."
"The problem is that we don't know what Oswald is thinking."
Jeong Yoo-shin added.
"That's right."
Soline agreed.
"Skar, are you going to look for the Fifth Prince's nanny?"
Pyrion asked.
Jeong Yoo-shin crossed his arms and pondered.
What should he do?
Oswald had said he had taken the Fifth Prince's nanny as a "hostage."
But to him, the Fifth Prince's nanny was nothing more than a worthless "bomb."
Oswald wasn't a fool. He wouldn't have used the word "hostage" for no reason. He must have something up his sleeve.
Currently.
The Fifth Prince was nowhere to be seen.
Assassins of unknown origin were targeting the Fifth Prince's nanny.
And then there were the merchants who had suddenly gathered from the Lionel Kingdom.
He had clues, but he couldn't find the connection between them.
He needed more information.
Not vague rumors, but direct and practical information.
'I guess I have no choice but to enter the tiger's den to catch the tiger.'
Jeong Yoo-shin made up his mind.
He had to meet up with Oswald.
He looked at his party members and spoke.
"It's too early to draw conclusions. I need to visit Oswald's clan in the eastern district."
Soline's expression hardened.
"Are you going alone? Let's go together."
"That's right. We don't know what might happen."
Jeong Yoo-shin shook his head.
"No, I have to go alone."
"Why? Do you not trust us?"
He could see a hint of self-doubt in Soline's hardened expression.
"No. Let's say we all go. If it's a trap, we'll all be in danger. It's inefficient."
"Why are you trying to carry such a heavy burden alone?"
Jeong Yoo-shin chuckled.
"Because I'm the leader of this party. And I'm not carrying it alone. I'll ask for help if necessary. And..."
He added, looking at his party members.
"Don't be so gloomy. I don't want to die either. If Oswald had intended to harm us, he would have done so already. I think it will be safe."
His party members' expressions didn't brighten, but they seemed to agree somewhat.
Especially Gallerheim, who was nodding vigorously.
"Alright! You should all go back for now, and I'll see you tomorrow. Gallerheim, let's have a talk."
"Me? Why me?"
Gallerheim stared blankly at Jeong Yoo-shin.
"Nothing much. I just have some questions."
Soline and Pyrion stood up.
"Alright. If it seems dangerous, contact us immediately. We'll come running."
"Yes. Get some rest."
Jeong Yoo-shin saw his party members out of the inn and returned to his seat.
"So, what did you want to ask?"
Gallerheim asked.
Jeong Yoo-shin tapped the table and then spoke.
"Gallerheim, from what I heard you say in the labyrinth, you seem to know a bit about the eastern district. Let's be honest. Where did you really go? Don't give me that nonsense about the library and self-improvement. I know better."
"I-It's true! I went to the library!"
Just as Gallerheim was protesting vehemently.
Creak.
The inn door opened, and Snout entered.
"Skar."
"How's Edel doing?"
"She's doing much better now."
"I see. Contact Aldein. Tell him I'm going to the eastern district."
"I'll go with you."
"You might die."
Snout grinned.
"I don't think I will."
"Alright."
"But who’s this?"
Snout asked, looking at Gallerheim.
"He's coming with us."
Jeong Yoo-shin smiled and slung his arm around Gallerheim's shoulder.
Jeong Yoo-shin's strong arm held Gallerheim tightly.
All the color drained from Gallerheim's face.
"Gasp...! You said you were going alone!"
Jeong Yoo-shin whispered with a smile.
"I changed my mind. Let's go together. To the eastern district."
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T/N - Nothing much happened this chapter but the set up is there. Hopefully we get some action again soon.
Poor Gallerheim though. He should really just be honest when facing the MC.